The bitter lesson of the Californian fires A firefighter in California. Firefighting is getting more and more expensive as fires get more destructive. PETER DASILVA David Bowman, University of Tasmania California is burning, again. Dozens of peoples have been killed and thousands of buildings destroyed in several fires, … [Read more...] about The bitter lesson of the Californian fires
Could Crime-Predicting Software Stop Cyber-Criminals in Their Tracks?
In today's brave new world of the Internet and doing just about everything — from grocery shopping to taxes — online, cyber-crime has become a serious issue for law enforcement here in the US and globally. If last year's Equifax disaster taught us anything, it’s that even the most secure servers and systems could be hacked. And cyber-crime remains notoriously difficult to track … [Read more...] about Could Crime-Predicting Software Stop Cyber-Criminals in Their Tracks?
Remembering and Honoring Our Heroes at a Roadside in France (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Not only do the French people remember, honor and thank our fallen heroes on French soil, but also at Arlington National Cemetery. While the president of the United States failed to continue the presidential tradition this past Veterans Day, our ally, France – through its Embassy in Washington – took part in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National … [Read more...] about Remembering and Honoring Our Heroes at a Roadside in France (UPDATE)
How Consumer Perception of Sugar Impacts the Industry
Sugar is in nearly everything we eat, in various forms. It has become increasingly taboo, and many consumers are choosing to spend more money to make healthy choices and avoid added sugar in their diet. The perception of sugar is changing, and that perception is impacting the food industry dramatically. How is consumer perception shifting, and how will this affect the industry … [Read more...] about How Consumer Perception of Sugar Impacts the Industry
When You’re Supposed To Be Happy, But You’re Not: Surviving the Holidays
by Kim Mooney For some people, the holidays truly are a festival of joy and sharing -- parties, family gatherings, gift-giving, religious services, decorating, connecting with friends and family through cards, cooking, emails, video conferencing, social media, shopping, and travel. Others may choose more modest ways to acknowledge the amplified press of the calendar. For … [Read more...] about When You’re Supposed To Be Happy, But You’re Not: Surviving the Holidays
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Melania Trump
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel reassigned after first lady Melania Trump calls for firing --A White House aide picked a fight with Melania Trump. The first lady won. 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: Melania Trump
THE SHIBBOLETH
“Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.” - Timothy Snyder, author of “The Road to Unfreedom” One of the consequences of the evolution of … [Read more...] about THE SHIBBOLETH
Facebook is a Kafkaesque Nightmare
Mark Zuckerberg's Rube Goldberg machine is starting to squeal. It seems that the scandal de jour is that they knew about the Russian intervention a full year before the election and chose stock price over country. (And customers, come to think of it.) Naturally, Mr. Z releases an apologia and a "fix" statement: A Blueprint for Content Governance and Enforcement Mark … [Read more...] about Facebook is a Kafkaesque Nightmare
Why covering the environment is one of the most dangerous beats in journalism
Journalists who cover illegal operations like logging at this site in northern Sagaing division, Myanmar, can face threats and violence. AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe Eric Freedman, Michigan State University From the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi by Saudi agents to President Trump’s clashes with the White House press corps, attacks on … [Read more...] about Why covering the environment is one of the most dangerous beats in journalism
Will the GOP keep dancing with autocracy?
By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- When a national leader urges that votes be ignored or that an election result he doesn't like might best be set aside, we label him an autocrat or an authoritarian. When it's President Trump, we shrug. Worse, many in his party go right along with baseless charges of fraud. We are in for a difficult two years. Surviving them will require … [Read more...] about Will the GOP keep dancing with autocracy?
The real fraudster in Florida
WASHINGTON -- There (BEG ITAL)is(END ITAL) fraud in Florida's U.S. Senate race. Mitch McConnell just perpetrated it. Florida has still not certified a winner in the contest between Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Rick Scott. Elections officials are recounting the vote after the initial tally showed the two separated by a mere 13,000 votes of some 8 million … [Read more...] about The real fraudster in Florida
Melania’s Bad Side Can Be a Drag (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Melania Trump is not the first First Lady to influence her husband, the president of the United States. It’s not unusual, unique, or strange. Sarah Polk helped her husband craft speeches and wrote letters for him. Sarah Fillmore helped create the White House library, which Trump still doesn’t know is in there. Caroline Harrison, a proponent of women’s rights and historic … [Read more...] about Melania’s Bad Side Can Be a Drag (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Can artisanal weed compete with ‘Big Marijuana’?
Perhaps one day Humboldt pot will be as famous as Bordeaux wine. AP Photo/Richard Vogel Ryan Stoa, Concordia University School of Law You’ve heard of Big Pharma and Big Tobacco. How about Big Marijuana? The drug’s growing legalization is raising concerns among small-scale marijuana farmers and retailers that the corporatization of weed may be … [Read more...] about Can artisanal weed compete with ‘Big Marijuana’?
It’s time to give millennials a break
By ESTHER J. CEPEDA Washington Post Writers Group Columnist CHICAGO -- It's a terrible idea to make too much of the campaign victory of any politician, but an exception is in order now that New York has elected Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Congress: It's time to drop the snarky jabs about millennials. There's no question that the fact Ocasio-Cortez is 29 is worth … [Read more...] about It’s time to give millennials a break
What Was He Thinking
Maybe Trump’s disdain for military service began with his draft-dodging during the Vietnam War. He was able to get a physician to certify that he had bone spurs in both heels that would prevent him from performing his duties in the military, perhaps with his father’s help. He was then classified 1-Y, a medical deferment. This was in spite of the fact that he played football, … [Read more...] about What Was He Thinking
The soundtrack of the Sixties demanded respect, justice and equality
The Supremes, with their polished performances and family-friendly lyrics, helped to bridge a cultural divide and temper racial tensions. AP Photo/Frings Michael V. Drake, The Ohio State University When Sly and the Family Stone released “Everyday People” at the end of 1968, it was a rallying cry after a tumultuous year of assassinations, civil unrest … [Read more...] about The soundtrack of the Sixties demanded respect, justice and equality
The world is adapting to the reality of Donald Trump as president
by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- One of the assumptions that economists sometimes use to frame their models is to specify that some variables will be held constant, a concept that's expressed with the Latin phrase (BEG ITAL)ceteris paribus(END ITAL). We often make the same mistake in politics and foreign policy. We concentrate on … [Read more...] about The world is adapting to the reality of Donald Trump as president
Donald Trump knows the true meaning of sacrifice
"We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields." -- Canadian soldier John McCrae, remembering the sacrifice of fellow World War I troops. "We're getting drenched." -- President Trump, noting his own sacrifice during World War I centennial observance Sunday. WASHINGTON -- On … [Read more...] about Donald Trump knows the true meaning of sacrifice
Trump’s ungracious military spat with Europe
In a flurry of small-minded tweets President Donald Trump tried to pour scorn today on French President Emmanuel Macron’s solemn efforts to commemorate the Great War of 1914-1918, which left 10 million dead, 6 million injured and mutilated, 3 million widows, 6 million orphans, and uncounted millions of civilian victims. The War was an unprecedented traumatic and a truly … [Read more...] about Trump’s ungracious military spat with Europe
TRUMP’S RED HOT MIDDLE AMERICA AND HERE IS WHY
I recently posted my archery buck picture and a complementary poem on Facebook. There were negative comments on my post aplenty. Here are some examples. Senseless, barbaric, cruel, deer meat is not palatable, killing the poor animals for pleasure, posting pictures of their dead bodies as trophies, have mercy, enjoy the ‘moment’ of killing an animal soul for pleasure and … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S RED HOT MIDDLE AMERICA AND HERE IS WHY