17 Years On, Al Qaeda Is Stronger Than Ever & The 9/11 Cover-Up Remains Firmly Intact
Who doesn't remember what they were doing 17 years ago today as the first fragmentary reports dribbled out about one aircraft and then a second hitting the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City? I was about 75 miles from Ground Zero. Despite being able to finally make contact with friends who were working in the area after several fraught hours (one … [Read more...] about 17 Years On, Al Qaeda Is Stronger Than Ever & The 9/11 Cover-Up Remains Firmly Intact
Trump’s radically un-American agenda
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's antics in his "Crazytown" White House inevitably dominate the headlines. Meanwhile, however, his wrongheaded policies are damaging far more than the nation's dignity and honor. Hampered by inexperience and incompetence, the administration is pursuing a radically un-American agenda that should alarm progressives and conservatives alike. Trump's … [Read more...] about Trump’s radically un-American agenda
Violence against the media isn’t new – history shows why it largely disappeared and has now returned
The Capital Gazette in Annapolis lost five staffers in a shooting. AP/Patrick Semansky Jennifer E. Moore, University of Minnesota Duluth and Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine Another news outlet has been attacked in the United States. A man rammed his car repeatedly into Fox affiliate KDFW in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 5. We can now add this to … [Read more...] about Violence against the media isn’t new – history shows why it largely disappeared and has now returned
Cartoon: The Line Up
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The Line Up
CNN Poll: Trump approval down 6 points in a month, hits low among independents
Donald Trump is hemorrhaging support from independent voters. This isn't good news for Trump nor for the GOP -- and overall his poll numbers are not in good shape. CNN: President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen 6 points in the last month and stands at a new low among political independents, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. Overall, just 36% … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: Trump approval down 6 points in a month, hits low among independents
If Trump were a CEO, his board would have fired him by now
Bert Spector, Northeastern University The Trump White House has endured a lot of bad publicity in its short lifespan, but recent disclosures may be among the worst. On Sept. 4, an early account of Bob Woodward’s new book revealed the “nervous breakdown” unfolding within the Trump administration. Then, the next afternoon, a “senior official” went public – albeit … [Read more...] about If Trump were a CEO, his board would have fired him by now
Great Music Chapter 32: You Can’t see Heaven in this Life, but Sometimes you can Hear it.
For this week’s Great Music article, I was wandering around YouTube, looking for a good video of this particular piece of music when I came across a video of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra playing Canon in D. This video includes a vocal arrangement sung by a children’s choir. I am an absolute sucker for anything that involves children and music – so I had to choose this one. The … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 32: You Can’t see Heaven in this Life, but Sometimes you can Hear it.
The Kavanaugh Hustle
WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans and President Trump share the same inclinations when it comes to one of the worst habits in our politics: Placing ideology and partisanship above the health of our institutions. While Trump is destroying the honor and reputation of the presidency, Senate Republicans are doing all they can to destroy the legitimacy of the United States Supreme … [Read more...] about The Kavanaugh Hustle
Searching for Anonymous (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I honestly thought the identity of “Anonymous,” the White House staffer who wrote an op-ed published by The New York Times Wednesday night, would have been discovered by noon on Thursday, and by 6:00 P.M., there would have been a very public firing. But, I forgot who we’re dealing with here? Donald Trump finding Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous? Trump can’t even say “anonymous.” I … [Read more...] about Searching for Anonymous (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Wolves Helping Aspen Return to Northern Yellowstone
CODY, Wyo. – Aspen trees are on the rebound in and around Yellowstone National Park, and a new report says predators deserve the credit. Luke Painter, a wildlife ecologist at Oregon State University and the study’s lead author, says the trees were in decline for decades largely because concentrated elk populations were eating new tree shoots. He says since wolves were … [Read more...] about Wolves Helping Aspen Return to Northern Yellowstone
Weaponizing Grief: A Counter Argument?
Wile the term “weaponizing” has been part of modern military jargon for the past seven decades or so and while ancient armies have used the concept within a military context in one form or another, the Trump administration has raised “weaponizing” as a “narrative” to an art form. In particular, the weaponizing of anger and grief. The most recent example is Trump’s … [Read more...] about Weaponizing Grief: A Counter Argument?
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Lie Detectprs
Of Related Interest: --LAW AND ORDER Trump Wants to Polygraph His Own Staff. That’s Nuts. --How the Anonymous Op-Ed Came to Be --President Trump has made 4,713 false or misleading claims in 592 days 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 cartoonist. His favorite … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Lie Detectprs
Thousands of mental health professionals agree with Woodward and the New York Times op-ed author: Trump is dangerous
Bandy X. Lee, Yale University Bob Woodward’s new book, “Fear,” describes a “nervous breakdown of Trump’s presidency.” Earlier this year, Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury” offered a similar portrayal. Now, an op-ed in The New York Times by an anonymous “senior White House official” describes how deeply the troubles in this administration run and what effort is required to … [Read more...] about Thousands of mental health professionals agree with Woodward and the New York Times op-ed author: Trump is dangerous
So this is how Paul Ryan leaves office?
WASHINGTON -- So this is how retiring House Speaker Paul D. Ryan wishes to leave public service: with lies, name-calling and racism? The fall general-election season has begun, and the $100 million Congressional Leadership Fund, which Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, and his House GOP leadership team endorse and raise money for, has released a flurry of ads in recent days that … [Read more...] about So this is how Paul Ryan leaves office?
Crazytown Showdown: Conservatives Win While America & Honest Abe Take A Beating
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I value your comments, especially when they add to or amplify the subjects of my columns. But I am no longer able to reply because of a well-known glitch in the Disqus system that Joe and Tyrone have been unable to interest the clowns at Disqus in addressing. My sincere apologies.) There is an important subtext to the Showdown at Crazytown, … [Read more...] about Crazytown Showdown: Conservatives Win While America & Honest Abe Take A Beating
What Is the Body Neutrality Movement All About?
Everyone tells us we should love our bodies no matter what. While the intentions behind this advice are sound, many find that simply being told to love their bodies is a bit disingenuous in a world where people are still very much judged by their appearance. Enter the body neutrality movement. What is it? What Is Body Neutrality? Body neutrality focuses upon developing … [Read more...] about What Is the Body Neutrality Movement All About?
Planting, Growing and Eating
What do you plant? Not big, not small; what pleases you. I just planted a mature Haas avocado tree, a lemon tree, some tomatoes and some chilies. That equals guacamole. YUM. I have a relatively large (ten yards long) two tier redwood planter with a drip system and I am wondering how others would use it for food / accents. Cheers, KP … [Read more...] about Planting, Growing and Eating
America is still free, and the people will be heard
"Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble." -- First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified Dec. 15, 1791 "I don't know why they don't take care of a situation like that. I think it's embarrassing for the country to allow protesters." -- President Trump, Sept. 4, 2018 WASHINGTON … [Read more...] about America is still free, and the people will be heard
Plagiarists or innovators? The Led Zeppelin paradox endures
Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, performs in Hamburg, Germany in 1973. Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-NC-SA Aram Sinnreich, American University School of Communication Fifty years ago – in September 1968 – the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin first performed together, kicking off a Scandinavian tour billed as the New Yardbirds. The new, … [Read more...] about Plagiarists or innovators? The Led Zeppelin paradox endures