Men suffer about 70 percent of fireworks injuries – and other 4th of July facts John Adams believed the fourth of July should be filled with ‘illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.’ AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez Jay L. Zagorsky, The Ohio State University In the eyes of many Americans, the Fourth of July … [Read more...] about Men suffer about 70 percent of fireworks injuries – and other 4th of July facts
Hey, Democrats: It’s The Supreme Court Stupid
My advice to Democrats - which I've offered for free since the dawn of this century - is that they pound this mantra into their thick skulls: "It's the Supreme Court, stupid." But it's probably too late for Democrats to acknowledge the obvious. One titanic reason why Trump-allied Republicans are now on the cusp of crafting a right-wing court for the next 40 years is because … [Read more...] about Hey, Democrats: It’s The Supreme Court Stupid
Democrats Should Sue Themselves
Democrats should sue themselves if they really believe that climate change is 100% man-made. That is because Democrats are direct beneficiaries of human activities that allegedly produce 100% man-made climate change. Instead of suing "Big Oil", Democrats could simply put "Big Oil" out of business by shutting down all gasoline and diesel-fuel pumps and by refusing to purchase … [Read more...] about Democrats Should Sue Themselves
Great Music Chapter 22: Metallica
I hope your head is not spinning with my bouncing around with different genres of music in this series. For those of you of a certain age, this week’s selection will bring back memories of your own youth. The song I have chosen is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. I know some of you will be wondering have I gone off the rails picking a song by a Heavy Metal band? The … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 22: Metallica
The only way to win the Supreme Court fight
BOSTON -- When Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., quickly tweeted: "This is the fight of our lives." She's right. But how will the fight be defined and how it can be won? With Republicans in control of the Senate, the odds favor anyone President Trump picks to fill Kennedy's seat. But as the mass mobilization to … [Read more...] about The only way to win the Supreme Court fight
Virginia GOP In Turmoil
"Abraham Lincoln would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that’s what the Republican Party has come to." That is the statement of Richard Fox, who recently resigned as a regional chair of the Albemarle County (VA) GOP committee. Fox made that statement in response to Corey Stewart being Virginia's GOP U.S. senatorial nominee this year. A Washington Post headline … [Read more...] about Virginia GOP In Turmoil
Tobacco Use Is Still an Economic and Moral Crisis
Anti-smoking laws started cropping up as early as the 1880s, which means smoking has been recognized as a public health epidemic among concerned citizens and medical practitioners for almost a century and a half. In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General made it official by declaring: “Cigarette smoking is a health hazard of sufficient importance in the United States to warrant … [Read more...] about Tobacco Use Is Still an Economic and Moral Crisis
‘Magic’ Mushrooms’ Psilocybin: Towards a Sane Legal Treatment
Two groups sponsoring upcoming ballot initiatives in Denver, CO, and Oregon aim to eliminate penalties for “magic” mushrooms which contain the psychedelic psilocybin this year. If approved the Denver version on this year’s ballot seeks to decriminalize mushrooms, whereas in Oregon’s initiative (in 2020) a more “medical” approach with doctors and therapists is sought. Neither … [Read more...] about ‘Magic’ Mushrooms’ Psilocybin: Towards a Sane Legal Treatment
Leftist Populist Wins Presidency in Mexico in a Landslide
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a leftist who has been also labeled a populist, has been elected President of Mexico in a landslide. This will change the dynamics in Mexico and mean Donald Trump will face an even tougher time imposing his will on Mexico. The New York Times: Riding a wave of populist anger fueled by rampant corruption and violence, the leftist Andrés Manuel … [Read more...] about Leftist Populist Wins Presidency in Mexico in a Landslide
Cartoon: Stable Geniuses in Helsinki
Misinformation and biases infect social media, both intentionally and accidentally
People who share potential misinformation on Twitter (in purple) rarely get to see corrections or fact-checking (in orange). Shao et al., CC BY-ND Giovanni Luca Ciampaglia, Indiana University and Filippo Menczer, Indiana University Social media are among the primary sources of news in the U.S. and across the world. Yet users are exposed to content of … [Read more...] about Misinformation and biases infect social media, both intentionally and accidentally
The GOP ignores the will of the people
Eight years ago, when Congress was about to pass Obamacare, John A. Boehner, leader of a powerless Republican congressional minority, gave a passionate, prescient speech on the House floor. "This is the People's House, and the moment a majority forgets this, it starts writing itself a ticket to minority status," he said. "If we pass this bill, there will be no turning back. … [Read more...] about The GOP ignores the will of the people
(UPDATE) 2018: Year of the ‘Badass Women’
UPDATE: Had last Tuesday’s stunning and decisive primary win by New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ occurred just a couple of weeks earlier, I am sure she would have been included in InStyle’s list of “The Badass 50” women (below). But in the short five days since her victory, Ocasio-Cortez has made many other lists and her influence has already been felt in many, … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) 2018: Year of the ‘Badass Women’
We’re Headed From Really Bad To Truly Awful If Mueller Doesn’t Move Soon On Trump
If you believe that timing is everything, which it so often is in politics and life, then wrap your mind around this: Robert Mueller has about two months to bring charges against Donald Trump before the last vestiges of the rule of law in the once greatest country on earth -- that former beacon of freedom -- are ground to dust under the president's tyrannical heel. When that … [Read more...] about We’re Headed From Really Bad To Truly Awful If Mueller Doesn’t Move Soon On Trump
The Trump Administration: Absurdity, Normalized
by Will Durst People keep wondering how the hell we got here. How did America become a country that forcibly separates kids from their parents? The answer is obvious: we got Trumped. Since the election of the 45th POTUS, everything we know is wrong. Racism is good. Health care is bad. Coal is the future. Rich people need more money. North Korea is our friend. Canada and … [Read more...] about The Trump Administration: Absurdity, Normalized
Cartoon: America’s Mayor
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: America’s Mayor
Why are Democratic voters more approving of compromise than Republicans?
James Glaser, Tufts University and Jeffrey Berry, Tufts University At a time when political division is heightened and the parties in Washington are deeply polarized, it is worth asking whether there is any payoff for politicians to work together. Will they be rewarded by their constituents for getting things done, balancing different interests for the public good and … [Read more...] about Why are Democratic voters more approving of compromise than Republicans?
Cartoon: Voter Suppression
Mexico’s next president likely to defy Trump on immigration
The Trump administration’s new family separation policy has become a hot issue in Mexico’s presidential election. All four candidates say that Mexico must do more to respect the human rights of Central American migrants. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong United States President Donald Trump has long blamed Mexico for the … [Read more...] about Mexico’s next president likely to defy Trump on immigration
Waiting for Death’s Arrival
“She’s gone.” Those were the saddest and worst words I had ever heard. “She” was my wife. As I looked at her lifeless body, I was stunned by the suddenness of her death. At the time she was admitted to the hospital, I had already been informed that my wife’s condition was terminal. Yet, I had hoped that I would have enough time to prepare for what was to come. I didn’t. The … [Read more...] about Waiting for Death’s Arrival