By Robert P. Coutinho “'Why don't they teach these children logic'? the professor asked.” C. S. Lewis “The wisdom of man is not the wisdom of God.” “To be, or not to be. That is the question.” W. Shakespeare Many people are asking questions in this political climate. Those questions often come back to the basic quotes above. We are, collectively, now dealing with a … [Read more...] about Why Don’t They Teach Them Logic?
FUN WITH FAUX OUTRAGE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The party that gave us baby jails is outraged that a liberal college professor would inject Trump’s youngest child, Barron, into politics and make jokes at his expense. Except the college professor didn’t do that. Constitutional law expert Pamela Karlan was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee to give her opinions on impeachment. While answering a question from … [Read more...] about FUN WITH FAUX OUTRAGE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Courts have avoided refereeing between Congress and the president, but Trump may force them to wade in
< Congress and President Trump are engaged in a power struggle that historically has been avoided by the courts. AP/J. Scott Applewhite Kirsten Carlson, Wayne State University President Donald Trump’s refusal to hand over records to Congress and allow executive branch employees to provide information and testimony to Congress … [Read more...] about Courts have avoided refereeing between Congress and the president, but Trump may force them to wade in
Presidential Qualifications
Since the beginning of the Republic there have been just three required qualifications to become President of the United States: be a natural-born citizen, be at least 35 years of age, and be a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. That’s it- for a job that is arguably the most difficult job in the world. It is time to drastically increase the necessary … [Read more...] about Presidential Qualifications
GROUPIE OF PUTIN (Cartoon)
Democrats announce “high crimes and misdemeanors” impeachment articles against Trump
House Democrats have announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump: 'high crimes and misdemeanor" for trying to pressure the Ukraine to get political dirt on Democratic Senator Joe Biden and for obstructing the House's investigation. Standing alongside Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Nadler said Trump committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” by soliciting … [Read more...] about Democrats announce “high crimes and misdemeanors” impeachment articles against Trump
Bridging the Great Divide
Is it possible? With partisanship and tribalism dominating America’s political landscape, is it possible to bring the parties together? Assuming that most knowledgeable and intelligent members of both the Democrats and Republicans agree in private that Donald Trump is a criminal who has done a number of illegal things, it would mean that these GOP men and women in the House and … [Read more...] about Bridging the Great Divide
What the Roman senate’s grovelling before emperors explains about GOP senators’ support for Trump
> Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks to the media with members of the Senate Republican leadership, Oct. 29, 2019. AP/Jacquelyn Martin Timothy Joseph, College of the Holy Cross Unhinged leaders, dynastic intrigue, devastation and plunder: For 15 years I have been researching and teaching the ancient … [Read more...] about What the Roman senate’s grovelling before emperors explains about GOP senators’ support for Trump
A Nation of Men and Not of Laws
Here is the full transcript of AG Billy Barr's rejection of the Inspector General's report that the FBI had done nothing wrong in opening an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election (warning, he uses his own "facts"): … [Read more...] about A Nation of Men and Not of Laws
IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO
Everyone has their own narrative of what has taken place in the last three years of the Trump Presidency. It's a dark web of multiple conspiracies intended to effectuate a soft coup on American democracy and establish a Republican plutocracy. It's a moment in time when America finally has its manly Caesar who will fearlessly expand our glorious empire across the globe. There … [Read more...] about IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO
Meditation apps might calm you – but miss the point of Buddhist mindfulness
The market has been flooded with apps related to Buddhism and most of them claim to teach meditation. akiragiulia (pixabay.com) Gregory Grieve, University of North Carolina – Greensboro and Beverley McGuire, University of North Carolina Wilmington In today’s stressful world, mindfulness – a type of popular spirituality that strives to focus on the … [Read more...] about Meditation apps might calm you – but miss the point of Buddhist mindfulness
Nikki Haley Exposes Foolishness In South Carolina
Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has exposed some gross foolishness being taught in South Carolina. This excerpt from a USA Today story reveals the foolishness. Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is defending comments she made in a recent interview, saying that South Carolinians once equated the Confederate … [Read more...] about Nikki Haley Exposes Foolishness In South Carolina
What “GOP” means (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --The Republicans have become the party of Russia. This makes me sick. --The Russification of the Republican Party --Republicans Are Knowingly Using Putin’s Talking Points to Defend Trump Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite … [Read more...] about What “GOP” means (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
The four-part threshold test for impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump
There is a four-part threshold test for impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump. This test was established in the Andrew Johnson impeachment case and has helped guide the Nixon and Clinton cases as well. The test is both political and legal in nature, and very difficult to pass. If the House impeachment managers substantively meet the four-part test and the … [Read more...] about The four-part threshold test for impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump
Egotism in Sports: The Boz (1984-1989)
If there ever were a person in sports with a super-sized ego, that person was Brian Bosworth. He played linebacker for the University of Oklahoma's football team from Fall 1984 to December 1986. Barry Switzer was the head coach at the time, which meant that Bosworth could be unbridled off the field, and unbridled he was. Granted, Bosworth was very good at playing … [Read more...] about Egotism in Sports: The Boz (1984-1989)
Book details comedy shorts of Thelma Todd with ZaSu Pitts, Patsy Kelly
Review by Doug Gibson With old comedy shorts, most are unknown to the average viewed (but not the genre fan). With the Hal Roach comedy shorts, Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang have become iconic. There were others, of course, as popular nearly 90 years ago. Film authority James L. Neibaur recently penned "The Hal Roach Comedy Shorts of Thelma Todd, ZaSu Pitts and Patsy … [Read more...] about Book details comedy shorts of Thelma Todd with ZaSu Pitts, Patsy Kelly
Great Music – Chapter 58
For those of you who have not been living on the far side of the Moon, it’s fairly obvious that the day after Thanksgiving, America becomes 100% consumed with Christmas. That’s okay in my book and even I welcome its entrance. I’ve always considered myself to be a spiritual person, much more so than religious; Religions get all tangled up in rules about the best way, or the only … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 58
India’s plan to identify ‘illegal immigrants’ could get some Muslims declared ‘foreign’
All voting-age Indians may soon be asked to submit government-issued ID to prove citizenship. That may be a challenge for women, religious minorities and members of oppressed castes. AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh Haimanti Roy, University of Dayton The Indian government will soon ask its 870 million voting-age citizens for documentation that they are … [Read more...] about India’s plan to identify ‘illegal immigrants’ could get some Muslims declared ‘foreign’
On Trump Tariffs on Argentina and Brazil
Former World Bank economist Ted Bauman offers this take on President Donald Trump's vow restore tariffs on all steel and aluminum shipped to the U.S. from Brazil and Argentina. His thoughts: **President Trump has clearly never taken — or didn't pass — Economics 101. He gets a failing grade on three counts in his latest tariff actions against Brazil and … [Read more...] about On Trump Tariffs on Argentina and Brazil
Three Things the House Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report Accomplished
The House Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report released today accomplished three things. 1. It summarized the testimony taken over the last few weeks about Trump's efforts to extort Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce on CNN an "investigation" into the Bidens in return for receipt of Congressionally authorized defense aid. 2. It detailed the extensive … [Read more...] about Three Things the House Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report Accomplished