Democrats want tax breaks for the rich. That is the gist of a report published by CBS News. "Some of the strongest opposition within the Republican party last year in the debate over the 2017 tax cut legislation flared up from lawmakers worried about a lower cap on deductions for state and local taxes. Now Republicans in these high-tax states who voted for the tax cuts … [Read more...] about Democrats want tax breaks for the rich.
Outraged UN group says Khashoggi’s enforced disappearance violates international law
Growing outrage against the enforced disappearance and probable murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has increased pressure on the UN’s main human rights body to seek an impartial investigation. By implication, a Saudi investigation as promised to President Donald Trump is not impartial or independent enough under international law. Abductions, renditions and … [Read more...] about Outraged UN group says Khashoggi’s enforced disappearance violates international law
Doubt It Can Happen Here? Tell It to Berlin
A note to those who think it unfair to compare the Trump White House and the GOP to what happened in Germany 85 years ago. by Michael Winship BERLIN—On the last full day of two weeks spent in this city, the requisite visit was paid to Checkpoint Charlie, the spot at the Berlin Wall where, from 1961 to 1989, allied forces and other foreigners crossed the uneasy border … [Read more...] about Doubt It Can Happen Here? Tell It to Berlin
Democracy threatened by Trump’s lies
(Editor's note. It seems this column went up under a different name and due to a technical glitch in posting the column itself did not go up -- just the cartoon. We've put a new image on it and are reposting under a differetn headline in full. We regret the error.) WASHINGTON -- President Trump's constant, relentless, remorseless lying is a central feature of his … [Read more...] about Democracy threatened by Trump’s lies
Standing In Line To Vote: The Kids Aren’t Alright
When did you last stand in line? I mean really stand in line. It might have been the airport (average line time perhaps 15 minutes), the drug store, even in busy Manhattan, a minute or two before customers start tsking and wishing the person holding them up at the counter would just self immolate already, or wish they didn't try to pay with expired Canadian food stamp … [Read more...] about Standing In Line To Vote: The Kids Aren’t Alright
Prince Jared finds himself in the wrong fairy tale (With videos)
"Two princes: Kushner now faces a reckoning for Trump's bet on the heir to the Saudi throne" -- Washington Post headline, Oct. 15 Excerpted from: "Salmanella and the Glass Orb: How Prince Charming Met His Prince Charming" Once upon a time in the year 2017 -- before Ulysses S. Grant was recognized as a great general, before Frederick Douglass was recognized for his … [Read more...] about Prince Jared finds himself in the wrong fairy tale (With videos)
The Autocratic Club (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m seriously offended. I’ve drawn Donald Trump about a thousand times by now and the guy has never called me to pay a compliment on capturing his likeness. But, Andy Thomas, an artist in Missouri paints him once, and Trump gave him a phone call telling him how much he liked it. Trump praised the painting, and told Thomas that he normally doesn’t like paintings of himself, … [Read more...] about The Autocratic Club (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Colette (2018)
When a film includes feminism, queer expression, independence, and authority over one's intellectual property, it may be something to pay attention to. And, with Colette, you get all of those things and more. Colette, based on true events, is the story of French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. In the role is Keira Knightley, who is tasked with delivering a performance … [Read more...] about Colette (2018)
THE TRICK YOU MISSED PRESIDENT TRUMP
Want to impress, advance, gather respect Then repeat after me I am sorry I can do better I see the opportunity I accept my responsibility I read the published letter many years ago. The letter by the charismatic Pakistani cricketer, a playboy turned born-again Muslim, a politician and now the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The letter talked about his … [Read more...] about THE TRICK YOU MISSED PRESIDENT TRUMP
Will the Democrats Screw Up Again?
Recently, when the pendulum seems to be swinging in their direction, the Democrats have found some way to screw up. Will it happen in this November’s election and again in 2020? During the Obama administration, the Democrats completely neglected many of their state organizations, allowing the Republicans to take control of the governorships and state legislatures of a large … [Read more...] about Will the Democrats Screw Up Again?
Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justice
Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justices E. Donald Elliott, Yale University President Donald Trump has nominated two Supreme Court justices during only 19 months in office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated after Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation that Trump might have the opportunity to make a third nomination during one term in … [Read more...] about Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justice
Trump’s relentless lying threatens our democracy
Femme Politique – After They’ve Seen Paree
Do you agree that Susan Collins (R-ME) is a "relic of the GOP of the 90's" when it was "beneficial to have a few broads in the Senate"? That's just part of the rhetorical flourish that my friend Deborah Long presents in her short essay on the changing political power of women in America, why it happened and how it is evolving. Enjoy the read. AFTER … [Read more...] about Femme Politique – After They’ve Seen Paree
Great Music – Chapter 36 Led Zeppelin
In trying to keep TMV’ers off balance, this week’s Great Music article returns to the hard rock of my youth. Specifically, the band Led Zeppelin and the one particular song they created which lives on and on, Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968 in London, then the primary hot spot for Rock music. After initially calling themselves “ The New Yardbirds” and … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 36 Led Zeppelin
Oh, now Trump believes in climate change.
Oh, now President Trump believes in climate change. That is what he told Lesley Stahl in an interview with 60 Minutes. As for the reality of climate change . . . The climate has been changing for as long as there has been a climate. Granted, it may be too much to ask the IPCC to explain the cause of the global warming that took place 1,000 years ago. It was as … [Read more...] about Oh, now Trump believes in climate change.
Why is it fun to be frightened?
Visiting an extreme haunted house can be delightfully terrifying. AP Photo/John Minchillo Margee Kerr, University of Pittsburgh A new installment of the ‘Halloween’ franchise brings the action forward to 2018. Universal Pictures John Carpenter’s iconic horror film … [Read more...] about Why is it fun to be frightened?
Refugees should not be political fodder
In the madness of the Trump era, terrible things happen with almost no notice. An announcement is made, some news stories are written, and the issue quickly disappears, engulfed in a storm of crazy tweets and lies, followed by expressions of outrage among President Trump's foes. A good example is the administration's decision last month to slash the number of refugees who … [Read more...] about Refugees should not be political fodder
I’m a white guy. Don’t vote for me.
I am a white, Gentile, heterosexual, cisgender male. I have come to believe that one of the best things I can do to advance equality is to vote for candidates who match as few of those attributes as possible. This is not because of self-hatred or identity politics or “liberal guilt.” It’s because, no matter how sincerely sympathetic I am to those who have … [Read more...] about I’m a white guy. Don’t vote for me.
Butt In Georgia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Republicans cheat. While Republicans like Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham scream about the Democrats’ thirst for power, they ram through a Supreme Court Justice without a thorough background check on the guy, after they stole a SCOTUS seat and lowered the number of votes needed for confirmation. While they scream about imaginary illegal immigrants and … [Read more...] about Butt In Georgia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
WHO’s anti-smoking treaty clashes with nicotine vaping industry
A World Health Organization (WHO) conference on smoking control has not endorsed industry arguments that new smokeless nicotine products are better alternatives to smoking traditional cigarettes. The clash paves the way for the next great multi-billion-dollar squabble between WHO and industry. This time it is on whether marketing high technology smokeless cigarettes, … [Read more...] about WHO’s anti-smoking treaty clashes with nicotine vaping industry