Around the water cooler at my day job we were talking about Donald Trump's statement that Bill Clinton's history of extramarital affairs demonstrates a "penchant for sexism." The consensus, among both men and women, was that, whatever one may think of the morality of serial philandering, it is not sexist unless there is some aspect to what is going on that is specifically … [Read more...] about It Depends on What The Definition of Sexism Is
In reply to Trump’s use of ‘Schlong’ (Guest Voice)
In reply to Trump’s use of ‘Schlong’ By Stephen Baird, M.D. SOLANA BEACH, California — Donald Trump recently said that Hillary Clinton got “schlonged” by Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary elections. This unleashed a torrent of commentary about the use of Yiddishisms, whether or not the term was useable as a verb form, whether it was vulgar, and so … [Read more...] about In reply to Trump’s use of ‘Schlong’ (Guest Voice)
Islamic State suffers double blow as Ramadi falls, leaders killed
By Ahmed Rasheed and Stephen Kalin BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces have killed 10 Islamic State leaders in air strikes, including individuals linked to the Paris attacks, a U.S. spokesman said, dealing a double blow to the militant group after Iraqi forces ousted it from the city of Ramadi. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi planted the national flag in Ramadi after … [Read more...] about Islamic State suffers double blow as Ramadi falls, leaders killed
Donald Trump Endorsed Hillary Clinton as President in 2008
The Donald Trump Republican fable continues to crumble. Buzzfeed uncovered a 2008 blog post written by Trump in which he endorsed Hillary Clinton for president or vice president. Trump wrote in the March 13, 2008, post, “Hillary Clinton said she’d consider naming Barack Obama as her vice-president when she gets the nomination, but she’s nowhere near a shoo-in.” “For his … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Endorsed Hillary Clinton as President in 2008
The ‘Worst’ of 2015?
As another year draws to an end, numerous publications and news sources are taking a look back at the events that dominated the news during 2015. Sadly, this past year -- in this writer’s opinion -- the biggest news stories dealt with war, terrorism, mass shootings, horrendous accidents and equally horrific natural disasters. (We will not even mention what has been … [Read more...] about The ‘Worst’ of 2015?
Whither the Rage Trump is Stoking?
Unfortunately, the Financial Times is behind a paywall and I don't have access, but this snippet below provided by Politico is interesting. Republican pollster, and political consultant Frank Lutz writes that Trump voters "want revenge." Trump’s bile is a healing balm for spurned Americans”: “The phenomenon of ‘The Donald’ is rooted in a psyche far deeper and more … [Read more...] about Whither the Rage Trump is Stoking?
Christmas Again Wins the Annual War
by Walter Brasch The mythical War on Christmas is over and once again Christmas won. The war was created out of fairy dust, and then neatly wrapped up and delivered to religious right-wing extremists by pretend-generals Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and a cast of dozens who have seized the public airways. One of the battalion commanders is … [Read more...] about Christmas Again Wins the Annual War
Cartoons: Cagle’s Best of 2015 (BIG Cartoon Roundup)
2015 was a great year for cartoonists. Here’s a cross section of the best by Daryl Cagle of … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Cagle’s Best of 2015 (BIG Cartoon Roundup)
The GOP will be changed forever
WASHINGTON -- History will remember 2015 as the year when The Republican Party As We Knew It was destroyed by Donald Trump. An entity called the GOP will survive -- but can never be the same. Am I overstating Trump's impact, given that not a single vote has been cast? Hardly. I'm not sure it's possible to exaggerate how the Trump phenomenon has torn the party apart, … [Read more...] about The GOP will be changed forever
Trump is right about Bill Clinton (Guest Voice)
Trump is right about Bill Clinton by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump is crude and vulgar. He's every -ist in the book: racist, sexist, narcissist, for starters. His dis about Hillary Clinton getting "schlonged" in the 2008 campaign and the accompanying tirade about her "disgusting" bathroom break were weird and juvenile. But … [Read more...] about Trump is right about Bill Clinton (Guest Voice)
Obama vs. Bush on the Economy
Kevin Drum compares economic data from the last two administrations on Mother Jones. Bush inherited a mild recession and got a huge fiscal boost. Obama inherited a deep recession and got a huge fiscal headwind. Even so, Obama's employment performance has been far better than Bush's. As it happens, I don't think presidents have a dramatic effect on the economy. But they have … [Read more...] about Obama vs. Bush on the Economy
2016 Crawl
Copyright 2015 David Donar. All rights reserved.Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about 2016 Crawl
Gallup Poll: Clinton Most Admired Woman for Record 20th Time
A new Gallup Poll finds that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remains the world's most admired woman for a record 20th time. It also finds President Barack Obama is the most admired man. Perhaps the biggest surprise (but perhaps not to some) is that there's a tie for second most admired man: Pope Frances and billionaire GOP Presidential front runner Donald … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Clinton Most Admired Woman for Record 20th Time
Trump’s Outrageous Statements Distract From Flaws In Other Candidates of Both Parties
One of the many problems with Donald Trump’s outrageous statements (undoubtedly made more to attract attention and support from a certain segment of the Republican Party than out of conviction) is that it might be making people fail to realize that many other candidates running also have positions which in a normal year might disqualify them from serious consideration. This is … [Read more...] about Trump’s Outrageous Statements Distract From Flaws In Other Candidates of Both Parties
Global Warming- Are We Out of the Woods?
The Earth warmed more in the last three decades of the 20th century than in the previous 1400 years with rising temperatures accelerating at the start of the 21st century. Human activity has been mainly responsible. Changes in weather patterns, areas of drought, and heightened ocean levels can all be anticipated as atmospheric warming increases further. This will result in … [Read more...] about Global Warming- Are We Out of the Woods?
‘STAR WAR: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ FILM REVIEW (NO SPOILERS)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Film Review) Cinema of Change at its Best by Robert Rippberger There is no other film that has made more of an indelible mark on history and pop culture than Star Wars. In its most recent installment, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ the franchise succeeds stronger than ever in captivating now a third generation of moviegoers. Captained by … [Read more...] about ‘STAR WAR: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ FILM REVIEW (NO SPOILERS)
Answer to Trivia Question
In his blog post of 12/21/15, this writer asks the following trivia question: In an episode of a long-running American TV show, one of the main characters claims to have given up atheism for Lent. Can you name that TV character? (By “long-running” the author means that the show lasted for at least ten seasons.) Click here to see who that TV character is. … [Read more...] about Answer to Trivia Question
Why 2015 was the year that changed TV forever
Amanda Lotz, University of Michigan "The end of television" is a headline that's been liberally thrown around for the past 15 years. Indeed, the past year saw audiences becoming more and more amenable to adopting new ways to watch TV shows, with live audiences for broadcast and cable programs declining sharply. Even entities like ESPN –… … [Read more...] about Why 2015 was the year that changed TV forever
A Mini-Psychological Portrait of Donald Trump (Guest Voice)
A Mini-Psychological Portrait of Donald Trump by Jordan Cooper Donald Trump was sent to a military school in his childhood because he wasn't being accepted and couldn't come into agreement with his classmates, schoolmates, and teachers. Donald Trump didn't get accepted to an Ivy League school, upon his graduation from high school, even though he came from a very wealthy … [Read more...] about A Mini-Psychological Portrait of Donald Trump (Guest Voice)
Bernie Sanders’ lessons for capitalists
WASHINGTON -- There is an irony to the presidential candidacy of Bernie Sanders: The senator from Vermont is often cast as exotic because he calls himself a "democratic socialist." Yet the most important issue in politics throughout the Western democracies is whether the economic and social world that social democrats built can survive the coming decades. Let's deal … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders’ lessons for capitalists