A few weeks ago, a nationally watched race was held in Ohio’s Twelfth Congressional District. After all of the returns reported in roller-coaster like fashion, Republican Troy Balderson eked out a win by just under 1,700 votes over Democrat Danny O’Connor. Sound impressive? It is. For O’Connor. Republicans have predictably spun the Ohio-12 result as Democrats failing to pick … [Read more...] about Even With Microscopic Democratic Loss, Ohio-12 Shatters Idea That Precision GOP Gerrymanders Will Help Party This Year
Will John McCain be the last Republican leader in the Senate to address climate change
Tim Profeta, Duke University “He was just doing his job.” When I asked a longtime staffer to Sen. John McCain why the senator battled to address climate change in the early 2000s, that was his answer. A simple answer, but one essential to understanding how McCain led those early efforts to combat the challenge when no one else would step forward. Although others … [Read more...] about Will John McCain be the last Republican leader in the Senate to address climate change
Congressional Inefficiency
Though this week America is focused on John McCain’s death, and is otherwise mesmerized by Trump, Cohen, Mueller and Manafort, regular life in Washington goes on. The government’s lack of accomplishment under Trump falls squarely on the shoulder of a barely functioning Congress. Given that the last several sessions of Congress have been among the least productive in history, … [Read more...] about Congressional Inefficiency
Ugliness from the GOP
Ugliness from the GOP keeps popping up all over the place. If you want to see some if it, then just read the vile things that some so-called "Republicans" said about John McCain before he died. McCain understood that he served the citizens of Arizona first, which is why he refused to kowtow to Donald Trump and the Party of Trump (the latter which pretends to be … [Read more...] about Ugliness from the GOP
The Law Finally Catches Up To Trump, His Family & Pals, But It’s Not Over Until Its Over
Given Donald Trump's long career as a scam artist and all-around crook, there was no chance that he, his family and associates in his orbit would escape legal jeopardy once the criminal justice system got its teeth into them, although that has seemed like so much wishful thinking over the nearly two years since he stole the 2016 presidential election. But lost in the rush of … [Read more...] about The Law Finally Catches Up To Trump, His Family & Pals, But It’s Not Over Until Its Over
Chronic pain after trauma may depend on what stress gene variation you carry
More than 100 million American suffer from chronic pain – in which pain signals continue in the nervous system for weeks, months, or even years. pathdoc/Shutterstock.com Sarah Linnstaedt, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Unfortunately, almost every individual in the world will experience at least one traumatic event, such as a car crash, … [Read more...] about Chronic pain after trauma may depend on what stress gene variation you carry
GOP should honor McCain’s legacy by showing a spine
WASHINGTON -- Much of the nation will spend the coming days honoring the late Sen. John McCain. The Republican Party, however, will only pretend to do so. Donald Trump's GOP could not care less about the ideals McCain stood for, such as honor, service and community. The party is shamefully molded in Trump's image now, with his enormous corruption, monumental selfishness and … [Read more...] about GOP should honor McCain’s legacy by showing a spine
McCain conspiracists say his brain cancer was a hoax
WASHINGTON -- President Trump displayed his innate grace and decency Saturday by spiking a White House statement honoring the late Sen. John McCain's life. Monday morning, the flag over the White House was (until criticism poured in) back to full staff, six days before protocol says it should have been. Even for Trump, this seemed churlish. Unless there is another … [Read more...] about McCain conspiracists say his brain cancer was a hoax
McCain Part Deux (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I know most publications won’t be able to run the previous cartoon I drew on John McCain, but would still want a cartoon on the subject. To show my clients I’m not entirely insane, I drew another that’s a bit safer. While it may not be a sappy, sentimental, Heavenly Pearly Gates cartoon (which editors love), it’s something they can use without being over the top and it makes an … [Read more...] about McCain Part Deux (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Great Music Chapter 30: Scott Joplin
In the past I have referred to classical music as written by “Those Old Dead White Guys”. This week as I was about to hand a student a Sonatina by Clementi, I could see the look on his face and pulled the piece of music back and said how would you like to play a piece by “That Old Dead Black Guy”. While he still had the puzzled look on his face, I handed him a copy of The … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 30: Scott Joplin
John McCain’s just-read farewell message included a pointed one for Trump (FULL TEXT)
John McCain left a final message to be read after his death. The message was about America, hope and service -- and included a pointed one for Donald Trump. Here's the full text, which was read in cable networks and is now all over the media: “My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans, “Thank you for the … [Read more...] about John McCain’s just-read farewell message included a pointed one for Trump (FULL TEXT)
(UPDATES) Mr. President: For Once, Please Rise Above the Swamp
UPDATE II: Even in death, John McCain continues to poke the Russian Bear – and perhaps someone else, too. Politico reports that the Senator chose a Russian dissident, Vladimir Kara-Murza, to be one of the pallbearers at Saturday’s Washington National Cathedral memorial service. “The choice of Kara-Murza, who twice suffered organ failure from poisoning,” Politico … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) Mr. President: For Once, Please Rise Above the Swamp
Some Democrats More Equal Than Others
Some Democrats are more equal than others. That is the message of the Democrat politicians who are opposed to what the Democratic National Committee did on 25 August 2018. From CBS News: Democrats voted Saturday [25 August 2018] to reduce the influence of superdelegates in the 2020 presidential election, a move that was intended to rebuild trust in the party among backers … [Read more...] about Some Democrats More Equal Than Others
Exciting Advancements Underway in Ovarian Cancer Research
Promising developments in cancer treatment are underway as researchers use genomic sequencing and genetic testing to better target and treat more specific aspects of ovarian cancer. Doctors and researchers discussed these exciting advancements this past July at the Ovarian Cancer National Conference in Washington D.C. Those diagnosed with ovarian cancer may initially believe … [Read more...] about Exciting Advancements Underway in Ovarian Cancer Research
Obama Is In The Crosshairs Of History For The Failures That Led To Trump’s Presidency
When House Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote to FBI Director James Comey two years ago today to complain that the FBI was foot dragging on mounting evidence "of a direct connection between the Russian government and Donald Trump's presidential campaign," it was not just the bluster of a politician grinding his partisan ax. It was an acknowledgment, although Reid did not … [Read more...] about Obama Is In The Crosshairs Of History For The Failures That Led To Trump’s Presidency
John McCain (Column, Cartoon and Video)
A lot of conservatives are aghast that many liberals, Democrats, and critics of John McCain are praising him today. Some are even accusing liberals of using his death to attack Donald Trump, thus using his death themselves to attack liberals. Hypocrisy and irony in one grand stroke and they don’t get it. But, being able to praise someone you disagree with, and even fight is … [Read more...] about John McCain (Column, Cartoon and Video)
John McCain and the last of human freedoms
WASHINGTON -- Few politicians who fail to win the presidency are subsequently judged to be giants in our history. Among the select few are Robert F. Kennedy, Barry Goldwater and Hubert H. Humphrey in the 20th century; Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun in the 19th century; and William Jennings Bryan, who straddled the two. There would certainly be lively … [Read more...] about John McCain and the last of human freedoms
Is China worsening the developing world’s environmental crisis?
The Latinoamericana Tower stands amid smog in Mexico City. AP Photo/Marco Ugarte Jonas Gamso, Arizona State University The developing world is in the midst of an environmental crisis. Simply breathing the air is a leading cause of death. One recent study found that pollution is to blame for a fifth of sub-Saharan Africa’s infant deaths. Another … [Read more...] about Is China worsening the developing world’s environmental crisis?
Cartoon: GOP and Trump on John McCain
May You Rest In Peace, John McCain, But Let Us Not Forget All The Bad Stuff You Did
John McCain may have tried to do good through 34 years in Washington, but too often did bad. In contrast to, say, Joe Biden, his longtime Senate colleague and good friend, who also tried to do good through his own 34 years in Washington and usually succeeded. The difference, I believe, can be found in the enigma of who John Sidney McCain III really was -- a neoconservative … [Read more...] about May You Rest In Peace, John McCain, But Let Us Not Forget All The Bad Stuff You Did