I honestly thought the identity of “Anonymous,” the White House staffer who wrote an op-ed published by The New York Times Wednesday night, would have been discovered by noon on Thursday, and by 6:00 P.M., there would have been a very public firing. But, I forgot who we’re dealing with here? Donald Trump finding Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous? Trump can’t even say “anonymous.” I … [Read more...] about Searching for Anonymous (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Wolves Helping Aspen Return to Northern Yellowstone
CODY, Wyo. – Aspen trees are on the rebound in and around Yellowstone National Park, and a new report says predators deserve the credit. Luke Painter, a wildlife ecologist at Oregon State University and the study’s lead author, says the trees were in decline for decades largely because concentrated elk populations were eating new tree shoots. He says since wolves were … [Read more...] about Wolves Helping Aspen Return to Northern Yellowstone
Weaponizing Grief: A Counter Argument?
Wile the term “weaponizing” has been part of modern military jargon for the past seven decades or so and while ancient armies have used the concept within a military context in one form or another, the Trump administration has raised “weaponizing” as a “narrative” to an art form. In particular, the weaponizing of anger and grief. The most recent example is Trump’s … [Read more...] about Weaponizing Grief: A Counter Argument?
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Lie Detectprs
Of Related Interest: --LAW AND ORDER Trump Wants to Polygraph His Own Staff. That’s Nuts. --How the Anonymous Op-Ed Came to Be --President Trump has made 4,713 false or misleading claims in 592 days Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Lie Detectprs
Thousands of mental health professionals agree with Woodward and the New York Times op-ed author: Trump is dangerous
Bandy X. Lee, Yale University Bob Woodward’s new book, “Fear,” describes a “nervous breakdown of Trump’s presidency.” Earlier this year, Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury” offered a similar portrayal. Now, an op-ed in The New York Times by an anonymous “senior White House official” describes how deeply the troubles in this administration run and what effort is required to … [Read more...] about Thousands of mental health professionals agree with Woodward and the New York Times op-ed author: Trump is dangerous
So this is how Paul Ryan leaves office?
WASHINGTON -- So this is how retiring House Speaker Paul D. Ryan wishes to leave public service: with lies, name-calling and racism? The fall general-election season has begun, and the $100 million Congressional Leadership Fund, which Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, and his House GOP leadership team endorse and raise money for, has released a flurry of ads in recent days that … [Read more...] about So this is how Paul Ryan leaves office?
Crazytown Showdown: Conservatives Win While America & Honest Abe Take A Beating
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I value your comments, especially when they add to or amplify the subjects of my columns. But I am no longer able to reply because of a well-known glitch in the Disqus system that Joe and Tyrone have been unable to interest the clowns at Disqus in addressing. My sincere apologies.) There is an important subtext to the Showdown at Crazytown, … [Read more...] about Crazytown Showdown: Conservatives Win While America & Honest Abe Take A Beating
What Is the Body Neutrality Movement All About?
Everyone tells us we should love our bodies no matter what. While the intentions behind this advice are sound, many find that simply being told to love their bodies is a bit disingenuous in a world where people are still very much judged by their appearance. Enter the body neutrality movement. What is it? What Is Body Neutrality? Body neutrality focuses upon developing … [Read more...] about What Is the Body Neutrality Movement All About?
Planting, Growing and Eating
What do you plant? Not big, not small; what pleases you. I just planted a mature Haas avocado tree, a lemon tree, some tomatoes and some chilies. That equals guacamole. YUM. I have a relatively large (ten yards long) two tier redwood planter with a drip system and I am wondering how others would use it for food / accents. Cheers, KP … [Read more...] about Planting, Growing and Eating
America is still free, and the people will be heard
"Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble." -- First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified Dec. 15, 1791 "I don't know why they don't take care of a situation like that. I think it's embarrassing for the country to allow protesters." -- President Trump, Sept. 4, 2018 WASHINGTON … [Read more...] about America is still free, and the people will be heard
Plagiarists or innovators? The Led Zeppelin paradox endures
Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, performs in Hamburg, Germany in 1973. Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-NC-SA Aram Sinnreich, American University School of Communication Fifty years ago – in September 1968 – the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin first performed together, kicking off a Scandinavian tour billed as the New Yardbirds. The new, … [Read more...] about Plagiarists or innovators? The Led Zeppelin paradox endures
Despite The Crazytown Showdown, Trump’s Grip On The National Gonads Remains Firm
(A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I value your comments, especially when they add to or amplify the subjects of my columns. But I am no longer able to reply because of a well-known glitch in the Disqus system that Joe and Tyrone have been unable to interest the clowns at Disqus in addressing. My sincere apologies.) It sure is reassuring to know that there are so many people … [Read more...] about Despite The Crazytown Showdown, Trump’s Grip On The National Gonads Remains Firm
The Resistance Strikes Back
The New York Times today is running an op-ed piece authored by a senior member of the Trump administration, whose identity is known to the Publisher. The author described the Near Future Ex-President of the United States as being unfit for office. He identifies himself a member of the Resistance — a group of high-ranking officials, staying in the government to avert … [Read more...] about The Resistance Strikes Back
Fear Woodward (Cartoon, Column and Video)
In 1991, I met editorial cartoonist Draper Hill at my first cartoonist convention, and he drew me a doodle of Richard Nixon. Next to that drawing, he wrote something like, “too bad you won’t ever have the likes of me to cover.” So, basically, this is all Draper’s fault. He jinxed us with that drawing. Draper, who passed away in 2009, loved drawing Nixon. I saw him draw for a … [Read more...] about Fear Woodward (Cartoon, Column and Video)
White House, Trump Furious: New York Times Anonymous Insider Op Ed Calls Trump “Unstable, Half-Baked, Ill-Informed, Reckless”
Only a few days after Bob Woodward's book "Fear" was pitchforked into the headlines by teaser leaks that portrayed a White House suffering a "nervous breakdown" with some aides quietly working to thwart and contain Donald Trump, the New York Times delivered a double whammy: an op-ed reportedly written by a White House "senior official" (NY Times editors know who he/she is) the … [Read more...] about White House, Trump Furious: New York Times Anonymous Insider Op Ed Calls Trump “Unstable, Half-Baked, Ill-Informed, Reckless”
UN tries to bring ray of hope to Yemen
A small ray of optimism may be opening for Yemen’s devastated people partly because of new consultations sponsored by the United Nations in Geneva. Reporting on his discussions with a large spectrum of leaders and people in Yemen over the last seven months, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths said today, “We have all agreed that time has come to begin a new process, to … [Read more...] about UN tries to bring ray of hope to Yemen
(BREAKING UPDATE) Protecting the Nation from the President
BREAKING UPDATE: Confirming just about every claim the anonymous New York Times op-ed writer made against Trump – unmoored, amoral, impetuous, impulsive, erratic, adversarial, petty and ineffective – the unhinged president is now demanding that Attorney General Jeff Sessions investigate the source of the Times op-ed, alleging that the exercise of the writer’s right to … [Read more...] about (BREAKING UPDATE) Protecting the Nation from the President
What’s at stake in November? Democracy.
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's incoherence grows to keep pace with his desperation. These days he makes less sense than ever -- a sign that this malignant presidency has entered a new, more dangerous phase. I can't be the only one who thinks he sounds less like an elected official than like the leader of some apocalyptic cult. Look at the way he rails against the news media … [Read more...] about What’s at stake in November? Democracy.
Never have we seen such a spectacle
WASHINGTON -- Brett M. Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearing is scheduled to last all week. Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley lost control after just 13 words. "Good morning," he said. "I welcome everyone to this confirmation hearing on the nomination of --" "Mr. Chairman?" interrupted Sen. Kamala D. Harris (Calif.), a junior Democrat on the … [Read more...] about Never have we seen such a spectacle
How slot machines work – and why you should think twice before playing them
A night at the slots. CC BY-SA Anthony Frederick Lucas, University of Nevada, Las Vegas The gaming industry is big business in the U.S., contributing an estimated US$240 billion to the economy each year, while generating $38 billion in tax revenues and supporting 17 million jobs. What people may not realize is that slot machines, video poker … [Read more...] about How slot machines work – and why you should think twice before playing them