Maybe the Democrats think that having 24 declared candidates is seven better than the GOP’s 17 in 2016. Or perhaps the lunatics are running the asylum. Nancy Pelosi can’t do everything, you know. Either way, the party of Andrew Johnson has a problem There are so many aspirants, it’s as if there were none. Perhaps it's better to think of the double dozen, not as viable … [Read more...] about Playing the 2020 Field
Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 2)
This is Part II 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. 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 political observers and historians … [Read more...] about Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 2)
An invitation to impeach, in Mueller-speak
WASHINGTON -- Robert Mueller is that rare public figure who, in this age of bombast and baloney, still uses language with discipline and economy. For two years as special counsel, he said not a word in public, and his office sprung nary a leak. Even when his purported friend Attorney General William Barr seriously mischaracterized his findings before releasing the report, … [Read more...] about An invitation to impeach, in Mueller-speak
Tune out Trump’s propaganda machine
WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush once said that to get a message across you had to repeat it over and over, "to kind of catapult the propaganda." Donald Trump must have been paying attention. I predict this will be a summer of nonstop, shameless propaganda from Trump and his minions. It will be clumsy, ridiculous and pathetic -- but don't ignore it. Call it out. Laugh at it. … [Read more...] about Tune out Trump’s propaganda machine
Mr. Mueller’s Valedictory
Special Counsel Robert Mueller tendered his resignation to the Department of Justice, and he read a statement about the report bearing his name. A transcript of his statement, unredacted, appears at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/politics/mueller-transcript.html. Mueller asked that the Report be allowed to speak for itself. Mueller restated that the first volume … [Read more...] about Mr. Mueller’s Valedictory
2020 Isn’t All About Trump Exclusively
Some of the Democratic candidates for president have to start re-thinking their objectives. There are so many men and women running that it’s impossible for the voters in the Democratic primaries to remember all of them. However, defeating Trump is not the only important battle being waged by the Democrats in the next election. For 2020 to be really successful and for the … [Read more...] about 2020 Isn’t All About Trump Exclusively
National Civil Rights Group Condemns McConnell’s Vow to Fill Any U.S. Supreme Court Vacancy in the 2020 Election Cycle
Washington, D.C. – In response to Senator Mitch McConnell’s statement, issued during a May 28, 2019 speech at the Paducah Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Kentucky, vowing to fill any Supreme Court vacancy that might arise in the 2020 presidential election cycle, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the … [Read more...] about National Civil Rights Group Condemns McConnell’s Vow to Fill Any U.S. Supreme Court Vacancy in the 2020 Election Cycle
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Veterans Day
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Veterans Day
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ now in graphic format
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque; graphic adaptation by Wayne Vansant, © 2019 published by Dead Reckoning, ISBN9781682-474601, 170 pages, $24.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – If I suddenly had universal authority, I would order every world leader, every man or woman capable of summoning an army to fight for a cause, to read this book, either in … [Read more...] about ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ now in graphic format
Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 1)
Some political observers and historians feel that authoritarianism, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, is making a comeback in the United States and in Europe after being discredited and (in part) defeated during World War II. The questions are always: how does that happen? Is it the strength of personalities, or ideologies that become unstoppable? Where did it start and … [Read more...] about Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation (Book Review and Interview Part 1)
The ‘Dixie Chicks President,’ Only Worse
We have all been flummoxed by the repeated and increasingly shrill arrogance -- bordering on lawlessness -- of Trump’s cabinet members, their disdain for Congress and, therefore, their direct contempt for the American people whom they (are supposed to) serve. Of course, such is demanded by Trump and tolerated, even encouraged, by the “Grand Old Party” – not so “grand” … [Read more...] about The ‘Dixie Chicks President,’ Only Worse
Trump’s other cover-up
WASHINGTON -- The late Steve LaTourette came into Congress as part of Newt Gingrich's 1994 conservative revolution. The Ohio Republican was a party loyalist but not an ideologue. He thought that government ought to do such revolutionary things as build roads and bridges. So when I asked him why he decided to quit Congress in 2012, he had a ready answer: "Because we couldn't … [Read more...] about Trump’s other cover-up
Trump, Obama and Congress to blame for disturbing Iranian policy
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- Difficulties with Iran will recur regularly, like the oscillations of a sine wave, and the recent crisis -- if such it was, or is -- illustrates persistent U.S. intellectual and institutional failures, starting with this: The Trump administration's assumption, and that of many in Congress, is that if the … [Read more...] about Trump, Obama and Congress to blame for disturbing Iranian policy
Memorial Day: Remember
WHERE’S THE PRO-LIFE CROWD? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Earlier this week, a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala died after being apprehended at the U.S. Border. He is the fifth migrant child since December to die after being apprehended at the U.S. border. The boy was “found unresponsive” during a routine welfare check Monday morning at Weslaco Station, the facility where he was being held. The boy was taken into custody after … [Read more...] about WHERE’S THE PRO-LIFE CROWD? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Great Music – Chapter 40
After being out of commission for a couple of weeks with a fried hard drive, I want to continue the Great Music series. This week I want to focus on the composer, John Williams. Many of you may not be familiar with his name but ALL of you are familiar with his music. In the last 30 years I would guess that everyone in America has heard his music and probably half the population … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 40
How the new ‘Aladdin’ stacks up against a century of Hollywood stereotyping
In the live-action ‘Aladdin,’ Mena Massoud stars Aladdin, while Will Smith plays the Genie. Daniel Smith/Walt Disney Pictures Evelyn Alsultany, University of Southern California Though critically acclaimed and widely beloved, the 1992 animated “Aladdin” feature had some serious issues with stereotyping. Disney wanted to avoid repeating these same … [Read more...] about How the new ‘Aladdin’ stacks up against a century of Hollywood stereotyping
Barr’s Master’s Voice
The calmest of times
It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. In our current age of foolishness, things are "incredible," "thriving," "booming," "prospering," "tremendous," "beautiful," "very much happy" -- the "greatest," "best" and "most." It is also a "disaster," a "mess," "disintegrating," "really bad," "even worse" than the "worst," "ridiculous," "nasty" and "fake"- with … [Read more...] about The calmest of times
(UPDATE) Military Weekend: ‘One of the Last of…’
UPDATE: In a sad beginning to this Memorial Day weekend, another Navajo Code Talker, John D. Pinto, died Friday at age 94. John D. Pinto (Courtesy New Mexico State Legislature) Pinto served in the U.S. Marines in World War II as a Navajo Code talker and went on to become the longest-serving senator in New Mexico, with his service beginning in 1977. USA … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Military Weekend: ‘One of the Last of…’