Melania Trump is not the first First Lady to influence her husband, the president of the United States. It’s not unusual, unique, or strange. Sarah Polk helped her husband craft speeches and wrote letters for him. Sarah Fillmore helped create the White House library, which Trump still doesn’t know is in there. Caroline Harrison, a proponent of women’s rights and historic … [Read more...] about Melania’s Bad Side Can Be a Drag (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Can artisanal weed compete with ‘Big Marijuana’?
Perhaps one day Humboldt pot will be as famous as Bordeaux wine. AP Photo/Richard Vogel Ryan Stoa, Concordia University School of Law You’ve heard of Big Pharma and Big Tobacco. How about Big Marijuana? The drug’s growing legalization is raising concerns among small-scale marijuana farmers and retailers that the corporatization of weed may be … [Read more...] about Can artisanal weed compete with ‘Big Marijuana’?
It’s time to give millennials a break
By ESTHER J. CEPEDA Washington Post Writers Group Columnist CHICAGO -- It's a terrible idea to make too much of the campaign victory of any politician, but an exception is in order now that New York has elected Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Congress: It's time to drop the snarky jabs about millennials. There's no question that the fact Ocasio-Cortez is 29 is worth … [Read more...] about It’s time to give millennials a break
What Was He Thinking
Maybe Trump’s disdain for military service began with his draft-dodging during the Vietnam War. He was able to get a physician to certify that he had bone spurs in both heels that would prevent him from performing his duties in the military, perhaps with his father’s help. He was then classified 1-Y, a medical deferment. This was in spite of the fact that he played football, … [Read more...] about What Was He Thinking
The soundtrack of the Sixties demanded respect, justice and equality
The Supremes, with their polished performances and family-friendly lyrics, helped to bridge a cultural divide and temper racial tensions. AP Photo/Frings Michael V. Drake, The Ohio State University When Sly and the Family Stone released “Everyday People” at the end of 1968, it was a rallying cry after a tumultuous year of assassinations, civil unrest … [Read more...] about The soundtrack of the Sixties demanded respect, justice and equality
The world is adapting to the reality of Donald Trump as president
by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- One of the assumptions that economists sometimes use to frame their models is to specify that some variables will be held constant, a concept that's expressed with the Latin phrase (BEG ITAL)ceteris paribus(END ITAL). We often make the same mistake in politics and foreign policy. We concentrate on … [Read more...] about The world is adapting to the reality of Donald Trump as president
Donald Trump knows the true meaning of sacrifice
"We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields." -- Canadian soldier John McCrae, remembering the sacrifice of fellow World War I troops. "We're getting drenched." -- President Trump, noting his own sacrifice during World War I centennial observance Sunday. WASHINGTON -- On … [Read more...] about Donald Trump knows the true meaning of sacrifice
Trump’s ungracious military spat with Europe
In a flurry of small-minded tweets President Donald Trump tried to pour scorn today on French President Emmanuel Macron’s solemn efforts to commemorate the Great War of 1914-1918, which left 10 million dead, 6 million injured and mutilated, 3 million widows, 6 million orphans, and uncounted millions of civilian victims. The War was an unprecedented traumatic and a truly … [Read more...] about Trump’s ungracious military spat with Europe
TRUMP’S RED HOT MIDDLE AMERICA AND HERE IS WHY
I recently posted my archery buck picture and a complementary poem on Facebook. There were negative comments on my post aplenty. Here are some examples. Senseless, barbaric, cruel, deer meat is not palatable, killing the poor animals for pleasure, posting pictures of their dead bodies as trophies, have mercy, enjoy the ‘moment’ of killing an animal soul for pleasure and … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S RED HOT MIDDLE AMERICA AND HERE IS WHY
What House Democrats need to do
WASHINGTON -- Expanding health coverage, reforming our democracy, restoring upward mobility with well-paying jobs, curbing gun violence, and moving to repair our immigration system. Oh, yes, and protecting our constitutional republic from President Trump while rooting out corruption. This should be the agenda of Democrats in the House of Representatives. Already, some … [Read more...] about What House Democrats need to do
The President begins the heeling process
David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about The President begins the heeling process
What mass shootings do to those not shot: Social consequences of mass gun violence
Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Armando Viera, center, consoles an unidentified woman after a motorcade with the body of Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus went by Nov. 8, 2018. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University Mass shootings seem to have become a sad new normal in the American life. They happen too often, … [Read more...] about What mass shootings do to those not shot: Social consequences of mass gun violence
For all its criticism (poetry)
For all its criticism the culmination of the moment of fair chase hunting our American pride, the whitetail deer king of friends, the earth, the experience, the fellowship without wings or legs climbing, staying stealth 25 feet up in the tree archery at close quarters is never easy the meat going to the local food pantry yes you read that right the meat serving … [Read more...] about For all its criticism (poetry)
Advice for the new Democratic House majority: Stay on message
WASHINGTON -- Is "Democratic discipline" an oxymoron? For years, it was. But in the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats prevailed in the House because they managed to keep a singular and unrelenting focus on health care -- refusing to take President Trump's bait to engage in fights about MS-13, caravans, socialism, tax increases and other distractions du jour. Since … [Read more...] about Advice for the new Democratic House majority: Stay on message
WWI 100th end Anniversary (Cartoon)
Can’t Get Rain on the Bone Spurs (Cartoon and Column)
The Battle of Belleau Wood in June, 1918 near the Marne River in France during World War I greatly contributed to the lore of the United States Marines. It was one of the first battles for American troops entering the war which was a victory for the allies at a cost of 1,811 American lives. The Aisne Marne American Cemetery which contains American remains is a monument to those … [Read more...] about Can’t Get Rain on the Bone Spurs (Cartoon and Column)
On the 100th Anniversary of the Day When ‘The Guns Fell Silent’ (UPDATES)
UPDATE III: Today, Trump admitted he should have visited Arlington National Cemetery on the occasion of Veterans Day. In an interview with Chris Wallace to air this weekend, Trump said, according to the New York Times: In retrospect, I should have, and I did last year and I will virtually every year…But we had come in very late at night and I had just left, … [Read more...] about On the 100th Anniversary of the Day When ‘The Guns Fell Silent’ (UPDATES)
Foolishness From NRA
The NRA should be scolded by every decent American. From Yahoo.com: Nurses, surgeons fire back at NRA with pictures of gun trauma: '#ThisIsMyLane' Just days after a single gunman took the lives of 12 at a bar in Thousand Oaks, Calif., the National Rifle Association sent an angry tweet Thursday suggesting that the medical community stay out of the gun debate. “Someone … [Read more...] about Foolishness From NRA
Whitaker “Appointment” Does Not Pass Muster
President Trump has named Matthew Whitaker, until recently Chief of Staff to Attorney General Sessions, as acting Attorney General pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. There has been speculation about this unusual move, which seems to be the first time someone has tried to appoint an administrative staffer to a Cabinet position. Based on my plain text reading of the … [Read more...] about Whitaker “Appointment” Does Not Pass Muster
On voting
I was prepared to do so since I had arranged an unusual election night party. A couple weeks ago I sent our invitations to 40 families in our neighborhood and environs. I made no selection based on the family’s political proclivities. It was come one, come all. I promised beer, wine and all the goodies they could eat. I knew free food and booze would generate interest even if … [Read more...] about On voting