Opening statements are the most important part of a trial – as lawyers in Trump’s hush money case know well
Former U.S. President Donald Trump enters Manhattan Criminal Court on April 22, 2024. Victor J. Blue - Pool/Getty Images Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., Harvard University Though Hollywood movies about courtroom dramas often glamorize the closing arguments given by lawyers, in reality the opening statement is likely the most important single event … [Read more...] about Opening statements are the most important part of a trial – as lawyers in Trump’s hush money case know well
Universities become hotbeds of anti-semitism: Columbia and Yale are still pitchforked into news (UPDATED)
(This is an update of the original post published Sunday night) Some American universities have become hotbeds of anti-semitism. Demonstrations aren't just against Israeli policy but Jews as a group, with some notable exceptions. And the demonstrations' aggressive nature is increasing. Columbia University in New York City and Yale University in New Haven have been … [Read more...] about Universities become hotbeds of anti-semitism: Columbia and Yale are still pitchforked into news (UPDATED)
MIKE JOHNSON UNDER ATTACK (CARTOON)
House finally approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
In a bipartisan vote that angered many House far-right Republicans, the House of Representives passed a $95 billion aid package that will send sorely needed help to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and ban TikTok. All four of the measures will now to go the Senate. Meanwhile, the clock is now ticking on a promised-effort by House MAGA Republicans to remove House Speaker Mike … [Read more...] about House finally approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
Have you ever had a song stuck inside your head?
Have you ever had a song stuck inside your head? If you have, then was it one that made you happy, or was it one that annoyed you? This issue came to my mind recently when I made Twitter contact with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Bryan Duncan. Back in the year 1982, Bryan was the lead singer and keyboardist for the Sweet Comfort Band. If you never before heard of … [Read more...] about Have you ever had a song stuck inside your head?
HEAD IN SAND (CARTOON)
Congress poised to pass $95bn foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
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