by Barry Berman I panicked. A sign flashed on my TV from Netflix yesterday that it was having a problem with my payment. For the next 20 minutes, I struggled, desperately, pressing remote buttons and trying to get through on the phone. I mean really, Netflix is one of our comfort toys these days. It’s an escape from the constant drone of CNN, the new Covid-19 cases and … [Read more...] about Sweat the Small Stuff
New Investigation Ordered for Capt. Crozier (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: A great piece at The New York Times a few days ago goes into the character, qualifications and background of Admiral Michael M. Gilday who, after a swift internal investigation, recommended that Capt. Brett Crozier be restored to command of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Now that Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper has declined to endorse the … [Read more...] about New Investigation Ordered for Capt. Crozier (UPDATES)
Leaders’ empathy matters in the midst of a pandemic
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is near tears as he thanked the Kraft family for flying desperately needed protective masks from China to Boston in a New England Patriots jet, April 1, 2020. Getty/Jim Davis/The Boston Globe Jonathan D. Fitzgerald, Regis College Resilience, communication skills, openness and impulse control top the list of six … [Read more...] about Leaders’ empathy matters in the midst of a pandemic
Third Russian health care professional plunges from hospital window in mysterious circumstances
As Russia's coronavirus cases have risen 10K for the second day, there also seems to be another growing problem: health care professionals in Russia plunging from hospital windows under mysterious circumstances. Moscow Times: “A paramedic who complained about being forced to work despite contracting coronavirus is in critical condition after he fell from a hospital window … [Read more...] about Third Russian health care professional plunges from hospital window in mysterious circumstances
Trump and Lincoln Memorial
Fauci the Giant Killer
He didn’t clamor up a beanstalk to find the Giant. In fact, the Giant invited him into his circle, hoping to use his medical credibility to bolster his own standing. The Giant had screwed up in a gigantic way as only a giant could in dealing with a major medical adversary that had slipped into his kingdom. The Giant, who by the way was named Donald, constantly advertised his … [Read more...] about Fauci the Giant Killer
Forget the New Normal, Live Free in the Present Normal
That we are in a time of profound, extreme and for many, overwhelming transformation and adjustment, is unmistakable. Arianna Huffington, observed, “Transformative change rarely happens without a catalyst and a crisis,” in an article entitled, “We are Never Going Back.” No, we are, and never do, go back, despite our yearning for the “good old days,” that we erroneously believed … [Read more...] about Forget the New Normal, Live Free in the Present Normal
SUCCESS STORY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Peter Bergen, CNN’s national security analyst wrote, “What is most galling as the nation faces its worse crisis since World War II is how the Trump family keeps demanding recognition for their brilliant work and also our thanks for the catastrophic mess they have helped land us all in.” That’s probably just a little more galling than the fact Donald Trump appoints family … [Read more...] about SUCCESS STORY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Trump criticizes George W. Bush over call for unity amid coronavirus
George W. Bush’s evocative three-minute coronavirus video went out of its way to avoid controversy.The former president didn’t mention President Donald Trump or any political leaders during his “Call for Unity” message. Instead, Bush praised the American spirit and vowed that the nation would beat the pandemic.Trump’s reaction? Bush should have backed the president during his … [Read more...] about Trump criticizes George W. Bush over call for unity amid coronavirus
Will Bunch: On the 50th anniversary, America’s still not fully recovered from the wounds of Kent State
On May 4, 1970 — 50 years ago this Monday — a tree trunk may have been the only thing that prevented Alan Canfora from becoming the fifth fatality in a violent episode that both rattled America and reshaped its history, the shooting barrage by Ohio National Guardsmen into a crowd of student protesters at Kent State University.Canfora was a 20-year-old undergrad at the Ohio … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: On the 50th anniversary, America’s still not fully recovered from the wounds of Kent State
Heard Any Good Negative Predictions Lately?
No, of course you haven’t heard any good negative predictions lately. That’s because there aren’t any good negative predictions. There are only negative negative predictions. That’s because there’s essentially nothing good about a negative prediction! Negative predictions can only be negative. Pessimists, dissenters, prophets of doom. Who needs them? The defeatists of … [Read more...] about Heard Any Good Negative Predictions Lately?
Friends, foes see opening in helping virus-hit US
Washington (AFP) - The United States has long hailed its aid overseas as a sign of good intentions, but friends and foes alike are seeing opportunities of their own by helping the global power ravaged by the coronavirus.Turkey, looking to end a rough spell with its NATO ally, and Egypt, whose autocratic leader counts on support from President Donald Trump, both sent military … [Read more...] about Friends, foes see opening in helping virus-hit US
Trumps “Success” (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --One Death Is a Tragedy. 60,000 Deaths Are a Great Success. --Trump Casually Doubles the Number of Americans He’d Be Okay Losing to the Coronavirus --White House declares success while experts say the coronavirus fight isn't over Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a … [Read more...] about Trumps “Success” (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Are we living in a dystopia?
State police officers during a “Reopen Virginia” rally around Capitol Square in Richmond on April 22, 2020. Getty/Ryan M. Kelly / AFP Shauna Shames, Rutgers University and Amy Atchison, Valparaiso University Dystopian fiction is hot. Sales of George Orwell’s “1984” and Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” have skyrocketed since 2016. Young adult … [Read more...] about Are we living in a dystopia?
‘The Wire’ creator working on new series involving Baltimore cops
Washington (AFP) - US screenwriter David Simon said Friday that his new Baltimore-based TV series will not involve actors from his earlier gritty crime drama "The Wire," contradicting details provided by his collaborator in an interview.On Thursday, Simon's co-writer on "The Wire" George Pelecanos told French magazine Society that he was working with Simon and "Wire" writer Ed … [Read more...] about ‘The Wire’ creator working on new series involving Baltimore cops
Neither Snow nor Rain nor War nor Pandemics…
Our nation’s oldest and most storied service academy, West Point (The United States Military Academy), initially told its corps of cadets to stay at home at the end of the spring break in March, in view of the risks and dangers posed by the spreading COVID-19. This order included its nearly 1,000 soon-to-be commissioned cadets of the Class of 2020, the largest class in the … [Read more...] about Neither Snow nor Rain nor War nor Pandemics…
Peer Pressure vs Critical Thinking
Critical thinking can take a back seat to peer pressure. Peer pressure is often described as a phenomenon that affects teenagers, as if adults are immune to it. Wrong! Adults of any age can be subjected to peer pressure. One outcome of peer pressure is called groupthink. The McCombs School of Business states, "Groupthink occurs when people’s desire to maintain … [Read more...] about Peer Pressure vs Critical Thinking
What are the ‘reopen’ protesters really saying?
Protesters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 20 call for the governor to lift restrictions meant to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. AP Photo/Matt Slocum Diana Daly, University of Arizona The “anti-lockdown” and #Reopen protests in the U.S. have powerful and secretive backers, but there are real Americans on the streets expressing their … [Read more...] about What are the ‘reopen’ protesters really saying?
FIRING RICK BRIGHT WAS THE TRUMP REGIME AT ITS DARKEST
I get why everyone has been so focused on Trump’s recent insanity spasm about injecting bleach. But we need to remember these riffs and fulminations are ultimately distractions from the substantive havoc he continues to wreak. At a time when we need good government most – with over 61,000 dead and counting – the Trump virus is claiming its own body count. Often without us … [Read more...] about FIRING RICK BRIGHT WAS THE TRUMP REGIME AT ITS DARKEST
Breaking silence, Biden says alleged sex assault ‘never happened’
Washington (AFP) - US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday emphatically denied sexually assaulting a former aide, saying the incident she says occurred 27 years ago "never happened."The former vice president thus broke a month of silence on the most potentially damaging claims he has confronted since launching his White House bid a year ago. Republicans have weaponized … [Read more...] about Breaking silence, Biden says alleged sex assault ‘never happened’