by George Will Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- There are political moments, and this might be one, in which worse is better. Moments, that is, when a society's per capita quantity of conspicuous stupidity is so high and public manners are so low that a critical mass of people are jolted into saying "enough, already." Looking on the bright side, as he wisely is … [Read more...] about Weak political parties smooth the way for demagogues
THE LEVERAGED BUYOUT OF AMERICA
“Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age have left me naked to mine enemies.” – Cardinal Wolsey from Shakespeare’s, Henry VIII, Act III The most repugnant aspect of House and Senate Republicans continues to be their support of a ferociously criminal President of the United States, Donald Trump. They aren’t blind to his … [Read more...] about THE LEVERAGED BUYOUT OF AMERICA
The Case Against Impeachment
Let’s begin with a couple of logical assumptions. Like all assumptions these are not guaranteed to be true but are more likely than not. Assumption One: The current Republican attack on process will prove untenable and unuseful. The American people are not buying the process claims. It looks desparate and makes the factual disclosures seem more credible. Meanwhile the … [Read more...] about The Case Against Impeachment
A shame Trump canceled his subscription. Here’s a perfect impeachment defense.
"I'm not frustrated at all," Kellyanne Conway, the brains behind President Trump's communications strategy, insisted Friday morning as she answered questions in the White House driveway about Trump's muddled messaging on impeachment. "It's not frustration," the presidential counselor elaborated. "It's consternation." Why she thought that word sounded better -- … [Read more...] about A shame Trump canceled his subscription. Here’s a perfect impeachment defense.
Is the Atlantis legend based on a real place?
Is the Atlantis legend based on a real place? Before answering that question, we need to consider the origin of the Atlantis legend. Here is an excerpt from the entry "Atlantis" published in Ancient History Encyclopedia. "The story of Atlantis first appears in Plato’s Timaeus, one of his later works. The dialogue’s title derives from its protagonist, a fictional … [Read more...] about Is the Atlantis legend based on a real place?
GREAT MUSIC – CHAPTER 53
It’s a quiet Sunday morning here in New Jersey and as I was wandering around YouTube looking for a subject for Great Music Chapter 53 when YouTube popped up a recommendation for my consideration. I looked at it and realized it contained music from my childhood idol, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and my adult idol, Andrea Bocelli –WOW, this is no coincidence, it is a message. … [Read more...] about GREAT MUSIC – CHAPTER 53
No, Donald, impeachment is not lynching
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO -- Before I became a political satirist for a great metropolitan Jewish newspaper, I was a history professor for 37 years. Consequently, I can’t remain silent when Donald Trump compares the current House impeachment investigations to lynching. So here’s a lecture in lieu of laughter. According to Article III, Section 2 of the United States … [Read more...] about No, Donald, impeachment is not lynching
Cummings knew the difference between winning the news cycle and serving the nation
WASHINGTON -- There are moments when the U.S. Capitol feels like a sanctified space, a holy temple dedicated to ideals that transcend the partisan squabbles of the politicians who work there. The enormous paintings that tell the story of America, normally like wallpaper to those who work in the building, demand attention as if they are being seen for the first time. The marble … [Read more...] about Cummings knew the difference between winning the news cycle and serving the nation
All Roads Lead to Putin (Cartoon)
When Halloween became America’s most dangerous holiday
Halloween can also be a time of expression of cultural and social anxieties. AP Photo/Richard Vogel W. Scott Poole, College of Charleston The unquiet spirits, vampires and the omnipresent zombies that take over American streets every October 31 may think Halloween is all about spooky fun. But what Halloween masqueraders may not realize is that in the … [Read more...] about When Halloween became America’s most dangerous holiday
Trudeau hangs on because Canada is still progressive
EDITORS -- Effective Nov. 1, columns by E.J. Dionne will be available for print publication only. WASHINGTON -- Canada's voters brilliantly calibrated how to send just the message they hoped to deliver: They wanted to give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a comeuppance, but did not want a Conservative government. Monday's election achieved this outcome with near perfection. … [Read more...] about Trudeau hangs on because Canada is still progressive
Forget Quid Pro Quo, It’s Criminal Extortion
Since the phone call between President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine came to light, one question that has risen in the public consciousness has been whether or not there was a “quid pro quo”. That’s really a non-issue, or a red herring as we lawyers might call it in the context of legal argument. Quid pro quo isn’t difficult to understand. It means simply “This … [Read more...] about Forget Quid Pro Quo, It’s Criminal Extortion
Three into Two Won’t Go
The administration of future ex-President Donald Trump appeared to be in a graveyard spiral. The House’s impeachment inquiry was going well; the G7 Summit at Trump’s beleaguered, bedbug-ridden Doral Resort was universally condemned; Mick Mulvaney spit the bit on the quid pro quo deal with Ukraine, and Joe Biden didn’t shoot himself in either foot during this week’s … [Read more...] about Three into Two Won’t Go
The Tingler is campy, creepy and scary in spots
Review by Doug Gibson I love "The Tingler," and it's a staple of mine, and family, to watch every Halloween season. It's campy to the max. Vincent Price has that tongue firmly in his cheek but nevertheless it has a couple of genuinely scary moments. That's not easy to accomplish in deliberately campy films, and director William Castle deserves kudos. The plot involves … [Read more...] about The Tingler is campy, creepy and scary in spots
TRUMP AND THE KURDS (Cartoon)
John Lithgow’s brutal Rudy Giuliani Parody (VIDEO)
CBS' Stephen Colbert -- whose late night show keeps getting better and better -- did a comedy segment on Rudy Giuliani which at the end featured a brutal parody of Rudy Giuliani by actor John Lithgow. This is truly one for the ages: … [Read more...] about John Lithgow’s brutal Rudy Giuliani Parody (VIDEO)
Most witches are women, because witch hunts were all about persecuting the powerless
Seventy-eight percent of the people executed for witchcraft in New England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries were women. Jef Thompson/Shutterstock.com Bridget Marshall, University of Massachusetts Lowell “Witch hunt” – it’s a refrain used to deride everything from impeachment inquiries and sexual assault investigations to allegations of … [Read more...] about Most witches are women, because witch hunts were all about persecuting the powerless
Republicans (with Trump’s encouragement) storm closed-door impeachment hearing
If there could be a slogan or campaign bumper sticker for Trump supporters in Congress it should be "Norms,shmorms.." A major norm was shattered today by some Trump supporting GOPers in Congress when a group of them -- with Donald Trump's encouragement -- stormed a security facility where impeachment hearings were underway. The hearings were delayed for five hours. And their … [Read more...] about Republicans (with Trump’s encouragement) storm closed-door impeachment hearing
Looking At Trump Actions Through A Different Lens
Many Americans have perceived Trump’s actions as taking place for his own benefit: to help him with his base and the 2020 election. But maybe that isn’t so. Maybe what he’s been doing is just helping his buddy Vladimir who has gained greatly from a political and military standpoint without risking a kopek or a Russian soldier’s life. Those who say that Putin has something he’s … [Read more...] about Looking At Trump Actions Through A Different Lens
Impeachment – Hope and trepidation
In light of mounting evidence, there is a too good to be true hope outside the US about the attempt by Congressional Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump before this year-end. Many outsiders would like to see Trump go. There is admiration for House Democrats and empathy for the growing anti-Trump swell of public opinion. But trepidation is rising about the day … [Read more...] about Impeachment – Hope and trepidation