Union dead at Gettysburg, July 1863. National Archives, Timothy H. O'Sullivan photographer Gary W. Gallagher, University of Virginia It has become common to say that the United States in 2020 is more divided politically and culturally than at any other point in our national past. As a historian who has written and taught about the Civil War era … [Read more...] about Think the US is more polarized than ever? You don’t know history
BOOTY JUDGE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Maybe Rush Limbaugh is conducting a social experiment to see if the world can feel sorry for a lump of crap afflicted with cancer. During Donald Trump’s racist State of the Union address, he turned it into a game show by having his wife, Melania, place the Presidential Medal of Freedom around Rush Limbaugh’s neck. It had been recently announced that Limbaugh, a cigar smoker … [Read more...] about BOOTY JUDGE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Armed gang steals toilet rolls in panic-buying hit Hong Kong
Hong Kong (AFP) - Armed robbers who stole hundreds of toilet rolls were being hunted by Hong Kong police on Monday, in a city wracked by shortages caused by coronavirus panic-buying.Toilet rolls have become hot property in the densely packed business hub, despite government assurances that supplies remain unaffected by the virus outbreak.Supermarkets have found themselves … [Read more...] about Armed gang steals toilet rolls in panic-buying hit Hong Kong
More than1,100 former DOJ officials call for Barr’s resignation
In an action that further underscores that Attorney General William Barr is shattering norms, 1,110 former Department of Justice federal prosecutors and former Department of Justice officials are calling for Barr to resign. This is part of a firestorm sparked by Barr last week after he intervened to significantly lower the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation for … [Read more...] about More than1,100 former DOJ officials call for Barr’s resignation
EMPEROR DONALD (Cartoon)
On the state of the Democratic primary moving forward
Some thoughts about the state of the Democratic primary moving forward. 1) Remember that delegates are awarded proportionally. "Winning" a state helps media narrative and enthusiasm but is mostly meaningless in the end. Some states award delegates by Congressional district (or in Texas by State Senate District) and others just proportional statewide. Some have 15% minimum … [Read more...] about On the state of the Democratic primary moving forward
Sanders’ and Trump’ supporters have something in common | Opinion
By Carl GoldenThe national Democratic Party, with the New Hampshire primary all wrapped up, is in full panic now. Its leaders are in headlong flight like something from a 1950’s sci-fi flick depicting a terrorized townspeople fleeing a 10-story tall monster crushing cars and flattening buildings.It’s not some Godzilla-like creature risen from the ocean depths, though, just a … [Read more...] about Sanders’ and Trump’ supporters have something in common | Opinion
Dictatorships are facing problems, too
If you think that democracies are the only systems under stress, think again. In an article written in the non-partisan magazine Foreign Affairs, Thomas Caruthers, Senior Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, notes that dictators are facing major problems as well. The problem, he writes, is a global crisis in governance in … [Read more...] about Dictatorships are facing problems, too
A Review of the Musical Bliss at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre
Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s presentation of the new musical Bliss (book, music & lyrics by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie) is well directed (Sheryl Kaller), staged and performed. However, Bliss misses the mark on many levels. The greatest flaw of the musical is the lack of character development and story arc. Bliss is the story of four princesses locked in a tower by … [Read more...] about A Review of the Musical Bliss at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre
Trump administration to deploy ‘tactical units’ to ‘sanctuary cities’
The Trump administration is deploying highly trained officers to boost arrests of unauthorized immigrants in cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, the latest move in a battle against localities that adopt "sanctuary" policies to protect them from deportation.Members of the US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol Tactical Unit will be among the … [Read more...] about Trump administration to deploy ‘tactical units’ to ‘sanctuary cities’
Barr Exam (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Of related interest: --Barr Installs Outside Prosecutor to Review Case Against Michael Flynn, Ex-Trump Adviser --People Aren’t Buying William Barr’s Rebuke Of Donald Trump --Barr’s ABC News interview is deeply damning. Here’s what must come next. Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political … [Read more...] about Barr Exam (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Well, impeachment didn’t work – how else can Congress keep President Trump in check?
Well, impeachment didn't work – how else can Congress keep President Trump in check? House Democrats have more more tools up their sleeves than impeachment alone. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Kirsten Carlson, Wayne State University Donald Trump’s removal of impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the White … [Read more...] about Well, impeachment didn’t work – how else can Congress keep President Trump in check?
Trump claps back at Bill Barr insisting he has ‘legal right’ to tell him what to do
Take that, Bill!President Donald Trump slapped down Attorney General Bill Barr Friday, insisting that he can order the nation’s top law enforcement officer to do anything he wants.Trump and Barr both claim that they have not discussed any criminal cases, apparently including the controversial sentencing of Trump crony Roger Stone.But the president insists there wouldn’t be … [Read more...] about Trump claps back at Bill Barr insisting he has ‘legal right’ to tell him what to do
Valentine’s Day Origin
To modern-day people, Valentine's Day is the "Love" holiday, but the holiday didn't start out that way. From Encyclopaedia Britannica: Valentine’s Day, also called St. Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Origin
General John Kelly ‘Finally Lets Loose on Trump’
First he went after the prosecutors who recommended a multiyear sentence for his friend Roger Stone. Then President Trump turned his Twitter ire to the “witch hunt disgrace” of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation, which led to Stone’s indictment... The lead in a scathing Washington Post story on the latest escapades of a freshly-emboldened, run-amok … [Read more...] about General John Kelly ‘Finally Lets Loose on Trump’
Roger Stone (Cartoon)
(JPDATED) All four prosecutors quit after Trump complaints about Stone sentencing and D.O.J scaled back sentencing recommendation
The 21st century may ultimately be seen as the time when Americans decided to inexorably shift the United States to a different form of government and norms than the Founding Fathers envisioned or wanted. The Founding Fathers' defect may ultimately be seen as having enormous naivete in assuming that leaders would act in good faith -- never foreseeing the rise of rampant … [Read more...] about (JPDATED) All four prosecutors quit after Trump complaints about Stone sentencing and D.O.J scaled back sentencing recommendation
US Justice Dept pushes lower sentence for Roger Stone after Trump complaint
Washington (AFP) - The US Justice Department is intervening to override its own prosecutors and seek a lower prison sentence for Roger Stone, a former campaign advisor of President Donald Trump, after Trump complained on Twitter, media reports said Tuesday.A senior Justice official told US media that the seven-to-nine year sentence that prosecutors recommended Monday for Stone, … [Read more...] about US Justice Dept pushes lower sentence for Roger Stone after Trump complaint
This Is Going To Be Ugly
Well, day one of actual voting (as opposed to Quisling horse-race coverage of personalities and not issues, and endless polling -- which we now all consider questionable) has concluded and it's a MESS. [...] And there I stopped a couple days ago. I had my suspicions. Cui bono: who benefits? We are in for a world of hurt, kiddies. Oh, and Louisiana Republicans? As … [Read more...] about This Is Going To Be Ugly
Democrats do battle in New Hampshire — as Bloomberg looms
Manchester (United States) (AFP) - Leftist Bernie Sanders and his youthful challenger Pete Buttigieg barnstormed New Hampshire Monday on the eve of its key White House primary, battling for pole position in a Democratic nomination race turning more acrimonious by the day.Buoyed by a strong showing in last week's Iowa contest, Sanders for the first time claimed national … [Read more...] about Democrats do battle in New Hampshire — as Bloomberg looms