Thirty years ago at The Philadelphia Inquirer, in the early autumn of 1988, I was handed my first assignment as a political writer. The presidential candidates, Vice President George H. W. Bush and Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, were saturating the airwaves with campaign ads - to an extent never seen before - and I analyzed the imagery in a dozen articles. It was … [Read more...] about Before He Was ‘Kinder, Gentler,’ Poppy Bush Pioneered TV Ad Lies
You See Ten People Drowning. You Can Only Save One. What Do You Do?
This morning, a good friend sent me a video titled “Immigration, World Poverty and Gumballs.” The e-mail that included the video had as 'Subject,' “A Very Interesting Perspective,” and it was a very interesting perspective, but, in my opinion, not necessarily a correct or moral one. The video by Roy Beck -- author, journalist and the Founder, President and CEO of … [Read more...] about You See Ten People Drowning. You Can Only Save One. What Do You Do?
Make America Great Again in Memory of George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush made America great. This nation is no longer what it once was. We need to Make America Great Again. In his inaugural address on January 20, 1989, President Bush declared, America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler … [Read more...] about Make America Great Again in Memory of George H.W. Bush
G20 High Five (Cartoon, Column and Video)
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton told us Donald Trump is Putin’s puppet. She told us this during a debate with Trump, where, being so quick on his feet, Trump responded with, “you’re the puppet.” If his complicity to a foreign leader didn’t sway you from voting for him, then his inability to defend himself like an adult should have. Clinton was not the … [Read more...] about G20 High Five (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How Hanukkah came to America
In the United States, Hanukkah has gained much significance. Tercer Ojo Photography/Shutterstock.com Dianne Ashton, Rowan University Hanukkah may be the best known Jewish holiday in the United States. But despite its popularity in the U.S., Hanukkah is ranked one of Judaism’s minor festivals, and nowhere else does it garner such attention. The holiday … [Read more...] about How Hanukkah came to America
Cartoon: Oh Vlad
The virtues of a public-spirited patrician
George H.W. Bush was legendary for his thank-you notes. He wrote thousands of them, expressing appreciation for kindnesses large and small. When it came to his gratitude, no one was left behind. In light of the consequential life Bush lived, lifting up this habit might seem to accentuate the trivial. After all, he served bravely in one war and, as president, led his country … [Read more...] about The virtues of a public-spirited patrician
Oops! ABC News reveals inconvenient fact.
In an online story dated 1 December 2018, ABC News reveals an inconvenient fact. Here is the paragraph in which the fact appears: "But McFarlane and other experts in Virginia said they don't need predictive models to know that sea levels are rising and flooding has gotten worse in their area. Residents already experience more days of flooding every year due to outdated … [Read more...] about Oops! ABC News reveals inconvenient fact.
Why we’ll miss George H.W. Bush, America’s last foreign policy president
Unlike every president who followed him, George H.W. Bush had a background in foreign policy. In 1972, Bush was serving as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. AP Photo/Dave Pickoff James Goldgeier, American University School of International Service There are many reasons to miss George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. A World War II hero, … [Read more...] about Why we’ll miss George H.W. Bush, America’s last foreign policy president
Cartoon: Bush League
Email Clay Jones at [email protected] … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Bush League
NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES
How has America arrived at the point where our president may have been extorted by a hostile foreign power to craft a foreign policy that seeks to subvert congressional sanctions, alienate our NATO allies, and threaten our national security? And how do we explain a Republican Congress that appears to be participating in a coverup for this president while … [Read more...] about NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Annie at The 5th Avenue Theatre: A Not So Cynical Review
A musical that repeatedly proports “the sun will come out tomorrow” seems appropriate for audiences used to perpetually cloudy, dark, rain-slogged Pacific Northwest winters. Consequently, Annie finds itself back in Seattle once again championing the infectiously optimistic, dare I say escapist, mantra that “tomorrow there will be sun.” Despite my preconceived cynical … [Read more...] about Annie at The 5th Avenue Theatre: A Not So Cynical Review
George H. W. Bush: A Life of Distinguished Service to the Nation (UPDATED)
UPDATE: This morning on ABC’s “This Week,” George Stephanopoulos along with former secretaries of state James A. Baker III and Colin L. Powell reflected on the life of George H. W. Bush. All three paid eloquent and memorable tribute to our 41st President. I would like to selectively focus on some of Colin Powell's words in the context of the political nightmare our … [Read more...] about George H. W. Bush: A Life of Distinguished Service to the Nation (UPDATED)
President George H. W. Bush Dies
Former President George H.W. Bush has died at the age of 94, only a few months after the death of his wife Barbara. No official cause of death has been announced yet, it looks like the funeral will be on Wednesday According to a tweet from a Bush family spokesman, his final words were directed to his son George, saying "I love you too" Tributes have been flowing in all … [Read more...] about President George H. W. Bush Dies
López Obrador takes power in Mexico after an unstable transition and broken campaign promises
Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong Five months after he won a landslide victory in Mexico’s 2018 presidential election on promises to “transform” the country, leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador will be sworn into office on Dec. 1. The prolonged transition period – currently one of the the world’s lengthiest – has given Mexicans a preview of what presidential … [Read more...] about López Obrador takes power in Mexico after an unstable transition and broken campaign promises
How will Humans escape Earth’s destruction?
How will Humans escape Earth's destruction? If astronomers are correct, then a day is coming when planet Earth will no longer be able to support Human life. Before Humans try to escape into deep space, we need to consider how cosmic radiation could affect the Human body. From Discover.com, 01 October 2018: Deep-Space Could Seriously Damage Astronaut GI Tracts, a New Study … [Read more...] about How will Humans escape Earth’s destruction?
Trump won’t go down without a fight
WASHINGTON -- It didn't take long Thursday for President Trump's tweeted complaint about the Robert Mueller probe -- "will it just go on forever?" -- to look like wishful thinking. Michael Cohen's blockbuster court appearance made it clear that Trump is (BEG ITAL)really(END ITAL) going to hate the way the investigation ends. Unless, of course, the president tries to end it … [Read more...] about Trump won’t go down without a fight
MORGEN DIE WELT
We are at a liminal moment in our political history when the least educated among us have been crudely manipulated by a comically villainous president – a Tartuffe for the working class. They cheer his acts of cruelty as if they were attending a monster truck rally; their rictus grins of triumph and retribution provide a blood-red backdrop at his rallies; they … [Read more...] about MORGEN DIE WELT
Will Trump pardon Manafort?
Donald Trump and Paul Manafort in 2016. Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch /IPX Austin Sarat, Amherst College Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, may be hoping for a presidential pardon. In September, Manafort pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy against the U.S. He also agreed to cooperate with … [Read more...] about Will Trump pardon Manafort?
Does Trump’s great gut mean a tiny brain?
Embed from Getty Images WASHINGTON -- It should go down in history as the "I Have a Gut" speech. President Trump, asked Tuesday by The Washington Post's Philip Rucker and Josh Dawsey about the Fed's interest-rate hikes, gave a gastrointestinal response. "They're making a mistake," he said, "because I have a gut, and my gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else's … [Read more...] about Does Trump’s great gut mean a tiny brain?