The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) makes it a crime for retired military officers to use “contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State…” making them subject to military judicial or disciplinary … [Read more...] about Patriots or (UCMJ) Criminals?
Trump has decimated diplomacy
Embed from Getty Images One of the more fascinating -- and depressing -- features of the Trump administration has been its dismantling of some State Department machinery, cutting staff, and overall decimation of American diplomacy. I've followed this process since Trump took office. But I'm not alone. In an article in Foreign Affairs, William, J. Burns -- President of the … [Read more...] about Trump has decimated diplomacy
Climate Change Deniers Become Extinct in Canadian Election
Embed from Getty Images The four parties that do offer climate action plans (of varying seriousness) collected almost 65 percent of the vote by Gary Engler Canada’s centrist Liberal Party won re-election Monday, but as a minority government, which means it will need the support of either the more left New Democratic Party or the nationalist Bloc Quebecois to … [Read more...] about Climate Change Deniers Become Extinct in Canadian Election
The Trump White House (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
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” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about The Trump White House (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Americans, especially millennials, are embracing plant-based meat products
Soy-based Impossible Whoppers went on sale at Burger King stores across the US in August 2019. AP Photo/Ben Margot Sheril Kirshenbaum, Michigan State University and Douglas Buhler, Michigan State University By 2050, many scientists estimate that the world food supply will have to increase sharply from today’s level to meet anticipated demand from a … [Read more...] about Americans, especially millennials, are embracing plant-based meat products
I’VE HAD ENOUGH. I’M DONE WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
by Christine Flowers With so much happening in the world, you probably don’t want to read about my own personal dark night of the soul. But at the risk of sounding narcissistic, I do think there is some value in examining why a person like me would feel compelled to leave the Republican Party. It was only four years ago that I proudly, defiantly and publicly abandoned … [Read more...] about I’VE HAD ENOUGH. I’M DONE WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Stick-it-to-the-libs is all Trump has left
WASHINGTON -- The Fifth Avenue Murder Theory now faces its toughest test. This bold hypothesis was put forward in 2016 by Professor Donald Trump, who claimed that he could "stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" and not "lose any voters." His proposition is by no means implausible. He won his Electoral College majority despite his louche and obscene … [Read more...] about Stick-it-to-the-libs is all Trump has left
TURKEY, SYRIA AND OUR IGNORANT PRESIDENT
by John L. Micek Write down the date: Oct.16, 2019. When historians look back, they’ll identify It as the day that the post-World War II order officially collapsed. It happened not by coup, or by the disappearance of our collective will as a nation, but rather by the perturbed ramblings of a chief executive who has proven he is ignorant of history, unconcerned about … [Read more...] about TURKEY, SYRIA AND OUR IGNORANT PRESIDENT
Trump has turned White House into quid pro freak show
WASHINGTON -- Et tu, Mulvaney? Three weeks ago, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the impeachment inquiry with a Latin phrase spoken by Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon. "Alea iacta est," she said. The die is cast. Since then, President Trump has absolved himself by repeating -- ad infinitum -- some Latin of his own: "There was no quid pro quo." No this for … [Read more...] about Trump has turned White House into quid pro freak show
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ Makes It All Work
When Disney wants to have fun, color outside of the lines, and not worry about getting every detail just right, it can do great things. Such was the case with Maleficent and, now, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil — spins on the original tale of Sleeping Beauty, focusing on the titular sorceress and her relationship with goddaughter Aurora. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil picks up … [Read more...] about ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ Makes It All Work
How Erdogan might have replied to Trump
By Laurie Baron Dear President Pushover: We already worked out a good deal. You outsourced the slaughtering of Kurdish terrorists in Syria so your government could defend its Southern border from the Latino invasion. Don’t worry about the escaped ISIS prisoners. They all plan to immigrate to London and Paris. You don’t want to be responsible for Kurds revolting … [Read more...] about How Erdogan might have replied to Trump
QUID PRO UH-OH (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Out of the multiple times I shouted at the TV yesterday during acting-chief-of-staff Mick Mulvaney’s disaster of a press briefing yesterday was when he was answering a question about the House investigating Trump awarding the next G7 summit to himself. He said they were expecting the House to look into it because this administration has had to deal with oversight ever since the … [Read more...] about QUID PRO UH-OH (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Is Canada’s Romance With Justin Trudeau Over?
Is Canada getting ready to dump Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who sparked Trudeaumania in Canada after his 2005 election and could be on the road to defeat in coming elections? The answer is: Perhaps. The Christian Science Monitor has an analysis on what has changed. 2005, CSM notes, was the rise of "Cool Canada": Mr. Trudeau became an international role model for … [Read more...] about Is Canada’s Romance With Justin Trudeau Over?
Did penguins get tans 1,000 years ago?
Did penguins get tans 1,000 years ago? One might wonder that after reading the science article "The Medieval Climate Anomaly in Antarctica", published in Volume 532 (15 October 2019) of the science journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. From the abstract: "The Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) is a well-recognized climate perturbation in many parts of the … [Read more...] about Did penguins get tans 1,000 years ago?
How Mister Rogers’ faith shaped his idea of children’s television
Fred Rogers rehearses with some of his puppet friends in Pittsburgh,. Gene J. Puskarg/AP L. Benjamin Rolsky, Monmouth University The beloved children’s television icon Fred Rogers – who is played by actor Tom Hanks in the upcoming film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” – entered the world of children’s programming during an era of massive … [Read more...] about How Mister Rogers’ faith shaped his idea of children’s television
IL CAPITANO
“I captured ISIS. Mattis said it would take two years. I captured them in one month.” – Donald Trump 2019 For the last three years we’ve been watching an American media production of a 16th Century commedia dell’arte performance, and the masks worn by the players have been surpassed only by the remarkable performances of the players themselves. The world has … [Read more...] about IL CAPITANO
The world is staring at Trump, mouth agape
WASHINGTON -- President Trump stood in a crowded East Room on Wednesday afternoon with the Italian president at his side, scores of aides and reporters at his feet, and a bank of cameras relaying his words to millions. Yet he seemed alone against the world. The House on Wednesday condemned his sudden Syria pullout in a lopsided 354-to-60 vote. Senate Republican Leader … [Read more...] about The world is staring at Trump, mouth agape
YIPPEE KI-YAY RUDY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Nobody liked the idea of John Bolton as Trump’s national security adviser. Bolton, a longtime war hawk who has publicly endorsed starting a war with every nation hostile to the United States, was now in an influential position close to a president who could be influenced by the slightest flattery. “Wow! That was some insightful tweeting today at Kristen Stewart’s expense today, … [Read more...] about YIPPEE KI-YAY RUDY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Why the guillotine may be less cruel than execution by slow poisoning
Could using the guillotine be more humane than execution by lethal injection? AlexLMX/Shutterstock Janine Lanza, Wayne State University Concerns about the drugs used for executions are being raised again after the federal government announced it will once again execute inmates convicted of capital crimes almost 16 years after the last execution was … [Read more...] about Why the guillotine may be less cruel than execution by slow poisoning
Warren’s plan worked. Now she needs another one
WASHINGTON -- For Elizabeth Warren, the hard part begins now. The Massachusetts senator is unquestionably the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, which made her the focal point of attacks from her rivals in Tuesday's Democratic debate. Former Vice President Joe Biden had an easier time of it, but this was not good news for him. At various points in the … [Read more...] about Warren’s plan worked. Now she needs another one