By Katharine Hayhoe, Professor and Director, Climate Science Center, Texas Tech University. Exxon funded climate scientists while the bulk of its public-facing advertorials argued the science and cause of climate change was uncertain. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey ExxonMobil’s deliberate attempts to sow doubt on the reality and urgency of climate change and their donations to front … [Read more...] about I was an Exxon-funded climate scientist
Trump charts a course to oblivion
WASHINGTON -- Deep in the heart of Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick must have thought they had a political winner. Patrick, a conservative crusader and talk-radio host, got Abbott to call a special session this summer of the Texas Legislature -- an emergency! -- largely for the purpose of passing a "bathroom bill" to restrict the use of public restrooms by … [Read more...] about Trump charts a course to oblivion
Cartoon and column: Trump’s Black Friend
Michael “The Black Man” is a ridiculous human being. Not so much for supporting Trump, though that’s ridiculous no matter which race you belong to. Did you find it offensive that I referred to him as “The Black Man?” Don’t be. He has added that as part of his name. And, that’s not the most ridiculous part about the guy. It kinda make sense to use that name if you’re a black … [Read more...] about Cartoon and column: Trump’s Black Friend
Oral Traditions
The concept of Oral Traditions is a dying art. As many of you know, generations of my family moved constantly starting in what is now Bulgaria, to Romania , to Hungary, Slovenia and ultimately to France. Keeping one step ahead of the mobs, organized to push out Jews. Written records documenting the life of generations were usually left behind in the haste to get away so oral … [Read more...] about Oral Traditions
Another Dumb Trump Move
President Trump’s threat to veto any budget measure that does not include funds for a border wall and allow the United States to default on the national debt is just plain dumb. It shows a lack of knowledge about economics, politics, international relations, and the workings of government by a man who claims to be extremely smart. Thus far, after seven months in office, we … [Read more...] about Another Dumb Trump Move
Beat the Press: Trump’s Survival Strategy
Donald Trump's mounting assaults on the free and independent press are enough to make me wax nostalgic for Spiro Agnew. When Richard Nixon's vice president denounced members of the Fourth Estate as "nattering nabobs of negativism," at least there was a modicum of wit. Not so the other night in Phoenix, where Trump chainsawed a constitutionally protected profession, because, … [Read more...] about Beat the Press: Trump’s Survival Strategy
Cartoon: Basement Nazi
UN children’s agency concerned about cholera in Sierra Leone
UNICEF, the UN agency for children, has some heart-breaking information about the devastating impacts of recent torrential rains and floods at Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone, one of Africa’s poorest nations. A giant mudslide occurred in Freetown on August 14, killing at least 500 people. More than 600 people are missing and those who know the affected communities … [Read more...] about UN children’s agency concerned about cholera in Sierra Leone
Could Trump-induced mess in Washington lead to a new independent political party?
It seems that some rock-ribbed Republicans, those who represent the GOP’s grown-ups, are experiencing a transformative phase that has prompted some to consider the creation of a moderate, independent third party to challenge the Republican/Democrat duopoly. It also seems that the Donald Trump candidacy – and now the erratic Trump presidency – has shaken many GOP … [Read more...] about Could Trump-induced mess in Washington lead to a new independent political party?
Cartoon: Trump Unity
The Strange Story Of A Rogue FBI Agent & The Surprise That Cooked Hillary Clinton
UPDATE (12/2/17): The New York Times and other publications are reporting that Peter Strozk was removed from Mueller's Russia investigation because of anti-Trump text messages. There always have been stories of marginal believability bubbling just beneath the surface of the Russia scandal, sometimes too weird to be true and typically lacking the credible sources the … [Read more...] about The Strange Story Of A Rogue FBI Agent & The Surprise That Cooked Hillary Clinton
Kumbaya for Ostriches part i
Yesterday, Trump took his road show to Arizona, to repeat his campaign shtick, up to and including 'greatest hits' like "Lock her up," et al. Trump goes to Arizona - Gustav Doré James Clapper calls Trump speech ‘downright scary and disturbing’ Leinz Vales / CNN (CNN) James Clapper, former director of National Intelligence, said Wednesday morning he questioned … [Read more...] about Kumbaya for Ostriches part i
No Messenger to Kill, No Message to Deliver
The midterm election campaigns have started. You might have missed it if, like me, you unsubscribed from the Begging Machines; blocked the robocalls; refused those few pleas that are still sent by mail. The first quarterly report is in, and it's dismal. The Democrats have no message for these times. They have announced no plan, no agenda, no defining vision. They slog from … [Read more...] about No Messenger to Kill, No Message to Deliver
How Will America Handle Reconciliation?
How Will America Handle Reconciliation? by Carla Has Trump divided America? Or was the election of Donald Trump the result of an already existing divide? Or was it a combination of the two? No matter what the answer is, it is clear we are seeing a cultural shift towards division and vitriol that we have rarely seen as a nation. Accusations come from both sides, and even … [Read more...] about How Will America Handle Reconciliation?
DREAMS OF A FATHER
The title is a play on words of Obama’s book but the title conveys a human concept present in all our lives. To lead off this discussion, I will use a YouTube of Judy Collins singing “My Father”. Some of you may be old enough to remember when this song was popular. Most of you were once children with Dreams of your own, and some of you were parents with dreams for your … [Read more...] about DREAMS OF A FATHER
The Science Behind the Perfect Brew
There are people who drink beer and then there are people who love beer. Beer lovers talk about their beer as much as they drink it. They discuss their favorite brands, perfect pouring methods, reissues of old fashion recipes and labeling. The surge in the craft brew industry has engaged the minds of many brewers to produce the perfect brew. That’s where practical science … [Read more...] about The Science Behind the Perfect Brew
Trump Administration reverses ban on plastic water bottles in America’s national parks. ‘Corporate agenda is king,’ say environmentalists
Yellowstone park. Credit: Pixabay, tpsdave. In 2011, America's national parks said farewell to plastic water bottles that had been polluting the nation's supposedly pristine area. It wasn't for good though. In yet another decision that goes against common sense, President Trump has lifted the six-year ban on plastic bottles inside national parks. The decision is seen… … [Read more...] about Trump Administration reverses ban on plastic water bottles in America’s national parks. ‘Corporate agenda is king,’ say environmentalists
How should we protest neo-Nazis? Lessons from German history
By Laurie Marhoefer, Assistant Professor of History, University of Washington. A supporter of President Donald Trump, center, argues with a counterprotester at a rally in Boston on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer After the murder of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, many people are asking themselves what they should do if Nazis rally in their… … [Read more...] about How should we protest neo-Nazis? Lessons from German history
When White Americans Whitewashed History
The current brouhaha about the fate of Confederate monuments is a result of the time when white Americans whitewashed a portion of America's history. In an article for Politico magazine, Joshua Zeitz describes that whitewashing. Here is an excerpt from his article. "Southerners may have lost the Civil War, but between the 1890s and 1920s they won the first great battle over … [Read more...] about When White Americans Whitewashed History
