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
Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro’s COVID response
RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." Bolsonaro's popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the … [Read more...] about Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro’s COVID response
Memorial Day 2021
Every Memorial Day, many eloquent and touching words are said and written remembering those who served and died for our country. I came across a video and haunting song by Radney Foster, named “Angel Flight” (below), that in my opinion beautifully captures the essence and solemnity of Memorial Day. Wishing our readers a nice yet “rememberful” Memorial Day … [Read more...] about Memorial Day 2021
Avlon: Now that GOP has killed 1/6 commission, Democrats must play hardball
If the vote on establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate the July 6 insurrection was the Republican Party's moment of truth, then the Trump-dominated party nixed the idea and embraced pepertuation of The Big Lie that Joe Biden didn't really win the 2020 Presidential election. So what do the Democrats do now? CNN's Senior Political Analyst and anchor John Avlon … [Read more...] about Avlon: Now that GOP has killed 1/6 commission, Democrats must play hardball
GOP BLOCKS CAPITOL RIOT COMMISSION (Cartoon)
Republicans use filibuster to kill independent probe of January 6 coup attempt
The Republican Party jumped the shark long ago. Now it has jumped the whale. Using filibuster, the current Trump-dominated Republican Party killed a clearly biparitsan attempt to create an independent commission to probe the January 6 insurrection which featured violence, forced entry into the U.S. capitol, several deaths, brutal attacks on capitol police, and images of … [Read more...] about Republicans use filibuster to kill independent probe of January 6 coup attempt
When is a sausage just a sausage? Controversial ads fuel S.Korea’s sexism debate
SEOUL (Reuters) -This month three South Korean companies and the Seoul police have had to pull ads and other content after men's rights groups claimed that "small penis" symbols were used, insulting men. The offending images? Hands with the thumbs and the index fingers pinching towards each other illustrating the reaching out for an object. But the gesture is also often used to … [Read more...] about When is a sausage just a sausage? Controversial ads fuel S.Korea’s sexism debate
RIP JOHN WARNER, A REPUBLICAN WHO WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE. IMAGINE THAT.
John Warner, a Republican who served in the U.S. Senate for 30 years and died Wednesday at 94 in his home state of Virginia, said this about his Democratic colleagues: “We had political disagreements and fought on the Senate floor. But at day’s end we shared a drink, talked as friends, and we found common cause, solving problems and serving the American public.” Jeez. Now … [Read more...] about RIP JOHN WARNER, A REPUBLICAN WHO WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE. IMAGINE THAT.
Russian SolarWinds hackers renew cyberattacks: Microsoft
Washington (AFP) - The state-backed Russian group behind a massive hacking campaign revealed last year has re-emerged with a series of attacks on government agencies, think tanks, consultants and other organizations, Microsoft security researchers said. A security update from Microsoft late Thursday said the group known as Nobelium has stepped up attacks, notably targeting … [Read more...] about Russian SolarWinds hackers renew cyberattacks: Microsoft