Democratic donors are about to spend $20 million on a “strategic plan” called “Speaking with American Men” to figure out their problem with men, and mostly White men. The plan includes “study(ing) the syntax, language, and content that gains attention and virality” in male “spaces.” I’m non-partisan, but I will offer to help the Democrats figure out their White dude problem … [Read more...] about HOW TO TALK TO WHITE MEN (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore – instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation
Autocrats today tend to govern by manipulation of the public, among other tactics, rather than solely using violence. Nanzeeba Ibnat/iStock/Getty Images Plus Daniel Treisman, University of California, Los Angeles President Donald Trump’s critics often accuse him of harboring authoritarian ambitions. Journalists and scholars have drawn … [Read more...] about Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore – instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation
ICE ONLY COVERS ITS FACES BECAUSE
Bagels Gave Me My Hollywood Ending
by Jason Maury Kaplan In our village (we call it the East Village), bagels are a food of the people. Rich or poor, you can afford one. Years ago, working late nights as a sound editor, I got into the habit of stopping at a bagel shop on my way home, buying one onion bagel with an unprofitable amount of cream cheese and one pumpernickel with nothing on it. After I climbed … [Read more...] about Bagels Gave Me My Hollywood Ending
The totalitarian toddler’s wet dream
Until August of 1934, German judges swore an oath that reflected the spirit of the democratic Weimar republic: “I swear loyalty to the Constitution, obedience to the law, and conscientious fulfillment of the duties of my office, so help me God.” But that fateful summer, the judicial oath was tweaked just a wee bit: “I swear loyalty to the Fuhrer of the German Reich and … [Read more...] about The totalitarian toddler’s wet dream
Dealing With the Debt
The national debt is increased each fiscal year when the annual deficit of government spending over government revenue is added onto the existing debt. The deficit in 2024 was $1.8 trillion. In addition to the budget deficit raising the debt, the interest rate on the debt may also be partially added, depending on the rate. Currently, the national debt stands at $36.7 trillion. … [Read more...] about Dealing With the Debt
My Brother’s Light
Many of you know I often participate in writing and storytelling workshops. Some people like horseback riding, others enjoy sewing. I enjoy writing. I am particularly interested in writing that will be passed down as family history. Recently, I took a course with Kelly DuMar on writing monologues for the stage. We were a small group of writers, some of us writing … [Read more...] about My Brother’s Light
LGBTQ+ Christians are real.
LGBTQ+ Christians are real despite contradicting claims coming from certain corners of Christendom. Keep in mind that Christendom is NOT the same thing as faith in Messiah Jesus. Christendom is the accumulation of ideas and traditions developed by people after the Apostolic Era ended. Before one objects to this commentary's title and first sentence, we need to get something … [Read more...] about LGBTQ+ Christians are real.
Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy
The front entrance of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House, the workplace of Judge James Boasberg, along with other federal and appeals court judges, is seen in Washington, D.C. Philip Yabut/Getty Images Michael Gregory, Clemson University Federal judges and at times Supreme Court justices have repeatedly challenged – and … [Read more...] about Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy
ALL THOSE ANTI FASCIST MOVIES TAUGHT YOU NOTHING
(SHOCKING) QUOTE OF THE DAY: JONI ERNEST ON MEDICAID AND SNAP CUTS
Our Quote of the Day comes from Iowa's Republican Senator Joni Ernest who at a town hall gavev a quote that will be gold for Democrats all over the country and the DNC to use in their local and national political ads. Audience members shouted ot that cuts from Medicaid and SNAP would cause people to die. Her response? “Well, we’re all going to die.” This is the … [Read more...] about (SHOCKING) QUOTE OF THE DAY: JONI ERNEST ON MEDICAID AND SNAP CUTS
Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimes
Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimesby Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica; Perla Trevizo, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune; Melissa Sanchez and Gabriel Sandoval, ProPublica; Ronna Rísquez, Alianza Rebelde Investiga; and Adrián González, Cazadores de Fake NewsProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimes
The sad defenders of Old Joe’s delusional hubris
I just finished reading Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s “Original Sin,” and at the risk of pissing off the multitude of knee-jerk Tapper-haters, their deep reporting laid out in excruciating detail what we’ve needed to hear: That a seriously addled Joe Biden, fed by his own delusions and cocooned by his inner circle of wagon-circling sycophants, screwed us by refusing until … [Read more...] about The sad defenders of Old Joe’s delusional hubris
ELON MUSK IS GETTING OUT OF DOGE
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is getting out of DOGE. He formally announced that he's leaving the Trump administration - and he'll be forever seen as not just a billionaire who spent a staggering amount of money to elect Donald Trump and Republicans and a mega MAGA federal government slasher, but as an example of someone who obliterated his personal and business … [Read more...] about ELON MUSK IS GETTING OUT OF DOGE
The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemy
The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemyby Molly ReddenProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.When top Trump adviser Stephen Miller threatened on May 9 that the administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas … [Read more...] about The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemy
TRUMP VS HARVARD (Cartoon and Column)
Along with Vladimir Putin, Walmart, Apple, Bruce Springsteen, every nation that’s a US ally, Donald Trump is at war with Harvard, and trying to remove government funding from the institution. Now, Trump wants to redirect $300 billion from Harvard to trade schools. Trump’s war with Harvard is Stupid vs Smart. Trump is stupid. For example, Trump doesn’t know that government … [Read more...] about TRUMP VS HARVARD (Cartoon and Column)
Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry – Americans should, too
American soldiers join 3,000 troops from other NATO member countries in a four-week exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2025. Sean Gallup/Getty Images John Deni, US Army War College The United States has long played a leadership role in NATO, the most successful military alliance in history. The U.S. and 11 other countries in North … [Read more...] about Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry – Americans should, too
Trump treats laws as obstacles, not limits – and the only real check on his rule-breaking can come from political pressure
At his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump swore to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ Morry Gash/POOL/AFP, Getty Images Andrew Reeves, Washington University in St. Louis Lately, the headlines have been clear: President Donald Trump is headed for a showdown with the courts. If he ignores their … [Read more...] about Trump treats laws as obstacles, not limits – and the only real check on his rule-breaking can come from political pressure
Trump’s racist hatred of birthright citizenship is one of his oldest cons
Say what you will about Trump (though it’s all been said before) – that he’s a tinpot totalitarian, pathological liar, corrupt grifter, convicted criminal, global laughingstock, and a snowflake whose skin is thinner than parchment. But sometimes we forget he’s also a man-child with some long-held convictions. Exhibit A – on display at the Supreme Court the other day – is his … [Read more...] about Trump’s racist hatred of birthright citizenship is one of his oldest cons
Trump and Climate Change
It appears that President Trump is going all out to destroy humanity in the near future because of ignorance. As long as he makes money now, he doesn’t seem to care what happens to the world and our species after he’s gone. He abhors science and scientific facts, particularly if they conflict with his own ideas in areas in which he’s deficient in knowledge. Any information that … [Read more...] about Trump and Climate Change