WASHINGTON -- Mark Burns has done well for himself as a Donald Trump surrogate. The African American pastor, in his Twitter bio, says he "can be seen on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC & Fox Business Network" and provides a link to a Time profile titled "Meet Donald Trump's Top Pastor." He got a speaking slot at the Republican convention, and the Trump campaign has sent out his … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s surrogate circus
Gun Control #1
There are over 30,000 gun deaths in the United States annually, with more than 406,000 people killed by guns from 2001 to 2013. More Americans have been killed by guns in the past decade than were killed in World War Two. In 2014, there were 8,124 homicides by guns, an average of 27 people daily. These include gang violence and mass killings, but most are individual killings, … [Read more...] about Gun Control #1
Prop 66’s Five-Year Death Penalty Appeal Fallacy Won’t Fool Californians
Prop 66 proponents claim their deeply flawed ballot initiative will turbo-charge California’s machinery of death by ensuring that all death penalty appeals are decided within five years. Hogwash. You don’t need to be a constitutional law whiz to know Prop 66’s promised regime of five-year death penalty appeals is a sham; a basic civics lesson on our Constitution’s … [Read more...] about Prop 66’s Five-Year Death Penalty Appeal Fallacy Won’t Fool Californians
Cartoon: Trump and the major 8 ball
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Trump and the major 8 ball
It is time
It is time (To my daughter on her birthday) Discrimination is alive and well. Against minorities, on religious, racial and social lines, sexual preferences and gender orientation. This one, however, remains astonishing for its persistence and the sheer numbers. Discrimination against half of this world's population. That is discrimination against … [Read more...] about It is time
How Entertainment Drove The Stake Through Donald Trump
When the obituary for Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign is written, “entertainment” will be listed as the cause of death. While providing entertainment is the one consistent strategy he’s effectively employed, it ultimately will be the culprit of his demise. Instead of captivating people, Trump’s act consists of shallow reactions leading to emotionally-charged conflict. … [Read more...] about How Entertainment Drove The Stake Through Donald Trump
Will Putin spring an October surprise?
WASHINGTON -- The Russians have just given us an August glimpse of a potential October surprise. We learned earlier this summer that cyber-hackers widely believed to be tied to the Kremlin have broken into the email of the Democratic National Committee and others. The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima reported Monday night that Russian hackers have also been targeting … [Read more...] about Will Putin spring an October surprise?
Singing Started for Trump?
Is the fat lady already singing for Donald Trump? According to White House Dossier editor Keith Koffler, the answer is "No." He explains why in his LifeZette commentary "Note to MSM: This Race Isn’t Over". Koffler writes, "Well, Hillary may be measuring the drapes in the Oval Office, but it’s hardly curtains for Donald Trump. For many reasons, Trump is in far better shape … [Read more...] about Singing Started for Trump?
Clinton aide Abedin leaves husband Weiner after new sexting report
By Amanda Becker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Huma Abedin, one of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's top aides, said on Monday that she was separating from her husband, Anthony Weiner, after a sex scandal similar to an earlier incident that led him to resign from the U.S. Congress. "After long and painful consideration and work on my marriage, I have made the … [Read more...] about Clinton aide Abedin leaves husband Weiner after new sexting report
Cartoon: Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder by Clay Jones I hate obituary cartoons. I mean I really hate them. I hate the St. Peter imagery and the Heaven thing. Bleagh! After losing my job in 2012 I thought “I’ll start my own syndicate and nobody will make me draw nice cartoons ever again.” I’m going to remain irreverent and original. It keeps me poor but I’ve mostly stood by my principles. It’s … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder, ‘Willy Wonka’ star and Mel Brooks collaborator, dies at 83
Gene Wilder, a two-time Oscar nominee and comedy star, has died at age 83. Wilder appeared in some of the most enduring comedies of the modern era. He had an ability to capture a frazzled persona on the brink of meltdown, bringing audiences ongoing delight. His collaborations with Mel Brooks on the films "The Producers," "Blazing… … [Read more...] about Gene Wilder, ‘Willy Wonka’ star and Mel Brooks collaborator, dies at 83
GOP a Failed State with Trump as Warlord
Josh Marshall points out the obvious on Talking Points Memo. Over the last few years, as 'government shutdown' went from being a crazy ass thing Newt Gingrich did twenty years ago - never to be tried again - to the top item on the Republican policy agenda, you could hear more and more Republicans saying something like this: We thought it was this great thing that we had our … [Read more...] about GOP a Failed State with Trump as Warlord
Why I Am Beginning to Appreciate the Bushes
Recently, at one of his red-meat rallies, Donald Trump -- whose image as a bigot “has begun to crystallize” -- accused Hillary Clinton of being “a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future." Friday afternoon, a young black woman, Nykea Aldridge -- a mother of four and Dwyane Wade's cousin -- was shot and killed while pushing … [Read more...] about Why I Am Beginning to Appreciate the Bushes
Stein the Presidential Candidate
Retired physician and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is spinning a fairy tale. That is the opinion expressed in a Washington Post editorial. From the editorial: "Ms. Stein’s policy ideas are poorly formed and wildly impractical. Her “activist” approach, she said, involves building “broad coalitions,” but she criticized Hillary Clinton for reaching out to … [Read more...] about Stein the Presidential Candidate
Politix Update: Why Trump Is Beating Clinton In The Right-Wing Echo Chamber
If your world does not extend beyond the confines of Fox News or one of the other rooms in the ghetto known as the right-wing echo chamber, you could be (barely) forgiven if you believe that the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton not only is competitive, but The Donald actually is in the lead with 10 weeks to go. This is because of two big lies: The polls are all … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Why Trump Is Beating Clinton In The Right-Wing Echo Chamber
Why Clinton Republicans Matter
WASHINGTON -- Not since Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign has there been such widespread public disavowal by Republicans of their party's nominee. The Hillary Clinton Republicans will be one of the most important legacies of the 2016 campaigns. The question is whether they will constitute the forward end of a political realignment, or just a one-time reaction to the … [Read more...] about Why Clinton Republicans Matter
Laws cannot override humanity (Guest Voice)
Laws cannot override humanity by Jordan Cooper We as a people must maintain one another's goodness beyond our public governments' written laws. If we don't have a legal responsibility for our activities we need to let our moral, social, and ethical responsibilities guide us to help our neighbors. Your humanity should be above our legal responsibilities as outlined by … [Read more...] about Laws cannot override humanity (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Burkini
Burkini by Clay Jones Several towns in France banned the wearing of burkinis on their beaches. What’s a “burkini?” It like a burka you can swim in and it looks kinda like a wet suit. Why would anyone care what others are wearing when it doesn’t hurt you? Because people are xenophobic and hateful. The nation has used terrorism to justify discrimination and prejudice. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Burkini
Epi-Pens, Politicians and Free Markets (Guest Voice)
Epi-Pens, Politicians and Free Markets by Sal Monela By now, most people have heard about the 600% price increase in a medication called an Epi-Pen. The Epi-Pen is a device carrying a drug used by people who experience severe, life threatening allergic reactions. Needless to say, a number of people, including politicians, have been critical of the manufacturer, Mylan, … [Read more...] about Epi-Pens, Politicians and Free Markets (Guest Voice)
The singular danger of Trump
WASHINGTON -- My recent columns on Donald Trump have generated a consistent response from his supporters: "If ... that lying psycho b---- wins, there will be nothing left of this country. You better stock up on bullets to protect your house!" "Keep preaching to the Hillary choir." "Please notify me when you are going to write your column on the lies of … [Read more...] about The singular danger of Trump