Embed from Getty Images There was a brief time, in the aftermath of World War II, when antisemitism receded into the darkest corners of society, drowned out by the overwhelming horror of the Holocaust. Sadly, we appear to be nearing the end of an era. No longer taboo, bigots are now literally parading their Jew hatred in colorful precision on the main roads of cities … [Read more...] about Silence on Antisemitism Can No Longer be Accepted
Trump’s unrealistic promises to the Rust Belt may haunt him
By DAVID IGNATIUS Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- When General Motors idled its auto plant in Lordstown, Ohio, this month, President Trump adopted a familiar strategy: He issued a nasty string of tweets blaming other people and promised, in effect, that he would restore the past. Trump's angry, backward-looking approach may still appeal to some Rust Belt … [Read more...] about Trump’s unrealistic promises to the Rust Belt may haunt him
Entitlement and the College Admissions Scandal
The college admissions cheating scandal uncovered recently is a prime example of how entitled Americans think and act when they desire a particular objective. The special educational benefits their money provided were not enough of an advantage for these parents who wanted to be certain their children would be admitted to elite colleges. Thus, bending or breaking the rules, … [Read more...] about Entitlement and the College Admissions Scandal
Cartoon: Trump at McCain grave
Trump is right. This is a witch hunt!
WASHINGTON -- President Trump is right. This is a witch hunt. Monday morning, he used the term for the 261st time as president (according to the Factba.se database), this time tweeting: "50% of Americans AGREE that Robert Mueller's investigation is a Witch Hunt." On a weekend of rage directed at late senator John McCain, "Saturday Night Live," Fox News and many others, … [Read more...] about Trump is right. This is a witch hunt!
Christchurch mosque shootings must end New Zealand’s innocence about right-wing terrorism
Members of the Armed Offenders Squad push back members of the public following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch. AAP/Martin Hunter, CC BY-SA Paul Spoonley, Massey University Mosques across New Zealand remain closed and police presence is strong, following a terrorist attack at two mosques in central Christchurch on Friday. … [Read more...] about Christchurch mosque shootings must end New Zealand’s innocence about right-wing terrorism
A Man Comes In Out of the Weeds
Jay Inslee is the Governor of Washington, and he’s running for President. He deserves serious consideration. He’s a Climate Change Warrior. It’s his one issue, and he knows it well. He’s in the weeds on it, and he can go high when FEPOTUS goes low. Not only that. He can explain it in a way that even a Luddite Real Estate Salesman can understand. Inslee has the kind of game … [Read more...] about A Man Comes In Out of the Weeds
White Supremecist (Cartoon)
The autocratic Trump and ‘constitutional conservatives’
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’