Another prime minister shown the door. Rob Pinney/Getty Images Garret Martin, American University School of International Service The U.K. government is in tatters after Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned on Oct. 20, 2022 – the second leader to be forced out in mere months. It follows an economic mess largely of her own making that resulted in U-turns, … [Read more...] about UK prime minister forced from office amid economic turmoil, chaos in parliament and a party in tatters
On this day: The Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon's 20 October 1973 temper tantrum, the Saturday Night Massacre, did not stop the release of his secret tape recordings about the Watergate break-in. On Saturday night, 20 October 1973, President Richard M. Nixon "discharged" Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, an event now known as the Saturday Night Massacre. Nixon "also abolished the office of the special … [Read more...] about On this day: The Saturday Night Massacre
Quote of the Day: Donald Trump on GOP Senate candidate in Colorado
Our quote of the day comes from former President Donald Trump blasting the GOP's U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea in Colorado on Truth Social ater O'Shea said he wouldn't support Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination or a second term as President: In a post on his social media site, Trump labeled O’Dea a “RINO,” or “Republican in name only,” and said that “MAGA doesn’t … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Donald Trump on GOP Senate candidate in Colorado
Iranian drones used by Russia in Ukraine show that there’s already one victor in that war: Iran
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Kyiv residential building destroyed by a drone that local authorities consider to be Iranian-made. Oleksii Chumachenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Aaron Pilkington, University of Denver The war in Ukraine is helping one country achieve its foreign policy and national security objectives, but it’s … [Read more...] about Iranian drones used by Russia in Ukraine show that there’s already one victor in that war: Iran
HONORARY WHITE GUYS (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
White racists love having black friends. Having a black friend is their “proof” they’re not racists. They love being able to say something racist and having a black friend support them with a “that’s not racist.” A lot of black public figures have figured this out and have learned to profit from it. Candace Owens is a great example. She was a liberal until she figured out there … [Read more...] about HONORARY WHITE GUYS (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Hocus Pocus 2: The Direct To Video Spell
by Thomas Hoffman Hocus Pocus is one of the Halloween movies that can be enjoyed anytime of year, even in July (which is when it debuted). Hocus Pocus originally was a box-office flop. But over the years, it gained a cult following, and fans have been screaming for a sequel for years. They finally got one. Unfortunately, the sequel was more of a trick than treat as it did … [Read more...] about Hocus Pocus 2: The Direct To Video Spell
Why America’s Life Expectancy Is Shrinking- Not Just Covid
Life expectancy of Americans has lagged that of other industrialized nation for decades, the differences ranging from one to seven years. In addition, Americans life expectancy dropped steeply in 2020 and 2021, the greatest two year drop in the last century. As of 2022, average life expectancy in Japan was 84.82 years, 87.8 for women and 81.7 for men. For the U.S. it was 78.2 … [Read more...] about Why America’s Life Expectancy Is Shrinking- Not Just Covid
Salutations, Friends, How Are You?
And then, just as Wilbur was settling down for his morning nap, he heard again the thin voice that had addressed him the night before. ‘Salutations!’ said the voice. Wilbur jumped to his feet. ‘Salu-what?’ he cried. --E.B. White, Charlotte's Web For years, the standard greeting and response we use in our culture has bothered me. The words go something like this: A. … [Read more...] about Salutations, Friends, How Are You?
With the movie ‘Till,’ Mamie Till-Mobley’s quest to educate the world about her son’s lynching marches on
Till-Mobley watches the body of her son, Emmett, being lowered into his grave. Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images Brandon M. Erby, University of Kentucky After 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped, severely beaten and killed in the Mississippi Delta on Aug. 28, 1955, his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, made the courageous decision to reveal her son’s … [Read more...] about With the movie ‘Till,’ Mamie Till-Mobley’s quest to educate the world about her son’s lynching marches on
Three billion people cannot afford food and one million are suffering famine, UN says
A staggering three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet and many are facing malnutrition and starvation, partly because the war in Ukraine has triggered surges in food, fertilizer, and energy prices. The world’s most vulnerable people are also being battered by a perfect storm of the coronavirus pandemic, climate crisis, environmental degradation, violent conflict, … [Read more...] about Three billion people cannot afford food and one million are suffering famine, UN says
Controversy surrounds “biggest football show on the planet”.
Nations compete for the right to host the FIFA World Cup football tournament. So, what happens when the "wrong" nation is the host? The world will find out this year starting on 20 November, which is when the Federation Internationale de Football Association men's division begins its quadrennial tournament to discover which nation has the best men's association football … [Read more...] about Controversy surrounds “biggest football show on the planet”.
OPEN MEMO TO HERSCHEL WALKER
by Don Hermann To: HERSCHEL WALKER Fr; DON HERMANN Re: OPEN MEMO I find it admirable that a man of your football talents would like to devote your celebrity to representing the people of Georgia as one their two Senators. You must have quite an interest in politics that could be an outgrowth of your knowledge of American History. A number of my friends and I follow … [Read more...] about OPEN MEMO TO HERSCHEL WALKER
Crippling civilian infrastructure has long been part of Russian generals’ playbook – Putin is merely expanding that approach
Ukrainian firefighters battling flames at a power station hit by Russian missiles. Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Benjamin Jensen, American University School of International Service In response to massive battlefield setbacks, Russia has increased its attacks in Ukraine on everything from power plants and dams to railways, … [Read more...] about Crippling civilian infrastructure has long been part of Russian generals’ playbook – Putin is merely expanding that approach
FROM DEEP-STATE TO BROKE-STATE
A jury has ordered InfoWars head honcho and MAGA bullshi--er Alex Jones to pay nearly $1 billion (that “b” is not a typo, kids) to the families of Sandy Hook for spreading lies that the massacre was staged. One lawyer said this is “probably one of the largest defamation verdicts in U.S. history.” The families of victims in the attack that killed 20 children and six educators … [Read more...] about FROM DEEP-STATE TO BROKE-STATE
DOG WHISTLES AND SCARE TACTICS IN PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE
by John L. Micek F. Scott Fitzgerald once famously observed that the truest test of a first-rate intelligence “is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” But the sage of the Jazz Age never had to run for office. And, more specifically, he didn’t have to run in Pennsylvania’s nationally watched U.S. … [Read more...] about DOG WHISTLES AND SCARE TACTICS IN PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE
How a Young Artist Transforms Trauma into Poignant Works of Art
I met Jenifer (Jenn) Hassin eight years ago at her studio in Austin, Texas. She was just putting the finishing touches on her latest and most important sculpture at the time. The Afghanistan War had already been raging for more than 13 years and was well on its way to become the longest war in U.S. history. Along with the War in Iraq, these two wars had claimed 6,800 … [Read more...] about How a Young Artist Transforms Trauma into Poignant Works of Art
Challenges to voters are growing before the midterms – and have a long history as a way of keeping down the Black vote
A GOP plan means that voters may be challenged on their right to vote. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images Austin Sarat, Amherst College Voters who want to cast their ballot on Election Day this November may be in for an unpleasant surprise – the very real possibility that they will be unable to vote. That’s because any registered voter can challenge the … [Read more...] about Challenges to voters are growing before the midterms – and have a long history as a way of keeping down the Black vote
2022 BALLOT FOR REPUBLICANS
ALEX JONES ORDERED TO PAY NEARLY 1 BILLION TO 8 SANDY HOOK VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
The verdict is in for conspiracy-theory spreader Alex Jones who created a lie-narrative about the massacre of children and teachers at Sandy Hook being a hoax. He has been ordered to pay a whopping $965 million to eight Sandy Hook victims' families and an FBI agent. NBC News: The conspiracy theorist Alex Jones must pay $965 million to the families of eight Sandy Hook … [Read more...] about ALEX JONES ORDERED TO PAY NEARLY 1 BILLION TO 8 SANDY HOOK VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
Russia is enlisting hundreds of thousands of men to fight against Ukraine, but public support for Putin is falling
A military cadet stands near a billboard promoting army service in Saint Petersburg on Oct. 5, 2022. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images Arik Burakovsky, Tufts University Even as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, its military appears to be suffering setbacks – from mounting casualties to dwindling military supplies. The Group of Seven … [Read more...] about Russia is enlisting hundreds of thousands of men to fight against Ukraine, but public support for Putin is falling