Dear EarthTalk: What’s the deal with some restaurants no longer offering straws to their customers? What’s so bad about sipping your drink through a straw anyway? — Jeffrey Edwards, Seattle, WA Americans use 500 million plastic straws—or 1.6 per person on average—every day. Based on this, a typical American will use more than 38,000 plastic straws over the course … [Read more...] about What’s so bad about sipping your drink through a straw?
Nikki Haley’s SOS to the nation
WASHINGTON -- "With all due respect, I don't get confused." These eight words from Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will go down as among the most powerful indictments of the rancid governing culture President Trump has fostered. They may also shed light on one of the great mysteries of the moment: Why is it that Trump regularly backs off when it comes … [Read more...] about Nikki Haley’s SOS to the nation
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Syria
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Officials Confirm That Trump Bombed Syria to Validate His Tweets --James Mattis urged Trump to seek congressional vote for US airstrikes in Syria but was overruled 'because president wanted to be seen acting on his tweets' --Trump, promising hellfire in Syria, blinked. Why that could bode well for the Iran deal Mike Peters is recognized as one of … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Syria
Cuba’s new president: What to expect of Miguel Díaz-Canel
Embed from Getty Images Cuba's new president: What to expect of Miguel Díaz-Canel William M. LeoGrande, American University School of Public Affairs Cuba has a new president – and for the first time in six decades, his last name is not Castro. Cuba’s National Assembly has elected Cuba’s First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel to replace 87-year-old Raúl Castro, … [Read more...] about Cuba’s new president: What to expect of Miguel Díaz-Canel
Cartoon: Sean Hannity
Party Over Country, Again
It’s getting worse. No matter what new revelations regarding Trump’s actions come to light, the Republicans in Congress refuse to disown him, or even chastise him. They are afraid that any negative remarks about Trump will alienate his base, hurting their chances for re-election. But GOP senators and members of Congress are aware of the damage Trump is doing to the United … [Read more...] about Party Over Country, Again
Trump’s merchandising empire has collapsed. Here’s how we can save it.
WASHINGTON -- Tuesday morning's Washington Post carried the dispiriting news that Donald Trump's merchandising empire has collapsed. But I think we can make it great again. Trump-branded items -- steaks, shirts, underwear, perfumes, chandeliers, mattresses, shoes (for Mexico!), vodka, pillows, eyeglasses, coffee pods, urine tests and more -- have almost all been … [Read more...] about Trump’s merchandising empire has collapsed. Here’s how we can save it.
I Liked Babs Bush, But Her Entire Freaking Family Has Been A Plague On America
I liked Barbara Bush. It seemed to me that she was secretly in on a big joke. That she understood the world of money, power and politics in which she lived was so much horse bleep. But she just smiled, smiled, smiled as the Bush Dynasty dominated Republican politics for three decades and gifted us two presidents. Who could forget that special moment when Babs and … [Read more...] about I Liked Babs Bush, But Her Entire Freaking Family Has Been A Plague On America
Two Grandpas Totally in Love. Circle of Life
We all want to be loved. It is the same all over the globe. This little girl will never have to wonder if her 'papas' love her. … [Read more...] about Two Grandpas Totally in Love. Circle of Life
Cartoon: Hannity
To Save Water, Arizona Farmers Try Beer
by Katherine Davis-Young, Public News Service - AZ CAMP VERDE, Ariz. – The Verde River, which flows through central Arizona, is a critical source of water in this arid state. So, The Nature Conservancy in Arizona looked for a strategy to reduce demand on the river, especially in low-flowing summer months. The answer is beer - or at least, the barley that goes into … [Read more...] about To Save Water, Arizona Farmers Try Beer
Mob Rule at the White House
I blame Tony Soprano. As entertaining and compelling as the “The Sopranos” was back in the day—and I certainly count myself among its fans—by so successfully humanizing a thug and his henchmen in organized crime, I can’t help but wonder if the TV series, and other shows and movies like it, may have helped contribute to an atmosphere in which a man like Donald Trump not only … [Read more...] about Mob Rule at the White House
Cartoon: Hannity Dumpty
10 Motivation Techniques For Leaders
by Rachel Summers As a leader, you need to be able to create a motivating environment for your staff. What keeps them motivated and interested in their work? It's your job to find out. Here's 10 ways you can keep motivating your staff and get the most out of them every day. 1. Make The Work Meaningful No one wants to come to work if they feel they're not making a … [Read more...] about 10 Motivation Techniques For Leaders
The shammity of Hannity (Cartoon and Video)
Yesterday, the Pulitzer Prizes announced the winners for 2017 awarding some of America’s best journalists. Ironically, on the same day, we got a reminder of one of America’s worst. Fox News’ Sean Hannity has told his audience and critics time and time again that he is not a journalist. Sure, he’s on a news channel talking about the news and giving us his opinion on the … [Read more...] about The shammity of Hannity (Cartoon and Video)
Trump’s ‘fake news’ mantra becomes an effective weapon — against America
WASHINGTON -- After the United States last week accused the Russian-backed Assad regime in Syria of a chemical-weapons attack, Russia had a ready rejoinder: Fake News. A Kremlin statement dismissed "the latest fake news about a chemical attack on Douma," calling the charges "absolutely unsubstantiated lies." After the Trump administration had accused China of stealing … [Read more...] about Trump’s ‘fake news’ mantra becomes an effective weapon — against America
No One Is Above The Law
In an ominous, full-page editorial today, the New York Times editorial board affirms why “The President Is Not Above the Law” and summons Republicans to help protect that fundamental American concept. The editorial starts with a quote from Sen. Orrin Hatch, the Utah Republican: This great nation can tolerate a president who makes mistakes. But it cannot tolerate one … [Read more...] about No One Is Above The Law
Cartoon: Comey Trump Pee Tape
(UPDATE III) Will Cohen & The Family Business, Not Russia, Lead To Trump’s Fall?
Will we look back on this week as the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency? If that is the case -- and I'm somewhat skeptical it is despite the pronouncements of a goodly number of pundits -- will Trump's fall have more to do with the rampant corruption surrounding Michael Cohen and his own family business than Kremlin collusion? Possibly. Any way will suffice so … [Read more...] about (UPDATE III) Will Cohen & The Family Business, Not Russia, Lead To Trump’s Fall?
Profane president, penitent pontiff
WASHINGTON -- A news interlude dominated by speculation about "golden showers" and a graceless president who described his latest detractor as an "untruthful slime ball" invites us to search for higher moral ground. So it might be Providential that Pope Francis chose to make news last week in two ways. First, he did something that comes very hard to most public figures, and … [Read more...] about Profane president, penitent pontiff