LOS ANGELES—In the later years of his career as a live performer, Chuck Berry famously toured by himself, opting to play with local musicians hired to back him for individual gigs rather than traveling with (and paying the salaries of) his own band. The mistaken idea this could suggest was that Berry's music was easy to… … [Read more...] about Chuck Berry was a master of detail whose music defined a genre
Chuck Berry, Rock ‘N’ Roll Legend, Dies At 90
Chuck Berry, often called "the father of rock 'n' roll," died Saturday afternoon at his home in Missouri at the age of 90, his Facebook page said. Berry was one of the most popular and influential performers of rock 'n' roll music, starting in the 1950s, and some of his most popular songs are "Johnny B.… … [Read more...] about Chuck Berry, Rock ‘N’ Roll Legend, Dies At 90
Cartoon: Endangered Republic
Texas Remap Ruling Likely Yield Dems One New House Seat
Tidbit of the Day: Being a nerd when it comes to political geography is a requirement for my line of work, and by extension, so is knowing the various counties. Texas has several that stick out. There’s Jim Hogg and Jim Wells Counties near the Rio Grande in South Texas. But there’s also Deaf Smith, Texas in the panhandle. The county, pronounced “Deef,” was named for Deef Smith … [Read more...] about Texas Remap Ruling Likely Yield Dems One New House Seat
Reuters: Russian elite invested nearly $10 million in Trump buildings, records show
By Nathan Layne, Ned Parker, Svetlana Reiter, Stephen Grey and Ryan McNeill MIAMI/MOSCOW (Reuters) - During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump downplayed his business ties with Russia. And since taking office as president, he has been even more emphatic. “I can tell you, speaking for myself, I own nothing in Russia,” President Trump said at a news conference … [Read more...] about Reuters: Russian elite invested nearly $10 million in Trump buildings, records show
System will collapse if health insurance treated as a purchased product
This is a column I wrote in April 2012, days after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the constitutionality of Obamacare's individual mandate. Some of the same arguments are being re-litigated in Washington as congressional Republicans push for a replacement to the Affordable Care Act. For all those who were disappointed in the tenor of the Supreme Court oral … [Read more...] about System will collapse if health insurance treated as a purchased product
How To Be A Loser By Betting On A Winner
Imagine that you bet that a certain team will win a certain game. Imagine that the team wins that game. Imagine that you lost money on that bet anyway. That scenario came true for some bettors who made bets on the 2017 March Madness men's game between Michigan and Oklahoma State. Here is an excerpt from a USA Today story about what happened: "Those of you watching … [Read more...] about How To Be A Loser By Betting On A Winner
Troubling theft of Secret Service computer
Multiple news organizations reported Friday that a Secret Service agent left her agency-issued computer in a car outside her home, where it was stolen about 3 am. Authorities are frantically searching for a Secret Service-issued laptop — containing floor plans for Trump Tower, information about the Hillary Clinton email investigation and other national security information — … [Read more...] about Troubling theft of Secret Service computer
For Centrist Republicans, Will Party Trump Concerns on ACA Repeal
There is a line from a song in the Broadway show, “My Fair Lady,” which goes, “She will beg you for advice, your reply will be concise, and she will listen very nicely then go out and do exactly what she wants!" Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe couldn’t have known it when "My Fair Lady” premiered in 1956 but they might as well have been writing for contemporary battles in … [Read more...] about For Centrist Republicans, Will Party Trump Concerns on ACA Repeal
Nocturnal Animals is a mess
[Taken from Chocolate Films] Contrary to what people may think, there are a lot of films that I watch that I don't enjoy. The rub is that I simply don't talk about them and often forget they even exist. I missed Nocturnal Animals' cinema run and, for that, I'm grateful. The biggest problem I have with Tom Ford's film is that he had all the ingredients for it to be great. … [Read more...] about Nocturnal Animals is a mess
The Future of Nuclear Power
The production of nuclear power can be safe. The U.S. Navy demonstrates that fact 24/7. However, the fact that it can be safe doesn’t mean that the American public will welcome an increase of its commercial use. NPR station WCAI recently put out a story about the future of nuclear power. The story includes statements by David Lochbaum, director of the Nuclear Safety … [Read more...] about The Future of Nuclear Power
Why far-right populism hasn’t caught on in Spain
Europe’s far-right is on the rise. The trend is nationalist and anti-immigrant. Extremist parties are poised to make gains in elections across the continent, from France to Holland to Germany. But in Spain, no such movement has gained traction. And you’d think it would, given years of recession, high unemployment and an influx of foreigners. To… … [Read more...] about Why far-right populism hasn’t caught on in Spain
Cartoons: Will Brown Shirts Be Next?
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Will Brown Shirts Be Next?
Donald Trump stands by wiretapping claims
President Donald Trump stands by his accusation that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 presidential campaign, the White House has said, despite three senior lawmakers rejecting Trump's claim. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement on Thursday they saw "no indications" of surveillance at Trump … [Read more...] about Donald Trump stands by wiretapping claims
Senate Intelligence Committee Heads: “No indication” Trump Tower was hacked
The Republican and Democratic heads of the powerful Senate Intelligence committee have put out a statement saying they see "no indication" that Trump Tower was hacked, yet one more indication that President Donald Trump's explosive charge that President Barack Obama had his campaign wiretapped during the 2016 Presidential election season was (ahem) fact challenged. This … [Read more...] about Senate Intelligence Committee Heads: “No indication” Trump Tower was hacked
America’s Fossil Fuel Feast
Currently, America is experiencing a fossil fuel feast. Not only is American coal mining experiencing a revival, but also, the petroleum industry just got a boost from a new oil find in Alaska. "Spanish oil company Repsol SA said on Thursday [03/09/17] that it had discovered a giant oil field in Alaska, a potential find big enough to help stem production declines in the … [Read more...] about America’s Fossil Fuel Feast
Further On Down The Road: Where The Russia Scandal Now Stands
We're far enough along the Russia scandal continuum to hazard a few conclusions. The first and foremost is that Donald Trump's foaming-at-the-mouth rants that the news media and Shadow Government President Barack Obama are out to get him, as well as continued stonewalling on cooperating with investigators, have all the earmarks of someone who knows that reporters, with an … [Read more...] about Further On Down The Road: Where The Russia Scandal Now Stands
Racists are rejoicing
WASHINGTON -- How to account for President Trump's new thing for Old Hickory? Trump flew to Nashville on Wednesday afternoon and visited the tomb of Andrew Jackson, the first of Trump's predecessors he chose to so honor, in celebration of Jackson's 250th birthday. He placed a wreath, pronounced himself a "big fan," asserted that he had much in common with Jackson and … [Read more...] about Racists are rejoicing
On Rachael Maddows’ “major scoop”
I more or less agree with this quite critical assessment in Slate of last night's "major scoop" concerning a release of President Donald Trump's 2005 income tax return by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. I only tuned in as a result of a friend's text message, and we both watched in rapt anticipation, which turned to disbelief when the first commercial break rolled around without "the big … [Read more...] about On Rachael Maddows’ “major scoop”
