The Republican Party has been steadfast in opposition to taxes for decades, claiming that cutting taxes results in greater economic growth. This is in spite of the fact that economic growth soared after taxes increases by Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson, while tax cuts with two wars during George W. Bush’s term was responsible for ballooning of the deficits and partially for … [Read more...] about Still The Party Of No (Taxes)
In letters from Stalin’s labor camps, a window into Soviet political oppression
By Emily Johnson, Associate Professor of Russian, University of Oklahoma. Over a period of 30 years, millions of criminals and political prisoners were sent to Soviet labor camps. Wikimedia Commons In 2011, I was at the Hoover Institution Archives sifting through the papers of the Latvian poet and journalist Arsenii Formakov (1900-1983) when I noticed a… … [Read more...] about In letters from Stalin’s labor camps, a window into Soviet political oppression
Obama urges ‘political courage’ to save Affordable Care Act (FULL SPEECH VIDEO)
Former President Barack Obama resurfaced Sunday night to say in a speech that it takes "political courage" to save the Affordable Care Act and not a lot of courage to do things to please the rich, powerful and influential. His comments came in a speech in Boston at the John F. Kennedy Library where he accepted the Kennedy Library's Profiles in Courage award on what would have … [Read more...] about Obama urges ‘political courage’ to save Affordable Care Act (FULL SPEECH VIDEO)
Congress goes from compromise one day to bitterness the next
WASHINGTON -- How does this happen? On Wednesday, the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill by a lopsided margin of 309 to 118. A majority of both Democrats and Republicans supported the measure, which sailed through the Senate. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., alike celebrated, and President Trump said of the … [Read more...] about Congress goes from compromise one day to bitterness the next
Macron elected French President but limps on legs of jelly
Audacious interloper Emmanuel Macron, 39, was elected eighth President of France’s Fifth Republic on Sunday night causing a historic upheaval in French and European politics, similar to that caused by President Donald Trump’s election in the US last year. He decisively defeated extreme right-wing Marine Le Pen, 48, by a margin of 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent (official … [Read more...] about Macron elected French President but limps on legs of jelly
WORK IS BEING DONE ON TMV
A quick note. Work is being done on TMV so it has not had its usual look today. It should be back to normal soon and once these tasks are done work will proceed to get a new design in place. … [Read more...] about WORK IS BEING DONE ON TMV
AHCA Promotion Strategy: Lying
Sarah Kliff provides details on lies about the AHCA from Secretary of HHS Tom Price on vox.com. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price gave multiple interviews Sunday morning, defending the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. He repeatedly made false promises about what the American Health Care Act would do. He told CNN that the bill would “absolutely … [Read more...] about AHCA Promotion Strategy: Lying
“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 Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. 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 psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists-- and a notable … [Read more...] about “A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump” a must read (BOOK REVIEW)
The GOP is sick (Sheneman cartoon and column)
The GOP has wrested control of both houses of congress by convincing people to vote against their own self interests, today they voted against their own. The House, in monumental moment of stupidity, has passed their much vaunted repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Only one problem, people hate it. Voter disapproval for the GOP healthcare… … [Read more...] about The GOP is sick (Sheneman cartoon and column)
Cartoon: Trumpcare
Health Care to Define Elections
Philip Rucker says health care will define coming elections in The Washington Post. With one hasty and excruciatingly narrow vote, House Republicans have all but guaranteed that health care will be one of the most pivotal issues shaping the next two election cycles — including congressional, gubernatorial and state legislative races in the 2018 midterms and President Trump’s … [Read more...] about Health Care to Define Elections
Stephen Hawking says we have 100 years to colonize a new planet—or die. Could we do it?
Here's what it would take to survive this particular doomsday prophecy Living on Mars would arguably be harder than fixing up our own planet. NASA Stephen Hawking is making apocalyptic predictions again. The respected theoretical physicist warns that humanity needs to become a multi-planetary species within the next century if we don’t want to go extinct.… … [Read more...] about Stephen Hawking says we have 100 years to colonize a new planet—or die. Could we do it?
This N.J. Republican just lost any claim of being a moderate
If you are searching for solace after the brutal vote by the House on Thursday, let it be this: The battle lines are now clearly drawn for the 2018 mid-term elections. Republicans, including two from New Jersey, just voted to throw roughly 24 million Americans out in the cold with no health coverage. With the savings,… … [Read more...] about This N.J. Republican just lost any claim of being a moderate
The 100 Days That Turned America Upside Down (Guest Voice)
BY NEAL GABLER “Don’t you want God to show up and say He’s kidding?” Louis C.K. asked Stephen Colbert on The Late Show a couple of weeks back. Of course we do. Instead, during these past 100 days, God seems to have doubled down on the prank. Although optimists predicted that once he faced the reality of governing, Donald Trump would be thwarted and even tamed into a more … [Read more...] about The 100 Days That Turned America Upside Down (Guest Voice)
Hurray for ‘Hollywood Hotel’
(This article is cross posted from Plan9Crunch blog) Review by Doug Gibson I love the opening scene in "Hollywood Hotel," 1937, in which a perky, cute, girl next door type of hotel operator brightly says, "Hollywood Hotel!" The unnamed actress, in a few scenes, captures the innocent energy of this ensemble musical. "Hollywood Hotel" is best known as the film that … [Read more...] about Hurray for ‘Hollywood Hotel’
For Trump, the art of the deal meets the dilemma of compromise
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched his second hundred days this week in the manner many of his voters expected from the start: as an aspiring deal-maker. He signed off on a $1 trillion spending deal to keep the government open. Then he dived back into a legislative quagmire that had stymied him at first, health… … [Read more...] about For Trump, the art of the deal meets the dilemma of compromise
Cartoon: Trumpcare will cover everyone
Venezuela Is Full of Strife With Empty Refrigerators
In Venezuela, plagued with chronic food shortages and a devastated economy, Carmen Elena Perez describes her refrigerator as merely "an ornament in my kitchen, because filling it costs me too much money." Dulce Maria Garcia Leon, in the western state of Trujillo, says she has corn masa and "a little bit of cottage cheese" and eggs,… … [Read more...] about Venezuela Is Full of Strife With Empty Refrigerators
Republicans, Democrats shamefully treat health care vote like a sporting contest
House Republicans and Democrats cast a potentially consequential vote on Thursday to overhaul the U.S. health care system, yet they reacted to the outcome like a pack of inebriated frat boys with no concern for the health of their livers. Meanwhile, millions of Americans wonder if their household will no longer afford health insurance because a family member suffers from a … [Read more...] about Republicans, Democrats shamefully treat health care vote like a sporting contest
BREAKING: Macron campaign says massive email leaks meant to undermine it
PARIS (Reuters) - French presidential frontrunner Emmanuel Macron's campaign team said it had been the victim of a massive and coordinated hacking operation which led to the leaking of hundreds of its internal documents just hours before the end of the official campaign. It added that the documents only showed the normal functioning of a presidential campaign but that … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Macron campaign says massive email leaks meant to undermine it