“You break it, you bought it.” Colin Powell’s apocryphal “Pottery Barn Rule” -- which was coined by neither Powell nor Pottery Barn -- is still a decent warning to presidents who would engage in foreign adventures. It should be kept in mind as the U.S. again considers a larger role in the civil war in Syria. As with most of the world’s current and recent conflicts, the … [Read more...] about The U.S. Has Done Enough to Syria
Trump Love Child (Cartoon, Column and Video)
“Enquiring” minds want to know. Is there a Donald Trump love child out there? A love baby The Donald didn’t want anyone to know about? And it’s not Eric? As Trevor Noah said on his show, every kid in America who doesn’t know his father is panicking right now. It does sound far-fetched that Trump has a sixth child from a fourth woman, but the FBI is looking into whether the … [Read more...] about Trump Love Child (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Trump ‘morally unfit’ for office, fired FBI chief Comey tells ABC
Donald Trump is "morally unfit" to be president of the United States, former FBI director James Comey told ABC in an interview broadcast on Sunday. "I don't buy this stuff about him being mentally incompetent or early stages of dementia," Comey said of Trump, according to a transcript from ABC. "I don't think he's medically unfit… … [Read more...] about Trump ‘morally unfit’ for office, fired FBI chief Comey tells ABC
Since Boston bombing, terrorists are using new social media to inspire potential attackers
By Mia Bloom, Professor of Communication, Georgia State University. Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. vfhnb12 / Shutterstock.com Five years ago, a deadly attack during the Boston Marathon made America’s nightmare come true: the radicalized boy next door. The research my colleagues and I conduct at Georgia State University tracks how terrorist organizations expose people – … [Read more...] about Since Boston bombing, terrorists are using new social media to inspire potential attackers
Cartoon: Trump Public Enemies List
Great Music – Chapter 14
This article is about the Piano Guys, a phenomenon only possible because of You Tube. 10 years ago they were just a group of guys that hung around a music and piano store in St. George, Utah. The store was called, of course, Piano Guys and all the members of the group were tangentially associated with music but all had other careers. They started to put some music videos up on … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 14
Friends Gone But Not Forgotten
Yesterday, April 14, was another beautiful day in the Texas Hill Country. It was also the third anniversary of the departure of a dear friend. The bluebonnets – a bountiful crop this year -- are beginning to wilt and fade. Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets (Photo by author's wife) But not the memories of Charlie and another dear friend, Jack. These were my … [Read more...] about Friends Gone But Not Forgotten
Trump administration mirrors matchmaking service
WASHINGTON -- At his confirmation hearing last week, Mike Pompeo, President Trump's nominee to be secretary of state, gave a six-minute opening statement that made no mention of Russia, China, North Korea, Syria or Iran. Here is what Pompeo did say: "I'm a movie buff. I have a soft spot for my golden retrievers. I love meatballs. ... I love Revolutionary War history, country … [Read more...] about Trump administration mirrors matchmaking service
Guest Editorial: Your privacy on the web
The clearest lesson from Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg's 10 hours of testimony on Capitol Hill this week is that members of Congress don't have much of a grasp on what the privacy problems are online, let alone how to fix them. The recent revelations about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, however, should make at least one… … [Read more...] about Guest Editorial: Your privacy on the web
The Biggest Bomb This Week Was Not Dropped On Syria; It Landed On Donald Trump
Donald Trump has been in a world of hurts since the day he became president, but with his long anticipated firing of Deputy Attorney General Ron Rosenstein -- the predicate act to axing Special Counsel Robert Mueller -- he and we would enter uncharted and extraordinarily perilous territory. What has been a slow-motion constitutional crisis as the Russia scandal engulfs the … [Read more...] about The Biggest Bomb This Week Was Not Dropped On Syria; It Landed On Donald Trump
RNC Pays For Website Smearing James Comey
While Trump's opponents squeal with delight at some of the more scandalous revelations in former FBI director James Comey's new book, the president's allies have joined what appears to be a smear campaign against the tome. The official Twitter account for the Republican National Committee tweeted on Thursday night a mock cover of the former FBI… … [Read more...] about RNC Pays For Website Smearing James Comey
The bottom drops out for Republicans
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., did not have his thoughts collected when he faced the cameras after telling Republican colleagues he would not seek re-election to Congress in November. "I intend to full my serve term," he announced. Right. And I luck him good wish. I can see why Ryan is scrambled. The party he leads is on course for a drubbing, and … [Read more...] about The bottom drops out for Republicans
A Very Short Reaction To The Bombing Of Syria
For those who haven't seen it, here is a copy of the Congressional Resolution authorizing the bombing of Syria: Please see, The Constitution of the United States of America, Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 11, enumerating the power of Congress, and Congress alone, "To declare War." If there is a national security emergency sufficient to invoke … [Read more...] about A Very Short Reaction To The Bombing Of Syria
U.S. and Allies Strike Syrian Targets (Updates – After-Action Report)
Update IV Excerpts from a briefing by Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, the Joint Staff director, on the Syrian operation: “It was successful...there were no allied casualties.” The operation was carefully orchestrated and methodically planned to lessen chances of civilian casualties...The missiles hit targets … [Read more...] about U.S. and Allies Strike Syrian Targets (Updates – After-Action Report)
Good News for Sirhan Sirhan
Charlie's last mugshot (PD) Too bad Charlie Manson died last year. Otherwise, it looks like he'd have a great chance at a Donald Trump pardon. A Friday the Thirteenth special from Trump. Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Pardon of I. “Scooter” Lewis Libby The White House Today, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) … [Read more...] about Good News for Sirhan Sirhan
Scooter Libby Receives Presidential Pardon From Trump
President Donald Trump signed off on a complete pardon for Scooter Libby, former chief of staff to former Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday. Libby was convicted in 2007 of lying to the FBI and obstruction of justice. Libby was born on Aug. 22, 1950, in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from the Eaglebrook School, in… … [Read more...] about Scooter Libby Receives Presidential Pardon From Trump
ADA to Join the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic
Many of us know by now that America is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 116 people died daily in 2016 from overdoses related to opioids — and it's estimated that more than 40 percent of those deaths were related to a prescription opioid. This epidemic was declared a public health crisis in 2017, which … [Read more...] about ADA to Join the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic
Trump: Comey an ‘Untruthful Slime Ball’
President Donald Trump hit back at James Comey with fire and fury Friday morning following the release of comments the former director made criticizing the president. Comey, who was fired by Trump last May, has been promoting his book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, which is scheduled to be released Tuesday but excerpts of… … [Read more...] about Trump: Comey an ‘Untruthful Slime Ball’
The Syrian Crisis In a Nutshell
As the political noose keeps tightening around Trump’s neck, the situation in Syria could easily escalate out of control. In the last couple of days Russia has been making statements and taking action which assume war with the United States is around the corner. 1 – The Russian ambassador to Lebanon has stated that U.S Missiles would be shot down and the launch sites … [Read more...] about The Syrian Crisis In a Nutshell
(UPDATED) As Comey Roasts Trump, Is He About To Go ‘Full Nixon’ & Fire Mueller?
Logic -- you know, reasoning based on strict principles of validity -- has taken a beating over the course of the grotesquery known as the Trump presidency, but you have to really ignore reason to swallow the latest assault on logic emanating from the bowels of the White House as Trump fulminates over James Comey's tell-all memoir: Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein can no longer … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) As Comey Roasts Trump, Is He About To Go ‘Full Nixon’ & Fire Mueller?