WASHINGTON -- As the federal government hurtled toward a shutdown this last week, lawmakers played a now-familiar parlor game: What on Earth does President Trump want? On Wednesday, the White House issued an official statement saying it supported a 30-day spending bill to avert a shutdown that included a six-year extension of the popular Children's Health Insurance Program, … [Read more...] about What on Earth does President Trump want?
Spanky (Cartoon and Column)
I may have mentioned this issue on my last blog. Do you recall anything about “spanking?” Just in case I didn’t, let’s touch on it again. Ew, wrong choice of words. You may have heard the accusation that Trump had an affair with a porn star named Stormy Daniels after he married Melania and his fifth child, Barron, was only four months old in 2006. Along with this accusation … [Read more...] about Spanky (Cartoon and Column)
Great Music Chapter 5
This chapter of great music will focus on an American composer, George Gershwin. Many consider Gershwin to be the greatest of American composers, although Aaron Copland, Edward MacDowell and Scott Joplin would also get many votes. George was born in 1898, two years after his musician brother, Ira Gershwin. The Gershwin family moved to Brooklyn, New York in the early 1890’s … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 5
Thai police arrest ‘kingpin’ in Asian wildlife trafficking
Thai police have arrested an alleged kingpin in Asia's illegal trade in endangered species, dealing a blow to family-run syndicate that smuggles elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts to Chinese and Vietnamese dealers. Boonchai Bach, 40, a Vietnamese national with Thai citizenship, was arrested on Friday evening over the smuggling of 14 rhino horns worth… … [Read more...] about Thai police arrest ‘kingpin’ in Asian wildlife trafficking
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump’s Tax Cut
OF RELATED INTEREST: --What Trump’s Tax Cut Really Means for the US Economy --The Trump Tax Plan Has Failed the Average American 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 cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump’s Tax Cut
Hundreds of Israeli rabbis say they will personally hide African asylum-seekers in their homes
Hundreds of Israeli rabbis, including the sister of comedian Sarah Silverman, announced a bold initiative this week: They say they will personally hide African asylum-seekers in their homes, to protect them from a new Israeli immigration policy. Tens of thousands of African asylum-seekers, largely from Sudan and Eritrea, live in Israel. The government has announced the… … [Read more...] about Hundreds of Israeli rabbis say they will personally hide African asylum-seekers in their homes
One Year In, Trump Remains His Own Worst Enemy (Guest Voice)
y John L. Micek When it came to a recent column about President Donald Trump's preference for "executive time" that includes a healthy dose of cable news viewing and unhinged Tweeting, the reader wasn't in the mood to hold back. "This article was just a pack of lies," wrote a reader of the Mansfield News Journal in Mansfield, Ohio, where my column occasionally runs. … [Read more...] about One Year In, Trump Remains His Own Worst Enemy (Guest Voice)
Border Patrol Agents Sabotaging Water Bottles in Desert Should be Held Accountable for Deaths of Migrants (Guest Voice)
By Miriam Raftery (San Diego’s East County) – A new report by humanitarian organizations reveals that Border Patrol agents have been systemically destroying water bottles left in desert areas for undocumented immigrants in the Arizona desert, condemning people to die of thirst. While its unknown if this is occurring in California, this article in Britain’s The Guardian … [Read more...] about Border Patrol Agents Sabotaging Water Bottles in Desert Should be Held Accountable for Deaths of Migrants (Guest Voice)
How Will the Trump Shutdown Affect the Military? (UPDATES)
(Final) UPDATE (on the AFN issue): Dana W. White, chief spokesperson for the DoD has issued a statement: Despite the government shutdown, DoD determined the operational necessity of television and radio broadcasts constitutes them as essential activities…We will continue to find solutions to support our troops at home and abroad. Congress must come to a resolution, … [Read more...] about How Will the Trump Shutdown Affect the Military? (UPDATES)
Social media is making you miserable. Here’s how to delete your accounts.
So long, and thanks for all the Likes. Ditch your social apps—for good. Rahul Chakraborty via Unsplash In theory, social media promises to connect you with the world. In practice, it compromises your personal privacy, puts you at risk of online abuse, and makes you unsatisfied and unhappy with your real life. If you're irritated by… … [Read more...] about Social media is making you miserable. Here’s how to delete your accounts.
Shutdown under a unified government? Blame Trump
By Jennifer Victor, Associate Professor of Political Science, George Mason University. Trump on Jan. 19, 2018 AP Photo/Evan Vucci Government shutdowns are rare. This one is unique because the U.S. has never before experienced a shutdown under a unified government, a time when the White House and Congress are controlled by the same party. The policy… … [Read more...] about Shutdown under a unified government? Blame Trump
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: No deal=Trump shutdown? (UPDATE 4)
On the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, the government has shut down in what has not seen since the days of Jimmy Carter: a government shut down coming when one party holdsd both the White House and both houses of Congress. The spin will now be that the Democrats shut down the government, but it's going to be a hard sell when polls show that most … [Read more...] about GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: No deal=Trump shutdown? (UPDATE 4)
Poll: Americans more likely to blame Trump, Republicans if government shuts down
Forget what Fox & Friends, Sean Hannity and Trump supporters on Twitter are saying. Will the public blame the Democrats if there is a government shut down? A new poll says no. And the margin is padded by independent voters and women -- even Republican women: A new ABC News/Washington Post poll finds substantially greater Republican risk in a government shutdown, with … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans more likely to blame Trump, Republicans if government shuts down
Guest Editorial: Shutdown will rest on the GOP
When Republicans were responsible for shutting down the government over budget disputes in the past, they could blame, or try to blame, the problem on Democrats and Democratic presidents. But now, with a shutdown looming over a confrontation over the DACA program for immigrants granted some leeway to work in the country because they were brought… … [Read more...] about Guest Editorial: Shutdown will rest on the GOP
Bannon Belatedly Takes His Russia Scandal Star Turn, But Can He Hurt Trump?
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