Before I review the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical (ain’t that a mouthful), I need to make a slight disclaimer. I think reviewers should admit to any issues, biases, or conflicts of interest that might sway the objectivity of their reviews. With this in mind, I need to confess to the massive crush I had on … [Read more...] about Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s Production of Mary Poppins
A Second-Generation Dutch Holocaust Victim Speaks out against Rising Antisemitism in the Netherlands
Antisemitism has recently been on the rise in the Netherlands. In a small country where nearly 75 percent of its Jewish citizenry was murdered by the Nazis during World War II, this is a particularly disturbing phenomenon. Perhaps the most serious display of anti-Jewish, anti-Israel hate occurred less than a month ago, when fans of the Israel soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv … [Read more...] about A Second-Generation Dutch Holocaust Victim Speaks out against Rising Antisemitism in the Netherlands
President Biden Pardons His Son, Robert Hunter Biden
Embed from Getty Images Today, President Biden issued a Full and Unconditional Pardon to his son, Robert Hunter Biden. Below is President Biden's statement, followed by the text of the "Executive Grant of Clemency." Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, … [Read more...] about President Biden Pardons His Son, Robert Hunter Biden
Trump picks controversial fierce loyalist Kash Patel to replace Chris Wray as FBI Chief
Embed from Getty Images For the second time Donald Trump will fire a FBI chief. President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he intends to axe FBI Director Chris Wray and replace him with Kash Patel, who has been described alternately by non-MAGAs as a firebrand, fierce loyalist and outright conspiracy-theory believing nutcase and by Trumpistas as someone who indeed … [Read more...] about Trump picks controversial fierce loyalist Kash Patel to replace Chris Wray as FBI Chief
FEAR. THE FATHER OF COURAGE.
FEAR.THE FATHER OF COURAGE. While this was originally written about advertising, it applies to you. Put on your hat about life and you’ll see what I mean. You know why we have so much ordinary advertising: we’re afraid. Agencies are afraid of their clients. Clients are afraid of their agencies And so it goes. We’re afraid of our bosses. Afraid of our secretaries. … [Read more...] about FEAR. THE FATHER OF COURAGE.
It’s not your imagination: frozen potato prices have skyrocketed (and farmers aren’t the beneficiaries)
If I ask you to picture a frozen potato product, I'm guessing many of you will see tater tots, those little deep-fried chunks of grated potato. Others may see French fries, plain or crinkled. Still others, hash browns. Unless you've been following business or legal news, you may not know that four potato conglomerates have been charged with price-fixing (a violation of the … [Read more...] about It’s not your imagination: frozen potato prices have skyrocketed (and farmers aren’t the beneficiaries)
A Very Happy Thanksgiving to our Military Men and Women Serving Away from Home
Once again this Thanksgiving more than 200,000 active-duty soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors will be serving the holiday away from home on bases, posts and ships in more than 170 countries around the world and on “the Seven Seas.” Having served away from home during several holidays, I know first-hand the feelings of loneliness and homesickness such holidays can … [Read more...] about A Very Happy Thanksgiving to our Military Men and Women Serving Away from Home
How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress
How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congressby Molly ReddenProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Donald Trump is entering his second term with vows to cut a vast array of government services and a radical plan to do so. Rather than relying on his party’s … [Read more...] about How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress
AI, blockchain, and the coming online economic boom
by Peter Roff There’s a boom coming. Bitcoin has arrived, and its price is setting records. Artificial Intelligence is hot. And the American people just elected a president with a deregulatory mindset. All the ingredients are there. If everything is handled right, America will soon embark on a period of extended wealth creation rarely seen in modern history. For that to … [Read more...] about AI, blockchain, and the coming online economic boom
UN offers cautious welcome to Israel-Lebanon ceasefire accord
UN chief Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon saying he hoped it would “put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing”. He also called for full respect and swift implementation all commitments made under the agreement, in a statement issued by his spokesperson. UN Special Coordinator … [Read more...] about UN offers cautious welcome to Israel-Lebanon ceasefire accord
For the first time the world is close to eliminating a cancer, says UN health chief
A ray of good news for women in these troubled times: the world is close to eliminating a cancer for the first time. “Cervical cancer can not only be stopped; it could become the first cancer to be eliminated,” the chief of the United Nations global health agency said. Every year, over 350,000 women die from cervical cancer and another 660,000 are diagnosed with the disease. … [Read more...] about For the first time the world is close to eliminating a cancer, says UN health chief
As Trump touts plans for immigrant roundup, militias are standing back, but standing by
Civilian paramilitaries, like these pictured in 2016, patrol areas of the U.S.-Mexico border searching for immigrants and drug smugglers. John Moore/Getty Images Amy Cooter, Middlebury President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed that once he takes office he plans to declare a national emergency and use the military on American streets to … [Read more...] about As Trump touts plans for immigrant roundup, militias are standing back, but standing by
TURKEYS DISCUSS TRUMP APPOINTMENTS (CARTOON)
Landslide? Trump’s ultimate goal is minority rule.
by Elwood Watson Donald Trump kept telling us he’d be a threat to democracy if re-elected president. Now he’s showing us. Several months ago on his Truth Social website, Trump threatened to “expel” and “cast out” government workers who oppose his radical views, describing them as a “sick political class” that hates the country. The 2024 election, he wrote, “is our final … [Read more...] about Landslide? Trump’s ultimate goal is minority rule.
The Ultimate Conceptual Duct Tape Art (Updates)
UPDATE II: The Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur who bought the duct-taped banana from Sotheby's for $6.2 million (including auction costs) wants to thank and support the sidewalk vendor who sold the banana to Sotheby’s for 35 or 25 cents. However, there are vagaries, complications and “the realities of a New York City street vendor’s life,” involved. Read more … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Conceptual Duct Tape Art (Updates)
A Wyoming voter carries four times the influence of a Michigan voter in this Presidential election
Because the U.S. president is elected by the Electoral College, this year a voter in Wyoming carries four times the influence of a voter in Michigan. Voters in 25 states have about one-third to one-quarter the influence of Wyoming voters. Voters in 29 states plus the District of Columbia (DC) have less influence than voters in the other 21 states.* The Electoral College … [Read more...] about A Wyoming voter carries four times the influence of a Michigan voter in this Presidential election
To some ancient Romans, gladiators were the embodiment of tyranny
Paul Mescal as Lucius in ‘Gladiator II.’ Paramount John M. Oksanish, Wake Forest University Neither “Gladiator” nor its cinematic sequel is particularly concerned with historical fact. For one thing, the emperor Marcus Aurelius had no intention of restoring the republic. Gladiatorial contests were abhorrent displays of cruelty, but they … [Read more...] about To some ancient Romans, gladiators were the embodiment of tyranny
USA PLUTOCRACY CONSTITUTION (CARTOON)
Morning Joe Gets Antsy
Deep Space Homer is the 15th episode of the fifth season of The Simpsons in which Homer goes to space. At some point during the adventure, Homer accidentally releases some ants that were aboard for a space study or something like that. Unfortunately, this happens rightbefore Kent Brockman, Springfield’s news anchor, conducts a live stream interview with the astronauts and … [Read more...] about Morning Joe Gets Antsy
Presidents often claim mandates – especially when they want to expand their power or are on the defensive
Donald Trump at an election night celebration early on Nov. 6, 2024, when he claimed “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” from voters. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Julia R. Azari, Marquette University Shortly after the 2024 election was called in Donald Trump’s favor, he declared that voters had given him “an unprecedented and powerful … [Read more...] about Presidents often claim mandates – especially when they want to expand their power or are on the defensive