Francis X. Shen, University of Minnesota The robots are here. Are the “sexbots” close behind? From the Drudge Report to The New York Times, sex robots are rapidly becoming a part of the national conversation about the future of sex and relationships. Behind the headlines, a number of companies are currently developing robots designed to provide humans with companionship … [Read more...] about Sex robots are here, but laws aren’t keeping up with the ethical and privacy issues they raise
Trump’s sacrifices are hard. You think it’s easy working 11 to 5?
WASHINGTON -- Being president isn't easy under the best of circumstances. Imagine how hard it must be if you're Donald Trump. "I probably work more hours than almost any past president," Trump announced Sunday, adding that he "had no choice but to work very long hours!" On Monday, after retweeting his own assertion from a few days earlier that he is "working hard," he … [Read more...] about Trump’s sacrifices are hard. You think it’s easy working 11 to 5?
Peckergate: Bezos, Pecker and Bezos’ Pecker
Amazon/Washington Post chief Jeff Bezos and National Enquirer (AMI) boss David Pecker have squared off in public over Pecker’s threatened publication of purloined pictures of Bezos’ penis. AMI threatened to publish photos Bezos sent to Lauren Sanchez, his paramour, unless Bezos made a public statement that AMI’s earlier airing of Bezos’ extramarital affair wasn’t … [Read more...] about Peckergate: Bezos, Pecker and Bezos’ Pecker
The Orange Face Blues (Cartoon, Column and Video)
In Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine leads a team of Jewish Allied soldiers killing and scalping Nazis behind enemy lines in World War II. Of course, the soldiers’ actions go against everything in the Geneva Convention as Aldo says at one point in the film to a German soldier, “You probably heard we ain’t in the prisoner-takin’ business; we in the … [Read more...] about The Orange Face Blues (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Psst! Want to Write a Letter?
You could write a Letter to the Editor of your favorite newspaper about some issue close to your heart. Chances that it will be published are relatively small. You could write a letter to your senator or representative on a matter that has you tied up in knots. As to getting more than a form letter as a reply, good luck! Or, you could write a letter on an issue that is … [Read more...] about Psst! Want to Write a Letter?
Putin’s Puppet
Analyzing President Trump’s actions since he became president, one has to wonder where his allegiance lies. Pundits speak about his ego and how his conduct is a reflection of his need for dominance and control, to feed his narcissistic personality. Supposedly, he is doing things that enhance his standing and his own interests. I don’t buy that. When one carefully examines his … [Read more...] about Putin’s Puppet
Republicans and Late-Term Abortion
Slate has published a commentary about late-term abortion that every Republican should read. It's subtitle is "What it’s like to have the most devastating event of your life become a misrepresented political talking point." Click here to read it. The theocrats in the Republican Party will probably reject the message that the commentary's author is conveying. They are … [Read more...] about Republicans and Late-Term Abortion
Stan and Ollie a soul-inspiring tribute to Laurel and Hardy
Review by Doug Gibson I wasn’t going to post a review of Stan and Ollie, the recently released film on the comedy team Laurel and Hardy, but two weeks after I saw it, it still resonates with me. It’s a wonderful, soul-inspiring film of the love and respect the two comic geniuses had for each other, and exemplifies their efforts and dedication to prevail over tough … [Read more...] about Stan and Ollie a soul-inspiring tribute to Laurel and Hardy
Why Trump’s war on socialism will fail
NEW YORK -- "We socialists are trying to save capitalism, and the damned capitalists won't let us." Political scientist Mason Williams cited this cheeky but accurate comment by New Deal lawyer Jerome Frank to make a point easily lost in the new war on socialism President Trump has launched: Socialism goes back a long way in the United States, and it has taken doses of it to … [Read more...] about Why Trump’s war on socialism will fail
For the benefit of Democrats and Virginia, investigate the state’s top leaders
By EUGENE ROBINSON WASHINGTON -- The decision by Virginia's top three elected officials to hunker down and cling to their jobs is bad for both the state and the Democratic Party. If they won't go, the only thing to do is investigate them all. Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring have all forfeited the public's trust, in my opinion, … [Read more...] about For the benefit of Democrats and Virginia, investigate the state’s top leaders
Drinkers prefer Big Beer keeps its hands off their local craft brews
Jarrett Hart, University of California, Davis Craft beer’s popularity has exploded in the U.S. in recent decades, leading to soaring production and the creation of thousands of new breweries. Much of that growth has come at the expense of traditional brewing giants like Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors. So, naturally, these macro brewers have been trying to get a … [Read more...] about Drinkers prefer Big Beer keeps its hands off their local craft brews
Why Did the Clean Eating Trend Gain Popularity?
In the last five years or so, people have become immensely interested in trying the clean eating trend. Although some variation exists in the definition of "clean eating," people generally agree the goal involves prioritizing eating whole foods or those with as few ingredients as possible. Additionally, clean eaters want foods made up of things they can pronounce — not … [Read more...] about Why Did the Clean Eating Trend Gain Popularity?
Trial Begins for Drug Company Founder Accused of Fueling the Opioid Crisis
Photo Credit: Pexels.com If you can't trust the people who are supposed to heal you, who can you trust? Billionaire drug baron John Kapoor of Insys Therapeutics stands accused of bribing doctors to prescribe the company's spray distillation Fentanyl despite the addictive potential in nonterminal patients. He and other company executives now face trial in federal … [Read more...] about Trial Begins for Drug Company Founder Accused of Fueling the Opioid Crisis
one and one
Can our one and one equal eleven? pause disbelief laughter Seven? pause alright I get it Can our one and one equal two? … [Read more...] about one and one
Trump Briefings (Cartoon)
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Trump Briefings (Cartoon)
The Democratic apology tour is a sorry spectacle
WASHINGTON -- Forgive me, but would anybody mind if we declared a moratorium on Democratic apologies? I don't doubt many public servants have done things worthy of regret. But it's becoming difficult to keep up with the sorry spectacle. "From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply, deeply sorry," Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said in a statement Wednesday expressing … [Read more...] about The Democratic apology tour is a sorry spectacle
Pecker Problem (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Bad people hang out with other bad people. Choir boys don’t run with drug dealers. Dolphins don’t swim with sharks. Donald Trump doesn’t hang out with Barack Obama. Donald Trump hangs out and does business with people who get indicted and go to prison. Donald Trump hired George Papadopoulos, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, and Roger Stone. He admires … [Read more...] about Pecker Problem (Cartoon, Column and Video)
U.S. strikes back at Russia in cyberspace warfare
By DAVID IGNATIUS Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- With little public fanfare, U.S. Cyber Command, the military's new center for combating electronic attacks against the United States, has launched operations to deter and disrupt Russians who have been meddling with the U.S. political system. Like other U.S. cyberwar activities, this effort against … [Read more...] about U.S. strikes back at Russia in cyberspace warfare
Trump Makes Predatory Lending Great Again
By John L. Micek Here's another reminder that, when it comes to the Trump administration, it's more important to watch what the White House does, rather than what it says. The payday lending industry scored a huge win this when the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed to weaken Obama-administration rules governing an industry that makes its money by … [Read more...] about Trump Makes Predatory Lending Great Again
A Response to the Tax-the-Rich Crowd
"The country [USA] is full of honest hard working people struggling to feed their families. It also has those with more money than they could ever need to eat, whose fortune comes from how dishonest and unethical they can be for the love of money." The preceding quoted statement was made by a cyber-acquaintance of mine on a social website. The statement reeks with wealth … [Read more...] about A Response to the Tax-the-Rich Crowd