The desire of Indian parents for sons has created an estimated 21 million "unwanted" girls because couples keep having children until they produce a boy, the government said Monday. Indian parents have historically wanted sons, who are seen as breadwinners and family heirs. Girls are often viewed as a financial burden in a country where the… … [Read more...] about India has 21 million ‘unwanted’ girls
Trump’s Wasted Efforts
Doesn’t President Trump have better and more productive things to do, like play golf, or deny his campaign’s collusion with the Russians. Instead, he’s wasting his time working on policies that will have no lasting value for the country and a negative impact temporarily. Some of these he does by presidential fiat and others with the help of a Republican Congress that appears … [Read more...] about Trump’s Wasted Efforts
Cartoon: Trump Trojan Gift to FBI
EPA ends important Clean Air policy, fulfilling request of fossil fuel lobby
Strike another win for the fossil companies and another loss for the people. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the withdrawal of a key provision of the Clean Air Act. Following this move, hundreds of U.S. industrial facilities will be allowed to dramatically increase their emissions of the most toxic air pollutants. Image credits: Petter Rudwall.… … [Read more...] about EPA ends important Clean Air policy, fulfilling request of fossil fuel lobby
With Trump under investigation, Republicans vote to release controversial memo
WASHINGTON — As President Trump seethes over the investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, he's been able to count on rock-solid support from his Republican allies in Congress, who, amplified by conservative commentators on Fox News, have increasingly labored in recent weeks to raise public doubts about the inquiry. Their efforts, cheered on by… … [Read more...] about With Trump under investigation, Republicans vote to release controversial memo
BREAKING: FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is stepping down from the FBI
Embed from Getty Images Is this pro-forma, or was he pushed? FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is stepping down from the FBI. And despite initial reports, some analysis and on Twitter are using the same term: a "slow motion Saturday Night Massacre." Is forcing out Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein soon in the cards? CBS News: FBI Deputy Director Andrew … [Read more...] about BREAKING: FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is stepping down from the FBI
Nevertheless, She Persisted – By the Millions
By Michael Winship Back in 2007, just a month and a half after I was first elected president of the Writers Guild of America East, we and our friends and colleagues at the Writers Guild West were plunged into a strike against the networks and studios. For me, it was one hell of an initiation. The strike would last a grueling hundred days and the asymmetric warfare we … [Read more...] about Nevertheless, She Persisted – By the Millions
The Dam Is Weak, But Can Mueller Make An Obstruction Of Justice Charge Stick?
The routine is, by now, numbingly familiar. First, a newspaper breaks a deeply sourced story -- in this case the recent New York Times blockbuster on Donald Trump ordering the firing of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller last June and backing off only after his White House counsel threatened to resign. Second, the story is followed by a mush-mouthed non-denial by Trump's … [Read more...] about The Dam Is Weak, But Can Mueller Make An Obstruction Of Justice Charge Stick?
California Murder Suspect Said to Have Trained With Extremist Hate Group
The California man accused of killing a 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student earlier this month is an avowed neo-Nazi and a member of one of the most notorious extremist groups in the country, according to three people with knowledge of the man’s recent activities. The man, Samuel Woodward, has been charged in Orange County, California, with… … [Read more...] about California Murder Suspect Said to Have Trained With Extremist Hate Group
Great Music – Chapter 5.5 (UPDATED)
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a technical glitch the wrong YouTube video was posted on the first publication of this post. We've now put the correct one in. TMV regrets the error. This week’s offering on music is a bit off the regular track. I am often asked by my piano students what is the most difficult piece of piano music ever created. Some times they ask what is the easiest … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 5.5 (UPDATED)
NRA American Made (Cartoon and Column)
You may have missed this story from last week as it was overshadowed by a government shutdown, shitholes, Davos, The Women’s March, DACA, Tide Pods, Republican conspiracy theories, and Trump’s weekly attempt to obstruct justice and slime his way through the presidency. But, what may have transpired while Trump was sliming his way toward the presidency is that Russians helped … [Read more...] about NRA American Made (Cartoon and Column)
Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Detained Amid Protests
Police in Moscow have detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny at a rally he called to protest Russia's March presidential election. Navalny tweeted " I have been detained," and urged his followers to join the demonstration. A still image taken from a video footage shows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny being detained by Interior Ministry members during… … [Read more...] about Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Detained Amid Protests
The Reason blacks don’t vote for GOP and how to start changing that (Guest Voice)
The reason blacks don’t vote for Republicans in general is because they think they’re racists. Blacks feel that Republicans are the cause of gentrification, mass incarceration of blacks, and the inadequate education of much of the black population. Blacks won’t think Republicans are racist anymore if all of the public schools are renovated and kept up to date. I think our … [Read more...] about The Reason blacks don’t vote for GOP and how to start changing that (Guest Voice)
Steven Spielberg to remake ‘West Side Story’
It's one of the most beloved movies in musical cinema and now Steven Spielberg is giving "West Side Story" a makeover -- except this time, he is recruiting Latino talent to play the lead roles. The original film version of Leonard Bernstein's musical -- Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" reimagined in the world of warring New York… … [Read more...] about Steven Spielberg to remake ‘West Side Story’
When Trump leaves what will be left of us?
Someday, likely three years from now, perhaps sooner, perhaps -- gulp -- later, President Trump will depart the stage. But what will be left of us? New evidence suggests the damage he is doing to the culture is bigger than the man. A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday found that two-thirds of Americans say Trump is not a good role model for children. Every … [Read more...] about When Trump leaves what will be left of us?
Poland was complicit in the Holocaust, new bill ‘can’t change history’
Yesh Atid leader, son of survivor, condemns law prescribing jail time for using phrases such as 'Polish death camps'; Poland played active role in Nazi killing of Jews, he stresses Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid on Saturday slammed a controversial law passed by the lower house of the Polish parliament which aims to penalize individuals or… … [Read more...] about Poland was complicit in the Holocaust, new bill ‘can’t change history’
Trump and His Toadies Don Tinfoil Hats
A wild animal is most dangerous when it's cornered. We're seeing that now. Putin chump Donald Trump, aided by obsequious fright-wing Republicans and amplified by servile TV talking heads, is feeling the heat from Robert Mueller. With each indication that the Russia probe is inching ever closer to his throne, he's lashing out ever more crazily - conjuring paranoid notions of … [Read more...] about Trump and His Toadies Don Tinfoil Hats
Is Biden in danger of becoming the John McCain of 2020?
by Thomas Hoffman There was a time when Senator John McCain was adored by both sides. Conservatives and liberals both admired him for his military service. Conservatives, liberals and independents praised his independent, “maverick” voting style. By the time of the 2008 election, that attitude was political dust. Everyone sees former Vice President Joe Biden as the "great … [Read more...] about Is Biden in danger of becoming the John McCain of 2020?
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Evangelicals
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Evangelical Leader Says Trump Gets 'a Mulligan' on Alleged Affair with Porn Star --Michael Gerson: The Trump evangelicals have lost their gag reflex --Why evangelicals made a deal with the devilish Donald Trump --Evangelicals continue to apply moral relativism in dealing with Trump, but at what cost? Mike Peters is recognized as one of our … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and Evangelicals
Rhino poaching dips slightly in S.Africa
The number of rhinos killed for their horns by poachers in South Africa dipped in 2017, but more than 1,000 were still slaughtered, the government said on Thursday. South Africa is battling a scourge of rhino poaching fuelled by insatiable demand for their horn in Asia. Most of the demand emanates from China and Vietnam, where… … [Read more...] about Rhino poaching dips slightly in S.Africa