by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- The handmaiden of peace is exhaustion. We are seeing that lesson in the killing fields of Afghanistan and Yemen. Fragile peace agreements are emerging in both conflicts, thanks to skillful diplomats. There are a hundred reasons why each negotiation may fail, and in assessing Middle East conflicts, we … [Read more...] about Diplomats strive to forge fragile peace in Afghanistan and Yemen
The tweeting of a crackpot
WASHINGTON -- Of all the crackpots on social media, is any more untethered to reality than the president of the United States? Seriously, there are tinfoil-hatted lunatics yelling on street corners who make more sense than President Trump's increasingly loopy Twitter feed. Think about it: Most mornings, and some evenings as well, the most powerful man in the world rants and … [Read more...] about The tweeting of a crackpot
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Brutal Winter Temperatures
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Brutal US deep freeze blamed for at least 11 deaths, sets all-time record cold in Illinois cities --Polar vortex's bitter cold could cost US economy $5 billion, though the worst may be over --College Student Froze To Death In Iowa Amid Polar Vortex Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Brutal Winter Temperatures
Howard Schultz and the Frappuccino Syndrome
WASHINGTON -- Holy Chestnut Praline Latte! There was Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO, making a case Wednesday for why Americans would flock to him if he decides to run for president as an independent. "They're not going to vote for a left-wing Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris candidate," he explained. The crashing you heard just then was the sound of thousands of … [Read more...] about Howard Schultz and the Frappuccino Syndrome
Howard Schultz Independent Campaign for President (Cartoon)
The new Congress likely won’t impeach Trump and remove him from office – here’s why
The line of succession works like this: If Trump is removed from office, Pence takes over. If both Trump and Pence go, Pelosi would take over. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Jacob Neiheisel, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Removing a president from office is a two-step process. The first step is impeachment. That’s when members of the … [Read more...] about The new Congress likely won’t impeach Trump and remove him from office – here’s why
Great Music – Chapter 37
In the music world Johann Sebastian Bach is not only considered one of the Greats but a giant among the greats. He was born in 1685 in the town of Eisenach, Germany. His father and all his uncles were musicians and so he learned early and often his way around the violin and harpsichord. At age 10 Bach’s father and mother died so he was raised by an older brother. Interestingly, … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 37
Starbucks Spoiler (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Howard Schultz is thinking about running for president as an independent. Who? Schultz is the answer no one is looking for. He’s also the former CEO of Starbucks, which also pisses people off. A lot of people have strong opinions about Starbucks. It’s too watery. It’s too corporate. It’s too liberal. What’s the difference between venti and grande? Can I pee here without making … [Read more...] about Starbucks Spoiler (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Howard Schultz brings a whole latte trouble
WASHINGTON -- Howard Schultz has brought a whole latte trouble on himself. The former Starbucks magnate has provoked boycott threats, heckling and Twitter attacks with his threat to mount an independent presidential run that critics say could get President Trump re-elected. Just about everybody this side of Tucker Carlson believes we do not need another old, white, … [Read more...] about Howard Schultz brings a whole latte trouble
The Roger Stone clown show is the Trump presidency in microcosm
WASHINGTON -- For once, Roger Stone was at a loss for words. The longtime confidant of President Trump had given nonstop interviews and news conferences since Friday morning, when the FBI pounded on his door, then charged him with seven criminal counts related to alleged lies during the probe of Russia's election interference. But in Washington on Monday, as his lawyer … [Read more...] about The Roger Stone clown show is the Trump presidency in microcosm
Internet addiction is actually spawning treatment programs in the US
Nearly everyone has "that friend" in their circle: the one who has to look at their phone every two minutes and who reacts to forgetting their phone at home as a tragedy equal to the sinking of the Titanic. Most of us find this behavior mildly irritating, even a bit amusing. However, could a pathological attachment to a cell phone or computer qualify as an addiction? Many … [Read more...] about Internet addiction is actually spawning treatment programs in the US
‘America, We Are Better Than This…’
It is still very early in the 2020 presidential elections, a lot of things can and will happen and I may change my mind more than once, but, as of this moment, I am in for California senator Kamala Harris. I believe, as Joe Scarborough writes in a Washington Post Op-ed today, “Kamala Harris has what it takes.” Scarborough penned the piece following Harris’ Sunday’s … [Read more...] about ‘America, We Are Better Than This…’
Pelosi the Riveter Shuts Down Trump Wall (Cartoon)
Report: Trump Administration Sets New Records for Court Losses
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Trump administration's efforts to weaken public health and environmental regulations are being roundly defeated in the courts, according to a new report. The administration that promised its supporters would get "tired of winning" apparently doesn't need to worry about fatigue setting in. The law firm Earthjustice has filed 118 lawsuits challenging a … [Read more...] about Report: Trump Administration Sets New Records for Court Losses
Mexico is bleeding. Can its new president stop the violence?
Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador with the families of the 43 students who went missing in 2014 in Guerrero state. He has ordered a truth commission to investigate the unsolved disappearance. Reuters/Edgard Garrido Angélica Durán-Martínez, University of Massachusetts Lowell Nearly 34,000 people were murdered in Mexico last year, according … [Read more...] about Mexico is bleeding. Can its new president stop the violence?
Roger Stone (Cartoon)
Amazon deforestation, already rising, may spike under Bolsonaro
Munduruku tribal people are demanding that Brazil’s government respect their land rights. AP Photo/Eraldo Peres Robert T. Walker, University of Florida Over the past 25 years that I have been conducting environmental research in the Amazon, I have witnessed the the ongoing destruction of the world’s biggest rainforest. Twenty percent of it has been … [Read more...] about Amazon deforestation, already rising, may spike under Bolsonaro
A great fall (Cartoon)
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