Critics accuse President of putting partisan politics above saving lives and aiding disaster victims By Miriam Raftery (San Diego) – Days after California Governor Gavin Newsom praised the federal government for its rapid response to catastrophic wildfires and power outages affecting millions of our state’s residents, President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to cut off … [Read more...] about TRUMP THREATENS TO END FEDERAL AID TO CALIFORNIA TO FIGHT WILDFIRES—AFTER OFFERING RUSSIA HELP TO STOP WILDFIRES IN SIBERIA
New UN talks offer best hope for Syria peace
In an extraordinary achievement, a United Nations facilitator has managed to get a broad spectrum of parties to the wars in Syria to begin work today on a writing a constitution that could start to build peace. UN Syria envoy Geir Pederson is facilitating a 45-member group that began work in Geneva on drafting a constitution for Syria. It comprises 15 persons each from the … [Read more...] about New UN talks offer best hope for Syria peace
Great Music – Chapter 54
I once again return to the music of Chopin for this music article. In case anyone wonders whether I am biased when it comes to Chopin’s music, I plead guilty. Chopin wrote two major volumes of etudes, opus 10 and opus 25 which were primarily designed to improve a pianist’s technique. In order to maintain a pianist’s interest in these grueling pieces of music, Chopin tried to … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 54
HOW TO LOSE THE 2020 ELECTION, BY ELIZABETH WARREN
Speaking in 1910, former two-term president Theodore Roosevelt offered some practical advice that Elizabeth Warren and today’s progressive Democrats would be wise to heed. Although they probably won’t. Teddy said: “The citizen must have high ideals, and yet he must be able to achieve them in practical fashion. No permanent good comes from aspirations so lofty that they have … [Read more...] about HOW TO LOSE THE 2020 ELECTION, BY ELIZABETH WARREN
And Then There Were…
The double-dozen roster of Democratic hopefuls shrank a little more this week, when Beto O’Rourke ended his run. Whatever got Texans so juiced about his 2018 race against Ted Cruz didn’t transfer to a presidential run. Even so, the field remains clogged with 17 candidates, most with little chance of success. Tom Steyer, the impeachment guy, has gotten his wish, making him … [Read more...] about And Then There Were…
In My Defense
The words that I was supposed to have said, I never said them. You must have heard wrong. Do you believe your ears or what I’m telling you now? And even if I had said them, I didn’t mean them. I was just testing the person on the other end of the line to see if he was corrupt and willing to help out. We have to do that. There are too many people in this world in different … [Read more...] about In My Defense
THE PUMP DON’T WORK, ‘CAUSE THE VANDALS TOOK THE HANDLES
Anyone opposed to Medicare For All ain’t got the sense God gave a goose. The Republican refrain that America can’t afford it can be found in Chapter Two of their disinformation handbook entitled: “But Her Emails” As they siphon the life out of our republic - and the Republican Party stands in unity for I don’t know what - they scream poor mouth in the shadow of their … [Read more...] about THE PUMP DON’T WORK, ‘CAUSE THE VANDALS TOOK THE HANDLES
DEMOCRATS SEE TROUBLE AT THE TOP OF THEIR TICKET
by Carl Golden A president teetering on the brink of impeachment…whose public approval is as much as 15 points underwater…who trails the leading opposition candidates… who may cost his party its majority in the Senate…who burns through top level staff at an unprecedented rate…who publicly belittles members of his cabinet. Given the totality of these circumstances, the … [Read more...] about DEMOCRATS SEE TROUBLE AT THE TOP OF THEIR TICKET
Quote of the Day on Trump Leaving New York
Our quote of the day refers to Donald Trump leaving New York to take up residence in Florida. A tweet by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: New York, New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere... Trump can’t.— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 2, 2019 … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day on Trump Leaving New York
An impeachment duet to the tune of “I Feel Pretty”
By Laurie Baron “I feel petty Oh, so petty I feel petty, and full of spite. And I’m ready To defame the Dems I have to fight. It’s a witch hunt. It’s a lynching. There’s no wincing from my perfect call. And ignoring Subpoenas as a way to stall. Hear the Donald withholding aid, Investigate the Bidens for me. Such a small request. To do at my behest For an … [Read more...] about An impeachment duet to the tune of “I Feel Pretty”
DeVos’ formula for success: Trash public schools and push privatization
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wipes her brow during an October 2017 appearance in Bellevue, Washington. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Bryan Alexander, Georgetown University When U.S Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos discussed the results from the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, she described them as “devastating” and part of a … [Read more...] about DeVos’ formula for success: Trash public schools and push privatization
We’re polarized and fragmented at the same time. Trump likes that.
WASHINGTON -- Why would President Trump's hard-core defenders think that the best way to defend a floundering leader is to hurl repulsive dual loyalty charges at a decorated Army combat veteran who feels an obligation to tell the truth to Congress? Why would British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gamble on forcing an election in Britain at a time when his Conservative Party is … [Read more...] about We’re polarized and fragmented at the same time. Trump likes that.
The facts are only going to get worse for the president
WASHINGTON -- Republicans said they wanted process, so now they have it. The question is whether President Trump's defenders are willing, finally, to address the substance of the allegations against him. Thursday's historic vote by the House set out procedures for the inquiry into Trump's conduct that give the president every opportunity to defend himself. Before and after … [Read more...] about The facts are only going to get worse for the president
‘Joker’ fans flocking to a Bronx stairway highlights tension of media tourism
Laura M. Holzman, IUPUI New York’s newest tourist attraction isn’t a museum, park or art installation. It’s a stairway. Sandwiched between apartment buildings in the Bronx, it’s been dubbed by moviegoers the “Joker Stairs,” earning its name and fame after being featured prominently in “Joker.” Since the film’s release, fans have flocked to the stairs, where they’ve … [Read more...] about ‘Joker’ fans flocking to a Bronx stairway highlights tension of media tourism
Jed Clampett shouldn’t have listened to his kinfolk.
The Ballad of Jed Clampett is one of the most famous American TV theme songs. People who grew up watching The Beverly Hillbillies probably have that song's lyrics memorized. Here is that song's second stanza: "Well the first thing you know old Jed's a millionaire, Kinfolk said Jed move away from there Said Californy is the place you ought to be So they loaded up the … [Read more...] about Jed Clampett shouldn’t have listened to his kinfolk.
Democrats’ Impeachment Plan Formally Endorsed by Divided House
Republicans have been demanding Democrats hold a vote on the impeachment plan, and now the Democrats have. No Republicans voted for it.Two Democrats voted against it. But the machinery into probing and possibly removing President Donald Trump (unlikely to happen due to the GOP-dominated Senate) is now more-than-ever in motion. The Washington Post: A divided House approved … [Read more...] about Democrats’ Impeachment Plan Formally Endorsed by Divided House
Trick or Trump (Cartoon)
This impeachment process is totally infair to Rupublicans!
WASHINGTON -- The extremely stable genius picked up his cellphone at 7:32 a.m. Wednesday. Republicans "are starting to go after the Substance even more than the very infair Process," President Trump typed. "Rupublicans, go with Substance and close it out!" The misspelled missive caused laffter and merrymint. But you know what's funnier? Trump sent this command to … [Read more...] about This impeachment process is totally infair to Rupublicans!
Democrat or Republican, Americans are angry, frustrated and overwhelmed
More Americans say they now avoid the news altogether. Christo/Shutterstock.com María Celeste Wagner, University of Pennsylvania and Pablo J. Boczkowski, Northwestern University As the country looks ahead to President Donald Trump’s possible impeachment proceedings, as social scientists, we anticipate that not only will the Americans’ opinions be … [Read more...] about Democrat or Republican, Americans are angry, frustrated and overwhelmed
Traitors for Trump (Cartoon, Column and Video)
This is where you’re supposed to stand up for what’s right. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman is a decorated Iraq war veteran. He’s an expert on Ukraine serving on the National Security Council in the White House. Now, he’s being smeared as a “Never Trumper” and even a traitor. His crime? Speaking out in a sense of duty. Vindman was on the call between Trump and Ukraine’s … [Read more...] about Traitors for Trump (Cartoon, Column and Video)