WASHINGTON -- The future of American democracy will be on the ballot next year. No one should pretend otherwise. We witnessed President Trump's obvious disdain for democratic rights and liberties once again last week during his warm encounter in Japan with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. And the U.S. Supreme Court's partisan, anti-democratic decision on gerrymandering, … [Read more...] about The 2020 issue that matters is democracy itself
The Kim-Trump pas de deux need not be fluff
Embed from Getty Images President Donald Trump’s historic footfall in North Korea today is heavy with symbolism and puts the wily Kim Jong-un in a category of his own as a partner for Trump even as the doomsday clock ticks on. Of course, this is an unprecedented moment of hope for a formal peace between the two enemies who merely ceased fire 66 years ago, to sign an … [Read more...] about The Kim-Trump pas de deux need not be fluff
Reparations for the Holocaust and for Slavery: Same, Different or Indifferent?
During the Holocaust, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, or NS (the Dutch national railway company), on behalf of the Nazi occupiers, operated the trains that transported more than 100,000 Dutch Jews, first to “transit camps” and then to the Dutch border. There, the Dutch Jews were transferred to German trains that would take them on to Nazi death camps such as Auschwitz and Sobibor. … [Read more...] about Reparations for the Holocaust and for Slavery: Same, Different or Indifferent?
Fighting words for a New Gilded Age – Democratic candidates are sounding a lot like Teddy Roosevelt
Jennifer Mercieca, Texas A&M University There was a Republican on the Democratic Party debate stage – a Progressive Republican who sometimes liked to “speak softly, and carry a big stick.” Did you notice him? “When I say that I am for the square deal,” said the politician, “I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of the game, but that I stand … [Read more...] about Fighting words for a New Gilded Age – Democratic candidates are sounding a lot like Teddy Roosevelt
Welcome to Trump’s America (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’ve been a cartoonist since 1990 and this might be the hardest cartoon I’ve ever had to draw. Shame on Donald Trump. Shame on Republicans. Shame on each and every single one of you who supports this. This cartoon was hard to draw but right now, it’s even harder to be a proud American. Watch me draw. Email Clay Jones at [email protected] … [Read more...] about Welcome to Trump’s America (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Democrats can’t assume Trump will defeat himself
WASHINGTON -- The failings and outrages of President Trump were curiously absent Wednesday from the first Democratic presidential debate. Beto O'Rourke had a bad night, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren had a good night and Julian Castro had a great night. But nobody scored a definitive victory, and nobody ended the evening sprawled on the canvas. O'Rourke was staggered, … [Read more...] about Democrats can’t assume Trump will defeat himself
Blood in the Water
Joe Biden’s backers are fleeing. When he started his 2020 campaign he was one gaff away from a wipe out. He did better; he lasted two gaffs. Biden failed to handle the anticipated attack on his dealings with Dixiecrats in the 1970s. He could have handled it many ways other than the way he chose, which was to attack Kamala Harris. She offered a heart-felt explanation why his … [Read more...] about Blood in the Water
Do Democrats drink THAT much?
Just before the start of the 26 June 2019 Democratic presidential debate, The Hill published a story that begins with this: "Marianne Williamson sends out 'healthy alternative' to debate night drinking games" Debate night drinking games? Until now, this blogger didn't know that sobriety is a casualty of Democratic presidential debates. Perhaps Sam Malone should … [Read more...] about Do Democrats drink THAT much?
Another Defeat for Democracy
The Supreme Court issued another defeat for democracy in refusing to eliminate partisan gerrymandering. One person, one vote was thrown out the window when the Court said they had no authority to step in on gerrymandering cases structured to maximize political advantage for one party by particular redistricting. The ruling declared that the Constitution did not give them the … [Read more...] about Another Defeat for Democracy
Water Hazard
Cartoon: Child Trauma
How much power can an image actually wield?
The bodies of Salvadoran migrant Oscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his daughter lie on the bank of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico. AP Photo/Julia Le Duc Nicole Smith Dahmen, University of Oregon and Paul Slovic, University of Oregon When the Associated Press published Julia Le Duc’s photograph of a drowned Salvadoran man, Óscar Alberto Martínez … [Read more...] about How much power can an image actually wield?
Day 888 for Prez 666
Yesterday, my capacity for rage over-topped my facility for language: I was dumbstruck by dumb and evil. Pretty sure he's found his Lord. Today, there are too many things to say. To recap: this morning, Deedle Dumpling got in his big aereoplane and flew off to Japan, pausing to engage in some light-hearted bullying and jovial intimidation. He got Japan and/or the G-20 … [Read more...] about Day 888 for Prez 666
SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN
“But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14 King James Version Religion is a powerful force in American politics. And within the Republican Party, Christian conservatives are a crucial interest group. According to a recent Pew Poll, 61% of Republicans report that religion is … [Read more...] about SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN
Waiting for Fate, and Justice, at Cafe Karma
For the past several months the nation’s attention has been rivetted on the ongoing humanitarian crisis at our southern border, where migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from Mexico and Central American countries are clamoring for a fair hearing and just treatment of their plight. Absorbing almost daily the horrors of children already cruelly separated from their parents … [Read more...] about Waiting for Fate, and Justice, at Cafe Karma
The Numbing of America: Trump Allegations Treated As Old News
In a normal universe, a vivid allegation of rape, leveled at a serially misogynist president, would be a news story worthy of 24/7 coverage. Heck, it would even be bigger than the recent feeding frenzy about Joe Biden touching some women's shoulders. But naturally, the details offered on Friday by New York writer E. Jean Carroll - that Donald Trump, in his previous … [Read more...] about The Numbing of America: Trump Allegations Treated As Old News
A humanitarian crisis of Trump’s making
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's immigration policy has crossed the line from gratuitous cruelty to flat-out sadism. Perhaps he enjoys seeing innocent children warehoused in filth and squalor. Perhaps he thinks that's what America is all about. Is he right, Trump supporters? Is he right, Republicans in Congress? Is this what you want? A team of lawyers, tasked with monitoring … [Read more...] about A humanitarian crisis of Trump’s making
Kushner’s Deal of the Century
By now many of you have read news articles about the Bahrain summit where Kushner is trying to convince Arab countries to contribute $50 billion to implement the financial side of Kushner’s Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Some Arab countries are represented at the meeting but as expected the Palestinians are boycotting the meeting. According to a meeting David Friedman, … [Read more...] about Kushner’s Deal of the Century
NO SOAP FOR YOU (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The accusation that detention centers holding migrant children are concentration camps doesn’t necessarily mean they’re being compared to Nazi death camps. But, there are definitely some soap Nazis among Customs and Border Protection. In fact, this week, the Trump administration went to court to argue that migrant children detained at the U.S.-Mexico border do not require … [Read more...] about NO SOAP FOR YOU (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Great Music – Chapter 42
This week in Great Music, I am going to diverge from the beaten path a bit. I had one of my piano students ask me “ Why do you love music so much?” As I tried to formulate an answer for the student, I discovered I had no easy answer and told him I’ll tell you next week. I could see the disappointment on his face, but I knew I could not express it adequately in words, yet. So … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 42