While the title of this piece may seem gloomy, even defeatist, it is not as dark as the title of a recent essay by Yascha Mounk in The Atlantic. In his “The Virus Will Win,” Mounk wonders how a country “as rich, powerful, and scientifically advanced as the United States failed quite so badly at coping with a public-health emergency that experts had predicted for many … [Read more...] about If the Virus Wins?
Being convicted of a crime has thousands of consequences besides incarceration – and some last a lifetime
These women were released from an Oklahoma prison in 2019. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki Cynthia A. Golembeski, Rutgers University Newark At least 77 million U.S. adults have criminal records, including nearly 7 million currently in prison or jail or on probation or parole. Typically, more than 10,000 of the incarcerated leave prison and nearly 200,000 … [Read more...] about Being convicted of a crime has thousands of consequences besides incarceration – and some last a lifetime
Trump and Lincoln (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Trump and Lincoln (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Fort Worth police say Fox News’ report on chief, protests was a ‘gross mischaracterization’
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Police Department called an inaccurate Fox News report about Fort Worth a “gross mischaracterization” in a Facebook post Monday night.On Monday night, Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson berated Fort Worth Chief Ed Kraus for not pursuing charges against protesters who were arrested on May 31. Carlson said on his show that Kraus “dropped all charges … [Read more...] about Fort Worth police say Fox News’ report on chief, protests was a ‘gross mischaracterization’
The Lincoln Project Ad: “Trump is not well.” (VIDEO)
The Republican group The Lincoln Project(which describes itself as "holding accountable those who would violate their oaths to the Constitution and would put others before Americans') has released a new ad: "Trump is not well" which raises a snowballing issue: Donald Trump's health. … [Read more...] about The Lincoln Project Ad: “Trump is not well.” (VIDEO)
SLIPPERY WHEN STUPID
Gerald Ford was a clumsy president. And I’m not talking with policy though that Nixon pardon was a huge mess, but Ford literally fell down the steps of Air Force One. He had a bum knee from playing college football and maybe the steps were wet. Shit happens, right? But he also fell UP the steps of Air Force One. That’s clumsy. And as clumsy as Ford was, I can’t find any quotes … [Read more...] about SLIPPERY WHEN STUPID
Top Russia newspaper editors quit, denouncing censorship
Moscow (AFP) - Senior editors at Russia's most influential business newspaper quit Monday in protest against what they say is censorship while its founder accused the new owner of seeking to destroy the daily.Vedomosti is one of the last major independent newspapers in Russia, where journalists are increasingly squeezed by curbs on press freedoms and pressure from the … [Read more...] about Top Russia newspaper editors quit, denouncing censorship
A CORNUCOPIA OF GROUND HOG DAYS (Cartoon)
Was hands. Wear a mask. Stay indoors until the “all clear” or you go insane. Whichever comes first. Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: … [Read more...] about A CORNUCOPIA OF GROUND HOG DAYS (Cartoon)
‘Brother, Did You Know…” Once More with Feeling.
A couple of days ago, I tried to express in very non-clinical terms that the only difference I believe exists between black and white persons is the color of the skin, the kind and amount of skin pigmentation. I also attempted to describe the fear, frustration and anger black persons must feel “more than 150 years after slavery was abolished, more than 50 years after the … [Read more...] about ‘Brother, Did You Know…” Once More with Feeling.
Trump, the Story-Teller
Donald missed his true vocation. He is the 20th and 21st century reincarnation of the brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm who created Grimm’s Fairy Tales, a series of fantastic stories to entertain (and scare) children so they would be good little boys and girls. Trump also makes up stories to entertain his base and to scare his critics and rivals. And his stories are as … [Read more...] about Trump, the Story-Teller
New York City Horrors Coming to You.
“A heart in New York, A love in her eye, An open door and a friend for the night.” -- Art Garfunkel - A Heart In New York 1981 There's an intimacy between strangers under the surface these days, especially among the "pro-social" cohort of our citizenry. The rest is the usual rotting-in-the-heat New York garbage and more aggressive rats starved of the pizza they adore. … [Read more...] about New York City Horrors Coming to You.
Not just cruel to animals, these farms may breed the next pandemic
By Matt BershadkerToday’s industrial farms raise massive numbers of pigs, chickens, turkeys, and cows in intensive confinement, mired in their own waste and lacking enough space to simply move about freely. These farms also breed animals for extreme growth and production rates that further endanger their health and welfare. Conditions like these have torturous consequences … [Read more...] about Not just cruel to animals, these farms may breed the next pandemic
Brother Did You Know…
Did you know that black persons bleed, breathe, cry, laugh - just like you and I? Did you know that black persons have feelings, pride, aspirations, self-respect - just like you and I? Did you know that black persons feel pain, suffer rejection and humiliation, experience joy and sadness, fall in love - just like you and I? Did you know that black persons have … [Read more...] about Brother Did You Know…
Fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta sparks new protests, shuts down freeways and more (PHOTOS)
ATLANTA — Atlanta’s police chief resigned Saturday hours after a black man was fatally shot by an officer in a struggle following a field sobriety test. Authorities said the slain man had grabbed an officer’s Taser, but was running away when he was shot.Police Chief Erika Shields stepped down as the killing of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks sparked a new wave of protests in … [Read more...] about Fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta sparks new protests, shuts down freeways and more (PHOTOS)
Atlanta’s police city resigns after officer kills black man at Wendy’s
Washington (AFP) - The police chief in the US city of Atlanta resigned after an officer fatally shot a black man during an arrest, the mayor said Saturday, with the new killing injecting fresh anger into protests against racism and police brutality.Demonstrators blocked an interstate highway and set alight the Wendy's where 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks was killed late Saturday, … [Read more...] about Atlanta’s police city resigns after officer kills black man at Wendy’s
Full Moon Falsehood Still Being Spread
An old falsehood about full moons is still being promoted by people who are either naive about science or anti-science. From History.com: "Since ancient times, full moons have been associated with odd or insane behavior ... Even today, despite studies discrediting the hypothesis, some people think full moons make everyone a little loony." From Florida Today: "It has … [Read more...] about Full Moon Falsehood Still Being Spread
What They Really Mean When They Say: Protesting is OK, But Looters Must Be Stopped
by Barry Berman Don’t be fooled. This is code. Once again, the world is divided into two sides. Side A: There are those who believe that people of color have been cruelly, criminally, and systemically held down for centuries. These protests, to them, are triggered by a boiling point, horrifically represented by a tortuous murder captured on video. The protests are not … [Read more...] about What They Really Mean When They Say: Protesting is OK, But Looters Must Be Stopped
Quote of the Day: Donald Trump on the Chokehold
"I think the concept of chokehold sounds so innocent, so perfect." --Donald Trump on Fox News. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Donald Trump on the Chokehold
Many land animals ‘will go extinct’ in just two decades
By Daniel T Cross Sustainability Times The northern white rhinoceros. The passenger pigeon. The Javan tiger. The golden toad. The Pinta Island tortoise. These are just some of the dozens of land-based vertebrate species that have gone extinct over the past century. Many more will likely follow them into oblivion soon, a team of scientists warns in a new study, which … [Read more...] about Many land animals ‘will go extinct’ in just two decades
Why soldiers might disobey the president’s orders to occupy US cities
Members of the military wearing U.S. Army Special Forces insignia block protesters near Lafayette Park and the White House on June 3, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Marcus Hedahl, United States Naval Academy and Bradley Jay Strawser, Naval Postgraduate School President Donald Trump has announced he was considering sending the federal military into … [Read more...] about Why soldiers might disobey the president’s orders to occupy US cities