It is troubling to think that one half of the American electorate might be playing by a different set of rules than the other half. We all have the same needs: we all need better paying jobs as Kamala Harris says; we all need better and more affordable healthcare as Bernie Sanders says; and we all need more income equality as Elizabeth Warren says. Then why aren’t these … [Read more...] about DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
A snapshot of science’s power to amaze
WASHINGTON -- Forget everything else for a moment and behold infinity. On Wednesday, scientists unveiled a fuzzy image that should blow every mind on the planet: the first-ever picture of a black hole, which is a region of space so dense that nothing can escape its gravitational pull, not even light. Black holes were predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general … [Read more...] about A snapshot of science’s power to amaze
Is 75 the new 65? Wealthy countries need to rethink what it means to be old
Living longer and loving it. oneinchpunch/shutterstock.com Warren Sanderson, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York) and Sergei Scherbov, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration In 1950, men and women at age 65 could expect to live about 11 years more on average. Today, that number has gone up … [Read more...] about Is 75 the new 65? Wealthy countries need to rethink what it means to be old
(UPDATE) Whatever Happened to ‘Embassy Cat’?
UPDATE: Embassy Cat appears to be safe and well and purr-fectly well informed of Assange’s “comings and goings.” In a video posted today by WikiLeaks, Embassy Cat can be seen purr-ched in front of a TV screen showing footage of Assange being carried out of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. Embassy Cat, however, seems more interested in perhaps catching a fly than … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Whatever Happened to ‘Embassy Cat’?
Trump and the Smallpox Blankets
UPDATED BELOW Trump wants to drop off southern border detainees in "Sanctuary Cities." And no one even blinks. Just another crazy news story in another crazy news cycle. beg to differ. This is one of the most horrific and consequential acts of an already horrific and consequential presi-dfunce-y thus far. And we would do well to cultivate our outrage. Trump's plan to send … [Read more...] about Trump and the Smallpox Blankets
Cartoon: Old Barr Game
Candace Owens’ presence turned a serious inquiry into a farce
WASHINGTON -- The new Democratic House majority held a hearing Tuesday on the rise of white nationalism, following the mosques massacre in New Zealand, the Pittsburgh synagogue killings and the deadly neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville. Republicans invited Candace Owens to testify. That would be the Candace Owens whom the alleged perpetrator of the New Zealand atrocity … [Read more...] about Candace Owens’ presence turned a serious inquiry into a farce
Does moral leadership lost under Trump matter?
Donald Trump has (seemingly easily) discarded many longtime norms and one of them is the Oval Office and America seen by many as symbols of moral leadership. Does this matter? Martin Longman gives this take: As things have taken a darker and darker turn in our country, and really throughout the world, in the last two decades, I’ve come to see moral leadership as more and … [Read more...] about Does moral leadership lost under Trump matter?
There is more to the Church than it’s Roman Catholic branch.
In an article about Roman Catholicism, Charles F. McElwee writes the following. "Catholicism has entered a dark period in America. The Church’s disgraceful handling of sexual-abuse scandals—with shocking new reports routinely emerging—plays a direct role in shrinking congregations and closed churches, especially in the Rust Belt. These revelations have shown an institution … [Read more...] about There is more to the Church than it’s Roman Catholic branch.
Putin Summary (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m a cartoonist which means I don’t do math well, but I do know two plus two equals four. Here’s another equation that’s not difficult to decipher: When Donald Trump goes from “release the Mueller Report” to “don’t release it,” and his toady Attorney General William Barr won’t confirm if the White House has seen it yet, that means Trump has seen it. At the very least, someone … [Read more...] about Putin Summary (Cartoon, Column and Video)
WikiLeaks’ Assange arrested, accused by U.S. of conspiring in 2010 computer hacking attempt
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