Before we visited Lebanon, Yemen,,Australia, and East Timor. This week, starting the month long Hajj season, we’re on a journey to discover a faith that has caused a lot of consternation. Welcome to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You’ve watched the news and seen a multitude prostrating and praying in the Mosque at Mecca. Well the closest you’ll get is watching it on TV … [Read more...] about Visiting Saudi Arabia: the Mecca of Mecca
Nobody knows what Trump is doing. Not even Trump.
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Paul Ryan could not have been more clear. After meeting with his Republican caucus Wednesday morning on the first day back from their long summer break, he declared at a news conference that Democrats' call for a three-month extension of the government's borrowing limit was "ridiculous." "That's ridiculous and disgraceful, that they want to … [Read more...] about Nobody knows what Trump is doing. Not even Trump.
How the Two-Party System Harms Democracy
If you were born after 1968, you’ve never seen a third-party presidential candidate receive a single electoral vote. Even in 2016’s “lesser of two evils” contest, third-party candidates combined to earn roughly five percent of the vote, the same number Ross Perot achieved on his own in 1992. Our system is becoming increasingly stratified. Presidential election numbers make … [Read more...] about How the Two-Party System Harms Democracy
Trump sides with Democrats on debt ceiling, budget over GOP objections
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump delivered a resounding victory to Democrats Wednesday, agreeing on a plan that would raise the debt ceiling and keep the government funded through Dec. 15. Republicans leaders were stunned, and would not immediately agree on the package. Democrats, who have been virtually powerless since Trump became president and Republicans maintained … [Read more...] about Trump sides with Democrats on debt ceiling, budget over GOP objections
Ways of nurturing harmony despite divisiveness in America
At a time when divisiveness is increasing among Americans, an Iranian-born thought leader is raising a voice for harmony, including useful techniques to cultivate it step by step. Kambiz Naficy, arrived in the US at age nine when his father was sent as a diplomat to Washington. Now, he offers solutions to truly making Americans great by enriching their hearts and … [Read more...] about Ways of nurturing harmony despite divisiveness in America
Albanian Institutional Reform: Could There be Benefits?
To many Americans, the country of Albania is a mystery. This large Balkan nation bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the east and Bosnia/Herzegovina to the north produces tobacco, agricultural products, honey, and, in the US, its most notable contributions might be certain spirits and the rotund chef-come-hip-hop artist Action Bronson. Disorganization of … [Read more...] about Albanian Institutional Reform: Could There be Benefits?
Apparently, it’s illegal to laugh at Jeff Sessions
WASHINGTON -- Did you hear the one about Jeff Sessions? I'd like to tell you, but I can't. You see, it's illegal to laugh at the attorney general, the man who on Tuesday morning announced that the 800,000 "dreamers" -- immigrants brought here illegally as children -- could soon be deported. If you were to find my Sessions jest funny, I would be an accessory to mirth. This … [Read more...] about Apparently, it’s illegal to laugh at Jeff Sessions
Cartoon: Trump’s relations
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Trump’s relations
Donald Trump and the Peter Principle
Americans are watching the Peter Principle being lived out in the presidency of Donald Trump. For those who are not familiar with it, the Peter Principle is the observation that people tend to be promoted to a level at which they are incompetent. I didn't vote for Trump*, but once he was elected, I was willing to withhold judgment of his presidency until there was enough of … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and the Peter Principle
Congress to Salvage DACA? Dream On
After Mitt Romney's failed 2012 Presidential run, the Republican Party elders decided that they had to reach out to Hispanic voters to recapture the White House. Despite their stated goal to improve the effort, three years passed without significant outreach. Yesterday the GOP finally extended its hand to the Latino community. Unfortunately, the hand was holding a net and a … [Read more...] about Congress to Salvage DACA? Dream On
Mr. Trump, It Is No Longer ‘The Art of the Deal’
In another cynical example of how brilliant he is at the art of the (crooked) deal, Mr. Trump -- by rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program -- is effectively holding some 800,000 young Dreamers, for who he professes to have “great love” and a “great heart,” as hostages to achieve his side of the deal. In a cold, cruel decision (one he “didn’t … [Read more...] about Mr. Trump, It Is No Longer ‘The Art of the Deal’
DACA- Displaced American Children’s ACT (as per Donald Trump)
Against the advice of top Republicans and business leaders, and dismissing previous words he had uttered, America’s brave president took out his wrath on young adults who are functioning and contributing members of the nation’s society. With a six month delay to allow Congress to possibly come up with a program to allow them to stay, Trump expelled these children from America … [Read more...] about DACA- Displaced American Children’s ACT (as per Donald Trump)
What The Bible Has to Say About Ending DACA
by Chris Jennewein When President Trump on Tuesday ended a program that protected undocumented immigrants brought to America as children, he clearly wasn’t reading the Bible for inspiration. In Deuteronomy the Bible clearly states — in harsh Old Testament terms — that children should not be responsible for the crimes of their parents. “The fathers shall not be put to … [Read more...] about What The Bible Has to Say About Ending DACA
Cartoon: Dreamers
President Barack Obama on DACA’s Demise
Who better to speak on Trump’s callous decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program than the man whose major legacy on immigration is that very same noble program No other words are necessary: "Immigration can be a controversial topic. We all want safe, secure borders and a dynamic economy, and people of goodwill can have legitimate … [Read more...] about President Barack Obama on DACA’s Demise
Cartoon: Dreamer Schmeamer
Obama Calls Trump’s DACA Decision ‘Cruel’
Former President Barack Obama called his successor Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program "cruel" and "contrary to our spirit and common sense." In a rare public statement since he left office in January, Obama addressed the program he launched through executive actions in June 2012 and… … [Read more...] about Obama Calls Trump’s DACA Decision ‘Cruel’
Cartoon: Make America Human Again
A Case of Right-Wing Lunacy
In previous posts, I write about cases of left-wing lunacy. Now, there is a case of right-wing lunacy for me to write about. This particular case of lunacy appears on the Facebook page of a right-wing entity calling itself The Red Elephants. The website of The Red Elephants is featured in a 01/28/17 story by the Associated Press. That story describes how advertisements for … [Read more...] about A Case of Right-Wing Lunacy
BEFORE Jefferson Beauregard Sessions Spoke for Trump, and AFTER: Responses
BEFORE Jefferson Beauregard Sessions Spoke for Trump, I'd labored through the night to create this prayer poster for the Dreamers -- who are beloved to myself, my family and millions of people in our country. I'd offered the prayer with a letter to my facebook page of 135,000 readers... they were in tight agreement that Trump should keep his promise to 'protect the … [Read more...] about BEFORE Jefferson Beauregard Sessions Spoke for Trump, and AFTER: Responses