A Golden Danger
By Thomas Hoffman Remember the Everybody Loves Raymond episode when it becomes clear Raymond’s father cannot drive, although he manages to pass the test to maintain his license? This episode is playing out in real life. Drivers across America must be wary of a new, old safety hazard on the road. As if drunk drivers, texting while driving or illegal immigrant drivers is not … [Read more...] about A Golden Danger
The intellectual shutdown on the right
WASHINGTON -- The contest for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination seemed to have little relationship to the madness that engulfed the nation's capital over the government shutdown. But there is a much closer relationship between the Washington meltdown and the campaign than you might think. You also hear a lot about Democrats veering left. This, too, misses the … [Read more...] about The intellectual shutdown on the right
Of Beer and Politics (Updated)
I have always liked beer – albeit not à la Kavanaugh -- and I have written about it previously. When Trump descended the golden escalators at Trump Tower to announce his presidential campaign, some of the first infamous words to come out of his potty candidacy mouth were: When Mexico sends its people, they are not sending their best. They are bringing drugs. … [Read more...] about Of Beer and Politics (Updated)
Diary of a Wimpy President (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump had a bad day. The day started with his buddy Roger Stone being arrested and indicted, and visuals of long delays at airports because of his shutdown (LaGuardia alone had over 1,100 delays). Facing a 34% approval rating, 46% approval for impeachment, and receiving more blame for the shutdown than Democrats because he initially took credit for it (and did it … [Read more...] about Diary of a Wimpy President (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump Versus Nancy Pelosi (Cartoon)
Reports of the labor movement’s death were greatly exaggerated
Something funny happened on the way to the labor movement's funeral. When Justice Samuel Alito and his antilabor colleagues on the Supreme Court handed down the Janus vs. AFSCME decision last June, unions braced for the worst. The American Federation of Teachers expected it might lose 30 percent of its revenue after the high court gave public-sector workers the right to be … [Read more...] about Reports of the labor movement’s death were greatly exaggerated
Sundance: The Farewell (2019)
Here at the Sundance Film Festival, there are many films and stories being told over the course of nearly two weeks and some of the films have already gained notoriety and attention, even in the days before their premiere. Films like the new Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland, which presents an alleged exposé of Jackson's interactions (and actions) with minors. It … [Read more...] about Sundance: The Farewell (2019)
Vital economic data was likely lost during the shutdown – here’s why it matters to all Americans
Wall Street traders aren’t the only ones who rely on government economic data. AP Photo/Richard Drew Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology The shutdown may be over – for now – but its consequences will linger on. One of those concerns is the dizzying amount of economic data the federal government collects on everything from the … [Read more...] about Vital economic data was likely lost during the shutdown – here’s why it matters to all Americans
MAMMON SMIRKED
The Republican Party is all fringe and no center. But the GOP leadership is another story. It has essentially run the country as a perverse public/private partnership for decades. Our tragic flaw, as the ancient Greeks would say, is that we continually fail to understand the difference between Republican strategy and Republican tactics. We’re a lazy bunch here in America. We … [Read more...] about MAMMON SMIRKED
Staying Positive in a Negative World
Is it possible to stay positive in a negative world? Can one maintain a good attitude when things don't as one wants them to go? The answer is, “Yes.” Doing so may not always be easy, but it is possible. In order to stay positive, it helps for one to deal with the eternal and the internal in ways that aren't defeating. Let's start with the external. The expression … [Read more...] about Staying Positive in a Negative World
Some Weekend Photography
Since this is turning out to be “a slow news week-end” and since our site has just come back up, it might be best not to overload it with one of my thousand-word essays. Hence, just a few images to hopefully take your mind away from what may be heading our way next week. Our grandson, Preston, still in his teens, has been “dabbling” in photography for several years … [Read more...] about Some Weekend Photography
Trump Setting the Stage to Invade Venezuela
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