I may be wrong, but I believe that individuals reveal some of their most personal beliefs, traits and values when they open up to discuss why they have certain political affiliations and/or why, over the course of time, they change such affiliations and loyalties. I did so about a decade ago when I wrote about why I left the Republican Party and became a Democrat. Our … [Read more...] about Why Some Switch Political Parties
APRÈS NOUS, LE DELUGE
"If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". - Abraham Maslow Swashbuckling bravado in the hands of a coward often leads to a feast of humble pie - like this week’s serving of crow in the case of Iran. NATO thinks Trump is a dim bulb; Putin has him on a dimmer switch; and China can see him in the dark. But this Bungler in Chief is the avatar of those in the … [Read more...] about APRÈS NOUS, LE DELUGE
Strive (2019)
Strive is the story of a young girl who is trying, against all the odds, to find success in her life. Growing up in the projects of Harlem, Kalani (Joi Starr) has to deal with a rough community, poverty, drug use, crime, and so much more. She is, in many ways, responsible for her family, especially when her mother isn't around. Kalani's brother is dealing drugs, and her sister … [Read more...] about Strive (2019)
Toy Story 4 (2019)
It was nine years ago when many of us were shedding tears over what was then thought to be the last Toy Story movie. Andy had grown up, and his toys were embarking on a new adventure, with a new kid to call their own, and so it felt fitting to call it the end. Now, just shy of twenty-five years since the original Toy Story that introduced us to Woody, Buzz, and the rest of … [Read more...] about Toy Story 4 (2019)
Why I Am Not A Republican
I used to be a nominal Republican. I wasn’t a registered Republican because I was thrilled about the GOP. Instead, I registered as a Republican so that I could vote in primary elections. I try to be pragmatic when it comes to politics. Being that my state is a solid-red state, I knew that it was far more likely that a Republican would be elected to Congress than a Democrat … [Read more...] about Why I Am Not A Republican
Yes Cacao: Turning delicious cacao bars into healthy art (Food Review)
The organic food industry is booming as an increasing number of Americans -- a good number of them not health food purists -- seek better, more nutritious and less processed food and beverages. The growth in health food and healthier beverages can be seen across the boards in the U.S., in every region. CostCo for a while offered delicious blueberry muffins with zucchini as … [Read more...] about Yes Cacao: Turning delicious cacao bars into healthy art (Food Review)
Yet Another Diaspora. This Time on Our Own Doorstep (UPDATE)
UPDATE: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) has just published the latest annual “Global Trends - Forced Displacement” report for 2018 and, as feared (below), the global population of forcibly displaced increased by 2.3 million people in the past year. Also as expected, the huge number of people fleeing Venezuela was a significant factor in the … [Read more...] about Yet Another Diaspora. This Time on Our Own Doorstep (UPDATE)
Iran Shoots Down U.S. Drone
The top news thus far today is that Iran has – and the U.S. Central Command has confirmed – shot down a U.S. surveillance drone that allegedly violated its airspace near the Strait of Hormuz. The president has just released a short, terse, ominous tweet: "Iran made a very big mistake!" Added: The Pentagon has released a map showing where they say the aircraft was shot … [Read more...] about Iran Shoots Down U.S. Drone
Same Old, Same Old
Can Trump win using the same tactics and strategy from 2016? In his first rally of the 2020 campaign in Orlando which was held on Tuesday, it seemed as if he didn’t stray from his previous scenario. If the campaign speeches, bluster and bullshit are the same as in 2016, will he be able to hold his base for the next seventeen months and bring some of the swing voters over to his … [Read more...] about Same Old, Same Old
Let’s talk about what really matters in 2020: Hillary Clinton’s emails
WASHINGTON -- President Trump was up early the day he formally kicked off his re-election campaign, contemplating the issue that has consumed much of his presidency. He was thinking about Hillary Clinton's emails. "Wow! The State Department said it has identified 30 Security Incidents involving current or former employees and their handling of Crooked Hillary Clinton's … [Read more...] about Let’s talk about what really matters in 2020: Hillary Clinton’s emails
The Murder Rate Is Down. It Has Nothing To Do With Crime
' by Thomas Hoffman With the nationwide Democratic Primaries approaching, many eyes are on another primary in New York City. Queens is about to elect its next District Attorney for the first time in decades. With Queens on the brink of electing a new District Attorney, and the old fashioned “hard-on-crime” Richard Brown gone from office (even earlier than planned due to … [Read more...] about The Murder Rate Is Down. It Has Nothing To Do With Crime
Mass protests protect Hong Kong’s legal autonomy from China – for now
Kelly Chernin, Appalachian State University Protesters in Hong Kong have achieved a major victory in their fight to protect their legal system from Chinese interference. On June 15, in response to massive popular resistance, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced she would suspend a vote on a proposed new law that would allow China to extradite suspects accused of certain … [Read more...] about Mass protests protect Hong Kong’s legal autonomy from China – for now
In the event California Rep. Hunter’s seat is vacated
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – After Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty June 13 to conspiracy in the misuse of the campaign funds of her husband, Congressman Duncan Duane Hunter (R-Alpine) and in so doing helped prosecutors lay out a case against the congressman, questions arose what will happen in Hunter’s 50th District should it become vacant by reason of resignation or … [Read more...] about In the event California Rep. Hunter’s seat is vacated
Trump is desecrating America’s birthday
WASHINGTON -- The Fourth of July celebration in Washington has long been a grand pageant of democracy, a family-friendly event that transcends ideology and partisanship. President Trump intends to turn it into a cult-of-personality political rally in honor of himself. No, I'm not surprised, but what Trump is doing makes me angry. And it makes me sad to see one of our very … [Read more...] about Trump is desecrating America’s birthday
On impeachment, Pelosi has to pick her poison
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she believes President Trump "has been involved in a criminal cover-up." Too bad she's not in a position to do something about it. Oh wait, she is. If she truly believes the president has committed crimes, if she truly believes he has violated his oath of office, if she truly believes he is trampling the Constitution, … [Read more...] about On impeachment, Pelosi has to pick her poison
GOODBYE, SCHMOOPIE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I don’t understand why everyone is celebrating and optimistic about the resignation of Sarah Huckabee Sanders as White House spokesperson. Do you remember who Sanders replaced? Sean Spicer started his very first press briefing without taking questions and lying about crowd sizes. In fact, his very first briefing was solely about the size of the crowd for Trump’s … [Read more...] about GOODBYE, SCHMOOPIE (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Humoring the Headlines
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO, CA -- The Democratic National Committee winnowed down the field of its presidential candidates to twenty to participate in two debates of ten at a time. The DNC has decided to hold the debates on the old set of Hollywood Squares enabling each candidate to have a bathroom break while the other nine remain on stage. * President Trump … [Read more...] about Humoring the Headlines
To beat Trump, Democrats must practice a politics of modesty
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- "It is a great advantage to a president," said the 30th of them, "and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know he is not a great man." Or, Calvin Coolidge would say today, a great woman. While today's incumbent advertises himself as an "extremely stable genius" and those who would replace him promise … [Read more...] about To beat Trump, Democrats must practice a politics of modesty
European elections suggest US shouldn’t be complacent in 2020
The 2019 European Parliament elections were well defended against outside interference. AP Photo/Olivier Matthys Liisa Past, Arizona State University In many ways, the European Parliament elections in late May were calmer than expected. The more extreme political players, while gaining strength, did not do as well as many predicted. Cyber aggression … [Read more...] about European elections suggest US shouldn’t be complacent in 2020
