Dear Governor Abbott, In the next few days or weeks, you will be making what may be the most important decision during your tenure as governor of the Great State of Texas, certainly the most fateful and consequential one. You will be deciding if, when and how to prudently and safely send five million Texas children back to school amid a raging coronavirus pandemic. In … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to the Governor of Texas Concerning the Reopening of Schools
Lebanese Dreams and Manhattan Explosions
"Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful." Pity the Nation, Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran NEW YORK CITY -- If I'm asleep between 2-6am - which is rare because I like that quiet time to work - I'm jolted awake by the fireworks most nights followed by a doggie panic around my apartment. These are free-lance fireworks … [Read more...] about Lebanese Dreams and Manhattan Explosions
Editorial: If Trump would just wear a mask, fewer Americans might die of COVID-19
The novel coronavirus pandemic poses a severe challenge to elected leaders that far exceeds any headaches posed by budget crises or corruption scandals. With projections now showing 208,000 Americans dead by Election Day of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, every pandemic decision is fraught with dire public health implications.This is why San Diego Mayor Kevin … [Read more...] about Editorial: If Trump would just wear a mask, fewer Americans might die of COVID-19
Supreme Court gives Manhattan prosecutor access to Trump’s tax returns, nixes Congressional access for now
The Supreme Court today gave the green light for a Manhattan prosecutor to subpoena Donald Trump's tax records and for now nixed Congress getting a hold of them. That case they've referred back to lower courts. The bottom line? It was a massive 7-2 defeat for Trump. The decision rejected Trump's claim of having absolute immunity while he's in office and involved the two … [Read more...] about Supreme Court gives Manhattan prosecutor access to Trump’s tax returns, nixes Congressional access for now
A Wannabe Dancer Dishonors a War Hero (UPDATED)
UPDATE: In the military, we had a saying to make it clear that one had an even stronger opinion about a subject or an issue under discussion. It was or is “Stronger message to follow.” Reacting to Tucker Carlson’s insolent comments about her character, patriotism and service to country (below), Senator Tammy Duckworth simply responded “Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk … [Read more...] about A Wannabe Dancer Dishonors a War Hero (UPDATED)
“Whispers”: New anti-Trump VIDEO ad by The Lincoln Project
Here's the latest ad from The Lincoln Project, a group of traditional conservative Republicans who are working to defeat Donald Trump in his re-election bid. It's called "Whispers." … [Read more...] about “Whispers”: New anti-Trump VIDEO ad by The Lincoln Project
Hong Kong set to become a new Tibet, says exiled leader
New Delhi (AFP) - Hong Kong is heading toward the same fate as Tibet after China imposed a new security law that criminalises calls for independence, the leader of the exiled Tibetan government has told AFP.Lobsang Sangay said China was deceiving Hong Kong the same way it cheated Tibetan people in 1951 when it promised autonomy.Sangay said China promised to uphold the will of … [Read more...] about Hong Kong set to become a new Tibet, says exiled leader
Pseudo-Democracy
Is Donald Trump heading for defeat?
Is Donald Trump heading for defeat in the 2020 presidential election? This far out from election day, it appears as if he will lose. Then again, the same was said about Trump this time back in 2016. Will this go-around for Trump end up different? The headline of a June 2020 National Journal article proclaims, "Prepare for a Biden landslide". Article author Josh … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump heading for defeat?
US Sunbelt mayors push back against Trump’s virus optimism
Washington (AFP) - US Sunbelt mayors warned Sunday that their cities are at risk of being overwhelmed by a surge of coronavirus cases as they pushed back against US President Donald Trump's attempt to minimize the gravity of the spreading virus.COVID-19 has been raging for weeks across southern and western states. Florida has registered 10,000 new cases on some days. Arizona … [Read more...] about US Sunbelt mayors push back against Trump’s virus optimism
Is It the ‘Trump Virus’ Now?
As coronavirus cases in Texas take a sharp turn for the worse, it is gratifying to see our governor finally make an abrupt change of course, recognize that the dramatic increase in cases is due to more than just “bar settings” and issue a statewide mask order. “Better late than never” applies more than ever here. It is also fortunate that the Governor does not share his … [Read more...] about Is It the ‘Trump Virus’ Now?
The Progressive Smoke Screen
Senator Sanders has finally accepted former Vice President Biden’s inevitability, but have all of Sanders’ supporters? It seems some of the Vermont senator’s supporters are considering flocking to Trump, in an attempt to “win by losing” and clear the path for a more progressive candidate in 2024. Politico reports that “The 77-year-old Biden still has a ways to go with all … [Read more...] about The Progressive Smoke Screen
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
Amid US virus struggle, Trump visits Rushmore and bemoans racial protests
Keystone (United States) (AFP) - US President Donald Trump bemoaned protests demanding racial justice as "violent mayhem" Friday, but said little about an alarming resurgence of coronavirus cases as he attended a crowded, fireworks-studded Independence Day celebration beneath majestic Mount Rushmore.Trump, under fire for his response to America's spiraling coronavirus caseload … [Read more...] about Amid US virus struggle, Trump visits Rushmore and bemoans racial protests
The Honeymooners (Cartoon)
Democracy books disappear from Hong Kong libraries
Hong Kong (AFP) - Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have started to disappear from the city's libraries, online records show, days after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the finance hub.Among the authors whose titles are no longer available are Joshua Wong, one of the city's most prominent young activists, and Tanya Chan, a well known … [Read more...] about Democracy books disappear from Hong Kong libraries
Gilty pleasure: Vietnam opens world’s ‘first’ gold-plated hotel
For guests at the "Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake" coffee comes in a gold cup and bath time is taken in gilded splendour.The world's first self-proclaimed gold-plated hotel is open for business -- and the Vietnamese owners insist they have the Midas touch despite the cramping of global travel during the coronavirus pandemic.The hotel cost $200 million to construct with a 24-carat … [Read more...] about Gilty pleasure: Vietnam opens world’s ‘first’ gold-plated hotel
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (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 Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
China appoints hardliner to head new Hong Kong security agency
Hong Kong (AFP) - China appointed a hardliner to head a new national security agency in Hong Kong Friday as police brought the first charges under a sweeping new anti-subversion law that has shaken the semi-autonomous finance hub.Zheng Yanxiong -- a party official best known for tackling protests on the mainland -- will lead the office set up by the legislation that empowers … [Read more...] about China appoints hardliner to head new Hong Kong security agency
OKLAHOMA DELIVERS A DECISIVE WIN… TO OBAMA
Donald Trump spent Wednesday tweeting about Fox and Friends‘ TV ratings and complaining about “fake news.” Those were safe topics, well within his bunkered comfort zone – because he certainly wasn’t going to tweet about his latest political humiliation. It happened Tuesday night in deep red Oklahoma – the second time in recent weeks that Oklahoma has humiliated him (the … [Read more...] about OKLAHOMA DELIVERS A DECISIVE WIN… TO OBAMA