Taylor Swift cheers as the Kansas City Chiefs play the Chicago Bears on Sept. 24, 2023. David Eulitt/Getty Images Aarushi Bhandari, Davidson College This fall, I’ve been starting my sociology classes by asking my students to share some uplifting news they’ve come across. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, they were abuzz about Taylor Swift’s appearance … [Read more...] about Taylor Swift and the end of the Hollywood writers strike – a tale of two media narratives
Senator John Fetterman loves GOP Congressman James Comer.
Senator John Fetterman loves GOP Congressman James Comer. At least that's what the Senator reveals in a 09/28/23 Twitter post. In case the professional media do not report Fetterman's post, here it is: "This morning, I directed my staff to deliver a gift to congratulate and salute Representative Comer and his Team America™ squad as they embark on their historic … [Read more...] about Senator John Fetterman loves GOP Congressman James Comer.
A Man Who Does Not Respect the Military Can Not Lead America (UPDATED)
UPDATE: When asked about Trump’s insinuation that the retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff should deserve the death penalty, the decorated Army general stressed that he's a soldier who's been faithful to the Constitution for more than 44 years and that he is willing to die to support and defend the Constitution, according to CBS News. General Mark Milley added … [Read more...] about A Man Who Does Not Respect the Military Can Not Lead America (UPDATED)
Fertility Rates and Population Decline
A study in July 2017 reported a major decline in human sperm counts with concern about the possibility of human extinction. Between 1973 and 2011 the number of sperm in a single ejaculate from men in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand dropped by over 50 percent. Increasing the worry about a worldwide fertility crisis, a study in the journal Human Reproduction … [Read more...] about Fertility Rates and Population Decline
Trump commuted sentence of Florida felon who had been accused of bribing Sen. Menendez
In 2021, as the clock ticked down on his last day as president of the United States, Donald J. Trump commuted the 17-year sentence of a Democrat-supporting Florida eye doctor convicted of Medicare fraud. One of the people urging clemency: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). In 2017, a Florida jury had convicted Dr. Salomon Melgen of medical fraud fraud. In a six year period, Melgen … [Read more...] about Trump commuted sentence of Florida felon who had been accused of bribing Sen. Menendez
The Supreme Court’s originalists have taken over: here’s how they interpret the Constitution
Justices who follow originalism dominate in the U.S. Supreme Court. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Whitley R.P. Kaufman, UMass Lowell Today a majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices are either self-described originalists or strongly lean toward originalism. Yet less than 50 years ago, originalism was considered a fringe movement, hardly taken … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court’s originalists have taken over: here’s how they interpret the Constitution
HISTORICAL PRECEDENT FOR SENATOR FETTERMAN HOODIES (CARTOON)
6 key things you need to know about the latest Clarence Thomas scandal
It easy to lose track of all the scandals that should be haunting Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The latest centers on Charles and David Koch (the Koch brothers), who have run one of the largest privately-held companies in the world. Its annual revenues were $125 billion in March 2023. In 1980, David, then 40, was the Libertarian Party candidate for vice president. … [Read more...] about 6 key things you need to know about the latest Clarence Thomas scandal
Reality TV show contestants are more like unpaid interns than Hollywood stars
Country singer Adley Stump, a former contestant on NBC’s hit reality show ‘The Voice,’ performs at an Air Force base in Washington state. Joint Base Lewis McChord/flickr, CC BY-NC-SA David Arditi, University of Texas at Arlington In December 2018, John Legend joined then-newly elected U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to criticize the exploitation of … [Read more...] about Reality TV show contestants are more like unpaid interns than Hollywood stars
GOOD RIDDANCE, RUPERT (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of his massive media empire, News Corp. Some of the corporation’s properties are The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Sun (UK), The Times (UK), The Sunday Times (UK), and of course, Fox News. Murdoch has been a stain on journalism in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia where he’s from. It’s unfortunate that … [Read more...] about GOOD RIDDANCE, RUPERT (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s resignation extends Joe Biden’s ongoing good luck streak with the media
President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the White House in January 2022. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States of America on Jan. 20, 2021. Imagine if someone could go back in time and inform him and his communications team that … [Read more...] about Media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s resignation extends Joe Biden’s ongoing good luck streak with the media
How should algorithmic tools (“AI”) like ChatGPT and MidJourney be used in the classroom?
It's been almost a year since ChatGPT made headlines across popular (rather than tech) media such as this one from the New York Times on 04 Dec 2023: The Brilliance and Weirdness of ChatGPT. Algorithmic tools (colloquially called "AI" or "generative AI") like Bard, ChatGPT and MidJourney are disruptive technologies. The current Writers Guild of America strike in Hollywood, … [Read more...] about How should algorithmic tools (“AI”) like ChatGPT and MidJourney be used in the classroom?
Menendez indicted for corruption
Published by AFPNew York (AFP) - Federal prosecutors charged US Senator Robert Menendez on Friday with bribery and extortion, saying gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash had been found at the high-ranking Democrat's home. In one of several allegations, the Justice Department said Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had provided … [Read more...] about Menendez indicted for corruption
Impeaching Biden For Non-Existent Crimes Is MAGA Madness
The easiest way to write about the House Republicans’ purported impeachment probe of President Biden, a theatrical stunt launched with zero actual evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors, is to simply focus on MAGA mascot Kevin McCarthy – the hapless Speaker best described by the late sane conservative pundit Michael Gerson as a “simpering paragon of mediocrity, shallowness, … [Read more...] about Impeaching Biden For Non-Existent Crimes Is MAGA Madness
Five SC state senators to receive Profile in Courage award for abortion ban filibuster
The five South Carolina state senators -- Republicans Katrina Shealy, Sandy Senn, and Penry Gustafson; Democrat Margie Bright Matthews; and Independent Mia McLeod —- will receive the The 2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award® in recognition of their bipartisan filibuster of the state's near-total abortion ban. In April 2023, the "five sisters" conducted a two-day … [Read more...] about Five SC state senators to receive Profile in Courage award for abortion ban filibuster
A clash between Trudeau and Modi could mess up Biden’s Asia plans.
The sudden worsening of a sharp quarrel between Canada’s Justin Trudeau and India’s Narendra Modi could derail President Joe Biden’s Asia plans because he needs Modi on his side to defang China. Modi is a new US strategic ally with whom Biden is building stronger friendship. He is the only Asian leader bold enough to help Biden block China’s Xi Jinping from dismantling US … [Read more...] about A clash between Trudeau and Modi could mess up Biden’s Asia plans.
The problem with “artificial intelligence”
Why humans can’t trust AI: You don’t know how it works, what it’s going to do or whether it’ll serve your interests Mark Bailey, National Intelligence University There are alien minds among us. Not the little green men of science fiction, but the alien minds that power the facial recognition in your smartphone, determine your creditworthiness and write poetry and … [Read more...] about The problem with “artificial intelligence”
‘Despicable!’: Donald Trump Trashed for Lashing Out at ‘Liberal Jews Who Voted to Destroy America’ in Rosh Hashanah Message
Published by OK MagazineDonald Trump was trashed for posting a hateful message to Jewish people on Truth Social on Sunday, September 17. “Just a quick reminder for liberal Jews who voted to destroy America & Israel because you believed false narratives! Let’s hope you learned from your mistake & make better choices moving forward! Happy New Year!” he wrote, referring to Rosh … [Read more...] about ‘Despicable!’: Donald Trump Trashed for Lashing Out at ‘Liberal Jews Who Voted to Destroy America’ in Rosh Hashanah Message
EXCLUSIVE! ADVANCE TRANSCRIPT OF THE NEXT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
The second Republican presidential debate is less than two weeks away, co-hosted by the Fox Business network, and I know you must be excited. But there’s no need to wait, because I have exclusively obtained an advance transcript! HOSTS: “Welcome to the second Republican presidential debate! We are honored to help you, the American people, make informed choices. To start, … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE! ADVANCE TRANSCRIPT OF THE NEXT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
Hunter Biden is the latest presidential child to stain a White House reputation but others have shined it up
President Joe Biden and family after he was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 2021. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster Peter Kastor, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis Hunter Biden, the surviving son of President Joe Biden, was indicted on Sept. 14, 2023, on gun-related charges – facing a possible criminal trial while his father is … [Read more...] about Hunter Biden is the latest presidential child to stain a White House reputation but others have shined it up