The traditional center-left is in retreat in Europe, and to a somewhat lesser extent in the U.S. This could be seen as a failure of the centrist-socialist establishment, though it might make sense to see it from a different perspective: An attractive, modern alternative has presented itself. In France, President Francois Hollande's erratic policies may have… … [Read more...] about The retreat, and rebirth, of socialism
AT&T SEEKS TO ELIMINATE LAND LINE PHONES IN CALIFORNIA
AT&T Seeks to Elminate Land Line Phones in California by Miriam Rafferty April 12, 2016 (Sacramento) – Yesterday the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce heard AB 2395, a measure that aims to eliminate hard-wired land line phones in California communities where cabled fiber optic connections are not available or are too expensive to install, such as rural, … [Read more...] about AT&T SEEKS TO ELIMINATE LAND LINE PHONES IN CALIFORNIA
The scourge of anti-Semitic Jews (Guest Voice)
A poster from the Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi website, made the rounds on U.S. campuses recently. It reads: "White man: are you sick and tired of the Jews destroying your country through mass immigration and degeneracy? Join us in the struggle for global white supremacy at the Daily Stormer." If I had seen that poster in… … [Read more...] about The scourge of anti-Semitic Jews (Guest Voice)
Cartoons: Trump can’t be bought off
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Trump can’t be bought off
‘Green Room’ Is A Cracking, Grisly Piece of Entertainment
4/5 Holy Mary, did this movie throw me for some loops. As soon as I was preparing to write it off, things caught fire and spun so out of control that the movie took on a Peckinpah-like quality in its degradation into violence. I admit to being skeptical during its beginning scenes, but for those like me, be patient. Once it finally gets some coal in its furnace, it does not … [Read more...] about ‘Green Room’ Is A Cracking, Grisly Piece of Entertainment
In the GOP, no room for nice
WASHINGTON -- On the day that Paul Ryan said he really, truly, honestly did not want to be the Republicans' presidential savior, John Kasich did his best to channel the House speaker. Both undertakings underscored how much trouble the old pro-business, pro-tax-cut conservatism faces. A cynic might theorize that since absence makes the heart grow fonder, Ryan's reticence … [Read more...] about In the GOP, no room for nice
Now you can watch the Hitler comedy that has Germans laughing out loud
Germans have been laughing out loud about a Hitler film for a while, but now it's available for the rest of us, on Netflix. "Look Who's Back" (the German title is "Er Ist Wieder Da") is adapted from a bestselling satirical novel by German author Timur Vermes. The conceit of the book is what would happen… … [Read more...] about Now you can watch the Hitler comedy that has Germans laughing out loud
Cartoon: All the news that’s huge
All the News That's Huge by Clay Jones This cartoon has a lot of lettering. If you find some of it too small and hard to read, take your mouse and click on the cartoon. It will open another page with the cartoon, click on it again and it will enlarge the cartoon. I was debating whether I should draw this cartoon because a couple of other cartoonists have done the … [Read more...] about Cartoon: All the news that’s huge
It helps if your enemies think you’re a little crazy
It's been more than interesting to watch Donald Trump modify his campaign message to deal with the real possibility that, as Steve Benen writes, he could arrive at the "Republican National Convention with the most pledged delegates, the most votes, and the most state victories - and the party will nominate someone else anyway." That this has nothing to do with the rules … [Read more...] about It helps if your enemies think you’re a little crazy
Judis on Clinton and Sanders
John Judis weighs the merits of the Clinton and Sanders campaigns on Talking Points Memo. “He’s not going to get the nomination, is he?” my wife asks anxiously as she gazes out of the kitchen window at the Bernie for President sign on our front lawn. No, I assure her, and he certainly won’t win Maryland on April 26. I’m voting for Bernie, and my wife may, too, but we’re doing … [Read more...] about Judis on Clinton and Sanders
Report: Only Kasich can win, but GOP doesn’t want him
Even as his primary election campaign struggles badly, Ohio Gov. John Kasich keeps telling Republican primary voters that he is the only candidate in the presidential race who can beat Hillary Clinton. A new report took an in-depth look at that claim and reached this conclusion: It’s true. Morning Consult, a company that specializes in research based on public opinion and … [Read more...] about Report: Only Kasich can win, but GOP doesn’t want him
Political and Corporate Corruption- Hand in Hand
Though Bernie Sanders has spoken about reining in Wall Street, in general there has been little discussion in this presidential race about the degree of corruption that infests American politics and what serious attempts to reduce it would entail. The lure of money for their campaigns and for personal enrichment has kept officeholders in the past from realistically addressing … [Read more...] about Political and Corporate Corruption- Hand in Hand
A Tale of Two Veterans
During the past few years I became quite close to two veterans. One is a World War II veteran. The other is a Vietnam War veteran. The World War II veteran, John Tschirhart -- "the French-American" -- recently celebrated his 95th birthday. Readers may remember him, as I have written extensively about him and about his patriotic and romantic pursuits while flying as a … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Veterans
Presidential Election 2016: How Much More ‘Fun’ Can We Take?
Presidential Election 2016: How Much More ‘Fun’ Can We Take? By Colleen O'Connor This election has produced more theater, rancor, and nonsense — while simultaneously driving some of the highest primary voter turnouts in decades. What fun! Who knew politics could be so “binge-watching” worthy and educational at the same time? And the voters and non-voters alike are … [Read more...] about Presidential Election 2016: How Much More ‘Fun’ Can We Take?
Cartoon: Ted Cruz Hunts for Delegates
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Ted Cruz Hunts for Delegates
Climate Change Could Spell Drought for Most Islands
For people living on the thousands of islands that dot the seas, climate change isn’t just a threat. Sea level rise is already eating their land from the coast lines inward, and in some cases threatening to sink them entirely. But new research suggests that by mid-century, 73 percent of all islands may have drinking water… … [Read more...] about Climate Change Could Spell Drought for Most Islands
Faith’s 2016 political mysteries
WASHINGTON -- The 2016 election is transforming the religious landscape of American politics. It's hard to imagine a Democratic presidential candidate receiving a mid-campaign invitation to speak at the Vatican. But on Friday, Bernie Sanders put out word that on April 15 he'll attend a gathering of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Both Sanders and … [Read more...] about Faith’s 2016 political mysteries
“Flamingo” – Earl Bostic (1951)
Thanks go to Pete Thomas at Taming the Saxophone for putting together a very helpful list of rhythm and blues saxophone players who have made an impact on the genre over the years. One of the old masters cited is Earl Bostic, maybe not as well known as some but an important part of the scene nonetheless. Thomas writes: [Earl Bostic (1912-1965) was a saxophonist who] … [Read more...] about “Flamingo” – Earl Bostic (1951)
Cartoons: Bungling Bill
Bungling Bill by Clay Jones Former president Bill Clinton is spending as much time defending his legacy as he is advocating for his wife’s presidential campaign. During his presidency Clinton signed a crime bill. This was widely supported by Republicans and a lot of Democrats. Even Bernie Sanders voted for it and it was written by Joe Biden. It did some good things like … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Bungling Bill
House Speaker Paul Ryan says he doesn’t want to be president
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan is officially out of the running for the Republican presidential bid. "Let me be clear: I do not want nor will I accept the nomination for our party," Ryan said at a new conference Tuesday at the Republican National Committee's headquarters on Capitol Hill. "I simply believe that if you… … [Read more...] about House Speaker Paul Ryan says he doesn’t want to be president