(UPDATE: Manafort's bail was revoked on June 15 and he was sent to jail to await trial.) Of all the bad actors who attached themselves to Donald Trump in the course of the Russia scandal, former campaign manager Paul Manafort may be the baddest, and so it would be fitting -- and overdue, as well -- if he ends up trading one of his Italian designer business suits for an … [Read more...] about It’s Time For Paul Manafort To Trade In His Designer Threads For A Prison Jumpsuit
Of Special Relationships and ‘Special Places’ (UPDATES)
CODA: Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen has aptly referred to Trump's foreign policy towards our allies as "a wrecking ball." Hence the change in image, courtesy donkeyhotey.com. UPDATE II: In a symbolic vote of solidarity, “Canada’s House of Commons on Monday unanimously condemned the personal attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by U.S. President Donald … [Read more...] about Of Special Relationships and ‘Special Places’ (UPDATES)
Solo (2018)
It's the action-packed, gun-slinging, ship-racing Star Wars story we've all been promised. Almost. Solo: A Star Wars Story is Disney's most recent venture into a galaxy far, far away, following the young Han Solo and how he became the Solo we all came to know in the original Star Wars trilogy. This Solo is played by Alden Ehrenreich, who has taken on the role from Harrison … [Read more...] about Solo (2018)
2018 Warrior Games, Concluded but not Forgotten
The Department of Defense Warrior Games were established in 2010 “as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, ill and injured service members and to expose them to adaptive sports.” I have tried to write about these noble Games, and about a similar event -- The Invictus Games, inspired by the Warrior Games – on a regular basis. Alas, that did not … [Read more...] about 2018 Warrior Games, Concluded but not Forgotten
We’ll get through this, America — even L’Affaire Chick-fil-A
WASHINGTON -- It was another one of those weeks in which the wheels seemed to come off the axle of the American motor coach. President Trump speculated about his power to pardon himself for crimes, and his lawyer said the president could shoot the now-former FBI director with legal impunity. Trump is feuding with Canada and our closest allies in Europe, but is looking … [Read more...] about We’ll get through this, America — even L’Affaire Chick-fil-A
‘Jurassic Park’ made a dinosaur-sized leap forward in computer-generated animation on screen, 25 years ago
Computer-generated dinosaurs walk the Earth. Universal Pictures Studios Adam Bargteil, University of Maryland, Baltimore County With 25 years of hindsight, “Jurassic Park” marks a pivotal point in the history of visual effects in film. It came 11 years after 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” debuted computer-generated imagery for a visual … [Read more...] about ‘Jurassic Park’ made a dinosaur-sized leap forward in computer-generated animation on screen, 25 years ago
Overboard (2018)
Overboard, unfortunately, deserves little thought or consideration. It is a mediocre attempt at comedy and, while very few remakes live up to their originals, Overboard does even worse than what would normally be expected. The only saving grace this film has is its Mexican soap opera-esque storyline, much of it being in Spanish, with Eugenio Derbez and his wealthy family. … [Read more...] about Overboard (2018)
A Review of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The 5th Avenue Theatre’s presentation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame may have songs and movie title lettering from its Disney film predecessor, but this Seattle production has abandoned any pretense of Disney’s “Happiest Place on Earth” motif to thoroughly ground the musical in the tormented source material of Victor Hugo’s original novel. The themes are deep, dark, bleak and … [Read more...] about A Review of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Europeans watch helplessly as Trump knee-caps their G7
The tense forced smiles at the G-7 Summit today confirmed that the Humpty Dumpty of Western unity in peacetime has broken into too many fragments to recover its preeminent influence in shaping the rules-based and treaty-based world order set up after World War II. President Donald Trump’s knee-capping of America’s chief allies at La Malbaie, Quebec, is causing apprehension … [Read more...] about Europeans watch helplessly as Trump knee-caps their G7
Attack in Somalia Kills U.S. Service Member, Wounds Four (UPDATED)
UPDATE: CBS News has identified the U.S. soldier killed Friday in an attack by extremists in Somalia as Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Conrad, 26, of Chandler, Arizona. Conrad was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. According to Reuters, he had received numerous awards and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Meritorious … [Read more...] about Attack in Somalia Kills U.S. Service Member, Wounds Four (UPDATED)
HAZ MOR CORUPSHUN (Cartoon, Column and Video)
EPA Director Scott Pruitt’s defense that he used his position to unethically seek a Chick-fil-A franchise for his wife was that he really likes fried chicken. That’s like defending yourself of taking kickbacks by saying you really like money. On Thursday at an event at FEMA HQ, Donald Trump said to Pruitt, “EPA is doing really, really well. Somebody has to say that about you … [Read more...] about HAZ MOR CORUPSHUN (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Looking for One Honest Mandamus
Last Wednesday, a federal judge hinted that he might have to toss out a case against future ex-President over the Constitution’s emolument clause. The clause prevents him from accepting money or property from a foreign government. Two Democratic politic action groups, which brought the case, would be out of court. Yet, there may be hope. First, the judge mentioned that … [Read more...] about Looking for One Honest Mandamus
Social Security’s future is safe
Despite alarming news, retirees can still rely on their retirement nest eggs. Dan Kosmayer/Shutterstock.com Christian Weller, University of Massachusetts Boston Social Security is the bedrock of Americans’ retirement income security. So you may have been concerned by the news that the federal government needed to dip into the Social Security’s trust … [Read more...] about Social Security’s future is safe
The Trump-Kim summit may not work, but it’s worth the try
WASHINGTON -- The bombastic, belligerent, inexperienced and unpredictable leader of a nuclear-armed nation, a man who flouts international norms and agreements, is scheduled to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday. What could go wrong? How much time do you have? President Trump's on-again, off-again summit with Kim has been hastily slapped … [Read more...] about The Trump-Kim summit may not work, but it’s worth the try
3D Prints of Your Brain Will Soon Be Available
We all know how important our brains are — they're the central processing unit of our biological computer, and they control everything from our heartbeat to our memories. Have you ever wondered what your brain actually looks like though? Even an MRI doesn't show what your brain looks like. Before now, the only way to get a good look at that gray matter in your skull was to … [Read more...] about 3D Prints of Your Brain Will Soon Be Available
California’s jungle primary sets up polarized governor’s race for November: Isn’t helping moderates
Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at his campaign’s night watch party in San Francisco. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu Thad Kousser, University of California San Diego Voters who took part in California’s innovative and anti-party “jungle” primary delivered a typical and predictably partisan result in the governor’s race. They sent Democratic Lt. … [Read more...] about California’s jungle primary sets up polarized governor’s race for November: Isn’t helping moderates
Riding out Trump’s storm
WASHINGTON -- The struggle over what the dominant storyline in the news should be has always been political. Good reporters and editors labor mightily to be fair-minded in their reporting of episodes and events, and I'll defend them to my last breath. But the larger battle, captured by the phrase "winning the news cycle," involves a fierce competition to push reports that … [Read more...] about Riding out Trump’s storm
Fiery Tragedy in Guatemala (Photo Update)
Photos below of the injured children being placed on board the C-17 in Guatemala, receiving enroute medical treatment and finally transferred to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston, to receive further care for burns and other injuries sustained during the recent Fuego Volcano eruption. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Edward Staton) The … [Read more...] about Fiery Tragedy in Guatemala (Photo Update)
With no Eagles around, Trump acts like a turkey
WASHINGTON -- Patriotism, Samuel Johnson told us long ago, is the last refuge of a scoundrel. President Trump just made it the last refuge of the jilted. Here, on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday afternoon, there was to have been a celebration honoring the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but it turned out very few Eagles actually wanted to be celebrated … [Read more...] about With no Eagles around, Trump acts like a turkey
Our Huge Loss: We Lost Bobby Kennedy 50 Years Ago
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, only 42, was shot several times in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles minutes before midnight on June 4, 1968. He had just won the California Democratic presidential primary and seemed destined for the nomination. He lingered through the next day, but the wounds proved fatal and he died early in the morning of June 6. He was buried … [Read more...] about Our Huge Loss: We Lost Bobby Kennedy 50 Years Ago