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
Cartoon: Putin’s holidays in Siberia
Donald Trump sees dead people
Donald Trump sees dead people. He doesn't just see them. He talks to them and relays their thoughts back to the living. This president may do things large, but he is also a medium. A few weeks ago, while posthumously honoring a World War II hero, Trump gave the man's family a report on their departed loved one. He was "looking down from Heaven, proud of this incredible … [Read more...] about Donald Trump sees dead people
This Pause Doesn’t Refresh: Inconvenient Truths & Uncomfortable Scandal Questions
In the blink-of-an-eye space of only seven days, the Russia scandal shifted into overdrive with the indictment of 12 Russia intelligence officers and arrest of a sex-peddling covert Russian agent in Washington, President Trump's extraordinary capitulation to Vladimir Putin at the Surrender Summit, as well as a host of other pot-boiling developments. And so this may be an … [Read more...] about This Pause Doesn’t Refresh: Inconvenient Truths & Uncomfortable Scandal Questions
Some Weekend Photography
Those who have been contributors to and readers at The Moderate Voice for more than two years fondly remember Ron Beasley, “Veteran, Engineer, Photographer and Moderate Voice Assistant Editor,” as described by Joe Gandelman in a eulogy to Ron when he passed away at age 69. Joe also mentioned what a great photographer Ron was and how he had encouraged Ron to start posting … [Read more...] about Some Weekend Photography
People Profiting From Sensationalism
"Fear and poverty stimulate greater interest in news." So writes Roy Greenslade in a 2007 article for The Guardian titled The good news about bad news - it sells. Greenslade is correct. That which stirs up strong negative emotions is going to attract attention, and people can profit from that attention. A PBS article about the Spanish-American War illustrates how people have … [Read more...] about People Profiting From Sensationalism
One of the Most Disgraceful Presidential Scandals
[ Note: This is not about payments to a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump] The recriminations and condemnations were swift and damning A respected Representative said, “There’s no way we can excuse what the president did…When you have the world watching, it did not show the seriousness of purpose that you need from a … [Read more...] about One of the Most Disgraceful Presidential Scandals
An Incredible Offer (Cartoon and Column)
When Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to allow Robert Mueller to fly to Russia and question the people there he’s indicted in exchange for the U.S. to send over American citizens Putin wants to throw out of high rises, Donald Trump should have given a very quick and negative response. Trump should have said, “let me think about it and now that I have thought about … [Read more...] about An Incredible Offer (Cartoon and Column)
Bloody uprising in Nicaragua could trigger the next Central American refugee crisis
Militias guard a barricade after police and pro-government militias stormed a rebel-held neighborhood in Masaya, Nicaragua, on July 17, 2018. AP Photo/Cristibal Venegas Jose Miguel Cruz, Florida International University Central American migrants have long been at the center of what consecutive U.S. administrations have called the immigration … [Read more...] about Bloody uprising in Nicaragua could trigger the next Central American refugee crisis
The ‘deep state’ stands between us and the abyss
WASHINGTON -- Before this hare-brained and reckless administration is history, the nation will have cause to celebrate the public servants derided by Trumpists as the supposed "deep state." The term itself is propaganda, intended to cast a sinister light upon men and women whom Trump and his minions find annoyingly knowledgeable and experienced. They are not participants in … [Read more...] about The ‘deep state’ stands between us and the abyss
What Does the Environmental Impact of Self-Driving Cars Look Like?
Self-driving cars are both a popular and contentious topic, especially when they keep making the news for getting into accidents. In theory, once self-driving cars become more common, they could reduce the overall number of accidents by up to 90 percent. While they can save lives, will self-driving cars be better for the environment? Let's take a closer look at the … [Read more...] about What Does the Environmental Impact of Self-Driving Cars Look Like?
If Brexit – and Democracy – Means Anything, It’s Time for Pitchforks
Many people regard Magna Carta as the first Constitutional guarantee of the basic liberties of the English-speaking world. Fewer people know that Magna Carta wasn’t imposed on King John just because he abused his power (which after all has been true of most kings and governments throughout history), but because he had handed away the sovereignty of England to a foreign … [Read more...] about If Brexit – and Democracy – Means Anything, It’s Time for Pitchforks
Trump vs. Treason
People need to think twice before they accuse Donald Trump of committing treason. Did Trump order armed men to attack an American military installation? Did he participate in such an attack? Did Trump put on the military uniform of an entity that declared war on the USA? Did Trump lead an attack on soldiers wearing U.S. military uniforms? Did Trump lead a battle … [Read more...] about Trump vs. Treason
Surrender Summit Blowback: Even Repubs Now Question Trump’s Loyalty, But . . .
Not even George Will, the éminence grise of conservative pundits, was around in the 1790s when George Washington -- ostensibly first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen -- was pilloried by some of those countrymen for what they viewed as insufficient allegiance to America over King George III, who of course had been deeply embarrassed by the young … [Read more...] about Surrender Summit Blowback: Even Repubs Now Question Trump’s Loyalty, But . . .
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Russia
Of related interest: -From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered">-From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered --U.S. Officials ‘at a Fucking Loss’ Over Latest Russia Sellout --.White House Weighs Allowing Russia to Question Ex-U.S. Envoy --Trump Again Skips Intel Briefing After Siding With Putin Mike Peters is recognized … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Russia
Remembering What Was Forgotten in Helsinki: Russia’s Downing of Flight MH17
[Please scroll down to the bottom to read what the father of three children who perished aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 has to say to president Trump] Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine by a Russian missile on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 souls on board. The passenger aircraft was traveling from Amsterdam to … [Read more...] about Remembering What Was Forgotten in Helsinki: Russia’s Downing of Flight MH17
Is Trump Trying to Destroy American Democracy?
With President Trump’s actions internally and in foreign affairs, it appears as if he is trying to destroy America’s democracy, perhaps hoping to institute an autocratic regime similar to those he openly admires, particularly Russia. His conduct during the one and a half years of his presidency can only be interpreted in two ways. One is that his behavior is the result of … [Read more...] about Is Trump Trying to Destroy American Democracy?
