WASHINGTON -- Two issues are paramount in American politics. The first is whether President Trump will get away with his arrogant dismissal of the public's right to a transparent government free of corrupting conflicts of interest. The second is whether those who would hold him to account remain focused, mobilized and determined. They are related. There are many reasons to … [Read more...] about Our government is not a Trump property
The Patriot As Sleazebag: Why Rudy Giuliani May Be The Worst Person In The World
Politics always has been populated by sleazebags, but every generation or so one comes along who is so vile that he stands out from the pack. So it is with Rudy Giuliani. The stories of Giuliani's sleazyness are legion, and that is quite an accomplishment since he came into most of our lives on the highest of notes -- as "America's Mayor" who took charge after the 9/11 … [Read more...] about The Patriot As Sleazebag: Why Rudy Giuliani May Be The Worst Person In The World
Bangladesh’s Disappearing Islands Fuel Climate Change Fears
Off the coast of Bangladesh, a small island is being battered by cyclones and devoured by the sea. Kutubdia has been the source of a mass exodus as communities destroyed by the changing conditions flee the island in search of a new life. And for those paying attention, Kutubdia is not just an island — it… … [Read more...] about Bangladesh’s Disappearing Islands Fuel Climate Change Fears
Dear Kim Jong Un: Watch out for Trump. He’s even crazier than you.
WASHINGTON -- The Hon. Kim Jong Un The Great Successor Sun of the 21st Century Supreme Leader Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Ryongsong Residence Pyongyang, North Korea Dear Mr. Kim: I write to congratulate you on the occasion of your late grandfather's 105th birthday. I heard about the difficulties you had with the missile … [Read more...] about Dear Kim Jong Un: Watch out for Trump. He’s even crazier than you.
Cartoon: DEATH BY NUGGETS (Cartoon and Column)
I’m gonna be honest about this cartoon. I don’t think I’m really doing what I should be doing with it. How often do you hear a cartoonist say that? I like the cartoon. It made me laugh when I thought of it as I was going to sleep. But while I was drawing it I kept having second thoughts. It’s because it hits McDonald’s, who doesn’t deserve any love, but they’re harmless in … [Read more...] about Cartoon: DEATH BY NUGGETS (Cartoon and Column)
Whole Foods plans to cut its “Whole Paycheck” prices
The days of settling for 16-cent breakfasts may be ending — that is, if Whole Foods makes good on its promise to lower prices. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the Texas-based company is taking steps to put its expensive, “whole paycheck” reputation behind it due to pressure from investors who want the organic… … [Read more...] about Whole Foods plans to cut its “Whole Paycheck” prices
A cake and golf presidency
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's spending of public money on his own ease and comfort is lavish and wasteful. His attitude toward taxpayers seems to be, roughly: Let them eat "the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you've ever seen." That is how the president described the dessert he shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida estate, … [Read more...] about A cake and golf presidency
WHAT’s UP, DUNC? GIANT RABBIT TO STALK REP. HUNTER ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
by Miriam Raftery April 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Hopping down the bunny trail—and the campaign trail—Duncan Thumper will soon be popping up at Congressman Duncan Hunter’s events to draw attention to his campaign finance controversies that have sparked a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. A political action committee named “Bunny Pac” has announced … [Read more...] about WHAT’s UP, DUNC? GIANT RABBIT TO STALK REP. HUNTER ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Exclusive: Putin-linked think tank drew up plan to sway U.S. election — documents
By Ned Parker, Jonathan Landay and John Walcott WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Russian government think tank controlled by Vladimir Putin developed a plan to swing the 2016 U.S. presidential election to Donald Trump and undermine voters’ faith in the American electoral system, three current and four former U.S. officials told Reuters. They described two confidential documents … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Putin-linked think tank drew up plan to sway U.S. election — documents
Fox News cleanses itself of B.O. (UPDATED)
UPDATE: 21st Century Fox has announced that controversially -- and legally beset -- conservative talker Bill O'Reilly is now officially out at Fox News, capping a day of reports that the decision had been made to make his vacation a permanent departure: Bill O’Reilly will no longer be employed at Fox News, the network’s parent company 21st Century Fox said in a statement … [Read more...] about Fox News cleanses itself of B.O. (UPDATED)
Cartoon: TRAVESTY FOR TURKS
Many years ago the most disturbing thing that disturbed me about the nation of Turkey was the squat toilet which is, or was, common there. Basically it’s a hole in the floor that you flush. But instead of sitting while you poop, you squat over it. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has just squatted over his entire nation and didn’t even have the courtesy to … [Read more...] about Cartoon: TRAVESTY FOR TURKS
Cartoon: Bill O’Reilly
Driverless cars could either be ‘scary’ or great for the environment
Of all the questions swirling around the rise of self-driving cars, from how safe they’ll be to how we regulate them, one essential question is often overlooked. What will self-driving cars mean for the environment? Backers of the technology argue that autonomous vehicles will drive more efficiently than humans do — no more slamming on breaks… … [Read more...] about Driverless cars could either be ‘scary’ or great for the environment
Trump’s no populist — he’s the Swamp Thing
WASHINGTON -- Last year, Mark Meckler, one of the founders of the tea party movement, had concerns about Donald Trump but gave the Republican nominee the benefit of the doubt, because Trump "at least says he's going to attack" the crony-capitalist system. Now the conservative activist has revised his opinion. Trump "said he was going to D.C. to drain the swamp," Meckler said … [Read more...] about Trump’s no populist — he’s the Swamp Thing
Ballmer spends $10M to pull government data into one site
Government data visualization on steroids. Courtesy of ... Steve Ballmer? USAFacts was inspired by a conversation Steve Ballmer had with his wife. She wanted him to get more involved in philanthropic work. He thought it made sense to first find out what government does with the money it raises. Where does the money come from and where is it spent? Whom does it serve? … [Read more...] about Ballmer spends $10M to pull government data into one site
What We Know about Americans’ Voting Behavior
What We Know about Americans’ Voting Behavior by Stephen Earl Bennett Introduction I am fascinated by some of the observations made about how people vote. One, for example, illustrates a misunderstanding of voting behavior that crops up in comments about elections. It goes something like this: Assume that one of the major political parties has drifted too far from … [Read more...] about What We Know about Americans’ Voting Behavior
What a Bunch of Bull
Do the rights of artists extend beyond the physical spaces that their creations take up? A court of law might have to answer that question in an odd case taking place in New York City. From USA Today, April 12, 2017: ""Charging Bull" is ready to rumble with "Fearless Girl." The sculptor who created the iconic "Charging Bull" statue in New York City's financial district … [Read more...] about What a Bunch of Bull
GOP’s Centrist Rhetoric vs. Hard Right Policy
Ezra Klein exposes this fundamental conflict underlying the GOP's belly-flop on health care on vox.com. The most interesting policy argument in America right now is the debate between conservatives’ real position on health care and their fake position. The fake, but popular, position goes something like this: Conservatives think everyone deserves affordable health … [Read more...] about GOP’s Centrist Rhetoric vs. Hard Right Policy
Is Turnabout Fair Play?
Since the election of Donald Trump as president, we’ve seen the promises he made during the campaign thrown by the wayside, as he changes his mind about what he wants done and how to get it done. The disregard of what he had pledged during his campaign began with his choice of cabinet members and top advisors. In populist rhetoric he said he was going to drain the swamp in … [Read more...] about Is Turnabout Fair Play?
Want to Protest the Tax Code? Start by Reading It!
Complying with the tax code costs the United States a cool trillion dollars per year. That’s the entire GDP of Mexico, wasted because of the sheer complexity of our tax code, which runs to 74,000 pages or so when taken with the IRS policies and parts of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) that bear directly on it. And let’s imagine that we outsourced all the work done by … [Read more...] about Want to Protest the Tax Code? Start by Reading It!