When the news broke that Donald Trump received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith on Sunday night that he’s a target in the criminal investigation over the January 6 insurrection, several thoughts came to my mind. One: They didn’t send that letter through FedEx. I was told Friday that a package would arrive on Saturday, and then told on Saturday that it would be here … [Read more...] about TINY TARGET (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
What is a target letter? 3 things to know about how the Justice Department notifies suspects, like Donald Trump, ahead of possible charges
Former President Donald Trump appears at a campaign event in Florida for his reelection in July 2023. Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images Gabriel J. Chin, University of California, Davis Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on July 18, 2023, that he had received a letter from the Department of Justice, notifying him that that he was “a … [Read more...] about What is a target letter? 3 things to know about how the Justice Department notifies suspects, like Donald Trump, ahead of possible charges
Trump says he expects to be indicted in Capitol riot probe
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Former US president Donald Trump said Tuesday he expected to be charged over the January 6 attack on the US Capitol -- an indictment that would ramp up his legal woes as he makes another White House run. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is already facing criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack … [Read more...] about Trump says he expects to be indicted in Capitol riot probe
The Lost Holocaust Train
In one of her most recent books, Door Hun Ogen (Through Their Eyes) (below), well-known Dutch author Femmetje de Wind publishes a collection of heartrending interviews by young people of their Jewish grandparents, great-grandparents and other relatives who survived the Holocaust during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. One of the stories is by 10-year-old Joshua … [Read more...] about The Lost Holocaust Train
A TRIO OF TRUMP LAWYERS HAVE DESTROYED THEIR REPUTATIONS AND CAREERS
While pondering the pathetic fates of three Trump legal eagles – Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and Lin Wood – I’m reminded of a line from an old Jackson Browne song: “The strangled cries of lawyers in love“ Plus, this old cliche: “When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.“ It’s been satisfying to see those guys suffer the consequences of fronting for a … [Read more...] about A TRIO OF TRUMP LAWYERS HAVE DESTROYED THEIR REPUTATIONS AND CAREERS
White House hopeful DeSantis loses steam, struggling with image
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Long viewed as the most formidable challenger to Donald Trump in the Republican US presidential nominating contest, Ron DeSantis boasts a record of ultra-conservative legislative wins and a pile of campaign cash. Yet the self-styled tip of the spear in what he says is the struggle against the creeping imposition of "cultural Marxism" hasn't … [Read more...] about White House hopeful DeSantis loses steam, struggling with image
Dangerous heatwaves strike globe as wildfires rage
Published by AFPRome (AFP) - Scorching weather gripped three continents on Sunday, whipping up wildfires and threatening to topple temperature records as the dire consequences of global warming take shape. Predictions of historic heat hung over swathes of Asia, Europe and the United States. Japan issued heatstroke alerts to tens of millions of people in 20 of its 47 prefectures … [Read more...] about Dangerous heatwaves strike globe as wildfires rage
The NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits
President Joe Biden led NATO in reaffirming steadfast military support for Ukraine at the recent summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. But cracks have already appeared in how far his allies are willing to go in providing unconditional backing to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s brutally embattled country. Zelensky, who was at the summit, put urgent pressure to get a clear pledge on … [Read more...] about The NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits
The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Story that Keeps on Giving
Five years ago, on June 23, 2018, 12 members of the Thai soccer team “Wild Boars,” ages 11 to 16, along with their coach entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in northern Thailand for what was to be a short exploration, without packing food or water. However, while exploring the cave, heavy monsoon rains quickly flooded the cave system blocking the group's way out and … [Read more...] about The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Story that Keeps on Giving
“I’M GOING TO LIE TO YOU”
by Don Hermann Columnist It would be so refreshing to hear a candidate for public office actually admit that he or she was going to color the truth. The goal to get elected. If they get elected to Congress, they spend at least 50% of their time trying to raise money. If they get re-elected, they’ll be able to spend another 50% of their time raising money. Don’t you … [Read more...] about “I’M GOING TO LIE TO YOU”
Ukraine is the hot topic at the NATO summit – the most important work is all in the details happening behind the scenes
President Joe Biden and other world leaders are together at the 2023 NATO summit in Lithuania on July 11, 2023. Pauline Peleckis/Getty Images Tara Sonenshine, Tufts University A summit is literally the highest point on the mountain. In diplomatic terms, summits like the NATO meeting, held on July 11 and 12, 2023, in Vilnius, Lithuania, mark important … [Read more...] about Ukraine is the hot topic at the NATO summit – the most important work is all in the details happening behind the scenes
The Last Train to Auschwitz: A Poignant Postscript
It was only 30 years ago that I learned I had close relatives in Belgium and the Netherlands, most of them Jewish, all with deep Jewish roots. As I got to know my Dutch de Wind (previously Levy) relatives better, I learned of the horrors so many de Wind family members experienced during the Holocaust, especially the Dutch branch of the family. From a comprehensive … [Read more...] about The Last Train to Auschwitz: A Poignant Postscript
CONSPIRACY JUDGE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
When I go to my Twitter home page, the first people who show up are Donald Trump Jr, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Jim Gym Jordan, and an assortment of other Trump goons. What’s odd about this is that I don’t follow any of those accounts. But Elon, who’s also one of those who shows up in my feed despite the fact I don’t follow him either, is working to … [Read more...] about CONSPIRACY JUDGE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
There is no legal reason the US can’t supply cluster bombs to Ukraine – but that doesn’t justify Biden’s decision to do so
The remains of a rocket that carried cluster munitions found in a Ukrainian field. Alice Martins/For The Washington Post via Getty Images Robert Goldman, American University The Biden administration announced on July 7, 2023, that it would send cluster bombs to Ukraine – a deeply controversial move given the munition is prohibited by more than 120 … [Read more...] about There is no legal reason the US can’t supply cluster bombs to Ukraine – but that doesn’t justify Biden’s decision to do so
REPUBLICANS CRYING ABOUT COCAINE HAVE FORGOTTEN JAN. 6
What a perfect holiday-week news story, the equivalent of a brainless summer movie. Some clown recently left a small baggie of cocaine in the White House visitors area, thus inspiring various clowns in the MAGA cult (especially the twice-indicted clown) to froth at the mouth. Suddenly they’re all concerned about “security,” which would be laughable if it were not so … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS CRYING ABOUT COCAINE HAVE FORGOTTEN JAN. 6
Want your advertising to be more effective?
by Don Hermann Follow these two people. One real. One make believe. The real person is no longer with us. But his impact is. And will be for decades. The Make Believe person is a Lady. Cinderella. Advertising Age the industry’s most important publication selected William Bernbach as the “most influential creative force of the 20th century in the advertising … [Read more...] about Want your advertising to be more effective?
Is it time to quit Twitter and join Threads instead?
Published by RelaxnewsBy STEFANI REYNOLDS / AFP Some 10 million internet users have already signed up to Threads, the Meta Group's new social network. The platform, which aims to compete with Twitter, was rolled out overnight in 100 countries, although it is still unavailable in the European Union. So can Threads really compete with Twitter and its 238 million daily users? Some … [Read more...] about Is it time to quit Twitter and join Threads instead?
HOMOPHOBIC CONTEST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Democrats, I’m not worried about you but Independents, pay attention to the Republican primaries. It’s important that you pay attention now because one of these monsters is going to be the Republican nominee for the presidency of the United States of America and I don’t care if President Biden is on life support at that point, we can’t allow one of these goons in the White … [Read more...] about HOMOPHOBIC CONTEST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Disinformation researchers lament ‘chilling’ US legal campaign
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The study of disinformation has emerged as a political lightning rod in the United States, with conservative advocates launching a sweeping legal offensive that researchers fighting falsehoods denounce as an intimidation campaign ahead of the 2024 election. As next year's vote approaches, many US academics and think-tanks focused on … [Read more...] about Disinformation researchers lament ‘chilling’ US legal campaign
Americans Disdain for Facts
Is it our school systems? Is it our water? Is it our concept of equality, that every man’s knowledge and store of information is the same and worthy of attention? Such a large proportion of our citizens refuse to believe experts and look down on scientists. Conspiracy theories and bald-faced lies flourish and the facts languish. And this disdain for what is true and … [Read more...] about Americans Disdain for Facts