by Peter Funt My wife Amy purchased a gift card for our daughter at Sephora, the large retailer of beauty products, but all she got was disappointment. When Stephanie tried to use it the clerk informed her the card had a $0 balance. No money. It seems gift cards — growing rapidly in popularity — are increasingly subject to scams. Consumers lost over $250 million in gift … [Read more...] about The growing gift card racket
Democrats at a Standstill (Cartoon)
What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
Global order? Put a pin in it. Getty Images Andrew Latham, Macalester College The phrase “international rules-based order” has long been a fixture in global politics. Western leaders often use it to describe a framework of rules, norms and institutions designed to guide state behavior. Advocates argue that this framework has provided the … [Read more...] about What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s Presentation of Waitress
I was first introduced to the Broadway musical Waitress while watching the television airing of the Tony Awards. I had turned on the show to see how well Hamilton was doing when I stumbled upon a musical medley that transitioned to Sara Bareilles at a grand piano singing the opening to an achingly sorrowful song I had never heard. Mid-song, the camera shifted to Jessie Mueller … [Read more...] about Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s Presentation of Waitress
Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA?
Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA? Apparently, plenty of people on the political Left believe that it would. At least that is what this blogger has witnessed on the Internet. On 14 March 2025, "Nine Democrats and one independent, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voted in favor of cloture" for a Continuing Resolution to keep the U.S. … [Read more...] about Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA?
Celebrity Climate Scientist Receives Judicial Sanction
"It bears repeating that Dr. Mann and his counsel should not have engaged in falsehoods and misrepresentations to the jury and the Court in the first place." Those are the words of D.C. Superior Court Judge Alfred S. Irving, Jr. in a ruling that he issued on 12 March 2025. In the ruling, the Judge is responding to the behavior of celebrity climate scientist Dr. Michael … [Read more...] about Celebrity Climate Scientist Receives Judicial Sanction
Addressing Cognitive Impairment in Federal Officials
White House photo[/caption]The cognitive status of federal officials needs to be addressed. Too many of them manifest some degree of impairment and are not fit to serve in government. There is little question that our last president, Joe Biden, was intellectually diminished, and may have been suffering from a neurologic disorder. His speech was hesitant and slow when he wasn’t … [Read more...] about Addressing Cognitive Impairment in Federal Officials
“The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trump
“The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trumpby Eli HagerProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Since the arrival of a team from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Social Security is in a far … [Read more...] about “The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trump
WALL STREET DROPPING UNDER TRUMP POLICIES (CARTOON)
What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?
Here is the thing about the recent rise of antisemitism. It has nothing to do with antisemitism. What do CNN's Anthony Van Jones and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane have in common? They have theories about the source behind antisemitism. On the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, CNN’s Anthony Van Jones featured a commentary about the dangers of hate. Van … [Read more...] about What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?
Maybe people will wake up when Elon Musk wrecks Social Security
It’s been fascinating to watch Elon Musk and his destructive dweebs aim their sledgehammers at Social Security. I almost wish they’d screw just a wee bit with the monthly money that 72 million people dependably receive — say, some delivery delays and under-payments here and there — because maybe that might finally compel lots of MAGA voters to wake the hell up. As a … [Read more...] about Maybe people will wake up when Elon Musk wrecks Social Security
Cracks in the Economy: Is the Levee About to Break?
[Editor's Note: This was written before the stock market began to fall.] By Dr. Christopher Miller The U.S. economy stands on the precipice of a major downturn, and yet, Washington remains locked in a partisan death spiral. Democrats are too preoccupied with resisting Republican attacks, while the GOP is focused on dismantling the opposition rather than governing. This … [Read more...] about Cracks in the Economy: Is the Levee About to Break?
The dark parallels between 1920s America and today’s political climate
In the 1920s, some Americans’ concern for a U.S. in decline led to a rise in various discriminatory policies and movements that hurt vulnerable minorities. iStock/Getty Images Plus Alex Green, Harvard Kennedy School As promised, the second Trump administration has quickly rolled out a slew of policies and executive orders that the president … [Read more...] about The dark parallels between 1920s America and today’s political climate
The Ukraine Tragedy: Adding Insult to Injury
A couple of days after President Trump humiliated President Zelensky and betrayed Ukraine at the White House, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the “new White House agenda” saying that it “largely aligns with our vision.” But even before the White House ambush, the Trump administration was taking actions seriously damaging an ally fighting for its very survival. A … [Read more...] about The Ukraine Tragedy: Adding Insult to Injury
LINCOLN WATCHING DONALD TRUMP AND THE GOP (CARTOON)
What Amazon MGM’s creative control over the James Bond film franchise means for the future of 007
Daniel Craig played James Bond in five films from 2006 to 2021. Greg Williams/Eon Productions via Getty Images Colin Burnett, Washington University in St. Louis James Bond was front and center at the 2025 Academy Awards – and in a somewhat curious way. In a musical number, Lisa of Blackpink, Doja Cat and Raye sang the Bond theme songs … [Read more...] about What Amazon MGM’s creative control over the James Bond film franchise means for the future of 007
Secretive D.C. Influence Project Appears to Be Running a Group House for Right-Wing Lawmakers
Secretive D.C. Influence Project Appears to Be Running a Group House for Right-Wing Lawmakersby Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex MierjeskiProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.For a project explicitly designed to influence Congress, Steve Berger’s operation has … [Read more...] about Secretive D.C. Influence Project Appears to Be Running a Group House for Right-Wing Lawmakers
THE STATE OF THE UNION IS RUSSIA (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
So, did you watch Donald Trump's State of the Union speech?? Yeah, I know you didn’t, and I don’t blame you because I didn’t want to watch it either. But I did…well, a chunk of it. I watched the first 20 minutes or so, and then that was all I could take. I figured I’d rely on the news coverage of it later, but I did catch Rep. Al Green getting tossed out. My main impression … [Read more...] about THE STATE OF THE UNION IS RUSSIA (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Chaos with Trump and Ukraine: A Warning for Moderates and the Center-Right
By Dr. Christopher Miller As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year, the geopolitical stakes for the United States have never been higher. Yet, recent political developments in Washington and the resurgence of Donald Trump as a major political force have introduced alarming uncertainty into America’s commitment to Ukraine. The consequences of Trump’s erratic … [Read more...] about Chaos with Trump and Ukraine: A Warning for Moderates and the Center-Right
