… [Read more...] about A Happy — and Reflective — Memorial Day
Trump’s Land of Delusion
Republican political strategist Rick Wilson provides a clear picture of the Donald in the New York Daily News. Maintaining the Trump illusion requires an endless suspension of disbelief; denying facts, logic, reason, the law and the utterly evident cluster-you-know-what that this administration represents. The pinnacle of that illusion-at-all-costs philosophy came after the … [Read more...] about Trump’s Land of Delusion
Informants aren’t spies – they’re essential FBI tools
The FBI Building in Washington, DC. AP Douglas M. Charles, Pennsylvania State University President Donald Trump tweeted this week that he would order the Department of Justice to investigate whether the FBI, under President Barack Obama, had “infiltrated or surveilled” his presidential campaign “for political purposes.” Trump was referring to the … [Read more...] about Informants aren’t spies – they’re essential FBI tools
Stupidgate (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Usually, when a president, or any politician, argues for or defends a position, they use details of the subject. They will use facts while also omitting details that hurt their argument. Sometimes they’ll even lie. Every politician lies. What Donald Trump does with lies isn’t just different, it’s dangerous. Trump does not argue details or cite evidence or facts. He vilifies. … [Read more...] about Stupidgate (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How Christian media is shaping American politics
President Donald Trump with televangelist Rev. Pat Robertson. AP Photo/Steve Helber Jason C. Bivins, North Carolina State University For Americans growing up between the 1950s and the 1980s, religion was not a regular presence on television. Aside from Sunday morning shows or occasional commercials, religious programming issued end-time warnings, … [Read more...] about How Christian media is shaping American politics
Four Reasons Democrats Could Lose the Congressional Midterms
By Dick Polman Election day is nearly six months away, and conventional wisdom decrees that Democrats will surf a blue wave and seize the House of Representatives. But I'm not so sure. On paper, there are surely good reasons to believe the conventional wisdom. History shows us that the "out" party typically performs well in midterm elections, especially when the ruling … [Read more...] about Four Reasons Democrats Could Lose the Congressional Midterms
Memorial Day: ‘The American Story Is Not Told on Birth Certificates…’
Many touching stories are being told and written this Memorial Day weekend. They are about the military men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country, especially about those who died in battle or because of injuries sustained in battle. While of course we honor and remember each one of these patriots, whether born in America or an immigrant to … [Read more...] about Memorial Day: ‘The American Story Is Not Told on Birth Certificates…’
Death of Decency
I had no idea, the last time I saw her, and she was doing so well. With a capital D swell to the right, followed by an elegant e and a cute little c and then another e she looked very happy. Little did I know that she was struggling, struggling to be. Life was so much better with you around, my dear Decency. … [Read more...] about Death of Decency
What’s wrong with secret donor agreements like the ones George Mason University inked with the Kochs
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