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’
The Harm of SIGH-ence
If you’re like most folks who read websites, magazines and newspapers, listen to a myriad of podcasts or TV news broadcasts with experts from all walks of life, you may be totally confused by the sensationalism and shock tactics covering COVID-19, mental wellbeing, physical health, obesity, exercise, nutrition, stress and a whole host of other related topics. Much of it is … [Read more...] about The Harm of SIGH-ence
BEZOS AND BUZZARDS (Cartoon and Column)
A few weeks ago, I was keeping my eyes open for Dial liquid hand soap. Usually, for me, soap is soap as long as it doesn’t smell weird or feel like liquid sandpaper, I’m good. But a friend swore that Dial was the best at killing viruses and was one of the cheapest. So, while not being that worried about it and already having plenty of hand soap on stock, I thought I’d buy some … [Read more...] about BEZOS AND BUZZARDS (Cartoon and Column)
THERE’S ROOM FOR COMPROMISE, IF WE LOOK FOR IT
by Rich Manieri Over breakfast the other day, my wife, who happens to be a physician, asked, “Whatever happened to compromise?” She was wondering why Americans can’t seem to put their political and ideological biases aside during the current pandemic and understand that we can do our best to protect ourselves from the virus and still keep our economy from … [Read more...] about THERE’S ROOM FOR COMPROMISE, IF WE LOOK FOR IT
SICK PENCE NONE THE WISER (Cartoon)
Risk of coronavirus meat shortage on the rise
The risk of a meat shortage caused by the coronaviruspandemic is rising despite President Donald Trump’s executive order telling meat processing plants to remain open. COVID-19 has been spreading among workers at the plants as they work in close quarters with one another.Q1 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and moreData from USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative … [Read more...] about Risk of coronavirus meat shortage on the rise
Obesity: Where’s The Panic of COVID-19?
Remember back in February when the media was babbling on about medical professionals debating over whether to call the “epidemic” of COVID-19 a “pandemic”? You couldn’t wipe the drool off of news anchors’ faces fast enough given the headline turbo fuel this created. OMG, a pandemic!!! While we are stirred by the latest confusion of the day, inflamed, panic-filled, … [Read more...] about Obesity: Where’s The Panic of COVID-19?
WHERE’S MIKE PENCE? (Cartoon and Column)
Where’s Mike Pence been? Yesterday, he was at the Mayo Clinic. Pence, who leads the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force visited the clinic yesterday and violated their policy that everyone who enters has to wear a face mask. He also violated the guidelines of the…wait for it…White House’s Coronavirus Task Force. Is there really a task force or is it just as empty a gesture … [Read more...] about WHERE’S MIKE PENCE? (Cartoon and Column)
McConnell now ‘open’ to coronavirus bailouts for hard-hit states after Democratic outrage
Mitch McConnell couldn’t stand the heat.The Republican Senate leader on Wednesday backed off his controversial claim that coronavirus-ravaged states should go bankrupt and said he’s “open” to bailing them out, apparently caving to blistering criticism from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other Democrats.McConnell — whose bankruptcy comments last week may have turned him into one … [Read more...] about McConnell now ‘open’ to coronavirus bailouts for hard-hit states after Democratic outrage
The Frankening of Joe Biden
For two days, the Right held a blogswarm, shedding voluminous crocodile tears for one "Tara Reade" over a position that they themselves DO NOT HOLD! Now this: Kevin Drum / Mother Jones: So, Tara Reade . . . — Did Joe Biden sexually assault Tara Reade in 1993, as she claims? I don't know. As is so often the case, there were no witnesses and no physical evidence, so it's … [Read more...] about The Frankening of Joe Biden
Great Music – Chapter 72
As I have mentioned before, the musical world is very diverse, from Rock to Bach. This week I would like to introduce you to the band, Evanescence and in particular their lead singer, Amy Lee. Amy is the heart and soul of this band and when she sings she dominates the stage. Amy is the main composer of the band’s music and for the most part it is emotional heart wrenching … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 72
Hey, teachers, cops, etc. — Mitch McConnell wants your job, pension. Will he kill the GOP instead?
It’s been a generation since the right-wing activist Grover Norquist said his movement’s goal wasn’t to eliminate government, but merely to “shrink it down to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub.” Since then, the failure of a downsized and disinterested government to respond to crises like Hurricane Katrina seemed to have proved the empty fallacy of those words. And … [Read more...] about Hey, teachers, cops, etc. — Mitch McConnell wants your job, pension. Will he kill the GOP instead?