Here’s the 2020 presidential race in a nutshell: On Tuesday, Joe Biden unveiled the “third pillar” of his substantive plan to defeat our health and economic crises. A few hours later, Donald Trump droned on at length about the pandemic that he has cataclysmically botched – he conceded it would no longer “magically” disappear – and he finished by sending a verbal bouquet to … [Read more...] about THREE BIG REASONS WHY JOE BIDEN CONTINUES TO TRUMP TRUMP
US government watchdogs to probe federal crackdowns in Portland, DC
Los Angeles (AFP) - The US Justice Department's independent watchdog announced Thursday it was launching probes into the use of force by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, and the US capital.The move comes following outrage by members of Congress, as well as rights activists and the public, over daily violent clashes in Portland between federal forces and demonstrators … [Read more...] about US government watchdogs to probe federal crackdowns in Portland, DC
Whack a Chump
All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti https://toons.to/go/daviddonar … [Read more...] about Whack a Chump
Disinformation campaigns are murky blends of truth, lies and sincere beliefs – lessons from the pandemic
It’s difficult by design to identify disinformation campaign instigators and their agendas. stevanovicigor/iStock via Getty Images Kate Starbird, University of Washington The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned an infodemic, a vast and complicated mix of information, misinformation and disinformation. In this environment, false narratives – the virus … [Read more...] about Disinformation campaigns are murky blends of truth, lies and sincere beliefs – lessons from the pandemic
Portland mayor teargassed at protest against federal crackdown
Portland (AFP) - The mayor of Portland was teargassed Wednesday night as he met with demonstrators protesting against police brutality and the deployment of federal troops into US cities ordered by President Donald Trump. AFP footage showed Democratic mayor Ted Wheeler wearing goggles and a facemask and being led away from a crowd as clouds of gas and fireworks exploded … [Read more...] about Portland mayor teargassed at protest against federal crackdown
Cancel culture: positive social change or online harassment?
New York (AFP) - Celebrities, brands, leaders and ordinary people are all falling foul of "cancel culture," a movement that seeks to call out offensive behavior but that critics denounce as excessive and contributing to increased political polarization.Whether it's a controversial tweet or video clip, social media users are quick to demand accountability -- but detractors say … [Read more...] about Cancel culture: positive social change or online harassment?
Dealing with Mischievous Spirits and Covid-19
by Jane Knox Have you ever thought there must be mischievous fairies running through your house at night while you’re asleep? They break your appliances, hide your wallet, sign in to your computer and slide important e-mails in your spam folder. Or, does it ever seem that one of these troublesome fairies is hiding in your mailbox and pocketing your stimulus check from the … [Read more...] about Dealing with Mischievous Spirits and Covid-19
If Republicans Had Just Listened to a True Conservative
A couple of passages in Dr. Mary L. Trump’s new (best-selling) book "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man" particularly stand out: Nothing is ever enough. This is far beyond garden-variety narcissism; Donald is not simply weak, his ego is a fragile thing that must be bolstered every moment because he knows deep down that he is … [Read more...] about If Republicans Had Just Listened to a True Conservative
Wow, The Pandemic is Going to Change Commercial Real Estate
Employees can work effectively from home, and there are many studies that support the idea that employees who work from home are more productive and drive corporate profits. Supervisors can effectively supervise from home. Zoom and the like are amazing, or at least work well enough. This obviously does not apply to most retail, warehouse or labor jobs, but for millions of … [Read more...] about Wow, The Pandemic is Going to Change Commercial Real Estate
STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND
“The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall.” - Edward O. Wilson, The Social Conquest of Earth One of the insights that can be felt from the blossoming of fascism in America is that it is the efflorescence of … [Read more...] about STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND
HYPOCRISY ON PARADE: PRAISING JOHN LEWIS WHILE RUINING HIS LIFE’S WORK
In “The Verdict,” a sleazy lawyer played by Paul Newman crashes a stranger’s funeral and cons the widow with a blast of blarney about her late husband: “I knew him vaguely through the Lodge. He was a wonderful man.” I thought of that scene while reading the Republican tributes to John Lewis. The civil rights icon had fought all his life for voting rights, for equal access to … [Read more...] about HYPOCRISY ON PARADE: PRAISING JOHN LEWIS WHILE RUINING HIS LIFE’S WORK
US orders China to close Houston consulate as tensions soar
Beijing (AFP) - The United States has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston and accused it of ramping up spying operations, dramatically escalating diplomatic tensions between the feuding superpowers.Wednesday's announcement infuriated Beijing, which vowed to retaliate as the two countries squabble over a slew of issues ranging from trade to the coronavirus pandemic … [Read more...] about US orders China to close Houston consulate as tensions soar
Site update and on-going work
Hello Readers. As you see, The Moderate Voice design has changed. As we navigate these challenging times, we are working to make the site faster and even more mobile device friendly. This is not the final look but it is a more stripped down, magazine blog like format that will have additional elements added. The new elements will adjust images height and widths properly as … [Read more...] about Site update and on-going work
Trump’s Secret Police (Cartoon)
The Great 2020 Quarantine
by Jay Johnson First of all this is not a political rant. If you are looking for that.... look almost anywhere else on any platform and you will find something that will get your “dander up” as they say in Texas. I have not written a blog since February, before Sandi and I traveled to Berlin and returned to a United States and world that was shutting down and staying at … [Read more...] about The Great 2020 Quarantine
THE ALARMING ABSENCE OF OUTRAGE OVER ANTI-SEMITISM
by Rich Manieri I’ve come up with a list of historical figures you want to avoid quoting in a public forum, at least outside of an academic context. Mind you, the list is neither official nor in numeric order. To name a few – Judas Iscariot, Marquis de Sade, Mussolini, Ted Bundy, Stalin and, of course, the Bohemian corporal himself, Adolph Hitler. It’s difficult to … [Read more...] about THE ALARMING ABSENCE OF OUTRAGE OVER ANTI-SEMITISM
If he loses, Trump says he may not accept the results. This is scary.
Chris Wallace may work for Fox News, but he just conducted the most revealing and harrowing interview Donald Trump has yet faced as president. Please watch it.On the facts, it was a spanking from start to finish. When Trump claimed that America has among the world’s lowest death rates from Covid-19, Wallace answered “That’s not true, sir.” The data shows that our death rate is … [Read more...] about If he loses, Trump says he may not accept the results. This is scary.
Masks, Guns and Seatbelts
Why do many Americans refuse to wear masks indoors or in crowded areas outdoors, claiming it infringes on their personal liberty and freedom? When it could protect them and those around them from infection with the Corona virus, their refusal seems to make no sense. Undoubtedly, part of it is rebellion against authority and an unwillingness to obey the rules promulgated by … [Read more...] about Masks, Guns and Seatbelts
JACKBOOTED PORTLANDIA (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Leave it to the people who scream about the “Deep State” to send in unidentified jack-booted thugs to round up, beat up, and teargas people protesting against the government. The Trump administration has sent unidentified federal officers into Portland supposedly to protect federal property. Apparently, that means going in wearing badges that don’t identify any federal … [Read more...] about JACKBOOTED PORTLANDIA (Cartoon, Column and Video)
An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food
We love to bad-mouth processed foods – usually while our mouths are full of it. IcemanJ via Getty Images Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University In January 2015, food sales at restaurants overtook those at grocery stores for the first time. Most thought this marked a permanent shift in the American meal. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, that … [Read more...] about An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food