The population of virtually every advanced nation in the world is either stable or declining. The United States would be in the same situation aside from an influx of immigrants. To replace a country’s population, there has to be an average of 2.1 children per woman. According to the UN’s listing of fertility rates, the U.S. has 1.66 children per woman as of 2023. A number of … [Read more...] about The Need for Immigrants
ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
Are storm clouds hovering over President Joe Biden's 2024 Presidential campaign? Despite assurances from the Biden camp and some political analysts, it certainly seems so. Although predictions about presidents' election chances a year before a presidential election are often wrong or hyped up, the Biden campaign clearly has lots of work to do. Economic numbers look good, but … [Read more...] about ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
The UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai made genuine strides forward when 198 countries agreed for the first time on a roadmap for “transitioning away from fossil fuels” but it wasn’t bold enough for the changes required to combat climate change. Slowing down the catastrophic effects of climate change requires ending fossil fuel use or at least clear resolve to cut … [Read more...] about COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
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 which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Israeli army soldiers take up positions near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023,. Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images Gregory F. Treverton, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences While the Biden administration has maintained its strong support of Israel’s war aim of eliminating Hamas in Gaza, that support has for weeks been … [Read more...] about Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Joe Biden won't have had an impeachment inquiry at the top of his Christmas list -- but there's a chance it could be a gift for his hopes of winning a second term as US president. The 81-year-old Democrat certainly faces an election year headache after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted, just before its holiday break, to … [Read more...] about Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not
by Chris Jennewein As Congress struggles over President Biden’s efforts to aid embattled Ukraine and Israel, the increasingly populist and isolationist Republican Party trivializes the concept of an invasion. Texas Rep. Randy Weber, a member of the ultra-right-wing Freedom Caucus, explains that aid must wait until another supposed invasion, closer to home, is … [Read more...] about Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not
ARE YOU A WALLFLOWER?
Not me...Thumbs up...Right on... Boo...It sucks...Baloney!..Wow...Politics is not for me... My words exactly... You’re joking...Money money money! by Don Hermann Columnist Listen to the music. It’s THE MODERATE VOICE. You’re probably checking it out regularly. Are you clapping your hands? Tapping your feet? Or giving a certain hand gesture? All well and … [Read more...] about ARE YOU A WALLFLOWER?
Before he was House speaker, Mike Johnson represented a creationist museum in court. Here’s what that episode reveals about his politics
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson takes questions from reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Nov. 14, 2023. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite William Trollinger, University of Dayton Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been the subject of considerable media attention following his elevation to the post on Oct. 25, 2023. Since his appointment, news … [Read more...] about Before he was House speaker, Mike Johnson represented a creationist museum in court. Here’s what that episode reveals about his politics
DAY ONE DICTATOR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
What the hell is wrong with this country? Another poll came out this morning showing Trump leading President Biden by huge numbers in Georgia and Michigan, states Biden won in 2020. Another poll showed that voters believed Trump would do a better job with the economy and inflation. And another showed that voters believe Donald Trump is more mentally fit than President … [Read more...] about DAY ONE DICTATOR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
DONATION DRIVE: THE MODERATE VOICE NEEDS YOUR HELP (UPDATE 3)
UPDATE: $100 raised. 12/12/23 $255 total. UPDATE: $30 raised 12/10/23 $150 total. UPDATE: $125 raised 12/8/23 Blogs have come and gone due to Google slicing off Google Ads on many and virtually overnight changing blog rankings so that blogs that were highly ranked suddenly are almost unfindable. Since 2003 (on the Internet is says 2004 but The Moderate Voice started in … [Read more...] about DONATION DRIVE: THE MODERATE VOICE NEEDS YOUR HELP (UPDATE 3)
Republicans continue to court Hungarian “far-right” prime minister Viktor Orbán; closed door meeting in DC on tap
The Heritage Foundation is hosting Márton Ugrósdy, the deputy state secretary for Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán's political director’s office; Attila Demkó, a leading pro-Orbán academic; and Hungarian embassy staff in Washington on December 11-12. According to a Republican source, some of the attendees, including Republican members of Congress, have been invited to … [Read more...] about Republicans continue to court Hungarian “far-right” prime minister Viktor Orbán; closed door meeting in DC on tap
Hamas’ use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war – but not in all conflicts
A memorial is left inside a bomb shelter near the Supernova music festival, where eyewitnesses reported Hamas members gang-raping and killing women. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Dyan Mazurana, Tufts University and Anastasia Marshak, Tufts University The United Nations, women’s groups and human rights groups are facing criticism for not quickly … [Read more...] about Hamas’ use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war – but not in all conflicts
KEVIN MCCARTHY LEGACY (CARTOON)
Dictator for One Day Only? Think Again! (UPDATE)
UPDATE: As expected, and as confirmed by The Bulwark, Trump’s sycophants are attributing his proclamation that he will be a one-day dictator, if he is elected, to “Trump’s genius sense of humor.” In addition to the second term enablers (“a dystopian nightmare”) mentioned in the piece below, The Bulwark also mentions Ric Grenell, John Ratcliffe, Jeffrey Clark, and – as a … [Read more...] about Dictator for One Day Only? Think Again! (UPDATE)
Holocaust comparisons are overused – but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people
On Oct. 12, a sign in Tel Aviv says in Hebrew, ‘No more words,’ near candles lit both in memory of those killed in the Hamas massacres and for the hostages taken to the Gaza Strip. Amir Levy/Getty Images Avinoam Patt, University of Connecticut and Liat Steir-Livny, Sapir Academic College Many observers have referred to the massacre of Israelis by … [Read more...] about Holocaust comparisons are overused – but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people
CHRIS CHRISTIE’S QUIXOTIC QUEST TO TALK SENSE TO REPUBLICANS
You rarely see the names Chris Christie and Kris Kristofferson in the same sentence, but some of the songwriter’s most famous lyrics best describe the quixotic candidate’s current shtick: “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…” Christie’s attempt to talk sense to grassroots Republicans is obviously doomed to fail, because Duh Base is armored against anyone … [Read more...] about CHRIS CHRISTIE’S QUIXOTIC QUEST TO TALK SENSE TO REPUBLICANS
Ex-Speaker McCarthy’s departure from Congress reads like Greek tragedy – but stars a ‘slight unmeritable man’ and not a hero
Rep. Kevin McCarthy leaves a House Republican Conference meeting at the US Capitol on Dec. 5, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s departure from Congress brings to mind ambition and the other side of ambition’s coin, humiliation – the thirst for fame and power on one … [Read more...] about Ex-Speaker McCarthy’s departure from Congress reads like Greek tragedy – but stars a ‘slight unmeritable man’ and not a hero
How new reports reveal Israeli intelligence underestimated Hamas and other key weaknesses
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with his security cabinet on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attack. Haim Zach (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images John Joseph Chin, Carnegie Mellon University and Haleigh Bartos, Carnegie Mellon University After the surprise Hamas terrorist attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on … [Read more...] about How new reports reveal Israeli intelligence underestimated Hamas and other key weaknesses
BAD SANTA (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
The Atlantic Magazine has devoted its latest edition to sounding the alarm of a second Trump administration (sic), saying it’ll be much worse than his first. This should be taken seriously because if you were alive between 2017 and 2021, then you should be able to recall just how truly horrible and terrifying that first term (sic) was. Ugh. The Atlantic link has a paywall, … [Read more...] about BAD SANTA (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)