WASHINGTON -- President Trump's opponents typically treat him as a clown, a fool and a garden-variety bigot. They only occasionally pay enough attention -- usually when he praises some foreign dictator -- to the side of him that relishes autocracy and undercurrents of violence. He really doesn't seem to believe in democracy very much. For him, politics is always a clash … [Read more...] about The autocratic Trump and ‘constitutional conservatives’
Social media creates a spectacle society that makes it easier for terrorists to achieve notoriety
Stuart M Bender, Curtin University The shocking mass-shooting in Christchurch on Friday is notable for using livestreaming video technology to broadcast horrific first-person footage of the shooting on social media. In the highly disturbing video, the gunman drives to the Masjid Al Noor mosque, walks inside and shoots multiple people before leaving the scene in his car. … [Read more...] about Social media creates a spectacle society that makes it easier for terrorists to achieve notoriety
Mein Trumpf (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Love trumps hate, but Trump loves hate. While touring a disaster area created by a tornado in Alabama, Donald Trump signed bibles. He’s never read the Bible. He wouldn’t understand the Bible. But he signed them anyway. The book Trump should be signing is Mein Kampf by Adolph Hitler. I’m sure Trump has never read Mein Kampf or any other book in his entire life, including … [Read more...] about Mein Trumpf (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Lindsay Graham: Political Jellyfish
Apparently, to some people real, timeless, eternal friendship is like incest: relative. One of them seems to be South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, who for years was considered the political best bud, a best friend, and near political twin of the late Arizona Sen. John McCain. But then a strange thing began to happen. Once McCain came down with cancer and started to weaken, … [Read more...] about Lindsay Graham: Political Jellyfish
Populists and traditionalists are battling in both parties
By DAVID IGNATIUS Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- Dick Cheney, the former vice president, made just about the nastiest crack a Republican could offer about President Trump's foreign policy when he said it "looks a lot more like Barack Obama than Ronald Reagan." Obviously, the comparison is flawed. But say this much for Cheney: He's the rare Republican who … [Read more...] about Populists and traditionalists are battling in both parties
Manafort’s lawyers appealed for mercy — but not from the judge
WASHINGTON -- In the final moments before Paul Manafort's sentencing Wednesday, the former Trump campaign chief's lawyers appealed for mercy -- but not necessarily from the judge. Convictions for tax and bank fraud, illegal lobbying and witness tampering have been "very hard" on his client, Kevin Downing pleaded in U.S. District Court in Washington on Wednesday. "The media … [Read more...] about Manafort’s lawyers appealed for mercy — but not from the judge
California and the Death Penalty
By Peter Funt SAN FRANCISCO - Gov. Gavin Newsom has not only acted swiftly to save 737 souls on California's death row, but he has also had the courage to call state-sponsored executions what they are: uncivilized. "I do not believe that a civilized society can claim to be a leader in the world as long as its government continues to sanction the premeditated and … [Read more...] about California and the Death Penalty
Sandy Hook lawsuit court victory opens crack in gun maker immunity shield
A detective holds a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, the same type of gun used in the Sandy Hook School shooting. AP Photo/Jessica Hill Timothy D. Lytton, Georgia State University The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on March 14 that families of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting victims could proceed with a lawsuit against the companies that manufactured … [Read more...] about Sandy Hook lawsuit court victory opens crack in gun maker immunity shield
A Failed UN Prediction
If you believe every prediction made by the UN, then this blogger has some ocean-front property in Arizona to sell you. "Shifting climate patterns would bring back 1930s Dust Bowl conditions to Canadian and U.S. wheatlands." The above-quoted statement is part of a prediction that the UN made in 1989. Here is the headline of a 1989 AP story about the UN's … [Read more...] about A Failed UN Prediction
Prioritizing Safety in the Supply Chain is a Must
Warehouse supply chains are all about speed and efficiency — it’s important to get the products packed up and where they need to go promptly. What is often overlooked in this rush to produce a product? Safety. Why is it so important to prioritize safety in your supply chain and what can you do to create a more safety-centric culture for your business? Common Safety … [Read more...] about Prioritizing Safety in the Supply Chain is a Must
Some conservative commentators blast GOPers who backed Trump on national emergency
So even with the votes in Congress, Donald Trump will get his national emergency. The reason: the bulk of Republicans in Congress decided to do what is widely seen as abandoning traditional Republican adherence to separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution to back Trump. The reasons? Some agree with Trump but many fear being primaried and opposed by Trump (i.e. … [Read more...] about Some conservative commentators blast GOPers who backed Trump on national emergency
La Pietà, ‘Handle With Care’
It is interesting how one story can lead to another. In my story about two Italian immigrants -- now dear neighbors -- I wrote how 12-year-old Grace Lasala (now Mrs. Joe Zambito) sailed into “a cold and snowy New York Harbor aboard the S.S. Cristoforo Colombo three days before Christmas 1960.” In reading about the Cristoforo Colombo, I discovered that, four years later, … [Read more...] about La Pietà, ‘Handle With Care’
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: College Bribery Scandal
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Son defends parents caught in college admissions scandal while smoking blunt --DAUGHTER OLIVIA LEAVES YACHT OWNED BY TOP USC OFFICIAL --Lori Loughlin’s Bail Set for $1 Million; Judge Sets Travel Conditions --TRIGGERS SCORES OF NERVOUS, RICH PARENTS Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: College Bribery Scandal
GREAT MUSIC – Chapter 38
The Great Music series returns with a tribute to my favorite composer, Fredrick Chopin. I always found Chopin’s music emotionally stirring, The piece I have selected is his Nocturne in C minor. I first played this piece when I was 16 years old and as a typical teenager, in an emotional turmoil and was immediately in tune with Chopin’s musical emotions. When I played it ( of … [Read more...] about GREAT MUSIC – Chapter 38
Nov. 3, 2020: The ideal date for Judgment Day
WASHINGTON -- Please, Tom Steyer, stop spending all that money on impeachment ads. If you want to run spots against President Trump, target his shameful 2020 budget. In the meantime, the rest of us should quit pretending there is a big debate among Democrats about impeachment. There isn't. There is actually consensus, which is why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi won broad support … [Read more...] about Nov. 3, 2020: The ideal date for Judgment Day
A Well-Deserved Honor
Last summer, on July 10, the world rejoiced and celebrated the “miracle in a Thailand cave” when 12 young boys and their “Wild Boars” soccer team coach were finally rescued against so many odds after having been trapped deep inside a monsoon-flooded cave complex for 18 grueling days. In a mammoth global undertaking, hundreds of experienced divers, SEALs, pararescuemen and … [Read more...] about A Well-Deserved Honor
Lottascamma U (Cartoon, Column and Video)
If you’re the cynical type who believes students have a much greater chance of attending elite universities, like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, USC, or UCLA if they’re rich, well connected and white, you’re right. Sure. Studying hard, scoring well on your SATs, and avoiding the keggers is all well and good, but it also helps if your daddy donates $2.5 million to Harvard, like … [Read more...] about Lottascamma U (Cartoon, Column and Video)
What will happen to Michael Jackson’s legacy? A famed writer’s fall could offer clues
Norman Douglas, photographed in Florence, Italy in 1935. Carl Van Vetchen/Library of Congress Rachel Hope Cleves, University of Victoria There’s no question that Michael Jackson changed music history. But how will history remember Michael Jackson? Since HBO released the new documentary film “Leaving Neverland,” which detailed allegations by two … [Read more...] about What will happen to Michael Jackson’s legacy? A famed writer’s fall could offer clues
Cartoon: Parents Prepare for College
Democracy and Tribalism
Tribalism is a term used to denote the perceptual categorization of humans into different groups. Some media outlets present tribalism as a new force threatening democracy, which is misleading. Instead tribalism is deeply embedded in human evolutionary history and in the personal developmental history of each individual human being. For approximately 6 million years our … [Read more...] about Democracy and Tribalism