Students and faculty members have protested arrangements GMU made with donors. AP Photo/Matt Barakat Alexa Capeloto, John Jay College of Criminal Justice George Mason University President Ángel Cabrera acknowledged this month that his school gave the Charles Koch Foundation “some influence” over hiring and evaluating faculty as it accepted millions of … [Read more...] about What’s wrong with secret donor agreements like the ones George Mason University inked with the Kochs
Reports of a Democratic party rift are greatly exaggerated
WASHINGTON -- To peruse the coverage of the Democratic primaries of 2018, you'd think there was a battle royale within the Democratic Party: insurgent vs. establishment, Bernie vs. Hillary, progressive vs. moderate, grass roots vs. party bosses. There's been mention of a "battle between progressives and moderates" (the Guardian), a Democratic "identity crisis" (The … [Read more...] about Reports of a Democratic party rift are greatly exaggerated
Democrats Dodged A Bullet
Democrats dodged a bullet when Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. If Democrats think that Trump has a huge ego, then they haven't taken a close look at Hillary Clinton's ego. "No, I'm not over it. I still think about the 2016 election." That is what Clinton told Yale's 2018 graduating class. Jim Treacher responds to Clinton with this: "I'm trying … [Read more...] about Democrats Dodged A Bullet
Venezuela is now a dictatorship
Miguel Angel Latouche, Universidad Central de Venezuela Fewer than half of Venezuela’s registered voters participated in the South American country’s May 20 election, punishing a government they don’t support by simply not voting. Nevertheless, Nicolás Maduro was re-elected as president of Venezuela by a wide margin over his strongest opponent, Henri Falcón. Maduro … [Read more...] about Venezuela is now a dictatorship
We are one error away from catastrophe, UN chief warns at launch of new disarmament agenda
The UN chief has launched a bold if surprising initiative to promote a new agenda for disarmament of both nuclear and conventional weapons, including small arms. This at a time when several countries are being armed to the teeth and wars catastrophic for civilians are rife. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ push for disarmament by all countries for all kinds of lethal … [Read more...] about We are one error away from catastrophe, UN chief warns at launch of new disarmament agenda
Trump Does Right Thing. Obama Didn’t. Neither Did Bush 43.
"President Donald Trump granted a full, posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion, who was convicted of racially tinged federal morals charges more than a century ago." - Bloomberg, "Trump, With Sylvester Stallone Alongside Him, Pardons Jack Johnson" "Under the Obama administration, the Department of Justice opted not to recommend a … [Read more...] about Trump Does Right Thing. Obama Didn’t. Neither Did Bush 43.
Whatever Happened to…Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?
CODA: I have had the fortune and the honor to write at TMV for many years. Many of the stories and events I have written on, at the time had no conclusion, no ending, no resolution, no closure. Eventually, some stories disappear completely from the public limelight and are forgotten. Eventually, some stories reappear with a significant update, reach a dramatic end … [Read more...] about Whatever Happened to…Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?
The Impact of the Internet of Things on Sustainability
The Internet of Things — or IoT — is hooking up everyday things such as refrigerators and watches to the internet. It’s relatively new when you think of the lifespan of digital technologies. In recent decades, it has transformed the way that individuals do business, shop, communicate and lead their everyday lives. Wireless connectivity has weaved its way into every aspect our … [Read more...] about The Impact of the Internet of Things on Sustainability
Populusque Romanus
After an impasse that lasted nearly three months, Italy will soon have a government -- and it is one that should be of great concern to the United States and to supporters of liberal democracy. The Five Star Movement, founded by demagogic comedian Beppe Grillo and currently fronted by 31-year-old legislator Luigi Di Maio, took one-third of the vote in the March 4 election. … [Read more...] about Populusque Romanus
Point The Trigger Finger at Everyone Else
No matter what the gun rights advocates say, all these deaths are about a country with far too many guns, plain and simple, full stop. By Michael Winship Friday afternoon, I was walking across my West Village neighborhood running some errands. Here and there my path crossed with college students in graduation gowns from NYU, Columbia and The New School. It’s that time … [Read more...] about Point The Trigger Finger at Everyone Else
Why we need to rethink how to teach the Holocaust
Photos and history of Holocaust victims frame the ceiling of the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. White House photo by Chris Greenberg Alan Marcus, University of Connecticut A recent national survey reported that millennials are struggling with their knowledge of the Holocaust. The survey results show that 22 percent of … [Read more...] about Why we need to rethink how to teach the Holocaust
House conservatives demand an investigation – of Hillary Clinton
WASHINGTON -- Robert S. Mueller III's investigation has won indictments against President Trump's former campaign chairman and 16 others and has secured guilty pleas from five people, including Trump's former national security adviser and two campaign advisers. This can mean only one thing: It is time to reopen the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. Federal … [Read more...] about House conservatives demand an investigation – of Hillary Clinton
Cartoon: Monetizing of the Presidency
Trump’s Misplaced Anxiety (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Former FBI Director James Comey this morning answered Trump’s tweets that referred to our investigative agencies as “Criminal Deep State”: Facts matter. The FBI’s use of Confidential Human Sources (the actual term) is tightly regulated and essential to protecting the country. Attacks on the FBI and lying about its work will do lasting damage to our country. … [Read more...] about Trump’s Misplaced Anxiety (UPDATED)
Will Donald Trump & His Banana Republicans Spell Electoral Doom For The GOP? Maybe.
Here are a couple of facts to make your head explode. A mere 15 bills that are not ceremonial in nature or rescind existing laws have passed Congress since Donald Trump became president. This includes a bill sent to the president this week that rescinds a law forbidding discrimination in car loans. (I am not making this up.) Meanwhile, the august House Rules Committee … [Read more...] about Will Donald Trump & His Banana Republicans Spell Electoral Doom For The GOP? Maybe.
(UPDATES) Amy McGrath, a Marine Combat Fighter Pilot on a New Mission
Back in August 2017, Lt. Col. Amy McGrath, a retired Marine Corps combat fighter pilot and mother of three, announced that she was running for the seat of Andy Barr, the current U.S. House Representative of Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District. The post below tells the story of the first female Marine to fly in an F-18 in combat but whose new mission is “to take on a … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) Amy McGrath, a Marine Combat Fighter Pilot on a New Mission
The Banana States of America
ASHINGTON -- By one key measure, it is now official: This is the most authoritarian Congress in history. The House Rules Committee, meeting in its ornate chamber on the third floor of the Capitol on Monday night, sent two bills to the House floor under "closed" rules -- that is, legislation that must be rubber stamped in toto, without being amended by so much as a comma. … [Read more...] about The Banana States of America
Cartoon: Another Democracy Bites the Dust
Supreme Court Ruling Called Blow to Workers’ Rights
NEW YORK – Civil-rights advocates say a Supreme Court ruling handed down Monday will sweep many discrimination and harassment claims against employers under the rug. The ruling in Epic Systems v. Lewis says corporations can require employees to sign arbitration clauses that keep them from joining class-action lawsuits over wage and civil-rights violations, including … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Ruling Called Blow to Workers’ Rights
DOJ Happy Place (Cartoon, Column and Video)
For a bunch of people who hate “fake” investigations, they sure do like calling for them. Or in this case, demanding. In case you haven’t noticed, Trump and his defenders don’t even argue the facts anymore in defending him on charges of collusion with Russia and obstruction. Instead, they attack the Department of Justice and the FBI. A few weeks ago while screaming at the … [Read more...] about DOJ Happy Place (Cartoon, Column and Video)