Amplifying the outrageous: today’s journalistic malpractice
In a story about Fred Trump’s Alzheimer diagnosis, Washington Post political reporter Michael Kranish decided to go for the outrageous over the nuanced with regard to President Biden. Kranish used an inflammatory media soundbite, the one where news media treated a Trump-appointed LAWYER as though he were a GERIATIC PSYCHOLOGIST. His own paper added nuance to … [Read more...] about Amplifying the outrageous: today’s journalistic malpractice
Supreme Court lets Texas’ immigration law stand, intensifying fight between Texas and the US government over securing the Mexico border
A Texas National Guard soldier watches over a group of migrants who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2023. John Moore/Getty Images Mark P Jones, Rice University The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion on March 19, 2024, that Texas can – at least for now – have state authorities deport undocumented migrants, which … [Read more...] about Supreme Court lets Texas’ immigration law stand, intensifying fight between Texas and the US government over securing the Mexico border
Bloodbath (Cartoon, Column and Video)
“Now we’re going to put a 100 percent tariff on every single car that comes across [the] line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those guys — if I get elected. Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole. That’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.” This is the rhetoric Donald Trump used over the weekend at … [Read more...] about Bloodbath (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Do the crime? Gotta do the time. Roberts says ‘nope’ to Navarro
Peter Navarro, 74, must report to a federal prison in Miami, FL on Tuesday, March 19. On Monday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts denied Navarro's (final chance) appeal of his September 2023 conviction for contempt of Congress. Navarro defied a subpoena from the U.S. House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. … [Read more...] about Do the crime? Gotta do the time. Roberts says ‘nope’ to Navarro
Is Donald Trump broke? Lawyers say he can’t post $464M bond to appeal New York fraud case
Is former President Donald Trump broke? Trump reportedly can't finance an appeal bond for at least $450 million to cover a judgment in the New York attorney general’s business fraud case against him. It's considered too big a sum (and most likely too risky since Trump's track record of paying his bills isn't terrific). The Washington Post: Donald Trump has been unable … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump broke? Lawyers say he can’t post $464M bond to appeal New York fraud case
Russian March Madness (Cartoon)
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