One of the big things in the news lately is the odd phenomenon of protesters and anarchists desecrating, defacing, and destroying monuments and statues around the country. I say odd because it's really sort of a new tactic. I guess maybe we've seen some of this in the past, but it seems to be something that those who feel the need to protest and destroy seem to think is … [Read more...] about Monuments and Statues
Hope in the Time of Coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a horrendous human and economic toll on our society and on our economy. No aspects of our society and economy have been spared. The charity and non-profit sectors have been especially hard-hit and this at a time when the essential functions these organizations provide to the poor, the hungry, the sick and the dying are needed more … [Read more...] about Hope in the Time of Coronavirus
AMAZING ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL FACTS (Cartoon)
President Trump revives J. Edgar Hoover’s tyrannical playbook
J. Edgar Hoover testifies before the House on Un-American Activities Committee. Hulton Archive/Getty Images Stephen M. Underhill, Marshall Univeristy Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has denounced his critics for the same claims made against him, attacking their credibility and portraying himself as a victim of conspiracies. His lies are … [Read more...] about President Trump revives J. Edgar Hoover’s tyrannical playbook
I Can’t Think of a Life That Doesn’t Matter.
Quote from Mike Bonikowsky "This weekend marks the third anniversary of the death of Heather Roselli. Heather Roselli, who had a developmental disability, died on on June 18th 2017 after being pushed to the ground and held there by the staff of the New York group home where she lived until she died of asphyxia and internal injuries, including broken ribs and a lacerated liver. … [Read more...] about I Can’t Think of a Life That Doesn’t Matter.
Plastic ‘has entered’ Antarctic terrestrial food chain
Paris (AFP) - Scientists have found bits of polystyrene in the guts of tiny, soil-dwelling organisms in the Antarctic, raising concern that microplastics pollution has already "deeply" entered the world's most remote land-based food systems.While the infiltration of microplastics throughout the oceans is well-known, researchers said their findings provided the first evidence of … [Read more...] about Plastic ‘has entered’ Antarctic terrestrial food chain
Yards after Covid
All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Yards after Covid
Protest Land N.Y.C.: High Level Excitement
"Stop children, what's that sound....?" Buffalo Springfield, 1967 Those sounds in Manhattan at the moment are low flying helicopters and surprise-fireworks, a jazz band and the marching of young feet. Let me explain. My recollections of my time in Lebanon in my last dispatch applying to NYC were oddly prescient given the unpredictability of the scene here. One change … [Read more...] about Protest Land N.Y.C.: High Level Excitement
Appeals court orders Michael Flynn case to be dismissed
Washington — A federal appeals court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn.The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said in a 2-1 ruling that the Justice Department's decision to abandon the case against Flynn settles the matter, even though Flynn pleaded … [Read more...] about Appeals court orders Michael Flynn case to be dismissed
Say Goodbye to RE-silience
You don’t believe there’ll come a time in your life when you won’t be asked to change, when you’ll be exempt from all adversity, struggle and worry, do you? For those who know how to use life’s misfortunes and harsh conditions as fuel to change course in life, no need for more “RE.” You, no doubt, already have a fresh “inlook” on adversity, are forging close friendships and … [Read more...] about Say Goodbye to RE-silience
Islamic State militants incite attacks, gloat at US protests and pandemic deaths
An Iraqi militia member inspects the site of an Islamic State attack on Iraqi troops on May 3. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images Brian Glyn Williams, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth An Islamic State follower posted the hashtag “#AmericaBurning” in a discussion on the Telegram chat system in early June, and another posted a message that read … [Read more...] about Islamic State militants incite attacks, gloat at US protests and pandemic deaths
MAGA FUNNY (Cartoon and Column)
I used to think conservatives were funny. Now, they’re only funny inadvertently. The basis for all Republican humor, especially for those in the Trump cult, is cruelty. Republicans think it’s hilarious to put immigrant children in cages. They laughed their asses off when Border Patrol agents destroy jugs of water left for immigrants in the desert. They love cracks at the … [Read more...] about MAGA FUNNY (Cartoon and Column)
Not worth impeaching AG William Barr? America’s shattered democracy can’t afford not to
Aboard a Trump Train that is hurtling out of control toward its inevitable fate — and which in June 2020 feels more like Agatha Christie’s Orient Express with its warped passenger list of muddled motives and evil intent — the mysterious midnight ouster of Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman reads as the ultimate “Whydunnit?”Everybody knows WHO wielded the ax late Friday … [Read more...] about Not worth impeaching AG William Barr? America’s shattered democracy can’t afford not to
Voting in the Era of the Corona Virus
Since Reconstruction ended a century and a half ago, the white power structure, particularly in the South but in other states as well, have used various mechanisms to try and suppress black and minority voting. Initially, those in power were conservative white Democrats, but over the last half century they have been supplanted by conservative white Republicans. Starting with … [Read more...] about Voting in the Era of the Corona Virus
Stalin purges added to vast human cost of WWII
Moscow (AFP) - The Soviet Union suffered the greatest losses of any country as it fought the Nazis in World War II.At the same time, Joseph Stalin's regime attacked its own citizens, executing, incarcerating and exiling those it viewed as hostile. Here are some of the most striking statistics.Tripling war toll - In 1946, Stalin said seven million had died in the 1941-1945 Great … [Read more...] about Stalin purges added to vast human cost of WWII
Opposing voting by mail is voter suppression
By Penny M. VenetisThe images are stark: voters, primarily people of color, standing in the hot sun or in the rain for hours to exercise their fundamental constitutional right to vote. Shamefully, the recent images of voters in Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and other states are no different than ones we have seen in almost every election cycle for nearly two decades. The big … [Read more...] about Opposing voting by mail is voter suppression
“Shrinking” (Video ad by The Lincoln Project)
The Lincoln Project, a group of prominent traditional conservatives who are opposing Donald Trump's re-election and say they are " holding accountable those who would violate their oaths to the Constitution and would put others before Americans" has just released a new video ad. It's pegged to Trump's poorly attended rally in Tulsa: … [Read more...] about “Shrinking” (Video ad by The Lincoln Project)
Painted Ladies serves art as inspiration for short stories (Book Review)
Review by Doug Gibson Beth Porter has a distinguished career in the entertainment industry, both on stage and in film, as an actor and in duties behind stage and screen. She is also an accomplished writer of fiction. We have reviewed her memoir and a novel on this blog. In the anthology "Painted Ladies: a kaleidoscope of stories," Porter pens stories that are inspired by … [Read more...] about Painted Ladies serves art as inspiration for short stories (Book Review)
Uruguay quietly beats coronavirus, distinguishing itself from its South American neighbors – yet again
Life is resuming in Uruguay, where some students returned to school in April and the remainder will go back in on June 29. Daniel Rodrigues/adhoc/AFP via Getty Images) Jennifer Pribble, University of Richmond Latin America is the world’s new coronavirus epicenter, but Uruguay – a small South American nation of 3.5 million people – has so far avoided … [Read more...] about Uruguay quietly beats coronavirus, distinguishing itself from its South American neighbors – yet again
Changes
by Mike Fuqua I saw this little hokey saying the other day somewhere out on the net and thought that it was pretty outlandish. I mean after all, so far and by almost any estimate 2020 has generally been pretty bad. I don't have to list or detail them all but its generally been one catastrophe after another. So I was going to just pass it on by but the more I thought about … [Read more...] about Changes