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
Bret “Bed Bug” Stephens
PRAVDA MEANS TRUTH
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” – George Orwell, 1984 Hermann Göring, creator of Nazi Germany’s Gestapo, hosted a secret meeting at his home in Berlin on February 20, 1933. In attendance were over 20 of Germany’s top businessmen. Hitler addressed the group, all members of the German Herrenklub (Gentlemen's Club), and told them that, with their … [Read more...] about PRAVDA MEANS TRUTH
Don’t Immediately Dismiss Trump’s Republican Challenger
Pop quiz: What did Lyndon Johnson in 1968, Gerald Ford in 1976, Jimmy Carter in 1980, and George H. W. Bush in 1992 have in common? Those incumbent presidents were all seriously challenged - and seriously weakened - by insurgent candidates within their own party. LBJ was so jolted by antiwar Democrat Eugene McCarthy's strong primary showing that he decided to junk his bid … [Read more...] about Don’t Immediately Dismiss Trump’s Republican Challenger
GREAT MUSIC – CHAPTER 47
As I indicated before I wanted to use this Great Music series to introduce some contemporary composers. This week I want to highlight the music of French composer, As I indicated before I wanted to use this Great Music series to introduce some contemporary composers. This week I want to highlight the music of French composer, Yann Tiersen. He was born in 1970 in Brest, France. … [Read more...] about GREAT MUSIC – CHAPTER 47
Why the queen said yes to Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria Jones/Pool via AP Laura Beers, American University When Queen Elizabeth II agreed to suspend Parliament, she gave British Prime Minister Boris Johnson what he wanted. Opponents of Johnson’s move view it as a cynical and perhaps unconstitutional maneuver. Johnson, they … [Read more...] about Why the queen said yes to Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament
‘My Short Little Life’ – Air Force Captain Cole Holloway
The ambition, the dream, of many boys and young men is to become a pilot, preferably a fighter pilot. This is the story of a young man who accomplished his childhood dream, who became an F-15C Eagle fighter pilot (“The coolest jet that man has ever created”) only to have to give it up a few years later because of a disease that presently has no cure or a way to halt its … [Read more...] about ‘My Short Little Life’ – Air Force Captain Cole Holloway
The Chosen One
Our beloved president, Donald Trump, has now started to call himself The Chosen One, intimating that he is the Messiah who has arrived to bring peace and good will to the planet, and salvation to those who believe in him, particularly those who are extremely affluent. Indeed, Evangelicals and Mormons steeped in their religions may perceive him as sort of a Messiah, placing … [Read more...] about The Chosen One