One year ago, declaring that “no person should be judged by anything but the content of their character,” President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month to recognize DoD's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. Also, a year ago, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, said … [Read more...] about What a Difference a Year and a Flailing Commander in Chief Make
The twin threats to our republic’s health
The news is being reported on split screen as if the one big story in Washington is disconnected from the other. But President Trump's lawless threats against Attorney General Jeff Sessions have a lot in common with the Senate's reckless approach to the health coverage of tens of millions of Americans. On both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, we are witnessing a collapse of the … [Read more...] about The twin threats to our republic’s health
Reflecting on Pride Month: So How Did the Babadook Become an LGBTI+ Symbol?
The Babadook, the first film from Australian director Jennifer Kent, was released in 2014 and became a popular underground horror movie. This year, it took on a new meaning. The movie’s namesake, a monster that lives in the dark corners of the main characters’ home, unexpectedly became a gay icon. The Origins So, how did the monster in an underground psychological horror … [Read more...] about Reflecting on Pride Month: So How Did the Babadook Become an LGBTI+ Symbol?
The Green Guide for Eco-Friendly Homes and Offices
You worry about how to be more in control of your impact on the environment, yet you’re not quite ready to go completely off the grid. You also realize mainstream society isn’t as predisposed to green living as you’d like. Therefore, almost every aspect of your life involves a concerted effort to ensure an eco-friendly existence. Whether it’s the extra journey to the local … [Read more...] about The Green Guide for Eco-Friendly Homes and Offices
A War Hero Responds to a ‘Presidential’ Tweet on Transgender Troops
The man who never served a day in the military because he was "diagnosed" with bone spurs in his heels... The man who cowardly called John McCain a “loser” because the Arizona war hero was shot down, captured during the Vietnam War and became a prisoner of war… The man who during his presidential campaign courted the LGBT community and promised to “fight” for … [Read more...] about A War Hero Responds to a ‘Presidential’ Tweet on Transgender Troops
Trump to ban transgender individuals from military
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is barring transgender people from serving in the military "in any capacity," citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption." Trump's announcement Wednesday morning on Twitter did not say what would happen to transgender people already in the military. Trump wants to close military bases The president tweeted that after consulting with … [Read more...] about Trump to ban transgender individuals from military
Pardon Me: Why All Hell Would Break Loose If Trump Tries To Exonerate Himself
There is no more pressing question in the storm of legal issues swirling around the Russia scandal than whether Donald Trump can pardon himself. The answer is that he probably cannot, but if he tries it would plunge America into a full-blown constitutional crisis that his presidency probably could not survive. Trump showed his hand over the weekend in tweeting (what … [Read more...] about Pardon Me: Why All Hell Would Break Loose If Trump Tries To Exonerate Himself
It’s All About Russia
Jeff Sessions is being flagellated by his boss because of Russia. And it doesn’t stop. At every opportunity, Trump gets in a dig at Sessions for recusing himself from the inquiry about whether Russia interfered in the election and whether there was collusion with Trump or his team. The president believes there never would have been a special investigator looking into his … [Read more...] about It’s All About Russia
Dueling presidential speeches: Obama to schools, Trump to Boy Scouts
On 24 July 2017, President Donald Trump delivered a controversial, profanity-and-politically-laced 38-minute speech at the Boy Scouts Jamboree in West Virginia. https://twitter.com/thehill/status/889785076094992384 On 8 September 2009, President Barack Obama delivered a 16-minute “back to school” speech, urging students to stay in school and apply themselves. It was … [Read more...] about Dueling presidential speeches: Obama to schools, Trump to Boy Scouts
Left: Trump’s Highly Politicized Boy Scout Speech Is Nazi Hitler Youth Rally
President Donald Trump brought his bombastic politics to a Boy Scouts event Monday in West Virginia, drawing cheers from the children gathered at the event and prompting comparisons between his rousing rhetoric and Nazi youth rallies from some liberal activists and journalists. The president, the first sitting U.S. commander-in-chief to address the group since George W.… … [Read more...] about Left: Trump’s Highly Politicized Boy Scout Speech Is Nazi Hitler Youth Rally
Rudderless Democratic Party
"A majority of Americans see the Democratic Party as 'just standing against Trump' rather than presenting a coherent alternative — a stance that may not be enough to get voters to the polls next year." That above-quoted report about the Democratic Party comes from ABC News. Responding to that report, Juan Williams writes, "That is bad news for Democrats, who historically … [Read more...] about Rudderless Democratic Party
How Trump’s White House Compares To ‘The Godfather’
The never-ending scandals surrounding the Trump administration reached hysterical levels recently with the allegation that in 2016 Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr., met with Russians allegedly linked with the Kremlin to secure damaging information against the Clinton campaign. The media reacted by publishing a series of pieces that compared Trump’s son to another troubled scion … [Read more...] about How Trump’s White House Compares To ‘The Godfather’
Why Donald Trump’s Self-Inflicted Wounds Will Matter Most In His Eventual Downfall
When the definitive books are written on the Russia Scandal, Donald Trump's self-inflicted wounds will end up having played an even larger role in preordaining the end to his presidency than his collusion with Russia or war on the hallowed principle that America is a government of laws and not men like himself with monstrous egos. Events in the coming days will bear that out. … [Read more...] about Why Donald Trump’s Self-Inflicted Wounds Will Matter Most In His Eventual Downfall
‘Joi Lansing – A Body To Die For’ – A Love Story
By Steve D. Stones I first became obsessed with Joi Lansing when I saw her kissing actor Arthur Franz in The Atomic Submarine (1959). Next, I saw Lansing in an opening sequence in Queen of Outer Space (1958) kissing actor Patrick Waltz. Ms. Lansing had the act of kissing down to an art. Lansing's good looks and charming smile were not her only valuable assets. Her singing … [Read more...] about ‘Joi Lansing – A Body To Die For’ – A Love Story
Sean Spicer is the latest Trump casualty. He won’t be the last.
WASHINGTON -- Sean Spicer wasn't a Trump guy. During the primaries, when he was chief strategist to the Republican National Committee, Spicer told friends that he was confident Donald Trump wouldn't win the nomination and that if Trump did, both Spicer and RNC chairman Reince Priebus would have to do some soul-searching about whether they could remain in their jobs. Not … [Read more...] about Sean Spicer is the latest Trump casualty. He won’t be the last.
Dunkirk review: Nolan’s best
(Taken from the Chocolate Films blog) Reading a review of Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk is just about the biggest mistake you could make before you watch the film. I wish I went into the cinema cold, not having seen a trailer or read a word about the movie. Knowing Dunkirk is a Nolan joint should be enough. So basically, if you haven't seen this film, I'd recommend stopping … [Read more...] about Dunkirk review: Nolan’s best
Trump Rearranging the Chairs on the (White House) Titanic
For a long six months, it seemed like the man who claimed during his campaign that he could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue, shoot somebody and still not lose any votes, would really get away with any and every heinous offense. Every time Trump committed one of those utterly odious transgressions, regular folks were hoping, “Is this the beginning of the end?” The … [Read more...] about Trump Rearranging the Chairs on the (White House) Titanic
“A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This review is being posted again due to recent events, the administration's behavior and the likelihood that Donald Trump will fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissim in the Era of Donald Trump was written before the election -- but boy is it needed to be read now. It's a thoughtful volume comprised of contributions by … [Read more...] about “A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
Cartoon: But we do have whoppers
With the resignation of Sean Spicer as White House Press Secretary comes great sadness. First, I’m really sad I won’t have as many (if any) opportunities to draw him in the future. I was having fun making fun of the absurd stuff this guy said. It was also a challenge to make something more absurd than the Spicy reality. This shit ain’t easy. Second, I’m sad for all of us as … [Read more...] about Cartoon: But we do have whoppers
Let The Pardon Fit The Crime
The Narcissist-in-Chief is pondering pardons, including his own. I can think of some self-executing acts he might undertake, and I might suggest one or two if given the chance. But he can't go pardon himself. The idea of a selfie-pardon is beyond imagination. Almost. First thing to check is the Constitution. On the matter of the pardon power it says that the president can … [Read more...] about Let The Pardon Fit The Crime