If you’re like me, you probably don’t know a lot about Venezuela. Maybe you know that Hugo Chavez took control years ago and that the economy hasn’t done well since. At least that’s the U.S. spin. You may have heard that the government of Venezuela is “socialist”, though it’s really more totalitarian. Maybe you know that Venezuela is an oil rich country, bordering the … [Read more...] about Trump Setting the Stage to Invade Venezuela
Shutdown’s economic impact is a forceful reminder of why government matters
One of the more visible impacts of the shutdown is garbage piling up in parks. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Andrew J. Hoffman, University of Michigan and Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, University of Michigan As the United States endures the longest shutdown in its history, Americans are getting a taste of life without government. The absence of some services are … [Read more...] about Shutdown’s economic impact is a forceful reminder of why government matters
State of the Trump (Cartoon)
Rush and Coulter (Cartoon)
Above all else, Trump is a bully
WASHINGTON -- As the shambolic Trump presidency caroms and lurches into Year Three, a shameful governing philosophy has emerged: cruelty for cruelty's sake. Let us take stock: Roughly one-quarter of the federal government has been closed for a month, in the longest shutdown in U.S. history. An estimated 800,000 employees are either furloughed or being forced to work … [Read more...] about Above all else, Trump is a bully
The Food System Needs to Improve Its Energy Efficiency
For an abundance of reasons, the world's food systems need to become far more energy-efficient and sustainable if we want to successfully feed the world's population by 2050. Humanity needs to redress our use and waste of both energy and water in agriculture, food preparation and transportation. Thankfully, we have the technologies to get it done — we just need the will and, in … [Read more...] about The Food System Needs to Improve Its Energy Efficiency
Women on the Front Lines – Revisited
When any person -- man or woman, military or civilian, born-in-the-USA or an immigrant -- makes the ultimate sacrifice for his or her (adopted) country, it is a tragedy. Whatever the gender or national origin of the fallen hero, the pain is equally unbearable for his or her surviving loved ones and the heroism is the same. Four Americans serving their country were … [Read more...] about Women on the Front Lines – Revisited
The GOP has become the Soviet party
BY CATHERINE RAMPELL Washington Writers Group Columnist Once upon a time, Ayn Rand-reading, red-baiting Republicans denounced Soviet Russia as an evil superpower intent on destroying the American way of life. My, how things have changed. The Grand Old Party has quietly become the pro-Russia party -- and not only because the party's standard-bearer seems peculiarly … [Read more...] about The GOP has become the Soviet party
Should we really be DIYing everything?
Do-it-yourself television shows make anything from building your own tiny home to baking your own wedding cake look simple. In reality, though, certain DIY projects can end up costing you additional time, money and headaches when you bite off just a bit more than you can comfortably chew. The DIY trend is hot right now, and it can be great for saving a few bucks and learning … [Read more...] about Should we really be DIYing everything?
Dear America: On Disrespect to Indigenous People (Guest Voice)
Last night, I watched the NFL AFC Championship game and had to listen and watch 70,000 Kansas City Chiefs fans chanting their “tomahawk chop”. Over the weekend, I became aware of the Nathan Phillips viral video, anUmo?ho? citizen, and the controversy surrounding the events that unfolded in your Capitol that afternoon. Finally, last week, President Trump once again invoked the … [Read more...] about Dear America: On Disrespect to Indigenous People (Guest Voice)
Bison are back, and that benefits many other species on the Great Plains
A young bull bison grazes on the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Matthew Moran, CC BY-ND Matthew D. Moran, Hendrix College Driving north of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, an extraordinary landscape comes into view. Trees disappear and an immense landscape of grass emerges, undulating in the wind like a great, green ocean. This is the Flint … [Read more...] about Bison are back, and that benefits many other species on the Great Plains
The Shutdown Trap: Hating government won’t improve it
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.''' Ronald Reagan's 1986 statement still invokes chuckles on the right and some nostalgia for the general good nature of his gibes. But the sentiment behind it remains one of the most destructive forces in our politics. If you bemoan the shutdown of so many … [Read more...] about The Shutdown Trap: Hating government won’t improve it
Cartoon: The Guiliani Defense
Is winter miserable for wildlife?
Yes, I am a bit chilly, why? tim elliott/Shutterstock.com Bridget B. Baker, Wayne State University While the weather outside may indeed get frightful this winter, a parka, knit hat, wool socks, insulated boots and maybe a roaring fire make things bearable for people who live in cold climates. But what about all the wildlife out there? Won’t they be … [Read more...] about Is winter miserable for wildlife?
The government that goes wrong
"The Play That Goes Wrong," a British slapstick comedy, finished a short run at the Kennedy Center this month, so most Washingtonians didn't get to see its characters stepping on each other, getting struck by falling objects and stymied by stuck doors, forgetting their lines, missing their cues, and eventually having the whole set fall down around them. But that's okay. Here … [Read more...] about The government that goes wrong
Grading Trump’s Second Year As President
It is time to grade Donald Trump's second year as President of the United States. Before giving out the grade, something needs to be set straight: Trump isn't the worst POTUS ever. The title of "Worst POTUS" goes to Andrew Jackson because he created the genocide known as the Trail of Tears. History.com reports, "President Jackson and his government frequently ignored the … [Read more...] about Grading Trump’s Second Year As President
No Takers on Trump Nothingburger
The White House proposal Saturday to end the shutdown was a feint, an illusion of compromise. Actually, it was a Nothingberder. The administration proposed three years of temporary protection for the Dreamers, which was DOA. The White House thought to act because the Supreme Court is unlikely to hear its appeal of the lower court’s rejection of Trump’s DACA termination. … [Read more...] about No Takers on Trump Nothingburger
Cartoon: Mitch McConnell
Razor burned: Why Gillette’s campaign against toxic masculinity missed the mark
Who knew a razor blade company could become so controversial? Gillette/YouTube Alan Abitbol, University of Dayton Gillette has launched a new marketing campaign, “The Best Men Can Be,” with an ad that has gone viral. The ad begins by depicting boys bullying other boys, women being harassed and cat-called, and a group of men excusing all of it as … [Read more...] about Razor burned: Why Gillette’s campaign against toxic masculinity missed the mark
What to make of the disputed Buzzfeed “bombshell” report on Cohen/Trump
OK, so what to make of the 24 hour BuzzFeed story extravaganza? To recap, BuzzFeed's two reporters, Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier, put out a story late Thursday night with this lede: "President Donald Trump directed his longtime attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, according to two federal law enforcement officials … [Read more...] about What to make of the disputed Buzzfeed “bombshell” report on Cohen/Trump