There are so many ways Donald Trump can relate to furloughed federal workers unable to pay their bills because of his shutdown. For example; none of them were able to spend New Years Eve and day at Mar-a-Lago. Why, Trump was forced to spend it in the cold, drab White House. He probably didn’t even have those plastic little thingies that look like tiny champagne bottles with a … [Read more...] about Trump Relates (Cartoon and Column)
The science of the deal: A negotiation expert explains how Trump and the Democrats could both end the shutdown with a win
Parker Ellen, Northeastern University Donald Trump and congressional Democrats are stuck in a negotiation stalemate that is preventing an end to the government shutdown. Trump wants a wall, but Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer refuse to support funding for a physical barrier – positions they recently reiterated while addressing the nation in primetime. … [Read more...] about The science of the deal: A negotiation expert explains how Trump and the Democrats could both end the shutdown with a win
If President Hillary Clinton Had Stormed Out of a Meeting…
True news: Donald Trump storms out of a White House meeting after he doesn't get what he wants (billions of dollars for a fake crisis), and tells off congressional Democratic leaders by tweeting, "bye bye." His cultists duly applaud. Alternative news: President Hillary Clinton storms out of a White House meeting after she doesn't get what she wants... What do we imagine the … [Read more...] about If President Hillary Clinton Had Stormed Out of a Meeting…
After Trump’s dud, it’s up to the Senate GOP
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's "big, beautiful wall" was never a serious policy proposal. It was a symbol to reassure his supporters that he would keep the sorts of people they don't like out of the country. It was also a memory device designed by his advisers to remind Trump to talk about immigration in every 2016 campaign speech. But since Trump has absolutely no interest … [Read more...] about After Trump’s dud, it’s up to the Senate GOP
Tropical Disruption: Gabon
To use a cliche: details are sketchy right now - as always in these fluid, chaotic situations surrounding power grabs, but it seems that in Libreville, capital of the Republic of Gabon in central West Central Africa, five soldiers attempted a coup d'etat. On Monday night they took control of the radio station broadcasting their demands and taking advantage of the absence of the … [Read more...] about Tropical Disruption: Gabon
Prime Time Liar (Cartoon and Column)
Last night, Donald Trump made news with a prime time address from the prestigious setting of the Oval Office. I mean, it was news if you’re a Trump sycophant who believes a 72-year-old racist, sniffy, bloviating Cheeto-skinned fear monger repeating the same arguments from the past three years off a teleprompter with the reading level of a third grader is news. In 2014, the … [Read more...] about Prime Time Liar (Cartoon and Column)
Venezuelans want President Maduro out, but most would oppose foreign military intervention to remove him
David Smilde, Tulane University Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who has led his country into one of the world’s worst economic crises, will be sworn in for a new six-year term on Jan. 10. It will be a lonely inauguration. Some 40 countries – including the United States, Brazil, Colombia and the entire European Union – refuse to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s … [Read more...] about Venezuelans want President Maduro out, but most would oppose foreign military intervention to remove him
Why Trump will likely lose the government shutdown
President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House. AP Photo/Alex Brandon John A. Tures, Lagrange College One of the biggest myths about government shutdowns is that presidents usually win. This may explain why President Donald Trump threatened to continue the shutdown for months, even years. However, a poll conducted in the first week of … [Read more...] about Why Trump will likely lose the government shutdown
Trump’s Oval Office address was a sham and a disgrace
by Michael Winship I come to you more from sorrow than from anger, President Trump seemed to be trying to say when he addressed the nation Tuesday night. But he was lying, of course, and the effect was more like that of the Big Bad Wolf dressing up in grandma’s nightgown than a person truly concerned with the fate of anyone other than himself. The speech was to be his … [Read more...] about Trump’s Oval Office address was a sham and a disgrace
Cartoon: Trump’s Wall
Trump’s Address and the Democratic Reply
President Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office. Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer gave their replies immediately afterwards. Of course, people who are fanatical in their support of Trump decided ahead of time that Trump would make the better argument. Likewise, people who are fanatical in their support of the Democratic Party - as well as people who are … [Read more...] about Trump’s Address and the Democratic Reply
Take a Peek at The Bulwark: the new home for exiled The Weekly Standard writers
Good news for conservatives, moderates and liberals who wanted to read some serious conservatism commentary that doesn't consist of regurgitation of Trump administration talking points or conservative entertainment talk radio (which is often the same thing). For those who want to consider other ideas and takes on the news or society and who and fall into the class of … [Read more...] about Take a Peek at The Bulwark: the new home for exiled The Weekly Standard writers
Don Lemon on Trump’s “dirty little secret”: Border wall manufactured “crisis” (FULL VIDEO)
A must view take on Donald Trump's border wall "crisis" and suggestion he'll use emergency powers by CNN's Don Lemon.emon explores the history of President Trump's border wall claims, saying it's a manufactured crisis by Trump designed to distract. … [Read more...] about Don Lemon on Trump’s “dirty little secret”: Border wall manufactured “crisis” (FULL VIDEO)
Congress has the power and the duty to tell Trump: Enough
WASHINGTON -- "Our government may at some time be in the hands of a bad man. When in the hands of a good man it is all well enough. ... We ought to have our government so shaped that even when in the hands of a bad man we shall be safe." Frederick Douglass said that in 1866, as Andrew Johnson -- until now, clearly the worst president in U.S. history -- tried his best to undo … [Read more...] about Congress has the power and the duty to tell Trump: Enough
Proposed border wall is folly.
The proposed wall along the USA's entire southern border is folly, which is why congressional Democrats are refusing to roll over and give President Trump everything that he wants pertaining to the proposed wall. The reason that the proposed border wall is folly is two-fold. First, it isn't feasible to build and to maintain a wall that would actually prevent anyone from … [Read more...] about Proposed border wall is folly.
No, Trump is not like Obama on Middle East policy
President Donald Trump speaks at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik James L. Gelvin, University of California, Los Angeles On Jan. 6, National Security Advisor John Bolton walked back President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would quickly withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, saying that such a withdrawal might actually take months … [Read more...] about No, Trump is not like Obama on Middle East policy
The next two years are about democracy itself
WASHINGTON -- "This is what democracy looks like." It's the chant heard again and again at the women's marches the day after Donald Trump was inaugurated and echoed later in mobilizations on behalf of gun sanity and the Affordable Care Act, in defense of immigrants and refugees, and in support of democracy itself. Those determined gatherings were, indeed, part of what … [Read more...] about The next two years are about democracy itself
Shutdown: Much Ado About Nothing
The whole shutdown mess is much ado about nothing, except for the government employees who are not getting paid. Trump wants to waste billions on a southern border wall when the money could be spent much more productively. He also knows a wall is not the only answer to border security and that effective control of the border can be managed much less expensively. His initiation … [Read more...] about Shutdown: Much Ado About Nothing
IMPEACH THE MF’ER (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Yeah, if you have an issue with a congresswoman saying MF’er but you were silent the multiple times Trump used vulgarity, you’re an MF’ing hypocrite. This is a bonus cartoon I was going to save until tomorrow, but I’m kinda excited for you to see it. So, I’m not sitting on it for a day. However, you’re not getting a true blog with it because I’m tired and I want to go … [Read more...] about IMPEACH THE MF’ER (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Competitive elections are good for democracy – just not every democracy
Jessica Gottlieb, Texas A&M University and Katrina Kosec, Johns Hopkins University The 2018 U.S. midterm elections were fierce, expensive and full of upsets, with political newcomers ousting long-tenured incumbents and Democrats unseating Republicans to retake the House of Representatives. That makes them an exemplary democratic exercise from a political science … [Read more...] about Competitive elections are good for democracy – just not every democracy