The collapsing gun lobby
WASHINGTON -- Sometimes, dramatic shifts in American politics go unnoticed. They are buried under other news or dismissed because they represent such a sharp break from long-standing assumptions and expectations. So please open your mind to this: Taken together, the events of 2016 and the results of the 2018 election will be remembered as the beginning of the end of the gun … [Read more...] about The collapsing gun lobby
The Trump Foundation is shutting down, but the president and his family still could face liability
Did a Trump Foundation charity event in 2016 boost his candidacy? AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Daniel Hemel, University of Chicago The Donald J. Trump Foundation will shut down and distribute the money it has left to charities approved by the New York state attorney general, while the state’s lawsuit against the president and his three oldest children … [Read more...] about The Trump Foundation is shutting down, but the president and his family still could face liability
Michael Flynn’s judge just struck a potent blow for the rule of law
WASHINGTON -- Judge Emmet G. Sullivan saw it coming. The veteran jurist presiding over Michael Flynn's sentencing had seen the filing by President Trump's former national security adviser alleging that he was essentially tricked into lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia. No doubt, he had seen Trump's false claim that the FBI concluded that Flynn "didn't lie," yet … [Read more...] about Michael Flynn’s judge just struck a potent blow for the rule of law
CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon Put Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’s Fleeing Advertisers into Perspective (Full Video)
Fox News' Tucker Carlson (who often sounds more like Schmucker Carlson) has lost 16 advertisers so far due to his comments about immigrants and immigration. He has faced the advertiser backlash after saying he disagreed with those who think the United States has “a moral obligation” to let poor people into the U.S., “even if it makes our own country poorer and dirtier and more … [Read more...] about CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon Put Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’s Fleeing Advertisers into Perspective (Full Video)
Cartoon: The Walls are Closing in
High Hopes for Legal Pot in 2019
NEW YORK – Drug policy reform advocates are confident that in 2019 New York will join the rush of states legalizing recreational use of marijuana. The Empire State was slow in allowing extremely limited use of medical marijuana. But some advocates say what may have seemed inconceivable just a few years ago – regulated, legal sales for adult recreational use – could become a … [Read more...] about High Hopes for Legal Pot in 2019
Trump’s secrets of success have finally failed him
by Richard Cohen Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- The racket inside Donald Trump's head must sound like the roar of a train. Investigations are coming at him from all sides -- from the special counsel, from the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, from the New York state attorney general, from the relentless poking around of news organizations and, soon, from … [Read more...] about Trump’s secrets of success have finally failed him
Spray on Hatred (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I did Nazi that coming. White House hate czar Stephen Miller popped into Face the Nation on Sunday to bloviate about the dangers of immigrants while sporting something on his head that looked like a recalled Chia Pet. Miller should stop taking hair advice from the president and raiding his Adderall. Miller spent the bulk of his time on CBS promising that Trump would shut … [Read more...] about Spray on Hatred (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Shockwaves from French ‘yellow vest’ protests felt across Europe
Garret Martin, American University School of International Service Mostly peaceful demonstrations in Paris on Dec. 15 showed that recent concessions by President Emmanuel Macron have quieted – but not satisfied – the outraged French protesters whose weekend marches have gripped and unsettled the country. France’s “yellow jacket” movement began in November with local … [Read more...] about Shockwaves from French ‘yellow vest’ protests felt across Europe
As Deadline Nears, Trump Keeps Banging Head Against the Wall
By Joe Guzzardi The din emanating from Congress these days is decidedly not in the Christmas spirit. The White House confrontation that pitted President Trump against his arch-enemies - Senator Chuck Schumer and soon-to-be House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi - stopped short of an all-out brawl, but offered zero encouragement that all parties were on the verge of a compromise … [Read more...] about As Deadline Nears, Trump Keeps Banging Head Against the Wall
This week in Trump inhumanity: Keeping a mother from her dying toddler
WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration is making a fool of Chief Justice John Roberts. Administration lawyers told the Supreme Court that Trump's travel ban was not a "Muslim ban" in large part because it grants waivers to those in hardship who don't pose a national-security threat -- and Roberts fell for it. In his majority opinion upholding the ban, he cited the waiver … [Read more...] about This week in Trump inhumanity: Keeping a mother from her dying toddler
Seminary laments its racist legacy
From BaptistNews.com, 13 December 2018: "A Southern Baptist seminary that believes the Bible forbids women from being pastors and that being homosexual is a sin has been wrong before, according to a 71-page report released Wednesday on slavery and racism in the history of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Citing 'a sinful absence of historical curiosity,' seminary … [Read more...] about Seminary laments its racist legacy
Why the Texas ruling on Obamacare is on shaky legal ground
Austin, Texas contractor Mike Hewitt, who depends on insurance provided by the Affordable Care Act. A Texas judge ruled Dec. 14, 2018 that the law is unconstitutional. Eric Gay/AP Photo Simon F. Haeder, West Virginia University and Valarie Blake, West Virginia University A Texas judge has ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. For … [Read more...] about Why the Texas ruling on Obamacare is on shaky legal ground
For Taiwan, the ‘status quo’ is an increasingly delicate balancing act
by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist TAIPEI, Taiwan -- If you like betting on embattled underdogs, President Tsai Ing-wen is worth a look. She's tempting the wrath of her powerful neighbor in mainland China by arguing that Taiwan must maintain its own open culture, democratic values and, yes, its sovereignty. Tsai is a petite woman, dressed in a … [Read more...] about For Taiwan, the ‘status quo’ is an increasingly delicate balancing act
Cartoon: Melania Approval Decline
Who are Yemen’s Houthis?
Supporters of Shiite Houthi rebels attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, in 2017. AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File Myriam Renaud, University of Chicago Fully half of Yemen’s population – 14 million people – are on the brink of starvation. Some analysts blame their inability to access basic foodstuff on escalating conflict between two religious factions: the … [Read more...] about Who are Yemen’s Houthis?
Agua (Cartoon, Column and Video)
A seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died in the Custody of Border Patrol (CBP) last week. The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) statement has only raised more questions than it answers. The girl and her father were apprehended with a large group of migrants in a remote span of the New Mexico Desert. Reportedly, she hadn’t eaten or consumed water for several days. After … [Read more...] about Agua (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The GOP majority’s last words: But her emails!
Republicans, in the waning hours of their eight-year reign in the House, are using this precious time to do what they love best: investigating Hillary Clinton's emails. The House Oversight Committee had one last item on this year's calendar -- a hearing Thursday on the Clinton Foundation. But it didn't stop there! Republicans and their witnesses used the hearing to reprise … [Read more...] about The GOP majority’s last words: But her emails!
ADRIFT ABOARD THE PEQUOD
“…but let Ahab beware of Ahab; beware of thyself, old man." - Starbuck Donald Trump with his metaphorical ivory leg walks the halls of the White House much like Richard Nixon did in 1974, alone and bitter. Trump yells, “Man the braces!”, but there’s hardly anybody left to hear him. It seems inevitable that someone in the Republican Party will gather the few who … [Read more...] about ADRIFT ABOARD THE PEQUOD