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
The Oscars Were a Horror Show!
February 27, 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. So, those … [Read more...] about The Oscars Were a Horror Show!
The Republican replacement plan: Robin Hood in reverse (Editorial)
By now, the insane risk of repealing Obamacare without a replacement plan is pretty well established. About 21 million Americans would lose their health coverage, a number that would only grow. Premiums would likely double on the individual market. In New Jersey alone, $4.2 billion in federal funds would be lost annually, according to a new… … [Read more...] about The Republican replacement plan: Robin Hood in reverse (Editorial)
Meet Felix Sater, The Best Friend That Trump Claims He Never Had
RUSSIAN EMIGRE SATER IS EVEN DIRTIER THAN THE DONALD When last we checked in on Donald Trump's Russia scandal a couple of weeks ago, it was bubbling away nicely and threatened to come to a boil. It hasn't yet. Not quite, but we now know enough about the relationship between the president and a smorgasbord of Russian interests to reach certain conclusions. This is because … [Read more...] about Meet Felix Sater, The Best Friend That Trump Claims He Never Had
Is TRUMP/ GOP poised to decimate poor families?
As if pointing their daggers at dismantling health care for the poor is not enough. Will with Trump's new directive to 'cut,' domestic programs and bloat military ones, amount to 'take downers' going after the low and no income people's access to food support with almost 20 percent of the nation already in degrees of no-job food scarcity. Stay tuned. 'The Blob is on … [Read more...] about Is TRUMP/ GOP poised to decimate poor families?
Democracy: Over and Under (Guest Voice)
Democracy: Over and Under by Anthony Stahelski Democracy is a system of governance built on attempts to accommodate opposing needs and desires. These attempts often result in less than satisfying compromises. This is particularly true for domestic issues, since power is shared among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and various other constituencies. … [Read more...] about Democracy: Over and Under (Guest Voice)
Trump and Bannon are the ‘corporatists’
WASHINGTON -- Just when you despair that only chaos animates the Trump administration, along comes Steve Bannon, the White House ideologue, to offer the Rosetta Stone illuminating what this circus is all about. And when you realize what Trump & Co. might really be up to, your despair turns to alarm. There is no way of knowing how much Donald Trump truly cares … [Read more...] about Trump and Bannon are the ‘corporatists’
Trump’s takeover of conservatism is complete
WASHINGTON -- President Trump, addressing the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, reminisced about the "very exciting" moment several years ago when he had his coming out as a conservative. I was there when Trump spoke at that 2011 CPAC gathering, at its former site in the Marriott ballroom in Washington's Woodley Park neighborhood. Then, as now, … [Read more...] about Trump’s takeover of conservatism is complete