WASHINGTON -- This is how the Trump administration goes about the quiet business of incapacitating the U.S. government. President Trump spent his summer making war on Denmark, attacking Baltimore, destabilizing the world economy, sending an imaginary hurricane to Alabama and ousting his national security adviser, among other things. But while everybody was watching those … [Read more...] about This is how the Trump administration quietly incapacitates the government
GOOFY SCIENCE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Fake news is not news and fake science is not science. And now, a future administration will have to repair the credibility of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration along with other scientific agencies within the government. Science used to be non-partisan. But over the last few years, Republicans have made climate change a political issue. Somewhere along the … [Read more...] about GOOFY SCIENCE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Trump’s Taliban plans leave us wondering: What else is unbeknownst to us?
WASHINGTON -- There are many things to fear about the Trump presidency. Scariest of all may be those things we don't even know we have to worry about -- such as President Trump preparing to surrender to the Taliban at Camp David on the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Few could have dreamed that such an outrage to American pride was even possible before … [Read more...] about Trump’s Taliban plans leave us wondering: What else is unbeknownst to us?
The strange connection between Bobby Kennedy’s death and Scooby-Doo
‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!’ was a funky, lighthearted alternative to the action cartoons that, for years, had dominated Saturday morning lineups. GeekDad Kevin Sandler, Arizona State University Scooby-Doo, one of the most enduring animated characters ever to emerge from U.S. television, celebrates his 50th birthday this month. Created by … [Read more...] about The strange connection between Bobby Kennedy’s death and Scooby-Doo
Europe relieved that Bolton, the fire to Trump’s frying pan, is gone
John Bolton’s firing has sent a huge sigh of relief through key European capitals, especially those that want to prevent war with Iran because he was seen as a war-obsessed Svengali mesmerizing President Donald Trump. An early sign of international relief was the 2.2% drop in oil prices indicating optimism that the pressure on Iran might abate a little. French President … [Read more...] about Europe relieved that Bolton, the fire to Trump’s frying pan, is gone
TRUMP FIRES JOHN BOLTON AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (BOLTON SAYS HE RESIGNED) Updated 2
Embed from Getty Images Donald Trump today Tweeted taht he fired National Security Advisor John Bolton who according to Trump had a wide variety of foreign policy disagreements with him. Although other presidents have axed members of their cabinets in America's long history, Trump's firing underscores once again how Trump doesn't like people around him who disagree with or … [Read more...] about TRUMP FIRES JOHN BOLTON AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (BOLTON SAYS HE RESIGNED) Updated 2
‘Gig Economy’ Bill Will Drive Independent Musicians Out of California
By Mitch Glazier, Dr. Richard James Burgess, Jordan Bromley and Susan Genco California has always been a haven for artists and has inspired songs that are heard around the world. A recent change in the law, about to get the stamp of approval by the state Legislature, will unintentionally drive independent artists out of California. While changes in technology have made it … [Read more...] about ‘Gig Economy’ Bill Will Drive Independent Musicians Out of California
Help hurricane victims, but also fight to stop climate change
WASHINGTON -- "It is impossible to prepare for an apocalypse," Dr. Duane Sands, the health minister of the Bahamas, told reporters Sunday. Somehow, though, we all had better try. Those who have witnessed the devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama, Great Abaco and Little Abaco islands struggle to describe it. "Some places it's like nothing happened," Mark … [Read more...] about Help hurricane victims, but also fight to stop climate change
TALIBAN TRUMPS TRUMP (Cartoon, Column and Video)
told several people, copy editors, people who watch my videos, and the girlfriend, that I was taking today off. I’m way too far ahead with my cartoons. Visit my work on GoComics and you’ll see the cartons are at least seven days behind this website (but the comments there are great). But after telling Amanda, the girlfriend, that I had an idea I really wanted to draw, she told … [Read more...] about TALIBAN TRUMPS TRUMP (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How disinformation could sway the 2020 election
What people read online could really disrupt society and politics. igorstevanovic/Shutterstock.com Paul M. Barrett, New York University In 2016, Russian operatives used Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to sow division among American voters and boost Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. What the Russians used to accomplish this is called … [Read more...] about How disinformation could sway the 2020 election
Great Music – Chapter 48
There has been a lot of great music written specifically for movies and Movie Producers know that the right music for their scenes can make or break a movie. People who write music for movies can make a lot of money, just ask John Williams of Star Wars fame and other movies. Two of my former piano students live in Los Angeles writing music for TV and movies. It is a tough … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 48
Sorry, but Thursday’s debate is about electability
WASHINGTON -- It has become a habit to scold Democratic voters who say that electability is their standard in deciding whom to support for their party's presidential nomination. Forecasts made hours before Election Day three years ago went spectacularly awry, so who can know what will happen in November 2020? Yet like it or not, the most important watchers of the Democratic … [Read more...] about Sorry, but Thursday’s debate is about electability
Curious Kids: Why are burps so loud?
Excuse me! Photo by Natasha Kasim on Unsplash, CC BY-SA Clare Collins, University of Newcastle Curious Kids is a series for children. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected] You might also like the podcast Imagine This, a co-production between ABC KIDS listen and The Conversation, based on … [Read more...] about Curious Kids: Why are burps so loud?
Trump’s bogus map embodies the man
WASHINGTON -- This doesn't qualify as earth-shattering news at this point, but President Trump showed us again this week how spectacularly ignorant, vainglorious and obsessive he can be. This time, he did it with a clumsily doctored map. Yes, I'm talking about the out-of-date National Hurricane Center map of Hurricane Dorian's projected path that Trump displayed Wednesday -- … [Read more...] about Trump’s bogus map embodies the man
Has Trump Lowered the Bar for Biden’s Serial Gaffes?
Joe Biden has long been adept at talking with a foot in his mouth, so perhaps it's no surprise lately he has overdosed on whoppers. Nevertheless, it has unnerved many Democrats to hear their 2020 front-runner oscillate so frequently between fact and fiction. Which prompts me to wonder: Is a serial gaffer the best possible candidate to challenge a serial liar? Or is Donald … [Read more...] about Has Trump Lowered the Bar for Biden’s Serial Gaffes?
TMV – Financial Stability
By now many of you have seen the post from Joe Gandelman about the financial situation with The Moderate Voice. Like most of you here, I consider this site as a gathering of friends. Like any friendship we may bicker with each other occasionally but on the whole everyone of you would be welcome in my home. Like friends we share our thoughts, criticism and even dreams with each … [Read more...] about TMV – Financial Stability
BANANA BANG BANG (Cartoon and Column)
Let me make something clear to you. Immigration, legal or otherwise, is NOT the greatest danger or challenge facing this nation. Sure, if you’re a white nationalist like Stephen Miller believing in the Great Replacement theory and that white people are systematically being phased out, more people in this nation who don’t look like you will keep you up shivering and perspiring … [Read more...] about BANANA BANG BANG (Cartoon and Column)
Donald and the Black Sharpie
With profuse apologies to the late Crockett Johnson, author of "Harold and the Purple Crayon." One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Donald decided he wanted to be president. He drew a picture that made his hands look very big. He drew another picture that made dark people look scary and another that made the president into a mean Muslim from Africa. He … [Read more...] about Donald and the Black Sharpie
How high will sea levels rise?
How high will sea levels rise? That is what a USF-led team of scientists is trying to discover by using geological records of past sea levels. Here are excerpts from a press release published by the the American Association for the Advancement of Science: TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2019) - An international team of scientists have discovered evidence in the geological … [Read more...] about How high will sea levels rise?
Lorena Gonzalez Bill Threatens Press Freedom
By Miriam Raftery East County Magazine EL CAJON, California – A bill to be heard any day now in the State Senate and then head to the Governor for signature will destroy a free press in California – and we need your help to protect the public’s voices in our media outlet and others. The bill violates the U.S. constitution on multiple grounds. AB 5 would prohibit media … [Read more...] about Lorena Gonzalez Bill Threatens Press Freedom