A Washington grand jury on Friday approved the first charges in the probe led by independent prosecutor Robert Mueller, CNN reported Friday, citing sources briefed on the matter. The approval of the charges -- details of which remain unclear -- would mark a major step forward in the sweeping investigation into potential links between President Donald… … [Read more...] about First charges filed in special US probe on Russia meddling: report
UN reports horrific violations of LGBT rights
“Horrific violations” of the human rights of LGBT people continue unabated and their defenders are also being increasingly targeted, a UN expert reported today. “LGBT people are suffering a crucible of egregious violations, including killings, rape, mutilation, torture, arbitrary detention, abduction, harassment, physical and mental assaults,” said the UN’s first Independent … [Read more...] about UN reports horrific violations of LGBT rights
Senator Versus Demagogue and History’s Verdict
Bravo to the Republican senator who stood tall in the chamber and assailed a Republican demagogue for his disgraceful reliance on "the Four Horsemen of Calumny - Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear." Bravo to the senator for insisting, with virtually no support from cowered colleagues, that "it's high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some soul-searching, … [Read more...] about Senator Versus Demagogue and History’s Verdict
We now have proof that conservation funding works
Most of what we hear about the state of biodiversity is bleak-usually more species are severely threatened and going extinct. Perhaps you think that what we do contribute to help the world's plants and animals does little to help. A study published in Nature has just proved that conservation money in the past 25 years has… … [Read more...] about We now have proof that conservation funding works
Cartoon and Column: Dum Dum Diss Dossier
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Christopher Steele, a former MI6 operative compiled a dossier listing links between Donald Trump and Russia’s ongoing attacks against American democracy. Mainly, in how they were planting chaos in our nation and attempting to help elect Trump to the presidency…which is redundant. Trump and his sycophants claim the dossier is “fake … [Read more...] about Cartoon and Column: Dum Dum Diss Dossier
MSNBC political analyst Mark Halperin put on leave over sexual harassment claims
Political journalist and author Mark Halperin was pulled Thursday from his contributor's role at MSNBC after a report that he sexually harassed five women during his tenure at ABC News. Five women who worked with Halperin when he was political director of ABC News in the early 2000s told CNN that he propositioned them or touched… … [Read more...] about MSNBC political analyst Mark Halperin put on leave over sexual harassment claims
With both parties in crisis, turmoil is the new normal
WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump is not the disease that afflicts our politics. He's a symptom, like nausea or an embarrassing rash. Both major parties are in crisis, and I believe the reason is that the ground has shifted beneath them in ways they do not understand. Until the contours of the new political landscape become clear and the parties reshape themselves accordingly, I … [Read more...] about With both parties in crisis, turmoil is the new normal
Long-Awaited JFK Papers Release Is a Big Nothingburger With A Side of Mustard
There is disappointment abroad in the land today among tin-foil had aficionados and Warren Commission skeptics alike: John F. Kennedy is still dead, Lee Harvey Oswald still did it, and the shadowy roles of the CIA and FBI in his assassination are likely to remain just that. There may yet be nuggets in the mammoth document dump by the National Archives, parts of which … [Read more...] about Long-Awaited JFK Papers Release Is a Big Nothingburger With A Side of Mustard
#MeToo … And
They say you always remember your first time. The first time I was sexually assaulted, I was sixteen years old. I had not long started a job working as a kitchen porter at a third-rate pub-restaurant and had been moved from the kitchen to the restaurant floor to wait tables, in which role I had a new manager. My manager liked the shape of my ass in the tight black … [Read more...] about #MeToo … And
‘Hateful’ town illegally targeted Orthodox Jews, state says
MAHWAH -- Fearing an influx of Orthodox Jews from New York State, the Township of Mahwah passed two hateful and discriminatory ordinances that illegally targeted that community, the state Attorney General's office alleged in a stunning complaint filed against the town on Tuesday. The harsh public rebuke of both the actions of Mahwah's elected officials and… … [Read more...] about ‘Hateful’ town illegally targeted Orthodox Jews, state says
Cartoon: Deferment Donny
Donald Trump claims he has respect for the military. He says he’s rebuilding our armed forces and has even lied that he’s rebuilt our nuclear arsenal. He seems to be itching for a fight, whether it’s with North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, or the mayor of London. During the presidential campaign, a veteran was so inspired by Trump that he gave him his Purple Heart. In case … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Deferment Donny
Sierra Club Demands Immediate Investigation of Puerto Rico Energy Contract and Any Cabinet Ties
San Juan, Puerto Rico, The Sierra Club is demanding an immediate demand for Congress to investigate the circumstances surrounding the awarding of a three hundred million dollar electric reconstruction contract to a small Montana firm of two employees, Whitefish Energy, from the hometown of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. The Sierra Club’s demand joins calls from Members of … [Read more...] about Sierra Club Demands Immediate Investigation of Puerto Rico Energy Contract and Any Cabinet Ties
The GOPpelgänger Cometh
Grab your britches and hitch up your drawers, kiddies. Mister Trump's Wild Ride to Toad Hall just found a new gear. Clinton campaign, DNC paid for research that led to Russia dossier Washington Post The Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped fund research that resulted in a now-famous dossier containing allegations about Donald Trump's … [Read more...] about The GOPpelgänger Cometh
GOP BOMBSHELL: Flake denounces Trump, announces won’t seek re-election
A senator from Donald Trump's Republican Party unleashed a fierce broadside Tuesday against the US leader as he announced he would not seek re-election, telling Senate colleagues he "will not be complicit" with a "reckless" presidency. Jeff Flake, of Arizona, has served in the Senate since 2013 and has been an outspoken critic of Trump-era politics,… … [Read more...] about GOP BOMBSHELL: Flake denounces Trump, announces won’t seek re-election
Why do we have forces in Niger?
When it comes to the politics of deflection, President Trump is a master. Take his public feud with Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL) over the death of Sgt. La David T. Johnson (Miami Gardens, FL). The Wizard of Oz told Dorothy to "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." Trump just takes to Twitter. See post on Tumblr (or read below) See Tumblr post … [Read more...] about Why do we have forces in Niger?
Wild Beyond Belief! A review of those crazy 60s and 70s indies
Fellow cult film nerds, wouldn't you love to go back in time and witness what we obsess over? How cool would it be to buy a ticket in 1928 and watch "London After Midnight" or "Heart Trouble"? Both apparently long lost. Or what about dipping into a theater and seeing "Dracula" on opening day? Or maybe head 25 years into the future and catch Ed Wood in a tiny studio helming … [Read more...] about Wild Beyond Belief! A review of those crazy 60s and 70s indies
Mike Peters Cartoon: Trump and Puerto Rico
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Poll Finds Trump Loses Ground on Puerto Rico Response --Trump's lack of empathy about Puerto Rico is staggering --Trump rated his Puerto Rico hurricane response a 10. These photos tell a different story. --John Oliver calls Trump Puerto Rico response 'horribly racist' Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Cartoon: Trump and Puerto Rico
CNN’s Don Lemon’s Open letter to Trump: “Please Stop” (MUST watch video)
CNN anchor Don Lemon read an open letter he wrote to President Donald Trump and Gold Star widow Myeshia Johnson, regarding Trump's Twitter feud with the grieving young widow. This MUST WATCH video also features Lemon making an important point on this Trump-fueled controversy, in terms of the man who often seems forgotten (by the White House) in this: the late Sgt. La David … [Read more...] about CNN’s Don Lemon’s Open letter to Trump: “Please Stop” (MUST watch video)
A Review of Ragtime The Musical (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Sometimes you don’t know how soul worn weary you are, until you stumble upon a momentary resting place. And sometimes you don’t realize how much you need music, art and beauty until your eyes are tearing up in a darkened 5th Avenue Theatre watching the opening night production of Ragtime The Musical. America’s current, or might I say endlessly repeating, political and racial … [Read more...] about A Review of Ragtime The Musical (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Cartoon: Carving up Fox News
Conservatives and Republicans had a field day going after Harvey Weinstein after it was revealed he spent decades using his power in Hollywood to sexually harass young, wannabe starlets. You would think the people who were silent over the sexual harassment allegations against their idols Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, and Donald Trump would be smart enough to continue to keep … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Carving up Fox News