Exactly what is in the Ivy League deals with the Trump administration – and how they compare
Brown University is one of the Ivy League universities that has recently made a deal with the White House to end the government’s inquiry into its treatment of Jewish students, among other practices, on campus. Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images Brendan Cantwell, Michigan State University The Trump administration and Harvard University are … [Read more...] about Exactly what is in the Ivy League deals with the Trump administration – and how they compare
TRUMP WANTS A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
What Art of the Deal?
Our great president who claims to be a great dealmaker got taken again by Putin in Alaska last Friday. He gave Putin, an indicted war criminal, the appearance of legitimacy by hosting him in a major ceremony at an air base in Alaska. It was like the civilized western world had accepted Putin again as a normal leader. Then in the meeting with Putin, the Russian dictator ate … [Read more...] about What Art of the Deal?
A UN treaty to control plastic pollution falters despite marathon negotiations
A United Nations conference, billed as final in a series to hammer-out a new global treaty to end plastic pollution, gave up the battle this morning after an all-nighter, without the conclusion required to complete a final treaty later this year. Letdown at the two-week 184-nation negotiation is another signal of dangerous decay in international cooperation although it … [Read more...] about A UN treaty to control plastic pollution falters despite marathon negotiations
‘The American Story Is Not Told on Birth Certificates. It’s Written on Hearts’
For more than two decades I have had the honor and the pleasure to write a score of stories on those magnificent Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines who have distinguished themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty...”: Our Medal of Honor recipients. True to the diversity that is America and reflective of … [Read more...] about ‘The American Story Is Not Told on Birth Certificates. It’s Written on Hearts’
How germy is the public pool? An infectious disease expert weighs in on poop, pee and perspiration – and the deceptive smell of chlorine
A 2023 CDC report tracked more than 200 pool-associated outbreaks over a four-year period. But a few basic precautions can ward off these dangers. Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images Lisa Cuchara, Quinnipiac University On hot summer days, few things are more refreshing than a dip in the pool. But have you ever wondered if the pool is as … [Read more...] about How germy is the public pool? An infectious disease expert weighs in on poop, pee and perspiration – and the deceptive smell of chlorine
TRUMP AND EPSTEIN (SATIRE SONG PARODY)
(Melody: Love and Marriage) By Laurie Baron Trump and Epstein, Trump and Epstein Hung together since they were sex fiends. If Trump released the file, We’d know the names Epstein compiled? Trump and Kristi, Trump and Kristi Promised disclosure but it was too risky. What might she be hiding? Or is she lying and … [Read more...] about TRUMP AND EPSTEIN (SATIRE SONG PARODY)
ROOF TOP FELON
DC is so crime-ridden, that the top federal official is a 34-count felon Despite the nation’s capital being at a 30-year low in crime, Donald Trump has now federalized it, installing 800 National Guard troops to patrol the city because a former DOGE guy (white dude) got slapped around by some kids. Fun fact: National Guardsmen are NOT cops. They have not been trained in … [Read more...] about ROOF TOP FELON
This isn’t how wars are ended — a veteran diplomat explains how Trump-Putin summit is amateurish and politically driven
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Aug. 15, 2025. Here, they arrive for a group photo at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images Donald Heflin, Tufts University A hastily arranged summit between President … [Read more...] about This isn’t how wars are ended — a veteran diplomat explains how Trump-Putin summit is amateurish and politically driven
NO ONE IS GETTING IN TRUMP’S WAY
Quote of the Day: On Trump’s Takeover of Washington D.C. Police
Our Quote of the Day comes from The Bulwark's William Kristol writing about Donald Trump's putting Washington D.C. police under federal control and calling out the National Guard: The president did say that under the new order of things in Washington, the police will be “allowed to do whatever the hell they want” to secure the streets. But that’s just performative … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Trump’s Takeover of Washington D.C. Police
This is not “liberation day” for DC; Trump has declared war on blue cities
Updated 7:00 am Pacific, Tuesday. Authoritarians rule with fear, force and lies. That mindset underscores President Donald Trump's social media rants about Washington, DC: crime and punishment. It explains Monday's executive order federalizing the District of Columbia. In case you've missed it, Sunday on Truth Social, Trump vowed to end what he described as violent crime … [Read more...] about This is not “liberation day” for DC; Trump has declared war on blue cities
August Is National Purple Heart Month. However, the Time to Remember and Honor its Recipients Knows no Calendar
First observed in 2014, August 7th is National Purple Heart Day, a day dedicated to the remembrance of the sacrifices made by almost two million of our military and to commemorate the day in 1782 when General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, commissioned the Badge of Military Merit, “a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of … [Read more...] about August Is National Purple Heart Month. However, the Time to Remember and Honor its Recipients Knows no Calendar
Trump meeting with Putin: will Trump defer to Putin again?
President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to talk about Ukraine and the key question now is: Will Trump defer to Putin again? Over the years it has become clear that the one person Trump has avoided criticizing or breaking with is Putin. A whole cottage industry has emerged with AI images and cartoons poking fun at Putin, who some … [Read more...] about Trump meeting with Putin: will Trump defer to Putin again?
How common is mid-decade congressional redistricting shenanigans? Not just rare. Damn rare.
Texas is trying to ram through an openly partisan mid-decade attempt to create five new Republican congressional seats. The 2020 census was completed in 2021 due to Covid-19; the map initially drawn by law is currently in litigation. News organizations are providing zero context for the mid-decade Texas legislature redistricting power grab, using the pejorative method known … [Read more...] about How common is mid-decade congressional redistricting shenanigans? Not just rare. Damn rare.
Dr. Robert
On Tuesday, it was announced that the Trump Regime, which is a petri dish of conspiracy theories, is canceling almost $500 million in contracts to develop mRNA vaccines to protect the nation against future viral threats. The federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA, which is also the noise Pete Hegseth makes when throwing up in a back alley … [Read more...] about Dr. Robert
3 reasons Republicans’ redistricting power grab might backfire
Texas state lawmakers board a bus following a press conference at the DuPage County Democratic Party headquarters in Carol Stream, Ill., on Aug. 3, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images Charlie Hunt, Boise State University The gerrymandering drama in Texas – and beyond – has continued to unfold after Democratic state legislators fled the state. The … [Read more...] about 3 reasons Republicans’ redistricting power grab might backfire
Understanding key terms swirling around Alligator Alcatraz and immigration enforcement in the US
The right terms can help you properly express your views about Alligator Alcatraz. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images Mark Schlakman, Florida State University A July 2025 CBS/YouGov poll asked Americans, “Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump administration’s program to find and deport immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally?” The … [Read more...] about Understanding key terms swirling around Alligator Alcatraz and immigration enforcement in the US
Trump’s war on truth is designed to make us stupid and clueless
When I heard the news the authoritarian imbecile had fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics director for the crime of factual math, I dimly recalled something that George Orwell had written in a magazine essay 86 years ago. I had to look it up to confirm my memory, but there it was: “It is quite possible that we are descending into an age in which two plus two will make five … [Read more...] about Trump’s war on truth is designed to make us stupid and clueless