[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”
Cartoon: Trumpcare
More women needed in urology in a country filled with arete (Guest Voice)
More women needed in urology in a country filled with arete by Jordon Cooper Women live longer than men. Women are smarter. Women learn quicker. Heck, just look at my alma mater University of South Carolina's Honors College which is the number one honors college in the nation according to Kiplinger's: the majority of the students in it are women. And the vast majority … [Read more...] about More women needed in urology in a country filled with arete (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Cooking with Kellyanne
Cooking with Kellyanne by Clay Jones Malfunctioning Trump spokesperson Kellyanne Conway said she saw reports of the government being able to spy on you through your microwave. No, Kellyanne. That was a political cartoon I drew last week. When Trump tweeted that Obama had wiretapped him, he specifically mentioned “Obama.” He referred to the former president as “sick.” … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Cooking with Kellyanne
The Brightest Unlit Candles in the Room
The more I think about it, the more I wish I'd pushed my book "Reality 101" a LOT harder. Because, fundamentally, it was a primer on political disinformation. C'est la vie. Rachel Maddow Turned a Scoop on Donald Trump's Taxes Into a Cynical, Self-Defeating Spectacle Willa Paskin / Slate — At 7:36 p.m. Tuesday, Rachel Maddow tweeted, “BREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns. … [Read more...] about The Brightest Unlit Candles in the Room
Hawaii judge halts Trump new travel ban before it goes into effect
By Dan Levine and Mica Rosenberg HONOLULU/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Just hours before President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was set to go into effect, a U.S. federal judge in Hawaii on Wednesday issued an emergency halt to the order's implementation. The action was the latest legal blow to the administration's efforts to temporarily ban refugees as well as travelers … [Read more...] about Hawaii judge halts Trump new travel ban before it goes into effect
The GOP masterminds behind Obamacare’s ‘death spiral’
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) says Obamacare is in a "death spiral," and he should know: He's the one who cut the power to Obamacare's engines and pointed its nose downward. President Trump says, "Obamacare is imploding and will only get worse," and he should know: He's the one who placed the explosives under Obamacare's foundation. House … [Read more...] about The GOP masterminds behind Obamacare’s ‘death spiral’
GOP Collides With Reality on Health Care
Ezra Klein and Sarah Kliff have a terrific post up on vox.com on health care that is long but a worthwhile read. It reviews the lessons Democrats learned through the process of implementing the Affordable Care Act. It makes the case that the failure of Republicans to learn the same lessons underlies their imploding failure in realizing their oft-repeated "repeal and replace" … [Read more...] about GOP Collides With Reality on Health Care
Funny or Die Satire Video: On those “paid” anti-Trump Protesters (VIDEO)
FunnyorDie has released a new satire video. It's called "Snowflakes by the Hour," dealing with (unfounded) allegations that anti-Trump protesters aren't really protesting Trump but are paid protesters. (One of the people spreading this alternative fact has been Fox News' Sean Hackery Hannity.) The video, Snowflakes By The Hour, about paid protesters, stars Asif Ali (TBS's … [Read more...] about Funny or Die Satire Video: On those “paid” anti-Trump Protesters (VIDEO)
The Return of Tribalism
The Return of Tribalism Anthony Stahelski After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union a political scientist named Francis Fukuyama wrote a book entitled The End of History and the Last Man. Fukuyama stated that the Soviet demise signaled more than just the end of the Cold War. He provocatively hypothesized that the demise meant that humanity’s ongoing search for a utopian … [Read more...] about The Return of Tribalism
EPA’s Scott Pruitt Flubs Answer To Carbon Dioxide Question
During an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt was asked a specific question about carbon dioxide. "Do you believe that it’s been proven that CO2 is the primary control knob for climate?" The beginning of Pruitt's answer was correct: "No, I think that measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do, and … [Read more...] about EPA’s Scott Pruitt Flubs Answer To Carbon Dioxide Question