For the first time in my life, I think I feel sorry for the Queen of England. At some point between meeting Prime Minster Theresa May, Boris Johnson, listening to bagpipes, golf in Scotland, lots of executive time, and avoiding protesters, Donald Trump will meet Queen Elizabeth. God help the Queen. It’s the protests that may be the most interesting. Over one million … [Read more...] about Trump Baby (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Dangerous Semantics in the Trump Nuclear Era (UPDATE)
UPDATE: After “erroneously” having told supporters that North Korea had already returned the remains of 200 soldiers killed in North Korea during the Korean War (below) and that Kim Jong Un is “giving us back the remains of probably 7,500 soldiers,” Trump apparently experienced another semantics problem when North Korean officials failed to show up for a planned meeting with … [Read more...] about Dangerous Semantics in the Trump Nuclear Era (UPDATE)
EPA’s Acting Administrator Gets Something Right
The Environmental Protection Agency's new acting administrator has gotten something right. From The Hill: Incoming Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler said in a new interview that he believes humans have played a role in climate change. Wheeler made the comment to The Washington Post in an interview. The comment suggests a break with many top Trump … [Read more...] about EPA’s Acting Administrator Gets Something Right
Great Music Chapter 23
One of my goals in the music series is to introduce TMV’ers to music and composers they might not run into normally. This week I want to introduce Ludovico Einaudi, a contemporary Italian composer. Ludovico is not one of those “old dead white guys” of classical music. That is the phrase some of my piano students use when I start them on Classical piano literature. He was born … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 23
Cartoon: Do Not Disturb
Immigrant Military Recruits Get The Boot In Yet Another Obscene New Low For Trump
Beyond the lies and distortions, threats, cover-ups, rank corruption and endless stream of firings and forced resignations, there is another constant in the Donald Trump autocracy: Reaching an obscene new low in desecrating American values and traditions and then exceeding that new low. But it will take some effort to surpass a secret order to discharge or question the legal … [Read more...] about Immigrant Military Recruits Get The Boot In Yet Another Obscene New Low For Trump
Basic Elements of Democracy
In a 2004 lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies in Iraq, Stanford University professor Larry Diamond gives four basic elements of Democracy, and then he elaborates about them. Here are those four basic elements: 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. 2. The active participation of the people, as … [Read more...] about Basic Elements of Democracy
The fight against Trump is a battle for freedom
WASHINGTON -- Every 75 years or so in our history, Americans have renewed their commitment to freedom. Divide our history into thirds, and you can see, at regular intervals, a rededication to our founding doctrine. In 1789, the framers drafted the Bill of Rights. Seventy-four years later, at the turning point in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called for "a new birth of … [Read more...] about The fight against Trump is a battle for freedom
Cartoon: Trapped kids
Cartoon: Trapped Kids
What next for the EPA? Here’s what Reagan did
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., speaks about EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and the state of the EPA during a protest on April 25, 2018, in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Seema Kakade, University of Maryland and Robert Percival, University of Maryland Scott Pruitt’s resignation as EPA administrator caught many by surprise because President Donald Trump … [Read more...] about What next for the EPA? Here’s what Reagan did
Immigrants and the Military (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: In a piece providing additional information on the MAVNI program, the Military Times gives the bottom line, “…far more than 40 may soon be weeded out – and it’s possible that the majority of the remaining 1,000 or so participants in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest, or MAVNI, program will be let go before they can be cleared for duty.” Read … [Read more...] about Immigrants and the Military (UPDATES)
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Dr. Jim Jordan Wrestling Moves
Of Related Interest: --More Ohio State wrestlers say Rep. Jim Jordan knew about sexual abuse when he was coach --Former Ohio State Wrestlers Say Rep. Jim Jordan Knew of Team Doctor’s Alleged Misconduct Former Coach (current GOP congressman) Jimmy Jordan is claiming four of the kids he coached are lying (with no motive) about his knowledge of sexual abuse. This man should be … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Dr. Jim Jordan Wrestling Moves
Coping with heat waves: 5 essential reads
The sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty, July 1, 2018. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File Jennifer Weeks, The Conversation Oppressive heat across much of North America since the end of June has buckled roads and driven Major League Baseball players off the field. July is the warmest time of year for much of the nation, so more heat waves could develop in … [Read more...] about Coping with heat waves: 5 essential reads
Try as he might, Trump can’t Make America White Again
WASHINGTON -- Racism is a feature of the Trump administration, not a bug. Like demagogues before him, President Trump and his aides consistently single out one group for scapegoating and persecution: non-white Hispanic immigrants. Trump doesn't much seem to like non-white newcomers from anywhere, in truth -- remember how he once expressed a fond wish for more immigrants from … [Read more...] about Try as he might, Trump can’t Make America White Again
Pruitt Gets Bounced (Column and Cartoon)
One of the arguments in favor of the richest cabinet in American history is; they’re already rich, so we don’t have to worry about them fleecing us. That’s a horrible argument. Are they telling us that if they weren’t wealthy then they’d be dishonest, untrustworthy, and a gang of thieves? As it turns out, that’s what they are anyway. Maybe it’s how they got rich in the first … [Read more...] about Pruitt Gets Bounced (Column and Cartoon)
New data shows US hate crimes continued to rise in 2017
Hate crimes increased in many major cities in 2016 and 2017. Christopher Penler/shutterstock Brian Levin, California State University San Bernardino; James J. Nolan, West Virginia University, and John David Reitzel, California State University San Bernardino Published FBI data currently covers hate crimes only up to 2016, when totals increased across … [Read more...] about New data shows US hate crimes continued to rise in 2017
Feliz dia de Independencia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I find today very ironic and hypocritical. We celebrate a holiday that commemorates our freedom and Independence while our nation separates families, throws children in detention centers, and holds them hostage for the parents to choose between their legal rights to seek asylum or being reunited. I’m a glass-is-a-little-less-than-half-empty kind of person. It’s really hard … [Read more...] about Feliz dia de Independencia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Defining Democracy
If one is going to promote and defend Democracy, then it helps for one to define Democracy. The Collins English Dictionary defines Democracy as "a system of government in which people choose their rulers by voting for them in elections." Here is how Democracy is defined by Merriam-Webster: "1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority; b : a … [Read more...] about Defining Democracy
