I’ve visited 35 countries in my life and I like to plan my travels carefully. On a return to my kangaroo infested birthplace later this year I'm thinking of stopping by the world’s second newest country: the Republic of East Timor. It’s half a tropical island about the size of Connecticut, a long way away. Growing up in Australia in the 1970s we heard a lot about East Timor … [Read more...] about Stopover in East Timor? Well Why Not? (UPDATED)
“A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This review has been published before -- a review of a book published in the summer of 2016. It is being posted again due to recent events and the likelihood that Donald Trump will fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller and/or pardon himself, his family and associates. This is also being republished since The Moderate Voice has recently gained some new readers. … [Read more...] about “A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
Arpaio Pardon May Be Opening Act of a Constitutional Crisis
This morning, I received an email from an old friend — one of the country’s top trial lawyers: “I have underestimated Trump. He knows what is coming, including a variety of criminal charges and other impeachable offenses. He is not just arousing his base to anger but to arms, some of them. There is no other way to explain the transgender ban, the Arpaio pardon, his … [Read more...] about Arpaio Pardon May Be Opening Act of a Constitutional Crisis
Mexico City is banning dolphin shows, taking a lead on animal rights
At Six Flags in Mexico City, massive signs encourage people to visit the popular dolphin show. It happens twice a day, featuring dolphins doing tricks on command as an emcee rallies the crowd with booming pop music. There is no mention of the fact that the popular spectacle will shut down soon. A vendor at the… … [Read more...] about Mexico City is banning dolphin shows, taking a lead on animal rights
Globe for Sale (Guest Voice)
Globe for Sale by Jordon Cooper Legacy is everything. DNA is handed down. Language is handed down. Property is handed down. Sex sells and this means that a man or woman's personhood is what appeals to people. African-Americans have the most excess to their diets but the least cash compared to all other races. British Author J.K. Rowling writes books that are only … [Read more...] about Globe for Sale (Guest Voice)
Trump pardons former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio
President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon for former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the White House announced on Friday night, ending days of speculation about whether the president would go ahead with the pardon. (more) Arpaio, 85, was convicted of misdemeanor contempt of court after he defied a judge's order to stop traffic patrols that… … [Read more...] about Trump pardons former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio
Cartoon: Trump rallies?
I was an Exxon-funded climate scientist
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