Did Republican Alabama Senator Katie Britt blatantly lie in her Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address? Using the standards of traditional journalism you'd have to say: it seems that way. But by the way she inserted a 20 year-old trafficking horror story that occurred in Mexico when George W. Bush was President, making it seem as if she … [Read more...] about Did Katie Britt blatantly lie in State in the Union GOP response in story about sex trafficking?
Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre Presentation of Something’s Afoot
Last night I had the pleasure of attending another energized opening night at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. The 5th’s opening night crowds exude warmth and welcome. Many of the theater goers come to not only enjoy, but thoroughly root for Seattle musical theater. Sure, there are some less enthusiastic plus ones who’ve been dragged along with their significant others to enjoy … [Read more...] about Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre Presentation of Something’s Afoot
The failures of ‘Oppenheimer’ and the ascent of the foreign film – 6 essential reads for the Oscars
Oscars will be handed out to winners across 24 categories, ranging from best picture to best costume design. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Nick Lehr, The Conversation Because movies are so subjective, with views on the same performances and direction veering wildly from one critic to the next, determining the best of anything – whether it’s acting, … [Read more...] about The failures of ‘Oppenheimer’ and the ascent of the foreign film – 6 essential reads for the Oscars
THE CREEP OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
by Elwood Watson Historically viewed as a fringe belief system, Christian nationalism has become a considerable force in American politics, particularly as it relates to the current Republican Party. A new survey from Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution revealed more than 50% of Republicans believe the country should aspire to become a … [Read more...] about THE CREEP OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
Biden Image (Cartoon)
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN TRUMP’S ‘APPALLING RESPONSE’ TO THE PANDEMIC?
It’s perversely fitting that the anti-science quack whose imbecilic behavior during the pandemic resulted in an unnecessarily high death toll is now declaring that, if returned to power, he will withdraw all federal funds from public schools that require vaccines. There’s a lot to unpack in that opening paragraph. The Lancet, a prominent medical journal, concluded in a ’21 … [Read more...] about HAVE WE FORGOTTEN TRUMP’S ‘APPALLING RESPONSE’ TO THE PANDEMIC?
2 + 2 = 5
by Don Hermann In Donald Trump’s world, if that solves his problem, then it’s fact. An Alternative Fact. If the answer to suit his needs was 25, then 25 would be the answer. He would push hard to get his point across. With one modification. The push wouldn’t come from him directly. He would have surrogates do it. According to the Washington Post, in March of 2017, he … [Read more...] about 2 + 2 = 5
When The Academy Awards Were Tainted
Have you ever heard an Oscar winner announced and then thought, "What the hell?" If you have, then you are not alone. From azcentral.com: "Maybe it was a weak year. Maybe a split vote for worthier winners allowed lesser ones to slip in. Maybe there were bribes. Maybe half the Academy members had a stroke as they were filling out their ballots. There are some Oscar wins … [Read more...] about When The Academy Awards Were Tainted
Super PAC Pivot: Haley Voters for Biden
A super PAC that supported Nikki Haley is “urging Haley’s voters to support President Joe Biden.” Primary Pivot has become Haley Voters for Biden. The campaign will focus on urging the nearly 650,000 Haley primary voters across three swing states to vote for Biden: Michigan (296, 328), North Carolina (249,651), and Georgia (likely already 80,000-100,000 in early … [Read more...] about Super PAC Pivot: Haley Voters for Biden
After Super Tuesday, exhausted Americans face 8 more months of presidential campaigning
Campaign volunteers set up signs encouraging people to vote. AP Photo/Vasha Hunt Jared McDonald, University of Mary Washington Now that Super Tuesday is over and the Democratic and Republican nominees are all but officially chosen, as everyone expected, voters can turn the page to the general election. But they’re not excited about it, and they … [Read more...] about After Super Tuesday, exhausted Americans face 8 more months of presidential campaigning
Political Dad’s Homecoming
Trever Noah once said that many Daily Show viewers considered Jon Stewart their “political Dad.” Last month, our political Dad came home. Jon Stewart hit the ground running in a spectacular return to The Daily Show. As expected, he picked up right where he left off. His performance proves there is only one true Daily Show host. From his book The Daily Show with Jon Stewart … [Read more...] about Political Dad’s Homecoming
From Pilot Helmet to Beauty Crown: The First Military Miss America (UPDATE)
There is hardly an American tradition more “apple-pie” than the Miss America Pageant. Starting with the “Inter-City Beauty Contest” held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921, the competition has been held – with a few exceptions during the Great Depression and a couple of other years – for more than one hundred years and has been one of the nation’s most popular annual … [Read more...] about From Pilot Helmet to Beauty Crown: The First Military Miss America (UPDATE)
Republican Party submission to Trump nearly complete: McConnell backs Trump
After years of enabling him, obliquely criticizing him, barely having contact with him, voting the way he wanted, directly criticizing him, resisting him etc. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has bowed down to presumptive GOP President nominee Donald Trump. He seems to have followed the old invitation: "Join the party." Yes there are still many Never Trumpers and former UN … [Read more...] about Republican Party submission to Trump nearly complete: McConnell backs Trump
Trump vows to defund public schools that require vaccines
Campaign 2024 series: the stakes, not the odds Imagine an illness that is so contagious that 9 out of 10 people who simply walk by an infected person will get sick if they have no immunity (vaccine or prior illness). An illness that causes permanent brain damage in one of every 1,000 infections. That kills more than 200,000 people around the world, mostly children, every … [Read more...] about Trump vows to defund public schools that require vaccines
Is It Worth Taking A Chance?
The collective and individual intelligence of humans is about to be surpassed or already has been exceeded by machines of human origin, whose workings and thought processes are not fully understood by those who devised this ingenious technology. This artificial or human-made intelligence learns by absorbing information that is fed into it or it is allowed to access. It is able … [Read more...] about Is It Worth Taking A Chance?
The Constitution sets some limits on the people’s choices for president – but the Supreme Court rules it’s unconstitutional for state governments to decide on Trump’s qualifications
A 1935 painting depicts the 1787 meeting that adopted the U.S. Constitution. John H. Froehlich via Wikimedia Commons Robert A. Strong, University of Virginia When the Supreme Court ruled on March 4, 2024, that former President Donald Trump could appear on state presidential ballots for the 2024 election, it did not address an idea that seemed simple … [Read more...] about The Constitution sets some limits on the people’s choices for president – but the Supreme Court rules it’s unconstitutional for state governments to decide on Trump’s qualifications
Supreme Court says only Congress can bar a candidate, like Trump, from the presidency for insurrection – 3 essential reads
Journalists set up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building on Feb. 8, 2024. Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua via Getty Images Jeff Inglis, The Conversation The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, in a unanimous decision, that the state of Colorado cannot bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on Colorado’s presidential ballot under the provisions of … [Read more...] about Supreme Court says only Congress can bar a candidate, like Trump, from the presidency for insurrection – 3 essential reads
John Oliver on Boeing’s culture collapse: profits over safety post-McDonnell Douglas merger
The first plane that the FAA sidelined for safety issues was the McDonnell Douglas DC 10. It was May 25, 1979, and an engine detached from American Airlines 191 as it departed Chicago's O'Hare. The DC 10 crashed, seconds into take-off. All 271 people on board died, as did two people on the ground. On the most recent episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver followed up … [Read more...] about John Oliver on Boeing’s culture collapse: profits over safety post-McDonnell Douglas merger
LET HISTORY BE YOUR GUIDE
by Don Hermann Columnist You got some money and you want to invest. Maybe even make a fast buck. Here’s what going on in your mind. Trump is my man. He’s a businessman. He knows what he’s doing. He’s got a world of experience. He may be being mistreated by the powers to be. It’s a crime what’s happening to him. He looks out for guys like me. I could probably do … [Read more...] about LET HISTORY BE YOUR GUIDE
Is Mitch McConnell the arsonist who set the fire and ran away?
Is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell the arsonist who set a fire and ran away? Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Will Bunch likens McConnell to a gambler who knows when to fold his hand and to an arsonist who sets a fire then runs away. These are apt comparisons. When McConnell announced he'd retire as Minority Leader in November you got the feeling that he was almost in … [Read more...] about Is Mitch McConnell the arsonist who set the fire and ran away?