Exactly seven years ago, on February 2, 2011, cancer took away the earthly life of a friend, neighbor and hero, “but not his dignity, spirit, or soul” – or his memory. In memory and in honor of Earl Charles “Charlie” Rodenberg, here is an article that appeared in the Stars and Stripes in March, 2011. At Peachbush 1-7’s funeral, a rescue recalled A few weeks ago we … [Read more...] about Remembering ‘Peachbush 1-7’
Black History Month 2019: Crispus Attucks
"In 1770, Crispus Attucks, a black man, became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre." - PBS.org Google doesn't have a doodle for 2 February 2019. So, the second day of Black History Month 2019 shall be represented by an artistic rendition of Crispus Attucks, who is famous for being the first … [Read more...] about Black History Month 2019: Crispus Attucks
Holiday Power Grab (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has no shame. The man isn’t afraid of exhibiting blatant hypocrisy. He’s not ashamed of stealing power. He’s not ashamed of preventing bills from being voted on. He’s not ashamed of changing the rules to put the least acceptable people on the Supreme Court. He’s not ashamed of stealing a Supreme Court seat. Most of all, He’s not ashamed of … [Read more...] about Holiday Power Grab (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Odds of military coup in Venezuela rise every day Maduro stays in office
Clayton Besaw, University of Central Florida It would be reasonable to expect the worst for Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s embattled president. Two weeks after Maduro’s re-inauguration, opposition leader Juan Gauidó has declared himself the country’s rightful president. The power struggle follows a failed military mutiny against Maduro, whose easy re-election in May 2018 … [Read more...] about Odds of military coup in Venezuela rise every day Maduro stays in office
Our Postage Stamps Are ‘Going to the Dogs…’
…Military working dogs, that is. There is probably no subject closer to my heart than military working dogs, our “four-legged warriors.” Borrowing from one of my many articles on these noble creatures: A dog is man’s best friend. Dogs have been so from the earliest times. They have also been some of man’s best companions and protectors during hunting, … [Read more...] about Our Postage Stamps Are ‘Going to the Dogs…’
Black History Month 2019: Sojourner Truth
Black History Month 2019 begins with the Google website honoring Sojourner Truth with a doodle. Here is an excerpt from the Biography.com entry about Sojourner Truth: Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree, c. 1797 to November 26, 1883) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist best-known for her speech on racial inequalities, "Ain't I a … [Read more...] about Black History Month 2019: Sojourner Truth
Need a laugh? Then listen to this.
Need a laugh? Then listen to this. From Scooby Mania : Shaggy Incarnate: Matthew Lillard Some actors do Shakespeare. Other actors have farting contests with imaginary dogs. Actor Matthew Lillard has done both. In the Scooby Universe, Matthew has achieved two firsts. 1) He has portrayed the same Scooby character in both animation and in live … [Read more...] about Need a laugh? Then listen to this.
Europe’s refugee crisis explains why border walls don’t stop migration
Migrants on a ship intercepted offshore near the Libyan town of Gohneima, east of the capital Tripoli, in July 2018. Libyan Coast Guard via AP, File Eleanor Paynter, The Ohio State University President Trump has long called migration a security crisis, but in recent weeks he has also referred to the situation along the southern border as a … [Read more...] about Europe’s refugee crisis explains why border walls don’t stop migration
Diplomats strive to forge fragile peace in Afghanistan and Yemen
by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- The handmaiden of peace is exhaustion. We are seeing that lesson in the killing fields of Afghanistan and Yemen. Fragile peace agreements are emerging in both conflicts, thanks to skillful diplomats. There are a hundred reasons why each negotiation may fail, and in assessing Middle East conflicts, we … [Read more...] about Diplomats strive to forge fragile peace in Afghanistan and Yemen
The tweeting of a crackpot
WASHINGTON -- Of all the crackpots on social media, is any more untethered to reality than the president of the United States? Seriously, there are tinfoil-hatted lunatics yelling on street corners who make more sense than President Trump's increasingly loopy Twitter feed. Think about it: Most mornings, and some evenings as well, the most powerful man in the world rants and … [Read more...] about The tweeting of a crackpot
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Brutal Winter Temperatures
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Brutal US deep freeze blamed for at least 11 deaths, sets all-time record cold in Illinois cities --Polar vortex's bitter cold could cost US economy $5 billion, though the worst may be over --College Student Froze To Death In Iowa Amid Polar Vortex Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Brutal Winter Temperatures
Howard Schultz and the Frappuccino Syndrome
WASHINGTON -- Holy Chestnut Praline Latte! There was Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO, making a case Wednesday for why Americans would flock to him if he decides to run for president as an independent. "They're not going to vote for a left-wing Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris candidate," he explained. The crashing you heard just then was the sound of thousands of … [Read more...] about Howard Schultz and the Frappuccino Syndrome
Howard Schultz Independent Campaign for President (Cartoon)
The new Congress likely won’t impeach Trump and remove him from office – here’s why
The line of succession works like this: If Trump is removed from office, Pence takes over. If both Trump and Pence go, Pelosi would take over. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Jacob Neiheisel, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Removing a president from office is a two-step process. The first step is impeachment. That’s when members of the … [Read more...] about The new Congress likely won’t impeach Trump and remove him from office – here’s why
Great Music – Chapter 37
In the music world Johann Sebastian Bach is not only considered one of the Greats but a giant among the greats. He was born in 1685 in the town of Eisenach, Germany. His father and all his uncles were musicians and so he learned early and often his way around the violin and harpsichord. At age 10 Bach’s father and mother died so he was raised by an older brother. Interestingly, … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 37
Starbucks Spoiler (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Howard Schultz is thinking about running for president as an independent. Who? Schultz is the answer no one is looking for. He’s also the former CEO of Starbucks, which also pisses people off. A lot of people have strong opinions about Starbucks. It’s too watery. It’s too corporate. It’s too liberal. What’s the difference between venti and grande? Can I pee here without making … [Read more...] about Starbucks Spoiler (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Howard Schultz brings a whole latte trouble
WASHINGTON -- Howard Schultz has brought a whole latte trouble on himself. The former Starbucks magnate has provoked boycott threats, heckling and Twitter attacks with his threat to mount an independent presidential run that critics say could get President Trump re-elected. Just about everybody this side of Tucker Carlson believes we do not need another old, white, … [Read more...] about Howard Schultz brings a whole latte trouble
The Roger Stone clown show is the Trump presidency in microcosm
WASHINGTON -- For once, Roger Stone was at a loss for words. The longtime confidant of President Trump had given nonstop interviews and news conferences since Friday morning, when the FBI pounded on his door, then charged him with seven criminal counts related to alleged lies during the probe of Russia's election interference. But in Washington on Monday, as his lawyer … [Read more...] about The Roger Stone clown show is the Trump presidency in microcosm
Internet addiction is actually spawning treatment programs in the US
Nearly everyone has "that friend" in their circle: the one who has to look at their phone every two minutes and who reacts to forgetting their phone at home as a tragedy equal to the sinking of the Titanic. Most of us find this behavior mildly irritating, even a bit amusing. However, could a pathological attachment to a cell phone or computer qualify as an addiction? Many … [Read more...] about Internet addiction is actually spawning treatment programs in the US
‘America, We Are Better Than This…’
It is still very early in the 2020 presidential elections, a lot of things can and will happen and I may change my mind more than once, but, as of this moment, I am in for California senator Kamala Harris. I believe, as Joe Scarborough writes in a Washington Post Op-ed today, “Kamala Harris has what it takes.” Scarborough penned the piece following Harris’ Sunday’s … [Read more...] about ‘America, We Are Better Than This…’