I live in a 20 story apartment building in Chelsea, Manhattan. I was a little concerned yesterday when the building manager whom I ran into in the elevator whispered: “We need to chat in private.” I’ve had problems with one particular neighbor – so I assumed it was about him. After his spurious complaints about the occasional waft of tobacco smoke emanating from under my … [Read more...] about MY MANHATTAN BED BUGGER MENACE
Trump sweeps GOP pros out of the White House
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump is sweeping the political and party professionals out of his White House after seven months of legislative failure that has infuriated the president and frustrated his supporters. The latest victim was chief of staff Reince Priebus, the former Republican National Committee chairman whose allies throughout the GOP spent months defending his handling… … [Read more...] about Trump sweeps GOP pros out of the White House
(UPDATE) Military Weekend: A Hero Finally Honored
UPDATE: To watch the commissioning ceremony of the USS Rafael Peralta, today, Saturday, July 29, at 1 p.m. EDT, please click here. Original Post: On October 29, 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense formally announced the naming of the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the USS Rafael Peralta, honoring Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta. On October 31, … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Military Weekend: A Hero Finally Honored
Trump ousts Reince Priebus as chief of staff in latest White House shakeup
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ousted his beleaguered chief of staff, Reince Priebus, naming Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to replace him in the latest White House shakeup as the administration struggles to emerge from rounds of staff infighting and a stalled legislative agenda. The announcement from Trump came Friday afternoon through a series of posts… … [Read more...] about Trump ousts Reince Priebus as chief of staff in latest White House shakeup
‘The Court of Mad King Donald…Must Be Fiercely Resisted’
While many have been apologizing for, even “normalizing,” Trump’s outrageous behavior during his campaign for the highest office in the land and, now that he is the president, continue to give him a pass (“Trump will be Trump”), I for one have been steadfastly cried “basta” (enough is enough) and exhorted folks to “resist.” Fortunately, others much more influential, … [Read more...] about ‘The Court of Mad King Donald…Must Be Fiercely Resisted’
With the mad king and his court, the worst is yet to come
WASHINGTON -- The Court of Mad King Donald is not a presidency. It is an affliction, one that saps the life out of our democratic institutions, and it must be fiercely resisted if the nation as we know it is to survive. I wish that were hyperbole. The problem is not just that President Trump is selfish, insecure, egotistical, ignorant and unserious. It is that he neither … [Read more...] about With the mad king and his court, the worst is yet to come
Cartoon: The Mooch
I’m not real crazy about making fun of stereotypes, except when a person is a walking stereotype. Anthony Scaramucci, come on down! If the lobby defending Italians from stereotypes in political cartoons comes after me, please note that last week Ancestry.com told me there’s a very low possibility that I’m two percent Italian. So it’s OK. I’m also not a fan of knowing people … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The Mooch
How Twitter Reacted To ‘Skinny’ Obamacare Repeal Rejection
In a major setback for the Republican leadership, the Senate on Friday, rejected the new Republican plan to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called as Obamacare. The person who shattered the hopes of President Donald Trump by casting the critical vote to dump rejecting Obamacare repeal was Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona). Trump… … [Read more...] about How Twitter Reacted To ‘Skinny’ Obamacare Repeal Rejection
ACA Repeal Fails, McCain Votes No
So the Kabuki theater that is the Senate debate over ACA repeal is complete and as predicted the repeal did not pass with Senator McCain joining Senators Murkowski and Collins in voting no. It was in my view and overly elaborate bit of theater that reminds me of an old Chinese saying which roughly translates to taking down your pants to fart. I could hope that rational … [Read more...] about ACA Repeal Fails, McCain Votes No
GOP Health Care Train Wreck
Ezra Klein details the cynicism and dishonesty revealed by the Republican health care debate on vox.com. The health care debate has revealed a political system unmoored and in crisis. Part of it is the recklessness of the legislation under consideration. Putting all policy arguments aside, no one — including congressional Republicans — believes these bills to be carefully … [Read more...] about GOP Health Care Train Wreck
What a Difference a Year and a Flailing Commander in Chief Make
One year ago, declaring that “no person should be judged by anything but the content of their character,” President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month to recognize DoD's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. Also, a year ago, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, said … [Read more...] about What a Difference a Year and a Flailing Commander in Chief Make
The twin threats to our republic’s health
The news is being reported on split screen as if the one big story in Washington is disconnected from the other. But President Trump's lawless threats against Attorney General Jeff Sessions have a lot in common with the Senate's reckless approach to the health coverage of tens of millions of Americans. On both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, we are witnessing a collapse of the … [Read more...] about The twin threats to our republic’s health
Reflecting on Pride Month: So How Did the Babadook Become an LGBTI+ Symbol?
The Babadook, the first film from Australian director Jennifer Kent, was released in 2014 and became a popular underground horror movie. This year, it took on a new meaning. The movie’s namesake, a monster that lives in the dark corners of the main characters’ home, unexpectedly became a gay icon. The Origins So, how did the monster in an underground psychological horror … [Read more...] about Reflecting on Pride Month: So How Did the Babadook Become an LGBTI+ Symbol?
The Green Guide for Eco-Friendly Homes and Offices
You worry about how to be more in control of your impact on the environment, yet you’re not quite ready to go completely off the grid. You also realize mainstream society isn’t as predisposed to green living as you’d like. Therefore, almost every aspect of your life involves a concerted effort to ensure an eco-friendly existence. Whether it’s the extra journey to the local … [Read more...] about The Green Guide for Eco-Friendly Homes and Offices
A War Hero Responds to a ‘Presidential’ Tweet on Transgender Troops
The man who never served a day in the military because he was "diagnosed" with bone spurs in his heels... The man who cowardly called John McCain a “loser” because the Arizona war hero was shot down, captured during the Vietnam War and became a prisoner of war… The man who during his presidential campaign courted the LGBT community and promised to “fight” for … [Read more...] about A War Hero Responds to a ‘Presidential’ Tweet on Transgender Troops
Trump to ban transgender individuals from military
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is barring transgender people from serving in the military "in any capacity," citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption." Trump's announcement Wednesday morning on Twitter did not say what would happen to transgender people already in the military. Trump wants to close military bases The president tweeted that after consulting with … [Read more...] about Trump to ban transgender individuals from military
Pardon Me: Why All Hell Would Break Loose If Trump Tries To Exonerate Himself
There is no more pressing question in the storm of legal issues swirling around the Russia scandal than whether Donald Trump can pardon himself. The answer is that he probably cannot, but if he tries it would plunge America into a full-blown constitutional crisis that his presidency probably could not survive. Trump showed his hand over the weekend in tweeting (what … [Read more...] about Pardon Me: Why All Hell Would Break Loose If Trump Tries To Exonerate Himself
It’s All About Russia
Jeff Sessions is being flagellated by his boss because of Russia. And it doesn’t stop. At every opportunity, Trump gets in a dig at Sessions for recusing himself from the inquiry about whether Russia interfered in the election and whether there was collusion with Trump or his team. The president believes there never would have been a special investigator looking into his … [Read more...] about It’s All About Russia
Dueling presidential speeches: Obama to schools, Trump to Boy Scouts
On 24 July 2017, President Donald Trump delivered a controversial, profanity-and-politically-laced 38-minute speech at the Boy Scouts Jamboree in West Virginia. https://twitter.com/thehill/status/889785076094992384 On 8 September 2009, President Barack Obama delivered a 16-minute “back to school” speech, urging students to stay in school and apply themselves. It was … [Read more...] about Dueling presidential speeches: Obama to schools, Trump to Boy Scouts
Left: Trump’s Highly Politicized Boy Scout Speech Is Nazi Hitler Youth Rally
President Donald Trump brought his bombastic politics to a Boy Scouts event Monday in West Virginia, drawing cheers from the children gathered at the event and prompting comparisons between his rousing rhetoric and Nazi youth rallies from some liberal activists and journalists. The president, the first sitting U.S. commander-in-chief to address the group since George W.… … [Read more...] about Left: Trump’s Highly Politicized Boy Scout Speech Is Nazi Hitler Youth Rally