Charles Hermann, Texas A&M University The United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, according to a May 8 announcement by President Donald Trump. The decision reverses a hardwon agreement that President Barack Obama negotiated with European allies, Russia, Iran and other nations in 2015. This is hardly Trump’s first foreign policy turnaround. The … [Read more...] about Presidents often reverse US foreign policy — how Trump handles setbacks is what matters most now
Lawyers Without Boundaries
Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer of the New Yorker quietly assembled unassailable facts, charging New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman with sexual violence based on corroborated statements of four victims. The New Yorker published the story Monday evening. Before the clock struck midnight, Schneiderman resigned his post after Governor Andrew Cuomo demanded him to … [Read more...] about Lawyers Without Boundaries
A Tribute to Joan Elander
I wrote this to honor Joan Elander on the 25th anniversary of her death May 6, 1993. She was tragically hit by car while on her regular morning jog. Even more tragically, the driver of the car was a 17 year old girl who was being allowed to drive to school for the first time. Two families devastated in one careless moment. The impact Joan had on my life is far greater than any … [Read more...] about A Tribute to Joan Elander
Bad Samaritan (2018)
Bad Samaritan stars Robert Sheehan as Sean Falco, a young Irish immigrant who is trying to find stability and earn extra cash, which he does by resorting to theft and home intrusion while covering as a valet. He has a mother and brother, as well as a stepfather he doesn't always get along with. His best friend, Carlito, is also his accomplice. And he has a girlfriend he's madly … [Read more...] about Bad Samaritan (2018)
Military Weekend: The Venerable C-130 Hercules (UPDATE)
UPDATE: While, as pointed out below, the C-130 Hercules has an excellent safety record, there has been “a series of recent aviation mishaps and fatalities, including [the] WC-130 Hercules crash May 2” and the Air Force's manned aviation mishap rate has increased since the beginning of fiscal year 2018. To “allow…commanders to assess and discuss the safety of our … [Read more...] about Military Weekend: The Venerable C-130 Hercules (UPDATE)
A Blank in West Virginia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I am no fan of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But I don’t need to lie or connect him to something horrible he has a very loose connection with to criticize the guy. I can just use his record and the positions he advocates. If nothing else, I can just point out his total appeasement to Donald Trump. At the very least, you don’t have to take a racist position to go after … [Read more...] about A Blank in West Virginia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Assault allegations leads to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Resigning
As New York's Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman was one of the biggest defenders of the MeToo movement and one of President Donald Trump's biggest critics and legal problems. Now, after a magazine article in which several women accused him of assault, he has resigned. The New York Times: Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general who rose to prominence as an … [Read more...] about Assault allegations leads to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Resigning
Why Trump Will Pull Out of the Iran Deal
Donald Trump is going to announce his "decision" tomorrow, emperor with impressive clothes that he is: Trump to announce decision on Iran deal Tuesday David Nakamura / Washington Post President Trump intends to announce his decision on the future of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, days ahead of a self-imposed deadline and amid signals that he will withdraw the United … [Read more...] about Why Trump Will Pull Out of the Iran Deal
As Israel turns 70, many young American Jews turn away
A protest by ‘If Not Now’ outside the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., March 2017. Gili Getz Dov Waxman, Northeastern University Natalie Portman, the Oscar-winning actress, recently kicked off a massive storm of controversy when she pulled out of a prestigious award ceremony in Israel because, she … [Read more...] about As Israel turns 70, many young American Jews turn away
Cartoon: Liars Club
All The President’s Lies: They’ll Catch Up To Him, But It’s Taking A Really Long Time
The news last week that the president of the United States lied repeatedly about the $130,000 hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels was greeted less with outrage than a practiced yawn, and with every passing lie -- which come at the rate of four or five a day and a mind-boggling 3,000-plus since Donald Trump took office -- that attitude becomes increasingly dangerous. This … [Read more...] about All The President’s Lies: They’ll Catch Up To Him, But It’s Taking A Really Long Time
Jesuitgate, Trumpian hypocrisy and the flight from religion
WASHINGTON -- Do you wonder why the proportion of Americans declaring themselves unaffiliated with organized religion has skyrocketed in recent decades? This trend is especially pronounced among adults under 30, roughly 40 percent of whom claim no connection to a religious congregation or tradition and have joined the ranks of those the pollsters call the "nones." To … [Read more...] about Jesuitgate, Trumpian hypocrisy and the flight from religion
Breaking News: C-130 ‘Hercules’ Aircraft Crashes in Georgia (FINAL UPDATE)
FINAL UPDATE: UPDATE II: Puerto Rico National Guard officials today released the names of the nine airmen killed in the crash: -- Air Force Maj. Jose R. Roman Rosado, pilot, from Manati, Puerto Rico - above(Photo: Staff Sgt. Pablo Pantoja/Air Force); -- Air Force Maj. Carlos Perez Serra, navigator, from Canovanas, Puerto Rico; -- Air Force 1st Lt. David … [Read more...] about Breaking News: C-130 ‘Hercules’ Aircraft Crashes in Georgia (FINAL UPDATE)
So Much for the Threat of Political Correctness
By Graham F. West For the past ten or so years, the right wing has been sounding the alarm about the greatest threat to American democracy. This great danger that threatens our way of life to its very core is not gun grabbing liberals, radical jihadists, or even burdensome bureaucratic regulations. All these things, to be sure, are overhyped as existential threats to the … [Read more...] about So Much for the Threat of Political Correctness
Not Just an Ocean Problem: Microplastics Found in MT Watershed
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Even as scientists discover worrying evidence of the large amount of plastic floating in the ocean, there's growing evidence the issue is far more pervasive. A recent study by the environmental group Adventure Scientists has found small pieces of plastic are all across the Gallatin Watershed in southwest Montana. With the help of 120 local volunteers, … [Read more...] about Not Just an Ocean Problem: Microplastics Found in MT Watershed
Dr. Rudy (Cartoon, Column and Video)
If Rudy Giuliani was a doctor, and he was your doctor, that would mean you are going to die. Likewise, if he was your lawyer, you’re going to prison. Donald Trump does not hire the best and the brightest. He hires lackeys, flunkies, and lick-spittles. He hires people who will tell him what he wants to hear. For example, take his New York doctor. During the campaign, Dr. … [Read more...] about Dr. Rudy (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Waning McCain Regrets Picking Palin — and Doesn’t Want Trump at his Funeral
These are clearly the waning days for Arizona Sen. John McCain, the genuine war hero who became a Senator and has been battling a brutal form of brain cancer. The New York Times has a particularly poignant report about McCain, at his ranch in Arizona, beginning what is clearly a good-bye, meeting friends to share memories and regrets. One was picking former Alaska Sen. Sarah … [Read more...] about Waning McCain Regrets Picking Palin — and Doesn’t Want Trump at his Funeral
Trump’s anti-life, anti-work initiative
WASHINGTON -- How can we reduce the number of abortions in the United States? One way is to make sure that women are confident they'll have medical coverage throughout their pregnancies and after. And how can we encourage people to work? By making work pay, which is why Republicans and Democrats have supported the Earned Income Tax Credit, known as the EITC, which tops off … [Read more...] about Trump’s anti-life, anti-work initiative
Rudy and His Fox News Farce
Rudy and His Fox News Farce By Dick Polman Rudy Giuliani's first big televised gig as a Trump attorney, a tragicomedy Wednesday night on Fox News, stirred my memories of the old New York Mets. You'll see where I'm going with this. On the very first play of the hapless 1963 season, Mets third-baseman Charlie Neal snared a dribbler and promptly chucked the ball in the … [Read more...] about Rudy and His Fox News Farce
President Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech
OSLO, DEC. 10, 2018 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee: I have received a lot of honors -- like, a lot. I was on the cover of Time more than anybody else. I went to the best schools. I was elected president on my first try. It was the biggest electoral college landslide since Reagan. But people tell me this is a … [Read more...] about President Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech