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
After purgatory, Britain’s Labour party rises again but the combat will be pitiless.
After 14 years in purgatory, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party won a huge majority in Britain’s House of Commons, dealing a crippling blow to Rishi Sunak’s 190-year-old Conservative party. It had to crash out of office with the worst electoral result in its illustrious history. The prospect of a stable government in London is good news since Britain has been greatly weakened … [Read more...] about After purgatory, Britain’s Labour party rises again but the combat will be pitiless.
It’s not your imagination: New York Times reporting is one-sided
From the time the CNN event ended on June 27 and 8 am Chicago time, journalist Jennifer Schulze counted "a staggering 192" stories about Joe Biden's "debate performance" by The New York Times. I found 21 NYT stories focused on Donald Trump and the debate. Schulze found 92 stories about Trump, on all topics. I found 86, so our methodology differed a little (around the … [Read more...] about It’s not your imagination: New York Times reporting is one-sided
Britain’s new prime minister has a chance to reset ties with the White House – but a range of thorny issues and the US election make it more tricky
Sir Keir Starmer will follow up election win with trip to Washington D.C. eff Moore/PA Images via Getty Images Garret Martin, American University School of International Service The new U.K. prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, will have just a couple of days to settle into the job before facing his first test on the global stage. Having … [Read more...] about Britain’s new prime minister has a chance to reset ties with the White House – but a range of thorny issues and the US election make it more tricky
Facebook took down “progressive” posts to mark Independence Day. Not kidding.
On Independence Day, Facebook removed a post I shared on 02 February 2024. For the third time in as many weeks, I logged in to Facebook to be greeted with "We've removed your content." Each was a news item related to Donald Trump. Facebook labeled the first two as "spam." Today's claim was that I was "trying to gather sensitive information from others." I linked to … [Read more...] about Facebook took down “progressive” posts to mark Independence Day. Not kidding.
French far-right in sight of majority for first time after first round of voting – here’s what happens now
Rainbow Murray, Queen Mary University of London French voters went to the polls on Sunday for the first round of snap legislative elections. For the first time, a victory for the far right is looking like a credible prospect – an extraordinary turnaround for a party that until 2022 held only a handful of seats in parliament. The far-right National Rally has topped the … [Read more...] about French far-right in sight of majority for first time after first round of voting – here’s what happens now
TRUMP’S ROBED ACCOMPLICES HAVE SCREWED THE RULE OF LAW
We’ve known for many months this day was coming. It was inevitable that the MAGA-infested Supreme Court would concoct the requisite flowery language to help Donald Trump weasel out of his criminal predicament prior to the 2024 balloting. And now it has done so. With Monday’s ruling, it’s now official: Thanks to Trump’s six accomplices, there’s virtually no possibility, … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S ROBED ACCOMPLICES HAVE SCREWED THE RULE OF LAW
Celebrating Liberty
Wishing all our readers a Happy Fourth of July … [Read more...] about Celebrating Liberty
Do Fox News “Journalists” even know what good manners are?
Do Fox News "Journalists" even know what good manners are? Either they don't, or their employer doesn't require them. On 3 July 2024, President Joe Biden led a ceremony in which he posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to two American soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War. From ABC News: When the ceremony concluded, President Biden immediately left the East … [Read more...] about Do Fox News “Journalists” even know what good manners are?
MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT AIN’T SO SUPREME
MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT AIN’T SO SUPREME There’s a considerable amount of speculation about the authority of the President. If Trump wins but the Democrats hold the Senate and win the House, does that curtail his ability to control areas that would normally be rejected by the Legislature? Will we still be a Democracy? Does the President have sole authority? Will … [Read more...] about MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT AIN’T SO SUPREME
THIS 90 YEAR OLD STANDS BEHIND THE YOUNG 81 YEAR OLD GUY
Don’t dismiss me for being senile. I’ve got a lot of gas in the tank. High test. I attribute a lot of it to Bill Bernbach and his approach to communicating. He was selected by Advertising Age as the most influential person of the 20th century in advertising. The single most creative force in communicating. The conscience of Doyle, Dane, Bernbach. He never wrote a book but … [Read more...] about THIS 90 YEAR OLD STANDS BEHIND THE YOUNG 81 YEAR OLD GUY