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)
The impeachment resolution: Politics, the Constitution and everything in between
The Capitol on the morning after Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced the House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to affirm the impeachment investigation. AP/J. Scott Applewhite Jennifer Selin, University of Missouri-Columbia For something with such important consequences, the Constitution is surprisingly vague when it comes to … [Read more...] about The impeachment resolution: Politics, the Constitution and everything in between
Suddenly Ken Starr doesn’t like impeachment so much
WASHINGTON -- Is there anything Republicans won't say to make impeachment go away? They attack the patriotism of decorated veterans. They decry rules that they devised. And they discard long-held principles as though the past never happened. Comes now Ken Starr, responsible more than any other person on Earth for the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, to tell us what … [Read more...] about Suddenly Ken Starr doesn’t like impeachment so much
Lt. Col Alexander S. Vindman’s Choice: Duty, Honor, Country or Blind Loyalty (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Born abroad, having immigrated to the United States at a youthful age and having served meritoriously for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force both in the enlisted ranks and as a commissioned officer, it felt like a slap in the face when Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was smeared as a traitorous foreigner for testifying on what his conscience and experience told him … [Read more...] about Lt. Col Alexander S. Vindman’s Choice: Duty, Honor, Country or Blind Loyalty (UPDATED)
Unbiased Analysis: The House Impeachment vote
Pelosi Announces Next Steps in the Impeachment Inquiry. Great article from News Not Politics (a NEW unbiased news site) https://bit.ly/2qS5ios … [Read more...] about Unbiased Analysis: The House Impeachment vote
Trump and Baghdadi (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Officials cringe as Trump spills sensitive details of al-Baghdadi raid --Trump is preparing to squander his al-Baghdadi victory --Trump minimizes Kurds’ role in Baghdadi raid, adding insult to injury --The 41 most shocking lines from Donald Trump's Baghdadi announcement Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists … [Read more...] about Trump and Baghdadi (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Trump’s madness is not enough to doom him
WASHINGTON -- The impeachment war is not just about impeachment. It's also about the 2020 election. President Trump's strategy, if one can call it that, is thus not aimed primarily at avoiding impeachment in the House, which now seems inevitable, or even removal from office by the Senate, still a long shot. It is designed to let him survive this process with a chance of … [Read more...] about Trump’s madness is not enough to doom him
On the death of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi
This is a good piece on the death of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Bush did a fine job taking out Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Obama did a fine job taking out Osama Bin Laden. Trump did a fine job taking out Baghdadi. US soldiers - especially Special Forces - and US intelligence did a heroic job in each case. And yet, the enemy kept coming back, morphing into something new. The origins go … [Read more...] about On the death of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi
A GOBLIN, A TURKEY AND AN ELF WALKED INTO A BAR……
By Kim Mooney A goblin, a turkey and an elf walked into a bar……. Ok, it’s not a bar. It’s Walmart in October. Rows and rows of holiday bling. I mean holidays plural. Slim aisles split by honeycomb displays of chachkis, almost separating one holiday from another. Almost. The entire ‘holiday department’ drawing you in with the soft haze of thousands of tiny white … [Read more...] about A GOBLIN, A TURKEY AND AN ELF WALKED INTO A BAR……
If you’re using ‘millennial’ as a meaningful measurement, you should probably stop
Does your mental image of a millennial align with reality? Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com Joseph Cabosky, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill What value does the word “millennial” actually have? Americans have heard the term ad nauseum by now. In politics, public relations or marketing, it’s a buzzword. But millennial doesn’t hold nearly … [Read more...] about If you’re using ‘millennial’ as a meaningful measurement, you should probably stop
THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING (Cartoon)
Argentina elects new president on promises to fix economy and unify a struggling nation
Jennifer Pribble, University of Richmond Argentina has elected Alberto Fernández of the Peronist party as its next president with 47.4% of the vote. Fernández defeated incumbent Mauricio Macri and four other candidates on Sunday, Oct. 27, avoiding a runoff. Fernández and his running mate, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner – a senator, former Argentine president and former … [Read more...] about Argentina elects new president on promises to fix economy and unify a struggling nation