By Colleen O'Connor This week “Wonder Woman,” the movie, debuts. The timing couldn’t be more apt. Alongside the ancient, mythical comic-book heroine stand the new powerhouses of the political world: Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, now known as the “leader of the free world”; Theresa May, the prime minister of the United Kingdom and formidable champion of Brexit (the … [Read more...] about The World’s Real Wonder Women Are Merkel, May and Melania
The Emperor Got What He Craved, But Will End Up With Nothing. As For America . . .
There is a tendency abroad in the land to long for the "good old days" when ruminating over the manifold abominations that Emperor Donald has visited on the realm known as the United States of America. My advice to you, offered free of charge but for a limited time only, is that you need to wake the freak up. Washington and the labyrinthine system of politics from which … [Read more...] about The Emperor Got What He Craved, But Will End Up With Nothing. As For America . . .
People Who Are Dying Are a Lot Happier Than You Think
Fear of death is a fundamental part of the human experience-we dread the possibility of pain and suffering and lament the day when we may lose our loved ones. Although thinking about dying can cause considerable angst, new research suggests that the actual emotional experiences of the dying are both more positive and less negative than… … [Read more...] about People Who Are Dying Are a Lot Happier Than You Think
The diplomacy of narcissism
WASHINGTON -- The problem with "America First" is that it describes an attitude, not a purpose. It substitutes selfishness for realism. It implies that nations can go it alone, that we stand for nothing beyond our immediate self-interest, and that we should give little thought to how the rest of humanity thinks or lives. It suggests that if we are strong enough, we can … [Read more...] about The diplomacy of narcissism
Breitbart employees upset (rightfully) by colleagues’ ‘appalling’ comments after London terror attack
Welcome to 21st century "discussion" and "journalism" -- words put into quotes because it's more now about hurling insults or thinly, barely, or just-plain-old undisguised racism to some (thankfully, not to all). The more insulting and shocking you are, the more notice you get (followers, and hits). The journalistic tragedy is that almost all organizations that do reporting … [Read more...] about Breitbart employees upset (rightfully) by colleagues’ ‘appalling’ comments after London terror attack
Is the developed world we’ve created giving us cancer?
By Chelsey Kivland, Professor of Anthropology, Dartmouth College. Scientists know that many toxins, such as those found in cigarettes, cause most lung cancers, whose cells are depicted here. But isolating causes for other cancers is an ongoing effort. Raj Creationzs/Shutterstock I had assumed that the small lump in my breast was a blocked milk duct from… … [Read more...] about Is the developed world we’ve created giving us cancer?
Cartoon: The Trump Orbit
The first thing I want to touch upon regarding Trump pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement is all the sycophants’ boot licking. Is there a White House mandate that everyone has to praise Trump as though they’re unthinking subservient underlings? Mike Pence can’t give a speech without uttering the phrase “under the leadership of President Trump.” He … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The Trump Orbit
The Alternative Facts of Kathy Griffin and Hillary Clinton
In January 2017, Kellyanne Conway was ridiculed by the political Left for saying on Meet the Press that White House press secretary Sean Spicer "gave alternative facts" about the size of President Trump's inauguration crowd. So, will the political Left ridicule Kathy Griffin and Hillary Clinton for promoting their own alternative facts? From ABC News, 06/03/17: "A … [Read more...] about The Alternative Facts of Kathy Griffin and Hillary Clinton
Trump lashes out against London’s Muslim mayor in aftermath of London terror (UPDATED)
As the world grieves over the butchery in London, President Donald Trump is at it again: he's in angry Twitter war lashing out at the Mayor of London. Why? I think John Avlon, Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of The Daily Beast, has it right. It really isn't over terrorism. As Avlon, a CNN contributor, points out, London's mayor happens to be a Muslim. By now, it's … [Read more...] about Trump lashes out against London’s Muslim mayor in aftermath of London terror (UPDATED)
Six Days, and Fifty Years
In June 1967, combined forces of Egypt, Syria and Jordan launched a coordinated attack on the fledging nation of Israel. The attack took place one month after U.N. Peace Keeping Forces withdrew in response to Egypt's objection to their presence in Egyptian territory and in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force beat back the attack on all sides, bringing the war to a close in six … [Read more...] about Six Days, and Fifty Years
San Diego Will Ignore Trump and Fight Climate Change Anyway
By Chris Jennewein President Trump may have pulled America out of the Paris Climate Agreement, but San Diego and other big cities will make sure most of the country lives up to that landmark agreement’s goals. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer joined dozens of his counterparts from Los Angeles to Houston to Pittsburgh Thursday in blasting Trump’s decision and vowing to … [Read more...] about San Diego Will Ignore Trump and Fight Climate Change Anyway
Cartoon: The World of Trump
May Vows ‘Enough is Enough’ After London Attack
Embed from Getty Images British Prime Minister Theresa May declared “enough is enough” and pledged to defeat the “evil ideology of Islamist extremism” on Sunday in the wake of a horrific vehicle and knife attack by three men in central London that killed seven people and injured dozens. The men drove a white van across London Bridge, plowing into pedestrians… … [Read more...] about May Vows ‘Enough is Enough’ After London Attack
Wonder Woman review
I wanted to start off by saying that Wonder Woman’s real MVP is its director, Patty Jenkins. As far as I’m aware, Ms Jenkins has only directed one other film, 2003’s Monster – one of my all time favourites. If I knew this fact before going into the cinema, I wouldn’t have been shocked at the film’s assured and damn near faultless direction. From beginning to end, this film was … [Read more...] about Wonder Woman review
How can we better protect crowds from terrorism?
By Robert Friedmann, Founding Director, Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) and Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University. It's almost impossible to adequately protect soft targets like public gatherings. 'Crowd' via www.shutterstock.com If it seems like every week, there’s another terrorist attack … [Read more...] about How can we better protect crowds from terrorism?
UK police rush to three attacks in central London: at least one dead
By Megan Revell and William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - British armed police rushed to three incidents in central London on Saturday after a van plowed into pedestrians on London Bridge and reports of multiple stabbings in the nearby Borough Market area. Police sent out security advice to Londoners on Twitter saying "run, hide, tell" if they were caught in an attack. The … [Read more...] about UK police rush to three attacks in central London: at least one dead
Trump to Europe: You’re on your own
By James Goldgeier, Dean of the School of International Service, American University School of International Service. Merkel consider her options after meeting with Trump on May 26, 2017, in Italy. AP Photo/Evan Vucci During his recent trip to Europe for meetings at NATO Headquarters in Brussels and with the Group of Seven in Italy, Donald Trump… … [Read more...] about Trump to Europe: You’re on your own
Ventriloquism vets rate AGT star — Read our lips: ‘Darci Lynne is great!’
by Ken Stone Edgar Bergen and Shari Lewis were smiling in Ventriloquism heaven Tuesday when Darci Lynne Farmer wowed “America’s Got Talent.” (Charlie McCarthy, Lamb Chop and Charlie Horse were cheering Darci’s puppet Petunia.) The Oklahoma youngster, who said she had practiced her craft only two years, got the Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B, and was advanced to a live … [Read more...] about Ventriloquism vets rate AGT star — Read our lips: ‘Darci Lynne is great!’
Cartoon: The Earth’s Tweet
Film Review: Why Even The Toughest Critics Are Knocked Dead By ‘Long Strange Trip’
A funny thing happened on the way to the theater for many a critic reviewing Long Strange Trip, the superb new documentary on the history and music of the Grateful Dead. They went in with an indifferent attitude if not outright contempt and came out with a newfound appreciation -- and even awe -- for the seductive power of this most American of bands which, as the Dead lyric … [Read more...] about Film Review: Why Even The Toughest Critics Are Knocked Dead By ‘Long Strange Trip’