Is TikTok’s parent company an agent of the Chinese state? In China Inc., it’s a little more complicated
Some U.S. lawmakers have grown concerned about TikTok. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images. Shaomin Li, Old Dominion University Does the Chinese government have officials inside TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, pulling the strings? And does the storing of data from the popular social media app outside of China protect Americans? These questions … [Read more...] about Is TikTok’s parent company an agent of the Chinese state? In China Inc., it’s a little more complicated
TRUMP BLOODBATH HAT
Pence says nope; Trump calls for a “bloodbath” if he loses in November
The weekend political news has swung from a tribute to statesmanship (Mike Pence, Friday) to a 90-minute “profanity-filled” diatribe in Ohio (Donald Trump, Saturday). What will Sunday bring? Four candidates for the Republican nomination for president stooped to endorse Trump after dropping out: Gov. Doug Burgum (ND), Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL), Sen. Tim Scott (SC), and Vivek … [Read more...] about Pence says nope; Trump calls for a “bloodbath” if he loses in November
Updated: Nathan Wade resigns; Fulton County case against Donald Trump continues
Updated: 16 Mar 2024, 10:35 am Pacific FOX talking head Laura Ingraham broadcast a photo of Nathan Wade's divorce attorney, instead of Wade, in a report about Wade's resignation from the Fulton County, Georgia, racketeering case against Donald J. Trump. Not only does this anecodte reflect the "they all look alike" mindset of "majority-white spaces." It is a reminder that … [Read more...] about Updated: Nathan Wade resigns; Fulton County case against Donald Trump continues
“An affront to the memory of our mother and grandmother.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg family blindsided by 2024 awardees
"Blasts." "Decries." "Objects." "Rips." On what would have been her 91st birthday, March 15th, family and friends of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG, 1923-2020) responded with forceful opposition to the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation decision to radically change the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award. On Wednesday, the Foundation had announced that the award … [Read more...] about “An affront to the memory of our mother and grandmother.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg family blindsided by 2024 awardees
How ‘Dune’ became a beacon for the fledgling environmental movement – and a rallying cry for the new science of ecology
Oregon’s Umpqua Dunes inspired the desert planet Arrakis in Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune.’ VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Devin Griffiths, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences “Dune,” widely considered one of the best sci-fi novels of all time, continues to influence how writers, artists and inventors envision the future. Of … [Read more...] about How ‘Dune’ became a beacon for the fledgling environmental movement – and a rallying cry for the new science of ecology
A FEMALE REPUBLICAN’S MOST THANKLESS JOB
There are lots of thankless odious jobs in America – sanitation worker, septic tank repairman – but surely none are worse than cleaning up Donald Trump’s serial excrement. That goes double for his top female acolytes, who are tasked with defending a thrice-married adulterous crotch-grabbing rapist currently on the hook for $92 million in defamation damages and slated for … [Read more...] about A FEMALE REPUBLICAN’S MOST THANKLESS JOB
Should governments ban TikTok? Can they? A cybersecurity expert explains the risks the app poses and the challenges to blocking it
Is a wildly popular social media app a threat to U.S. citizens? AP Photo/Michael Dwyer Doug Jacobson, Iowa State University The U.S. House of Representatives voted 352-65 on March 13, 2024, to require TikTok’s parent company, China-based ByteDance, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban on TikTok. President Joe Biden said on March 8 that he would … [Read more...] about Should governments ban TikTok? Can they? A cybersecurity expert explains the risks the app poses and the challenges to blocking it
Is Donald Trump winning?
Is Donald Trump really winning...and winning big...on several fronts? Respected Washington Monthly web editor and writer Martin Longman thinks Trump is - and that many are deluding themselves if they think he isn't. On his blog Progress Pond Longman, in a post headlined "Donald Trump is Kicking Everyone's Asses," writes: Trump is winning in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump winning?
Make Nepotism Great Again (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I along with many others have been saying over the past few years that the Republican Party has become a cult to Donald Trump. If Republicans in Congress voting against a border security bill they helped create because Trump told them to kill it isn’t proof enough, then take a gander at the Republican National Committee. Michael Whatley, a longtime MAGAt, is the new Chair of … [Read more...] about Make Nepotism Great Again (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia
Gemma Ware, The Conversation As Russians head to the polls on March 15 for the presidential election, conspiracy theories are swirling everywhere. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to a disinformation expert about the central role these theories play in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. As soon as the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei … [Read more...] about How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia
Updated: Why is the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation giving an award to Elon Musk in RBG’s name?
Updated: 14 Mar 2024, 5:23 pm 10:30 am | 8:25 am Pacific It was a startling tweet: an award in the name of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG, 1923-2020) is being presented to Elon Musk, Martha Stewart, Michael Milken, Robert Murdoch and Sylvester Stallone. An award to "honor brave, strong and resilient women who have dedicated their lives to create positive change in society" is … [Read more...] about Updated: Why is the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation giving an award to Elon Musk in RBG’s name?
Judge nixes some of Georgia’s charges against Trump and his allies – but that won’t necessarily derail the case
Donald Trump continues to face criminal charges in Georgia, even though some have been dismissed by a judge. AP Photo/Steve Helber Anthony Michael Kreis, Georgia State University A Fulton County judge has tossed out six of the 41 state charges against Donald Trump and his allies in Georgia’s expansive election interference case against the former … [Read more...] about Judge nixes some of Georgia’s charges against Trump and his allies – but that won’t necessarily derail the case
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA (CARTOON)
Hopes that Biden will quit his reelection campaign ignore the differences – and lessons – of LBJ and 1968’s Democratic catastrophe
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was not a peaceful event. Bettmann/Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College It’s just over six months until Election Day. The president faces a tough fight for reelection. His approval rating has cratered below 40% in the polls, his party is divided over a foreign war, and a bipartisan chorus … [Read more...] about Hopes that Biden will quit his reelection campaign ignore the differences – and lessons – of LBJ and 1968’s Democratic catastrophe
Updated: Trump’s surety bond yields ongoing intrigue, remains a national security issue
Updated: 8:45 am Pacific, 14 Mar 2024 News organizations, as well as TMV, reported last week that Donald Trump had posted a $92,000,000 surety bond in order to appeal the judgment that led from his assualt and defamation of E. Jean Carroll. Tom Nichols, an academic specialist on international affairs and retired professor at the U.S. Naval War College., agrees. His … [Read more...] about Updated: Trump’s surety bond yields ongoing intrigue, remains a national security issue
Oscar-Winner ‘Zone of Interest’ Offers Warning as Trump Plans Massive ‘Deportation Camps
by Chris Jennewein The German-language film “The Zone of Interest,” which won Oscars for both best international film and sound on Sunday, offers a warning for America in the campaign for the presidency. The film focuses on a German family who lead a seemingly normal life just outside the death camp at Auschwitz, where thousands of people are being gassed every day. … [Read more...] about Oscar-Winner ‘Zone of Interest’ Offers Warning as Trump Plans Massive ‘Deportation Camps
Fast Food Prices (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
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 expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Fast Food Prices (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Climate change matters to more and more people – and could be a deciding factor in the 2024 election
Young people demonstrate ahead of a climate summit in New York in September 2023. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images Matt Burgess, University of Colorado Boulder If you ask American voters what their top issues are, most will point to kitchen-table issues like the economy, inflation, crime, health care or education. Fewer than 5% of … [Read more...] about Climate change matters to more and more people – and could be a deciding factor in the 2024 election