Washington (AFP) - US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he is "looking" at possible retaliation after the White House linked Russia to a cyberattack against global meat processing giant JBS. Asked by a reporter if he would take action against President Vladimir Putin, whom he will meet for a summit in Geneva later this month, Biden said: "We're looking closely at that issue." … [Read more...] about Biden says ‘looking’ at Russia retaliation over cyberattack
Netanyahu opponents reach coalition deal to oust Israeli PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents announced they have reached a deal to form a new governing coalition, paving the way for the ouster of the longtime Israeli leader. The dramatic announcement by opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, came moments before a midnight deadline and prevented the country from plunging into what would … [Read more...] about Netanyahu opponents reach coalition deal to oust Israeli PM
GENERAL COUP-COUP
There are news reports that disgraced general and convicted douche canoe and traitor, Michael Flynn, suggested there should be a coup to restore Donald Trump to power. He did not “suggest” there should be a coup in the United States. He endorsed it and said, “It should happen here.” Flynn was national security adviser for 22 days. President Obama told Donald Trump not to … [Read more...] about GENERAL COUP-COUP
Trump shuts down his blog after 29 days: The Moderate Voice has lasted 18 years
Gee: we didn't even get a chance to ask former President Donald Trump if he'd put The Moderate Voice on his blogroll. His highly-touted new "platform" (actually an old-fashioned, standard blog) didn't even last a month. Trump was reportedly "infuriated" that "From the Desk of Donald J. Trump" was being mocked for its low traffic. The Moderate Voice has been around 18 years … [Read more...] about Trump shuts down his blog after 29 days: The Moderate Voice has lasted 18 years
‘Karen’ baby name going the way of the dodo
No one wants to name their baby girl Karen any more. The name has tanked in popularity over the past year, according to figures released by the Social Security Administration. Throughout 2020 the name Karen fell a whopping 171 spots on the popularity list, from a low of 660 to number 831, Huffington Post reported Tuesday. The name’s popularity had already been ebbing, falling … [Read more...] about ‘Karen’ baby name going the way of the dodo
THE USUAL MAGATS
One of my conservative colleagues (who recently blocked me on Facebook for asking why he was enabling racists and terrorists) has a new cartoon showing quotes from Dr. Anthony Fauci that appear to contradict. Of course, they’re all on the virus with, “Don’t wear a mask/wear a mask” being an example.” I remember that. I remember when the scientists said don’t wear a mask and … [Read more...] about THE USUAL MAGATS
Biden suspends Trump-era oil and gas leases in Alaska refuge
By Nichola Groom (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday said it would suspend oil and gas leases that were handed out in an Alaska wildlife refuge during the final days of the Trump administration pending an environmental review. The action reverses one of former President Donald Trump's signature efforts to expand fossil fuel development in the United … [Read more...] about Biden suspends Trump-era oil and gas leases in Alaska refuge
U.S. says ransomware attack on meatpacker JBS likely from Russia
By Tom Polansek and Jeff Mason CHICAGO/ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) -Brazil's JBS SA told the U.S. government that a ransomware attack on the company that has disrupted meat production in North America and Australia originated from a criminal organization likely based in Russia, the White House said on Tuesday. JBS is the world's largest meatpacker and the cyberattack caused … [Read more...] about U.S. says ransomware attack on meatpacker JBS likely from Russia
Of Two Americans — Both Republicans
They both served their country in the military. One as a combat Naval aviator, shot down, captured, and held in captivity by the enemy for five and a half years. The other, an Army officer, served in various special operations and intelligence assignments until his forced retirement from the military in August 2014. One went on to serve in government for 36 years as a … [Read more...] about Of Two Americans — Both Republicans
Quick! Marry the bride before she stinks again!
According to western lore, the month of June became a popular month for European weddings because June was the one month of the year during which people smelled their best. Allegedly, Europeans did not takes baths until the late Spring. Even when they did, the freshness did not last. So, if one wanted to have a wedding attended by guests, then one held the wedding after … [Read more...] about Quick! Marry the bride before she stinks again!
Israel and Gaza
A small strip of land between Egypt and Israel known as the Gaza Strip has been a continuous source of conflict between Israel and the Arabs. After Israeli independence in 1948 and the war between Israel and the Arab states, Egypt gained control of Gaza where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees landed when they decamped from Israel. Today, the population of Gaza is … [Read more...] about Israel and Gaza
100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, lessons from my grandfather
Smoke rises from damaged properties after the Tulsa race massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June 1921. Oklahoma Historical Society via Getty Images Gregory B. Fairchild, University of Virginia When Viola Fletcher, 107, appeared before Congress in May 2021, she called for the nation to officially acknowledge the Tulsa race riot of 1921. I know that … [Read more...] about 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, lessons from my grandfather
Texas Democrats for now block vote on draconian Texas bill to make voting tougher by staging walkout
By Brad Brooks SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) -Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives boycotted a legislative session late Sunday, blocking a vote on an election reform bill critics say would make it harder for Blacks and Hispanics to vote. With just over an hour before a midnight deadline to pass the measure, Republican members of the House said that Democrats had walked out … [Read more...] about Texas Democrats for now block vote on draconian Texas bill to make voting tougher by staging walkout
Israel’s ‘magician’ Netanyahu faces final curtain after record run
By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Long the familiar face of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has held on as prime minister for more than a decade, clinging to power through a criminal indictment and four elections in the past two years alone. Now, the question is whether the 71-year-old Netanyahu, dubbed "the magician" by his admirers, has any cards left up his sleeve. After … [Read more...] about Israel’s ‘magician’ Netanyahu faces final curtain after record run
Happy Memorial Day
WEISSELBERG AND THE BIG WEASEL
After two years of being investigated by the state of New York and the Manhattan District Attorney, who decided to combine their forces to become an anti-Trump version of Super Friends, we have gotten to the point of a grand jury. I don’t think there’s much question if Donald Trump will be indicted or not. There’s an old saying a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich is … [Read more...] about WEISSELBERG AND THE BIG WEASEL
Joseph Smith for President book details Mormonism founder’s frustration with states rights
CROSS-POSTED FROM THE CULTURE OF MORMONISN BLOG. Review by Doug Gibson The ill-fated decision by LDS Church prophet and founder Joseph Smith, Jr., to seek the U.S. presidency in 1844 is mostly regarded as a footnote in U.S. history. Smith was martyred in late June of the presidential season, before he was formally nominated by supporters. Nevertheless, it retains … [Read more...] about Joseph Smith for President book details Mormonism founder’s frustration with states rights
Netanyahu’s ‘kingmaker’ rival Bennett agrees to join coalition to unseat him
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Far-right party leader Naftali Bennett threw his crucial support on Sunday behind a "government of change" in Israel to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in what would be the end of a political era. Bennett's decision, which he announced in a televised address, could enable opposition chief Yair Lapid to put together a coalition of right-wing, … [Read more...] about Netanyahu’s ‘kingmaker’ rival Bennett agrees to join coalition to unseat him
Local newspapers can help reduce polarization with opinion pages that focus on local issues
Opinion journalism can rile people up – or it can bring them together. momentimages/Getty Images Johanna Dunaway, Texas A&M University; Joshua P. Darr, Louisiana State University , and Matthew P. Hitt, Colorado State University If you’re confused about opinion journalism and what it is, you’re not alone. Many Americans are. But even so, the … [Read more...] about Local newspapers can help reduce polarization with opinion pages that focus on local issues
Russia to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit
Russia is to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit over the coming weeks, the leaders of the two countries have agreed. During a meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed the sum would be paid out by the end of June, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday, according to news agency Interfax. This is … [Read more...] about Russia to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit