"Two princes: Kushner now faces a reckoning for Trump's bet on the heir to the Saudi throne" -- Washington Post headline, Oct. 15 Excerpted from: "Salmanella and the Glass Orb: How Prince Charming Met His Prince Charming" Once upon a time in the year 2017 -- before Ulysses S. Grant was recognized as a great general, before Frederick Douglass was recognized for his … [Read more...] about Prince Jared finds himself in the wrong fairy tale (With videos)
The Autocratic Club (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m seriously offended. I’ve drawn Donald Trump about a thousand times by now and the guy has never called me to pay a compliment on capturing his likeness. But, Andy Thomas, an artist in Missouri paints him once, and Trump gave him a phone call telling him how much he liked it. Trump praised the painting, and told Thomas that he normally doesn’t like paintings of himself, … [Read more...] about The Autocratic Club (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Colette (2018)
When a film includes feminism, queer expression, independence, and authority over one's intellectual property, it may be something to pay attention to. And, with Colette, you get all of those things and more. Colette, based on true events, is the story of French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. In the role is Keira Knightley, who is tasked with delivering a performance … [Read more...] about Colette (2018)
THE TRICK YOU MISSED PRESIDENT TRUMP
Want to impress, advance, gather respect Then repeat after me I am sorry I can do better I see the opportunity I accept my responsibility I read the published letter many years ago. The letter by the charismatic Pakistani cricketer, a playboy turned born-again Muslim, a politician and now the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The letter talked about his … [Read more...] about THE TRICK YOU MISSED PRESIDENT TRUMP
Will the Democrats Screw Up Again?
Recently, when the pendulum seems to be swinging in their direction, the Democrats have found some way to screw up. Will it happen in this November’s election and again in 2020? During the Obama administration, the Democrats completely neglected many of their state organizations, allowing the Republicans to take control of the governorships and state legislatures of a large … [Read more...] about Will the Democrats Screw Up Again?
Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justice
Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justices E. Donald Elliott, Yale University President Donald Trump has nominated two Supreme Court justices during only 19 months in office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated after Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation that Trump might have the opportunity to make a third nomination during one term in … [Read more...] about Fixing a broken process for nominating US Supreme Court justice
Trump’s relentless lying threatens our democracy
Femme Politique – After They’ve Seen Paree
Do you agree that Susan Collins (R-ME) is a "relic of the GOP of the 90's" when it was "beneficial to have a few broads in the Senate"? That's just part of the rhetorical flourish that my friend Deborah Long presents in her short essay on the changing political power of women in America, why it happened and how it is evolving. Enjoy the read. AFTER … [Read more...] about Femme Politique – After They’ve Seen Paree
Great Music – Chapter 36 Led Zeppelin
In trying to keep TMV’ers off balance, this week’s Great Music article returns to the hard rock of my youth. Specifically, the band Led Zeppelin and the one particular song they created which lives on and on, Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968 in London, then the primary hot spot for Rock music. After initially calling themselves “ The New Yardbirds” and … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 36 Led Zeppelin
Oh, now Trump believes in climate change.
Oh, now President Trump believes in climate change. That is what he told Lesley Stahl in an interview with 60 Minutes. As for the reality of climate change . . . The climate has been changing for as long as there has been a climate. Granted, it may be too much to ask the IPCC to explain the cause of the global warming that took place 1,000 years ago. It was as … [Read more...] about Oh, now Trump believes in climate change.
Why is it fun to be frightened?
Visiting an extreme haunted house can be delightfully terrifying. AP Photo/John Minchillo Margee Kerr, University of Pittsburgh A new installment of the ‘Halloween’ franchise brings the action forward to 2018. Universal Pictures John Carpenter’s iconic horror film … [Read more...] about Why is it fun to be frightened?
Refugees should not be political fodder
In the madness of the Trump era, terrible things happen with almost no notice. An announcement is made, some news stories are written, and the issue quickly disappears, engulfed in a storm of crazy tweets and lies, followed by expressions of outrage among President Trump's foes. A good example is the administration's decision last month to slash the number of refugees who … [Read more...] about Refugees should not be political fodder
I’m a white guy. Don’t vote for me.
I am a white, Gentile, heterosexual, cisgender male. I have come to believe that one of the best things I can do to advance equality is to vote for candidates who match as few of those attributes as possible. This is not because of self-hatred or identity politics or “liberal guilt.” It’s because, no matter how sincerely sympathetic I am to those who have … [Read more...] about I’m a white guy. Don’t vote for me.
Butt In Georgia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Republicans cheat. While Republicans like Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham scream about the Democrats’ thirst for power, they ram through a Supreme Court Justice without a thorough background check on the guy, after they stole a SCOTUS seat and lowered the number of votes needed for confirmation. While they scream about imaginary illegal immigrants and … [Read more...] about Butt In Georgia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
WHO’s anti-smoking treaty clashes with nicotine vaping industry
A World Health Organization (WHO) conference on smoking control has not endorsed industry arguments that new smokeless nicotine products are better alternatives to smoking traditional cigarettes. The clash paves the way for the next great multi-billion-dollar squabble between WHO and industry. This time it is on whether marketing high technology smokeless cigarettes, … [Read more...] about WHO’s anti-smoking treaty clashes with nicotine vaping industry
The economy is crushing it – just like in 2008!
After the Dow Jones industrials plunged 832 points on Wednesday, Larry Kudlow, President Trump's chief economic adviser, walked up the White House driveway and proclaimed that there was no cause for concern. Not about the stock market, or turmoil in China's economy, or American casualties of Trump's trade fights, or the president's attempt to bully the Federal Reserve into an … [Read more...] about The economy is crushing it – just like in 2008!
When MSNBC or Fox News airs in public places, how do people react?
Frank Waddell, University of Florida Have you been traveling and noticed that all the televisions in an airport terminal were set to CNN? Or grabbed a drink at a bar and realized that Fox News was being broadcast to its customers? You might grouse that you’re being forced to watch something that doesn’t jive with your political views. Or maybe you think it’s no big deal – … [Read more...] about When MSNBC or Fox News airs in public places, how do people react?
Cartoon: Donald Trump, Kanye West and the White House
Hurricane Michael Scores Direct Hit on Tyndall Air Force Base (UPDATE- Video)
UPDATE: The column below mentions how the devastation at Tyndall Air Force Base caused by Hurricane Michael is “emblematic” of the damage and destruction experienced throughout the Florida Panhandle and beyond. The military is responding with a speed, efficiency and resolve equally emblematic of how our military typically reacts to so many natural disasters. Just … [Read more...] about Hurricane Michael Scores Direct Hit on Tyndall Air Force Base (UPDATE- Video)
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kayne West and Donald Trump
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Fox swooned over Kanye West at the White House. Here’s how it covered rappers visiting Obama. --The tale of Taylor Swift and Kanye West is no ‘Love Story’ --Republicans who clucked that Clinton and Obama disrespected the Oval Office never heard Kanye West’s f-bomb Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kayne West and Donald Trump