I along with many others have been saying over the past few years that the Republican Party has become a cult to Donald Trump. If Republicans in Congress voting against a border security bill they helped create because Trump told them to kill it isn’t proof enough, then take a gander at the Republican National Committee. Michael Whatley, a longtime MAGAt, is the new Chair of … [Read more...] about Make Nepotism Great Again (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia
Gemma Ware, The Conversation As Russians head to the polls on March 15 for the presidential election, conspiracy theories are swirling everywhere. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to a disinformation expert about the central role these theories play in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. As soon as the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei … [Read more...] about How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia
Updated: Why is the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation giving an award to Elon Musk in RBG’s name?
Updated: 14 Mar 2024, 5:23 pm 10:30 am | 8:25 am Pacific It was a startling tweet: an award in the name of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG, 1923-2020) is being presented to Elon Musk, Martha Stewart, Michael Milken, Robert Murdoch and Sylvester Stallone. An award to "honor brave, strong and resilient women who have dedicated their lives to create positive change in society" is … [Read more...] about Updated: Why is the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation giving an award to Elon Musk in RBG’s name?
Judge nixes some of Georgia’s charges against Trump and his allies – but that won’t necessarily derail the case
Donald Trump continues to face criminal charges in Georgia, even though some have been dismissed by a judge. AP Photo/Steve Helber Anthony Michael Kreis, Georgia State University A Fulton County judge has tossed out six of the 41 state charges against Donald Trump and his allies in Georgia’s expansive election interference case against the former … [Read more...] about Judge nixes some of Georgia’s charges against Trump and his allies – but that won’t necessarily derail the case
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA (CARTOON)
Hopes that Biden will quit his reelection campaign ignore the differences – and lessons – of LBJ and 1968’s Democratic catastrophe
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was not a peaceful event. Bettmann/Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College It’s just over six months until Election Day. The president faces a tough fight for reelection. His approval rating has cratered below 40% in the polls, his party is divided over a foreign war, and a bipartisan chorus … [Read more...] about Hopes that Biden will quit his reelection campaign ignore the differences – and lessons – of LBJ and 1968’s Democratic catastrophe
Updated: Trump’s surety bond yields ongoing intrigue, remains a national security issue
Updated: 8:45 am Pacific, 14 Mar 2024 News organizations, as well as TMV, reported last week that Donald Trump had posted a $92,000,000 surety bond in order to appeal the judgment that led from his assualt and defamation of E. Jean Carroll. Tom Nichols, an academic specialist on international affairs and retired professor at the U.S. Naval War College., agrees. His … [Read more...] about Updated: Trump’s surety bond yields ongoing intrigue, remains a national security issue
Oscar-Winner ‘Zone of Interest’ Offers Warning as Trump Plans Massive ‘Deportation Camps
by Chris Jennewein The German-language film “The Zone of Interest,” which won Oscars for both best international film and sound on Sunday, offers a warning for America in the campaign for the presidency. The film focuses on a German family who lead a seemingly normal life just outside the death camp at Auschwitz, where thousands of people are being gassed every day. … [Read more...] about Oscar-Winner ‘Zone of Interest’ Offers Warning as Trump Plans Massive ‘Deportation Camps
Fast Food Prices (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Fast Food Prices (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Climate change matters to more and more people – and could be a deciding factor in the 2024 election
Young people demonstrate ahead of a climate summit in New York in September 2023. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images Matt Burgess, University of Colorado Boulder If you ask American voters what their top issues are, most will point to kitchen-table issues like the economy, inflation, crime, health care or education. Fewer than 5% of … [Read more...] about Climate change matters to more and more people – and could be a deciding factor in the 2024 election
Updated: Boeing 787 Dreamliner “dropped abruptly mid-flight” on Monday, injuring 50 of 272 people on board
Updated: 13 March 2024, 12:28 pm Pacific A Boeing 787 Dreamliner traveling from Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand, "dropped abruptly mid-flight" on Monday. According to the Washington Post, "those on board felt a sudden rollercoaster-like drop — as if the plane were taking a nosedive — before the plane quickly leveled." "FlightAware, an airline tracker, shows … [Read more...] about Updated: Boeing 787 Dreamliner “dropped abruptly mid-flight” on Monday, injuring 50 of 272 people on board
Former Boeing quality control manager, whistleblower, found dead in South Carolina
On Saturday, March 9, 2024, former Boeing quality manager and whistleblower John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his pick up truck in Charleston, S.C. His death is under investigation. Seven years prior, Barnett had filed an AIR21 whistleblower complaint with the FAA and OSHA. Eventually, eight other S.C. Boeing employees became whistleblowers. According to The Daily Mail, … [Read more...] about Former Boeing quality control manager, whistleblower, found dead in South Carolina
Politicians Should Stop Trying to Save Democracy — It’s Everyone’s Responsibility
by Joe Matthews Please don’t save democracy. If you’re a politician — stop promising to save it. Just stop trying. Because you can’t. Democracy isn’t something you save. The sooner we stop talking about saving democracy, the better off democracy will be. Our mindless recitation of “saving democracy” — everyone from President Biden to Sascha Baron Cohen has … [Read more...] about Politicians Should Stop Trying to Save Democracy — It’s Everyone’s Responsibility
TRUMP PURGES RNC: IT’S A “BLOODBATH”
Donald Trump has launched a purge at the RNC. Politico's headline reads: "Bloodbath at RNC: Trump team slashes staff at committee.' The RNC is now becoming a subsidiary owned and operated by the Trump Campaign. And many are predicting little of the big bucks will go to other GOP races other than Trump's. But, rather, the RNC will help fund the former President's many legal … [Read more...] about TRUMP PURGES RNC: IT’S A “BLOODBATH”
Trump continues to defame E. Jean Carroll, like a stuck replay button
However, life is not a game. Defamation demands consequences. Now, not after an eternity of appeals. Donald Trump once again defamed E. Jean Carroll on Monday. This time, it was an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on March 11. Trump also complained about losing a civil fraud case and the upcoming "hush money" trial (31 felony charges) brought by Manhatten District … [Read more...] about Trump continues to defame E. Jean Carroll, like a stuck replay button
Humanitarian Aid to Gaza: By Land, by Air, by Airdrop and Soon, JLOTS (Video Added)
UPDATE: Please watch below a superb video discussion of the proposed Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) capability by Sal Mercogliano, maritime historian at Campbell University and former merchant mariner: JLOTS background, configurations, capabilities, challenges and security issues https://youtu.be/98_gzyt9N-Y Original Post: On March 5, Ramesh Rajasingham, … [Read more...] about Humanitarian Aid to Gaza: By Land, by Air, by Airdrop and Soon, JLOTS (Video Added)
Follow the money: Trump’s legal peril is a national security issue
Campaign 2024 series: the stakes, not the odds In 2021, the Boston Globe editorial board asked: "Who owns the president?" It's a reasonable question of former President Donald J. Trump. We didn't know the answer then. We still don't. Three years later, we have more than a half-billion reasons to revisit that question. Were Trump to be re-elected, his legal debts … [Read more...] about Follow the money: Trump’s legal peril is a national security issue
SOTU 2024 (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Republicans have been pushing a false narrative that President Biden’s mental skills have diminished. Trump calls him “Sleepy Joe.” They point out his gaffes as signs of mental deterioration forgetting that Joe Biden was committing these same types of gaffes when he was in his 30s. This narrative has been very successful with voters believing that Trump is more mentally … [Read more...] about SOTU 2024 (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
JOE BIDEN’S STATE OF THE UNION WAS STRONG. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
Al Pacino, in the film version of Glengarry Glen Ross, sat in a bar and said, “Our life is looking forward or looking back. That’s it. Where is the moment?“ Good philosophical advice. We can’t alter the past and we can’t see the future, so we should maximize the present moment. Live in it. Draw satisfaction from it. Savor it. That’s what I did during Joe Biden’s State of … [Read more...] about JOE BIDEN’S STATE OF THE UNION WAS STRONG. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
Bradley Cooper, Cillian Murphy and the myths of Method acting
Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein and Carey Mulligan as Bernstein’s wife, Felicia Montealegre, in ‘Maestro.’ Jason McDonald/Netflix Scott Malia, College of the Holy Cross Should actors and actresses who go to extremes to prepare for their roles get more love from Oscars voters? This year, best actor nominees Cillian Murphy, who played nuclear … [Read more...] about Bradley Cooper, Cillian Murphy and the myths of Method acting