A rare glimpse inside the everyday lives of polar bears may give scientists clues about their decline. With bear-cams and activity trackers around the necks of nine polar bears, researchers monitored more than a week of their daily activity during peak hunting season in the Beaufort Sea above Alaska. Five of the nine bears lost weight… … [Read more...] about Bear-Cams Show Polar Bears Going Hungry as Arctic Ice Shrinks
Trump and Nunes torch tradition of trust between Congress and FBI
By Douglas M. Charles, Associate Professor of History, Pennsylvania State University. Trump with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Dec. 15, 2017. AP Photo/Evan Vucci President Donald Trump’s attacks on the FBI may have reached a climax. In an apparent attempt to discredit Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, staff of the House Intelligence Committee on behalf of its… … [Read more...] about Trump and Nunes torch tradition of trust between Congress and FBI
Novitiate (2017)
Novitiate is the story of a young girl, Sister Cathleen, played by Margaret Qualley, and her desire to find love and to be loved. As a child, she joins a local Catholic school, despite not being Catholic or raised following any religion in particular. However, she is still entranced by the nuns. Throughout her attendance at this school, Sister Cathleen would engage in her own … [Read more...] about Novitiate (2017)
An All-Encompassing ‘Little’ Poem
As I have often mentioned – and shared his poems with you – I have a friend who... Can say in one verse, or stanza The truth in abbondanza Give him an entire poem to compose And he will of all issues dispose Well, that takes care of my poetic prowess – even had to resort to a foreign language to make things rhyme. Not so with my friend, “the poet,” who in a few … [Read more...] about An All-Encompassing ‘Little’ Poem
Hostiles (2017)
Set in the barren and lonely wilderness of the West, Hostiles lays the foundation for a country that is harsh and unforgiving. From the outset, the audience is forced to witness the brutality of conflict. The feelings gained from these opening scenes dictates the tone for most of the film. Hostiles is a story of survival and being capable of making difficult decisions, as … [Read more...] about Hostiles (2017)
Super Bowl LII: Enjoy!
This weekend, millions of Americans and football fans around the world will be enjoying a traditional American spectacle called the Super Bowl. But, in addition to providing enjoyment and taking our minds –at least for a few hours – off the current national political nightmare, Super Bowl LII will keep thousands upon thousands of other dedicated Americans busy with making … [Read more...] about Super Bowl LII: Enjoy!
We have no idea how dangerous football really is
Is there a scientific case for banning the sport? So, how dangerous is it? Deposit Photos Super Bowl LII kicks off in Minneapolis on Sunday. U.S. Bank Stadium will be packed to bursting, but despite the energy around arguably the most popular sporting event in the country, there’s an air of quiet death around the whole… … [Read more...] about We have no idea how dangerous football really is
Profile: A Taiwanese LGBT Star Visits New York City: Mr. Chia Wei Chi
Successful political movements need an organizing force: a charismatic leader whose determination motivates and organizes a struggle. In today’s shockingly fast changing times the latest battle has been for LGBT rights. It started in broad minded Western Europe and gradually spread to other parts of the world. While some regions lag behind, such as the Islamosphere and Africa, … [Read more...] about Profile: A Taiwanese LGBT Star Visits New York City: Mr. Chia Wei Chi
Canada’s national anthem gets an inclusive update
Canada has taken steps to make its national anthem “O Canada” more inclusive. Lawmakers passed a bill this week changing the line “true patriot love in all thy sons command,” to “true patriot love in all of us command.” “It’s a kind of inclusive, embracing turn of phrase,” says former Prime Minister Kim Campbell. She’s one… … [Read more...] about Canada’s national anthem gets an inclusive update
Is Donald Trump The Masterpiece He Believes or The Fake He Fears?
By Colleen O'Connor Can you tell the difference between a forgery and a masterpiece? Between counterfeit and real? Between a fraud and a friend? Or between legitimacy and illegitimacy? Soon, every American will inherit the grave responsibility of becoming an expert in just such matters. This is no small task, as most “experts” will confirm. Take the case of … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump The Masterpiece He Believes or The Fake He Fears?
Cartoon: Nunes Memo
Full Statement by Democrats on House Intelligence Committee Reacting to Nunes Memo Release
The Republican majority on the House Intelligence Committee suppressed the Democratic minority from releasing their detailed rebuttal prepared by Rep. Devin Nunes and, some reports suggest, the White House. Since it has been suppressed and the news cycle will be dominated by reports of the Nunes memo, here's the full statement released by the Democrats on the … [Read more...] about Full Statement by Democrats on House Intelligence Committee Reacting to Nunes Memo Release
Sen. John McCain’s full statement criticizing Trump’s release of the memo
From Arizona Sen. John McCain's website: Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on partisan attacks on the FBI and Department of Justice: “In 2016, the Russian government engaged in an elaborate plot to interfere in an American election and undermine our democracy. Russia … [Read more...] about Sen. John McCain’s full statement criticizing Trump’s release of the memo
Trump released unredacted controversial GOP memo criticizing FBI (UPDATE 3)
Despite requests from the FBI, President Donald Trump today released unredacted the controversial GOP memo criticizing FBI surveillance -- a memo the House Intelligence Committee decided to release while slapping a gag order on a Democratic response to their memo. The House GOPers also turned down an FBI request to meet with them. Now speculation is mounting quickly that … [Read more...] about Trump released unredacted controversial GOP memo criticizing FBI (UPDATE 3)
President Trump and Rep. Devin Nunes put politics above America’s security and institutions (Guest Editorial)
There can no longer be any doubt that we now have a propaganda presidency, in collusion with Republican leaders in Congress who care more about protecting Donald Trump than America's security and institutions. As soon as Friday and with the blessing of the White House, the House Intelligence Committee is expected to release the infamous memo… … [Read more...] about President Trump and Rep. Devin Nunes put politics above America’s security and institutions (Guest Editorial)
India unveils healthcare for 500 million of its poorest
India on Thursday announced a national healthcare scheme for half a billion of its poorest citizens in a major giveaway to voters in the final budget before a general election. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India's most vulnerable families would be able to access up to 500,000 rupees ($7,855) a year for hospital cover through the… … [Read more...] about India unveils healthcare for 500 million of its poorest
“A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This review is being posted again due to recent events. A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissim in the Era of Donald Trump was written before the election -- but boy is it needed to be read now. It's a thoughtful volume comprised of contributions by psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists-- and a notable storyteller-author-clinical-psychologist that'll be read … [Read more...] about “A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
Trump and his minions can’t out-leak the FBI
WASHINGTON -- Presidents don't win fights with the FBI. Donald Trump apparently wants to learn this lesson the hard way. Most presidents have had the sense not to bully the FBI by defaming its leaders and -- ridiculously -- painting its agents as leftist political hacks. Most members of Congress have also understood how unwise it would be to pull such stunts. But Trump and … [Read more...] about Trump and his minions can’t out-leak the FBI
Kids Need Attention, Not Tide Pods
Forget baby-proofing your home -- now you need to keep it safe from your teenager. Who would have thought that teens would be eating laundry soap? Truthfully, at this point in my career, nothing surprises me. So what is a parent to do? This must be a pithy reminder that teenagers -- yes, even your stellar… … [Read more...] about Kids Need Attention, Not Tide Pods
Future Model Prisoner (Column and Cartoon)
Yeah, I’m a jerk. To be a Trump sycophant one must shred their dignity, soul, respectability, credibility, decency, and perhaps all traces of what’s left of their humanity. Reason and logic are pretty much out of the question too. In return, you may acquire a nice orange jumpsuit. When the first drips would come out about Trump’s attempts to obstruct justice, his … [Read more...] about Future Model Prisoner (Column and Cartoon)