To my surprise, Tag follows a trend of good comedy we've been fortunate to experience in 2018. Joining other adult comedies, such as Game Night and Blockers, Tag celebrates friendship in adulthood and reinforces the idea that, no matter what happens or how much time has passed, you can rely on the people closest to you. Based on real events, this film follows a group of … [Read more...] about Tag (2018)
Kavanaugh’s Hang Ups (Cartoon and Column)
Leave it to Donald Trump to make a Supreme Court nomination that reminds us just how bad the Bush administration was. Shortly after being nominated to the court, Bush issued a statement on Brett Kavanaugh. “President Trump has made an outstanding decision in nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court,” said the 43rd president. Kavanaugh served as counsel in the … [Read more...] about Kavanaugh’s Hang Ups (Cartoon and Column)
Supreme Court polarization is not inevitable — just look at Europe
David Orentlicher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas United States President Donald Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. His choice solidifies a conservative majority on the nation’s nine-member highest court. Trump’s conservative bench could overrule Roe v. Wade, eliminating women’s constitutional right to … [Read more...] about Supreme Court polarization is not inevitable — just look at Europe
Miracle in a Thailand Cave (FINAL, FINAL VIDEO UPDATE)
The twelve rescued boys are finally going home. Here is the latest video, courtesy CBS News: FINAL UPDATE: NBC is reporting that the 12 boys and their coach are expected to be discharged next Thursday from the hospital where they are recovering. We wish them well. UPDATE: The additional photos are DoD (as indicated) and from the Royal Thai SEAL FaceBook … [Read more...] about Miracle in a Thailand Cave (FINAL, FINAL VIDEO UPDATE)
Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court (UPDATED)
President Donald Trump has picked judge Brett M. Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court -- a nomination virtually assured to go through, no matter what the political fireworks or length of the confirmation hearings. The New York Times: President Trump on Monday selected Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, a politically connected member of Washington’s conservative legal … [Read more...] about Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court (UPDATED)
Recycling in 2018
Recycling is a relatively easy, low effort way to feel good about helping the environment- much easier than giving up driving a car, for example. However, is recycling actually helping the environment, and is it helping us economically? After several decades of recycling neglect voluntary recycling returned in the 1970s and made a difference, both environmentally and … [Read more...] about Recycling in 2018
Cartoon: Trump Supreme Court Pick
How Roe v. Wade changed the lives of American women
Constance Shehan, University of Florida The recent announcement of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement has ignited widespread speculation about the future of Roe v. Wade. Some analysts believe that a new appointment to the Supreme Court would mean a conservative justice, particularly one who is against abortion rights, will threaten the status of the law. The U.S. … [Read more...] about How Roe v. Wade changed the lives of American women
Keep The Change
Copyright 2018 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Keep The Change
Enemies of Democracy: Theocrats
In early 2018, Baptist preacher Dan Fisher decided to run as a Republican for the office of Oklahoma's governor. During Oklahoma's 2018 GOP primaries, Fisher received 35,765 votes. That was 35,765 votes too many. Why? Because, as his campaign brochure indicates, Fisher is an enemy of the U.S. Constitution, an enemy of Democracy and the worst kind of theocrat. This what … [Read more...] about Enemies of Democracy: Theocrats
Should Millennials form their own democratic socialist party?
With the current state of hyper-partisan polarization in American politics between Democrats and Republicans, plus a definitive ideological divide within each of the two parties, perhaps a generational sorting of the political landscape might also emerge over the horizon. Imagine this: An electoral field of competition in future state and congressional elections featuring … [Read more...] about Should Millennials form their own democratic socialist party?
A new America’Bad’ jobs don’t have to be that way
WASHINGTON -- So many policy proposals aimed at reducing economic inequality emphasize moving disadvantaged people into higher-paying, higher-skilled jobs, typically with more access to education and training. We do need to invest far more in expanding opportunity for fellow citizens who have lost all hope for advancement, but there is a flaw in this thinking, as Steven … [Read more...] about A new America’Bad’ jobs don’t have to be that way
Trump Baby (Cartoon, Column and Video)
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