UPDATE: The president, who never served and at best “avoided” the draft when it was his time, has added another disgraceful destination to an already disturbing American roadmap. That destination is called “Shame.” On Thursday, standing in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House, the so-called commander in chief gave his tacit, if not express approval for our … [Read more...] about On Hate, Fear and Greed (Breaking Update)
Defiance
THE CAMEL’S NOSE
"If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow." Arab proverb How did America get from Barack Obama to Donald Trump? How was that even possible? It’s a long journey from “Yes, we can” to “Kiss my ass”. We clutch our collective pearls at the moral hypocrisy of the Republican Party – from their Elmer Gantry style legislators, many … [Read more...] about THE CAMEL’S NOSE
Democracy In Decline
In addition to the horrific episodes that have occurred in America recently to tarnish our democracy, the democratic process appears to be in decline around the world. Under the aegis of Donald Trump, Americans have seen the murder of two black people shot by a white racist because they were black, explosive devices mailed to a number of Democratic officials by a crazed Trump … [Read more...] about Democracy In Decline
Of a Cherry Tree and a ‘Lying Tree’
Legend has it that when George Washington was about six years old, he tried his hatchet on a beautiful young English cherry tree, ending the tree’s beauty (and life). When George’s father asked young George if he had chopped down his favorite tree, legend (again) has it that the future first president of our country bravely admitted, “I can’t tell a lie, Pa; you know I can’t … [Read more...] about Of a Cherry Tree and a ‘Lying Tree’
Tuesday’s choice: the polarizer versus the problem-solvers
GLEN ALLEN, Va. -- Listening to the conversation at Robert Jones' Parkside Barber Shop and Grooming Lounge, you'd never know we live in a deeply divided country that seems incapable of discussing everyday challenges. Jones, a successful local entrepreneur, hosted a group of business leaders and educators here to ponder how to prepare the millennial workforce. They offered … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s choice: the polarizer versus the problem-solvers
Crass’s Calls: The Senate Landscape One Week Out
At long last, we’re down to one week before Election Day. This is a time when strategists and junkies pace as candidates engage in last minute tactics (some of them ethical) to get out the vote. And much is on their plate. While Democrats seem assured of making momentous gains in the U.S. House of Representatives, big-state governorships and state legislative chambers, … [Read more...] about Crass’s Calls: The Senate Landscape One Week Out
I Love Halloween. Sort of.
by Kim Mooney Well, OK, I love dressing up and I’m particular about what candy I’m willing to trade, but there’s something that really bothers me about it. It’s lost almost all of the original meaning of how we remember or interact with our dead ancestors and spirits. It’s morphed into a commercial night (or month) in which ghouls come crawling out of the graves, bats suck … [Read more...] about I Love Halloween. Sort of.
Hasn’t Trump suffered enough?
WASHINGTON -- Eleven Jews are dead in Pittsburgh, gunned down during Shabbat services allegedly by a man who shared President Trump's paranoia about a migrant caravan. Pipe bombs were sent to more than a dozen of Trump's favorite political targets, including the homes of two former presidents, Democratic leaders and CNN. But let us not lose sight of the real victim here: … [Read more...] about Hasn’t Trump suffered enough?
Why Halloween is so Monstrously Like Election Day
Raging Moderate by Will Durst Be careful out there folks, because we're in the middle of that scary time of year when spooky, hollow-eyed, costumed creatures come begging for treats and if refused, threaten dastardly tricks. Meaning one of two things; either its Halloween or the following Tuesday is Election Day. This year, both diabolically sinister events occur within a … [Read more...] about Why Halloween is so Monstrously Like Election Day
Trump’s Trick or Treat
The president's games of Let’s Pretend and vilification have dire consequences. By Michael Winship U.S. President Donald Trump talks with a child dressed as a skeleton with a 'Make America Great Again' hat while hosting Halloween at the White House on the South Lawn October 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The first couple gave cookies away to costumed trick-or-treaters one … [Read more...] about Trump’s Trick or Treat
The Equivalency or If Left-Wing Pundits Were the Same as Right-Wing Pundits
by Robert Coutinho To show the “equivalency” of vitriol, I have listed some talking points in this satire column below and will continue the column on other dates if it is well-received. The claims may be false, mostly false, based in fact, or (for a few) even true. However, they will be written as if I were a talk-show radio host (a left-wing one). ***1. Believe it or … [Read more...] about The Equivalency or If Left-Wing Pundits Were the Same as Right-Wing Pundits
Cartoon: Trump or Treat
Extreme political polarization weakens democracy – can the US avoid that fate?
A protester is arrested by Capitol Hill Police during the Kavanaugh nomination. AP/Alex Brandon Jennifer Lynn McCoy, Georgia State University The midterm elections are approaching during one of the most polarized moments in recent American politics. A collaborative research project I led on polarized democracies around the world examines the … [Read more...] about Extreme political polarization weakens democracy – can the US avoid that fate?
Trump Sows the Wind, Reaps the Whirlwind
Shortly after the arrest of the DNA-linked domestic bomber - turns out, big shock, that he's a "Make America Great Again" fan who took Trump's incendiary words as permission to terrorize - an amazing moment transpired at the White House. Trump called for unity and declared: "We will never allow political violence to take root in our country." Have the words of any other … [Read more...] about Trump Sows the Wind, Reaps the Whirlwind
UN makes it harder to cover up Khashoggi murder
The cover up of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s premeditated murder became harder today after the United Nations human rights chief offered her agency’s assistance in an “independent and impartial” inquiry into his death. Michelle Bachelet said the “shockingly brazen crime” must be investigated “to ensure a full examination of, and accountability for, the human … [Read more...] about UN makes it harder to cover up Khashoggi murder
CNN’s Don Lemon: Trump will never be a leader on this (VIDEO)
CNN's Don Lemon on Donald Trump and the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre: … [Read more...] about CNN’s Don Lemon: Trump will never be a leader on this (VIDEO)
Is Sustainable Meat Production Possible?
If you're reading this now, you probably enjoy easy access to cheap and easy calories. It's not difficult to turn a blind eye to the dozens of steps required to put that steak or those chicken tenders on your plate, or the energy and land we used producing them. Here's some perspective: Americans eat 270 pounds of meat per person per year. The French eat just 35 pounds of … [Read more...] about Is Sustainable Meat Production Possible?
(UPDATE) ‘First They Came’…for ‘Birthright Citizens’
[Scroll down for update] The United States Holocaust Museum displays a version of a poem written by German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller. “It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group…It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility.” The version … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) ‘First They Came’…for ‘Birthright Citizens’
Republicans are either historically ignorant or moral cowards
by Richard Cohen Washington Post Writers Group Columnist While visiting Poland in 1976, I heard about a book. It was called "Anti-Semitism Without Jews: Communist Eastern Europe," and it was mentioned to me because the Jews of Poland, once numerous, had almost entirely been murdered -- yet the hatred of them persisted. The title of that book popped into my head over the … [Read more...] about Republicans are either historically ignorant or moral cowards