Embed from Getty Images "The tragedy of so many children being born into exile should be reason enough to make far greater efforts to prevent and end conflict and violence." by JAKE JOHNSON, STAFF WRITER Common Dreams A report released Friday by the United Nations Refugee Agency finds that more than 82 million people across the globe were forcibly displaced by war, … [Read more...] about ‘Epic Failure of Humanity’: Global Displaced Population Hits All-Time High
‘There’s no water,’ says California farm manager forced to leave fields fallow
By Norma Galeana (Reuters) - Salvador Parra, the manager of Burford Ranch in California's Central Valley agricultural breadbasket, is worried about the lack of water. California's worst drought since 1977 has forced Parra to leave fallow 2,000 of his 6,000 acres and dig deep for water to save the crops already planted. "There's not very much being grown out there, just because … [Read more...] about ‘There’s no water,’ says California farm manager forced to leave fields fallow
America’s Back (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --The Republican Party's mission: whitewash the Trump presidency --Trump Voters Give Putin Higher Approval Than Biden --Fox News host Harris Faulkner complimented Vladimir Putin for answering questions for longer than Joe Biden — before the US president even spoke --Fox News Gets Nailed For Stunning Hypocrisy About Biden-Putin Summit --Seth Meyers … [Read more...] about America’s Back (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Conservative hard-liner poised to be Iran’s next president – what that means for the West and the nuclear deal
Ebrahim Raisi, seen here during a 2017 rally, is expected to win Iran’s presidential election. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi Nader Habibi, Brandeis University Iran’s conservative rulers’ effort to orchestrate the outcome of the June 18 presidential election triggered a voter boycott – but the result may still bode well for ongoing negotiations over the … [Read more...] about Conservative hard-liner poised to be Iran’s next president – what that means for the West and the nuclear deal
Senate Democrats ‘encouraged’ on voting rights bill, McConnell opposed
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Democrats scrambled to unite around a sweeping election reform bill they hope to begin debating next week, in the face of Republican opposition and moves by several states to pass laws placing new restrictions on voting. Several Democrats expressed optimism over a compromise plan proposed by moderate Democratic Senator Joe … [Read more...] about Senate Democrats ‘encouraged’ on voting rights bill, McConnell opposed
Why everyone should celebrate Juneteenth, the new federal holiday
by Donald H. Harrison I was delighted to learn that Congress, by an overwhelming vote, has decided that Juneteenth should be a federal holiday. President Joe Biden subsequently signed the Juneteenth bill into law. Marking the June 19, 1865 date when U.S. Army Major General Gordon Granger abolished slavery in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is a holiday that should be … [Read more...] about Why everyone should celebrate Juneteenth, the new federal holiday
Obamacare lives: Supreme Court nixes Trump administration and GOP-led states challenge to Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act has survived another Republican challenge. By a vote of 7-2 the high court nixed the major challenge brought by former President Trump and Republican state attorneys general. The law has now survived three challegnces but thetuling doesn't mean this centerpiece of the Obama administraiton and hotbutton issue for Republicans won't be challenged again. … [Read more...] about Obamacare lives: Supreme Court nixes Trump administration and GOP-led states challenge to Affordable Care Act
Biden had the edge but won no concessions from Putin in Geneva.
President Joe Biden used his heightened prestige won among Western allies recently to underscore his clear red lines for Vladimir Putin but did not get any significant foreign policy concessions from the Russian President. However, both made gains that could help them in their domestic politics. After their June 16 meeting in Geneva, both said it was constructive but … [Read more...] about Biden had the edge but won no concessions from Putin in Geneva.
Taller people are more likely to oppose the equal distribution of wealth in their country
New research published in Evolution and Human Behavior suggests that a person’s height can influence their stance on sociopolitical issues. Across 20 countries, taller people were less likely to support wealth redistribution than shorter people, and this was especially true if they had a greater income. The study’s author Thomas Richardson was motivated by a compilation of … [Read more...] about Taller people are more likely to oppose the equal distribution of wealth in their country
Why do cats knead with their paws?
A behavior from kittenhood persists in many adult cats. Byron Chin/flickr, CC BY-NC-SA Julia Albright, University of Tennessee Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to … [Read more...] about Why do cats knead with their paws?
IN THE WAR ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, JOURNALISTS CAN’T BE NEUTRAL
On a podcast the other day, national political reporter Thomas Edsall analyzed the mounting threat of Republican authoritarianism and posed a great question: “Trump and the Republican party have created a real dilemma for the media… A party of sedition is trying to (enact) rules that even when it loses, it wins… We have a different animal in the ballgame now. One side is … [Read more...] about IN THE WAR ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, JOURNALISTS CAN’T BE NEUTRAL
Biden, Putin handshake kicks off Geneva summit
Geneva (AFP) - Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin kicked off their summit Wednesday with a handshake outside the Geneva villa where the two presidents plan to confront each other over the worst US-Russia tensions in years. Following an introduction by their host, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Biden extended his arm for his first handshake with Putin since taking office in January. … [Read more...] about Biden, Putin handshake kicks off Geneva summit
A Shameful ‘Rap Sheet’ on the Trump Administration
It reads like the rap sheet one would expect to see against a two-bit, foreign usurper of power: “…tried to corrupt.” “…unlawful actions” “…overturn the lawful results.” “…bogus election fraud claims” “…pressure to nullify the election.” “…attempted subversion of democracy” “…attempt to advance election fraud claims.” “…provide unsubstantiated claims about election … [Read more...] about A Shameful ‘Rap Sheet’ on the Trump Administration
It wasn’t just politics that led to Netanyahu’s ouster – it was fear of his demagoguery
Benjamin Netanyahu sits in the Knesset before parliament voted June 13, 2021, in Jerusalem to approve the new government that doesn’t include him, Amir Levy/Getty Images Dov Waxman, University of California, Los Angeles There is something Shakespearean about Benjamin Netanyahu’s downfall. As in a scene from “Julius Caesar,” who was assassinated by … [Read more...] about It wasn’t just politics that led to Netanyahu’s ouster – it was fear of his demagoguery
Documents show Trump, allies pressed DOJ to overturn 2020 election -U.S. House Oversight panel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Documents obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice detail efforts by then President Donald Trump, his chief of staff and other allies to pressure the department to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, a U.S. House panel said on Tuesday. The House Oversight and Reform Committee, which sought the records from the Justice Department, outlined … [Read more...] about Documents show Trump, allies pressed DOJ to overturn 2020 election -U.S. House Oversight panel
Passive Racist
All rights reserved. CopyrightDonar, Political Graffiti https://toons.to/go/daviddonar … [Read more...] about Passive Racist
Merrick Garlanding Biden: McConnell suggests blockade of any 2024 Biden high court nominee
By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday that President Joe Biden would not get a Supreme Court nominee confirmed in 2024 if Republicans regain control of the chamber and a vacancy arises during that presidential election year. "It's highly unlikely. In fact, no, I don't think either party, if it were different from the … [Read more...] about Merrick Garlanding Biden: McConnell suggests blockade of any 2024 Biden high court nominee
Does Political Correctness Really Contradict Pixie Dust?
Recently, a disgruntled Disney fan named Jonathan Van Boskerc has gone off on a semi-rant in the Orlando Sentinel about how politically correct changes at Disney theme parks are ruining his Disney experience and stripping Disney of its magic. Some of the upcoming changes include modifications to cast member uniforms (and it’s not bigger mouse ears). In addition to numerous … [Read more...] about Does Political Correctness Really Contradict Pixie Dust?
Just Another Three or Four Routine Mass Shootings in America (Grim Update)
Grim Update: CNN has just announced that this weekend saw nine mass shootings in six states leaving 10 dead and 50 injured. In addition, the Washington Post just published the following grim statistics, including the headline, “2020 was the deadliest gun violence year in decades. So far, 2021 is worse”: • Through the first five months of 2021, gunfire killed more … [Read more...] about Just Another Three or Four Routine Mass Shootings in America (Grim Update)
BUH BYE BIBI: New Israeli government wins majority vote, ending Netanyahu tenure
By Maayan Lubell and Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year run as Israel's prime minister ended on Sunday with parliament approving a new "government of change" led by nationalist Naftali Bennett. Heading into opposition, Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, pledged he would soon return to power. In a raucous session … [Read more...] about BUH BYE BIBI: New Israeli government wins majority vote, ending Netanyahu tenure