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
TMV Needs Your Help: Contribute to TMV (Updated)
UPDATE: The progressive website Think Progress is shutting down The Moderate Voice needs your help. Many blogs have died or are dying as you read this. Advertising revenues are way down -- and only on The Moderate Voice. Some big digital news sites have had to do layoffs. One key must-do expense recently surprised Site Administrator Tyrone Steels and yours truly by … [Read more...] about TMV Needs Your Help: Contribute to TMV (Updated)
What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Depression is one of the most common causes of disability, as well as one of the most common mental health issues, in America. It's a condition that can afflict patients for years, severely impairing their ability to function at home and at work. And it's not unusual for depression to not respond to traditional talk therapy or medications like SSRIs and SNRIs. Alternative … [Read more...] about What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Democracy inaction in Britain and the U.S
Two stories at the center of the news -- the Brexit mess in Britain and the U.S. Senate's failure to act on gun violence -- should force us to think hard about what it will take for historic democracies to make their systems work again. We need to accept that different conceptions of democracy sometimes contradict each other, and that some of our governing structures are the … [Read more...] about Democracy inaction in Britain and the U.S
Trump Sharpie (Cartoon)
Here’s what happens when political bubbles collide
Here's what happens when political bubbles collide Are you trapped in an echo chamber? Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com Alexander J. Stewart, University of Houston and Joshua B. Plotkin, University of Pennsylvania Social media has transformed how people talk to each other. But social media platforms are not shaping up to be … [Read more...] about Here’s what happens when political bubbles collide
Attacking Inequality
While the country’s attention is focused on the presidential election that is fourteen months down the road, and Trump and Biden’s gaffes and lies, inequality between the haves and have nots keeps growing. And nothing is being done to correct this. Democratic candidates have proposed various ideas to close the gap, but first a Democrat has to beat Trump and the party has to … [Read more...] about Attacking Inequality
After Mike Pence’s Visit, Irish Eyes Are Not Smiling
Since the president of the United States has used the “sh*t” word before, I am not going to sugarcoat the headline at The Irish Times this morning. It boldly proclaims “How Mike Pence shat on the new carpet in Ireland’s spare room.” Now, I have never tried to conjugate the verb “to sh*t,” but I have to trust that Irish reporter Miriam Lord knows. That is exactly how … [Read more...] about After Mike Pence’s Visit, Irish Eyes Are Not Smiling
Trump’s Dorian response: Par for the course
WASHINGTON -- The dishonest fakers at the Amazon Washington Post and the failing New York Times are again attacking your favorite president, this time for playing golf while a Category 5 hurricane took aim at the United States. Bad people! Everybody knows the best way to prepare for a hurricane is by playing golf. Beating a Category 5 is nothing if you can birdie a par … [Read more...] about Trump’s Dorian response: Par for the course
It’s still Biden’s race to lose
WASHINGTON -- The big news in the Democratic presidential race is that not much has changed since Joe Biden jumped in. To be sure, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has steadily gained ground, according to polls. California Sen. Kamala Harris rose sharply after the first debate but then gradually slid back into single-digit-land. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has held onto … [Read more...] about It’s still Biden’s race to lose
Trump, Johnson, de Blasio leave Jews vulnerable
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — President Trump and PM Boris Johnson in particular are nightmares, and Mayor Bill de Blasio, in his quest to advance from the nation’s second toughest to the toughest job, is abandoning his neighboring nine million New Yorkers. The modern threesome are conducting themselves in a matter which could threaten Jews here, in … [Read more...] about Trump, Johnson, de Blasio leave Jews vulnerable
The American Founders made sure the president could never suspend Congress
The American Founders made sure the president could never suspend Congress The signing of the U.S. Constitution. Architect of the Capitol Eliga Gould, University of New Hampshire The British monarch has the right to determine when Parliament is in session – or, more to the point, when it is not. Breaking with … [Read more...] about The American Founders made sure the president could never suspend Congress
Remembering the point of Labor Day
WASHINGTON -- It was known as the "Treaty of Detroit," but it did not end a shooting war. In 1950, Walter Reuther, the legendary leader of the United Auto Workers union, and Charlie Wilson, the CEO of General Motors, agreed to a historic labor contract that bought the automaker five years of labor peace. After more than a decade of sometimes violent conflict and short-term … [Read more...] about Remembering the point of Labor Day
Labor Day Already?
Raging Moderate by Will Durst Are you kidding? Labor Day? Already? How the hell did that happen? Didn't we just scrape down the Weber for the first summer barbecue on Memorial Day? Wasn't that like a week ago? No matter. The kids are back in school. Every team in the NFL has legitimate playoff hopes. The trees are turning colors. Detroit is rolling out their new pieces of … [Read more...] about Labor Day Already?
Boris Johnson and Parliament (Cartoon)
The State of Labor on this Labor Day
The contributions the working class to American society were first officially and nationally recognized on the first Monday in September in 1894. This recognition did not come easily. In fact, the first unofficial celebrations of Labor Day were one-day protest strikes held on Mondays. The history of the labor movement in this country is a history of brutal working conditions, … [Read more...] about The State of Labor on this Labor Day
Poll: Majority of U.S. Voters Call Climate Change an ‘Emergency’
by Roz Brown, Public News Service - IA DES MOINES, Iowa – A hurricane bearing down on Florida and massive fires in the Amazon rainforest are stark reminders about the changing climate, but a new poll shows party affiliation plays a large role in whether Americans think climate change is an emergency. Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Mary Snow says 56% of registered … [Read more...] about Poll: Majority of U.S. Voters Call Climate Change an ‘Emergency’
Donald Trump and Fox News (Mike Peters Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Trump treats Fox News like state-run television, journalists say --The Fake Feud Between Trump and Fox --Tensions Flare Between Trump and Fox News 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 … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and Fox News (Mike Peters Cartoon)
Colombia’s peace process under stress: 6 essential reads
Colombia's peace process under stress: 6 essential reads Catesby Holmes, The Conversation Three years after negotiating a landmark peace agreement with the Colombian government, a top commander of the now defunct FARC guerrilla group has called for “a new stage in the armed struggle.” In a 32-minute online video posted Aug. 29, FARC second-in-command Iván Márquez … [Read more...] about Colombia’s peace process under stress: 6 essential reads
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for American democracy
WASHINGTON -- This is no time to be on the sidelines. Stacey Abrams: Stand up and be counted. "I do not want to serve in the Senate," says the hugely popular former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Steve Bullock: Stand up and be counted. "My talents are best suited" to an executive role, says Montana's well-liked Democratic governor. Beto O'Rourke: Stand up … [Read more...] about This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for American democracy