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)
Holocaust comparisons are overused – but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people
On Oct. 12, a sign in Tel Aviv says in Hebrew, ‘No more words,’ near candles lit both in memory of those killed in the Hamas massacres and for the hostages taken to the Gaza Strip. Amir Levy/Getty Images Avinoam Patt, University of Connecticut and Liat Steir-Livny, Sapir Academic College Many observers have referred to the massacre of Israelis by … [Read more...] about Holocaust comparisons are overused – but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people
CHRIS CHRISTIE’S QUIXOTIC QUEST TO TALK SENSE TO REPUBLICANS
You rarely see the names Chris Christie and Kris Kristofferson in the same sentence, but some of the songwriter’s most famous lyrics best describe the quixotic candidate’s current shtick: “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…” Christie’s attempt to talk sense to grassroots Republicans is obviously doomed to fail, because Duh Base is armored against anyone … [Read more...] about CHRIS CHRISTIE’S QUIXOTIC QUEST TO TALK SENSE TO REPUBLICANS
Ex-Speaker McCarthy’s departure from Congress reads like Greek tragedy – but stars a ‘slight unmeritable man’ and not a hero
Rep. Kevin McCarthy leaves a House Republican Conference meeting at the US Capitol on Dec. 5, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s departure from Congress brings to mind ambition and the other side of ambition’s coin, humiliation – the thirst for fame and power on one … [Read more...] about Ex-Speaker McCarthy’s departure from Congress reads like Greek tragedy – but stars a ‘slight unmeritable man’ and not a hero
How new reports reveal Israeli intelligence underestimated Hamas and other key weaknesses
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with his security cabinet on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attack. Haim Zach (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images John Joseph Chin, Carnegie Mellon University and Haleigh Bartos, Carnegie Mellon University After the surprise Hamas terrorist attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on … [Read more...] about How new reports reveal Israeli intelligence underestimated Hamas and other key weaknesses
BAD SANTA (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
The Atlantic Magazine has devoted its latest edition to sounding the alarm of a second Trump administration (sic), saying it’ll be much worse than his first. This should be taken seriously because if you were alive between 2017 and 2021, then you should be able to recall just how truly horrible and terrifying that first term (sic) was. Ugh. The Atlantic link has a paywall, … [Read more...] about BAD SANTA (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Taylor Swift: Person of the year and political influencer
That’s a lot of potential voters behind Swift at her Denver concert on July 14, 2023. Tom Cooper/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Matt Harris, Park University Even before Taylor Swift was named “Person Of The Year” by Time magazine, politicians courted Swiftie voters. Call me a Swiftie, too. Like any millennial pop music fan active on … [Read more...] about Taylor Swift: Person of the year and political influencer
Norman Lear, sitcom king who changed TV — and America
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Norman Lear was television's prolific genius whose trailblazing sitcoms in the 1970s and 1980s not only revolutionized US entertainment -- they helped change the way a nation saw itself. With boundary-breaking shows like "All In the Family" and "The Jeffersons," Lear -- who has died aged 101 -- helped millions of viewers confront their deepest … [Read more...] about Norman Lear, sitcom king who changed TV — and America
Why Franklin, Washington and Lincoln considered American democracy an ‘experiment’ – and were unsure if it would survive
Voters in a county election, 1854. Etching by John Sartain after painting by George Caleb Bingham; National Gallery of Art Thomas Coens, University of Tennessee From the time of the founding era to the present day, one of the more common things said about American democracy is that it is an “experiment.” Most people can readily intuit what the … [Read more...] about Why Franklin, Washington and Lincoln considered American democracy an ‘experiment’ – and were unsure if it would survive
Hate crimes are on the rise ? but the narrow legal definition makes it hard to charge and convict
A Hasidic man walks past a police patrol car in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images Jeannine Bell, Loyola University Chicago With hate crimes, context is everything, and events outside of the United States – like the war between Israel and Hamas – can have far-reaching and potentially tragic … [Read more...] about Hate crimes are on the rise ? but the narrow legal definition makes it hard to charge and convict
THE END OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
by Elwood Watson Waterloo. The apocalypse. The Titanic. These are just some of the terms observers are employing to describe the current state of the Republican party. For many, there is a deep-seated sentiment the party of Abraham Lincoln is coming apart at the seams and imploding at Armageddon-like speed. Talk of political parties facing impending doom is nothing … [Read more...] about THE END OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
BIBI’S BULLSEYE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
What did Benjamin Netanyahu know and when did he know it? The Israeli government obtained Hamas’ plan to attack more than a year before it happened on October 7 but dismissed it, claiming it was merely “aspirational,” like Elon Musk believing he can put human beings on Mars next year. The 40-page document code named “Jericho Wall” outlined Hama’s attack inside Israel’s … [Read more...] about BIBI’S BULLSEYE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Disguised Healing Angels
It is impossible to see the angel unless you first have a notion of it. ~ James Hillman I believe angels show up in our lives when we are in need. Two such disguised angels appeared in my life this week. One was masquerading as a smallish white dog with large brown spots and short legs. I had symptoms of an infection, so I had gone to Urgent Care. I stood in line to pick … [Read more...] about Disguised Healing Angels
WATCH YOUR STEP (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
The Fox News debate between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom was a red state versus a blue state. The deck was stacked for DeSantis as it was on Fox News and hosted by Sean Hannity who asked questions based on Republican tropes, like asking DeSantis if President Biden is in “significant cognitive decline.” The debate was mostly for pure … [Read more...] about WATCH YOUR STEP (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
‘Wonka’ movie holds remnants of novel’s racist past
A storyline in the forthcoming ‘Wonka’ movie is that the central character can change a dutiful young girl’s life. Warner Bros. Meisha Lohmann, Binghamton University, State University of New York Several years ago, I made a visit to a local book sale and came across a rare 1964 edition of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Popular in … [Read more...] about ‘Wonka’ movie holds remnants of novel’s racist past
Santos expulsion vote reflects the diseased heart of the GOP
Over on Facebook, there's a bit of gloating and laughter about the historic expulsion of a Congressman. I understand the humor, kinda sorta ... it’s Facebook, after all. But we should not be laughing. George Santos personifies the decay at the heart of today’s Republican party: Election denial. Extremism. Form over function (failure to govern). … [Read more...] about Santos expulsion vote reflects the diseased heart of the GOP
George Santos’ Expulsion Sets New Precedent
With a resounding bipartisan vote of 311-114, the U.S. House of Representatives expelled one of its members, setting a modern-day precedent. However, not the “bad precedent” the spineless House GOP leadership had warned members the expulsion of George Santos would set. It set a precedent that no one is above the law. It set a precedent that principles and conscience … [Read more...] about George Santos’ Expulsion Sets New Precedent
Santos expelled from House not because of what he said but how he said it
Rep. George Santos in the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 7, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images David E. Clementson, University of Georgia U.S. Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, was expelled on Dec. 1, 2023 from Congress for doing what most people think all politicians do all the time: lying. Santos lied about his religion, … [Read more...] about Santos expelled from House not because of what he said but how he said it
Someday There Will Be A Good War – Who Will Get Credit For It?
by Thomas Hoffman Following the withdrawal of Afghanistan and the death of Al-Qaeda's new leader - Ayman al-Zawahiri, the public was starting to lose interest in Middle East affairs. Unfortunately, organizations like Hamas were not losing interest. The U.S. and Israel both underestimated what Hamas was capable of. On RealTime with Bill Maher, Maher recently cautioned … [Read more...] about Someday There Will Be A Good War – Who Will Get Credit For It?