By Graham F. West In 1949, President Harry Truman led the way in forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, known today as NATO. For more than 60 years, this alliance, founded on the idea that "an attack on one is an attack on all," has stood as a cornerstone of the interconnected world that Truman worked to build - one of allies who share common interests and common … [Read more...] about The Benefits of NATO
Rock ‘n’ roll is noise pollution – with ecological implications that can spread through a food web
Not interested in your new favorite band. TJ Gehling, CC BY-NC-ND Brandon Barton, Mississippi State University Despite being one of the best-selling albums of all time, ideology from AC/DC’s “Back in Black” album has gone unchallenged for nearly 40 years. The album’s closing track posited a testable hypothesis, asserting with rock-star confidence that … [Read more...] about Rock ‘n’ roll is noise pollution – with ecological implications that can spread through a food web
Trump and Putin- Why Alone?
Presidents Trump and Putin will be meeting in Helsinki, Finland on July 16 after Trump attends the NATO summit and visits England. This would normally be news, but the real news is the extraordinary aspect of this meeting as Trump will be meeting Putin alone. There will be a Russian interpreter, but no other Americans present. To say these unprecedented arrangements are … [Read more...] about Trump and Putin- Why Alone?
Donald Trump and Incivility
Donald Trump has earned the grade of "F" in the area of civility. Trump calling Maxine Waters "low IQ" was uncalled for, and he certainly should apologize to her for doing so. That said, the Democratic Party is no paragon when it comes to civility. From ABC News: [Maxine] Waters drew criticism from both sides of the aisle after she encouraged protesters to … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and Incivility
Manliness
by D. Eckberg As the number of men revealed to be sexual predators over the past year via Me Too and Time's Up has continued to grow, at first I was shocked at the mushrooming list of familiar names. And then ashamed realizing I shouldn't have been, thinking back to the very real fear I read in the eyes of female friends in college as they confided to me concerns about … [Read more...] about Manliness
Trump Spelunking (Column and Cartoon)
The world was uplifted by the news that all 12 of the Thai soccer players trapped for nearly three weeks inside a cave were finally rescued. It was a challenging rescue for even the most experienced divers, as the tunnels leading the boys were narrow and flooded during Thailand’s rainy season. During the rescue, each boy was underwater for two to six hours. One Thai diver … [Read more...] about Trump Spelunking (Column and Cartoon)
Trump isn’t the first leader to rattle the world order
Kelly McFarland, Georgetown University Donald Trump’s recent trip to the G-7 summit smashed expectations of how world leaders should behave. Trump’s actions in Canada included exacerbating the growing trade war and accusing Canadian President Justin Trudeau of lying. Summit participants described the President as “angry, mocking, wandering and rude.” Trump left the G-7 … [Read more...] about Trump isn’t the first leader to rattle the world order
Yes, abortion is on Kavanaugh’s docket. But here’s what’s first.
WASHINGTON -- Hours before President Trump revealed his Supreme Court nominee Monday night, the White House made a curious announcement. A Trump spokesman said that the "Sherpa" charged with leading Trump's nominee to confirmation in the Senate would be former Republican senator Jon Kyl, a big-time lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals industry. Why would the White House put … [Read more...] about Yes, abortion is on Kavanaugh’s docket. But here’s what’s first.
The Monstrous Backstory That Trump Is Desperate To Keep Secret As He Meets Putin
When Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Helsinki on July 16 for their first summit meeting, the American president will have much to hide and the Russian autocrat much to gain. Because as is glaringly obvious, Putin has the goods on Trump, has been using him to Russia's advantage for many years and is now playing the U.S. for a global chump despite a president who likes … [Read more...] about The Monstrous Backstory That Trump Is Desperate To Keep Secret As He Meets Putin
Tag (2018)
To my surprise, Tag follows a trend of good comedy we've been fortunate to experience in 2018. Joining other adult comedies, such as Game Night and Blockers, Tag celebrates friendship in adulthood and reinforces the idea that, no matter what happens or how much time has passed, you can rely on the people closest to you. Based on real events, this film follows a group of … [Read more...] about Tag (2018)
Kavanaugh’s Hang Ups (Cartoon and Column)
Leave it to Donald Trump to make a Supreme Court nomination that reminds us just how bad the Bush administration was. Shortly after being nominated to the court, Bush issued a statement on Brett Kavanaugh. “President Trump has made an outstanding decision in nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court,” said the 43rd president. Kavanaugh served as counsel in the … [Read more...] about Kavanaugh’s Hang Ups (Cartoon and Column)
Supreme Court polarization is not inevitable — just look at Europe
David Orentlicher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas United States President Donald Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. His choice solidifies a conservative majority on the nation’s nine-member highest court. Trump’s conservative bench could overrule Roe v. Wade, eliminating women’s constitutional right to … [Read more...] about Supreme Court polarization is not inevitable — just look at Europe
Miracle in a Thailand Cave (FINAL, FINAL VIDEO UPDATE)
The twelve rescued boys are finally going home. Here is the latest video, courtesy CBS News: FINAL UPDATE: NBC is reporting that the 12 boys and their coach are expected to be discharged next Thursday from the hospital where they are recovering. We wish them well. UPDATE: The additional photos are DoD (as indicated) and from the Royal Thai SEAL FaceBook … [Read more...] about Miracle in a Thailand Cave (FINAL, FINAL VIDEO UPDATE)
Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court (UPDATED)
President Donald Trump has picked judge Brett M. Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court -- a nomination virtually assured to go through, no matter what the political fireworks or length of the confirmation hearings. The New York Times: President Trump on Monday selected Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, a politically connected member of Washington’s conservative legal … [Read more...] about Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court (UPDATED)
Recycling in 2018
Recycling is a relatively easy, low effort way to feel good about helping the environment- much easier than giving up driving a car, for example. However, is recycling actually helping the environment, and is it helping us economically? After several decades of recycling neglect voluntary recycling returned in the 1970s and made a difference, both environmentally and … [Read more...] about Recycling in 2018
Cartoon: Trump Supreme Court Pick
How Roe v. Wade changed the lives of American women
Constance Shehan, University of Florida The recent announcement of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement has ignited widespread speculation about the future of Roe v. Wade. Some analysts believe that a new appointment to the Supreme Court would mean a conservative justice, particularly one who is against abortion rights, will threaten the status of the law. The U.S. … [Read more...] about How Roe v. Wade changed the lives of American women
Keep The Change
Copyright 2018 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Keep The Change
Enemies of Democracy: Theocrats
In early 2018, Baptist preacher Dan Fisher decided to run as a Republican for the office of Oklahoma's governor. During Oklahoma's 2018 GOP primaries, Fisher received 35,765 votes. That was 35,765 votes too many. Why? Because, as his campaign brochure indicates, Fisher is an enemy of the U.S. Constitution, an enemy of Democracy and the worst kind of theocrat. This what … [Read more...] about Enemies of Democracy: Theocrats
Should Millennials form their own democratic socialist party?
With the current state of hyper-partisan polarization in American politics between Democrats and Republicans, plus a definitive ideological divide within each of the two parties, perhaps a generational sorting of the political landscape might also emerge over the horizon. Imagine this: An electoral field of competition in future state and congressional elections featuring … [Read more...] about Should Millennials form their own democratic socialist party?