From Reconstructionism to ultra-Orthodoxy, Judaism is richly diverse. MendyHechtman/iStock via Getty Images Joshua Shanes, College of Charleston As a scholar of modern Jewish history, religion and politics, I am often asked to explain the differences between Judaism’s major denominations. Here is a very brief overview: Rabbinic roots Two … [Read more...] about Jewish denominations: A brief guide for the perplexed
WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak announced that the next season of the show, the 41st, will be his last. No word yet on if Vanna White is staying or not. Sajak is 76, which is just a year younger than Trump. But is Sajak a Trumper? He’s definitely a Republican and a board member of the right-wing think tank Claremont Institute, which peddled Trump’s election lies, gaslights … [Read more...] about WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
REPUBLICANS DRINK TRUMP KOOL AID AFTER INDICTMENT
REPUBLICANS UBER ALLES
by Don Hermann Ya. You got the picture. Fear is their motivator. Hate their motivation. Lying their process. Destruction their result. Blame. Blame. Blame. It’s obvious according to your Republican Leaders the following groups are mostly responsible for the sad state of affairs we’re experiencing in our country. African Americans. Hispanic Americans. American Indians. … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS UBER ALLES
Despite threats of violence, Trump’s federal indictment happened with little fanfare – but that doesn’t mean the far-right movement is fading, an extremism scholar explains
Trump supporters and protesters gather peacefully outside the Miami federal courthouse on June 13, 2023. Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images Amy Cooter, Middlebury Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty at a federal courthouse in Miami on June 13, 2023, to 37 felony counts related to withholding – and refusing to return – classified … [Read more...] about Despite threats of violence, Trump’s federal indictment happened with little fanfare – but that doesn’t mean the far-right movement is fading, an extremism scholar explains
Horrifying migrant deaths and destitute displaced people reach record highs, reports UN.
Horror has again struck some of the world’s most desperate people. The UN migration agency (IOM) said a boat carrying at least 400 people capsized and sank off the coast of Greece reportedly killing 79 children, women and men but 104 others had been rescued. A coast guard official who saw the incident on Wednesday said the heavily laden boat sank within 15 minutes and many … [Read more...] about Horrifying migrant deaths and destitute displaced people reach record highs, reports UN.
To prevent weakened Euro-Atlantic security, Biden and Modi should join hands to end the Ukraine war.
Russia’s denunciation of its treaty with NATO on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) ends the last set of rules constraining both sides and opens a Pandora’s box that goes far beyond the Ukraine war and could seriously undermine Euro-Atlantic security. The denunciation on Friday came at the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive for victory in its existential war against … [Read more...] about To prevent weakened Euro-Atlantic security, Biden and Modi should join hands to end the Ukraine war.
‘If you want to die in jail, keep talking’ – two national security law experts discuss the special treatment for Trump and offer him some advice
Former President Donald Trump on his airplane on June 10, 2023, two days after his federal indictment. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Thomas A. Durkin, Loyola University Chicago and Joseph Ferguson, Loyola University Chicago Lawyer Thomas A. Durkin has spent much of his career working in national security law, representing clients … [Read more...] about ‘If you want to die in jail, keep talking’ – two national security law experts discuss the special treatment for Trump and offer him some advice
CHRIS CHRISTIE CAN’T WIN, BUT HE CAN SERVE A GOOD PURPOSE
There have been so many Chris Christies that I need to number them. Chris Christie 1.0, during the winter of 2015-16, mocked the notion that a reality-TV host had the credentials to lead the nation: “It’s all make believe, if you think that (Trump’s tinsel stardom) forms the experience to run a government as complicated as the United States government.” Chris Christie … [Read more...] about CHRIS CHRISTIE CAN’T WIN, BUT HE CAN SERVE A GOOD PURPOSE
PAPER TRAIL (CARTOON)
Canadian Wildfires Affect Health of Humans, Wildlife
by Edwin J. Viera, Producer Public News Service As smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets New York and much of the East Coast, it's causing a wide range of health effects - and not just for people. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the effects can be as minor as eye and respiratory-tract irritation, but worsening to asthma and even causing heart … [Read more...] about Canadian Wildfires Affect Health of Humans, Wildlife
Trump charged under Espionage Act – which covers a lot more crimes than just spying
Former President Donald Trump was on the campaign trail in early June 2023, as an investigation continued that led to his indictment on federal charges. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Joseph Ferguson, Loyola University Chicago and Thomas A. Durkin, Loyola University Chicago Former President Donald Trump’s indictment by a federal grand … [Read more...] about Trump charged under Espionage Act – which covers a lot more crimes than just spying
LOCK HER UP (CARTOON)
Trump Indictment Is a Stress Test for American Democracy
If you believe in the rule of law, and if the evidence shows that Trump willfully violated the law then he must be tried by a jury, and, if found guilty, bear the responsibility. by Robert Reich Substack Common Dreams This is unlike the indictment secured by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accusing Trump of violating New York law on falsifying corporate records … [Read more...] about Trump Indictment Is a Stress Test for American Democracy
Trump indictment unsealed – a criminal law scholar explains what the charges mean, and what prosecutors will now need to prove
Special counsel Jack Smith prepares to talk to reporters on June 9, 2023, after the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Gabriel J. Chin, University of California, Davis Federal prosecutors on June 9, 2023, unsealed the indictment that spells out the government’s case against former President Donald J. Trump, who … [Read more...] about Trump indictment unsealed – a criminal law scholar explains what the charges mean, and what prosecutors will now need to prove
JACK SMITH IN A BOX (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
We’ve been headed in this direction ever since Donald Trump came down that stupid escalator in Trump Tower. This was inevitable because Donald Trump is corrupt and he can’t stop doing corrupt things. He believes he’s entitled to do so. When he was asked to return the documents he stole, he would have avoided all this if he had just turned them in. He was given opportunity after … [Read more...] about JACK SMITH IN A BOX (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
VIDEO: Complete statement from Special Counsel Jack Smith on Trump Indictment
Here's Special Counsel Jack Smith's full statement on the indictment of former President Donald Trump under the Espionage Act: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Complete statement from Special Counsel Jack Smith on Trump Indictment
TRUMP INDICTED (CARTOON)
OBLIGATORY PAT ROBERTSON OBITUARY CARTOON (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
I don’t believe there’s a Heaven and Hell. I believe all that stuff is mythology on the levels of Greek gods, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Big Foot, and the Easter Bunny. I just don’t buy it. But, if they did exist and everything in the Bible is true, then tonight Pat Robertson is burning in Hell. Why would Pat Robertson, a so-called man of God and televangelist be burning … [Read more...] about OBLIGATORY PAT ROBERTSON OBITUARY CARTOON (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
SMOKING GUN? CNN REPORTS TRUMP ON TAPE ADMITTED HE KEPT INFORMATION HE DIDN’T DECLASSIFY
Is this the smoking gun? According to CNN, now-indicted former President Donald Trump admitted on tape in 2021 that he kept some documents he could not declassify because he was no longer President. This would largely blow Trump's entire defense. CNN: Former President Donald Trump acknowledged on tape in a 2021 meeting that he had retained “secret” military information … [Read more...] about SMOKING GUN? CNN REPORTS TRUMP ON TAPE ADMITTED HE KEPT INFORMATION HE DIDN’T DECLASSIFY