“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
UN tries to save the people as Turkish forces race into Syria
Several UN agencies are ringing loud alarm bells at the harm to civilians arising from the incursion of Turkish forces in north-east Syria to create a 20 mile-wide and 450-mile long safe zone along its border by pushing out Kurdish forces allied to the US. Turkey continues to race forward undeterred and is voicing its own outrage at what it sees as unfair accusations of … [Read more...] about UN tries to save the people as Turkish forces race into Syria
Great Music – Chapter 51
Time for a change of pace in this music series. To date I have concentrated primarily on Classical music. Don’t get me wrong, I love Classical music and have played it on the piano for most of my Life. However, for the ability to convey pure human emotion, nothing beats some popular music. The primary reason for this unique ability to convey emotion is the lyrics powered by the … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 51
The extensive consequences of Trump’s Syrian decision
It's hard to appreciate how much a seemingly small military move can alter the entire picture of the Syrian Civil War and affect global and US national security. So take a step back and consider the factions as they are. Bashar Al-Assad's government faced a serious of protests and then armed insurrection in 2011. Assad belongs to the Alawite sect, which is historically allied … [Read more...] about The extensive consequences of Trump’s Syrian decision
The Arsonist Attempts to Dowse the (Syria) Fires (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: After reports that our own U.S. military has bombed our own U.S. munitions storage bunker at a base in Syria, after our own U.S. troops were forced to abandon their post because of the Turkish invasion green-lighted by our own U.S. president, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a former U.S. Air Force officer, had this to say: Wow. We bombed our … [Read more...] about The Arsonist Attempts to Dowse the (Syria) Fires (UPDATES)
Père Donald? Merdre!
One way to look at Future Ex-President Trump’s removal of troops from Syria is that the cabal involving Russia, Syria and Iran convinced him that it was “time” to get out. This point of view treats him merely like a fool, and it is by all accounts the most charitable view. The Kurds were stifling ISIS. Within a day, the Turks moved on the Kurd territory, driving them out … [Read more...] about Père Donald? Merdre!
The Three Year Constitutional Crisis
Let’s not kid ourselves. Everyone talks about a recent Constitutional crisis over the Ukraine matter but we’ve been in a crisis since the day Donald Trump stepped into the White House. No, even before. He was making policy and trying to undermine Obama even before he was president. And during the campaign he was disregarding the Constitution, asking Russia publicly for help in … [Read more...] about The Three Year Constitutional Crisis
SHEP DITCHES SHEMPS (Cartoon, Column and Video)
It doesn’t take a lot to receive Twitter attacks from the current president (sic) of the United States if you’re a journalist on a national news network, but it’s significant if that news personality is on Fox News, a.k.a., Trump TV. This may come as a shock to you but there are journalists at Fox News. Of course, they’re outnumbered by those who slant the news for a … [Read more...] about SHEP DITCHES SHEMPS (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Dark money and the art of the shady deal
WASHINGTON -- There's understandable delight over the name of a company run by one of Rudy Giuliani's Ukraine-connected buddies arrested last week for allegedly laundering money into Donald Trump's political efforts. It's called "Fraud Guarantee." This will provide an excellent title for a book on the Trump era, deceitfulness being the one Trump trait we can rely on. And if … [Read more...] about Dark money and the art of the shady deal
G.O.A.T.
David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about G.O.A.T.
Trump ISIS Pumpkin (Cartoon)
Trump and the Mideast
Lots of words have been spilled about Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops in Syria to provide Turkey with unimpeded access to Northern Syria. Those American troops, limited to a couple thousand mainly worked with the Kurds, who did most of the actual fighting, in removing ISIS control in the area. The American troops were mainly a “trip wire” to prevent a Turkish … [Read more...] about Trump and the Mideast
The Fallout of Trump’s Betrayal Is Just Beginning (UPDATES)
UPDATE III: October 14, 2019. Seven days day after our modern-day Benedict Arnold’ traitorous telephone call with the Turkish dictator, the bloody fallout not only continues but worsens. Here, once again, today’s headlines tell the story (Source: Memeorandum.com) • CNN: Retired Marine Gen. John Allen: 'There is blood on Trump's hands for abandoning our Kurdish allies' … [Read more...] about The Fallout of Trump’s Betrayal Is Just Beginning (UPDATES)
‘Judy’ Illuminates The Icon’s Tragic Life
Judy Garland, one of the biggest icons of the 20th century and one of the few stars truly representative, for better or worse, of old Hollywood. We all know her from The Wizard of Oz, as the incomparable Dorothy Gale, but she also starred in Babes on Broadway, Meet Me In St. Louis, and A Star Is Born, along with a few dozen other classic titles. Despite the stardom, and in many … [Read more...] about ‘Judy’ Illuminates The Icon’s Tragic Life
JUST LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT
“Before the Freedom of Information Act, I used to say at meetings, “The illegal we do immediately; the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” Henry Kissinger, March 10, 1975 Ever notice how Republican Administrations have introduced to American politics some of the most notorious scoundrels in American history? If you’re looking for a rogue’s gallery of bad guys, look no … [Read more...] about JUST LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT
‘Joker’ Unsettles With Its Perceived Reality
Few films this year will unsettle, disturb, and make audiences think as much as Joker. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Joker focuses on the less-fortunate life of Arthur Fleck, who is newly unemployed, lives with his mother, and deals with an array of mental illnesses. One of them is an uncontrollable, maniacal laugh that Fleck can't help but emit when he's feeling other, … [Read more...] about ‘Joker’ Unsettles With Its Perceived Reality