March 2, 2017 Note to readers: This is the latest entry in Super Baby DonDon’s diary. The series imagines that President Donald Trump has the emotional make-up of a five-year-old and confides his deepest thoughts—such as they are—to Andrew Feinberg, and to readers, every day. In his private moments, he always thinks of himself as Super Baby DonDon. Oh, someone will … [Read more...] about You Know Where You Can Put Your “Indoor Voice”
(UPDATE) As More Trump Shoes Drop, Some More Verse
Update: One of the stanzas in the poem below reads: Now you would think that his Attorney General named Session Would have learned a lesson Now this “highest” lawyer in the land May soon have to take the stand It is not clear whether Sessions has learned a lesson, but he did take a stand - of sorts. Less than an hour ago, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) As More Trump Shoes Drop, Some More Verse
(UPDATE IV) The Real Russia Scandal Is Trump’s Support Of Putin’s Quest For A New Cold War
Think of the Russia scandal as a big iceberg. The iceberg's tip, that is the portion of the scandal you can see from news accounts, is populated with the numerous contacts over the years between Donald Trump's surrogates and Russian business interests. But hiding beneath this ostensibly entrepreneurial quest to make many millions of dollars -- and rubles -- lurks the … [Read more...] about (UPDATE IV) The Real Russia Scandal Is Trump’s Support Of Putin’s Quest For A New Cold War
Logan Review
So far this year I've seen the winner of 2017's Oscar for best picture La La Land, Moonlight and Hidden Figures. All of these films are super dope but, hand on heart, Logan is probably my favourite yet and I genuinely can’t believe it. Logan is Marvel’s The Dark Knight. It is that real. This film is dark, it’s shocking, violent… I should probably stop here. I can’t … [Read more...] about Logan Review
Sessions scandal: AG did not disclose his pre-confirmation Russia contacts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Jeff Sessions, while still a U.S. senator, spoke twice last year with Russia's ambassador, encounters he did not disclose when asked during his confirmation hearing to become attorney general about possible contacts between Donald Trump's campaign and Russian officials, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing Justice Department officials. One … [Read more...] about Sessions scandal: AG did not disclose his pre-confirmation Russia contacts
Tripping Over the Limbo Bar
"This was the most conventional speech Trump has ever delivered." ~ NPR Ex-Clinton volunteer slammed, loses job, after swipe at widow of fallen SEAL Fox News A former Hillary Clinton volunteer drew swift condemnation — and lost his job — after mocking the widow of a fallen Navy SEAL who was honored by the president during his congressional address Tuesday … [Read more...] about Tripping Over the Limbo Bar
The Media Be Stupid
March 1, 2017 Note to readers: This is the latest entry in Super Baby DonDon’s diary. The series imagines that President Donald Trump has the emotional make-up of a five-year-old and confides his deepest thoughts—such as they are—to Andrew Feinberg, and to readers, every day. In his private moments, he always thinks of himself as Super Baby DonDon. I watched MSNBC … [Read more...] about The Media Be Stupid
Trump Grabbed Americans By the Presidency Last Night – But Will It Continue
Last night, Donald Trump delivered his much anticipated speech to a joint session of Congress and he might well have opened it with the words, “Allow me to introduce myself.” For there seemed to be a new Donald Trump for that occasion. The words we are hearing to describe the address include presidential, optimistic, and conciliatory. It’s also fact that Trump was so … [Read more...] about Trump Grabbed Americans By the Presidency Last Night – But Will It Continue
The Beginning of Respect for the Military?
In July 2015, the inimitable Andy Borowitz wrote a satirical piece at The New Yorker in which he shared with readers “a little-known episode of personal heroism” from the youth of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. According to Borowitz, Trump told one of his adoring audiences in Iowa that “he narrowly avoided capture in Vietnam by remaining in the United States for … [Read more...] about The Beginning of Respect for the Military?
In speech, Trump tries to turn from divisive to deal maker
By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump showed a different side in his first address to Congress. This Trump was part deal-maker, part salesman, asking for unity and trying to repackage his populist message in more palatable terms. He was less combative, less thin-skinned and more inclusive. And where five weeks ago at his inauguration, … [Read more...] about In speech, Trump tries to turn from divisive to deal maker
Trump Show: Meaningless and Boring
Matthew Yglesias comments on the Trump show after the President's speech to Congress on vox.com. If you take any one moment from the Trump Show out of context, it’s striking. But together, Trump’s antics are now banal. He says, tweets, and does weird things. He gets attention. He pisses people off while thrilling others. Tonight, he even managed to attract attention and … [Read more...] about Trump Show: Meaningless and Boring
Trump blames generals for Yemen raid
Donald Trump has shattered many norms in our politics (name calling opponents with respect during debates, pointing to his private parts in a debate, dissing the intelligence community, refusing to release his tax returns and the list goes on) and now he has given his (little) middle finger to one of the most fundamental throughout our history: Taking responsibility for a … [Read more...] about Trump blames generals for Yemen raid
Military Working Dog, Human Handler Bond in Baghdad
Rrobiek, a Belgian Malinois military working dog, and his handler, Army Staff Sgt. Charles Ogin, 3rd Infantry Regiment, bond with each other during work in Baghdad, Feb. 15, 2017. Army photo by Sgt. Anna Pongo One of my favorite subjects is “Military Working Dogs.” (MWD) It has been a while since I have written about our four-legged warriors, but this time I don’t even … [Read more...] about Military Working Dog, Human Handler Bond in Baghdad
Cartoons: Putin’s Bear Buddy
This cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on The Moderate Voice. … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Putin’s Bear Buddy
On Terrorism Trump Is Our Own Worst Enemy
The jihadis shoot their propaganda across the internet in search of the Western world’s frightened and dispossessed. On Twitter and Facebook, from YouTube to Google Play, the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) traffics in lies, bombarding Western Muslims seeking adventure, compatriots or an outlet for their religious fervor. The message is stark, terrifying: Your countries … [Read more...] about On Terrorism Trump Is Our Own Worst Enemy
The Perception of America’s Problems
A Pew Poll taken right after the 2016 election verified the gap that existed between Trump and Clinton supporters on their perception of a number of different issues facing America, a partial explanation for how they voted. However, some of their understandings of life in America were in direct contradiction to statistics from the government, academic institutions, or quality … [Read more...] about The Perception of America’s Problems
Moonlight won Best Picture: let’s put away our black cards
(Taken from Chocolate Films) Moonlight won the best picture Oscar for 2017. No one in their right mind who has seen the film can be mad at that. Whilst it wasn't my favourite film of the year (hello, Hidden Figures), I believe that it was the most important out of the bunch. What did bother me was how quickly the La La Land hate train gathered pace. My timeline after the … [Read more...] about Moonlight won Best Picture: let’s put away our black cards
The Alternate Reality of the Political Right
In a previous post, I talk about the alternate reality of the Political Left. Now, to be fair and balanced, I am going to talk about the alternate reality of the Political Right. In that alternate reality . . . #1 The USA is a Christian theocracy. Thus, a prayer in the name of Jesus must be spoken during every public meeting that involves government officials. Uh … no. … [Read more...] about The Alternate Reality of the Political Right
The HeartGift Organization: A Noble Vision in Progress (Update)
Update: Please scroll to the bottom for a video of HeartGift's work. The video is a couple of years old, but the message is timeless. Original Post: It is an unfathomable tragedy when an innocent child dies, especially when such a death occurs simply because specialized medical care is not available, accessible or affordable in the child’s native country. In … [Read more...] about The HeartGift Organization: A Noble Vision in Progress (Update)
No Tax Deduction for Donations that go Outside the US
The United States provides a tax deduction for qualified charitable giving. A decent percentage of this money, well into the tens of billions, is sent outside the country. I am certain these are very good causes, but my question is: Should the United States government subsidize monies spent to help out non-US residents when there is so much need here? I propose that the … [Read more...] about No Tax Deduction for Donations that go Outside the US