Russia expels 755 US diplomats in response to U.S. sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will expel 755 US diplomatic staff and could consider imposing additional measures against the United States as a response to new US sanctions. Putin said in an interview televised on state television on Sunday that he ordered the move because he "thought it was the time to show that… … [Read more...] about Russia expels 755 US diplomats in response to U.S. sanctions
The Fight for Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s Medal of Honor ‘Is Not Over’ (Updated)
Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta [Update at bottom] During a beautiful and emotional ceremony, full of Navy tradition, the USS Rafael Peralta was commissioned at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, on Saturday, July 29, a “culminating event in a string of maritime rituals — ship naming, keel laying, christening and launching — that hearken back to 1775, when the … [Read more...] about The Fight for Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s Medal of Honor ‘Is Not Over’ (Updated)
Cartoon: Implosion
A Democratic Lawmaker Went Inside ALEC And Heard A Lot About Changing The Constitution
The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, had its 44th annual conference in Denver last week, and just as she’s done since 2013, Wisconsin Democratic state representative Chris Taylor, one of only a handful of Democratic lawmakers among the conference’s 1,600 attendees, was there to get a sneak peek at the legislation that will cross her… … [Read more...] about A Democratic Lawmaker Went Inside ALEC And Heard A Lot About Changing The Constitution
What do we do if Trump really is insane?
WASHINGTON -- Maybe I'm doing this all wrong. For five years, I've been identifying Donald Trump, now president of the United States, as a nutter. I've called him crazy, daft, a madman, barking mad and mad as a March hare, and I've "diagnosed" him -- I'm not a mental-health professional and have never examined the president -- with narcissistic personality disorder and more. … [Read more...] about What do we do if Trump really is insane?
Maverick: The Legend of John McCain
John McCain is the most unusual political character of our time, President company excluded. He has been a conscientious conservative, a rank-and-file Republican, an across-the-aisle kind of bipartisan, and a zombie presidential candidate. McCain was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, withstanding five horrendous years in captivity. He is a genuine hero and an American legend. This … [Read more...] about Maverick: The Legend of John McCain
Charlie Brown Republicans Can’t Repeal Obamacare
McCain’s Shocking “No” An Appropriate End To Washington’s Most Tawdry and Vituperative Week.”
New York Telephone used to have a slogan, “we’re all connected.” This week, among the most tawdry, and vituperative in a city where those characteristics are often the norm, the rapid developments and confluence of events make the slogan applicable like never before. The week in the nation’s capitol saw more twists and turns than any in decades - and in a way, it's not … [Read more...] about McCain’s Shocking “No” An Appropriate End To Washington’s Most Tawdry and Vituperative Week.”
Unplugged From The Chaos
I guess I'm not the only one who's sick of the Trump clown car: Trump Is Woody Allen Without the Humor Peggy Noonan / Wall Street Journal Half his tweets show utter weakness. They are plaintive, shrill little cries, usually just after dawn. — The president's primary problem as a leader is not that he is impetuous, brash or naive. It's not that he is inexperienced, … [Read more...] about Unplugged From The Chaos
MY MANHATTAN BED BUGGER MENACE
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