Chopin, along with Beethoven, are two of my most favorite composers. With Beethoven I identified with his infirmity, deafness, and his ability to succeed in spite of it. With Chopin, I identified with his introspective melancholy that infuses most of his music. This chapter of great music will focus on Chopin, a composer from what is now known as Poland. Growing up in the … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 4
Will Trump exhaust our democratic capacities?
WASHINGTON -- Political leaders in democracies have a few core obligations. They are charged with solving today's problems and preparing their nations for the future. They are responsible for creating some sense of shared purpose and mutual respect among their citizens -- above all a common commitment to preserving the very freedoms on which democracy depends. Within this … [Read more...] about Will Trump exhaust our democratic capacities?
Photographer’s attempt at retouching family portraits goes horribly wrong — and we’re LOLing
photo Picture day at school, family photos, weddings — these are the kinds of moments in life we all want to remember, and when we don’t think our photography skills cut it, we call in the professionals. Most of the time, the pictures turn out for the best and end up on our walls of fame,… … [Read more...] about Photographer’s attempt at retouching family portraits goes horribly wrong — and we’re LOLing
Trump’s latest target is no puppet for the Democratic party
WASHINGTON -- Twenty-three years ago, I arrived at the Wall Street Journal's Washington bureau as a congressional reporter at about the same time as a scruffy and perpetually untucked fellow named Glenn Simpson. I've been friends with "Shaggy," as I dubbed him, ever since. Over the years, I've watched him make mischief: exposing the Clintons' campaign finance abuses, … [Read more...] about Trump’s latest target is no puppet for the Democratic party
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Set along the beautiful and elegant Italian landscape, Elio, played by Timothée Chalamet, lives a life of comfort and has little to worry about. At age seventeen, with parents who love him and a mind of intellect, Elio is noticeably different than others his age. Each summer, his family enjoys leisure, study and the company of guests. The summer of 1983, in particular, is when … [Read more...] about Call Me By Your Name (2017)
“This is not a drill”: Warning of ballistic missile inbound to Hawaii ‘false alarm’
Social media ignited Saturday after apparent screenshots of cell phone emergency alerts warning of a "ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii" began circulating, which US officials quickly dismissed as "false." "Hawaii - this is a false alarm," wrote Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter. "I have confirmed with officials there is no incoming missile." The … [Read more...] about “This is not a drill”: Warning of ballistic missile inbound to Hawaii ‘false alarm’
Oh No, Jerusalem
Lately the world’s largest open air mental hospital, as the Holy Land has been called, has lived up to its moniker. Trump has helped by moving our embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Some aspects of this destabilizing action have been neglected or misunderstood by the media, however. Firstly, any hope of a Palestinian state is now pretty much dead. For decades what … [Read more...] about Oh No, Jerusalem
Craft beer is becoming the wine of New England by redefining ‘terroir’
By Ellis Jones, Assistant Professor of Sociology, College of the Holy Cross and Daina Cheyenne Harvey, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, College of the Holy Cross. Pouring Saison, a classic Belgian farmhouse-style ale, at Allagash Brewing in Portland, Maine. Allagash Brewing, CC BY The U.S. craft beer industry is exploding. Although two companies – … [Read more...] about Craft beer is becoming the wine of New England by redefining ‘terroir’
A Trumpian Anthem (Cartoon and Column)
This isn’t about the f-----g language, f-----s. I heard that argument this morning on MSNBC. Some right-wing douchie Trump defending tool brought up instances where other politicians have used salty language. They excused this instance for the way Trump talks. Is there a requirement that to be a Republican you must surrender all abilities to rationalize and equivocate? … [Read more...] about A Trumpian Anthem (Cartoon and Column)
Trump Paid Former Porn Star $130k
Donald Trump had his lawyer arrange a payment of $130,000 to a woman known as “Stormy Daniels” just one month before the 2016 election, according to the Wall Street Journal. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is a former adult-film star who allegedly had a sexual encounter with Trump. Clifford and Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen—a… … [Read more...] about Trump Paid Former Porn Star $130k
Trump Denies Calling Haiti a ‘Shithole’
President Donald Trump tweeted on Friday that, contrary to the breathless reporting of the night before, he never called Haiti a "shithole," but instead said that "Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country." "Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country," Trump tweeted. The comment… … [Read more...] about Trump Denies Calling Haiti a ‘Shithole’
Cartoon: SHole
Stray dogs ‘murdered’ in Russian World Cup cities: MPs
Stray dogs are being killed in Russian cities set to host the 2018 World Cup as authorities follow orders to get thousands of feral animals under control, Russian MPs claimed Thursday. "We have received many appeals from animal rights activists and just caring citizens saying mass shooting and euthanasia of stray animals is taking place in… … [Read more...] about Stray dogs ‘murdered’ in Russian World Cup cities: MPs
Now We Will Learn Who The Real Charitable People Are
Is one truly being charitable if one seeks tax write-offs for one's charitable giving? That question is missing in discussions about the effect that tax reform will have on charities. From Chris Gates, senior policy adviser for the Global Social Enterprise Initiative: "By doubling the standard deduction, estimates are that between 90-95 percent of filers will not itemize … [Read more...] about Now We Will Learn Who The Real Charitable People Are
S—-hole Countries (Cartoon and Column)
Thursday was a very disgusting day. I was revolted, disgusted, ashamed, and angered by the president of the United States “shithole” comment. Most of all, I’m tired. I’m tired of the daily insanity emanating from the White House. I’m tired from the president telling over 2,000 lies within a year. I’m tired of Trump people trying to explain racism, sexism, and stupidity as … [Read more...] about S—-hole Countries (Cartoon and Column)
Don Lemon Cuts Off Mic of Panelist (MUST watch videos)
What do you do when you're an African-American who is a cable new anchor discussing Donald Trump's (latest) racist comments calling Haiti and Africa "shithole" countries and a conservative talk show host uses a word to characterize you that is a...racist stereotype? If you go by how some of the media has behaved since Trump came down that elevator, you might ignore it. … [Read more...] about Don Lemon Cuts Off Mic of Panelist (MUST watch videos)
Trump’s Full List of ‘Racist’ Comments
President Donald Trump referred to immigrants from Haiti and African nations as coming from “shithole countries,” according to a report by The Washington Post Thursday. “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump said, according to the publication and others who attended the meeting. He later suggested that the U.S. should… … [Read more...] about Trump’s Full List of ‘Racist’ Comments
New York Daily News’ Trump “Shithole” cover
The New York Daily News has done it again: they've come up with a cover that bluntly expresses the reaction of many (I'd say most) American's to yet another instance of President Donald Trump lowering the bar on our politics. (Already some on Fox News are already defending him). Since it's being published, here's the cover. GO HERE to read the Daily News' website: … [Read more...] about New York Daily News’ Trump “Shithole” cover
People from ’Shithole Countries’ Help Make America Great, Too (UPDATE 2 with Reaction Roundup)
Today, the president of a country that I have proudly called My Country for almost sixty years, questioned in a White House meeting why the United States should accept immigrants from “shithole countries.” According to press reports the president was referring to countries such as Haiti, El Salvador and African nations, reportedly suggesting that the United States should … [Read more...] about People from ’Shithole Countries’ Help Make America Great, Too (UPDATE 2 with Reaction Roundup)
Trump and the Free Press (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Donald Trump Threatens to Sue 'Fire and Fury' Book Publisher --Trump’s effort to stop publication of scathing book is a break in precedent --Donald Trump is suing my publisher, and its response is magnificent 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 … [Read more...] about Trump and the Free Press (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)