A new Pew Research Center survey conducted online Jan. 22-Feb. 5, 2019, in English and Spanish reveals a lot of interesting social views held by Americans: some good, some not so good, some just plain weird. In general: Most say it’s a good thing that the country has a diverse population – racial and ethnic -- although many say this introduces its own set of challenges … [Read more...] about ‘Linguistic’ and Other Discomforts in Political America
If impeachment comes, it’s on Trump and the GOP (UPDATED)
WASHINGTON -- Our nation does not have to face a constitutional crisis, but we are barreling toward one at breakneck speed. The House should not have to move quickly toward impeachment, but it may now have little choice. And let's be clear: The prime mover in all this, who is perfectly happy to wreck our institutions to serve his own selfish interests, is President Trump. … [Read more...] about If impeachment comes, it’s on Trump and the GOP (UPDATED)
The ‘isms’ that Threaten Democracy
Nobody thinks in terms of ‘isms’ when we consider various ideologies that are incompatible with democracy. But when we analyze different political systems, it quickly becomes obvious that the forms of government, parties or organizations most antithetical to democracy are those whose labeling end with ‘ism.’ (Not all ‘isms’ conflict with democracy, but many do.) Democratic … [Read more...] about The ‘isms’ that Threaten Democracy
NY Times: Trump Tax Returns Show Over $1 Billion in Losses
Donald Trump starred in The Apprentice, but according to a New York Times investigative report, he should have been on The Biggest Loser. The Times Trump's $1 billion in business losses in a single decade and he there fore didn't have to managed to pay federal income tax for several years in a row. And Trump also now apparently stands out as one of the biggest money losers … [Read more...] about NY Times: Trump Tax Returns Show Over $1 Billion in Losses
Stop Me If You Have Heard This Before
Stop Me If You Have Heard This Before By Robert Coutinho Spoiler alert: you will obviously not be able to stop me before the end, since this is a written article. You will not be able to exclusively define about whom I am speaking. • A country has a checkered past when it comes to military engagements. • The country elects a mad-man, a populist who holds rallies where … [Read more...] about Stop Me If You Have Heard This Before
8 Million Species Doomed: If you dream of seeing the Great Barrier Reef, don’t wait
WASHINGTON -- There are roughly eight million plant and animal species in the world. One of them -- homo sapiens -- may soon wipe out a million of the rest. And we're just getting started. That's the depressing bottom line from a comprehensive new United Nations report on biodiversity. Species are going extinct at a rate unmatched in human history -- and the die-off is … [Read more...] about 8 Million Species Doomed: If you dream of seeing the Great Barrier Reef, don’t wait
Trump Got His Wall, and its Name is Barr
Robert Mueller wrapped up his Report on the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election within a few weeks after Attorney General William Barr took office. Mueller spent 2-1/2 years and $30 million in taxpayer money investigating the Russia-US connection. However, when the Report reached the Attorney General’s desk, Barr dropped his capacious, prosecutorial … [Read more...] about Trump Got His Wall, and its Name is Barr
Amazing Grace (2018)
It is a remarkable experience to sit back, relax, and take in a small piece of history. With Amazing Grace, audiences are treated to an amazingly powerful performance from Aretha Franklin as she records her first gospel album. It is, in every way, a record of American culture that has been preserved and, now, shared for the masses. Filmed in 1972 at New Temple Missionary … [Read more...] about Amazing Grace (2018)
Bringing foreign policy home
WASHINGTON -- Why aren't Democratic presidential candidates talking more about foreign policy? Are they being shrewd in playing down a divisive concern that is not at the front of voters' minds, or are they missing an opportunity? The right answer is: Both. A new study by the Center for American Progress (CAP) finds that when Americans look at the world, they think … [Read more...] about Bringing foreign policy home
Book details Bela Lugosi and his poverty-row Monogram films
Review by Doug Gibson Since we heard about this a year or so ago, we Bela Lugosi super-fans have been -- at times impatiently -- waiting for the release of "Bela Lugosi and the Monogram 9," (BearManorMedia, 2019), a collection of essays from academics Gary D. Rhodes (who's written more than several books on Lugosi) and Robert Guffey, on the series of features Lugosi made for … [Read more...] about Book details Bela Lugosi and his poverty-row Monogram films
Missing Link (2019)
There's nothing simple about stop-motion animation and the painstaking, lengthy process of capture movement and expression to create a story. Hours upon hours upon hours are required to just create a small piece of a film. It has been no small feat for Laika, the studio responsible for Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, and, now, Missing … [Read more...] about Missing Link (2019)
Impeach His Sorry Ass Now
The GOP is the party of overlook; Democrats must be the party of oversight. By Michael Winship Over the course of my dusty television career, I have from time to time run into situations where a certain Hollywood celebrity type will make a threat—not to do interviews or make public appearances on behalf of a show, for example—unless some egregious demand of his or hers … [Read more...] about Impeach His Sorry Ass Now
Let’s end the scamming epidemic!
By Donald H. Harrison Editor, San Diego Jewish World SAN DIEGO — Recently I received a recorded message on my iPhone, telling me, the “dear customer,” that my iCloud account had been breached. It gave me an 800 phone number that I should call back immediately. Instead, I hung up, then went to my computer and found the real phone number for Apple support. I reported the … [Read more...] about Let’s end the scamming epidemic!
Heartbeat bills’ are wholesome provocations in abortion debate
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- While constitutional lawyers, ethicists and theologians -- in descending order of importance in the abortion debate -- have been arguing in the 46 years since the Supreme Court attempted to settle the debate, some technologists have been making a consequential contribution to it. They have developed machines that … [Read more...] about Heartbeat bills’ are wholesome provocations in abortion debate
Can James Holzhauer be stopped? A former ‘Jeopardy!’ champion weighs in
The sports gambler from Las Vegas has dominated the game like no one else in its 35-year history. Jeopardy Productions Michael Rooney, Pasadena City College In 1997, fresh out of graduate school, underemployed and watching a lot of television, I realized I was pretty good at “Jeopardy!” I decided to try out. After a couple tests, interviews, and … [Read more...] about Can James Holzhauer be stopped? A former ‘Jeopardy!’ champion weighs in
‘We Cannot Ignore the Threads’ that Connect Acts of Hate
By John L. Micek HARRISBURG, Pa. - Holocaust survivors, their families, their friends, and their allies all gathered in the state Capitol building here Wednesday. And they vowed to never forget. But how can they? How can they when the same sparks that lit the gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and other extermination camps keep burning in our own … [Read more...] about ‘We Cannot Ignore the Threads’ that Connect Acts of Hate
Bad-Joke Saturday
Enough with the fussing about political issues. It's time that we all take a comedy break. So, for your amusement - or groaning - here are some bad jokes for you to digest. After reading them, feel free to post your own bad jokes in the comments section. A magician accompanied LeBron James to Looney Tunes Land for the filming of the movie Space Jam 2. While … [Read more...] about Bad-Joke Saturday
Snitty Reactions (Column, Cartoon and Video)
Attorney General William Barr did not just mislead Congress and the American people. He lied. He is a liar and an obstructor helping the fraudulently elected president of the United States engage in a coverup. Barr sat on the Mueller Report for three weeks but released a summary stating Mueller wanted him, as Attorney General, to determine if Trump had obstructed justice. … [Read more...] about Snitty Reactions (Column, Cartoon and Video)
Give Mueller the mic
WASHINGTON -- It's Mueller time. We need public, no-holds-barred testimony before Congress by special counsel Robert Mueller, and we need it now. As we saw Wednesday, trying to get the truth out of Attorney General William Barr is like squeezing blood from a stone. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee did wring out a few droplets. Thanks to Sen. Kamala Harris of … [Read more...] about Give Mueller the mic
Barr reminds Mueller: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog
WASHINGTON -- Eight-year-old Liam Daly became an internet sensation when he penned a letter to his grandfather, William Barr, while sitting in the front row at Barr's confirmation hearing in January. "Dear Grandpa," he wrote. "You are doing great so far. But I know you still will." Alas for Liam, and for all of us, it was not to be. Now, just weeks on the job as President … [Read more...] about Barr reminds Mueller: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog