It looks as if it may finally happen. With support from Democrats, the House of Representatives is now poised to approve aid to Ukraine, which many experts contend could lose its defensive war against Russia because ammo and funds are running low. And, in a twist that most pundits didn't forsee, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has put his speakership on the line by going … [Read more...] about Congress poised to pass $95bn foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
DROWSY DON (CARTOON)
How Trump is using courtroom machinations to his political advantage
Former President Donald Trump sits in a New York courtroom as jury selection proceeds in one of his criminal cases. Jabin Botsford/Pool Photo via AP Tim Bakken, United States Military Academy West Point and Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University The second week is wrapping up in former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial … [Read more...] about How Trump is using courtroom machinations to his political advantage
Future Versus Past: Palestine, Russia, Freedom.
By: David Anderson, J.D. Columnist Recently I wrote about a quick and dirty but very effective way of analyzing moral claims: Know them by the company they keep. It applies the birds of a feather theory: like attracts like. Bad guys and good guys associate with similar types. You've seen that in your daily life for sure. But geo-politically there's another metric, … [Read more...] about Future Versus Past: Palestine, Russia, Freedom.
MOSCOW MARGE (CARTOON)
Know thyself – all too well: Why Taylor Swift’s songs are philosophy
‘Fearless’ on stage ? and in introspection. Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Jessica Flanigan, University of Richmond Taylor Swift isn’t just a billionaire songwriter and performer. She’s also a philosopher. As a Swiftie and a philosopher, I’ve found that this claim surprises Swifties and philosophers alike. But … [Read more...] about Know thyself – all too well: Why Taylor Swift’s songs are philosophy
The U.S. Military and the Specter of a Rogue Commander in Chief with Absolute Immunity from Prosecution
Less than two months before that other date that will live in infamy – January 6, 2021 – the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Gen. Mark Milley, had some words of warning for the nation. Speaking at Fort Belvoir Virginia on Veterans Day, 2020, Milley cautioned against the possibility of a rogue commander in chief. Milley said: We are unique among armies, we … [Read more...] about The U.S. Military and the Specter of a Rogue Commander in Chief with Absolute Immunity from Prosecution
THE SEVENTH DWARF (CARTOON)
Reagan’s great America shining on a hill twisted into Trump’s dark vision of Christian nationalism
Diane Winston, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism In August 1982, Ronald Reagan’s father-in-law was dying. Nancy Reagan’s beloved dad, Loyal Davis, was an atheist – a troubling fact to the 40th president. So Reagan penned a private, handwritten note in which he recounted how the prayers of colleagues and friends had cured him of a painful stomach … [Read more...] about Reagan’s great America shining on a hill twisted into Trump’s dark vision of Christian nationalism
Sleepy Don (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
If this was a nation where the president used the legal system to go after his political opponents, as Donald Trump so often claims, then he would have fled the country to live in exile after his failed coup attempt and not be sitting through jury selections in a courtroom while dozing off. Trump lies and says his criminal trials are politically motivated and now, he can lie … [Read more...] about Sleepy Don (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
WILL MIKE JOHNSON BE OUSTED? WILL HE PUT UKRAINE AID UP FOR A VOTE?
Is Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson about to be ousted? Will he follow in the political footsteps of Kevin McCarthy and be on the losing end of a move to vacate vote? And - a bigger issue - will he allow a vote to take place for aid to a struggling Ukraine? Or will he continue to block a vote or offer a tepid aid package that would not be enough aid, and therefore brand … [Read more...] about WILL MIKE JOHNSON BE OUSTED? WILL HE PUT UKRAINE AID UP FOR A VOTE?
ANTI SEMITISM APPROVAL (CARTOON)
Medal of Honor Tuesday: Navy Lt. Cdr. George Levick Street III
This week, the Department of Defense highlights another hero who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Pacific in World War II. In July 1944, the U.S.S. Tirante submarine commanded by then-Navy Lt. Commander George Levick Street III “sank at least six Japanese ships,” a feat of leadership and bravery that earned Street the Medal of Honor and his crew the … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor Tuesday: Navy Lt. Cdr. George Levick Street III
Trump’s election interference trial: the oldest felony charge reaches a jury first
In addition to being tax day, April 15, 2024 marked the first time a U.S. president stood trial, as a civilian, for crimes against a state and the nation. In March 2023, former president of the United States Donald J. Trump (R) became the first U.S. president to be charged with a crime [1], which happened to be under New York state law. He joined the ranks of a lot of other … [Read more...] about Trump’s election interference trial: the oldest felony charge reaches a jury first
Momentous Indian elections could strengthen Modi’s partnership with Biden.
While President Joe Biden struggles for electoral survival, his friend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can safely expect resounding approval for a third straight term at India’s general elections starting next Friday, April 19. This will be a momentous election and an inflection point in India’s growth trajectory and place in the world. Like any powerful leader, Modi is … [Read more...] about Momentous Indian elections could strengthen Modi’s partnership with Biden.
TRUMP DOZING IN COURT: SOMETIMES EDITORIAL CARTOONS ARE OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS
Editorial cartooning is a wonderful art. Cartoonists can express a viewpoint in cartoons that often get laughs (from those on the political side of the cartoonists' viewpoint). But the danger is that they're overtaken by events (through no fault of the cartoonists, who aren't psychics). Here's a cartoon now being circulated: It is now less impactful due to former … [Read more...] about TRUMP DOZING IN COURT: SOMETIMES EDITORIAL CARTOONS ARE OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS
News media ignore or whitewash Trump speeches; Pennsylvania event on Saturday followed standard procedure
News organizations continue to cherry pick quotes from Donald Trump's speeches or press events. They also summarize and paraphrase in order to suggest that there is sense in the nonsensical. Category: things I read so that you don't have to. On Saturday, Trump held a campaign rally in Schnecksville, PA, which is outside of Allentown and about 100 miles due west of New … [Read more...] about News media ignore or whitewash Trump speeches; Pennsylvania event on Saturday followed standard procedure
A monumental case, unfolding in a court of law and a court of public opinion – Trump goes on trial
Former President Donald Trump stands trial on April 15, 2024. Yuki Iwamura//AFP via Getty Images Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University and Tim Bakken, United States Military Academy West Point Former President Donald Trump’s New York trial on charges related to paying hush money to an adult film star begins on April 15, 2024. The … [Read more...] about A monumental case, unfolding in a court of law and a court of public opinion – Trump goes on trial
TRUMP 12 JURORS (Cartoon)
Shadow war no more: Hostilities between Israel and Iran have strayed into direct warfare – is there any going back?
Israel’s air defense system intercepted nearly all missiles fired from Iran on April 13, 2024. AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg Javed Ali, University of Michigan For decades, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a “shadow war.” Falling short of direct military confrontation, this conflict has been characterized by war through other means – through proxies, … [Read more...] about Shadow war no more: Hostilities between Israel and Iran have strayed into direct warfare – is there any going back?