WASHINGTON -- Joe Biden's decision to seek the presidency is a clarifying event. It will require those who see Donald Trump's tenure as disastrous to decide whether returning to normal or transforming the country should be the primary task after he leaves office. And Biden's entry gives greater definition to the sprawling contest for the Democratic nomination. The race … [Read more...] about Biden’s trump cards: Restoration, reassurance and tranquility
Thoughts and Prayers (Cartoon)
Shutting down social media does not reduce violence, but rather fuels it
It might seem easy to shut off internet services, but it can be dangerous. Olesya Zhuk/Shutterstock.com Jan Rydzak, Stanford University In the wake of a series of coordinated attacks that claimed more than 250 lives on April 21, the government of Sri Lanka shut off its residents’ access to social media and online messaging systems, including Facebook, … [Read more...] about Shutting down social media does not reduce violence, but rather fuels it
Civil Rights Trail provides an ideal perspective on modern America
WASHINGTON -- My wife and I took our kids on a civil rights tour of the South over spring break, a trip planned before we knew it would be the week Muellermania engulfed Washington. As it turned out, though, the Civil Rights Trail offered an ideal perspective from which to view the mayhem in the capital caused by the special counsel's report. While Washington churned, I … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Trail provides an ideal perspective on modern America
What’s in a Font? A ‘Joe Biden Font,’ that Is.
It used to be -- “in the good old days,” when people still used to “write by hand” -- that handwriting analysts could tell a lot about a person's personality by his or her handwriting. Some still ply their analysis craft, if and when such a “specimen” is available. Juliana LaBianca and Brittany Gibson in “Here’s What Your Handwriting Says About You,” claim, “The way you … [Read more...] about What’s in a Font? A ‘Joe Biden Font,’ that Is.
Ice Age Horse Found Preserved
A horse born during the last Ice Age has been found preserved. From UPI: "An international team of scientists have extracted liquid blood and urine from a 42,000-year-old foal recovered Siberian permafrost. Russian and South Korean researchers hope to use the preserved fluids to clone the ancient horse species. Last summer, scientists at the Mammoth Museum at Northeastern … [Read more...] about Ice Age Horse Found Preserved
Biden might offer a restful break for weary voters
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- Three days before Joe Biden dove back into the deep end of the political pool, a rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the terrorist who bombed the 2013 Boston Marathon, and everyone else in America's prisons, should be allowed to vote, lest the "chipping away" of voting rights leave America "running down a … [Read more...] about Biden might offer a restful break for weary voters
On Antisemitism, extremism, politics and violence
Antisemitism expresses itself in different ways. For some it's a fixation on the "greedy" or "stingy" Jew. For others it's the Jew as puppeteer who manipulates world leaders. One of the most violent forms of late is the white nationalist variety that argues that Jews are "globalists" who encourage the "invasion" of non-white people to destroy the white race. This is the 'Great … [Read more...] about On Antisemitism, extremism, politics and violence
Jewish Synagogue Shooting: Woman slain, three others wounded at Chabad of Poway, CA (UPDATED)
Victims identified as Lori Gilbert Kaye, z”l; Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein; Along Peretz, and young Noya Dahan; Alleged shooter John P. Earnest taken into custody By Donald H. Harrison Editor, San Diego Jewish World POWAY, California – A white male shooter opened fire during Saturday morning Shabbat services on the last day of Passover, killing one woman at the Altman Family … [Read more...] about Jewish Synagogue Shooting: Woman slain, three others wounded at Chabad of Poway, CA (UPDATED)
“Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds”
In February of 2017, The New Yorker published an article titled "Why Facts Don't Change Our Minds". The article introduces readers to the concept of confirmation bias. It also introduces readers to the concept of accepting alleged "facts" because they are emotionally pleasing and rejecting facts because they aren't emotionally pleasing. Humans tend to favor whatever is … [Read more...] about “Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds”
Don’t buy that Gucci knockoff: Your bargain benefits organized crime while endangering countless others
Those cheap fakes might be tempting, but the hidden costs are high. Settawat Udom/Shutterstock.com Jay Kennedy, Michigan State University If you’ve ever been to New York’s Chinatown, Los Angeles’ Santee Alley or Hong Kong’s Gage Street, you know what draws the crowds: the chance to snag knockoff Jimmy Chu shoes, a Rolex watch or a pair of Ray-Ban … [Read more...] about Don’t buy that Gucci knockoff: Your bargain benefits organized crime while endangering countless others
Biden has the best shot at beating Trump
WASHINGTON -- Joe Biden begins his presidential campaign with a lead over the crowded Democratic field and a simple message the nation can immediately grasp: (BEG ITAL)I can stop the madness. I can beat Donald Trump.(END ITAL) That doesn't mean Biden will necessarily win the nomination, which depends on a host of factors, including how well the 76-year-old former vice … [Read more...] about Biden has the best shot at beating Trump
Innocent Children Won’t Save Our Planet: London 2019
To coincide with Earth Day last week the extremist group Extinction Rebellion staged a flashy 10 days of protests in downtown London. One way to look at this is as a necessary “wake up call” - to coin a tired cliché - about a pressing global problem. Another view is that it was an ineffective, narcissistic and counter-productive waste of time. The protests were headlined … [Read more...] about Innocent Children Won’t Save Our Planet: London 2019
Joe Biden Announces 2020 Run for President (Updated)
UPDATE: In last night’s Washington Post, David Ignatius claims, “Joe Biden is the best candidate to beat Trump.” Surprisingly, he starts his opinion piece as follows: "Joe Biden’s limitations as a presidential candidate are so obvious that they’re almost a litany: He’s too old, too white, too male, too touchy-feely, too loquacious.” Ignatius concludes with some … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Announces 2020 Run for President (Updated)
Trump Isn’t Really Tough, We’re Just Weak.
Emotionally, mentally and physically, America has gone soft – and has the leader it deserves. By Christopher Dale Well past the halfway mark of President Donald Trump’s four-year term, his popularity’s endurance continues to baffle those who instead see a shameless liar, reckless race-baiter and compassionless, amoral manipulator. The notion that tens of millions of … [Read more...] about Trump Isn’t Really Tough, We’re Just Weak.
On Impeachment, Will Democrats Put Country Over Party?
Just suppose, for the sake of argument, that a Democratic president had acted as a doormat for Russia, indulging and amplifying an unprecedented soft invasion of America via its electoral process. Just suppose, after having benefited from the cyber-invasion conducted on his behalf, that same Democratic president had sided with Russia against his own intelligence agencies, and … [Read more...] about On Impeachment, Will Democrats Put Country Over Party?
To Impeach or Not to Impeach
Google “to impeach or not to impeach” and you’ll get “about 27,700 results” in 0.48 seconds, as of this writing. That issue, that question is on the minds of virtually every American. Every news media – print, radio, tv, whatever -- and every magazine and blog worth its salt has discussed, debated, dissected and distilled it. Max Boot, in a recent Washington Post … [Read more...] about To Impeach or Not to Impeach
VOTING FROM THE HOOSEGOW (Cartoon, Column, Video)
During CNN’s town hall on Monday night, Bernie Sanders said prisoners should be allowed to vote. The response from most people, even fellow Democrats, seems to be, “Uh, do what now?” Sanders was asked the question by a member of the audience, and he replied, “I think the right to vote is inherent to our democracy — yes, even for terrible people — because once you start … [Read more...] about VOTING FROM THE HOOSEGOW (Cartoon, Column, Video)
Japan’s next emperor is a modern, multilingual environmentalist
Constantine Nomikos Vaporis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County For the first time in 217 years, a Japanese emperor will cede his place on the imperial throne. On April 30, Japan’s ailing 85-year-old Emperor Akihito will abdicate and be replaced the following day by his 59-year-old son, Crown Prince Naruhito. Naruhito and his wife, Crown Princess Masako, are a … [Read more...] about Japan’s next emperor is a modern, multilingual environmentalist
Now playing at the Supreme Court: How to preserve white power in four easy steps
WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration and Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices Tuesday held a legal seminar on how to preserve white hegemony in four easy steps. Step 1: Devise a discriminatory policy. In this case, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, after consulting with Stephen Bannon, who was then President Trump's nationalist "alt-right" adviser, resolved to put … [Read more...] about Now playing at the Supreme Court: How to preserve white power in four easy steps