During the evening of 05 January 2020, Hollywood's annual Narcissists on Parade - a.k.a. Golden Globe Awards - took place, and some of the biggest hypocrites on planet Earth received their comeuppance courtesy of Ricky Gervais. From Piers Morgan: "These selfless do-gooders left three hours later feeling abused, insulted, broken and shell-shocked thanks to a host who … [Read more...] about Ricky Gervais vs Hollywood Hypocrites
Donald Trump may have axed himself in the foot
The killing of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani feels like a job well done to President Donald Trump and his advisors, but he seems to have axed himself in the foot and may end up losing some of his most devoted voters. His threats to Iran of devastating ripostes on its territory if it seeks revenge for Soleimani’s death may cause a new very long war of attrition. That would betray … [Read more...] about Donald Trump may have axed himself in the foot
Bolton’s Hair-Splitting “Patriotism” – Party over Country
John Bolton, Ambassador ofttimes to CloudCuckooLand has issued an embarrassing and highly calculated statement that he is willing to testify ... Screencap from CNN Before the Senate, that is. Listen: STATEMENT OF JOHN R. BOLTON Posted on January 6, 2020 During the present impeachment controversy, I have tried to meet my obligations both as a citizen and as former … [Read more...] about Bolton’s Hair-Splitting “Patriotism” – Party over Country
Murder One, Murder Them All – A Redundant Warning
When Osama bin Laden was killed at his compound in Pakistan in 2011, many rejoiced at his death. My view was contrary as I wrote in what I believe was my most controversial post at TMV. In that piece I accused the Obama administration of having murdered bin Laden. The piece also predicted that the dark philosophy of murder-as-problem-solving would be advanced … [Read more...] about Murder One, Murder Them All – A Redundant Warning
THE ANATOMY OF EXPANSIONISM
If Rip Van Winkle had fallen asleep in 1980, he would have drifted off with the forbidding image of Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini, the first Grand Ayatollah of Iran, crystallized in his memory. While our President, Ronald Reagan, blissfully assured the nation that it was "Morning in America" again and that we all could turn the heat back on, Iran’s Supreme Leader was … [Read more...] about THE ANATOMY OF EXPANSIONISM
‘Uncut Gems’ Sets Itself Apart As A Stress-Inducing, Loud Mess
Messy, stress-inducing, loud, in-your-face, and incredibly frustrating. How else do you explain Uncut Gems, directed by Josh and Benny Safdie? Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) as an enthusiastic and sometimes over-the-top jeweler in New York City who trying to catch a break. With his professional work, family, girlfriend, and ego, there's a lot for Howard to keep track of. … [Read more...] about ‘Uncut Gems’ Sets Itself Apart As A Stress-Inducing, Loud Mess
RIGHT HAND MAN SOLEIMANI
Each Generation is Special, a ‘Limited Edition’
CODA: While this piece was being completed, significant and ominous events occurred in the Middle East. Events that could take our country, and the world, into grave, uncharted territory. As I told our editor in chief, the event last night is a huge escalation that may have consequences and implications none of us can predict and that may define our and future … [Read more...] about Each Generation is Special, a ‘Limited Edition’
The Assassins’ Apologia
Note that an apologia is NOT what we currently term an 'apology'; it is a defense and a denial of accusation. There is no admission of guilt. The opposite, in fact: A formal defense or justification. [Latin: apology] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Donald J. Trump (the "J" stands for "Judas") has decided to toss out the ultimate … [Read more...] about The Assassins’ Apologia
Is Iowa Berning?
While the Democratic establishment has tried to marginalize the progressive left — Sanders and Warren — Sanders continues to poll steadily and collect a lot of money.Enough money to get him through the first few primary tests. Possibly, Bernie is lighting a fire just the way he did in Burlington when he ran for mayor 40 years ago and for president in 2016. He did it by … [Read more...] about Is Iowa Berning?
What Happened to Republican Conservatives?
Conservative views are no longer necessary to be a Republican. The only requirement is to be subservient to Trump and follow where he leads which sometimes even he does not know. While social conservatism may still be important because of the power of the Evangelicals, fiscal conservatism which was once the driving force of the Republican Party is no longer necessary because … [Read more...] about What Happened to Republican Conservatives?
‘Entire Species Are Being Wiped Out’: Ecologists Say Half a Billion Animals May Have Been Killed by Australia Wildfires
"The fires have burned so hot and so fast that there has been significant mortality of animals in the trees, but there is such a big area now that is still on fire and still burning that we will probably never find the bodies. by Jake Johnson, staff writer COMMON DREAMS Ecologists at the University of Sydney are estimating that nearly half a billion animals have been … [Read more...] about ‘Entire Species Are Being Wiped Out’: Ecologists Say Half a Billion Animals May Have Been Killed by Australia Wildfires
‘The Two Popes’ Balances Faith with Humor
For billions of people around the world, faith is a central part of their daily lives, and it's no different for more than half of the Christian faith, the Catholic Church. The Church has been plagued by scandal and cover-up over the two thousand years of its existence, lately regarding sexual abuse by clergy and the Church's stance on issues such as homosexuality and the … [Read more...] about ‘The Two Popes’ Balances Faith with Humor
PUTIN CALLING (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a phone call last Sunday. How do we know this? Russia told us. This isn’t the first time details of a Trump/Russia encounter came from the Russian side. Donald Trump is very secretive about his dealings with Russia. It’s like his taxes. He doesn’t want us to know about them. This time, it took the White House 24 hours to confirm what we … [Read more...] about PUTIN CALLING (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The True Spirit of Christmas
It all started innocently enough. Our local grocery story was offering a deal, spend $500 in December and get a free ham. No way I was going to turn that down. So the groceries were delivered and so was this strange looking hunk of meat, in a long sack about 4 feet long. Inside was my ham but it looked like the entire pig, minus the head and feet. When I called the grocery … [Read more...] about The True Spirit of Christmas
Carlos Ghosn’s Wild Japanese Disappearing Act
This is a fast breaking story that's almost impossible not to be thrilled by. It's the story of a 65 year old superman-executive, a titan of industry whose humble beginnings, spectacular rise to success and subsequent downfall, followed by his dead-of-night sneaky flight from Japanese justice is the stuff of exciting movies with.....let's cast....Mat Damon? Tom Cruise? … [Read more...] about Carlos Ghosn’s Wild Japanese Disappearing Act
In Trump World, Fiction Is Just as Strange as Truth
There’s no escape from the vortex of lies and transgressions By Michael Winship As the New Year begins, on the advice of various and sundry, to avoid the constant din of Donald Trump and his wrecking crew, I’ve been trying to read a novel from time to time—just to take a break from the maddening reality of life in these not-so-United States. Alas, I have to report … [Read more...] about In Trump World, Fiction Is Just as Strange as Truth
BUZZ OFF, 2019: A POP QUIZ ON 2019’S TRUMPSTER FIRE
Year three of the man-child administration was much like his first two, only more so. But before you compel yourself, for the sake of your sanity, to forget so much of what you saw and heard, perhaps you can be tempted to test your smarts on last year’s most memorable rhetorical sewage. Give it a try. Amaze your family and pets. And no peeking at the answers below! 1. Trump … [Read more...] about BUZZ OFF, 2019: A POP QUIZ ON 2019’S TRUMPSTER FIRE
Happy 130th Anniversary, Rose Parade!
From History.com: "On January 1, 1890, members of the Valley Hunt Club paraded their flower-festooned horse-and-buggies through the streets of Pasadena, California, and spent the afternoon competing in foot races and tug-of-war contests. In the years following that first Tournament of Roses parade, the post-procession athletic contests evolved to include polo matches and even … [Read more...] about Happy 130th Anniversary, Rose Parade!
‘Little Women’ Illuminates the Screen with An Amazing Ensemble
To offer any real criticism of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig, would be to just nit-pick some minor details or issues. Overall, this film is an excellent work that creatively retells the classic story. It's more than yet another adaptation of the book, and that's where this film works the best. Little Women follows Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) as she looks back on her … [Read more...] about ‘Little Women’ Illuminates the Screen with An Amazing Ensemble