… [Read more...] about CANADA: TRUDEAU STANDS UP TO GOLIATH TRUMP (CARTOON)
Trump is the kinglike president many feared when arguing over the US Constitution in 1789 — and his address to Congress showed it
President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino If there are any limits to a president’s power, it wasn’t evident from Donald Trump’s speech before a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025. In that speech, the … [Read more...] about Trump is the kinglike president many feared when arguing over the US Constitution in 1789 — and his address to Congress showed it
How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University Journalists covering the Feb. 28, 2025, Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a … [Read more...] about How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability
THANKS FOR NOTHING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
If you watch the entire Oval Office meeting between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, you’ll notice that Trump was thanked by Zelensky, not once, but twice, three minutes into the meeting. Zelensky thanked Trump again at the 7:35 mark. At minute 41, Zelensky said, “God bless, now, Trump will stop Putin.” Before minute 41 was over, Vice President (sic) JD Vance told … [Read more...] about THANKS FOR NOTHING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Social Security: You Touch, You Die
If there is one certain bipartisan agreement in U.S. politics, then it is this: Touch Social Security and your political career is dead. To quote economist Michelle Clark Neely, "Frequently called 'the third rail of American politics'—touch it and you die—social security reform is an issue that prompts heated debates among its supporters and detractors." History New … [Read more...] about Social Security: You Touch, You Die
The Empathy Deficit in Washington
We constantly hear politicians in Washington moaning about the budget deficit and the rising national debt and what should be done about them. But even more important is the empathy deficit in our nation’s capital, particularly manifested by President Trump and his chief enforcer, Elon Musk. However, virtually the entire Republican Party is in thrall to these bosses, afraid to … [Read more...] about The Empathy Deficit in Washington
The Recent White House ‘Spectacle.’ What the Headlines Say (Updated)
UPDATE: Perhaps the most telling and damning headline spelling out the consequences of the betrayal of Ukraine following the Zelenskyy-Trump-Vance White House fiasco is one by Reuters: “Kremlin says pause of U.S. military aid to Ukraine is best hope for peace.” This as Russia continues to relentlessly destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure with massive drone and missile … [Read more...] about The Recent White House ‘Spectacle.’ What the Headlines Say (Updated)
IMAGES AND CARTOONS ABOUT TRUMP-PUTIN RELATIONSHIP
Over the years there have been a slew of images and cartoons about Donald Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Here are a few: … [Read more...] about IMAGES AND CARTOONS ABOUT TRUMP-PUTIN RELATIONSHIP
Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
Could Friedrich Merz be the man to speak for Europe? Sean Gallup/Getty Images Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Colorado State University “Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?” The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to … [Read more...] about Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
TRUMP, VANCE ATTACK ZELENSKY AND TRUMP CUTS MEETING SHORT: THE TRUTH NOW REVEALED?
Embed from Getty Images A live-camera meeting between President Donald Trump, and Vice President J. D. Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that was supposed to highlight a major agreement between the two countries ended in a disaster: Trump and Vance aggressively double-teamed Zelensky, Trump was angry and Trump cut the meeting short. Meanwhile, it completely … [Read more...] about TRUMP, VANCE ATTACK ZELENSKY AND TRUMP CUTS MEETING SHORT: THE TRUTH NOW REVEALED?
Are members of the Press misinterpreting the First Amendment?
Are members of the Press misinterpreting the First Amendment? Are they assuming rights not actually mentioned in the Amendment? Before answering these questions, we should look at the actual wording of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or … [Read more...] about Are members of the Press misinterpreting the First Amendment?
3 ways Trump is acting like a king and bypassing the Constitution’s checks and balances on presidential authority
Donald Trump’s efforts to expand presidential power defy the Constitutional separation of powers. zimmytws/iStock via Getty Images David Lopez, Rutgers University - Newark I learned basic civics in my public school. But mostly, because it was more interesting, I also learned civics after school watching the animated series “Schoolhouse … [Read more...] about 3 ways Trump is acting like a king and bypassing the Constitution’s checks and balances on presidential authority
There May Be A Second Civil War. First, There Must Be Two Smaller Civil Wars
There is a bear in the woods. For some, the bear is easy to see, others don’t see it all. That bear is an impending second American Civil War. Many have joked about the prospect of a third Trump term. But the very idea of Trump being elected even once seemed like a joke, until it happened. There is currently a GOP congressman attempting to pass legislation to allow President … [Read more...] about There May Be A Second Civil War. First, There Must Be Two Smaller Civil Wars
German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
Ed Turner, Aston University Friedrich Merz, the presumptive chancellor of Germany, has confirmed he will seek a coalition with the social democratic SPD after the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won the February 23 election, topping the poll with 28.5%. Although the SPD has gone from winning the last election to a record low result of 16.4% of the vote, it remains the only … [Read more...] about German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
IS HE A FASCIST? YOU TELL ME
by Paul Lerner “Now that it’s just us,” asked an earnest student as we packed up after the morning’s “Approaching Fascism” lecture: “Tell me: is he? Is he a fascist?” Teaching under any circumstances provokes a tension between one’s classroom persona and who one is in real life. Presenting this material now, at a time when fascism, or something resembling it, is … [Read more...] about IS HE A FASCIST? YOU TELL ME
GODZILLA ATTACKS SOCIAL SECURITY (CARTOON)
Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle In
Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle Inby Eli HagerProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.President Donald Trump was asked at a press conference this month if there were any federal agencies or programs that Elon Musk’s newly formed … [Read more...] about Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle In
So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
Trump's vague plan, his new vision for the Eastern Mediterranean has some supporters and some advantages. It is important to see the local context. Historically if you start a war and you lose that war, you lose your land. If you're lucky you escape with your life. There are so many instances of this it is fair to say human history is one long example of it and it still … [Read more...] about So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
TRUMP ACTING LIKE A KING (CARTOON)
Resigning in protest is a rare act of courage
If only we could all be like Danielle Sassoon, who told the thugs to stick their crime where the sun don’t shine. Hard as it’s been for us sane Americans to navigate the MAGA idiocracy, the journey has been even more torturous this past month for public servants who still believe in venerable America values like the rule of law. This dilemma is not new. Typically, cogs in … [Read more...] about Resigning in protest is a rare act of courage