Amazon fires are destructive, but they aren't depleting Earth's oxygen supply Fire consumes an area near Jaci Parana, state of Rondonia, Brazil, Aug. 24, 2019. AP Photo/Eraldo Peres Scott Denning, Colorado State University Fires in the Amazon rainforest have captured attention worldwide in recent days. Brazilian President … [Read more...] about Amazon fires are destructive, but they aren’t depleting Earth’s oxygen supply
Temple Shalom: A Love Story
by Michael Ginsberg On October 21, 1961, I finished my bar mitzvah speech at Judea Center Synagogue in Brooklyn, thanking my parents for raising me as a Jew. Six months later, I interrupted our family’s Shabbat candle lighting to announce that I was finished with religion. The next 30 years, I diligently dodged Judaism: Brooklyn to Buffalo, Louisville KY, and points … [Read more...] about Temple Shalom: A Love Story
Emperor’s Clothes (Cartoon)
Who Will be the Next Scapegoat?
Under President Bush, the primary scapegoat was homosexuals. Bush used a ban on gay marriage as a unifying cry to rally his base. In 2003, the Supreme Court defeated a Texas law banning sodomy. The law was shot down but the movement was there nonetheless. Under President Obama, the administration called for a society where you could sleep with whoever you wanted but not eat or … [Read more...] about Who Will be the Next Scapegoat?
How government can expand freedom
WASHINGTON -- Complaining about government -- its failures, its corruption and, in the worst cases, its capacity to oppress -- is both an American pastime and a right to be treasured. But a wholesome desire to preserve ourselves from foolish or tyrannical rule often devolves into disdaining government altogether. The underlying assumption (I exaggerate only a little) is that … [Read more...] about How government can expand freedom
MEDAL OF DISHONOR (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump dishonors the military and veterans just as much as he dishonors our nation and our allies by wanting to award Vladimir Putin with a spot in the G7, the group of the world’s largest economies. If anything, there should be talk of adding South Korea, China, India, and Brazil to the group before Russia because each of those nations has larger economies than … [Read more...] about MEDAL OF DISHONOR (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Extinction Rebellion Wants a Mass Psychedelic Protest. Bad idea.
You might have heard of Extinction Rebellion ("E.R."), a splashy British climate change protest group who cause all sorts of kerfuffles like protests blocking London's streets and super-gluing their asses to the glass of the British Parliament viewers gallery. They're the Al Qaida of the climate push minus flying planes into buildings, presumably due to the environmental costs … [Read more...] about Extinction Rebellion Wants a Mass Psychedelic Protest. Bad idea.
The Amazon is burning: 4 essential reads on Brazil’s vanishing rainforest
The Amazon is burning: 4 essential reads on Brazil's vanishing rainforest Catesby Holmes, The Conversation Nearly 40,000 fires are incinerating Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, the latest outbreak in an overactive fire season that has charred 1,330 square miles of the rainforest this year. Don’t blame dry weather for the swift destruction of the world’s largest tropical … [Read more...] about The Amazon is burning: 4 essential reads on Brazil’s vanishing rainforest
Trade war shows reality of ‘America First’ in action
By GEORGE F. WILL Washiongton Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- In a trade war, as in a real one, people are wounded by friendly fire from their side. Consider some casualties in Donald Trump's "easy to win" -- his promise -- trade war. Begin with the company whose green machines bear the name of the blacksmith who, in the 1830s in Grand Detour, Illinois, invented a … [Read more...] about Trade war shows reality of ‘America First’ in action
A graphic novel of Jews hunting Nazis
In The Spider’s Web by Chaim Eliav, adapted as a graphic novel by Avraham Ohayon; Feldheim Publishers; © 2019; ISBN 9781680-251074; 139 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This graphic novel is set shortly before the Six-Day War of 1967 with the action alternating between B’nei Barak, Israel, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. A Haredi Jew in B’nei Barak has nightmares … [Read more...] about A graphic novel of Jews hunting Nazis
FOR MADMEN ONLY
"Allow me to introducing myself. I am Boris Badenov, world's greatest no-goodnik." – The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show Is Donald Trump mad, or are we just watching him lose his mind? He is neither an intelligent man nor a nuanced thinker. He’s not a brooding soul burdened by introspection. Increasingly, he looks to be some form of antediluvian caveman; a creature who, sooner or … [Read more...] about FOR MADMEN ONLY
Wow, Pigs Really Do Fly
Pigs really do fly. That is according to flight attendant Patricia Leung, who was interviewed by Yahoo Canada for a story titled Ask The Expert: Can your outfit get you a flight upgrade? Flight attendants reveal airline secrets. When asked what are the weirdest items that people bring on a flight, Leung gave this response: "Yeah, a miniature pig. So I guess our airline … [Read more...] about Wow, Pigs Really Do Fly
Celeste and the White Dragon, an interview with author D. Michael Martindale
I recently had the pleasure of reading the fantasy novel, "Celeste & the White Dragon," (Worldsmith Stories, 2019) from author D. Michael Martindale. He's a talented who is the author of the novel, Brother Brigham, which I reviewed on a blog (here). "Celeste & the White Dragon" is the novel in a series that will encompass several volumes. It involves a search for a … [Read more...] about Celeste and the White Dragon, an interview with author D. Michael Martindale
The unhinged presidency
John Darkow, Columbia Missourian[/caption WASHINGTON -- The flood of bizarre pronouncements and behavior from President Trump is likely to get worse, I fear. He is now completely unfiltered -- and, apparently, increasingly untethered to reality. Quick, can you name the White House press secretary? Do you have any idea what she looks or sounds like? Stephanie Grisham has … [Read more...] about The unhinged presidency
White nationalists’ extreme solution to the coming environmental apocalypse
White nationalists' extreme solution to the coming environmental apocalypse Alexandra Minna Stern, University of Michigan White nationalists around the world are appropriating the language of environmentalism. The white nationalist who allegedly massacred 22 people in El Paso in early August posted a four-page screed on the chatroom 8chan. In it, the shooter blames … [Read more...] about White nationalists’ extreme solution to the coming environmental apocalypse
The Words of the ‘Chosen One’ Matter
"One of the most important things we can all do for veterans is to honor the service of those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty." - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta During a speech at the 75th annual national convention of American Veterans, Trump, while addressing a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, remarked: Nothing like the Medal of Honor…I … [Read more...] about The Words of the ‘Chosen One’ Matter
Jewish groups generally pan Trump’s loyalty comment
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — American Jewish organizations were generally critical of President Donald Trump’s comment suggesting that given some of the pro-Palestinian sentiment in the Democratic party activists, Jews who vote for Democrats are either ignorant or disloyal. In alphabetical order, here are some of the commentaries that have been sent to the offices of … [Read more...] about Jewish groups generally pan Trump’s loyalty comment
The Chosen One (Cartoon)
Dear Israel: Please dump Netanyahu. Your friend, America.
WASHINGTON -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his stunning acquiescence last week to President Trump's wish that Israel bar entry to two Democratic members of Congress, shows he has no qualms with interfering in U.S. politics. So he shouldn't mind when Americans offer political advice to Israelis. Here's mine: Dump this guy in next month's election. He is … [Read more...] about Dear Israel: Please dump Netanyahu. Your friend, America.
Greenland? We Found the Deed!
Evidently, this is what high-level statecraft looks like under Mister Donald Wheeler-Dealer: Danes furious over postponement of Trump's visit, call his behavior ‘insulting’ Rick Noack / Washington Post: BERLIN — Danish lawmakers on Wednesday reacted in fury to President's Trump's postponement of his two-day visit in early September to Denmark after its prime minister said … [Read more...] about Greenland? We Found the Deed!