After the Dow Jones industrials plunged 832 points on Wednesday, Larry Kudlow, President Trump's chief economic adviser, walked up the White House driveway and proclaimed that there was no cause for concern. Not about the stock market, or turmoil in China's economy, or American casualties of Trump's trade fights, or the president's attempt to bully the Federal Reserve into an … [Read more...] about The economy is crushing it – just like in 2008!
When MSNBC or Fox News airs in public places, how do people react?
Frank Waddell, University of Florida Have you been traveling and noticed that all the televisions in an airport terminal were set to CNN? Or grabbed a drink at a bar and realized that Fox News was being broadcast to its customers? You might grouse that you’re being forced to watch something that doesn’t jive with your political views. Or maybe you think it’s no big deal – … [Read more...] about When MSNBC or Fox News airs in public places, how do people react?
Cartoon: Donald Trump, Kanye West and the White House
Hurricane Michael Scores Direct Hit on Tyndall Air Force Base (UPDATE- Video)
UPDATE: The column below mentions how the devastation at Tyndall Air Force Base caused by Hurricane Michael is “emblematic” of the damage and destruction experienced throughout the Florida Panhandle and beyond. The military is responding with a speed, efficiency and resolve equally emblematic of how our military typically reacts to so many natural disasters. Just … [Read more...] about Hurricane Michael Scores Direct Hit on Tyndall Air Force Base (UPDATE- Video)
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kayne West and Donald Trump
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Fox swooned over Kanye West at the White House. Here’s how it covered rappers visiting Obama. --The tale of Taylor Swift and Kanye West is no ‘Love Story’ --Republicans who clucked that Clinton and Obama disrespected the Oval Office never heard Kanye West’s f-bomb Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kayne West and Donald Trump
The latest example of a Trump adviser going bananas
WASHINGTON -- Just in time for the election, the Trump administration is back to its monkey business. The acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency is the latest administration figure found to have trafficked racist imagery. HuffPost reported this week on Andrew Wheeler's "like" of a 2013 post showing President Obama and Michelle Obama looking longingly at a banana … [Read more...] about The latest example of a Trump adviser going bananas
Khashoggi murdered (Cartoon)
The social implications of teens leaving Facebook
The social implications of teens leaving Facebook Many teenagers have stopped using Facebook and have gravitated instead to image-sharing platforms like Instagram. (Alex Iby/Unsplash) David R Brake, University of Alberta For years, Facebook grew in size and influence at a staggering rate. But recent reports suggest its … [Read more...] about The social implications of teens leaving Facebook
Don Lemon on Kanye West : I had to turn the TV off (Full VIDEO)
CNN's Don Lemon, who in the eyes of many independents, Democrats and non-Trump voters increasingly bluntly calls it as it is, did not mince words when asked about his reaction to Kayne West's comments while visiting Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Here is the full video -- a must view: This segment has provoked strong reactions from both sides. Lemon has been … [Read more...] about Don Lemon on Kanye West : I had to turn the TV off (Full VIDEO)
So, you run a corrupt business. How can you turn it around?
Haven't you heard? Time's up, friends. Time's up for men who prey on women. Time's up for golden parachutes in the age of austerity. And time's up for profits over people. So you run a corrupt business. It might not even be Wells Fargo- or Volkswagen-caliber corruption. But even minor acts of dishonesty can ruin your reputation, your livelihood and the public's trust in you. … [Read more...] about So, you run a corrupt business. How can you turn it around?
The tale of Taylor Swift and Kanye West is no ‘Love Story’
WASHINGTON -- When the big political news of the week involves Taylor Swift and Kanye West, we're in serious trouble. I'm trying to "Shake It Off," but I can't. I don't mean to sound "Heartless," but we shouldn't have to pay the slightest attention to what those pop-music megastars think about the midterm election and President Trump. We do pay attention, though. The … [Read more...] about The tale of Taylor Swift and Kanye West is no ‘Love Story’
Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance (Cartoon)
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Donald Trump and Women
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Women are angry at Trump and his party. And it's not just about Kavanaugh --A 'scary time' for Trump's boys? It should be, as women have nothing to lose --Is Trump Driving Women Away From the GOP for Good? Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Donald Trump and Women
Will Democrats out-populist Trump in Ohio?
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- "I think it's all about the dignity of work," says Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in an interview in the backseat of his Chevy Suburban. "I talk about how we value work. People who get up every day and work hard and do what we expect of them should be able to get ahead. I don't think they hear that enough from Republicans or national Democrats." It is an … [Read more...] about Will Democrats out-populist Trump in Ohio?
Great Music Chapter 35
This week’s edition of Great Music was picked by my piano students. They have been following my series with not only great interest but a critical eye. In fact they have been far more critical of my choices than TMV’ers have been. They have found it unbelievable that in 33 previous chapters that I have not highlighted probably the most famous piano piece in the world – … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 35
An Angry Mob Gets Swifty (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Republicans don’t have a sense of irony, which is why they and Donald Trump, a guy whose businesses were supported by Russian money laundering, has connections to the mafia and makes each day of his administration a third-rate episode of The Sopranos, is accusing Democrats and liberals of being a mob. It’s also hypocritical that they accused the Democratic Party of running on … [Read more...] about An Angry Mob Gets Swifty (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Poll: Kavanaugh confirmation energizes Democrats more than GOP
Initial polllng indicates the rammed-through Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh has not been more of a shot in the arm for the GOP than the Democrats: the way the nomination was pushed through (and perhaps President Donald Trump's rhetoric about it) seems to be a major motivator for more Democrats: Republicans are touting the confirmation of Supreme Court … [Read more...] about Poll: Kavanaugh confirmation energizes Democrats more than GOP
Why Are Tribalism and Irrational Behavior Flourishing?
Tribalism, nationalism and populism have exploded over the last several decades. The most important reason for this may be the need for people to belong to a group, often giving them a feeling of superiority to others. In their belonging, they often vote with their group, disregarding facts or ignorant of who stands for what in the contests. Bryan Caplan, an economist at George … [Read more...] about Why Are Tribalism and Irrational Behavior Flourishing?
America Is in a Sinkhole of Its Own Making
by Richard Cohen Washington Post Writers Group Columnist Mario Puzo begins "The Godfather" with a quote from Honore de Balzac: "Behind every great fortune there is a crime." That certainly seems to be true of Donald Trump's fortune, sneaked to him by his father, Fred, with accounting sleights of hand designed to fool the IRS and everyone else. That, though, is not the … [Read more...] about America Is in a Sinkhole of Its Own Making
Putting the entire military budget on the credit card
Think Progress: Last month, the Congressional Budget Office announced that the federal budget deficit had hit $895 billion and would rise to $1 trillion before the year ends — earlier than predicted. They attributed the growth to the tax cuts and spending bills. The military budget for FY2018 is only $717 billion, or, Why Military Spending Is More Than You Think It … [Read more...] about Putting the entire military budget on the credit card