By Robert H. Nelson, Professor of Public Policy, University of Maryland. Does God exist? Michael Peligro, CC BY-ND The question of whether a God exists is heating up in the 21st century. According to a Pew survey, the percentage of Americans having no religious affiliation reached 23 percent in 2014. Among such “nones,” 33 percent said… … [Read more...] about Five rational arguments why God (very probably) exists
New Yorker’s great cover on Trump’s Comey firing
You have to hand it to The New Yorker magazine. Not only does it (continue to) have some of the best writing anywhere but their covers are often works of art or sheer genius. This one on Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey is an absolute classic: I'm so impressed with this (and know the great content of The New Yorker magazine) that I'm going to subscribe … [Read more...] about New Yorker’s great cover on Trump’s Comey firing
Interview: Trump contradicts his previous statements on Comey firing
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump planned to fire FBI Director James B. Comey even if his attorney general had not recommended his dismissal, Trump said in an interview Thursday, contradicting his previous written statement and the accounts White House officials have provided over the past two days. "I was going to fire Comey — my decision.… … [Read more...] about Interview: Trump contradicts his previous statements on Comey firing
Dear White People review
(Taken from the Chocolate Films blog) I’m going to get right to it: Dear White People is a sensational show. Everyone should watch it - whatever shade you are, you should watch it. The biggest problem (and I use that world lightly) with the show is it’s name because it'll be the chief reason why most will refuse to turn it on. So let me address the issue head on: this … [Read more...] about Dear White People review
Trump’s Comey misfire
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is one of the shrewdest politicians of his generation. But by speaking Wednesday on the Senate floor in defense of President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, McConnell made what is likely to stand as the most important mistake of his long political career. McConnell, who is measured and calculating about … [Read more...] about Trump’s Comey misfire
Trump’s Totally Predictable Tuesday Night Massacre
Now that Der Leader has deposed the lead investigator of Der Leader - sabotaging the rule of law, the kind of thing that typically happens in banana republics - I am surprised that anyone could possibly be surprised. Because it was obvious all last year that if this malevolent demagogue got anywhere close to power, he would do precisely what he has now done. Those of us who … [Read more...] about Trump’s Totally Predictable Tuesday Night Massacre
Poll: Trump’s approval rating nosedives near record low
Bad news for President Donald Trump — and Republicans who are backing him: a new poll shows his rating has nosedived to a near record low. His approval rating has eroded among some of his key supporters and this poll was taken b-e-f-o-r-e he set off a political firestorm by firing FBI Director James Comey. Upcoming polls should show further erosion which could erode the … [Read more...] about Poll: Trump’s approval rating nosedives near record low
Cartoon: Trump and rule of law
Boy Who Sent 3,500 Comic Books to Soldiers is Rewarded With Best Day Ever
This 9-year-old boy loves comic books so much, he wanted to share his passion with American soldiers – and in return, they gave him a day that he won't soon forget. Carl is the mastermind behind Carl's Comix: a website dedicated to comic book reviews and interviews. When one of his subscribers asked if he had… … [Read more...] about Boy Who Sent 3,500 Comic Books to Soldiers is Rewarded With Best Day Ever
Cartoon: Firing Comey
How bad has it become that the Nixon Library doesn’t want their guy compared to Donald Trump? The library tweeted out that Nixon never fired a director of the FBI and used the hashtag “Not Nixonian.” Usually presidents are avoiding being compared to Nixon and Watergate, not the other way around. The official reasoning for Director James Comey’s firing is that it’s based … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Firing Comey
Max Bialystock and Donald Trump
And the comedy of errors and omissions proceeds apace. Days Before He Was Fired, Comey Asked for Money for Russia Investigation New York Times WASHINGTON — Days before he was fired, James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, asked the Justice Department for a significant increase in money and personnel for the bureau's investigation into Russia's interference … For those … [Read more...] about Max Bialystock and Donald Trump
Drakula Halala — the first filmed Dracula
Recap by Doug Gibson "Drakula Halala," a 1921 Hungarian/Austrian film, is considered the first "adaptation" of the Bram Stoker novel. The film is lost; all that remains are stills and news reports, including a small novelization of the film. Above are the stars of the film, Paul Askonas as Drakula, and Margit Lux as Mary Land, the young lovely he menaces. Scholar Gary D. … [Read more...] about Drakula Halala — the first filmed Dracula
A thuggish abuse of executive power
WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump's firing of James Comey has to be the most thuggish, venal act committed by a U.S. president since Richard Nixon's desperate Saturday Night Massacre. Trump is trying to shut down the investigation with the most potential to cripple -- or perhaps even end -- his presidency. He is attempting a power play straight from the playbook of some tinhorn … [Read more...] about A thuggish abuse of executive power
Comey Firing Shows Trump’s Ignorance and Narcissism
Kevin Drum on what the Comey firing shows us about Donald Trump and his White House on Mother Jones. The Comey firing had nothing to do with the Hillary Clinton email investigation. It was all because Trump was outraged over Comey's public acknowledgement that the FBI was investigating his Russia ties. He wanted the investigation to disappear, and he began obsessing about … [Read more...] about Comey Firing Shows Trump’s Ignorance and Narcissism
(UPDATED) The Firing Of James Comey & Donald Trump’s Transparent Assault On Democracy
When you think that you're the smartest person in the room, you believe you can get away with anything. And so in firing FBI Director James Comey for what otherwise would be justifiable cause, Donald Trump thought he could distract attention from the real reason -- the FBI's investigation into ties between the president, his associates and Russia to undermine the very … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) The Firing Of James Comey & Donald Trump’s Transparent Assault On Democracy
A Very Dark and Perilous Moment
> The idea that Trump fired Comey because he was unfair to Hillary Clinton or set aside DOJ guidelines in a way that was damaging to her is clearly not true. Indeed, it is so transparently nonsensical that putting it forward as a rationale suggests a certain presidential indifference to what anyone thinks. As an accomplished lawyer, Rosenstein may have been able to justify … [Read more...] about A Very Dark and Perilous Moment
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: What’s behind Trump
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Trump to Meet Putin's Top Diplomat at the White House, Official Says --What You Need to Know About Trump, Comey and the Russia Probe --Behind Comey’s firing: An enraged Trump, fuming about Russia --Trump Hires Law Firm to Fight Suggestions of Russia Business Ties --Another Mike Peters Putin-Trump cartoon Mike Peters is recognized as one of our … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: What’s behind Trump
Sen. Schumer: Trump’s Decision to Fire Comey ‘Part of a Cover Up’
After the news made headlines that President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) held a press conference, calling the decision a “big mistake” and alleging the decision to dismiss Comey was “part of a cover up.” Schumer questioned the President’s timing, saying that Trump could have fired Comey when he… … [Read more...] about Sen. Schumer: Trump’s Decision to Fire Comey ‘Part of a Cover Up’
Brookings Scholars note “The Nightmare Scenario: Trump Fires Comey”
Brooking Institution scholars Benjamin Wittes and Susan Hennessey have a take on the firing of FBI Director by President Donald Trump on Lawfare titled: "The Nightmare Scenario: Trump Fires Comey, the One Man Who Would Stand Up to Him" Here are two key paragraphs: Make no mistake: The firing of James Comey as FBI director is a stunning event. It is a profoundly … [Read more...] about Brookings Scholars note “The Nightmare Scenario: Trump Fires Comey”
Comey’s Firing Ironic Justice But In Long Run Alarming For Integrity of Investigations
Photo via whorunsgov.com It may be a case of, "What comes around goes around." President Trump's bombshell announcement last night that he had fired FBI Director James Comey caught Washington by surprise. In fact, Politico even noted that "Chyrons promising 'breaking news' actually delivered it." But despite the Director's bad judgement, motives or both in the Hillary … [Read more...] about Comey’s Firing Ironic Justice But In Long Run Alarming For Integrity of Investigations