It was just the other morning that I saw and heard the anguished yet determined report of a mother whose soldier-son was killed in that ambush in Niger. The news media, which drowns us with equal parts information and hyperbole, was trying to extract a statement from her—a woman reeling from fresh grief—about whether or not the current president had phoned her. (He … [Read more...] about Many Americans are broken. Most respond with dignity and patience.
Choosing mastectomy as breast cancer treatment
Once upon a time - back in Betty Ford days and earlier - a breast cancer diagnosis had one surgical option: mastectomy, the complete removal of the affected breast. There was no choice. However longevity averages are not improved by mastectomy, single or double, for all but a small percentage of women. Today, breast conserving surgery, a lumpectomy, is usually … [Read more...] about Choosing mastectomy as breast cancer treatment
Donald Dearest:
By KATHLEEN PARKER Washington Post Writers Group Columnmist WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush's speech last week at a forum hosted by his eponymous institute might as well have been titled "Dear Donald." The 43rd president all but called out the current president by name as he lamented the tone and character of today's political rhetoric. "Bigotry seems emboldened," said … [Read more...] about Donald Dearest:
Trump’s the one who didn’t know ‘what he was signing up for’
WASHINGTON -- One person who obviously didn't know "what he was signing up for" is President Trump. Others include Trump voters who believed they were electing a decent human being to be commander in chief. What Trump reportedly said to the grief-stricken widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, who gave his life for his country, is not some kind of minor miscue or media-fueled … [Read more...] about Trump’s the one who didn’t know ‘what he was signing up for’
The enablers of a debased politics
WASHINGTON -- Permit me to confess: I am one of the very last people in the United States who does not consider the word "politician" to be an insult. On the contrary, the work politicians do is important because politics is a good and essential thing in a free society. It's the degradation of politics in the Trump era we need to worry about, not politics itself. "The … [Read more...] about The enablers of a debased politics
Cartoon: Me too part two
Americans are justly outraged over the revelations that Harvey Weinstein spent decades sexually harassing, and maybe, raping actresses. The anger has only intensified as more and more of his victims speak out. It’s even worse now that it’s been revealed his company had clauses in his contract regarding sexual harassment. In Weinstein’s contract, there were stipulations that … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Me too part two
Kelly, who lost son in combat, gives emotional defense of Trump’s calls to military families
WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff John F. Kelly on Thursday gave an emotional defense of Trump's calls to the families of soldiers killed earlier this month in Niger, and assailed a Democratic congresswoman who was among the president's chief critics. Kelly said he was "stunned" and "broken hearted" to see a member of Congress,… … [Read more...] about Kelly, who lost son in combat, gives emotional defense of Trump’s calls to military families
George W. Bush accuses Trump of promoting falsehoods and prejudice
In an extraordinary — albeit veiled — attack, former President George W. Bush delivered a scathing assessment Thursday of President Donald Trump and his policies, suggesting he has promoted bigotry and falsehoods to the detriment of the country and its values. Speaking at a policy seminar in New York, the nation's 43rd president never mentioned Trump… … [Read more...] about George W. Bush accuses Trump of promoting falsehoods and prejudice
Infographics on Xi Jinping’s plans to change the world
Here are the infographics about Xi Jinping’s ideas as published by the Xinhua news agency. Please go to this site: Xi Jinping speech infographics … [Read more...] about Infographics on Xi Jinping’s plans to change the world
China’s Xi Jinping highlights plans to change the world
Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined his plan to change the world away from US and Europe-led ideas towards a home-grown version of Marxist socialism that would be best for global peace and prosperity. Potentially, this is the most potent challenge to Western thought leadership of the global order at a time when American political leaders fight relentlessly among … [Read more...] about China’s Xi Jinping highlights plans to change the world
On the Road, On Opiates
by Thomas Hoffman Tiger Woods was recently featured in a video after being pulled over. He displayed classic symptoms of an intoxicated driver. Woods was unable to walk a straight line, focus on the police officer’s light or perform any of their tests. However, Woods was not under the influence of alcohol. He was under the influence of Vicodin (Hydrocodone), a powerful … [Read more...] about On the Road, On Opiates
Cartoons: Trump Comforter in Chief
Trump: Congresswoman ‘totally fabricated’ my response to Miami Gardens soldier’s widow
MIAMI — President Donald Trump accused a Miami-Dade Democratic congresswoman Wednesday morning of lying about his response to a fallen soldier's widow — that "he knew what he signed up for" — and said he had proof of the conversation. U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, who represents Miami Gardens, "totally fabricated what I said to the wife… … [Read more...] about Trump: Congresswoman ‘totally fabricated’ my response to Miami Gardens soldier’s widow
Trump’s Phone Call To Widow Of Fallen Soldier So ‘Insensitive’ It ‘Made Her Cry’ (VIDEO)
After the stunning silence from Donald Trump over the deaths of the four U.S. soldiers who were ambushed in Niger earlier this month, the so-called president finally called the families of the fallen soldiers. Trump called U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson's grieving widow on Tuesday and said that "he knew what he signed up for… … [Read more...] about Trump’s Phone Call To Widow Of Fallen Soldier So ‘Insensitive’ It ‘Made Her Cry’ (VIDEO)
If You Like the Tax Code, You’ll Love the New Healthcare
There's an old jibe about legislation: A camel is a horse designed by committee. At least it’s true when sides are compromising to find agreement. Rarely does the process generate an outcome of equine beauty. On a positive note, the result may be functional and sturdy, if a bit ungainly. We long for simple answers: a flat tax with no deductions or customized loopholes. … [Read more...] about If You Like the Tax Code, You’ll Love the New Healthcare
Holy Guacamole, Callista!
Look: I entirely agree with President Grant that the United States of America doesn't have any business sending ambassadors to churches. But Ronnie Ray-gun overturned that apple-cart in 1983 so he could suck up to John Paul II, and we have continued the scrofulous tradition. I have great respect for the current pope and for the institution of the Roman Catholic Church, but we … [Read more...] about Holy Guacamole, Callista!
Killers, Media and Celebrity: See My Awesomeness!
Investigators and journalists are having a difficult time understanding the Las Vegas killer‘s motive. They keep searching for clues in his past life, and with his family members and associates. They are missing the obvious by ignoring one of the key aspects of modern American culture: Our fascination with celebrities. By far the most popular TV show of the early 2000s was … [Read more...] about Killers, Media and Celebrity: See My Awesomeness!
Government by Gut Feelings
American government has entered into a new era. Instead of using experts and scientific data to determine the nation’s policies, President Trump’s instincts and gut feelings are the major factors in the choices that he makes in governing. In addition, Trump’s ego plays a large role, as he never wants to look bad or be seen to have made significant mistakes. President Trump … [Read more...] about Government by Gut Feelings
Cartoon: Hazards for Donald Trump
A few weeks before the election last November, I was sitting in a bar drawing a cartoon. No, I wasn’t drinking but I had to draw two cartoons for clients and by no fault of my own (honestly), my home was being smoke bombed to kill bed bugs. Seriously. I couldn’t drink or even engage in conversations because I needed to concentrate on drawing for The Costa Rica Star and The … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Hazards for Donald Trump
Bannon Unchained Is An Opportunity For The Democrats, But Do They Know It?
The biggest reason why I'm not cheering the implosion of the Republican Party, which seems to have accelerated nicely since Stephen Bannon departed the adult day care center known as the West Wing for his whirlwind Revenge on Mainstream Republicans Tour, is that the Democratic Party is pretty screwed up, too. Besides which, reports of the GOP's death are a tad premature even … [Read more...] about Bannon Unchained Is An Opportunity For The Democrats, But Do They Know It?