Paul Conrad, perhaps the greatest political cartoonist in American history, was furious when he found out he wasn’t on Nixon’s infamous enemies list. It turned out he actually was when the second list was revealed. A second list? Nixon hated a lot of people. Conrad later said being included was his greatest distinction, and he won three Pulitzers. Can you imagine if Nixon had … [Read more...] about Enemies List (Cartoon, Column and Video) ERROR FIXED
Media Struggles Covering White Nationalists, Antifa and Trump
By Blair Bess White Supremacists were supposed to descend upon Washington, D.C. this past weekend for a demonstration commemorating the anniversary of last year's deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville. One problem. Next to no one showed up. There were more police and counter-protesters and - of course - media in attendance than the throngs of hate-mongers … [Read more...] about Media Struggles Covering White Nationalists, Antifa and Trump
Facebook begins to shift from being a free and open platform into a responsible public utility
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepares to testify on Capitol Hill. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University When Facebook recently removed several accounts for trying to influence the 2018 midterm elections, it was the company’s latest move acknowledging the key challenge facing the social media giant: It is both an open … [Read more...] about Facebook begins to shift from being a free and open platform into a responsible public utility
Cartoon: John Brennan
Trump craves good press from the ‘fake news’ media – just look at his White House newsletter
Joseph Graf, American University School of Communication Mainstream press coverage of President Trump has been unfavorable. Thomas Patterson found that 80 percent of stories in the first 100 days of the administration were negative in tone. The president has attacked the media as “fake news” and journalists as “the enemy of the American people.” The president’s … [Read more...] about Trump craves good press from the ‘fake news’ media – just look at his White House newsletter
These Men and Women Do Not Need a Military Parade
The brave men and women in our Armed Forces do not need a $92 million self-aggrandizing military parade. What they need is more respect for those fighting the wildfires out West. Airmen from the Washington Air National Guard fight the Sheep Creek fire Aug. 6, 2018, near Northport, Wash. What they need is more respect for their fallen comrades and their Gold Star … [Read more...] about These Men and Women Do Not Need a Military Parade
Turning The Corner From Doubt To Certainty: Nothing To See Here, America, Move Along
Have you had a friend who died after a long bout with alcoholism or some other form of substance abuse who left you wondering when he turned the proverbial corner from moderation to addiction? The comparison may not be the neatest, but the same question can be asked of Donald Trump: When did we know for sure that he colluded with Russia? The answer to when a friend may … [Read more...] about Turning The Corner From Doubt To Certainty: Nothing To See Here, America, Move Along
White Supremacists and the GOP
Once again, Americans have received a reminder that white supremacists are not extinct. From NPR, 12 August 2018: "A small group of about 25 white supremacist demonstrators rallied next to the White House on Sunday, one year after the 'Unite the Right' demonstration by the same organizer turned deadly in Charlottesville, Va." In theory, all major political parties in the … [Read more...] about White Supremacists and the GOP
Ponderings of a Philosophical-Fiction Writer: Annual Pilgrimage to a Comic Convention
By: Patricia Bossano In general English, Matriarchy is a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line. It is also a social system in which females hold primary power, predominate in roles of leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. This definition couldn’t be more applicable to my family, … [Read more...] about Ponderings of a Philosophical-Fiction Writer: Annual Pilgrimage to a Comic Convention
The Mistake You Make in Every Political Argument
We’ve all been sufficiently frustrated by the gap between the values someone espouses and the policies they support that we’ve gotten into political arguments to help them see their error. Perhaps, if we’re more honest about our own motivation, we just reacted to get rid of that visceral dissonant feeling that “something that wrong just can’t be allowed to stand”. And no … [Read more...] about The Mistake You Make in Every Political Argument
(UPDATES) An Honor ‘If You Would Revoke My Security Clearance as Well,’ Mr. President
UPDATE III: In yet a further rebuke to the autocrat’s attempts to stifle free speech, to weaponize the security clearance process, to silence his critics, more than 175 former State Department and Pentagon officials have signed a third letter to Trump. Read the letter here UPDATE II: As Trump reiterates his intention to strip Justice Department official Bruce … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) An Honor ‘If You Would Revoke My Security Clearance as Well,’ Mr. President
Lies, Corruption, Broken Promises- Trump’s Legacy
If you can remember back as far as 2015 and 2016 when the presidential campaigns were going strong, you may remember some promises that Donald Trump made before he was elected. He pledged to clean up the swamp that was Washington, controlling lobbyists and corrupt politicians. The best men would be brought in to run the government. A trillion dollars would be devoted to … [Read more...] about Lies, Corruption, Broken Promises- Trump’s Legacy
Lies, Corruption and Broken Promises- The Trump Legacy
If you can remember back as far as 2015 and 2016 when the presidential campaigns were going strong, you may remember some promises that Donald Trump made before he was elected. He pledged to clean up the swamp that was Washington, controlling lobbyists and corrupt politicians. The best men would be brought in to run the government. A trillion dollars would be devoted to … [Read more...] about Lies, Corruption and Broken Promises- The Trump Legacy
Aretha Franklin: sublime soul diva whose voice inspired the civil rights movement
Leah Kardos, Kingston University It is no coincidence that two of Aretha Franklin’s celebrated contemporaries who travelled to Detroit to see the singer in the last stages of her illness were Stevie Wonder and Jesse Jackson. It is hard to overestimate Franklin’s importance to both music and the civil rights movement – and the presence of one of music’s greatest figures … [Read more...] about Aretha Franklin: sublime soul diva whose voice inspired the civil rights movement
Newspapers Strike Back (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Today, over 70 newspapers (so far) are running coordinated editorials defending a free press from Donald Trump’s attacks that the media is the “enemy of the American people” and “fake news.” It’s being coordinated by The Boston Globe. I probably have several newspaper clients participating in this, but one that’s definitely on board is the Sarasota News Leader. They asked me … [Read more...] about Newspapers Strike Back (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Republicans are playing with fire in the states
WASHINGTON -- The backlash to President Trump and the steady rightward journey of the Republican Party could sharply shift the distribution of political power in state capitols across the nation in this fall's elections. And because reapportionment is coming, this could change the contours of American politics for more than a decade. Strengthening that possibility is the … [Read more...] about Republicans are playing with fire in the states
Cartoon: Remembering the King Elvis Aug 16
A NFL Work Stoppage is Inevitable after the 2021 Season
by Thomas Powell THE CURRENT CBA EXPIRES FOLLOWING THE 2021 NFL SEASON The NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) is gearing up for perhaps a season long work stoppage over many important issues they feel they got shorthanded in during previous negotiations with the NFL owners. The NFLPA has informed all of their players in the NFL to save their money. They … [Read more...] about A NFL Work Stoppage is Inevitable after the 2021 Season
(UPDATES) The Press on Freedom of the Press
UPDATE II: On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Senate, by a unanimous voice vote, passed a resolution rebuking Trump, affirming that the media “is not the enemy of the people.” About time for the U.S. Senate to show some cojones. Read more here UPDATE I: As more than 350 newspapers published editorials denouncing Trump’s attacks on the press, Trump … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) The Press on Freedom of the Press
