I have read several interpretations of Tao Te Ching. My favorite version of what Lao Tzu shares is Ursula K. Le Guin's. Her translation is a woman’s and it is legend. Highly recommended. My favorite takeaway from her interpretation of Lao Tzu is to “speak your truth, then stand back”. Stand back means when you speak the truth, let what you have said stand. If you discover … [Read more...] about Speak Your Truth. Then Stand Back.
Congress has the power, and the duty, to check a president run amok
ASHINGTON -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi believes opening an impeachment inquiry into President Trump's misdeeds would be risky. She needs to realize that not doing so is beginning to look riskier. Next week, after special counsel Robert Mueller testifies before Congress, the impeachment question will demand an answer. Even if Mueller manages not to stray beyond the … [Read more...] about Congress has the power, and the duty, to check a president run amok
To Infinity and Further Notice
By Thomas Hoffman Toy Story 3 contained an unusual amount of darkness for a kids film. Toy Story 4 has been preceded by a number of signs more darkness is in store for the toys (and their viewers). There is a poster that displays Woody posing in a “good-bye-cowboy style” pose. The poster is a darker, “un-toy story” like background, almost like a sunset. Tom Hanks and Tim … [Read more...] about To Infinity and Further Notice
When Coffee Was Feared
From today's perspective, it appears silly that anyone would ever fear coffee. Yet, the historical record shows that coffee was once a controversial drink. From writer and comedian Emmy Blotnick: "Coffee was banned in Mecca in 1511, as it was believed to stimulate radical thinking and hanging out — the governor thought it might unite his opposition. Java also got a bad rap … [Read more...] about When Coffee Was Feared
PERILOUS TIMES FOR POLITICAL CARTOONISTS (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump hosted a “social media summit” Wednesday at the White House. That morning, he tweeted, “A big subject today at the White House Social Media Summit will be the tremendous dishonesty, bias, discrimination and suppression practiced by certain companies. We will not let them get away with it much longer. The Fake News Media will also be there, but for a limited … [Read more...] about PERILOUS TIMES FOR POLITICAL CARTOONISTS (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The Entitled
It did not start with the current generation of Kushners and Trumps. Their parents and perhaps grandparents by their actions instilled the belief that they were special and entitled. Maybe it began with The Donald who was able to transfer from Fordham to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Whether or not his father made monetary donations to the University to … [Read more...] about The Entitled
AMERICAN PSYCHO
“Lover?" she asks, her voice reminding me of someone human.” - American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis And here we thought it would be Russia, or international money laundering, or rampant corruption, or electoral fraud, or tax evasion, or pussy grabbing, or world class incompetence, or nepotism, or ignoring subpoenas, or obstructing justice, or calling the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about AMERICAN PSYCHO
If you are going to be a criminal, then don’t eat beans.
If you are going to be a criminal, then don't eat beans. From news station WCYB in Bristol, Virginia: "Police in Liberty, Missouri, were able to 'sniff out' a hiding suspect after authorities say the suspect passed gas so loudly, it gave away their hiding spot." If a sequel to the movie Blazing Saddles is ever made, then perhaps the suspect can get a role in it. … [Read more...] about If you are going to be a criminal, then don’t eat beans.
Holocaust Comparisons. Inappropriate?
A Cagle cartoon at The Moderate Voice (above) uses images of Nazi concentration camps to bring attention to the plight of detained illegal immigrants and asylum seekers and their children – many separated from their parents – languishing at barbed-wire-enclosed, cage like detention centers. The final image in the multi-image cartoon depicts a young child, almost a baby, in … [Read more...] about Holocaust Comparisons. Inappropriate?
Native Alaskans Finally Get Their Due
In August 2015, a great wrong was corrected by the U.S. government. It was then that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior announced that North America's highest mountain would be officially named Denali. Granted, the mountain has been named that for thousands of years, but it took the Obama Administration to respect Native Alaskans and their culture by making that name … [Read more...] about Native Alaskans Finally Get Their Due
Democrats need to focus on ridding the nation of Trump
by RICHARD COHEN Washington Post Columnist The bevy of Democrats running for president seems determined to test my silent vow never to vote Republican, especially for Donald Trump. The truth is that I cannot imagine that happening, but I can imagine entering the voting booth with about a colonoscopy level of enthusiasm. Please, can we get this over with? At the … [Read more...] about Democrats need to focus on ridding the nation of Trump
Trumpian History Lesson (Cartoon, Column and Video)
You know when an eight-year-old reads from a prepared text and it’s cute yet kinda painful? You grin through it and think to yourself, “Just get to the end of the sentence for the love of God so we can applaud and move on with our lives….AAARRGGHHH!!!” Well, when Donald Trump reads from a prepared statement, subtract the cute and multiply the pain by 25. That’s what we got as … [Read more...] about Trumpian History Lesson (Cartoon, Column and Video)
50 Years of Marriage
This is a large banner that hangs from the front gate to our house to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Yes, I know the date had passed a couple months ago, but we are currently celebrating because this is the first opportunity we have had to gather everyone from around the world to allow concurrent travel arrangements. It was kind of a logistical nightmare for everyone … [Read more...] about 50 Years of Marriage
The high cost of our ‘Age of Impunity’
WASHINGTON -- Our conversations about the global retreat of democracy usually highlight its impact on those in relatively well-off nations with long-established traditions of free elections, free speech and a free media. But David Miliband, the chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, reminded us in a recent speech that the effects of what he called the … [Read more...] about The high cost of our ‘Age of Impunity’
Trump’s Independence Day Extravaganza. A Postscript (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Those who missed Trump’s 2019 Independence Day extravaganza, or who would like a do-over of this stirring event, can rest easier. They’ll get another chance to relish it in 2020, 2021 and many, many more Fourth of Julys. “Based on its tremendous success,” Trump says he has “made the decision to do it again next year and maybe we can say for the foreseeable … [Read more...] about Trump’s Independence Day Extravaganza. A Postscript (UPDATED)
Great Music – Chapter 43
Today we are going to return to the world of Classical Music with Maurice Ravel and his music. Classical music includes not only the giants of the genre, like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart etc but also lesser known musicians like Ravel who did not compose a huge catalog of music but left for those of us who follow, some real gems. Ravel was born in southern France in a little town … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 43
Trump tried to make Independence Day all about him. He ended up looking small.
By EUGENE ROBINSON WASHINGTON -- President Trump chose the wrong backdrop for his attempt to make Independence Day all about himself. Standing beneath the majestic statue of Abraham Lincoln, occupying a space where great orators have stood, Trump looked and sounded quite small. He gave a triumphalist speech, of course. "Our nation is stronger today than it ever was. It is … [Read more...] about Trump tried to make Independence Day all about him. He ended up looking small.
Mad Magazine, R.I.P.
It is an ending that merits a national day of mourning. From CNN: "Once a cultural touchstone, Mad Magazine is halting the publication of new content and vanishing from newsstands." On his Twitter account, Weird Al Yankovic posted the following lament: … [Read more...] about Mad Magazine, R.I.P.
‘Child’s Play’ Surprisingly Pulls It Off
It's a sad state of affairs when so much of what is coming out of Hollywood these days are sequels and reboots. When's Child's Play (2019) was slated for release, it was expected to be an unnecessary addition to the killer doll franchise. However, while it still may be unnecessary, Child's Play actually proves itself to be a commendable adaptation updated for the present day; … [Read more...] about ‘Child’s Play’ Surprisingly Pulls It Off
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
TMV wishes all of you and yours a wonderful 4th of July as all of us enjoy this holiday and reflect on its traditional meaning. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay … [Read more...] about HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY