By: Patricia Bossano In general English, Matriarchy is a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line. It is also a social system in which females hold primary power, predominate in roles of leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. This definition couldn’t be more applicable to my family, … [Read more...] about Ponderings of a Philosophical-Fiction Writer: Annual Pilgrimage to a Comic Convention
The Mistake You Make in Every Political Argument
We’ve all been sufficiently frustrated by the gap between the values someone espouses and the policies they support that we’ve gotten into political arguments to help them see their error. Perhaps, if we’re more honest about our own motivation, we just reacted to get rid of that visceral dissonant feeling that “something that wrong just can’t be allowed to stand”. And no … [Read more...] about The Mistake You Make in Every Political Argument
(UPDATES) An Honor ‘If You Would Revoke My Security Clearance as Well,’ Mr. President
UPDATE III: In yet a further rebuke to the autocrat’s attempts to stifle free speech, to weaponize the security clearance process, to silence his critics, more than 175 former State Department and Pentagon officials have signed a third letter to Trump. Read the letter here UPDATE II: As Trump reiterates his intention to strip Justice Department official Bruce … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) An Honor ‘If You Would Revoke My Security Clearance as Well,’ Mr. President
Lies, Corruption, Broken Promises- Trump’s Legacy
If you can remember back as far as 2015 and 2016 when the presidential campaigns were going strong, you may remember some promises that Donald Trump made before he was elected. He pledged to clean up the swamp that was Washington, controlling lobbyists and corrupt politicians. The best men would be brought in to run the government. A trillion dollars would be devoted to … [Read more...] about Lies, Corruption, Broken Promises- Trump’s Legacy
Lies, Corruption and Broken Promises- The Trump Legacy
If you can remember back as far as 2015 and 2016 when the presidential campaigns were going strong, you may remember some promises that Donald Trump made before he was elected. He pledged to clean up the swamp that was Washington, controlling lobbyists and corrupt politicians. The best men would be brought in to run the government. A trillion dollars would be devoted to … [Read more...] about Lies, Corruption and Broken Promises- The Trump Legacy
Aretha Franklin: sublime soul diva whose voice inspired the civil rights movement
Leah Kardos, Kingston University It is no coincidence that two of Aretha Franklin’s celebrated contemporaries who travelled to Detroit to see the singer in the last stages of her illness were Stevie Wonder and Jesse Jackson. It is hard to overestimate Franklin’s importance to both music and the civil rights movement – and the presence of one of music’s greatest figures … [Read more...] about Aretha Franklin: sublime soul diva whose voice inspired the civil rights movement
Newspapers Strike Back (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Today, over 70 newspapers (so far) are running coordinated editorials defending a free press from Donald Trump’s attacks that the media is the “enemy of the American people” and “fake news.” It’s being coordinated by The Boston Globe. I probably have several newspaper clients participating in this, but one that’s definitely on board is the Sarasota News Leader. They asked me … [Read more...] about Newspapers Strike Back (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Republicans are playing with fire in the states
WASHINGTON -- The backlash to President Trump and the steady rightward journey of the Republican Party could sharply shift the distribution of political power in state capitols across the nation in this fall's elections. And because reapportionment is coming, this could change the contours of American politics for more than a decade. Strengthening that possibility is the … [Read more...] about Republicans are playing with fire in the states
Cartoon: Remembering the King Elvis Aug 16
A NFL Work Stoppage is Inevitable after the 2021 Season
by Thomas Powell THE CURRENT CBA EXPIRES FOLLOWING THE 2021 NFL SEASON The NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) is gearing up for perhaps a season long work stoppage over many important issues they feel they got shorthanded in during previous negotiations with the NFL owners. The NFLPA has informed all of their players in the NFL to save their money. They … [Read more...] about A NFL Work Stoppage is Inevitable after the 2021 Season
(UPDATES) The Press on Freedom of the Press
UPDATE II: On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Senate, by a unanimous voice vote, passed a resolution rebuking Trump, affirming that the media “is not the enemy of the people.” About time for the U.S. Senate to show some cojones. Read more here UPDATE I: As more than 350 newspapers published editorials denouncing Trump’s attacks on the press, Trump … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) The Press on Freedom of the Press
Cartoon: Enemy of the State
Why Jewish giving to Israel is losing ground
Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim, Brandeis University American Jews donate at high levels to charity. One way they support causes in the U.S., Israel and other places is collective, often through large grant-making organizations. In researching this organized philanthropy, I’ve observed that the proportion of Jewish institutional giving to Israeli causes has fallen since 2009. I … [Read more...] about Why Jewish giving to Israel is losing ground
As a young reporter, I went undercover to expose the Ku Klux Klan
Connecticut members of the Ku Klux Klan, escorted by Meriden, Conn. police, run for shelter as protesters pelt them in March 1981. AP Photo Dick Lehr, Boston University Spike Lee’s powerful new film, “BlacKkKlansman,” tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer who infiltrates a local branch the Ku Klux Klan in 1979. … [Read more...] about As a young reporter, I went undercover to expose the Ku Klux Klan
Michael Moore’s FAHRENHEIT 11/9 debuts nationwide Sept. 21 (First official trailer VIDEO)
Michael Moore's Farenheit 11/9 debuts nationwide Sept. 21st. It'll have its debut at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. The official synopsis of the film is: Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 11/9" is a provocative and comedic look at the times in which we live. It will explore the two most important questions of the Trump Era: How the f**k did we get here, and how … [Read more...] about Michael Moore’s FAHRENHEIT 11/9 debuts nationwide Sept. 21 (First official trailer VIDEO)
Cartoon: Rudy Guiliani
NDA’s in the Trump White House
One of the few redeeming aspects of the tawdry Omarosa-Trump drama is the revealing role played by Non-Disclosure Agreements in the Trump White House. Josh Marshall comments on Talking Points Memo. If there’s nothing else we’ve learned in recent months it is that if Trump is paranoid about being betrayed by his top operatives, he apparently has good reason. Michael Cohen taped … [Read more...] about NDA’s in the Trump White House
How Can We Do a Better Job of Prioritizing Addiction Treatment?
Many addiction services are tailored toward serving recovering alcoholics, but discussions surrounding opiates and other drugs largely circle around prevention instead of treatment. Many take opiates to reduce legitimate pain and may end up unintentionally dependent on the substance. Over 21 million people struggle with substance abuse disorder (SUD), and over 50,000 people … [Read more...] about How Can We Do a Better Job of Prioritizing Addiction Treatment?
Female War Hero Leads Wave of Veteran Candidates
I am an Air Force veteran, a (transplanted) Texan, a Democrat and I am all for women pursuing political office. I have previously written about political candidates possessing three of the four “qualifications.” But this is the story of one who has all four and for whom closed doors – whether real or metaphorical -- are no obstacle, for she is an ass kicking, … [Read more...] about Female War Hero Leads Wave of Veteran Candidates
Reality Show Lowlife (Cartoon and Column)
Donald Trump called Steve Bannon “sloppy” and says he “lost his mind.” He accused Michael Cohen of engaging in illegal activity while his lawyer says he’s a liar. Now, he calls Omarosa Manigault Newman “wacky,” a “lowlife,” and just this morning, a “dog.” What do these three people have in common? They all worked for Donald Trump, who used to give them high praise. Now, … [Read more...] about Reality Show Lowlife (Cartoon and Column)