My big takeaway from Steve Bannon's belated appearance as a Russia scandal principal is less whether he can hurt Donald Trump or the White House will be able to defang him than a reminder that the president's former white nationalist Svengali fits hand-in-glove in the mold of virtually everyone he has surrounded himself with over the years. These are amoral bottom feeders who … [Read more...] about Bannon Belatedly Takes His Russia Scandal Star Turn, But Can He Hurt Trump?
Fake News Awards (Cartoon and Column)
Every year as journalism awards are announced, I’m always disappointed. The trend continued yesterday, and I was left sulking, hurt, wrongly denied, robbed, and a little whiny as I did not receive a Trumpie, a Fake News Award. Being president is an easy job and the biggest complaint from the occupants of the office is all the free time they have on their hands. The only … [Read more...] about Fake News Awards (Cartoon and Column)
FBI investigating whether Russian money went to NRA to help Trump
WASHINGTON — The FBI is investigating whether a top Russian banker with ties to the Kremlin illegally funneled money to the National Rifle Association to help Donald Trump win the presidency, two sources familiar with the matter have told McClatchy. FBI counterintelligence investigators have focused on the activities of Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of Russia's… … [Read more...] about FBI investigating whether Russian money went to NRA to help Trump
Heroes From ‘Non-Norwegian’ Countries (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: Considering president Trump’s deplorable comments about immigrants from “shithole” (or “shithouse”) countries, the question arises, how does one measure the citizenship, loyalty and patriotism of these immigrants. I am sure there are many ways, but one might be to look at the recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force … [Read more...] about Heroes From ‘Non-Norwegian’ Countries (UPDATES)
Trump, GOP Exploit Fear
Tony Schwartz, Donald Trump's ghostwriter for "The Art of the Deal," knows him very well. He has an article up in The Guardian describing how Trump is driven by fear and exploits fear in others. Fear is the hidden through-line in Trump’s life – fear of weakness, of inadequacy, of failure, of criticism and of insignificance. He has spent his life trying to outrun these fears by … [Read more...] about Trump, GOP Exploit Fear
Cartoon: New History Lesson
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: New History Lesson
Wolff’s Book Resonates Because Trump Keeps Confirming It
Nobody is more stunned about the stratospheric sales of "Fire and Fury" than the guy who wrote it. Michael Wolff and I were talking backstage prior to his gig on Tuesday night at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and he confessed that he never saw it coming. He was convinced that he'd gotten the inside skinny about Trump's den of dysfunction, but in our info-saturated … [Read more...] about Wolff’s Book Resonates Because Trump Keeps Confirming It
Don’t feed the homeless? A dozen people were arrested for breaking this recent city ordinance
El Cajon food protest About a dozen people people in El Cajon, California were arrested Sunday afternoon and face misdemeanor charges, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. Their alleged crime? Feeding the homeless at a city park. Watch the video Seriously. In October, the El Cajon City Council unanimously passed an ordinance making it illegal to hand… … [Read more...] about Don’t feed the homeless? A dozen people were arrested for breaking this recent city ordinance
EU accuses Russia of ‘orchestrated’ disinformation campaign
The European Union on Wednesday accused Russia of pumping out thousands of pieces of disinformation in an "orchestrated strategy" aimed at destabilising the bloc. Russia faces a barrage of accusations of interfering in a string of seismic political events, including the British vote to leave the European Union, the US election of President Donald Trump and… … [Read more...] about EU accuses Russia of ‘orchestrated’ disinformation campaign
Girther (Cartoon and Column)
Tuesday, Senator Cory Booker publicly chewed out a Trump sycophant for ignoring reality and lying for the president. And, he wasn’t talking to Trump’s doctor. Booker was scolding the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security over her inability to recall if Trump said racist comments during the infamous “shithole” gathering at the White House. During the secretary’s … [Read more...] about Girther (Cartoon and Column)
This way madness lies
WASHINGTON -- This way madness lies. I knew that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, when she appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, would deny that Trump said what the whole world knows he said: that he wants immigrants from Norway rather than from "shithole" countries in Africa. What I was not expecting was that Nielsen would raise a … [Read more...] about This way madness lies
What in the World is Wrong With Us?
By now many of you have seen this iconic photo. It has careened around the world on Facebook and global newspapers. The picture is of a Baltimore woman who was discharged by the Maryland Medical Center. Her name is Rebecca and she is 22 years old and Bi-Polar. According to her mother she has been missing for 2 weeks and thus been off medication for that time. Rebecca was found … [Read more...] about What in the World is Wrong With Us?
How Racism Became, You Know, Just Another Ho-Hum Issue In The Age Of Donald Trump
There is no more horrifying example of the perniciously erosive effect the Trump presidency is inflicting on American society than the Shithole Countries Comment. That is, until yet another new low is reached. After working its way through the media sausage factory and what passes for public discourse since Trump used the profane phrase on January 11 during one of his … [Read more...] about How Racism Became, You Know, Just Another Ho-Hum Issue In The Age Of Donald Trump
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Is Donald Trump a racist?
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Trump says 'I'm not a racist' --Poll: 48% of Americans think Trump's 'shithole' remarks were racist --African Anger Builds Over President Trump’s Racist Comments --Donald Trump’s presidency is the death rattle of a racist world view Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Is Donald Trump a racist?
New technology: destroyer or creator of jobs?
Workers across the world are increasingly aware of what many consider an existential threat to a wide array of jobs. Safe and efficient autonomous vehicles, for example, may make truck drivers obsolete in the not too distant future. At the same time, advocates of technology argue, people around the planet are finding new and often better… … [Read more...] about New technology: destroyer or creator of jobs?
Fox News axed story on Trump and porn actress Stormy Daniels before election
Was this a case of Fox News doing its "due diligence?" Or are critics correct and the channel where Sean Hannity is as much its symbol as Mickey Mouse is to Disney is precisely what it's critics say it is: where it's real slogan should be "We report, distort, and protect (Republicans). You decide." So you can decide on this: Fox News had a story at the height of the … [Read more...] about Fox News axed story on Trump and porn actress Stormy Daniels before election
Cartoon: I am not a racist
Suppressing a sneeze can be dangerous, doctors warn
Stifling a sneeze can rupture your throat, burst an ear drum, or pop a blood vessel in your brain, researchers warned Tuesday. Many people -- when they feel a sneeze coming on -- block all the exits, essentially swallowing the sneeze's explosive force. Just how dangerous this can be was illustrated when a 34-year-old man showed… … [Read more...] about Suppressing a sneeze can be dangerous, doctors warn
We now know Trump: Do we know ourselves?
Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson nails it in a column in the Washington Post: President Donald Trump is at war with the essential idea of the American republic. Now Americans have to decide if they are as well. Some excerpts: And still it is difficult for me to write the words: “The president of the United States is a racist.” The implications are horrible, but … [Read more...] about We now know Trump: Do we know ourselves?
America’s Stable Genius Leader
American citizens should thank God that we have a stable genius leading our country. A very smart man (just ask him) with strong ideals and ideas is at the helm of our shit of state (misspelling) ship of state, making certain that it does not run aground. Not only is he admired in America, but government officials around the world and citizens of virtually every nation wonder … [Read more...] about America’s Stable Genius Leader