Because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar months, the eight days of the Jewish festival Hanukkah do not begin on the same (Gregorian calendar) date every year. During the Holocaust, at Hitler’s death camps, the first night of Hanukkah fell on dates ranging from December 3 to December 24. As Jews around the world light the first candle of the menorah at sunset … [Read more...] about Eight Days of Auschwitz
RIDICULE, DISCOURAGEMENT GREET TRUMP’S “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” : HE’S SELLING TRUMP NFT CARDS
Former President Donald Trump finally did something that made him a genuine uniter. On Wednesday the twice-impeached President declared he'd make an announcement on Thursday. Speculation raged. Would he reveal his pick for Vice President? Was he going to announce that he would run for the Speaker of the House and therefore get a chance to engineer the shut-down of the … [Read more...] about RIDICULE, DISCOURAGEMENT GREET TRUMP’S “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” : HE’S SELLING TRUMP NFT CARDS
A Much Wiser Man
All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti https://toons.to/go/daviddonar … [Read more...] about A Much Wiser Man
EXCLUSIVE: THE VERY VERY LATEST UNSOPHISTICATED SURVEY.
by Don Hermann Check out the surveys relied on for this past election and the elections before it and you’ll find that if you flip a coin you’ll probably be more accurate. That hasn’t stopped the gurus in the media and with both major parties to continually refer to them. Millions and millions were spent based on polls that change with the weather. Over the course of … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE: THE VERY VERY LATEST UNSOPHISTICATED SURVEY.
It’s no joke: Across globe, satire morphs into misinformation
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Is a US state considering a tax on breathing? Is celebrating goals forbidden during the Qatar World Cup because that is "too gay?" Did insect repellent manufacturers recruit a Ugandan man for his mosquito-killing farts? Satire, parody and jokes packed with absurdity typically draw laughter, but around the world they are too often mistaken as … [Read more...] about It’s no joke: Across globe, satire morphs into misinformation
10 years after the Sandy Hook shooting, Alex Jones is being held accountable for spreading conspiracy theories – but those sorts of lies now plague the US
The legacy of the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012 continues to reverberate 10 years later, including in how conspiracy theories have changed since the tragedy. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP via Getty Image Amanda J. Crawford, University of Connecticut Conspiracy theories are powerful forces in the U.S. They have damaged public health amid a global pandemic, … [Read more...] about 10 years after the Sandy Hook shooting, Alex Jones is being held accountable for spreading conspiracy theories – but those sorts of lies now plague the US
MUSK BIRD BATH
Amid coup, countercoup claims – what really went down in Peru and why?
Clashes on the streets of Peru. Ernesto Benavides/AFP via Getty Images) Eduardo Gamarra, Florida International University Peru has a new president following the ouster of former leader Pedro Castillo at the hands of the country’s Congress. His removal followed an attempt by Castillo to cling to power by dissolving a Congress intent on impeaching … [Read more...] about Amid coup, countercoup claims – what really went down in Peru and why?
STUNNING POLL: DESANTIS TOPS TRUMP BY 23 POINTS AMONG GOPERS AND TOPS BIDEN
In a truly stunning new poll, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tops former President Donald Trump by 23 points and would defeat Joe Biden in 2024. The new Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll is a poll of national voters. The new poll is particularly bad news for Trump: a prime reason many Republicans backed him was that he was seen as a winner and that he or she who didn't back … [Read more...] about STUNNING POLL: DESANTIS TOPS TRUMP BY 23 POINTS AMONG GOPERS AND TOPS BIDEN
Biden grapples with Ukraine while Saudi Arabia slips away
G7 leaders reaffirmed support for providing weapons and financial aid to Ukraine on Monday, including discussion of French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestions for a negotiated peace, but the tightening diplomatic embrace between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman could undermine President Joe Biden’s influence. The Saudi turn towards China … [Read more...] about Biden grapples with Ukraine while Saudi Arabia slips away
THE BEST GASLIGHTER (COLUMN, CARTOON AND VIDEO)
Merriam-Webster has announced that “gaslighting” is its word of the year. After six years of conspiracy theories, online trolling, deep fakes, and just bold outright lying, why did it take so long? 2022 saw a 1740% increase in lookups for “gaslighting.” What is “gaslighting?” It’s “the act or practice of grossly misleading someone, especially for one’s own advantage.” … [Read more...] about THE BEST GASLIGHTER (COLUMN, CARTOON AND VIDEO)
Musk’s attacks on Fauci ‘incredibly dangerous’: W.House
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The White House on Monday condemned billionaire Elon Musk's call for Anthony Fauci, the US infectious disease expert who is a hate figure for many on the right, to be prosecuted over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. "These are incredibly dangerous, these personal attacks that we are seeing," said White House spokeswoman Karine … [Read more...] about Musk’s attacks on Fauci ‘incredibly dangerous’: W.House
Where Did Trump Go?
Since Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president in 2024 election, he has been mostly out of sight. Unlike his usual parade of public appearances and rallies, he has been keeping a low profile, with few pronouncements other than his recurrent lament of the 2020 presidential election being stolen from him. Instead of pushing his candidacy, as would be expected, he has … [Read more...] about Where Did Trump Go?
Ghost Stories for Christmas underscores traditions, celebrations of Christmas past
I've finished reading this absolutely marvelous new anthology, Ghost Stories for Christmas: Volume 1. Compiled by writer Andi Brooks, it's a collection of supernatural Christmas stories published in the 19th and early 20th century periodicals. There are great writers featured, including Washington Irving, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Charles Dickens. But just as much fun is … [Read more...] about Ghost Stories for Christmas underscores traditions, celebrations of Christmas past
A CLOSED DOOR LEADS TO A CLOSED MIND
by Don Hermann You can say with confidence our Library is a treasure in our community. Whether you’re a user or not, you know its there for you. Its myriad of services equates that of a much larger city’s Library. When something as valuable an asset as the Library is in jeopardy, it’s common sense to do what you can to protect it. It’s sad and frightening to think of … [Read more...] about A CLOSED DOOR LEADS TO A CLOSED MIND
BACK IN THE GAME (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Welcome home, Brittney. I’m extremely happy that Brittney Griner ishome after spending the past eight months in a Russian prison for bringing vape cartridges containing less than a gram of cannabis oil into the fascist country. Vladimir Putin made Brittney Griner, who was in the country to play basketball for a Russian team, his political prisoner. Now, will come the … [Read more...] about BACK IN THE GAME (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
REPUBLICANS CAN’T SEEM TO FATHOM WHY THEY WERE BEATEN
Fresh from their failures in the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans have created an “advisory council” to help craft their “2024 vision and beyond.” Cue the hysterical laugh track. Vision. That’s a hoot. By all accounts, their plan to curb inflation is to focus on Hunter Biden’s laptop. The showrunners on “Seinfeld” had a slogan for their self-absorbed characters: “No … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS CAN’T SEEM TO FATHOM WHY THEY WERE BEATEN
Near record-high numbers of young people voted during the midterms, signaling a possible shift – or exception – in voting trends
People line up to cast early ballots during the 2022 election at the University of Michigan. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images Abby Kiesa, Tufts University The November 2022 midterms have come and gone, but there are still some potential lasting implications that could influence the next election season. One is that young people, aged 18 to 29, … [Read more...] about Near record-high numbers of young people voted during the midterms, signaling a possible shift – or exception – in voting trends
A record-setting leak: the Keystone Pipeline mess in context
With a reported 14,000 barrels of leaked oil, the current Keystone Pipeline leak is about 50% larger than its prior two largest leaks. Both occurred after the Pipeline became fully operational. Thursday evening, Reuters reported the Pipeline had leaked crude oil into a creek in Washington County, Kansas. TC Energy shut down the Pipeline at about 8 pm CST … [Read more...] about A record-setting leak: the Keystone Pipeline mess in context
Volodymyr Zelensky and ‘the Spirit of Ukraine’ Time’s 2022 Person of the Year
In announcing that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is Time magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year, Edward Felsenthal, Time’s Editor in Chief, writes that the process of choosing the Person of the Year “can be agonizing.” He asks, “How could one person represent an entire year? Do we lean into the light, reach into the darkness, or land somewhere in between?” When I … [Read more...] about Volodymyr Zelensky and ‘the Spirit of Ukraine’ Time’s 2022 Person of the Year