Review by Doug Gibson It's been a long wait for a new biography, "Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy," (University Press of Kentucky, 2017). Author Gabriella Oldham began work on the project generations ago, with Langdon's wife, Mabel, who died in 2001. There was always talk of a biography from Mabel -- and indeed she is listed as a co-author, although the writing belongs … [Read more...] about Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy best as a familial biography
‘Worst Movie Ever Made’ (Guest Voice)
Even Jerry Lewis, who made it, calls it, "bad, bad, bad, embarrassingly bad." A film so absolutely awful that its humiliated writer-director locked it away almost as soon as he finished shooting it reportedly will join some of the greatest movies ever made Monday - when it's accepted by the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.… … [Read more...] about ‘Worst Movie Ever Made’ (Guest Voice)
The Dream of Europe- Shattered?
While America is obsessed with the machinations and tweets by President Trump, Europe is sailing in uncharted waters. After the devastation of two world wars during the first half of the 20th century, with tens of millions of soldiers and civilians dying, there was a dream by some prescient Europeans of a united continent, tied together economically to eliminate the threat of … [Read more...] about The Dream of Europe- Shattered?
Political Scientism – Beware the Enlightened Ones
It’s Not What You Believe. It’s How You Believe It George Orwell’s novel 1984 has been selling in large numbers to people scared of a lurch toward authoritarianism in the USA. I recently noted that both that book and Animal Farm were written not as a warning against a particular political ideology but against the implementation of any ideology, however progressive, by … [Read more...] about Political Scientism – Beware the Enlightened Ones
Reagan’s chief of staff nails the dysfunction of our current politics
Reams of data and analysis in recent years have shown how America’s political system is broken, how hyper-partisanship has ruined good-government policy initiatives and put Capitol Hill in constant gridlock. A tribal, “Yea Team” mentality among voters on the left and right has created a political polarization that is so stark that members of Congress overall are about as … [Read more...] about Reagan’s chief of staff nails the dysfunction of our current politics
Trump Sharply Cuts off CBS’s Dickerson when challenged (VIDEO)
Anyone who takes even one journalism class learns that reporters must be persistent. True, you won't win a popularity contest with a source by a)pressing him or her if her answer is evasive b)rephrasing the question and trying to get an answer. In most cases, the subject will try and fudge the answer or may even actually give a more specific answer. Enter President Donald … [Read more...] about Trump Sharply Cuts off CBS’s Dickerson when challenged (VIDEO)
Israel Independence Day: The Cineplex will never replace the memories
These are the springtime festival days of Israel—Holocaust Remembrance Day last week, Israel Independence Day today, Jerusalem Day soon. I remember when, several years ago, it was reported in the international media that a huge, luxury Cineplex was being constructed in the suburban Israeli community of Kfar-Saba. I retain some sensibilities regarding this matter–I was born … [Read more...] about Israel Independence Day: The Cineplex will never replace the memories
7 ingenious ways to deal with food waste
From tomato tires to toast-based beer pexels Every year, the United States throws away more than one third of the food it produces. That's 133 pounds of food waste, or about $161 billion in grub. But people all over the world are trying to find ways to stop the waste. Here are some of the most… … [Read more...] about 7 ingenious ways to deal with food waste
Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Trump and Press Bopper
The Russia Scandal Goes Underground As Trump’s Denials Grow More And More Hollow
The Russia Scandal (you remember it, right?) has not gone away. It has just gone underground as four separate major investigations plod forward and Donald Trump continues to create the impression that he has plenty to conceal because of his blanket refusal to cooperate. We are yet again reminded that Trump has chosen to be small and petty instead of big and presidential, as … [Read more...] about The Russia Scandal Goes Underground As Trump’s Denials Grow More And More Hollow
Cartoon: Monumental Jerk
Is North Korea really a threat to the United States?
Some US officials and pundits are fond of talking about the "threat" from North Korea. But what are the chances that its leader Kim Jong-un would initiate some kind of conflict or attack on the United States? The suggestion prompts snorts of amusement from some Korea experts. “The likelihood of a sneak attack by North Korea,”… … [Read more...] about Is North Korea really a threat to the United States?
The sad fate of populism
WASHINGTON -- If words could bring legal actions, "populism" would sue for aggravated abuse. And President Trump would be a co-defendant. In a season of dispiriting tidings, few habits have been more infuriating than the ease with which political commentators of all stripes have applied the P-word to Trump. Trump has courted this with old-fashioned union hall rhetoric about … [Read more...] about The sad fate of populism
Fox News shakeup continues: Shine out as co-President, Rumors Hannity could Exit
The shake up at Fox News -- which many believe reflects the changing-of-the-guard in terms of Murdoch generations -- continues: Co-President Bill Shine, a former Producer of Sean Hannity's show considered close to disgraced and dismissed former network bigwig Roger Ailes has left the company. Only days earlier an alarmed Hannity suggested that if Shine (not named in his Tweet) … [Read more...] about Fox News shakeup continues: Shine out as co-President, Rumors Hannity could Exit
Vietnam War POWs ‘Inspiring America’
Yesterday, April 30, was the 42nd anniversary of the “Fall of Saigon,” marking the end of that disastrous war. Memories of that war are beginning to fade while at the same time we are preoccupied by the threat of perhaps even more calamitous conflicts. Thus I was not surprised by the little coverage this grim milestone gathered. Two years before the Fall of Saigon, on … [Read more...] about Vietnam War POWs ‘Inspiring America’
The Thin Line Between Drinking Too Much and Alcoholism
By Scott H. Silverman We all have friends who enjoy letting loose on the weekend. They are the first to announce company happy hours, always offering to be the one at the bar ordering drinks and begging us to keep the night going strong well after last call. In short, they are the life of the party. Yet, sometimes our friend or family member turns from the life of the … [Read more...] about The Thin Line Between Drinking Too Much and Alcoholism
Bret Stephens and the manufacture of doubt
UPDATED The NYTimes added to its stable of conservative op-ed columnists by hiring Bret Stephens, a former Wall Street Journal columnist with a Pulitzer for commentary. His inaugural column, Climate of Complete Certainty, was meet with vociferous pushback. https://twitter.com/felixsalmon/status/858046133842653185 From the Washington Post: On Friday, Bennet’s new hire … [Read more...] about Bret Stephens and the manufacture of doubt
Why Trump’s Second Hundred Days Is More Important
Donald Trump grumbled at all the report cards the media was going to issue grading his “first hundred days;” he believes—and let’s face it, he’s right—that a hundred days is a meaningless contrivance that, because of the uniqueness of this Presidency, the press nonetheless is harping on obsessively this year. And because the political press is… … [Read more...] about Why Trump’s Second Hundred Days Is More Important
Pick your nose and eat it! Study shows snot is good for you
BEIJING -- Picking one's nose is widely considered to be a bad habit and frowned upon. Not to mention eating snot! But nose-picking is pretty common, particularly among children -- we either grow out of the habit by adulthood or do it privately. However, a recent study shows that those little boogers can benefit human bodies… … [Read more...] about Pick your nose and eat it! Study shows snot is good for you
All The Best Jokes From The White House Correspondents’ Dinner
This year's White House Correspondents' Dinner certainly struck a more somber note than in years past, but comedian Hasan Minhaj lightened the mood when he took the stage. No one was spared from The Daily Show correspondent's barbs: both present journalists and the conspicuously absent president were hit by some of Minhaj's jokes. Below are some… … [Read more...] about All The Best Jokes From The White House Correspondents’ Dinner