WASHINGTON -- The head is missing, but the body is still alive. The president killed off all attempts at compromise, then went dark after the government shut down, refusing to say what he would support on immigration or even to engage in negotiations. But in this leadership vacuum, something remarkable happened: Twenty-five senators, from both parties, rediscovered their … [Read more...] about Senators take the wheel from an erratic president
Mueller wants to question Trump about Flynn and Comey departures
As the FBI continues to be under fierce attack by Republicans in a way that a Republican strategist critical of Presidential Donald Trump calls "latter day McCarthyism," the Washington Post reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller now seeks to question Trump about the Trump's decision to axe national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James B. Comey. There seems … [Read more...] about Mueller wants to question Trump about Flynn and Comey departures
Trump slaps big tariffs on imported solar panels: blow to renewable energy industry
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Monday that it will impose hefty tariffs on the cheap, imported panels that have driven the rapid expansion of solar power in the United States, a move that industry groups warn will slow the spread of renewable energy and cost thousands of jobs. The tariffs come as Trump has vowed… … [Read more...] about Trump slaps big tariffs on imported solar panels: blow to renewable energy industry
The Last Jedi Takes the Star Wars Trilogy Down a Different Path
By Thomas Hoffman ***This Review Contains Spoilers*** The Force Awakens re-awakened interest in the Star Wars universe for the public, after a disappointing prequel trilogy. The Force Awakens was a romp with old friends. The Force Awakens also ended with a lot of questions. Would Han Solo somehow return as a Force Ghost? Who was Ray? Who were her parents? What romance … [Read more...] about The Last Jedi Takes the Star Wars Trilogy Down a Different Path
A Senate Upchuck (Cartoon and Column)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer looked Mitch McConnell in the eye, and he blinked. Despite having public support behind him, agreeing with his stance on DACA and blaming the GOP for the shutdown, Schumer caved. Did Trump, the master of the Art of the Deal, out negotiate Schumer? No. Though, the White House will claim victory and give credit to Trump, he sat on the … [Read more...] about A Senate Upchuck (Cartoon and Column)
Vaping on Screen (Infographic)
Vaping On Screen! by Grey Haze. … [Read more...] about Vaping on Screen (Infographic)
What Amazon Go’s cashier-less grocery means for customer service
On Monday, Amazon debuted its first cashier-less grocery store in Seattle, Washington, ushering in a decidedly new era in customer service. Amazon Go, as the venture is called, works by streamlining the shopping experience, allowing the customer to grab items and walk out of the store without having to stand in a line. “What would shopping… … [Read more...] about What Amazon Go’s cashier-less grocery means for customer service
Is Trump so dense he doesn’t know he’s being used?
WASHINGTON -- Everybody seems to know what President Trump wants except President Trump. He was foolish enough to believe he wanted a deal that would allow 700,000 undocumented immigrants brought here as children to stay. An arrogant 32-year-old White House aide, Stephen Miller, had to set the president straight: No, Trump learned, apparently he does not seek a fair and … [Read more...] about Is Trump so dense he doesn’t know he’s being used?
Will 2018 Be the Fall of the Apple Empire?
Bitcoin, or Apple. Which one will survive 2018? Surely, the tech icon synonymous with Steve Jobs has a much firmer foothold in reality than Johnny-come-lately crypto-coins. But with open wounds from the underperforming iPhone X and recent battery life scandal, you have to wonder if the Cupertino company is facing a dangerous decline. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO has campaigned … [Read more...] about Will 2018 Be the Fall of the Apple Empire?
With deal on ending shutdown, Trump wins immigration leverage
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump won valuable leverage in the fight over young immigrants on Monday following the Democrats' caving to the White House in agreeing to end the shutdown. The issue goes way beyond Democrats agreeing to vote to reopen the government. They have also offered to spend billions to build Trump's signature wall along… … [Read more...] about With deal on ending shutdown, Trump wins immigration leverage
Dysfunction, Schizophrenia and Half-Truths “Unpresidented” In Trump’s Washington
Washington is not only profoundly broken but a sea of shameless dysfunction. Okay, so that's been the case for years if not generations. But now it's on steroids. The recent “near deal-no deal” by the commander-in-chief, coupled with Republican leaders desire to throw out anything to blame on Democrats and see what sticks is more heinous than ever before. Add that to … [Read more...] about Dysfunction, Schizophrenia and Half-Truths “Unpresidented” In Trump’s Washington
‘Loose Lips Pence’: His Whining and Ignorant Behavior with Our Troops in Middle East (UPDATED)
Where do we start re Pence acting like an old woman scolding about politics and who is the baddie in his eyes and who is the goody re govt shutdown-- WHEN ADDRESSING DEPLOYED young military people whose very lives are on the line RIGHT NOW in the Middle East, in DANGER in the air and on the ground EVERY day. Unlike Pence's cushy life in more ways than one, including his … [Read more...] about ‘Loose Lips Pence’: His Whining and Ignorant Behavior with Our Troops in Middle East (UPDATED)
Donald Trump’s First-Year Presidential Report Card
It's time to present Donald Trump's first-year presidential report card, and it isn't exactly what Democrats and Republicans want. To evaluate Trump's first year in the Oval Office, let's start with those gloom-and-doom predictions that members of the political Left made when President Trump was elected. Those predictions were as accurate as the federal government's 10/19/17 … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s First-Year Presidential Report Card
Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad: An Analysis Of The Russia Scandal Timeline
Believe it or not, there still are people in addition to the president of the United States who claim to not believe Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. And there are a larger number of people who claim to still not believe that the Trump campaign -- and possibly Donald Trump himself -- colluded with Vladimir Putin in his successful scheme to cybersabotage … [Read more...] about Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad: An Analysis Of The Russia Scandal Timeline
Remembering that government can work
[facebook] TROY, Mich. -- Episodes of congressional disarray feed an ideologically loaded narrative that government is hopelessly incompetent and can never be counted on to do much that is useful. Even if President Trump and the Republicans ultimately come to bear the burden for Washington's disarray, episodes of this sort bolster the standard conservative view of … [Read more...] about Remembering that government can work
Trump Is Driving Young Voters Out Of The Republican Party
While the Republicans in DC have come around and are less willing to criticize Donald Trump in public these days, officials running the Republican Party itself are fuming over the fact that the President is destroying the longevity of their party by driving away young voters. While their youth outreach has been successful, the RNC admits… … [Read more...] about Trump Is Driving Young Voters Out Of The Republican Party
What on Earth does President Trump want?
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