Ed Griffith, University of Central Lancashire The meeting between North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and South Korea’s Moon Jae-in is certainly one of the most dramatic and momentous events in the recent history of East Asia. Beyond the symbolism of cross-border handshakes and tree planting (not to mention a controversially decorated mango mousse that briefly ticked off Japan), the … [Read more...] about A Korean peace process is underway – but it still depends on the US and China
Righteous Republicans Attain New Low As Praying For Poor Becomes A Firing Offense
As hostile acts go, it did not seem to be in the same league as Kim Jong-un reneging on a peace deal or Vladimir Putin ordering the poisoning of a defector spy, but for Republicans it was enough to send House Chaplain Patrick J. Conroy packing. It seems that in Republican eyes the right reverend had sinned when, in a prayer last November as the House took up the $1.5 … [Read more...] about Righteous Republicans Attain New Low As Praying For Poor Becomes A Firing Offense
Michelle Wolf at WHCD: Over the line or truth to power? (FULL Video Monologue)
A major firestorm has been raging among the political class, prominent media that get denounced by President Donald Trump, reporters that complain about Trump's insults and language, with most (but not all) partisans lining up on predictable sides. What is this big issue? Democracy? Freedom of the press? No, it's -- once again -- a comedian performing at one of the most … [Read more...] about Michelle Wolf at WHCD: Over the line or truth to power? (FULL Video Monologue)
Swamp Drained? How, Exactly?
By John L. Micek U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican who hails from northeastern Pennsylvania's coal country, likes to brag about the fact he was one of his state's earliest supporters of President Donald Trump. Insofar as he rewards displays of loyalty, Trump is backing Barletta's bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., this fall in one of the country's more closely … [Read more...] about Swamp Drained? How, Exactly?
Arrest at the ‘Sea Ranch’ (Updated)
We had heard of this intriguing double-murder case on the eve of our annual “snow bird pilgrimage” to South Padre Island, Texas. Once on “The Island,” we enjoyed dinner at our favorite restaurant on the island – "The Sea Ranch" – where we heard from our favorite waiter, Sergio, that we were having dinner at the very same place where the nationwide chase for a double-murder … [Read more...] about Arrest at the ‘Sea Ranch’ (Updated)
House GOP Russia Report: Bad Crime Fiction
Former Rep. Steve Isreal (D-NY) says the House GOP Russia report is written with November's midterms in mind in The Hill. The GOP’s House Intelligence Committee report acknowledging Russian meddling in our elections but no collusion by the Trump campaign is like any bad crime fiction. We know how it’ll end before finishing the first chapter. No stunners here, no twists of … [Read more...] about House GOP Russia Report: Bad Crime Fiction
We calculated how much money trees save for your city
For a megacity, Tokyo is rich in trees. gillyberlin/flickr, CC BY-SA Theodore Endreny, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Megacities are on the rise. There are currently 47 such areas around the globe, each housing more than 10 million residents. More than half the global population now lives in urban areas, … [Read more...] about We calculated how much money trees save for your city
The Alternate States of America
By Blair Bess We, in America, have been living in alternate states of reality for quite some time. They are neither red or blue. They are states of consciousness and perception. New borders and boundaries have been erected to divide us. They're often alphanumeric in construction; rising and falling with every stroke of a keyboard, button-push of a remote control, or swipe … [Read more...] about The Alternate States of America
A Cosby Sweater (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The man once revered as America’s dad was convicted Thursday on three counts of sexual assault. The 7-man, 5-woman jury took less than two days to convict Bill Cosby for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a Temple University women’s basketball operations director who is three decades younger than the man who used to appear in commercials with children hawking … [Read more...] about A Cosby Sweater (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The internet is designed for corporations, not people
Conversations on Facebook ethics are part of a bigger conversation about information architecture. AP Photo/Alastair Grant Gordon Hull, University of North Carolina – Charlotte Urban spaces are often designed to be subtly hostile to certain uses. Think about, for example, the seat partitions on bus terminal benches that make it harder for the homeless … [Read more...] about The internet is designed for corporations, not people
Defenders of Freedom Purge Those Who Exhibit It
The "constitutional" Right, ever solicitous of rights and sechlike just engaged in a massive blog purge: ‘Mass firing’ at conservative site RedState Brian Stelter / CNNMoney Salem Media, owner of the influential conservative outlet RedState, froze the site on Friday and dismissed many of its writers. — Bloggers were locked out of their accounts — some just temporarily, … [Read more...] about Defenders of Freedom Purge Those Who Exhibit It
Cohen needs to ask himself: Does Trump have my back?
WASHINGTON -- Michael Cohen reportedly said he'd rather jump out of a building than turn on President Trump. I wonder what he's thinking as the floors whiz by. Cohen has been Trump's lawyer, finder of deals and devoted "Ray Donovan"-style fixer of problems for a decade. At least that's what Cohen (BEG ITAL)thought(END ITAL) he was. In a phone interview Thursday with his … [Read more...] about Cohen needs to ask himself: Does Trump have my back?
Talks of Decriminalizing Marijuana Are Back in Action
April 20 is nearly synonymous with marijuana use, so it seems appropriate lawmakers would have introduced a bill decriminalizing its use in the United States on that date. This bill would cover the entire country — regardless of existing state-based marijuana laws — removing the drug's Schedule 1 classification. What are the details of the bill, and what would it mean for … [Read more...] about Talks of Decriminalizing Marijuana Are Back in Action
It Was Another Big Week For Putin’s Useful Idiot. ‘Fox & Friends’ Sure Thought So.
And so the curtain crashes down on another frighteningly bizarre week in the improbable presidency of Vladimir Putin's "useful idiot," which is a Russian term for an unwitting collaborator. Donald Trump is a useful idiot because of how hard he is working to undermine American democratic institutions in service of knocking the U.S. from its perch and returning Russia to the … [Read more...] about It Was Another Big Week For Putin’s Useful Idiot. ‘Fox & Friends’ Sure Thought So.
Cosby: GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY on three counts
Embed from Getty Images Once iconic comedy and television star Bill Cosby has been found guilty by jury of sexually assaulting and drugging a woman at his home 14 years ago. Cosby was long considered a comedian who worked "clean" and was nicknamed "America's Dad" in a comedy show that ran 8 seasons starting in 1984. It was considered an authentic family values show with a … [Read more...] about Cosby: GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY on three counts
Melting Arctic sends a message: Climate change is here in a big way
Melting Arctic sends a message: Climate change is here in a big way Scientists on Arctic sea ice in the Chukchi Sea, surrounded by melt ponds, July 4, 2010. NASA/Kathryn Hansen Mark Serreze, University of Colorado Scientists have known for a long time that as climate change started to heat up the Earth, its effects would … [Read more...] about Melting Arctic sends a message: Climate change is here in a big way
Thoughts on a 49th anniversary
If all of you will indulge me, I’d like to take a few moments of your time to express my astonishment and good fortune to be celebrating our 49th Wedding Anniversary today. To make it through the slings and arrows of modern life for almost 50 years relatively unscathed is unusual. The story starts almost 50 years ago. I worked at the Prudential Regional Home Office in … [Read more...] about Thoughts on a 49th anniversary
Macron on Trumpism: Non!
WASHINGTON -- The early story line about President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron focused on their "bromance" and Trump's puerile claim to dominance when he brushed what he said was dandruff off Macron's suit. But on the last day of his state visit on Wednesday, Macron showed he will not be trifled with. He used a speech to a joint session of Congress to engage … [Read more...] about Macron on Trumpism: Non!
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump Tough on Russia
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Trump discussed adoption policy with Putin one day before 'dictating' son's statement about 'adoptions' --Does the Kremlin have compromising Trump info? --Everything We Know About Russia and President Trump Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump Tough on Russia
Immigration policies can make the difference between life and death for newborn US children
An immigrant woman shows the footprints of her daughter who was born in the in the U.S. AP Photo/Eric Gay Maria Rodriguez, Oregon Health & Science University and Jens Hainmueller, Stanford University The health of children born to unauthorized immigrants – who are U.S. citizens – is affected by local and federal immigration policies. There are as many … [Read more...] about Immigration policies can make the difference between life and death for newborn US children