The film went on to gross nearly $450 million worldwide. Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images Regina Hansen, Boston University When the “The Exorcist” premiered 50 years ago, in December 1973, some theatergoers fainted or broke down in tears. A few even vomited. The film, which cast a young Linda Blair as a girl claiming to be possessed by the … [Read more...] about 50 years later, ‘The Exorcist’ continues to possess Hollywood’s imagination, reflecting our obsession with evil
Danger to Democracy (Cartoon)
COLORADO’S TOP COURT READ WHAT THE CONSTITUTION CLEARLY SAYS
Shortly after the Colorado Supreme Court declared in an explosive ruling that Donald Trump can’t appear on the state’s 2024 ballot because he’s an insurrectionist, one of the former president’s flacks fumed in predictable fashion about “George Soros” and “Crooked Joe Biden” and a judicial plot that’s “un-American.” But the Trump campaign’s statement failed to mention the most … [Read more...] about COLORADO’S TOP COURT READ WHAT THE CONSTITUTION CLEARLY SAYS
Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role
Domestic violence is experienced unevenly across the U.S. kieferpix/iStock via Getty Images Plus Laura Voith, Case Western Reserve University Support for survivors of domestic violence is important, but to end domestic violence once and for all, society needs to understand the people who perpetrate it and how to successfully intervene. Domestic … [Read more...] about Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role
CHANNELING THE CHANCELLOR (CARTOONS)
Biden takes off gloves in Trump election battle
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Joe Biden has taken off the gloves in his 2024 election fight, directly confronting likely opponent Donald Trump as a threat to democracy after months of shadow boxing. The 81-year-old US president said Wednesday that Trump had "certainly supported an insurrection" after Colorado's top court knocked his rival off the state's primary ballot, in … [Read more...] about Biden takes off gloves in Trump election battle
Worst Houseguests Ever: The Palestinians
By: David Anderson, J.D. Columnist "Why don't the other Arabs take them in?" - ask many in the West about the Palestinians. After all, even the poorer Arab countries aren't stingy accepting refugees. Egypt hosts millions, mainly from Sudan and Lebanon's entire population currently comprises 20% Syrian refugees. So why won't any of the Arab states give shelter to … [Read more...] about Worst Houseguests Ever: The Palestinians
With ‘White Christmas,’ Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby helped make Christmas a holiday that all Americans could celebrate
After Irving Berlin, left, penned ‘White Christmas,’ he pegged Bing Crosby as the ideal singer for what would become a holiday classic. Irving Haberman/IH Images via Getty Images Ray Rast, Gonzaga University Irving Berlin was a Jewish immigrant who loved America. As his 1938 song “God Bless America” suggests, he believed deeply in the nation’s … [Read more...] about With ‘White Christmas,’ Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby helped make Christmas a holiday that all Americans could celebrate
DICTATOR TRUMP (CARTOON)
Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
by Emmet Pierce Guest Commentator In the rush to honor national leaders following their deaths, people often overlook their mistakes. News reports of the recent death of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor focused on her status as the first woman to join the high court. She was described as a pioneer who shattered the high court’s glass ceiling and opened … [Read more...] about Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — I was as shocked!…shocked! as actor Claude Rains’ French police chief when he learned that gambling was going on at Rick’s Café in “Casablanca.” Antisemitism struck within walking distance of home in Philadelphia’s Somerton section on Wednesday morning. City police responded to reports of swastikas in white spray paint plastered on walls of … [Read more...] about When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
HOW WE INVITE TYRANNY (CARTOON)
Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling
On Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump exhorted followers to object to the results of the 2020 presidential election. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Mark A. Graber, University of Maryland In 2024, former President Donald Trump will face some of his greatest challenges: criminal court cases, primary opponents and constitutional challenges to his eligibility … [Read more...] about Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling
The Need for Immigrants
The population of virtually every advanced nation in the world is either stable or declining. The United States would be in the same situation aside from an influx of immigrants. To replace a country’s population, there has to be an average of 2.1 children per woman. According to the UN’s listing of fertility rates, the U.S. has 1.66 children per woman as of 2023. A number of … [Read more...] about The Need for Immigrants
ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
Are storm clouds hovering over President Joe Biden's 2024 Presidential campaign? Despite assurances from the Biden camp and some political analysts, it certainly seems so. Although predictions about presidents' election chances a year before a presidential election are often wrong or hyped up, the Biden campaign clearly has lots of work to do. Economic numbers look good, but … [Read more...] about ARE STORM CLOUDS HOVERING OVER THE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?
COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
The UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai made genuine strides forward when 198 countries agreed for the first time on a roadmap for “transitioning away from fossil fuels” but it wasn’t bold enough for the changes required to combat climate change. Slowing down the catastrophic effects of climate change requires ending fossil fuel use or at least clear resolve to cut … [Read more...] about COP28 made important strides but fell far short of UN goals to combat climate change.
Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Mike Johnson’s Transformation (Mike Peters guest cartoon)
Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Israeli army soldiers take up positions near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 11, 2023,. Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images Gregory F. Treverton, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences While the Biden administration has maintained its strong support of Israel’s war aim of eliminating Hamas in Gaza, that support has for weeks been … [Read more...] about Israel can and will ignore US appeals to minimize casualties in Gaza
Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Joe Biden won't have had an impeachment inquiry at the top of his Christmas list -- but there's a chance it could be a gift for his hopes of winning a second term as US president. The 81-year-old Democrat certainly faces an election year headache after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted, just before its holiday break, to … [Read more...] about Biden impeachment probe — election headache or gift?
Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not
by Chris Jennewein As Congress struggles over President Biden’s efforts to aid embattled Ukraine and Israel, the increasingly populist and isolationist Republican Party trivializes the concept of an invasion. Texas Rep. Randy Weber, a member of the ultra-right-wing Freedom Caucus, explains that aid must wait until another supposed invasion, closer to home, is … [Read more...] about Ukraine and Israel Face True Invasions, the U.S. Border Does Not