President Donald Trump's approval rating has never really been stellar since he took office, but it dipped to an especially low level this week, according to a new poll released Friday. The latest survey from Reuters/Ipsos found only 38 percent of adults approved of the president. Fifty-six percent disapproved while 6 percent had "mixed feelings." Perhaps… … [Read more...] about Trump’s Approval Rating Dipped Again
A Civil Discussion of Trump’s Character
In the heat of the passions generated by the grave political crisis our nation presently finds itself in, many – including this author -- often resort to less-than-elegant rhetoric to make a point. My dear sister, who is a faithful reader and critic of both my political rants and of my more sedate human interest writings, often has some good advice for me, especially when I … [Read more...] about A Civil Discussion of Trump’s Character
Democrats Can Make Their Voices Heard Without Sacrificing What We Stand For (Guest Voice)
by Kate Harveston You’ve been watching the news and following current events online. You’re angry. You want to ruin somebody’s day or burn something down. It’s so easy to feel helpless — and even easier to act carelessly or cruelly because of it. President #45 is what happens when we lash out blindly and leap without looking. One thing Donald Trump is good at is riling … [Read more...] about Democrats Can Make Their Voices Heard Without Sacrificing What We Stand For (Guest Voice)
Welcome home
I love these two rejuvenating and patriotic words by the immigration officer at the airport. Welcome home, is Mozart to my ears after a long flight back to the American shores. This time around things may just be a little different as we return home from Hajj at JFK, New York on September 6th, 2017. As much as I would have liked to take the connecting flight and sleep in … [Read more...] about Welcome home
Trump-Russia probe now includes possible cover-up, Congress is told
WASHINGTON — Investigators into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential elections are now also probing whether White House officials have engaged in a cover-up, according to members of Congress who were briefed Friday by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. That avenue of investigation was added in recent weeks after assertions by former FBI Director James Comey… … [Read more...] about Trump-Russia probe now includes possible cover-up, Congress is told
Washington Post: Russia probe reaches current high level White House official
There has been more bad, breaking news for President Donald Trump in the ongoing story about his campaign's possible ties to Russia and its possible coordination with Russia: investigators have now identified a high-up administration official as a "significant person of interest," the Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, the New York Times has a story that adds further … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Russia probe reaches current high level White House official
Cartoon: The “Victim”
(UPDATED) Russia Scandal Takes A Yuge Turn As Trump Prepares To Throw Over Fellow Perps
Donald Trump is nothing if predictable. He is reliably narcissistic, paranoid, borderline adolescent and a pathological liar who is unable to distinguish reality from fantasy, all traits that of course make him especially unsuited to be president. And so it was inevitable that as the flames of the Russia scandal lick ever hotter at the heels of his Guccis he would begin … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Russia Scandal Takes A Yuge Turn As Trump Prepares To Throw Over Fellow Perps
Trump’s persecution complex is frighteningly dangerous
WASHINGTON -- President Trump believes he is being persecuted, and that is a frighteningly dangerous mindset for a man with such vast power. Amid a week of dizzying developments on multiple fronts, Trump gave a graduation speech Wednesday at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy portraying himself as a victim, unfairly besieged by those who would destroy him. "No politician in … [Read more...] about Trump’s persecution complex is frighteningly dangerous
Giraffes are in trouble – the US Endangered Species Act can help
By Federico Cheever, Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Law, University of Denver and Annecoos Wiersema, Professor of International Law, University of Denver. A little protection over here, please? AP Photo/Harry Hamburg On April 19 of this year, five major wildlife protection groups petitioned the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to list the giraffe … [Read more...] about Giraffes are in trouble – the US Endangered Species Act can help
Cartoon: SCHNOOKED BY A CROOK
Trump supporters constantly defend their man from accusations he colluded with Russia and their efforts to elect him, hacking into the Clinton campaign and spreading false information. They tell us it’s all a conspiracy or “fake news.” That’s exactly what their golden-showered idol says. What they don’t do is offer a coherent argument consisting of evidence or even reasons … [Read more...] about Cartoon: SCHNOOKED BY A CROOK
Trump: I’m victim of “witch hunt” and Special Counsel “divides the country”
One day after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced he was making former FBI Director Robert Mueller a special counsel for the investigation, President Donald Trump called the investigation of the ongoing probe into his campaign's ties to Russia a "witch hunt" and said that a special counsel "divides the country." “I believe it hurts the country terribly, … [Read more...] about Trump: I’m victim of “witch hunt” and Special Counsel “divides the country”
Oklahoma’s GOP Morons
Thus far in 2017, Oklahoma GOP politicians have worked hard to bring embarrassment to the GOP. How have Oklahoma Republicans messed up? Let me count the ways. 1) State Rep. Dan Kirby resigned after the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Special Investigation Committee recommended that he be expelled from the House of Representatives for sexually harassing two legislative … [Read more...] about Oklahoma’s GOP Morons
Rod Rosenstein saves the Republican Party from itself
WASHINGTON -- With the stroke of a pen, Rod Rosenstein redeemed his reputation, preserved the justice system, pulled American politics back from the brink -- and, just possibly, saved the Republican Party and President Trump from themselves. The deputy attorney general's memo Wednesday night announcing that he had appointed Robert Mueller as special prosecutor to investigate … [Read more...] about Rod Rosenstein saves the Republican Party from itself
Donald Trump’s Self-Immolation
One has to wonder whether President Trump's series of foolish and possibly criminal actions have been done thoughtlessly or purposely to demonstrate his power and ability to survive situations that would take down any other president. In reality, however, he has been engaged in a slow act of self-immolation, destroying himself and any chance he might have had to make a positive … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Self-Immolation
Are movies a good way to learn history?
By Scott Alan Metzger, Associate Professor of Education, Pennsylvania State University. Daniel Day-Lewis won the 2012 Academy Award for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Is Spielberg's historical drama a good way to learn about the 16th U.S. president? Touchstone Pictures Hollywood loves history. At this year’s Academy Awards, three nominees for Best Picture (“Fences,” “Hacksaw … [Read more...] about Are movies a good way to learn history?
Time Magazine’s Trump-Russia cover
Time Magazine's cover neatly summarizes the Trump-Russia issue (at least one cartoonist has used the same concept: You know what they say: a picture (or cartoon) is worth a thousand...etc. … [Read more...] about Time Magazine’s Trump-Russia cover
Some Random Thoughts on Impeachment
Some random thoughts on impeachment here... 1) Impeachment is a Constitutionally defined process that is simultaneously legal and political. It is not like a regular criminal case and it is not like a regular piece of legislative business. The Constitution defines impeachable crimes as "treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors." 2) To be impeached by the … [Read more...] about Some Random Thoughts on Impeachment
Roger Ailes, former Fox News chief, dies at 77 (UPDATED)
By Jessica Toonkel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Ailes, former chief executive of Fox News Channel, has died at age 77, Fox New said on Thursday. Ailes resigned from Fox News last July following allegations of sexual harassment, marking an abrupt end to his 20-year reign over America's most lucrative and powerful cable news channel for conservatives. Fox News is owned by … [Read more...] about Roger Ailes, former Fox News chief, dies at 77 (UPDATED)
Why I Do What I Do: Reflections On A Career, Two Presidents & Two Scandals
Separating what you would like to happen from what may happen is always difficult for a citizen-journalist journalist like myself, but in the case of Donald Trump it can be hazardous to your health. I’ll explain what I mean: I chose journalism over architecture as the vocation I wanted to pursue at the tender age of 17 because I was interested in public service. … [Read more...] about Why I Do What I Do: Reflections On A Career, Two Presidents & Two Scandals