Have the Republicans been completely asleep during the last three years, recently awakening as their elected officials voted in the House and Senate. There is no other way to explain the GOP actions the last week. In the Senate, they refused to call for witnesses in the Trump impeachment trial though over 70 percent of Americans wanted to hear from any relevant witnesses. Aside … [Read more...] about Rip Van Winkle Republicans
Why aren’t Hollywood films more diverse? The international box office might be to blame
Actress Viola Davis focused her speech at the 2015 Emmy Awards on diversity, saying ‘The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.’ Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images Roberto Pedace, Scripps College In 2014, a hacker group leaked confidential information from Sony Pictures Entertainment, … [Read more...] about Why aren’t Hollywood films more diverse? The international box office might be to blame
The most horrifying thing about Trump’s State of the Union? The two words he never said
Imagine that it’s January 1941, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt is delivering his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The planet is literally on fire from the Big One, World War II. Nazi Germany has overrun France and Adolf Hitler’s regime has been raining bombs on London for months. Japan has overrun much of Asia.But FDR begins his speech with … [Read more...] about The most horrifying thing about Trump’s State of the Union? The two words he never said
MAGA VIRUS (Cartoon and Column)
Is MAGA contagious? Before Trump won his party’s nomination, the majority of Republican officeholders were against his candidacy. Lindsey Graham called him a racist. Paul Ryan said his comments were the definition of racism. Nikki Haley said his “siren call” was dangerous. Ted Cruz called him a “sniveling coward.” Marco Rubio made fun of the size of his penis. Now, they’re all … [Read more...] about MAGA VIRUS (Cartoon and Column)
Trump Calls Potential Brain Injuries to U.S. Troops, ‘Headaches and a Couple of Other Things’ (Breaking Update)
Breaking Update: First, Trump claimed no U.S. troops were injured during the Iranian missile attack on the al Asad military base in Iraq, on January 8. Then, after the Pentagon announced that several troops had indeed been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, Trump “classified” the injuries suffered by our troops as just "headaches and a couple of other … [Read more...] about Trump Calls Potential Brain Injuries to U.S. Troops, ‘Headaches and a Couple of Other Things’ (Breaking Update)
WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD
“Six blind elephants were discussing what men were like. After arguing they decided to find one and determine what it was like by direct experience. The first blind elephant felt the man and declared, 'Men are flat.' After the other blind elephants felt the man, they agreed. Moral: We have to remember that what we observe is not nature in itself, but nature exposed to our … [Read more...] about WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD
Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan in Possible Insider Attack
A little more than seven years ago, America marked another grim milestone in what now has become America’s longest war. On June 13, 2012, we mourned the tragic death of Marine Cpl. Taylor J. Baune, the 2,000th American to die in support of Operation Enduring Freedom — the Bush administration’s chosen name for a war intended to bring the 9/11 terrorists to justice. Also, … [Read more...] about Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan in Possible Insider Attack
WINDMILLS GET ANOTHER VICTIM (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m not a religious person or very spiritual at all. I’m definitely not a “new age” person. But I like to believe in karma. Even if it doesn’t really exist, it’s a good way to live your life. Basically, what you do to others will be returned to you, whether what you’ve done is good or bad. Basically, pay it forward and do unto others, blah blah blah. Karma is probably not to … [Read more...] about WINDMILLS GET ANOTHER VICTIM (Cartoon, Column and Video)
HISTORY WILL REMEMBER ROMNEY, NOT COLLINS
by John L. Micek When future historians look for the last, documented instance of Republican political courage in the Trump imperium, they’ll look to one man: Sen. Mitt Romney. In one extraordinary speech on the floor of the United States Senate on Wednesday, the Utah senator made remarks that were both utterly moving in their absolute humanity and totally damning in … [Read more...] about HISTORY WILL REMEMBER ROMNEY, NOT COLLINS
The Best Films of 2019
1. The Farewell Since seeing The Farewell at Sundance a year ago, it has stuck with me. The film is cleverly crafted, and I have revisited it often since its festival premiere and throughout its theatrical run. It's an incredibly personal story with great love and insight. From 'The Farewell,' Is An Extremely Sweet Dedication to Family: As sweet, and sad, as this … [Read more...] about The Best Films of 2019
Is ‘Mayor Pete’ prepared to be president? California mayors in South Bend-size cities say yes
The U.S. has never elected a president whose resume topped out at mayor — let alone mayor of the 305th most populous city in the country.But Pete Buttigieg has shattered plenty of expectations in his once long-shot presidential bid, outlasting governors and senators and finishing atop this week’s Iowa caucuses in a photo finish with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.Now the … [Read more...] about Is ‘Mayor Pete’ prepared to be president? California mayors in South Bend-size cities say yes
How to tell if your cat is a jerk — or just misunderstood
Catsare popular pets: there are an estimated 200 million pet cats worldwide, with more pet cats than pet dogs. Cats live in about 38 percent of Canadian households, 25.4 percent of American householdsand 25 percent of European households.Catsalso seem to be a great source of entertainment. There are two million cat videos on YouTube and counting, and countless internet-famous … [Read more...] about How to tell if your cat is a jerk — or just misunderstood
Editorial: Mitt Romney’s bold stand on principle earns him scorn as a GOP traitor
Americans witnessed a historic moment in national politics Wednesday in the closing minutes of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. His acquittal was a foregone conclusion, not because Trump deserved it but because Senate Republicans refused to hear testimony and many had already made clear that no amount of proof of Trump’s abuses would convince them to exercise … [Read more...] about Editorial: Mitt Romney’s bold stand on principle earns him scorn as a GOP traitor
Trump Tarnish (Cartoon)
Trump ‘Weaponizes’ the National Prayer Breakfast (Breaking Update)
Breaking Update: Acting out on his not-so-veiled threats to seek retribution and exact payback against those who dared to speak the truth during his impeachment, Trump has just ousted decorated Iraq War veteran Lt. Col Alexander Vindman, a patriot whose frank testimony infuriated Trump. Shortly after Trump denounced the ‘evil’ and ‘corrupt’ people who investigated him … [Read more...] about Trump ‘Weaponizes’ the National Prayer Breakfast (Breaking Update)
Senator puts another nail in GOP coffin.
The Republican Party is dead. When it died is a matter of debate, but it is still dead. Those members of the U.S. Senate who call themselves Republicans are Republicans in name only. They should be called what they really are: Trumpicans. On 05 February 2020, Senate Trumpicans hammered 53 nails into the Republican Party's coffin by acquitting President Trump on … [Read more...] about Senator puts another nail in GOP coffin.
After Trump acquittal, the Resistance clings to faith that what’s right still matters in America
It’s always sunny in nostalgia. When my mind summons up sepia-toned Kodak memories of the big protest marches I witnessed as a kid in the 1960s and ’70s, it sees big throngs under a bright powder-blue sky, on a crisp autumn day.Protesting in the Trump era has felt absolutely nothing like this. It is always dark, under steel-grey winter afternoons or early nightfall, marching … [Read more...] about After Trump acquittal, the Resistance clings to faith that what’s right still matters in America
This is how ancient Rome’s republic died – a classicist sees troubling parallels at Trump’s impeachment trial
Trump hugs the American flag at a 2019 convention of political conservatives. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Timothy Joseph, College of the Holy Cross The U.S. Senate has made its judgment in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, acquitting the president. Fifty two of 53 senators in the Republican majority voted to acquit the president on the … [Read more...] about This is how ancient Rome’s republic died – a classicist sees troubling parallels at Trump’s impeachment trial
Donald Trump’s State of the Mighty Me
A speech not worth the paper Nancy Pelosi tore apart. by Michael Winship As Dear Leader wound up his State of the Union, and Nancy Pelosi tore its pages in quarters as she stood behind him, I had the same reaction that many colleagues out in the Twitter universe had. We all instantly recalled George W. Bush’s words at the end of Donald Trump’s inaugural address in 2017: … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s State of the Mighty Me
RIPPING TRUMP A NEW ONE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump delivered the most partisan, hateful, and divisive State of the Union since the one he delivered last year. If you didn’t watch the speech, you probably haven’t heard anyone cite anything specific he said. If you did watch the speech, you probably haven’t talked about anything he said. Instead, you’ve talked about the dis. Before the speech, Trump pretended … [Read more...] about RIPPING TRUMP A NEW ONE (Cartoon, Column and Video)