Yes, it is widely known that the "Golden Age of Blogging" (when there were blogging awards and The Moderate Voice won some) has long been over. They key factors are often said to be Facebook's huge growth and the increasing popularity of Twitter. But there is another factor noted by Martin Longman: Donald Trump killed political blogging. How? Because the news media … [Read more...] about How Donald Trump killed political blogging
Iran assassination could undercut Biden’s diplomatic options
Washington (AFP) - The assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, which Tehran has blamed on Israel, risks not only sharpening tensions across the region but also severely complicating plans by US President-elect Joe Biden to resume dialogue with the Islamic republic, analysts said Saturday.Iran has accused arch-foe Israel of seeking to sow "chaos" by killing 59-year-old … [Read more...] about Iran assassination could undercut Biden’s diplomatic options
TURKEY COUP FAIL (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump’s coup has failed. The head of the General Services Administration, a low-profile agency that directs resources for stuff like government real estate and oh yeah…transition funds from one presidential administration to the next, announced it was approving the transition to the Biden administration. After a presidential election when a new leader is elected, … [Read more...] about TURKEY COUP FAIL (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Trump considering announcing 2024 run DURING Biden inauguration
I must admit. I saw this coming. Once it became clear that Donald Trump was seriously considering a 2024 Presidential run I KNEW eventually he'd either seriously consider or decide to make his announcement on Joe Biden's inauguration Day -- even during the inauguration itself. And so it is. The Daily Beast: According to three people familiar with the conversations, the … [Read more...] about Trump considering announcing 2024 run DURING Biden inauguration
Inauguration Day Report from the White House to the BBC (parody)
Jan 20, 2021 London and Washington, D.C. “Noon GMT. This is the BBC (British B.S. Corporation) afternoon radio report. We’re going live to the press enclosure on the South Lawn of the White House where Our Man In Washington, David Anderson, is reporting live on the developments there. Are you there, David?” * * “Yes thank you, London. … [Read more...] about Inauguration Day Report from the White House to the BBC (parody)
Parler is bringing together mainstream conservatives, anti-Semites and white supremacists as the social media platform attracts millions of Trump supporters
Parler is similar to Twitter but doesn’t control or discourage hate speech or calls to violence. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Image Alex Newhouse, Middlebury Institute of International Studies Since the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Parler has caught on among right-wing politicians and “influencers” – people with large online followings – as a … [Read more...] about Parler is bringing together mainstream conservatives, anti-Semites and white supremacists as the social media platform attracts millions of Trump supporters
Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!
Apparently, Gozer the Gozerian has arrived on planet Earth, because Peter Venkman's warning about mass hysteria has become real. Case in point . . . "Joe Biden isn’t president yet. But his incoming White House already has its first conspiracy theory to deal with. It goes by the tag the Great Reset and under its construct a wild dystopian future is in store. The … [Read more...] about Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!
From Ungrateful to Thanksgiving
From Ungrateful to Thanksgiving: The Transformation of a Goat Headed Girl It is the season for gratitude. I am surprised to hear a scolding voice in my head that says, “Jane, you are so ungrateful.” As a storyteller, I’m curious. What’s behind this voice? As a child, I remember hearing a tale of a complaining girl. In the story of the Goat Girl, Renzolla, a … [Read more...] about From Ungrateful to Thanksgiving
Can a Turkey Pardon Himself? (UPDATED)
UPDATE: There is at least one Republican lawmaker who answers “YES” to the question posed above. In a tweet, shared by Trump, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) urges Trump to pardon himself: President Trump should pardon Flynn, the Thanksgiving turkey, and everyone from himself, to his admin, to Joe Exotic if he has to. . . That is an awful lot of turkeys to be … [Read more...] about Can a Turkey Pardon Himself? (UPDATED)
California Businesses Go From Simmer to Boil Over Newsom’s Fine Dining
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s maskless dinner with medical industry lobbyists and others at a Napa County restaurant where meals cost a minimum of $350 per head was just about the last straw for some beleaguered California small-business owners.With their livelihoods on the line, a growing number of them are openly defying the latest orders to shut down as COVID cases … [Read more...] about California Businesses Go From Simmer to Boil Over Newsom’s Fine Dining
Biden readies the anti-Trump presidency: back to a pre-Trump era
As the United States hits a record two million new coronavirus cases in two weeks, President-elect Joe Biden is preparing the anti-Trump presidency while President Donald Trump is preparing to go out with a slew of new controverisial executive orders. All happening within the context of a seeming shake-up in the broadcast news media's dominant networks. Biden has prioritized … [Read more...] about Biden readies the anti-Trump presidency: back to a pre-Trump era
Dow Jones hits 30,000 points for first time in history amid vaccine hopes, Biden transition
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged past 30,000 points for the first time in history Tuesday, a day after the Trump administration finally agreed to start the transition process to President-elect Joe Biden.Investors also appeared encouraged by a series of hopeful developments in the race for a coronavirus vaccine and news that Biden has selected former Federal Reserve … [Read more...] about Dow Jones hits 30,000 points for first time in history amid vaccine hopes, Biden transition
Joe Biden’s Budding Cabinet: Deep Experience, Expertise, Character, Diversity, Crisis-Tested
(Long title: “Biden’s Budding Cabinet: Deep Experience, Expertise, Character, Diversity, Crisis-Tested – Not Loyalists, Bootlickers, Cronies, Big Donors, Little Minds”) In an op-ed article in June, Biden wrote: Across the board — from our classrooms to our courtrooms to the president’s cabinet — we have to make sure that our leadership and our institutions actually … [Read more...] about Joe Biden’s Budding Cabinet: Deep Experience, Expertise, Character, Diversity, Crisis-Tested
King Donald
Many Americans realized previously that Donald Trump considered himself above the law, a king ruling the nation but evading major responsibilities for running it. His handling of the Covid 19 virus pandemic reinforced the perception that he considered himself American royalty, above the fray and able to do anything he wanted. With the catastrophe of Covid decimating Americans, … [Read more...] about King Donald
Trump finally agrees to Biden transition – but still not conceding
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump came his closest yet to admitting election defeat Monday after the government agency meant to ease Joe Biden's transition into the White House said it was finally lifting its unprecedented block on assistance.Trump acknowledged it was time for the General Services Administration to "do what needs to be done."In the same tweet he … [Read more...] about Trump finally agrees to Biden transition – but still not conceding
‘Good Friends’ in Good and in Bad Times
The same man who interfered in the 2016 presidential election “in an effective campaign to help Trump win the White House” and who was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump for winning that election is now equivocating in acknowledging Biden’s victory and Trump’s defeat. Three weeks after Biden was proclaimed president-elect – and while Trump continues to … [Read more...] about ‘Good Friends’ in Good and in Bad Times
Why Trump’s election fraud claims aren’t showing up in his lawsuits challenging the results
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani alleges election fraud during a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters, Nov. 19, 2020, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo Steven Mulroy, University of Memphis There seems to be a real disconnect between the claims of widespread fraud, a stolen election and illegal voting made by President … [Read more...] about Why Trump’s election fraud claims aren’t showing up in his lawsuits challenging the results
Trump’s awkward exit leaves behind a big problem
At best, President Donald Trump’s exit from the White House is ungraceful. At some point, it becomes disgraceful. And then dangerous. In fact, it already has.For example, our nation is not in a good place with the pandemic; no one could credibly argue otherwise. Whether a different president could have done a better job of handling the virus is no longer important. What is … [Read more...] about Trump’s awkward exit leaves behind a big problem
What Happens If Trump Refuses To Leave Office? The Constitution Doesn’t Have All The Answers
Although President-elect Joe Biden has earned 306 electoral votes and has more than a six million-plus vote lead against Donald Trump, the current president continues to deny the results of the election and even pressured state officials in Michigan and Georgia to overturn the will of voters.Nevertheless, Biden’s margin of victory is enough to prevent Trump from being able to … [Read more...] about What Happens If Trump Refuses To Leave Office? The Constitution Doesn’t Have All The Answers
Libya takes baby-steps to peace hand-held by UN
Almost miraculously in this dismal age of Covid-19, baby-steps have begun towards peace in Libya, hand-held by the United Nations. This could become the accomplishment the UN badly needs to bring the United States led by Joe Biden into the fold after years of rough neglect by Donald Trump. UN Special Representative for Libya Stephanie Williams has reported that after many … [Read more...] about Libya takes baby-steps to peace hand-held by UN