The author is not quite as old as the “technique” mentioned in this article, but just admitting to having used it should be a dead giveaway to his age. Tomorrow, May 24, is the 175th anniversary of the first Morse code message sent across a “long” distance over an experimental wire line -- that is the 35 miles between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Md. On that day, 175 … [Read more...] about Of ‘Dits and Dahs’ and of Remembrance
Trump seems to be transparently mad
This is not the work of an orderly mind. President Trump stormed into the Cabinet Room 15 minutes late Wednesday morning and immediately proceeded to blow up a long-planned meeting with Democratic leaders about an infrastructure bill. He raged against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for the terrible, horrible things she has said about him, and he vowed not to work on … [Read more...] about Trump seems to be transparently mad
What Happened to Belief in Scientific Data?
America used to be the leading nation in scientific research, coming up with new discoveries and inventions that improved the lot of mankind and the nation’s economy. Scientific concepts were taught in the schools and the average American believed in the empirical principles that science had uncovered. Though the United States is still probably the leader in scientific … [Read more...] about What Happened to Belief in Scientific Data?
Trump goes on strike
WASHINGTON -- It's often said that when our founders wrote the Constitution, they had a leader like Donald Trump in mind when they included various safeguards for our liberties and against abuses of presidential power. I think that gets it wrong. The founders could not have imagined a president like Trump. They certainly never expected that a president would go on … [Read more...] about Trump goes on strike
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS
What happens if everyone is bought off? When the rules, so carefully crafted by the wisdom of enlightened men, are casually cast off and no longer circumscribe our actions. When Prometheus was punished by the gods for flouting their wisdom - their rules - he was chained to a rock, so that an eagle could peck out his liver. And each night his liver would grow back, only to be … [Read more...] about THE MODERN PROMETHEUS
Trump Cover Up
David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Trump Cover Up
Senior officer Justin D’Amico caught in web of lies surrounding Eric Garner’s death
New York City Police Officer Justin D'Amico testified publicly about the death of Eric Garner for the first time this week. In so doing, he exposed a web of lies, lies that could very well have led to Officer Daniel Pantaleo skating after a medical examiner ruled that Garner's death was a homicide. D'Amico was the senior officer that fateful day in July 2014; he was the … [Read more...] about Senior officer Justin D’Amico caught in web of lies surrounding Eric Garner’s death
How Our Media Promotes High Conflict Personalities—and What We Can Do About It
By Bill Eddy, LCSW, JD If we regularly listen to the radio or watch the news, it seems like the worst of times: Conflict! Crisis! Chaos! Polarization! Widespread anxiety! And yet, it’s the best of times in many ways: less hunger, longer lives, less war, more choices, low unemployment, high stock market, and so forth. Why is this? I believe that today’s media is becoming … [Read more...] about How Our Media Promotes High Conflict Personalities—and What We Can Do About It
Rocketman (2019)
Whenever films are created about public figures, it can be easy to brush over the ugly details of their lives. This is especially true if the person is still living and has a say in how they're depicted. It's a breath of fresh air, then, when we're allowed to see a story that isn't whitewashed from beginning to end. Described as a musical fantasy, Rocketman is a … [Read more...] about Rocketman (2019)
American International Pictures – A Comprehensive Filmography
Review by Steve D. Stones It's often been said that you can't judge a book by its cover. It's also been said that you can't judge a book by its movie. If you've ever read a film analysis book by Rob Craig, you know his books deliver both in their content and their colorful cover designs. His analysis of forgotten films and underground cult directors is well researched and … [Read more...] about American International Pictures – A Comprehensive Filmography
Cable Hosts Get The Memo
By Peter Funt Bill O'Reilly, once the most powerful voice on cable-TV, has been largely absent from public view for two years following revelations that he paid some $50 million to settle sexual harassment lawsuits. Yet, O'Reilly's signature - a segment he called "The Memo" - continues to have an unfortunate impact across the cable dial. O'Reilly began his nightly Fox … [Read more...] about Cable Hosts Get The Memo
What your ability to engage with stories says about your real-life relationships
Some have any easier time than others connecting with fictional worlds and characters. zhuda/Shutterstock.com Nathan Silver, The Ohio State University and Michael Slater, The Ohio State University The best TV shows and films don’t simply distract from the drudgery of everyday life. They’re places to vicariously get to know different people, and learn … [Read more...] about What your ability to engage with stories says about your real-life relationships
Alabama’s unexpected lesson on abortion
WASHINGTON -- It's instructive that Alabama has handed the anti-abortion movement a great victory by passing the most restrictive ban in the country -- and Republican politicians who regularly tout themselves as pro-life don't like it. Abortion is cast by its opponents as a "non-negotiable" question. Yet it turns out to be very negotiable and, indeed, a matter of "personal … [Read more...] about Alabama’s unexpected lesson on abortion
GEORGIA ABORTION BOOM BOOM (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Georgia Republicans are patting themselves on the back, and others nationwide are celebrating their passage of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bill last week. The new law not only outlaws abortion after six weeks and granting full legal personhood to fetuses, but would allow prosecutors to file criminal charges against women who get abortions and even target women who … [Read more...] about GEORGIA ABORTION BOOM BOOM (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Morrison has led the Coalition to a ‘miracle’ win, but how do they govern from here?
Scott Morrison has pulled off an unexpected victory, and will forever be a Liberal hero. AAP/Bianca de Marchi Marija Taflaga, Australian National University The man that has “always believed in miracles” has just delivered one for the Liberal party. It’s not clear at the time of writing if the government will have minority or a narrow majority. But it … [Read more...] about Morrison has led the Coalition to a ‘miracle’ win, but how do they govern from here?
Heartless Abortion Ban (Cartoon)
Blaine paid a steep price for his bigotry, but children shouldn’t have to
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Republican James G. Blaine (1830-1893) was a House speaker, senator and two-time secretary of state, but he is remembered, if at all, for this doggerel: "Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine/ the continental liar from the state of Maine." His lasting legacy, however, is even more disreputable than his involvement in … [Read more...] about Blaine paid a steep price for his bigotry, but children shouldn’t have to
Lindsey Graham (Cartoon)
The Curse of Donald Trump
Embed from Getty Images Our ex-presidents should come forward to try to break the spell by Michael Winship I know that everyone’s talking about the final episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones and some are comparing our current woes to the battle for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Hell, even our hopeless tinpot dictator of a president has tweeted GoT memes and in … [Read more...] about The Curse of Donald Trump
European elections: a beginner’s guide to the vote
EPA. Tatiana Coutto, University of Warwick The European Parliament elections are not unlike cricket. Both can last for quite a few days and it can be pretty hard to understand the rules. This year’s European elections take place between May 23 and 26 and different countries vote on different days. It’s not surprising that few people bother to vote in these … [Read more...] about European elections: a beginner’s guide to the vote