Photo via The New York Times In a few hours, a fair number of Americans will get their first exposure to Indiana Governor Mike Pence as he addresses delegates at the Republican National Convention as Donald Trump's pick for vice-president.Trump’s selection of Pence cleared up much suspense. Would he go with a big name who could ruffle feathers and make themselves known with … [Read more...] about No More Sus-Pence: Will Indiana Governor Be Asset To Trump
TMV Nostalgia
Facebook now has the custom of re-posting photos or articles on the anniversary of their original posting under the “banner”: “[FB name], we care about you and the memories you share here. We thought you'd like to look back on this post from x years ago.” Today’s “memory” FB offered to share for me was a July 20, 2014, piece at TMV titled “My First Cell-Phone,” which … [Read more...] about TMV Nostalgia
Trump staffer fesses up: I cribbed Michelle Obama speech
CLEVELAND — It took two days, but Donald Trump's presidential campaign on Wednesday acknowledged cribbing from First Lady Michelle Obama's speech — unintentionally, the campaign said — when writing Melania Trump's own speech. Meredith McIver, an "in-house staff writer" for the Trump Organization, said in a statement that Melania Trump read her some of Obama's lines… … [Read more...] about Trump staffer fesses up: I cribbed Michelle Obama speech
Why Is Death Always the Answer to Society’s Issues?
What makes human beings unique in the animal kingdom? It isn’t the capacity for Reason — we know ravens and other creatures can solve problems and use tools. It isn’t a tendency to display compassionate behavior — we know chimpanzees share food in lean times and care for abandoned young when their mothers die. So what is it? One possibility is that humans are unique … [Read more...] about Why Is Death Always the Answer to Society’s Issues?
The Trump Reality Show
It’s all out. Whether it will make any difference to his true believers is another story. Trump’s ghostwriter for The Art of the Deal, Tony Schwartz, a former journalist, was interviewed by Jane Mayer about Trump for an article in The New Yorker entitled- “Donald Trump’s Ghostwriter Tells All.” Schwartz shadowed Trump for eighteen months beginning in 1985, prior to ghostwriting … [Read more...] about The Trump Reality Show
Cartoon: Donald Trump’s speech
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: Donald Trump’s speech
Trump: Self-worship over sound judgment
] CLEVELAND -- The Trump campaign has lately alternated between disaster and farce: the awkward rollout of Mike Pence, the botched logo, two parliamentary disputes on the convention floor, a muddled message, a plagiarized speech by the would-be first lady. But in one respect, the Republican National Convention of 2016 has been a yuge success. It is the triumph of … [Read more...] about Trump: Self-worship over sound judgment
“A Noun, A Verb and 9/11”
Any New Yorker over twenty-five at the time of the the destruction of the Twin Towers should instantly know the target and the author of the title quip. Some may forget that Joe Biden coined the phrase. Everyone should recognize that it's about Rudy Giuliani, who adopted the title of "America's Mayor" in the aftermath of that tragedy. Rudy donned the funereal robes and hung … [Read more...] about “A Noun, A Verb and 9/11”
What sane, undecided American would look to the GOP convention and say, ‘OK, I’ll take that’? (Guest Voice)
On Monday in Cleveland, dozens of notable Republicans spilled out of a single clown car and performed cartwheels on the stage of Quicken Loans Arena. Former Texas governor Rick Perry performed an amazing feat of speaking for several minutes in front of a Republican audience without actually mentioning the presumptive Republican nominee by name. Ta da!… … [Read more...] about What sane, undecided American would look to the GOP convention and say, ‘OK, I’ll take that’? (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Melania’s Plagiarism
Melania's Plagiarism by Clay Jones I’m always interested in the speakers at the conventions, but more so with the GOP’s this year, as they’ve had a very difficult time getting anyone of any significance willing to speak at this dumpster fire. Half the roster is made up of Trump kids. Rudy Giuliani did fine shouting from the podium. He riled everyone up. Three of the … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Melania’s Plagiarism
Donald Trump wins Republican nomination for president
CLEVELAND — After another day of controversy and self-inflicted turmoil, Donald Trump celebrated his formal installment Tuesday as the Republican presidential nominee — an achievement doubted for months and not fully assured until the roll call was completed on the second night of the Republican National Convention. Trump was counting on the moment, once seen as… … [Read more...] about Donald Trump wins Republican nomination for president
Shadow GOP Convention
Shane Goldmacher describes a shadow Republican convention in Politico. It was mid-April when as many as 1,000 alumni of the most recent Republican administration descended on Dallas for a staff reunion to reminisce about sunnier times. Former President George W. Bush autographed cowboy hats, Vice President Dick Cheney snapped selfies and First Lady Laura Bush chatted up the … [Read more...] about Shadow GOP Convention
The Plagiarists Double Down
The Trump Campaign responds to plagiarism allegations This is for those with eyes that see and ears that hear. The rest of you can go back to watching Faux Nooz -- who have decided, Ailes-wise, to double down on defending plagiarism and spouting the usual tropes about "liberal media." Melania Trump's speech plagiarizes parts of Michelle Obama's Gregory Krieg / CNN (CNN) … [Read more...] about The Plagiarists Double Down
Laughing at Mr. Trump
Obviously today everyone is talking and writing about Melania Trump's plagiarized speech at last night's Republican National Convention. I tend to agree with John Heilemann that the strangest thing about the theft is that it was of words uttered by Michelle Obama, wife of Donald J. Trump's archnemesis. If Melania felt absolutely compelled to steal words, she might have looked … [Read more...] about Laughing at Mr. Trump
The crazy face of Trump’s GOP
CLEVELAND -- Roger Stone, longtime confidant and informal adviser to Donald Trump, removed his all-access convention credentials and ascended the stage at Citizens for Trump's America First Unity Rally on Monday afternoon. Stone, wearing a yellow linen suit, white saddle shoes and suspenders, explained that he was late because "I had some meetings that I had to conclude … [Read more...] about The crazy face of Trump’s GOP
Kristol on GOP Convention, Night 1
William Kristol describes the first night of the Republican convention in The Weekly Standard. It was always perhaps the stupider party, the clumsier party, and the stodgier party. But it was also the sounder party, the more constitutional party, and the more responsible party. Now, Donald Trump's Republican party is stupider than ever, but it is no longer sound or … [Read more...] about Kristol on GOP Convention, Night 1
Melania Trump’s RNC Speech Was Blatantly Plagiarized From Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC Speech (Video)
The Melania Trump Tapes On the first day of the Republican National Convention there was plenty of drama and controversy to roil the Trump campaign. A vote on the convention rules blew up with many delegates disgusted by the Trump team's bullying tactics. Some early speakers took harsh and negative tones that were contrary to the… … [Read more...] about Melania Trump’s RNC Speech Was Blatantly Plagiarized From Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC Speech (Video)
Cartoon: Blood Runs Rouge
Blood Runs Rouge by Clay Jones I’ve drawn too many cartoons and written too many columns on the violence sweeping our nation right now. Yesterday I wrote how I was surprised another terrorist attack didn’t occur before I could draw a cartoon about Nice, France. Today three policemen, one black, were killed in Baton Rouge, the capital of my home state. Someone else’s … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Blood Runs Rouge
Assembling the Worst Possible Candidate
Scientific Electoral Breakthrough! Scientists are euphoric. They believe they have finally created The Rottenest Major Party Candidate in United States History, or TRMPCUSH for short. Granted, they have made similar claims before (see the Buchanan Degradation and the Harding Humiliation). “With the aid of supercomputers, we think we found the Holy Grail this time,” said … [Read more...] about Assembling the Worst Possible Candidate
The coronation of a charlatan
WASHINGTON -- Years from now, bright-eyed children will look up at Grandma or Grandpa and ask, "Where were you when they nominated Donald Trump?" Far too many prominent Republicans will have to hang their heads in shame. As the garish imperial coronation in Cleveland reaches its climax, there will be much commentary -- some, no doubt, from me -- about fleeting events. … [Read more...] about The coronation of a charlatan