Embed from Getty Images Wikileak's Julian Assange has finally been arrested and it seems likely he'll be extradited to the United States: Nearly seven years after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London, Ecuador revoked his asylum Thursday. Here is what has happened since. ? London’s Metropolitan Police entered the embassy … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks’ Assange arrested, accused by U.S. of conspiring in 2010 computer hacking attempt
Netanyahu’s ominous victory
WASHINGTON -- The last decade has been trying for liberals who support the existence of a democratic Jewish state and believe that Palestinians have a right to self-determination within a state of their own. Tuesday's election in Israel made the liberal path even rockier, both inside the country and in the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's victory was not … [Read more...] about Netanyahu’s ominous victory
National Enquirer to lose Pecker
The National Enquirer, the once mighty supermarket tabloid that went through various incarnations only to have become a virtual propaganda sheet for Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign and run into a buzz-saw of legal and ethical problems, is expected to soon be sold. It's parent company American Media, Inc, whose CEO, David Pecker, is reportedly a best bud of Trump's, is … [Read more...] about National Enquirer to lose Pecker
Smoking and Obesity
Americans are fatter now than they ever have been. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 40 percent of adults and 20 percent of children are obese. The CDC refers to obesity as a societal health crisis. Is there anything that can be done about it? Perhaps we could find solutions from the one successful society-wide behavior modification program conducted in the … [Read more...] about Smoking and Obesity
Netanyahu Survives
The Israeli elections are done and the results are not surprising. Just as in the U.S. which elected Trump despite his known character flaws, Netanyahu will probably form the next Israeli government, led by himself. This is despite his indictment for corruption and since the rules of the Knesset do not bar someone from being a voting member even though he/she may be in prison. … [Read more...] about Netanyahu Survives
Views of Race Relations in America
On the evening of June 17, 2015, a young man opened fire with a handgun at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina during a Bible study at the church, killing nine people, including its Pastor, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney. On June 26, 2015, President Barack Obama delivered a heart-felt, moving eulogy for the Reverend. Right … [Read more...] about Views of Race Relations in America
Migrants’ stories: Why they flee
A man hugs his family before leaving for the U.S. border with a migrant caravan from San Salvador, El Salvador, Jan. 16, 2019. AP/Salvador Melendez Anthony W. Fontes, American University School of International Service Massive influxes of Central American families seeking asylum in the United States are overwhelming U.S. immigration facilities. … [Read more...] about Migrants’ stories: Why they flee
Kirstjen Nielsen’s attempt to suck up to Trump ended badly. It always does.
WASHINGTON -- "I have determined," Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen wrote in her resignation letter Sunday night, "that it is the right time for me to step aside." And how did she come to this determination? Well, maybe it was that her boss, the president, had just demanded her resignation and then tweeted news of her ouster to his nearly 60 million … [Read more...] about Kirstjen Nielsen’s attempt to suck up to Trump ended badly. It always does.
Actors As Cabinet Heads
Why does Trump seem to be satisfied with so many acting heads of cabinet departments? Of course, it’s not only the cabinet heads that have not been confirmed by the Senate, but a number of important agency chiefs and many high level personnel in a plethora of departments. At present, DOD, DHS and the Department of the Interior all have acting heads. Mick Mulvaney, the White … [Read more...] about Actors As Cabinet Heads
Kirstjen Nielsen and the High Cost of Amoral Servitude
So many people have staggered away from Donald Trump's smoking wreckage, via resignation or removal, that it's tempting to employ black humor - to quip, for instance, that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen quit because she wants to spend more time caging her family. But willfully separating migrant children from their parents, and losing track of how many … [Read more...] about Kirstjen Nielsen and the High Cost of Amoral Servitude
An analysis of nearly 4 million pitches shows just how many mistakes umpires make
Umpire Quinn Wolcott signals a strike out during an at-bat by Toronto Blue Jays’ Josh Thole. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Mark T. Williams, Boston University Baseball is back, and fans can anticipate another season of amazing catches, overpowering pitching, tape-measure home runs – and, yes, controversial calls that lead to blow-ups between umpires and … [Read more...] about An analysis of nearly 4 million pitches shows just how many mistakes umpires make
No Vacancy (Cartoon)
Despite it all, Joe Biden should run
WASHINGTON -- It will be good for the country and the Democratic Party for Joe Biden to run for president. But it could be hell on him. If Biden backed off from running, he would be cast as a martyr to "political correctness" and "the new multiculturalism" by many of the same conservatives who would do everything they could to defeat him if he won the nomination. Faux … [Read more...] about Despite it all, Joe Biden should run
Sorry: TMV content delayed
OOPS! SORRY! Due to some logistical issues a good chunk of content for The Moderate Voice didn't get on today. It will resume shortly. … [Read more...] about Sorry: TMV content delayed
Marie Dancing Still: A Review of the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production
Well, due to a prior engagement, I missed the opening night performance of Marie Dancing Still. Fortunately, Marie Dancing Still was still dancing still last night, which gave my wife and I the wonderful opportunity to see the most amazing dance sequence we have ever seen at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre or really on any stage. If that seems like hyperbole, then you most likely … [Read more...] about Marie Dancing Still: A Review of the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production
NH Town Halls to Grill Candidates about Reforming Democracy
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire voters are already getting plenty of chances to see presidential candidates in person. But a series of candidate forums starts this weekend to ask them how they'd work to reduce corruption in politics. The group Equal Citizens says democracy reforms – like ending gerrymandering or getting big money out of politics – are necessary before the … [Read more...] about NH Town Halls to Grill Candidates about Reforming Democracy
Why Are We So Bad At Science?
By John L. Micek What do most Americans know about science? If a March 28 Pew Research Center poll is to be believed - not nearly enough. And at a time when knowledge and facts are under assault as they have not been in recent memory, that's a problem. On the upside, about eight in 10 respondents to the new Pew poll knew that increase resistance is one of the big … [Read more...] about Why Are We So Bad At Science?
Pet owners want to be masters, not servants – which is why we value dogs more than cats
Colleen P. Kirk, New York Institute of Technology Cat videos may rule the internet, but dogs possess mastery of their owners’ hearts – at least if spending is any guide. Dog owners spend US$240 a month caring for their pets, compared with $193 for cats, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey from the American Pet Products Association. The extra money goes … [Read more...] about Pet owners want to be masters, not servants – which is why we value dogs more than cats
Trump is a knight errant just looking for his windmill
WASHINGTON -- President Trump really puts the "err" in knight errant. Cervantes tells us that Don Quixote attacked the windmill with his lance. This week, Trump also attacked the lowly turbine -- with misinformation. "If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations: Your house just went down 75% in value," the president told Republican donors Tuesday. … [Read more...] about Trump is a knight errant just looking for his windmill
A MULATTO, AN ALBINO, A MOSQUITO, MY LIBIDO
My first memory is standing at the top of the stairway in diapers, wondering if I could make it all the way down without falling. I had only an older brother at that time, and, although he is a hero of mine today, he was my monster back then. The best thing about my monster was that he was hilarious. The worst thing was that, as my toddles yielded to strides, his raids into my … [Read more...] about A MULATTO, AN ALBINO, A MOSQUITO, MY LIBIDO