by Dick Polman Ladies and gentleman, here is your United States Senate, then and now: Sen. Daniel Webster on March 7, 1850: “It is fortunate that there is a Senate of the United States (with) a just sense of its own dignity, and its own high responsibilities, and a body to which the country looks with confidence for wise, moderate, patriotic, and healing … [Read more...] about WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MAGA MACHISMO, WHERE MUSCLES TRUMP BRAINS
It’s Still Here!
It’s still here. Actually it never went away. Covid-19 is still a threat though not as prevalent as at the onset three to four years ago. And the original variants Alpha and Delta seem to be gone, replaced by Omicron and its subsets of mutants. These appear to be quite infectious and are the dominant form of Covid-19 now in circulation. It spreads the same way, mainly through … [Read more...] about It’s Still Here!
What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses? A medical toxicologist explains
Only a small amount of fentanyl is enough to be lethal. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Kavita Babu, UMass Chan Medical School Buying drugs on the street is a game of Russian roulette. From Xanax to cocaine, drugs or counterfeit pills purchased in nonmedical settings may contain life-threatening amounts of fentanyl. Physicians like me have seen a rise in … [Read more...] about What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses? A medical toxicologist explains
MIKE JOHNSON RELIGIOUS HYPOCRITE?
by Don Hermann Columnist Wars are fought over religion. In many cases religion affects who we’re friendly with. It affects who we marry. Where we live. We often judge people by their religion. Sometimes we hide behind our religion. In extreme situations, we Hate people of certain religions. What is a religious person? Are all religious people good people? Can you be a … [Read more...] about MIKE JOHNSON RELIGIOUS HYPOCRITE?
COGNIZANT CANDIDATE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
From the Department of You Gotta Be Kidding Me, a new Yahoo/YouGov poll says voters find Trump more physically and mentally competent than President Biden. What this poll shows is that gaslighting works. Now, don’t give me the business about how polls can’t be trusted because, in most scenarios, election results fall within the margin of error of the last polls taken before … [Read more...] about COGNIZANT CANDIDATE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Not just Biden — 77-year-old Trump also under age scrutiny
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - If either Joe Biden or Donald Trump prevails in the November 2024 US elections, the next president will be the oldest in history to take the oath of office. But while Biden's age and public slips and stumbles have been more widely scrutinized and examined, his blustery Republican rival's missteps are coming under sharper focus too. In recent … [Read more...] about Not just Biden — 77-year-old Trump also under age scrutiny
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Passes Away at Age 96
From the Carter Center: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights, passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2:10 p.m. at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96. She died peacefully, with family by her side. Mrs. Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the … [Read more...] about Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Passes Away at Age 96
Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital is “a death zone” says WHO-led team after visit.
For the first time, a small team of international relief officials was able to enter the beleaguered Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza for an hour-long visit on Saturday with Israeli permission. “A joint UN humanitarian assessment team led by WHO accessed Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza to assess the situation on the ground and conduct a rapid situational analysis, … [Read more...] about Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital is “a death zone” says WHO-led team after visit.
Advertisers flee Twitter after Musk endorses antisemitic tweet, algorithmic manipulation
Researchers "risk paying too little attention" to Twitter ("X") as it "rapidly changes into something new and frightening." On Wednesday, Elon Musk endorsed an antisemitic tweet (screenshot). The fallout from that endorsement (“the actual truth”) has been swift and brutal, financially. The warning appeared in Nature earlier in November, accompanying an article that … [Read more...] about Advertisers flee Twitter after Musk endorses antisemitic tweet, algorithmic manipulation
REPUBLICAN FACE PUNCH (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
My first thought when I saw Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullins challenging a witness to a physical fight was, “This guy’s a United States senator?” Even from Oklahoma, a senator should act like a senator. What’s going on with Republicans in Congress anyway? Over on the House side where Republicans are in control, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was accused by fellow … [Read more...] about REPUBLICAN FACE PUNCH (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
After the Israel-Hamas War, Efforts at Reconciliation Must be Launched
by Donald H. Harrison I hope that Israel is successful wiping out Hamas as a military and a political force. Thereafter, I hope that Israel will not let the situation stagnate but will build upon its victory by fostering in Gaza humanitarian aid and beneficial governance. Whereas violence can harden a survivor’s heart, kindness can soften it. If Israel demonstrably … [Read more...] about After the Israel-Hamas War, Efforts at Reconciliation Must be Launched
The Republican Deflate
by Laurie Baron Debates traditionally provide the opportunity for candidates to puff up their public reputations. This year the Republican Presidential Debates have deflated their stature. This partly stems from Donald Trump sucking up all the oxygen in the news cycle, but also from his opponents pathetically trying to be Trump without the baggage and conveniently … [Read more...] about The Republican Deflate
Hamas isn’t the first military group to hide behind civilians as a way to wage war
The exterior of Shifa hospital in Gaza City is seen on Nov. 10, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas near the facility. AFP via Getty Images Benjamin Jensen, American University School of International Service The Israeli military said on Nov. 15, 2023 that it had found weapons and a Hamas command center at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, … [Read more...] about Hamas isn’t the first military group to hide behind civilians as a way to wage war
Updated: ‘Panda Diplomacy’ – An Endangered Species?
UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that Chinese President Xi Jinping gestured, during a dinner speech in San Francisco on Wednesday, that China intends to send new pandas to the U.S., perhaps to San Diego. Calling pandas “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples,” Xi said according to the AP: We are ready to continue our cooperation … [Read more...] about Updated: ‘Panda Diplomacy’ – An Endangered Species?
Unhealthy eating habits and poor agrifood systems cause global losses of $10 trillion yearly, UN says.
Unhealthy eating habits and food production systems that damage the environment and worsen harmful climate change are costing the world at least $10 trillion a year and disasters are causing $123 billion annually in lost earnings, the world’s leading food agency said. A unique new 154-country study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the first to … [Read more...] about Unhealthy eating habits and poor agrifood systems cause global losses of $10 trillion yearly, UN says.
Updated: Trump channels hate, Hitler in Veteran’s Day speech: tells supporters those others are “vermin.”
Published November 13, 2023 | Updated November 15, 2023 With your help, your love and your vote we will put America first, and today especially, in honor of our great veterans on Veteran's Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and … [Read more...] about Updated: Trump channels hate, Hitler in Veteran’s Day speech: tells supporters those others are “vermin.”
South Carolina is the latest States Newsroom affiliate
The South Carolina Daily Gazette, which debuted November 14, is the 37th state news publication affiliated with the States Newsroom. The goal: "free, high-quality, nonpartisan reporting on the important issues affecting the Palmetto State." The news reports are free not only to readers but to other media outlets, editor Seanna Adcox made clear in her … [Read more...] about South Carolina is the latest States Newsroom affiliate
What a Difference ‘a Day’ Makes in Politics
It seems like only yesterday when a pompous Trump descended the golden Trump Tower escalator and characteristically proclaimed his presidential ambitions with a lie and a slur. “Wow. Woah. That is some group of people. Thousands!”, Trump told the dozens of onlookers, some of them paid $50 to attend the event. He soon followed this by accusing Mexican migrants of “… … [Read more...] about What a Difference ‘a Day’ Makes in Politics
As yet another deadline looms, a divided US House stumbles closer to a federal shutdown: 5 essential reads
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson arrives for a GOP meeting at the Capitol on Nov. 7, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Howard Manly, The Conversation Once again, federal budget negotiations are down to the last minute, and once again, GOP hardliners are in the middle of what might turn into a gridlock. Current government funding expires on … [Read more...] about As yet another deadline looms, a divided US House stumbles closer to a federal shutdown: 5 essential reads
Aging and Politics
Age is being increasingly injected into politics. It’s a valid issue as aging may make people less vigorous, and cognitive function declines in a large percentage of older people. But the physical and cognitive losses are not universal or uniform across the population. And there are individuals who have what is called a “large cognitive reserve” who function quite well from an … [Read more...] about Aging and Politics