All things being equal, which they rarely are in the land of the yawning gap between rich and poor, the Washington establishment can go to hell. Allowing that there are some lawmakers, officials and careerist bureaucrats who are admirable people trying to do a good job, the Inside the Beltway crowd on the whole is one big Eddie Haskell, and it matters far less what the … [Read more...] about President Trump’s Ship Of State Steams Full Speed Ahead Toward The Iceberg Of Reality
On the Supreme Court, Democrats Simply Lost
When Senate Republicans decided last year to ditch their constitutional duty - by stiffing President Obama's eminently qualified Supreme Court nominee, denying him even the courtesy of a hearing - they took a big political risk. They gambled that the voters wouldn't punish them on election day. Turns out, they were right. Their unprecedented power play paid off. And … [Read more...] about On the Supreme Court, Democrats Simply Lost
Democrats should filibuster Gorsuch with 2018 in mind
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats should use any and all means, including the filibuster, to block confirmation of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee. They will almost surely fail. But sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war. This is purely about politics. Republicans hold the presidency, majorities in the House and Senate, 33 governorships and total control … [Read more...] about Democrats should filibuster Gorsuch with 2018 in mind
(UPDATE) This Bud’s for You, Mr. President (Edited)
Update: The New York Times mentions Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial in an interesting article addressing the “challenge” for Super Bowl commercials not to (seem to be) taking sides politically. Budweiser’s ad, discussed below, has already passed two million views on YouTube, and Budweiser has emphasized that the ad is not in response to Trump’s refugee and immigration … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) This Bud’s for You, Mr. President (Edited)
Senate Republicans Use Harry Reid’s Playbook
Senate Republicans have turned to using Harry Reid's playbook in order to get President Trump's Cabinet nominees confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Reid set things in motion on November 21, 2013 when he used the nuclear option in order to help Barack Obama. Here is an excerpt from a Washington Post story about that event: "Senate Democrats took the dramatic step Thursday of … [Read more...] about Senate Republicans Use Harry Reid’s Playbook
Donald Trump is a monster!
When Donald Trump was running for the office of President, I called him a political monster. I was correct, and now, Piers Morgan explains what I mean by that label. "In some respects, though, I accept that Trump IS a monster. America has never seen someone like him bulldoze his way like this into the White House through sheer monstrous force of personality. He’s done it … [Read more...] about Donald Trump is a monster!
Gettin’ Presidential Over Betsy DeVos
February 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. Okay, it’s time … [Read more...] about Gettin’ Presidential Over Betsy DeVos
Reuters: Trump to focus violent extremism program soley on Islam
EDITOR'S NOTE: There was a typo in the original headline. Yours truly was offline for more almost 24 hours and on a drive. It has now been fixed. We regret the typo. By Julia Edwards Ainsley, Dustin Volz and Kristina Cooke WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Trump administration wants to revamp and rename a U.S. government program designed to counter all violent … [Read more...] about Reuters: Trump to focus violent extremism program soley on Islam
The Republic Stands Tall
The Republic Stands Tall By Peter Funt PHOENIX - The heroic effort by Arizona's largest newspaper to oppose Donald Trump, which began last September, continues now that he is in the White House, with even greater vigor than before. Until Trump came along, the Arizona Republic had endorsed only Republicans for all of its 126 years. After it declared support for Hillary … [Read more...] about The Republic Stands Tall
Supreme hypocrisy
WASHINGTON -- You want bipartisanship on Supreme Court nominations? Let's have a consensual moment around Sen. Ted Cruz's idea that having only eight Supreme Court justices is just fine. "There is certainly long historical precedent for a Supreme Court with fewer justices," the Texas Republican said last year when GOP senators were refusing even to give a hearing to … [Read more...] about Supreme hypocrisy
Video: Sen. Dick Durbin Opposes Sessions for Attorney General
On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 11-9 vote (along party lines) voted to confirm Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to be the next attorney general. Session’s nomination now proceeds to the full Senate where it is expected he will be confirmed, given the GOP’s 52-seat majority. Senate Democrats have been forceful and frank in opposing the nomination, but none … [Read more...] about Video: Sen. Dick Durbin Opposes Sessions for Attorney General
The Klan and Judge Gorsuch
February 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. No, Judge Neil … [Read more...] about The Klan and Judge Gorsuch
The Reuters poll on Trump’s immigration ban (and understanding polls)
I've been skeptical of news reports about political polling for most of my adult life. That skepticism was triggered Tuesday by a Reuters-Ipso poll: Trump's travel ban polarizes America. The Jan. 30-31 poll found that 49 percent of American adults said they either "strongly" or "somewhat" agreed with Trump's order, while 41 percent "strongly" or "somewhat" disagreed and … [Read more...] about The Reuters poll on Trump’s immigration ban (and understanding polls)
How not to keep us safe
It was my intention to visit Iran this year for study. Now however in a fit of pique, the tit-for-tat reply to our ban the Iranians will soon bar American citizens from visiting. http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/middleeast/iran-will-ban-us-citizens/?iid=ob_article_organicsidebar_expansion So will the other, less tourist-friendly countries on a list which is a who’s who of … [Read more...] about How not to keep us safe
Cartoon: Mounting a Ban
Mounting a Ban by Clay Jones The chances of you being gunned down by a radical Islamic terrorist in North America is pretty slim. The odds of being butchered by a radical conservative terrorist with a gun are much greater. This was proven Sunday in Quebec City, Canada. There’s just so much irony that during President Trump’s illegal executive order to ban Muslims from … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Mounting a Ban
Gorsuch Nominated To SCOTUS
United States President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his intent to nominate Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. As the likely next justice on the high court, his nomination was likely to bring up questions about his background — including his net worth. Gorsuch, 49, serves on the 10th circuit court of appeals in Colorado. He's the… … [Read more...] about Gorsuch Nominated To SCOTUS
Surprise, GOP: You should’ve taken Trump literally
WASHINGTON -- Hey, Republicans: Ready to take him literally yet? Two days after the election, I spoke with Grover Norquist, a conservative tax activist who had made peace with the prospect of a Trump presidency. Expressing confidence that Donald Trump wouldn't attempt the crazier promises made during the campaign, Norquist said Trump's supporters knew to take him … [Read more...] about Surprise, GOP: You should’ve taken Trump literally
Malevolence Tempered by Incompetence, Until…
Matthew Yglesias assesses the Trump administration's start on vox.com. For liberals alarmed by Donald Trump’s election, there is something heartening about the revelation that the new president has no idea what he's doing. His rollout of new travel restrictions aimed at offering a constitutionally, economically, and diplomatically viable alternative to his campaign pledge of … [Read more...] about Malevolence Tempered by Incompetence, Until…
Cartoon: Big Love
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on The Moderate Voice. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Big Love
Kim-Jong Trump
The following is my reply to the letter sent by Senator Al Franken to his constituency. Dear Senator Al, I wish I could agree with you that "This is not our country." Unfortunately, it is, or at least a part of it. We know far better now than we did a few months ago that our electorate is divided in profound ways. During the recently completed campaign, Trump praised the … [Read more...] about Kim-Jong Trump