Hong Kong protesters shelter behind a thin barrier – and umbrellas – as police fire tear gas and encircle a group of demonstrators. AP Photo/Vincent Yu Paul Monod, Middlebury Hong Kong may seem like an unlikely place for a revolution. In this relatively affluent and privileged city, young people might be expected to be more concerned with making money … [Read more...] about Is there hope for a Hong Kong revolution?
Colin Kaepernick wants to be a circus star.
P.T. Barnum would have loved Colin Kaepernick. The Greatest Showman valued anyone who could attract attention to his circus, and Kaepernick would have fit the bill. That much was revealed on 16 November 2019 when Kaepernick chose to not participate in a private work-out session arranged by the NFL. Here is ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith's description of what … [Read more...] about Colin Kaepernick wants to be a circus star.
Least Surprising Crime in History, Alleged
In perhaps the least surprising scandal in human history, House investigating whether Trump lied to Mueller Katelyn Polantz / CNN Washington (CNN) The House of Representatives is now investigating whether President Donald Trump lied to special counsel Robert Mueller in written answers he provided in the Russia investigation, the House's general counsel said in federal … [Read more...] about Least Surprising Crime in History, Alleged
Tacking Early to the Middle
Another wild week in American politics, and that’s not counting the impeachment inquiry. It’s doubtful that any Democratic strategist follows Revolted Colonies. Yet, a few must’ve have figured out themselves that Warren and Sanders are too scary for American prime-time. Biden is not a strong enough candidate, no matter what the polls say (rather, said; we’ll get back to that). … [Read more...] about Tacking Early to the Middle
Socrates and the Barbarians
Or, Use The Mace (If Needs Be) The food fight continues to clatter off the rails: Rishika Dugyala / Politico: Trump labels top Pence aide a ‘Never Trumper’ — President Donald Trump on Sunday labeled one of his vice president's top national security aides a “Never Trumper,” a day after it was disclosed that she had said the president's July call with Ukraine was “unusual … [Read more...] about Socrates and the Barbarians
Impeachment is gaining credibility but also making Ukraine more vulnerable
With the public hearings so far, a more convincing case has emerged to believe that President Donald Trump deliberately abused his position of power to intimidate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into taking actions that could favor Trump’s reelection in 2020. So, the fast-moving attempt by House Democrats to impeach Trump is starting to look a little bit less like … [Read more...] about Impeachment is gaining credibility but also making Ukraine more vulnerable
SINKING LIKE A STONE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Yesterday was historic. We got to witness a public hearing in only the third impeachment inquiry in our nation’s history. We got to watch a president intimidate a witness while she was testifying. We may have seen a new article of impeachment created in real-time. And finally, a federal court found Trump confidant and partner-in-crime Roger Stone guilty on seven counts of … [Read more...] about SINKING LIKE A STONE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Haiti protests summon spirit of the Haitian Revolution to condemn a president tainted by scandal
Jean Marcellis Destine, dressed as Haitian independence hero Jean-Jacques Dessalines, heads to a protest against President Jovenel Moïse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 4, 2019. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell Julia Gaffield, Georgia State University A radical, unlikely figure has emerged as the icon of Haiti’s months-long protests against President Jovenel … [Read more...] about Haiti protests summon spirit of the Haitian Revolution to condemn a president tainted by scandal
Impeachment Defense (Cartoon)
Marie Yovanovitch, a Watershed in the Impeachment Hearings
An article by Phineas Rueckert during Women’s History Month 2018 is about “12 Badass Women Who Changed the Course of Human History.” Among them: Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Sandra Day O’Connor and Madeleine Albright. On the second day of the House’s public impeachment hearings on Donald J. Trump, I was spellbound by the gripping testimony of the former U.S. Ambassador … [Read more...] about Marie Yovanovitch, a Watershed in the Impeachment Hearings
Trump needs to go.
On 20 January 2021, Donald J. Trump needs to be moving out of the White House. Impeachment or no impeachment, Trump has clearly demonstrated that he doesn't deserve another term as POTUS. As a blogger, I am trying to stay out of politics, but Trump's Twitter attack on former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was the last straw for me. In short, Trump is the … [Read more...] about Trump needs to go.
Indiana Jones got lucky with a refrigerator.
Indiana Jones got lucky with a refrigerator. The movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull contains what has to be the most harrowing escape scene in cinematic history. Here is the scene: Cutting to the chase: Although Dr. Jones took a wild ride, he was still better off than the real American soldiers who took part in the 1957 war games that … [Read more...] about Indiana Jones got lucky with a refrigerator.
Roger Stone Guilty On All Counts In 2016 Election Wikileaks Related Case
Trump political associate Roger Stone, known as a master of the dirty trick, has just been found guilty of lying to Congress in a case related to the stolen Democratic emails. Longtime Trump associate Roger Stone was found guilty of lying to Congress and other charges in a case that has shed new light on President Donald Trump's anticipation of the release of stolen … [Read more...] about Roger Stone Guilty On All Counts In 2016 Election Wikileaks Related Case
Republicans Question the Impeachment Witnesses (Cartoon)
Evidence Mounts E-Cigarettes Not Healthy Alternative
Eric Galatas, Public News Service - NE LINCOLN, Neb. – In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes, including a Douglas County resident in September, new research seems to confirm concerns about the health impacts of vaping. A study by Boston University researchers found that e-cigarettes altered cholesterol levels, and Dr. … [Read more...] about Evidence Mounts E-Cigarettes Not Healthy Alternative
POO-FLINGING REPUBLICANS (Cartoon and Column)
Jim Jordan has a law degree but he never took the bar examination. It’s a good thing, too, because, there are some legal details he doesn’t understand, like corroborating witnesses. Jordan pointed out that neither William B. Taylor Jr., the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, nor George Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of State specializing in Ukrainian matters, had never spoken … [Read more...] about POO-FLINGING REPUBLICANS (Cartoon and Column)
Impeachment: Two quotes that defined the first day of public hearings
Top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine William Taylor, left, and Foreign Service officer George Kent are sworn in before the House Intelligence Committee during the first public impeachment hearing. AP/Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Photo Kirsten Carlson, Wayne State University and Chris Edelson, American University School of Public Affairs Editor’s note: Wednesday was the … [Read more...] about Impeachment: Two quotes that defined the first day of public hearings
Gun Violence White Noise
Yet another school shooting and no doubt members of Congress (Republicans in particular) will rush forward, roll up their sleeves and do absolutely nothing to address the problem. Of course in this case it appears the gun rights side can take advantage of the fact that the shooter used a handgun and therefore new legislation would not have prevented this incident. Never mind … [Read more...] about Gun Violence White Noise
“Country Before Party” for Democracy and Brexit
In the books that shall be written about how the United Kingdom became again a self-determined, democratic nation, Nigel Farage will be identified as the sine qua non of Brexit. We forever owe him a great debt of gratitude. Given the importance and nature of his achievement, his likeness in bronze would not be out of place within striking distance of parliament. When I … [Read more...] about “Country Before Party” for Democracy and Brexit
Impeachment and Patriotism
America and its democracy are currently facing the greatest crisis since the Nixon years. It all comes down to Republican partisans putting party before country. Led by President Trump who maneuvered to get out of the draft during the Vietnam War and who has always placed his business interests and himself before his country, the GOP is almost unanimous in its support of this … [Read more...] about Impeachment and Patriotism