Did I Just Hear the Echo of ‘Vietnamization’?
The long, lonely vigil of expertly predicting the future politics of future politics was furthered today in the essay What Is Denuclearization Anyway? Fred Kaplan / Slate — With each passing day, the impending Trump-Kim summit takes another dip toward disaster. — In just a month or so, President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, an … [Read more...] about Did I Just Hear the Echo of ‘Vietnamization’?
Picturing Trump’s absence
WASHINGTON -- Sometimes a picture is worth a zillion words. The viral group photograph from former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral speaks volumes about the state of our democracy, poignantly illustrating what we have lost and must at all costs regain. George H.W. Bush is front and center in his wheelchair. Behind him, left to right, we see Laura and George W. Bush, Bill … [Read more...] about Picturing Trump’s absence
Where are the conservatives we need?
WASHINGTON -- Political opponents cannot be expected to lavish boundless affection on those they battle day after day. But in a well-ordered democratic system, those who fight on behalf of competing parties, interests and ideas can usually find some room for mutual esteem and even occasionally try to profit intellectually from each other. It's when politics becomes unhinged … [Read more...] about Where are the conservatives we need?
Supreme Court case tests weight of old Native American treaties in 21st century
Supreme Court case tests weight of old Native American treaties in 21st century Culverts installed for roads have led to a decline in salmon, which Northwest Indian tribes were ensured access to by treaty. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Monte Mills, The University of Montana On April 18, the United States Supreme Court heard oral … [Read more...] about Supreme Court case tests weight of old Native American treaties in 21st century
Cartoon: Hannity pulls the strings
Trump Denies The Infamous Moscow Pee Tape Exists, So Why Did He Keep Bringing It Up?
One of the enduring mysteries of the Russia scandal is what happened -- or did not happen -- in the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Moscow on November 8 and 9, 2013. Was Donald Trump, the future U.S. president, secretly videotaped cavorting with urinating prostitutes by the FSB, the Russian security service, to use for blackmail as is explosively claimed in the … [Read more...] about Trump Denies The Infamous Moscow Pee Tape Exists, So Why Did He Keep Bringing It Up?
The Military Pilots ‘Quiet Crisis’
A recent Washington Post article asks, “What are the odds of a former fighter pilot being at the controls of your plane?” The article is referring to Southwest Airlines Capt. Tammie Jo Shults, a former Navy fighter pilot -- personifying “a dying breed” … “the last big generation of military-trained pilots.” -- who heroically brought her badly damaged Boeing 737 with 149 … [Read more...] about The Military Pilots ‘Quiet Crisis’
Rosenstein’s Head (Cartoon and Column)
Donald Trump continues to display signs of an authoritarian without any resistance from the Republicans. A few Republicans in Congress are more interested in protecting Trump than the Constitution. The GOP is less about policy and more about Trumpism. Trump idolizes Vladimir Putin. He expressed anger toward Michael Flynn in the earliest days of his presidency because he had … [Read more...] about Rosenstein’s Head (Cartoon and Column)
In The Age of Trump, Women Are The New American Heroes
By Colleen O'Connor In this divisive era in American society, women have emerged as the country’s heroes. In just the past week, we’ve seen their accomplishments in the air, in sports, in media and in politics. In The Air The most amazing, death-defying landing by a pilot since Vince Scully was thanks to a woman. When a Southwest Airlines jetliner’s engine exploded and … [Read more...] about In The Age of Trump, Women Are The New American Heroes
Trump is a breed apart
"This is not normal," James B. Comey said last week after President Trump threatened him with jail. If I had a nickel for every time somebody said that, I could repay the national debt. There is so much abnormality from this president that we're numb. I'd like to pause, therefore, to reflect on just one thing the president did this week that, amid Russian hookers and his … [Read more...] about Trump is a breed apart
What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey
What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey James Comey in 2017. AP Photo/Cliff Owen Victoria Pagán, University of Florida Once upon a time, there was a prominent, powerful man in government who cared deeply about integrity and following the rules. He said, “You cannot know a man completely, his character, his … [Read more...] about What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey
Great Music Chapter 15
This week and for the next several weeks I am returning to the world of Classical Music. I will highlight a number of obscure and almost forgotten pieces which not only are beautiful music but deserve a place in the musical world as absolute gems. The first is a piece in a set of four that Franz Schubert wrote in 1827 when he was just 30 years old and he died a year later. … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 15
Wishy-Washy White House
By Blair Bess From the moment he took office, President Trump has repeatedly experienced buyer's remorse. In the last week, the president has undermined a key member of his administration and reversed course on his own foreign and economic policies. This should come as no surprise. It's standard operating procedure for the Trump White House. President Trump promised to … [Read more...] about Wishy-Washy White House
Democratic Party’s pluralism is both a strength and weakness
Democratic Party's pluralism is both a strength and weakness Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., accompanied by Democratic members of the House and Senate in late 2017. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana Raymond La Raja, University of Massachusetts Amherst “Democrats never agree on anything, that’s why they’re Democrats. If they agreed … [Read more...] about Democratic Party’s pluralism is both a strength and weakness
Cartoon: Facebook and You
What’s With the Rising Cost of Health Insurance in California?
In recent years, a strange phenomenon has emerged in the California health care scene. Hospitals across the state are merging under the umbrellas of several major companies, a move that is having a staggering effect on the price of health insurance. With continually fewer choices, hospitals and other health care providers are hiking prices accordingly, finding themselves with a … [Read more...] about What’s With the Rising Cost of Health Insurance in California?
Snakes on a Sniper’s Rifle
Ophidiophobia or ophiophobia –- (abnormal) fear of snakes -- is one of the most common phobias people have. A March 2008 article in Live Science suggests several theories as to why humans “have evolved an innate tendency to sense snakes…and to learn to fear them.” Of course, the need to be able to sense and fear snakes in the wild throughout evolutionary history in order … [Read more...] about Snakes on a Sniper’s Rifle
The Week That The Russia Scandal River Overflowed Its Banks & Became A Flood
Several things are glaringly obvious as the river of Russia scandal developments overflows its banks and becomes a flood of historic proportions: Donald Trump is a seriously evil person who happens to be president because of Vladimir Putin and James Comey. He has surrounded himself with an extraordinary rogue's gallery of bottom feeders. His increasingly delusional rages … [Read more...] about The Week That The Russia Scandal River Overflowed Its Banks & Became A Flood
What’s unconscious bias training, and does it work?
Embed from Getty Images What's unconscious bias training, and does it work? Calvin K. Lai, Washington University in St Louis A Starbucks manager in Philadelphia called the police on two black men on April 12, leading to their arrest. The two men, who had been waiting for a friend at the store, were released without being charged. Starbucks has since apologized … [Read more...] about What’s unconscious bias training, and does it work?