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
Cartoon: Trumpcare Balance
Russian interventions in other people’s elections: A brief history
By Eric Lohr, Professor of Russian History, American University. Demonstrators against Russian military actions in Ukraine rally in New York, March 2, 2014. AP Photo/John Minchillo In the last nine years, Russia has invaded its neighbor Georgia, annexed the Ukrainian province of Crimea, supported rebels in Eastern Ukraine and interfered in the U.S. presidential election. The… … [Read more...] about Russian interventions in other people’s elections: A brief history
Cartoon: King’s racist baby talk
King's racist baby talk by Clay Jones Congress’ most cuddly racist Steve King from Iowa (who “used” to keep a Confederate flag on his desk) was at it again Monday. He tweeted support for a xenophobic politician in the Netherlands with “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies.” King was backing Geert Wilders, a far-right Dutch parliamentarian who has … [Read more...] about Cartoon: King’s racist baby talk
One congressman’s unbounded racism
WASHINGTON -- White supremacism was never banished from American political thought, just shoved to the fringe and hushed to a whisper. Now, in the Age of Trump, it's back in the mainstream and ready to roar. Witness the words of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on the subject of immigration: "Culture and demographics are our destiny. We can't restore our civilization with … [Read more...] about One congressman’s unbounded racism
Clinton’s unexpected new ally in the email investigation: Trump
WASHINGTON -- After the "lock her up" campaign of 2016, President Trump's administration has an unexpected message for those still investigating Hillary Clinton's emails: Shut it down. Trump made clear after the election that he had no appetite to go after Clinton legally, and on Monday his administration went further: His Justice Department went to court to fight those … [Read more...] about Clinton’s unexpected new ally in the email investigation: Trump
Cartoon: President Bannon
Paying for Healthcare
New taxes are not really appealing to Republicans, but the government must somehow figure out ways to cover the increasing costs of healthcare, both within the government’s budget and in the country. The number one contributor to healthcare costs in this country is obesity. People eat too much. We already tax cigarettes and alcohol, two other major contributors to health … [Read more...] about Paying for Healthcare