Moscow (AFP) - A Russian internet activist who created a popular app allowing people to send alerts over arrests by the police was Monday remanded in custody awaiting trial on charges of drug possession.The jailing of Alexander Litreyev for at least the next two months sparked concern that he had been specifically singled out due to his activism, although he has admitted the … [Read more...] about Concern as Russia jails cyber activist on drugs charges
VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO EXCEPT YOU KNOW WHO (Cartoon and Column)
Recently, Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations tweeted, “It is amazing that a liberal socialist won in Iowa and New Hampshire. The idea that we would give up the freedoms our veterans fought and died for. Other countries have to be scratching their heads wondering what we are thinking.” That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call … [Read more...] about VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO EXCEPT YOU KNOW WHO (Cartoon and Column)
Nearly 50 rhinos killed in Botswana in 10 months as poaching surges
Gaborone (Botswana) (AFP) - At least 46 rhinos have been slaughtered in Botswana in 10 months, a government official said on Monday as the southern African wildlife haven reported a surge in poaching of the endangered species. The killings -- slightly under 10 percent of Botswana's total rhino population -- have occurred in the northern Moremi Game Reserve since April last … [Read more...] about Nearly 50 rhinos killed in Botswana in 10 months as poaching surges
Front and Center
When was the last time Chris Christie and Rahm Emanuel agreed on anything? On Sunday, they each told George Stephanopoulos that the Democratic Party establishment is in panic mode over Bernie Sanders‘ ascendance to front-runner status for the 2020 nomination. For those of us who were around in 2016, it’s déjà vu all over again. Christie gleefully explained how all of his … [Read more...] about Front and Center
The Best Hope For Moderate Democrats
A lot of Democrats are starting to fear Senator Sander’s rise in the polls. If former Vice President Biden loses in South Carolina, a Sanders candidacy may be all but inevitable. Currently the biggest weapon the GOP has against Buttigieg is lack of experience. If Mayor Buttigieg were to serve as a Vice President or Attorney General for even one term, this obstacle would be … [Read more...] about The Best Hope For Moderate Democrats
An Admiral Forewarns
Recently, perhaps blissfully so, readers have been spared this contributor’s “screams” of frustration and disgust with the state and downward trajectory of our democracy. Fortunately, contributors such as Hart, Deborah, Joe G. and others continue to carry the torch. Finally, patriots much more powerful and eloquent than yours truly have continued to speak truth to power … [Read more...] about An Admiral Forewarns
Bernie Sanders hits Nevada caucus jackpot: is he now “unstoppable?”
They say "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." But is that true politically? Or will Bernie Sanders' big political win in Vegas and all of Nevada in the Nevada caucuses mean he's now unstoppable in his quest for the Democratic Party Presidential nomination? The reason: it will be hard for his rivals to argue that Sanders appealed to only one part of the Democratic Party's … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders hits Nevada caucus jackpot: is he now “unstoppable?”
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. -- Sherlock Holmes Think about this for a moment: Trump's new intel chief makes immediate changes, ousts top official Brooke Seipel / The Hill — President Trump's new acting director of national intelligence, Richard Grenell, has already made major changes at the agency, … [Read more...] about The Man Who Wasn’t There
Putin’s Chaos (Cartoon)
Crunch time for Democrats as Nevada votes
Las Vegas (AFP) - From glitzy Las Vegas casinos to dusty desert crossroads, Nevada Democrats vote Saturday for who should challenge President Donald Trump in November's election, with leftist firebrand Bernie Sanders riding high in the saddle.The western state, home to three million people, is holding the third contest in the race for the Democratic presidential … [Read more...] about Crunch time for Democrats as Nevada votes
Do Russians really want Bernie Sanders or is their real goal creating chaos?
Do the Russians really want Bernie Sanders as President or are they trying to create chaos and further undermine America's (and the world's) faith in U.S. democracy? Brian Barrett raises the issue in Wired. The catalyst for this discussion was a Washington Post report that "Russia is attempting to help (Sanders') presidential campaign as part of an effort to interfere with … [Read more...] about Do Russians really want Bernie Sanders or is their real goal creating chaos?
US officials tell Bernie Sanders Russia is trying to help his campaign
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Friday warned Russia to stay out of American elections after a newspaper reported U.S. officials had told him Moscow was trying to help his campaign.Sanders said in a statement he did not care who Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to be U.S. president."My message to Putin is clear: stay out of American elections, … [Read more...] about US officials tell Bernie Sanders Russia is trying to help his campaign
Harry Langdon as The Shrimp is a vintage comedy gem
Review and observations by Doug Gibson During the years 1929 and 1930, Harry Langdon starred in eight talkie comedy shorts for Hal Roach Studios. A screen shot from the film, "The Shrimp," is above. Thanks to the "Frank Capra Fibs" legacy, Langdon's Roach shorts have been breezily derided and scorned for decades. The truth is, five of the six films I have seen (two have lost … [Read more...] about Harry Langdon as The Shrimp is a vintage comedy gem
Some marriages are literally made in Hell.
Some marriages are literally made in Hell. On 29 February 2020, 29 lucky couples get the chance to get married in Hell. "HELL, MI - Happy couples have the chance to go to Hell and tie the knot for free. The tiny town of Hell, Michigan seeks 29 couples from anywhere in Michigan and around the country to take the leap on leap day. Hell is located about 20 miles northwest … [Read more...] about Some marriages are literally made in Hell.
Red Moon Over Las Vegas
In the 1950s, Jewish-American Communists who grew up in 1930s New York sent their kids away for the summer. The kids were called Red Diaper Babies, and their vacays were called Socialist Summer Camps. Bernie Sanders grew up in Brooklyn in the 1950s but his family was not part of the activist community. He was not a Red Diaper Baby, and he did not spend his summers singing … [Read more...] about Red Moon Over Las Vegas
Roger Stone sentenced to 3 years 4 months in prison
Donald Trump's longtime campaign adviser and friend Roger Stone has been sentenced by a judge to spend three years and four months in prison. Now the only question is: so exactly when will Trump pardon him? NBC News: "Roger Stone, a friend of President Donald Trump and longtime Republican campaign adviser, was sentenced to three years, four months in federal prison … [Read more...] about Roger Stone sentenced to 3 years 4 months in prison
So, will Roger Stone actually wear prison orange?
So, will Roger Stone actually wear prison orange? From Politico: "Roger Stone was sentenced Thursday to just more than three years in prison, a decision that raises immediate questions about whether President Donald Trump will pardon his longtime political confidant for what the president has decried as a miscarriage of justice. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman … [Read more...] about So, will Roger Stone actually wear prison orange?
Trump ignores outcry and tweets on ally’s court sentencing
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Thursday brazenly ignored his attorney general's plea to stop tweeting about ongoing court cases, again expressing displeasure with how his longtime ally Roger Stone is being treated in court.The president questioned the "fairness" in a tweet to his nearly 73 million followers, right as a Washington, DC, federal judge was opening … [Read more...] about Trump ignores outcry and tweets on ally’s court sentencing
Why Trump’s post-impeachment actions are about vengeance, not retribution
President Trump fired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman for testifying in his impeachment trial. AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File Austin Sarat, Amherst College Since the end of his Senate impeachment trial, President Donald Trump has carried out a concerted campaign against his Democratic political opponents as well as members of his administration who … [Read more...] about Why Trump’s post-impeachment actions are about vengeance, not retribution
Democrats bare fangs at Bloomberg in fiery debate
Las Vegas (AFP) - Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg got hit Wednesday with a barrage of attacks from rivals during his debut Democratic presidential debate who savaged him for parachuting in late and throwing astronomical amounts of money at the race.The Las Vegas showdown marked one of the most contentious debates so far.During opening salvos, the US media magnate found … [Read more...] about Democrats bare fangs at Bloomberg in fiery debate