Update: Trump has not yet reacted to British scientist Stephen Hawking’s on-target definition of Trump as “a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator.” When he does, expect another one of Trump’s vicious, deranged retaliatory outbursts. However, his loyal muck carrier, Ann Coulter, has already launched a retaliatory strike via Twitter-- and what a … [Read more...] about Stephen Hawking Defines Donald Trump and Confuses His Supporters (Update)
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is madder than a jackass chewing on bumblebees (Guest Voice)
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is madder than a jackass chewing on bumblebees by Stephen Cooper The last time Alabama Governor Robert Bentley penned a column for al.com, I wrote in The Alabama Political Reporter that his op-ed proved he was delusional, but this time, as it concerns his May 29 open letter to all Alabamians (“Governor Bentley wants to hear from you”), I … [Read more...] about Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is madder than a jackass chewing on bumblebees (Guest Voice)
The menace that is social media (Guest Voice)
The menace that is social media Tony Katigbak (The Philippine Star) - June 1, 2016 - 12:00am I have never been a social media addict. Call me traditional, and yes I admit that I am, but it has just never really been appealing to me. In our home, as I am sure is the case in… … [Read more...] about The menace that is social media (Guest Voice)
Blaming Trump For Democrat Money Woes
The chairman of the DNC's Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee is blaming Donald Trump for insufficient funds to pay for the 2016 Democratic Party convention. From The Hill: "The Democratic Party is millions of dollars short of the money it needs to host the Democratic National Convention in July, a key Democrat told Buzzfeed on Friday. Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor … [Read more...] about Blaming Trump For Democrat Money Woes
Toward a More UNITED United States
On the eve of Memorial Day weekend, 2016, my old next-door neighbor from back home, Kevin Buist, e-mailed three photographs to his family and a few selected friends (myself included). The photos were of his late father, Walter S. "Scotty" Buist, at three stages of his life: as a young airman serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II... in middle age, dressed in … [Read more...] about Toward a More UNITED United States
Time To Call Trump What He Is… A Big Fat Liar (Guest Voice)
Time To Call Trump What He Is... A Big Fat Liar by By Andrew Feinberg There must be a better way. I am so tired—you don’t know how tired—of watching Donald Trump go on TV and lie with impunity. Our outmoded “journalism nice” rules, under which all stories have two sides and no one is branded a liar even for saying the unemployment rate is 42% or “I don’t know anything … [Read more...] about Time To Call Trump What He Is… A Big Fat Liar (Guest Voice)
Becoming a refugee: Essays by Syrians living in Germany
This past Saturday at the Vatican, the Pope sat to address a group of several hundred children. He held an orange life jacket in his lap. What he planned to talk about was obvious. There are few people these days that can see that classic orange vest and think of anything but desperate refugees pouring across… … [Read more...] about Becoming a refugee: Essays by Syrians living in Germany
TECH COMPANIES TO CRACK DOWN ON HATE SPEECH
Tech Companies to Crack Down on Hate Speech by Miriam Rafferty May 31, 2016 (San Diego) – A lawsuit filed against Twitter, Facebook and Google by a Jewish youth group in France in April has resulted in major social media and Internet companies pledging to remove hate speech in 24 hours or less after a complaint is filed. The firms named in the suit, along with … [Read more...] about TECH COMPANIES TO CRACK DOWN ON HATE SPEECH
Cartoons: What Obama apology?
What Obama apology? by Clay Jones Critics of Obama have a very vivid imagination. He’s signed more executive orders and appointed more czars than others presidents. He was born in Kenya. He’s a Muslim. He’s invading Texas. He’s coming to get our guns. He’s secretly planning to serve a third term (I heard that one the other day). He’s touring the world apologizing for … [Read more...] about Cartoons: What Obama apology?
Trump says he raised $5.6 million for veterans and repeatedly blasts media
By Emily Flitter and Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday detailed $5.6 million in contributions he raised for military veterans, and staged a fiery news conference where he attacked reporters for questioning him for months about the money. Appearing at Trump Tower in Manhattan, the billionaire … [Read more...] about Trump says he raised $5.6 million for veterans and repeatedly blasts media
Why California’s governor just endorsed Clinton
WASHINGTON — After carefully avoiding any involvement in the Democratic presidential primary, California Gov. Jerry Brown dropped his neutrality — and looked past his bitter history with the Clintons — to endorse Hillary Clinton on Monday. In an open letter to Democrats and independents, Brown urged voters who do not want to see a Donald Trump… … [Read more...] about Why California’s governor just endorsed Clinton
Trump’s rolling bluster
WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump looked like a fool and a fraud on Sunday. But what else is new? Even the most ardent Trumpistas would have to admit that Trump's appearance at the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally was, as spectacles go, pretty pathetic. It was supposed to be a vast, multitudinous gathering on the plaza in front of the Lincoln Memorial, one of the … [Read more...] about Trump’s rolling bluster
Kristol the Anti-Republican Republican
The Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol has been making a name for himself lately, but not for a good reason. Kristol, it appears, is an anti-Republican Republican. Instead of acknowledging what rank-and-file Republicans want in a GOP presidential candidate, Kristol is, in the words of PJMedia columnist David P. Goldman, throwing a tantrum. Goldman writes, “Kristol makes … [Read more...] about Kristol the Anti-Republican Republican
What Happens to Governing When Campaigning is Nasty?
My son posted the graphic featuring the Ivins quote on his Facebook page. Because I'm reading Jon Meacham's biography of George H.W. Bush, the graphic inspired me to write in his comments about what happens when good people behave badly. (I'm only up to Bush's move into the oil business in my reading of Meacham's book, by the way.) One of the things that has always struck … [Read more...] about What Happens to Governing When Campaigning is Nasty?
Clinton’s behavior with email server criticized by NYTimes, USA Today
Two major editorial boards have criticized Hillary Clinton's handling of email during her time as Secretary of State in the wake of a critical Inspector General report. On Thursday, the New York Times editorial board highlighted the effect on her presidential campaign. And without using labels, they pointed out that the facts don't match her claims: Hillary Clinton’s … [Read more...] about Clinton’s behavior with email server criticized by NYTimes, USA Today
GOP leaders’ sad surrender to Trump (Guest Voice)
GOP leaders' sad surrender to Trump by Michael Gerson Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- For those of us with a certain political bent and background, this is the most depressing moment of all. The best of the GOP -- Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan, the intellectually serious reformicons who have called attention to issues of poverty and the need for … [Read more...] about GOP leaders’ sad surrender to Trump (Guest Voice)
Another Memorial Day Comes to an End
Where I live, the sun is way down low in the horizon, telling me that yet another Memorial Day is almost “over.” Once again, thousands of touching words have been said and written about this solemn occasion. Yet, here are some concluding images I’d like to share. Something to “keep us” until next year. Soldiers of the 3rd U.S Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) … [Read more...] about Another Memorial Day Comes to an End
Presser Questions of Cincy Zoo Director Seem Wrong
Thane Maynard, the director of the Cincinnati Zoo, has been subjected to a grilling during a press conference dealing with the events at the zoo yesterday. One cable network trailed a headline beneath Maynard, as they carried the event live: "Zoo Director Takes Questions on Decision to Take Life of Gorilla." It feels like some in the media are in persecution mode … [Read more...] about Presser Questions of Cincy Zoo Director Seem Wrong
Memorial Day Prayer
This is the prayer offered as the Invocation at the Memorial Day Services held at Stubbs Park in Centerville, Ohio, earlier today. Father in heaven, on this day of remembrance, we offer thanks for those who have given their lives in military service to our country. You know how easily we forget the good done to us in our lives and how readily we trivialize days like Memorial … [Read more...] about Memorial Day Prayer
Thailand’s thoughtcrime arrests are getting dangerously bizarre
In the eyes of Thailand’s military rulers, it seems no subversive thought is too petty to punish. Thailand is now entering its third year under military dictatorship, a reign established when generals seized power from an elected government on May 22, 2014. The army has vowed to use its sweeping powers to heal a nation torn… … [Read more...] about Thailand’s thoughtcrime arrests are getting dangerously bizarre