When questioned during confirmation hearings, the Republican-nominated members of the Supreme Court of the United States assured U.S. Senators that they would honor precedent. Although Democrats were probably focused on Roe v. Wade when they asked those questions, it turns out that the six had something else up their sleeves: the unitary executive or imperial presidency In … [Read more...] about A radical SCOTUS majority asserts that Trump’s efforts to overturn the election consist of “official acts” (updated)
Midjourney draws Trump when asked for “current president”
It has been 7+ HOURS since Engadget reported that Midjourney was creating images of Donald Trump. “When Engadget prompted the service to create an image of ‘the president of the United States,’ Midjourney generated four images in various styles of former president Donald Trump.” It created images of Trump when I asked for the current president. When I merely said … [Read more...] about Midjourney draws Trump when asked for “current president”
CRIME PAYS (CARTOON)
‘Above the law’ in some cases: Supreme Court gives Trump – and future presidents – a special exception that will delay his prosecution
Claire B. Wofford, College of Charleston The United States Supreme Court has handed former president Donald Trump what may be the most favorable legal decision he could have reasonably hoped for in his fight against federal prosecution for his attempts to reverse the 2020 election outcome. Justices split along ideological lines in a 6-3 decision issued on July 1, 2024, … [Read more...] about ‘Above the law’ in some cases: Supreme Court gives Trump – and future presidents – a special exception that will delay his prosecution
The Supreme Court Presidential Immunity Decision: Scholarly Predictions and one American’s Cynicism (UPDATES)
UPDATE: As feared, “Trump got what he wanted” from the Supreme Court,” and quite a bit more. But, the decision also applies to former presidents, future presidents and the present president. So, how about it, Joe. UPDATE: Just as the Supreme Court “blesses a form of bribery,” a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Presidential Immunity Decision: Scholarly Predictions and one American’s Cynicism (UPDATES)
Heather Cox Richardson on today’s SCOTUS decision: a warning about our “end story”
On July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States turned the idea that "all men are created equal," that the United States was to be land of law not kings, on its head, according to historian Heather Cox Richardson. The Court ruled that a president might have immunity if "illegal acts" occurred during undefined official duties. "Richard Nixon would have had a pass," … [Read more...] about Heather Cox Richardson on today’s SCOTUS decision: a warning about our “end story”
SCOTUS KINGMAKERS’ COURT (CARTOON)
What Was Macron Thinking?
By Olivia Snaije Here in France, we had all expected the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally)—or the RN—to outperform in the European elections earlier this month. At 8 p.m. on June 9, the results confirmed the polls and our fears. But we never expected the bombshell that President Emmanuel Macron dropped on us a mere hour later. Sober, dressed … [Read more...] about What Was Macron Thinking?
SUPREME COURT SAYS TRUMP HAS IMMUNITY FOR OFFICIAL ACTS: IS THE PRESIDENT NOW A KING?
The Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump can't be prosecuted for official acts taken as President. Trump immediately hailed the ruling. Dissenting Judge Sonia Sotomayor said the ruling "reshapes the institution of the presidency." Some say the ruling, in effect, makes the President akin to a king and is a major expansion of executive power. An … [Read more...] about SUPREME COURT SAYS TRUMP HAS IMMUNITY FOR OFFICIAL ACTS: IS THE PRESIDENT NOW A KING?
Loss of Supreme Court legitimacy can lead to political violence
People on June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C., protest the Supreme Court overturning the federal right to an abortion. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Matthew Hall, University of Notre Dame and Joseph Daniel Ura, Clemson University Americans are gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July, and their thoughts are most likely on how many hot dogs to … [Read more...] about Loss of Supreme Court legitimacy can lead to political violence
THE DEBATE (CARTOON)
UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT (CARTOON)
Knowing when to call it quits takes courage and confidence – 3 case studies
A man reads the Chicago Tribune announcing President Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision not to run for reelection in 1968. Corbis/Getty Images Kevin J. McMahon, Trinity College and Michael Paris, College of Staten Island, CUNY After President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance at the June 27, 2024, debate, many Democrats have raced to ring the … [Read more...] about Knowing when to call it quits takes courage and confidence – 3 case studies
‘Donald Trump should leave the race’
Philadelphia is the birthplace of America. Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence there in 1776. Eleven years later, a group of delegates wrote and signed the Constitution there, also at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). The city's paper of record, The Philadelphia Inquirer (1829), has called on Donald Trump to withdraw his candidacy, in … [Read more...] about ‘Donald Trump should leave the race’
First boats. Now planes. Trump thinks planes with electric motors can’t fly without sunlight.
"What happens if the sun isn't shining while you're up in the air?" Trump's rally speech in Chesapeake, Virginia, rivals the Las Vegas event where he spent the better part of two minutes musing about electric boats that might sink near a shark. This is the muddled and vindictive mess, the wannabe dictator, the felon (34 instances), that the GOP thinks should be president. … [Read more...] about First boats. Now planes. Trump thinks planes with electric motors can’t fly without sunlight.
Read the debate transcript. You’ll reach a different conclusion than instant pundits.
Maybe Thursday night was something like the Kennedy-Nixon debates, where John Kennedy was tanned and Richard Nixon, pallid after a stay in the hospital. Reportedly, radio listeners had a different view of that first televised debate than the TV audience. I say that because after READING the transcript [1], I don't understand any pundit who is calling for Joe Biden to … [Read more...] about Read the debate transcript. You’ll reach a different conclusion than instant pundits.
Biden crashes, Trump lies: A campaign-defining presidential debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Mary Kate Cary, University of Virginia and Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University With four months to go until Election Day, the earliest-ever general election debate featured two presidents – one … [Read more...] about Biden crashes, Trump lies: A campaign-defining presidential debate
Trump suggested replacing income tax with tariffs. How the 2017 tax cuts raised the debt and why 2025 is key.
We can be certain that moderators in tonight's CNN debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will feature a question related to taxes and not just because the 2017 tax cuts orchestrated by Trump have led to record deficits. Last week, Trump suggested "entirely replacing the federal income tax with new tariffs." This chart shows why such a change would explode the … [Read more...] about Trump suggested replacing income tax with tariffs. How the 2017 tax cuts raised the debt and why 2025 is key.
Journalism’s trust problem is about money, not politics
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2024, in Washington. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Jacob L. Nelson, University of Utah Journalism faces a credibility crisis. Only 32% of Americans report having “a great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in news reporting – a historical low. Journalists … [Read more...] about Journalism’s trust problem is about money, not politics
