On July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States turned the idea that "all men are created equal," that the United States was to be land of law not kings, on its head, according to historian Heather Cox Richardson. The Court ruled that a president might have immunity if "illegal acts" occurred during undefined official duties. "Richard Nixon would have had a pass," … [Read more...] about Heather Cox Richardson on today’s SCOTUS decision: a warning about our “end story”
SCOTUS KINGMAKERS’ COURT (CARTOON)
What Was Macron Thinking?
By Olivia Snaije Here in France, we had all expected the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally)—or the RN—to outperform in the European elections earlier this month. At 8 p.m. on June 9, the results confirmed the polls and our fears. But we never expected the bombshell that President Emmanuel Macron dropped on us a mere hour later. Sober, dressed … [Read more...] about What Was Macron Thinking?
SUPREME COURT SAYS TRUMP HAS IMMUNITY FOR OFFICIAL ACTS: IS THE PRESIDENT NOW A KING?
The Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump can't be prosecuted for official acts taken as President. Trump immediately hailed the ruling. Dissenting Judge Sonia Sotomayor said the ruling "reshapes the institution of the presidency." Some say the ruling, in effect, makes the President akin to a king and is a major expansion of executive power. An … [Read more...] about SUPREME COURT SAYS TRUMP HAS IMMUNITY FOR OFFICIAL ACTS: IS THE PRESIDENT NOW A KING?
Loss of Supreme Court legitimacy can lead to political violence
People on June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C., protest the Supreme Court overturning the federal right to an abortion. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Matthew Hall, University of Notre Dame and Joseph Daniel Ura, Clemson University Americans are gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July, and their thoughts are most likely on how many hot dogs to … [Read more...] about Loss of Supreme Court legitimacy can lead to political violence
THE DEBATE (CARTOON)
UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT (CARTOON)
Knowing when to call it quits takes courage and confidence – 3 case studies
A man reads the Chicago Tribune announcing President Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision not to run for reelection in 1968. Corbis/Getty Images Kevin J. McMahon, Trinity College and Michael Paris, College of Staten Island, CUNY After President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance at the June 27, 2024, debate, many Democrats have raced to ring the … [Read more...] about Knowing when to call it quits takes courage and confidence – 3 case studies
‘Donald Trump should leave the race’
Philadelphia is the birthplace of America. Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence there in 1776. Eleven years later, a group of delegates wrote and signed the Constitution there, also at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). The city's paper of record, The Philadelphia Inquirer (1829), has called on Donald Trump to withdraw his candidacy, in … [Read more...] about ‘Donald Trump should leave the race’
First boats. Now planes. Trump thinks planes with electric motors can’t fly without sunlight.
"What happens if the sun isn't shining while you're up in the air?" Trump's rally speech in Chesapeake, Virginia, rivals the Las Vegas event where he spent the better part of two minutes musing about electric boats that might sink near a shark. This is the muddled and vindictive mess, the wannabe dictator, the felon (34 instances), that the GOP thinks should be president. … [Read more...] about First boats. Now planes. Trump thinks planes with electric motors can’t fly without sunlight.
Read the debate transcript. You’ll reach a different conclusion than instant pundits.
Maybe Thursday night was something like the Kennedy-Nixon debates, where John Kennedy was tanned and Richard Nixon, pallid after a stay in the hospital. Reportedly, radio listeners had a different view of that first televised debate than the TV audience. I say that because after READING the transcript [1], I don't understand any pundit who is calling for Joe Biden to … [Read more...] about Read the debate transcript. You’ll reach a different conclusion than instant pundits.
Biden crashes, Trump lies: A campaign-defining presidential debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Mary Kate Cary, University of Virginia and Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University With four months to go until Election Day, the earliest-ever general election debate featured two presidents – one … [Read more...] about Biden crashes, Trump lies: A campaign-defining presidential debate
Trump suggested replacing income tax with tariffs. How the 2017 tax cuts raised the debt and why 2025 is key.
We can be certain that moderators in tonight's CNN debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will feature a question related to taxes and not just because the 2017 tax cuts orchestrated by Trump have led to record deficits. Last week, Trump suggested "entirely replacing the federal income tax with new tariffs." This chart shows why such a change would explode the … [Read more...] about Trump suggested replacing income tax with tariffs. How the 2017 tax cuts raised the debt and why 2025 is key.
Journalism’s trust problem is about money, not politics
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2024, in Washington. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Jacob L. Nelson, University of Utah Journalism faces a credibility crisis. Only 32% of Americans report having “a great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in news reporting – a historical low. Journalists … [Read more...] about Journalism’s trust problem is about money, not politics
JACKED UP (CARTOON)
Populism can degrade democracy but is on the rise ? here’s what causes this political movement and how it can be weakened
The rise of populist leaders and movements is sometimes the partial result of people’s economic insecurities and worries about the future. Getty Images Gábor Scheiring, Georgetown University There’s a widespread view that populism is on the rise, from the United States and Turkey to India and Hungary. What is fueling this … [Read more...] about Populism can degrade democracy but is on the rise ? here’s what causes this political movement and how it can be weakened
Debate offers opportunity for errors, partisan spin – and maybe an opening for change
Yet to be seen: a new style of presidential debate. Watchalee Sirikayon/iStock/Getty Images Plus Susan Fillippeli, Auburn University The two leading presidential candidates are set to debate on live television on June 27, 2024. Neither will yet be the official nominee of his party, which is expected to happen at the parties’ conventions in … [Read more...] about Debate offers opportunity for errors, partisan spin – and maybe an opening for change
DEBATE PREP (CARTOON)
Should Donald Trump’s supporters be wearing dunce caps?
Dear Reader: Imagine that you are a Trump supporter. Now, imagine that you are a dunce. Ah, but I repeat myself. Should Donald Trump's supporters be wearing dunce caps? That may or may not be a rhetorical question, depending on your point of view. Perhaps not every Trump supporter is a dunce, but Trump certainly has dunces in his cheering section, and some of them host … [Read more...] about Should Donald Trump’s supporters be wearing dunce caps?
What “liberal” media? News organizations focus on Biden’s age, mental acuity; ignore Trump
Among five major newspapers (New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USAToday), since January “nearly 10 times as many articles focused on just Biden’s age or mental acuity as focused on just Trump’s.” Media Matters researchers analyzed 144 stories “focused on either or both Biden's and Trump's ages or mental acuities from January 15, when … [Read more...] about What “liberal” media? News organizations focus on Biden’s age, mental acuity; ignore Trump