Note: Please read the "postscript" at the end. Last Friday, Trump took both U.S. lawmakers and the Mexican government by surprise when he tweeted: On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. Trump added that the … [Read more...] about Mexico’s President Writes a Letter to Trump (With Postscript)
Violence climbs in Colombia as president chips away at landmark peace deal with FARC guerrillas
Police protect a judicial complex where former FARC rebel leader Seuxis Hernandez was standing trial on May 20, 2019. The former peace negotiator has been arrested on drug charges and is now fighting extradition to the United States. AP Photo/Ivan Valencia Fabio Andres Diaz, International Institute of Social Studies Thousands of Colombian militants … [Read more...] about Violence climbs in Colombia as president chips away at landmark peace deal with FARC guerrillas
Trump Versus Queen (Cartoon)
Is Robert Mueller an antique? The role of the facts in a post-truth era
Lee McIntyre, Boston University In just a little over eight minutes – on the morning of Wednesday, May 29th – the post-truth era came to an end. Or did it? That’s when Special Counsel Robert Mueller took the podium and addressed only the facts concerning his two-year-long investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election as well as possible … [Read more...] about Is Robert Mueller an antique? The role of the facts in a post-truth era
Mitch McConnell, court packer
WASHINGTON -- Permit me a question to every truly fair-minded person in our country. Imagine that one party packs the Supreme Court with ideologues and the other party does absolutely nothing in response. Isn't this abject surrender to an unscrupulous power grab? This inquiry can no longer be ducked. Even those in the deepest denial can no longer ignore Senate Majority … [Read more...] about Mitch McConnell, court packer
Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 3)
This is Part III (the final part) of an interview with Joseph N. Abraham, author of the remarkable book Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation. Part 1 of the interview is HERE. Part II is HERE. Here's TMV's review of his book, followed by Part II of the interview, in which he offers some observations about America's political scene. Some … [Read more...] about Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 3)
The idea of an aesthetic impeachment
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- If congressional Democrats will temper their enthusiasm for impeachment with lucidity about the nation's needs and their political self-interest, they will understand the self-defeating nature of a foredoomed attempt to remove a president for aesthetic reasons. Such reasons are not trivial but they are insufficient, … [Read more...] about The idea of an aesthetic impeachment
Dear Robert Mueller: Your report can’t speak for itself
WASHINGTON -- Mr. Mueller, your job is not done yet. In fact, it's a long way from done. It's honorable of you to act as if you are part of a process that's on the level. But there is nothing by-the-book in how President Trump and Attorney General William Barr have responded to your findings about Russian interference in the 2016 election or your evidence about Trump's … [Read more...] about Dear Robert Mueller: Your report can’t speak for itself
AN OFFENSIVE VIEW (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Today is my birthday. My birthday gift to you is a cartoon that my girlfriend, who patiently allowed me to do some work today, says is going to get me into trouble. Amanda took me out last night to a craft beer place here in Woodbridge. Minutes after sitting down, she pointed at the TV to tell me there was another mass shooting, this time in our state. I can think of three … [Read more...] about AN OFFENSIVE VIEW (Cartoon, Column and Video)
We’re in a golden age of black horror films
Robin R. Means Coleman, Texas A&M University In the horror genre, black is definitely back. The movie “Ma,” which premieres on May 31, will star Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer as Sue Ann, a lonely middle-age woman who clings to a group of teens to the point of obsession. “Ma” comes on the heels of Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed “Us,” which is also led by an … [Read more...] about We’re in a golden age of black horror films
Mueller gave Congress a clear road map for holding Trump accountable
WASHINGTON -- What would a president have to do, hypothetically, to get this Congress to impeach him? Obstruct a Justice Department investigation, perhaps? No, apparently that's not enough. What about playing footsie with a hostile foreign power? Abusing his office to settle personal grievances? Using instruments of the state, including the justice system, to attack his … [Read more...] about Mueller gave Congress a clear road map for holding Trump accountable
A Native American Hero from ‘Up North’ Dies at 94
Sometimes it takes a gentle nudge from our wonderful neighbors to the North to remind us that North America includes Canada (in addition to 21 other countries) and how much and how often Canada has participated in and contributed to “our“ wars and to “our” prosperity. Not recognizing such can sometimes be attributed to a little bit of arrogance, other times to a little bit … [Read more...] about A Native American Hero from ‘Up North’ Dies at 94
‘Hiding’ a U.S. Warship in Order Not to Offend a President (UPDATES)
UPDATE III: Reuters reports, the Pentagon has told the White House that the U.S. military will not be politicized. This is in response to reports that White House officials had directed the Navy to keep the USS John S. McCain out of sight during Trump’s visit to the USS Wasp in Japan. “Concern has increased about the politicization of the U.S. military under Trump,” … [Read more...] about ‘Hiding’ a U.S. Warship in Order Not to Offend a President (UPDATES)
A new mantra for the Trump administration: ‘I honestly don’t care anymore
By DANA MILBANK WASHINGTON -- President Trump watched a sumo competition while visiting Japan, and -- who knew? -- he seemed to enjoy seeing corpulent men applauded for shoving others off the stage with brute force. From his seat, beside the Japanese prime minister, it must have looked as though sumo, with its throwing, tripping and slapping, is a no-holds-barred … [Read more...] about A new mantra for the Trump administration: ‘I honestly don’t care anymore
Haiku for Virginia Beach
Twelve dead, four wounded Another day of mayhem Something must be done … [Read more...] about Haiku for Virginia Beach
Protectionism is iatrogenic government
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- The cascading effects of U.S. protectionism on U.S. producers and consumers constitute an ongoing tutorial about what Daniel Patrick Moynihan called "iatrogenic government." In medicine, an iatrogenic ailment is one inadvertently caused by a physician or medicine. Iatrogenic government -- except the damage it … [Read more...] about Protectionism is iatrogenic government
John Amash (Cartoon)
India’s Modi: Democrat, strongman or theocrat?
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarkable electoral triumph has brought India to a turning point in its 71 years as a modern Republic not least because he is more firmly in charge than during his first term. That turning point is reached for at least two reasons. First, the power has been shattered of the political and intellectual elites that gained most from India’s … [Read more...] about India’s Modi: Democrat, strongman or theocrat?
What to do about unsafe elderly drivers?
America has a driving problem. To be specific, America has a problem with too many elderly citizens still driving although they can no longer drive safely. From Marlo Sollitto at AgingCare.com: "We’ve all heard stories about the dangers of elderly drivers. A senior woman accidentally hits the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and crashes into a building. A … [Read more...] about What to do about unsafe elderly drivers?
How to Deal with Device Interference in Your Smart Home
The modern “smart home,” or at least the application of it, has finally gone mainstream. With the help of voice assistants like Alexa and Google, people have finally realized the true convenience of a smart home. Everything from light bulbs to AC thermostats and even irrigation controllers are being outfitted with smart, connected functionality. But the cornerstone of this … [Read more...] about How to Deal with Device Interference in Your Smart Home