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
Some Housekeeping at the End of the Teens
I have been blogging since 2004, which is fifteen years. I have been contributing to the Jon Swift Roundup since 2010 which is ten years now. I had originally met "Batocchio" when he was substituting for Mike Finnegan at "Mike's Blog Roundup" on Crooks and Liars, which has been a fan and promoter of my blogging for more than a decade now (going back to 2007) and past Mike's … [Read more...] about Some Housekeeping at the End of the Teens
The Worst Films of 2019
I don't like to focus on the negative, but this year, it was too easy to narrow down a list for the worst movies of the year. Of course, this list is my opinion. Not everybody will agree and that is exactly how film criticism should be. Which movies do you think are the worst of 2019? 10. Isn't It Romantic Mostly unfunny and too on the nose, Isn't It Romantic is a movie … [Read more...] about The Worst Films of 2019
The Year 2019, for Better or for Worse… (With Video Update)
UPDATE: Came across a delightful video of a conversation President Obama had a couple of years ago with young Greta Thunberg. (Courtesy The Obama Foundation) Original Post: As we close out yet another tumultuous year, it is an appropriate time to consider the person who has been “both a snapshot of where the world is and a picture of where it’s going.” … [Read more...] about The Year 2019, for Better or for Worse… (With Video Update)
TO SEE A WORLD
To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour – William Blake, 1863 Democrats and perhaps a few Republicans express the same sentiment regarding the decline of American culture since Donald Trump’s election. While all acknowledge that America often fails to live up to its own beliefs and … [Read more...] about TO SEE A WORLD
2019 in review
David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about 2019 in review
Donald Trump’s Blanket (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Of related interest: --Putin Thanks Trump for Helping Russia Thwart Terrorist Attack --Trump Touts Support From Putin Over Impeachment --The Russification of the Republican Party 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 expression “WHAT A HOOT” … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Blanket (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Fat City is the finest novel about boxing out there
I've decided to throw up a book review I had published too many years ago in the long-gone Salt Lake City Event magazine. It is of the novel, Fat City, by Leonard Gardner. It's the best boxing novel published since The Harder They Fall. It's also a great John Huston-directed film. Things are slow in December in the fight game, so enjoy this review. Buy it here. --- Fat … [Read more...] about Fat City is the finest novel about boxing out there
Military Faces Risks from Rising Seas, Climate Change
by Nadia Ramlagan, Public News Service - NC RALEIGH, N.C. -- The U.S. Senate soon is expected to consider the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed in the House last week. For the first time, the bill provides funding that would help the military reduce security risks from climate change, including at vulnerable coastal military bases such as Marine Corps Base … [Read more...] about Military Faces Risks from Rising Seas, Climate Change
Trump Asks Russia (Cartoon)
Democracy’s crown of thorns
Whatever awaits President Donald Trump, a crown of thorns has already fallen upon liberal democracy around the world. Following his impeachment by Congress, politicians heaping blame on Trump are riding the donkey backwards grasping its tail. Others wring their hands as the elephant hobbled by its mahout writhes in the dust. Liberal democracy is young compared to the … [Read more...] about Democracy’s crown of thorns