Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
by Emmet Pierce Guest Commentator In the rush to honor national leaders following their deaths, people often overlook their mistakes. News reports of the recent death of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor focused on her status as the first woman to join the high court. She was described as a pioneer who shattered the high court’s glass ceiling and opened … [Read more...] about Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — I was as shocked!…shocked! as actor Claude Rains’ French police chief when he learned that gambling was going on at Rick’s Café in “Casablanca.” Antisemitism struck within walking distance of home in Philadelphia’s Somerton section on Wednesday morning. City police responded to reports of swastikas in white spray paint plastered on walls of … [Read more...] about When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
HOW WE INVITE TYRANNY (CARTOON)
Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling
On Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump exhorted followers to object to the results of the 2020 presidential election. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Mark A. Graber, University of Maryland In 2024, former President Donald Trump will face some of his greatest challenges: criminal court cases, primary opponents and constitutional challenges to his eligibility … [Read more...] about Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling
The Need for Immigrants
The population of virtually every advanced nation in the world is either stable or declining. The United States would be in the same situation aside from an influx of immigrants. To replace a country’s population, there has to be an average of 2.1 children per woman. According to the UN’s listing of fertility rates, the U.S. has 1.66 children per woman as of 2023. A number of … [Read more...] about The Need for Immigrants
ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
Are storm clouds hovering over President Joe Biden's 2024 Presidential campaign? Despite assurances from the Biden camp and some political analysts, it certainly seems so. Although predictions about presidents' election chances a year before a presidential election are often wrong or hyped up, the Biden campaign clearly has lots of work to do. Economic numbers look good, but … [Read more...] about ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
The UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai made genuine strides forward when 198 countries agreed for the first time on a roadmap for “transitioning away from fossil fuels” but it wasn’t bold enough for the changes required to combat climate change. Slowing down the catastrophic effects of climate change requires ending fossil fuel use or at least clear resolve to cut … [Read more...] about COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Israeli army soldiers take up positions near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023,. Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images Gregory F. Treverton, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences While the Biden administration has maintained its strong support of Israel’s war aim of eliminating Hamas in Gaza, that support has for weeks been … [Read more...] about Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Joe Biden won't have had an impeachment inquiry at the top of his Christmas list -- but there's a chance it could be a gift for his hopes of winning a second term as US president. The 81-year-old Democrat certainly faces an election year headache after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted, just before its holiday break, to … [Read more...] about Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not
by Chris Jennewein As Congress struggles over President Biden’s efforts to aid embattled Ukraine and Israel, the increasingly populist and isolationist Republican Party trivializes the concept of an invasion. Texas Rep. Randy Weber, a member of the ultra-right-wing Freedom Caucus, explains that aid must wait until another supposed invasion, closer to home, is … [Read more...] about Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not
ARE YOU A WALLFLOWER?
Not me...Thumbs up...Right on... Boo...It sucks...Baloney!..Wow...Politics is not for me... My words exactly... You’re joking...Money money money! by Don Hermann Columnist Listen to the music. It’s THE MODERATE VOICE. You’re probably checking it out regularly. Are you clapping your hands? Tapping your feet? Or giving a certain hand gesture? All well and … [Read more...] about ARE YOU A WALLFLOWER?
Before he was House speaker, Mike Johnson represented a creationist museum in court. Here’s what that episode reveals about his politics
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson takes questions from reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Nov. 14, 2023. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite William Trollinger, University of Dayton Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been the subject of considerable media attention following his elevation to the post on Oct. 25, 2023. Since his appointment, news … [Read more...] about Before he was House speaker, Mike Johnson represented a creationist museum in court. Here’s what that episode reveals about his politics
DAY ONE DICTATOR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
What the hell is wrong with this country? Another poll came out this morning showing Trump leading President Biden by huge numbers in Georgia and Michigan, states Biden won in 2020. Another poll showed that voters believed Trump would do a better job with the economy and inflation. And another showed that voters believe Donald Trump is more mentally fit than President … [Read more...] about DAY ONE DICTATOR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
DONATION DRIVE: THE MODERATE VOICE NEEDS YOUR HELP (UPDATE 3)
UPDATE: $100 raised. 12/12/23 $255 total. UPDATE: $30 raised 12/10/23 $150 total. UPDATE: $125 raised 12/8/23 Blogs have come and gone due to Google slicing off Google Ads on many and virtually overnight changing blog rankings so that blogs that were highly ranked suddenly are almost unfindable. Since 2003 (on the Internet is says 2004 but The Moderate Voice started in … [Read more...] about DONATION DRIVE: THE MODERATE VOICE NEEDS YOUR HELP (UPDATE 3)
Republicans continue to court Hungarian “far-right” prime minister Viktor Orbán; closed door meeting in DC on tap
The Heritage Foundation is hosting Márton Ugrósdy, the deputy state secretary for Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán's political director’s office; Attila Demkó, a leading pro-Orbán academic; and Hungarian embassy staff in Washington on December 11-12. According to a Republican source, some of the attendees, including Republican members of Congress, have been invited to … [Read more...] about Republicans continue to court Hungarian “far-right” prime minister Viktor Orbán; closed door meeting in DC on tap
Hamas’ use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war – but not in all conflicts
A memorial is left inside a bomb shelter near the Supernova music festival, where eyewitnesses reported Hamas members gang-raping and killing women. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Dyan Mazurana, Tufts University and Anastasia Marshak, Tufts University The United Nations, women’s groups and human rights groups are facing criticism for not quickly … [Read more...] about Hamas’ use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war – but not in all conflicts
KEVIN MCCARTHY LEGACY (CARTOON)
Dictator for One Day Only? Think Again! (UPDATE)
UPDATE: As expected, and as confirmed by The Bulwark, Trump’s sycophants are attributing his proclamation that he will be a one-day dictator, if he is elected, to “Trump’s genius sense of humor.” In addition to the second term enablers (“a dystopian nightmare”) mentioned in the piece below, The Bulwark also mentions Ric Grenell, John Ratcliffe, Jeffrey Clark, and – as a … [Read more...] about Dictator for One Day Only? Think Again! (UPDATE)