“Like other people with disabilities, I was thrilled to get the chance to prove that I had the Right Stuff then, and here I am, 30-plus years later, still being given the opportunity to make a difference.” Ms. Darcy Painter I am a short person. My dream, when I joined the U.S. Air Force, was to fly -- in any capacity. After qualifying in every respect for aircrew … [Read more...] about We All Have the ‘Right Stuff’ In Us
Millennials are so over US domination of world affairs
Millennials are not into the ‘We are the greatest country’ idea. Shutterstock Bruce Jentleson, Duke University Millennials, the generation born between 1981 and 1996, see America’s role in the 21st century world in ways that, as a recently released study shows, are an intriguing mix of continuity and change compared to prior generations. For over … [Read more...] about Millennials are so over US domination of world affairs
Why is the health community all about magnesium right now?
Activated charcoal, coconut oil and others have made the circuit around the health community as popular supplement tools, and the next big thing is magnesium. Like calcium and iron, magnesium plays an important role in maintaining your body’s functions — from strong muscles to a positive mood. Magnesium is a vital electrolyte in the body that helps with migraines, depression … [Read more...] about Why is the health community all about magnesium right now?
Democratic Socialism (Cartoon and Column)
I’m not entirely on board with the entire platform of democratic socialism. While I do believe corporations should be subjected to tighter regulations, and profit-sharing by all with their employees would be ideal, I’m not down with government forcing them to share ownership. But, I do believe every American should have access to affordable healthcare, childcare, and … [Read more...] about Democratic Socialism (Cartoon and Column)
Burying old lies with new ones
WASHINGTON -- "What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening." When the history of the Trump era is written, this quotation from our president will play a prominent role in explaining the distemper of our moment and the dysfunction of his administration. Trump was talking about media coverage of his trade war, but he was also describing his genuinely … [Read more...] about Burying old lies with new ones
The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Good Story that Keeps on Giving
When an incident or accident that could easily become a horrific tragedy turns out well, of course there is rejoicing. And the entire world celebrated the “miracle in a Thailand cave” when 12 young boys and their “Wild Boars” soccer team coach were rescued against so many odds after having been trapped deep inside a monsoon-flooded cave for 18 days. On top of that … [Read more...] about The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Good Story that Keeps on Giving
Who’s losing? Dems and GOP as swing voters loom large
As the sharply divided American electorate is portrayed as a polarized 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats, the truth is that neither party is popular and neither party enjoys anything close to 50 percent loyal support. More Americans continue to identify as independents than as GOPers or Dems – by a rather wide margin. According to Gallup’s tracking polls, in June … [Read more...] about Who’s losing? Dems and GOP as swing voters loom large
The Child King Cries ‘Help Me, I Think I’m Falling In Love (With Vlad) All Over Again’
You have to give Trey Gowdy and Lindsay Graham credit. Not much, but a little bit. Donald Trump's performance at the Surrender Summit was so repulsively astonishing that they have emerged as two of the very few Republicans pleading with the president to puh-leez remember his first responsibility is to protect the country, and to do that he has to admit that Russian … [Read more...] about The Child King Cries ‘Help Me, I Think I’m Falling In Love (With Vlad) All Over Again’
Would ‘Sergeant Trump’ Qualify for a Security Clearance? And More… (UPDATED)
Update: Not to worry folks, we are all just being trolled, it is all “crap.” Read the following post in the same lighthearted and casual way House Speaker Paul Ryan is responding to the White House’s intention to revoke security clearances of former intelligence officials who have criticized him. With a gleam in the eye, a smile on his lips and a chuckle in his voice, … [Read more...] about Would ‘Sergeant Trump’ Qualify for a Security Clearance? And More… (UPDATED)
How old is my pet in dog years or cat years? A veterinarian explains
Did anyone check the number of candles on here? KikoStock/Shutterstock.com Jesse Grady, Mississippi State University “Just how old do you think my dog is in dog years?” is a question I hear on a regular basis. People love to anthropomorphize pets, attributing human characteristics to them. And most of us want to extend our animal friends’ healthy … [Read more...] about How old is my pet in dog years or cat years? A veterinarian explains
Cartoon: Trump wants to redesign Air Force One
Putin’s interference in US elections undermines faith in American democracy
Is your faith in democracy waning? AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Pippa Norris, Harvard University Questions about the legitimacy of the 2016 U.S. presidential election continue to reverberate and deepen partisan mistrust in America. Doubts have been compounded by the indictment of 12 Russians following intelligence reports of Russian interference with … [Read more...] about Putin’s interference in US elections undermines faith in American democracy
There is just one way to constrain this lunatic administration: Vote
WASHINGTON -- Last week it was Russia, Russia, Russia. This week began with a bombastic, all-caps screed about Iran -- and, of course, more wailing about the purported "Mueller Witch Hunt." In between was a stray tweet about football and the national anthem, just to stir the racial pot. President Trump is wagging the dog so hard, I fear he will injure himself. Through it … [Read more...] about There is just one way to constrain this lunatic administration: Vote
Democrats Double Down On Stupidity
According to Democrat logic, Donald Trump colluded with Russians to hack into the Republican National Committee. That is a reasonable conclusion drawn from a particular action taken by the Democratic National Committee. From CBS News: "Three months after filing a lawsuit against the Trump campaign, the Russian government and WikiLeaks that alleges a massive conspiracy to … [Read more...] about Democrats Double Down On Stupidity
Democrats Scapegoating Vladimir Putin
Democrats continue to use Vladimir Putin as a scapegoat. They blame him for the fact that Hillary Clinton isn't President of the USA. Such blaming is foolish at best. Clinton isn't the USA's President because of her behavior, not because of anything done by Russians. Yes, some Russians meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential race. They hacked into the DNC and tried to hack … [Read more...] about Democrats Scapegoating Vladimir Putin
We knew who Trump was
WASHINGTON -- The most frustrating aspect of the backlash against President Trump's servility to Russian President Vladimir Putin is that nothing that happened last week in Helsinki should have surprised us. What's changed is that so many who insisted in 2016 that Trump was not as bad as he looked, that he was a pragmatist at heart, and that we should take him "seriously but … [Read more...] about We knew who Trump was
Should Amazon replace public libraries?
[UPDATED] LIU Post economics professor (and department chair) Panos Mourdoukoutas thinks the answer is yes, that "Amazon should open their own bookstores in all local communities" in order to "replace local libraries and save taxpayers lots of money" [1]. Yes, that's in his lede paragraph. My answer: not just no but hell no. … [Read more...] about Should Amazon replace public libraries?
Cartoon: Play Nice with Badguys (Cartoon, Column and Video)
After 9/11, President George W. Bush didn’t fly to Europe to quarrel with our allies and accuse them of not contributing enough to their defense. He didn’t go to England and tell a British tabloid that Tony Blair’s rival would make a great Prime Minister. He didn’t go to Helsinki and hold a summit, including a two-hour private chat, with the leader of the Taliban. He didn’t … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Play Nice with Badguys (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Great Music – Chapter 25
Up to this point my Great Music series has concentrated on piano music. Some of you might think that as a piano teacher, I might be biased toward that genre of music. Well- you are right. However, I love just about any kind of music from Classical, to Broadway and movie music to pop music. This week I am going to introduce another love of mine, choral music. For this I have … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 25
Traveling while black’ guidebooks may be out of print, but still resonate today
Cotten Seiler, Dickinson College In the summer of 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for the state of Missouri. Modeled after the international advisories issued by the U.S. State Department, the NAACP statement cautioned travelers of color about the “looming danger” of discrimination, harassment and violence at the hands of Missouri law enforcement, businesses and … [Read more...] about Traveling while black’ guidebooks may be out of print, but still resonate today