There are several reviews of the new movie, “15:17 to Paris” – some good, some not so good. I have not seen the movie yet, but I am sure that, as a veteran who admired the actions depicted in the movie, I will enjoy it. Katie Lange at Defense Media Activity has written an interesting piece providing some background on the ”real-life heroes [who] play themselves in the … [Read more...] about The Story of the 15:17 Amsterdam to Paris Train
(UPDATE III) Who Is Sicker? Wife Beater Ron Porter Or John Kelly, His Big, Bad Defender?
One of the greatest perversities (pun intended) of living through the Donald Trump presidency is that I still cling, my fingernails on the window ledge of the top floor of a high-rise building engulfed in flames, to the notion that there has to be some good in this godawful disaster. And so it seemed when Marine General John F. Kelly was named Trump's White House chief of … [Read more...] about (UPDATE III) Who Is Sicker? Wife Beater Ron Porter Or John Kelly, His Big, Bad Defender?
Trump wants the pomp without the usual circumstance
WASHINGTON -- Well, of course the president who claimed bone spurs to dodge the Vietnam War wants the biggest, bestest military parade ever, with lots of tanks and rockets and flags -- zillions of flags -- and fighter jets screaming overhead. Why is anyone surprised? We should have seen it coming. And be careful, parade-watchers: As far as Dear Leader Trump is concerned, … [Read more...] about Trump wants the pomp without the usual circumstance
The hidden superpower of ‘Black Panther’: Scientist role models
By Clifford Johnson, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. King of a technologically advanced country, Black Panther is a scientific genius. Marvel Studios I’m not the first to say that the upcoming Marvel movie “Black Panther” will be an important landmark. Finally a feature film… … [Read more...] about The hidden superpower of ‘Black Panther’: Scientist role models
Parading For Mr. Bone Spurs (Column and Cartoon)
Question: How in the hell can we hold a military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to show the world the might of our armed forces when our military is depleted like Donald Trump claims Obama left it? Trump plans to increase military spending and reignite the Cold War by building up our nuclear arsenal. Apparently, nuclear weapons aren’t Twinkies, and they have expiration … [Read more...] about Parading For Mr. Bone Spurs (Column and Cartoon)
Secretary Mattis Stands by His Troops – Including Dreamers
Even as Trump and his lackeys continue to prevaricate on DACA (Deferred Action Childhood Program) – even to insult the “Dreamers” as "too lazy to get off their asses” – one man has shown the backbone to “stand by” Dreamers under his command. Speaking with reporters at the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said that U.S. service members who are a part of DACA … [Read more...] about Secretary Mattis Stands by His Troops – Including Dreamers
John Kelly, facing heat for backing alleged abuser, has shed image as calming force
WASHINGTON — When John Kelly oversaw the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, dozens of detainees refused to eat as a form of protest. Kelly, furious at the potential propaganda implications, instructed his charges to avoid using the term "hunger strike," insisting it be called a "long-term nonreligious fast." That moment in 2013 showed Kelly can… … [Read more...] about John Kelly, facing heat for backing alleged abuser, has shed image as calming force
Trump doesn’t need a parade. He needs a Roman triumph.
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Post's scoop about President Trump's plans for a grand military parade in Washington brings to mind Evelyn Waugh's classic satire about England's upper crust in the early days of World War II, "Put Out More Flags," named after a Chinese proverb: "A man getting drunk at a farewell party should strike a musical tone, in order to strengthen his … [Read more...] about Trump doesn’t need a parade. He needs a Roman triumph.
Are traffic-clogged US cities ready for congestion pricing?
By John Rennie Short, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Times Square traffic jam. bk, CC BY-SA New York is the latest city to contemplate congestion pricing as a way to deal with traffic problems. This strategy, which requires motorists to pay fees for driving into city centers during busy periods, is… … [Read more...] about Are traffic-clogged US cities ready for congestion pricing?
Cartoon: Trump’s hair
Red pandas rescued in Laos stir fears over exotic pet trade
The rescue in Laos of three endangered red pandas trafficked from China has raised fears the rare animals are increasingly being coveted by exotic pet owners. Landlocked Laos, which borders China and Vietnam, is a key transit hub in the global trade in illegal wildlife, but experts say the discovery of red pandas there is virtually… … [Read more...] about Red pandas rescued in Laos stir fears over exotic pet trade
The problem with Trump’s parade
WASHINGTON -- Military parades, "treasonous" opponents -- do you sense a pattern here? President Trump is such a master of the politics of distraction that everything he says and does is assumed to be a diversion from something more important, the Russia collusion issue above all. It's certainly true that in Trump's exotic circus of scandal and outrage, many stories that … [Read more...] about The problem with Trump’s parade
Melania Trump May Be The Only Person Capable Of Blowing Up The Presidency
In another time, the overwhelming amount of crap and corruption that Donald Trump has brought to the Oval Office and compounded since his "election" would spell the premature end to a presidency. Imagine, for example, if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton had committed only a fraction of the crimes or ethical and moral breeches as has Trump. But instead, we live in an era … [Read more...] about Melania Trump May Be The Only Person Capable Of Blowing Up The Presidency
Report: Russia ‘Successfully Penetrated’ US Voter Systems in 2016
A senior U.S. cybersecurity official has told NBC News that Russian hackers successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several U.S. states prior to the 2016 presidential election. Jeanette Manfra, head of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, said Russia targeted 21 states, and "an exceptionally small number of them were actually successfully … [Read more...] about Report: Russia ‘Successfully Penetrated’ US Voter Systems in 2016
Right-wing media hypes FBI text story — then the story is debunked
There's a terrible old joke: "Incest is relative." These days, it increasingly seems, "truth" is relative in an age of narrowcasting and tribal politics. Yes, there is indeed a Twilight Zone reality out there, where a piece of info surfaces, then it's picked up and hyped by hyper-partisans. And today they saw a story they were hyping deflate as quickly as President Donald … [Read more...] about Right-wing media hypes FBI text story — then the story is debunked
Cartoon: Parade Clappers
Ode To Retirement (in Haiku Variant)
Desk of Rosewood age Empty chair and fading thoughts Idle now I flee … [Read more...] about Ode To Retirement (in Haiku Variant)
The Genie in the White House
There’s a genie in the White House that inhabits Donald Trump’s body instead of an oil lamp. Few Americans know about it (a transgender genie). And you don’t have to rub Donald Trump the wrong way for the genie to pop out with explosive words and actions. The genie decided to visit Trump’s corpus and remain because of Trump’s love for oil and fossil fuels which mirror’s the … [Read more...] about The Genie in the White House
It’s treason not to applaud Trump. Join AmeriClaps and avoid execution
By DANA MILBANK "I got a standing ovation. In fact, they said it was the biggest standing ovation since Peyton Manning had won the Super Bowl, and they said it was equal. I got a standing ovation. It lasted for a long period of time." -- President Trump "I live for the applause, applause, applause "I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause" -- … [Read more...] about It’s treason not to applaud Trump. Join AmeriClaps and avoid execution
A Treasonous Cartoon
It’s ironic that the symbol for the Republican Party is an elephant. An elephant is known for having a great memory, as in an elephant never forgets. Republicans, especially Donald Trump, have the worst memories. They forget that illegal immigration decreased yearly during Obama’s presidency. They forget that unemployment, even black unemployment, was dropping for the past … [Read more...] about A Treasonous Cartoon