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 sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Veterans Day
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ now in graphic format
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque; graphic adaptation by Wayne Vansant, © 2019 published by Dead Reckoning, ISBN9781682-474601, 170 pages, $24.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – If I suddenly had universal authority, I would order every world leader, every man or woman capable of summoning an army to fight for a cause, to read this book, either in … [Read more...] about ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ now in graphic format
Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 1)
Some political observers and historians feel that authoritarianism, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, is making a comeback in the United States and in Europe after being discredited and (in part) defeated during World War II. The questions are always: how does that happen? Is it the strength of personalities, or ideologies that become unstoppable? Where did it start and … [Read more...] about Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 1)
The ‘Dixie Chicks President,’ Only Worse
We have all been flummoxed by the repeated and increasingly shrill arrogance -- bordering on lawlessness -- of Trump’s cabinet members, their disdain for Congress and, therefore, their direct contempt for the American people whom they (are supposed to) serve. Of course, such is demanded by Trump and tolerated, even encouraged, by the “Grand Old Party” – not so “grand” … [Read more...] about The ‘Dixie Chicks President,’ Only Worse
Trump’s other cover-up
WASHINGTON -- The late Steve LaTourette came into Congress as part of Newt Gingrich's 1994 conservative revolution. The Ohio Republican was a party loyalist but not an ideologue. He thought that government ought to do such revolutionary things as build roads and bridges. So when I asked him why he decided to quit Congress in 2012, he had a ready answer: "Because we couldn't … [Read more...] about Trump’s other cover-up
Trump, Obama and Congress to blame for disturbing Iranian policy
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- Difficulties with Iran will recur regularly, like the oscillations of a sine wave, and the recent crisis -- if such it was, or is -- illustrates persistent U.S. intellectual and institutional failures, starting with this: The Trump administration's assumption, and that of many in Congress, is that if the … [Read more...] about Trump, Obama and Congress to blame for disturbing Iranian policy
Memorial Day: Remember
WHERE’S THE PRO-LIFE CROWD? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Earlier this week, a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala died after being apprehended at the U.S. Border. He is the fifth migrant child since December to die after being apprehended at the U.S. border. The boy was “found unresponsive” during a routine welfare check Monday morning at Weslaco Station, the facility where he was being held. The boy was taken into custody after … [Read more...] about WHERE’S THE PRO-LIFE CROWD? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Great Music – Chapter 40
After being out of commission for a couple of weeks with a fried hard drive, I want to continue the Great Music series. This week I want to focus on the composer, John Williams. Many of you may not be familiar with his name but ALL of you are familiar with his music. In the last 30 years I would guess that everyone in America has heard his music and probably half the population … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 40
How the new ‘Aladdin’ stacks up against a century of Hollywood stereotyping
In the live-action ‘Aladdin,’ Mena Massoud stars Aladdin, while Will Smith plays the Genie. Daniel Smith/Walt Disney Pictures Evelyn Alsultany, University of Southern California Though critically acclaimed and widely beloved, the 1992 animated “Aladdin” feature had some serious issues with stereotyping. Disney wanted to avoid repeating these same … [Read more...] about How the new ‘Aladdin’ stacks up against a century of Hollywood stereotyping
Barr’s Master’s Voice
The calmest of times
It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. In our current age of foolishness, things are "incredible," "thriving," "booming," "prospering," "tremendous," "beautiful," "very much happy" -- the "greatest," "best" and "most." It is also a "disaster," a "mess," "disintegrating," "really bad," "even worse" than the "worst," "ridiculous," "nasty" and "fake"- with … [Read more...] about The calmest of times
(UPDATE) Military Weekend: ‘One of the Last of…’
UPDATE: In a sad beginning to this Memorial Day weekend, another Navajo Code Talker, John D. Pinto, died Friday at age 94. John D. Pinto (Courtesy New Mexico State Legislature) Pinto served in the U.S. Marines in World War II as a Navajo Code talker and went on to become the longest-serving senator in New Mexico, with his service beginning in 1977. USA … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Military Weekend: ‘One of the Last of…’
Empty Boots Memorial Day (Cartoons)
Theresa May resigns as British prime minister – here’s where it all went wrong
Nicholas Allen, Royal Holloway Europe has claimed the career of yet another Conservative prime minister. After less than three years in office, Theresa May has suffered a catastrophic loss of confidence in her leadership among MPs and cabinet ministers. She has finally faced up to the demands from within her party and announced her resignation. Indicating her intention to … [Read more...] about Theresa May resigns as British prime minister – here’s where it all went wrong
Meet the Conservative Republican Who’s Putting Country Over Party
Justin Amash, a rare Republican congressman who refuses to genuflect at Donald Trump's feet, has been taking heat lately for daring to speak his mind. But bless his heart, he couldn't care less. On Sunday, Trump called him "a loser." (The "loser" won re-election last year by 10 points, bucking the blue wave.) House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy derided Amash as an attention … [Read more...] about Meet the Conservative Republican Who’s Putting Country Over Party
Impeaching Trump would accomplish nothing.
Before Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives put any work into impeaching President Donald Trump, they need to consider what happened when previous Presidents were impeached. From Time magazine: "Impeaching a American President is rare. It’s only happened twice in American history — to Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton — and neither of those times … [Read more...] about Impeaching Trump would accomplish nothing.
Pelosi got the better of Trump, again
WASHINGTON -- Once again, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is large and in charge. Once again, President Trump is frantic and rattled. Once again, a tough and powerful woman is driving an insecure man out of his mind. I don't think Pelosi's strategy of resisting a formal impeachment inquiry can last forever, but I have to admit it's working. She looks like a responsible public … [Read more...] about Pelosi got the better of Trump, again
SHAKE IT FOR TRUMP (Cartoon and Column)
Donald Trump is the boy who cried, “Infrastructure Week” as in, he never had any intention of working on infrastructure with Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The Democrats went to the White House to work with Trump on infrastructure, something he claims he’d be very good at because he lives in a structure, but instead, he used it as a ploy to … [Read more...] about SHAKE IT FOR TRUMP (Cartoon and Column)
Narendra Modi has won the largest election in the world. What will this mean for India?
Narendra Modi’s image was ubiquitous on the campaign trail – a sign of how much Indians have gravitated toward his cult of personality and nationalist rhetoric. Harish Tyagi/AAP Amitabh Mattoo, University of Melbourne The resounding victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition in India’s federal election represents a key marker in the modern … [Read more...] about Narendra Modi has won the largest election in the world. What will this mean for India?