The hidden risk of slaying Cambodian monsters by David Anderson Late last month the International Court in Cambodia affirmed the (2012) convictions and life sentences of two criminals. It was an encouraging win for international accountability at the top, but the final affirmation has greater implications. Defendant Khieu Samphan, 85, (former “President of the Central … [Read more...] about The hidden risk of slaying Cambodian monsters
Partisanship is a Powerful Drug
Ezra Klein details the signs of GOP addiction on vox.com. We are about to learn whether Republicans are more addicted to power or to ideas. This is, it’s worth noting, a live debate. In the Bush years, the GOP cut taxes, expanded Medicare, and started two wars without paying for a dime of it. Then after Barack Obama took office, Republicans became very worried about budget … [Read more...] about Partisanship is a Powerful Drug
Right-Wing Shenanigans in Oklahoma
The Democratic Party doesn't have a monopoly on shenanigans, as evident by a scandal that recently surfaced in the state of Oklahoma. From Tulsa news station KOTV: "Allegations of scandal and a cover-up at the Oklahoma Capitol surfaced Wednesday after a published report said state Rep. Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, allegedly sexually harassed and then fired his legislative … [Read more...] about Right-Wing Shenanigans in Oklahoma
Reuters Exclusive: Trump seeks names of officials working to counter violent extremism
By Warren Strobel and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has asked two Cabinet departments for the names of government officials working on programs to counter violent extremism, according to a document seen by Reuters and U.S. officials. The requests to the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security … [Read more...] about Reuters Exclusive: Trump seeks names of officials working to counter violent extremism
Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Puppies for Putin
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Puppies for Putin
One man is planting mangroves in Indonesia to stave off tragedy
There’s a spot in the Indonesian seaside village of Tongke-Tongke where people like to hang out at sunset. It’s a boardwalk winding through a dense forest of mangroves along the coast. The tangled root systems of the trees poke out of the water, like tent poles holding up the tree trunks. Teenagers in this town of… … [Read more...] about One man is planting mangroves in Indonesia to stave off tragedy
A Buffalo politician made the worst statements about the First Family that we’ve heard yet
Carl Paladino, a Buffalo politician and former chairman of the Donald Trump New York campaign, said in an interview on Friday that he wishes President Obama would die of mad cow disease, and that First Lady Michelle Obama used to be a man and should go live in Africa with apes. RELATED: This appalling Facebook post… … [Read more...] about A Buffalo politician made the worst statements about the First Family that we’ve heard yet
Putin to Democrats: You lost get over it
On of the most powerful political movers and shakers in American politics in the last presidential campaign -- and likely in the incoming administration and in the Republican Party in the next few years -- has a message for Democrats: You lost to Donald Trump, so get over it. So says Russian President Vladimir Putin: Russian President Vladimir Putin has a message for … [Read more...] about Putin to Democrats: You lost get over it
Military Weekend: A Very Merry Christmas to our Troops
In a DOD video, “How the DoD does Holidays,” (above) the Department says: We give We receive We celebrate We work We eat But our troops -- I use this term with utmost respect and affection -- do much, much more than that. Thousands of our troops will be spending the 16th consecutive Christmas in harm’s way, on the battlefields of the Middle East, flying dangerous … [Read more...] about Military Weekend: A Very Merry Christmas to our Troops
Ask Mitt Romney
These days, everyone is talking about the rising tide of populism. But, Paul Krugman writes, when it comes to Donald Trump, it's all a scam -- a classic bait and switch. The giveaway is his cabinet appointments: Both his pick as budget director and his choice to head Health and Human Services want to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and privatize Medicare. His … [Read more...] about Ask Mitt Romney
Voting and Democracy (Guest Voice)
Voting and Democracy by Anthony Stahelski For the second time in the 21st Century we will have a President who lost the popular vote. This democracy-threatening consequence is the result of several structural flaws in our voting system. First almost half, 45 percent, of eligible American voters did not vote in the 2016 election. The raw numbers are even more astounding: … [Read more...] about Voting and Democracy (Guest Voice)
James Comey’s year of unintended — and ruinous — consequences
WASHINGTON --What a year it has been for James Comey! At the start of 2016, the FBI director enjoyed a reputation as a public servant of high integrity, earning bipartisan acclaim for his stewardship of the nation's preeminent law enforcement agency. A year later, the FBI, after a series of blows to its credibility, seems increasingly partisan. Comey has shown … [Read more...] about James Comey’s year of unintended — and ruinous — consequences
More American Muslims Are Giving Up Their Hijabs
A growing number of American Muslim women have given up their hijabs out of fear after a surplus of hate crimes against Muslims across the U.S. The headscarf is a religious expression of the Muslim faith’s requirements for public modesty, and the radical temperament against Muslims that appears to be sweeping the nation has led to… … [Read more...] about More American Muslims Are Giving Up Their Hijabs
Cartoons: Fox News Lies
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Fox News Lies
Trump tweets about nuclear weapons, raising questions and fears
By Melissa Fares and Timothy Gardner PALM BEACH, Fla./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump called for an expansion of the United States' nuclear capabilities on Thursday, in a tweet that alarmed nonproliferation experts who said that a boost to the U.S. arsenal could fuel global tensions. In his Twitter post, Trump said, "The United States must greatly … [Read more...] about Trump tweets about nuclear weapons, raising questions and fears
Seeing Christmas from Jewish eyes
Even if we don’t theologically celebrate Christmas, we in the Jewish community honor and venerate the true meaning and implication of this national holiday season. This year, there is a complete calendar intertwining; the first light of Hanukkah will be lit on Christmas Eve. As a Jew, I favor the resiliency and real meaning of Christmas. Though the December holiday … [Read more...] about Seeing Christmas from Jewish eyes
Swamp Thing
December 22, 2016 Note to readers: This is the latest entry in Baby DonDon’s diary. The series imagines that President-elect 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 Baby DonDon. Remember how Super Baby … [Read more...] about Swamp Thing
Yes, Russian hacking is a problem.
I want to clarify a point that I made in one of my previous posts, a point that some people may have overlooked. Yes, Russian hacking is a problem, and Congress should investigate it - not because Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election, but because any kind of hacking is criminal behavior. Keep in mind that the Russians are bipartisan hackers, having tried to … [Read more...] about Yes, Russian hacking is a problem.
Brenda Lee and another GREAT Version of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” (Videos)
Here's a bit of Christmas music to get you on your way. In 1958 a young country-western singer named Brenda Lee did a song called "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree." Two years later it became a huge hit -- and a Christmas standard. Here are two wonderful You Tube renditions of the song. First, watch this young You Tuber deliver a superb performance of the Christmas … [Read more...] about Brenda Lee and another GREAT Version of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” (Videos)
Happy Holidays, Donald Trump
WASHINGTON -- Some things Donald Trump says enrage me while others get under my skin. The pronouncement that does both is his regular claim that until he prevailed, Americans were not free to say "merry Christmas" to each other. He was at it again last week in West Allis, Wisconsin, during his Watch-Me-Divide-The-Country-Further "Victory Tour." Trump declared: "So when … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays, Donald Trump