As a child, I frequently played the murder mystery board game Clue with my siblings and friends. I remember playing the game consistently poorly. Not having the patience to carefully examine the necessary clues, I would quickly make a guess as soon as I had the slightest inkling of a possible murder scenario. Having a proclivity for alliteration, I usually suspected Professor … [Read more...] about A Review of the Touring Production of Clue at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre
Ole Joe
The DOJ arrests people who commit crimes. They don’t take hostages. Trump speech replete with non-sequiturs and lies
At a political rally Tuesday, Donald Trump misrepresented a recent Supreme Court ruling while slandering the Department of Justice. It was only one in a series of lies. Just because his lies are extensive (and repetitive) does not mean we should ignore them. The contrary, actually. On June 28, 2024, in Fischer v. United States, the Supreme Court narrowed the application of … [Read more...] about The DOJ arrests people who commit crimes. They don’t take hostages. Trump speech replete with non-sequiturs and lies
Refusal to certify Washoe County, Nevada, election results sows distrust, advocates warn
A Nevada county’s rejection of the official results of two primary election recounts that yielded few changes from the original count should be seen as just the latest attempt to spread misinformation and sow distrust in the democratic process, say voting advocates.Washoe County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-2 against certifying the results of an official recount of two … [Read more...] about Refusal to certify Washoe County, Nevada, election results sows distrust, advocates warn
Why are journalists obsessed with Biden’s age? It’s because they’ve finally found an interesting election story
President Joe Biden participates in the CNN presidential debate on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Jacob L. Nelson, University of Utah Since President Joe Biden’s disastrous presidential debate on June 27, 2024, election news coverage has focused on one question: Will he remain in the race? This focus has been … [Read more...] about Why are journalists obsessed with Biden’s age? It’s because they’ve finally found an interesting election story
QOTD: Trump lies
— On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder … [Read more...] about QOTD: Trump lies
Josh Hawley claims we are a Christian nation. We are not.
On Monday, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) told the audience at the fourth National Conservatism Conference that he's a Christian nationalist. He called America a Christian nation and said “I’m advocating Christian nationalism... My question is: Is there any other kind worth having?” https://twitter.com/NatConTalk/status/1810678794187075708 Speaking in the nation's capitol, … [Read more...] about Josh Hawley claims we are a Christian nation. We are not.
DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT, THANKS TO PROJECT 2025
by Elwood Watson Last week, Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat , author of “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” commented that “one of the most alarming things” about “Project 2025” is the blatant admission that Donald Trump did not accomplish everything he intended to in his first administration. “They got a slow start […] so their codeword is ‘day one,’” Ben-Ghiat told MSNBC’s … [Read more...] about DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT, THANKS TO PROJECT 2025
Joe Biden commits to staying in the race – like Nixon, his biggest threat comes from within his own party
President Joe Biden arrives at a news conference in the White House on July 1, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College President Joe Biden is strongly reaffirming his commitment to stay in the presidential race – despite a growing number of calls from politicians and voters for him to step down, following a highly … [Read more...] about Joe Biden commits to staying in the race – like Nixon, his biggest threat comes from within his own party
QOTD: 8-in-10 Project 2025 authors were part of Trump Administration
— On What Trump doesn't want you to know about Project 2025 by Judd Legum, July 8, 2024. … [Read more...] about QOTD: 8-in-10 Project 2025 authors were part of Trump Administration
One memorable speech can turn around a faltering campaign – how Nixon did it with his ‘Checkers’ talk
Richard Nixon poses with his family and their dog, Checkers, in Washington, D.C., in September 1952. Bettmann/Contributor W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication Twenty years before Watergate, then-Sen. Richard Nixon’s national political ambitions were in peril. He was accused of dipping into a private, $18,000 slush … [Read more...] about One memorable speech can turn around a faltering campaign – how Nixon did it with his ‘Checkers’ talk
SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO NOW? (CARTOON)
French say ‘non’ to Le Pen’s National Rally – but a messy coalition government looks likely
Romain Fathi, Australian National University The French election results are everything except what predictions had forecast. Only days ago, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party was tipped to win. But as results came in it became clear it was the loser of these National Assembly elections. The far right National Rally is coming third, behind Macron’s centrist … [Read more...] about French say ‘non’ to Le Pen’s National Rally – but a messy coalition government looks likely
How entangled is the Trump Organization and Saudi Prince Mohammed? Let’s count the ways
Since January 6, 2021, "Saudi Arabia has become one of the few reliable sources of growth for the Trump family’s business operation," according to the New York Times. Have you read anything in-depth about Donald Trump's extensive ties to the Saudi Kingdom and what that might mean should he be re-elected? I haven't. Here's Marcy Wheeler, an independent journalist, in … [Read more...] about How entangled is the Trump Organization and Saudi Prince Mohammed? Let’s count the ways
Timothy Snyder: On fascism and fear
There is a reluctance to use the word ‘fascism’ in American political punditry. That reluctance might help explain this observation from Timothy Snyder, one of the world’s leading experts on European history and the Holocaust. “It should seem odd that media calls to step down were not first directed to Trump. If we are calling for Biden to step aside because someone … [Read more...] about Timothy Snyder: On fascism and fear
LINCOLN AND TRUMP (CARTOON)
Seven books for the 7th of July: a reading list to save democracy
One day last week, I went to a coffee shop downtown to meet a friend. I had a hardback book tucked under my arm to give to the friend, a historian who shares my interest in the twisting and sometimes tortured arc of American democracy. I was early, so I ordered a lemonade — it was approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside — and as I waited for the iced drink, a young woman who … [Read more...] about Seven books for the 7th of July: a reading list to save democracy
Kindergarten Jihad: Who plays the beheaded?
Embed from Getty Images In our hilariously stupid American culture wars elementary schools are the battlegrounds of tomorrow's heroes. Liberals die on Drag Queen Story Hour hill, terrified the "NAZI CIS-FASCISTS!" will steal their stunning and brave unicorn genderwangs or outlaw their rainbow abortions. Rightards, to form, can see Satan in every fancy gay dance outfit and … [Read more...] about Kindergarten Jihad: Who plays the beheaded?
JOE BIDEN IS NOT THE CANDIDATE WHO NEEDS TO QUIT THE RACE
I get that people who love democracy and detest MAGA fascism are alarmed about President Joe Biden. I share the concerns. What’s astounding – and it speaks to how numb we’ve become – is that virtually no one with a public megaphone, in the wake of last week’s debate, is calling for Donald Trump to get the hell out and leave us in peace. Yes, Biden ratcheted up the age … [Read more...] about JOE BIDEN IS NOT THE CANDIDATE WHO NEEDS TO QUIT THE RACE
Trump calls Biden a ‘pile of c**p’ in golf cart rant
Imagine for a moment (suspend disbelief) that President Joe Biden was playing golf, riding in a cart. Inexplicably, he starts asking strangers about the debate and launches into a profanity-filled rant directed at Donald Trump. And someone films it. Do ya think it would be on the front pages and lead cable news outage? Of course it would. So why the silence in … [Read more...] about Trump calls Biden a ‘pile of c**p’ in golf cart rant