By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- A man who worked in a boxer's corner in a 1962 match against Cassius Clay, as he still was known, explained why the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round: "Things just went sour gradually all at once." It can be like that when government dabbles in protectionism. U.S. industrial capacity has never been … [Read more...] about The danger of dabbling in protectionism
Arlington National Cemetery: A Promise Made, A Promise Kept?
As a Vietnam era veteran approaching that “date certain,” I often – and perhaps somewhat belatedly – contemplate about where I would like my last resting place to be. Presently I am torn between the “familiarity” and nearness to my loved ones offered by a local cemetery and the honor, history and beauty represented and offered by the “rolling green hills…dotted with … [Read more...] about Arlington National Cemetery: A Promise Made, A Promise Kept?
“Democratic Presidential Campaign Is A Clown Car”
In her 4 May 2019 Saturday Night Live impersonation of Elizabeth Warren, Kate McKinnon describes the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign as being a clown car. McKinnon as Warren: "I mean what a frickin clown car I've found myself in." The truth of those words is evident in what Democratic presidential candidates are promoting. Let's start with Elizabeth Warren. … [Read more...] about “Democratic Presidential Campaign Is A Clown Car”
Congress does not have the option to shrug and look away
WASHINGTON -- The escalating war in Washington is not between the White House and "Democrats," despite what President Trump may claim. It is between an arrogant, out-of-control executive and the people's duly elected representatives in Congress, whose sworn duties transcend politics. There's a big difference. Trump tries to drag everyone and everything down to the basest, … [Read more...] about Congress does not have the option to shrug and look away
TRUMPY TAX TRAGEDY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
If you still believe Donald Trump is a genius, great businessman, great negotiator, and built a great company, you’re in a cult. ? The New York Times published a story this week in great detail about how Trump spent the 1980s losing over a billion dollars. According to the IRS, Donald Trump lost more money during this time than any other American. In fact, his losses … [Read more...] about TRUMPY TAX TRAGEDY (Cartoon, Column and Video)
CATCH 45
“Behind every great fortune lies a great crime.” - Honoré de Balzac One of the strangest outcomes of the Trump presidency so far has been the fact that America has dismissed the black hole that was the Russian attack on our country in 2016 as nothing more than “meddling” in our elections. Meddling, according to the Cambridge Dictionary is: to try to change or have an … [Read more...] about CATCH 45
Misery and memory in Glendora, Mississippi: How poverty is reshaping the story of Emmett Till’s murder
Some say Till’s body was dumped from the Old Black Bayou Bridge in Glendora, Mississippi. Others dispute this detail. cmh2315fl/flickr, CC BY-NC Dave Tell, University of Kansas In August of 1955, Emmett Till was lynched in the Mississippi Delta. The 14-year-old African American reportedly whistled at a white woman, violating the racial norms of the … [Read more...] about Misery and memory in Glendora, Mississippi: How poverty is reshaping the story of Emmett Till’s murder
Donald Trump’s Unrelenting and Unapologetic White Rage
By, Brian L. Ott Having spent two years studying President Trump’s rhetoric, I have come to the conclusion that white rage is the sole basis of his rhetorical style. White rage, as I am using it here, describes a widely shared and fully embodied cultural sentiment; it is a sort of deep-seated public emotion rooted in centuries-old structures of racism. White rage is … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Unrelenting and Unapologetic White Rage
The White House revoked my press pass. It’s not just me — it’s curtailing access for all journalists.
WASHINGTON -- For the past 21 years, I have had the high privilege of holding a White House press pass, a magical ticket that gives the bearer a front-row seat to history. I was in the White House the night Bill Clinton admitted his affair with Monica Lewinsky, and the day he was impeached. I was there on Sept. 11, 2001, and the fearful days thereafter, when we were trained … [Read more...] about The White House revoked my press pass. It’s not just me — it’s curtailing access for all journalists.
‘Linguistic’ and Other Discomforts in Political America
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)