Tempers have been flaring, fear mongering has been absurd, compassion has been absent and the dog whistles have been not so subtle and not so ultrasonic recently in the “debate” over whether our nation should continue to accept Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Without naming names and without mentioning the (obvious) political Party affiliation of those making them, here is a … [Read more...] about On Those Pesky Syrian Refugees
Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Our memories are lousy, as mounting evidence against eyewitness testimony details. We're subject to memory biases. Add other cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, and it's clear that our brains tend to whimsy more than fact. Then there's the frequency illusion (Baader-Meinhof phenomenon). That's when you become aware of something new -- or, maybe, decide to buy a new … [Read more...] about Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
IN WAYNE LaPIERRE THE REPUBLICANS DO TRUST This is the point in the movie where it was assumed that the Republican Party would come to its senses. But, as it is turning out, the movie isn't Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or The American President or even Wag the Dog. It's more like The Manchurian Candidate. Times of crisis like the Paris attacks tend to bring … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation
Since its inception, Kickstarer has help companies launch games and make movies, and even a potato salad can earn way more than it should. That's why it is a logical choice for Don Bluth to turn to when thinking about a potential Dragon's Lair animated movie. If you are unfamiliar with Don Bluth by name, you… … [Read more...] about Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation
Obama’s critics stop making sense
WASHINGTON -- The impact of the Paris attacks on the Republican presidential race may turn out to be minimal, especially since the establishment candidates aren't making any more sense than outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson. Theoretically, a deadly rampage by Islamic State terrorists ought to make Republican voters think twice about presidential hopefuls who have … [Read more...] about Obama’s critics stop making sense
Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks (Guest Voice) POST FIXED
NOTE: Some work on TMV's new design is underway, and due to the work on the site this post originally appeared with much of the post not appearing. This is the post in full: Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks by Jordan Cooper At any point in someone’s life they’re going to be deemed not healthy by a doctor, family member, friend, or other citizen. … [Read more...] about Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks (Guest Voice) POST FIXED
Let’s talk about black women’s hair
(Take from my blog, www.chocobites.net) A lot of people laugh at me when I tell them that Chris Rock has been responsible for two of the most important films of the past 10 years. Good Hair is one of them. Like Chris, I have two daughters and I want them to grow up in a world where they can let their nappy hair out and be happy and proud about it. Unfortunately, that … [Read more...] about Let’s talk about black women’s hair
President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what you said
One hundred fifty-two years ago on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The previous speaker, Edward Everett, a noted orator, gave a speech that lasted two hours. President Lincoln's speech was just 272 words and over in a matter of minutes. He said, "[T]he world will little note nor long remember what we say here". That, of … [Read more...] about President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what you said
The Republicans’ Rhetoric of Hate and Fear
Fear, laced with paranoia, is driving the American response against allowing Syrian refugees into the United States. President Obama has said he would accept 10,000 refugees, all of them subjected to intense scrutiny before being admitted to the country. France, with a population about one-fifth that of the United States, despite the worst attack on its soil since World War … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Rhetoric of Hate and Fear
Martin O’Malley, We Hardly Knew Ye
It seems a little peculiar to write about anything this week that doesn't involve a discussion of terrorism or security, but the political world continues to turn here at home. One news item you might have missed is that, per The Washington Post, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's campaign is "perilously close to financial collapse." The Post notes that his … [Read more...] about Martin O’Malley, We Hardly Knew Ye
Update: Looking Back Longingly
UPDATE: An example of contrasts in American goodwill and compassion just played itself out within the last 24 hours, after Republican governor Mike Pence of Indiana refused to allow a Syrian family to resettle in Indiana. According to UK Daily Mail*, the Syrian married couple and their five-year-old son had been living as refugees in Jordan after fleeing their war-torn … [Read more...] about Update: Looking Back Longingly
Cartoon: Fear itself
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 Cartoon: Fear itself
The House returns to regular disorder (Guest Voice)
The House returns to regular disorder by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Well, it was nice while it lasted. Three weeks ago, Paul Ryan accepted the speaker's gavel with a vow to return to "regular order," in which the Congress runs by deliberation rather than fiat and lawmakers have loose rein to amend and shape legislation. "The … [Read more...] about The House returns to regular disorder (Guest Voice)
How to fight ISIS? With cartoons (Guest Voice)
How to Fight ISIS? With Cartoons by Daryl Cagle Pundits like to complain that there are few voices from the Islamic world that condemn terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists. I run a small business that distributes editorial cartoons from around the world. With every major attack, including the recent attacks in Paris, I see a chorus of cartoons from Arab countries … [Read more...] about How to fight ISIS? With cartoons (Guest Voice)
The war against terror is not about semantics
We are all struggling to create some mental headroom for this new wave of terror that has come to us now from the hallowed streets of Paris. The unwelcome knowledge of it, hurling through media and cyber space, affects our basic sense of well-being, our confidence in the future, and our sleep patterns. There is moralizing (“don’t blame all Muslims”) and there is the unfortunate … [Read more...] about The war against terror is not about semantics
Update: Confirmed Dead: Abdelhamid Abaaoud, “planner” of Paris murders
UPDATE: CONFIRMED The man believed to have planned the Paris murders of more than 100 souls, is dead. He was killed in the police operation in the suburb of Paris. He is a man who also posed for videos over time, such as smiling and talking animatedly in his truck while it is said, he was dragging the bodies of dead victims behind his vehicle. During the police … [Read more...] about Update: Confirmed Dead: Abdelhamid Abaaoud, “planner” of Paris murders
Mission Accomplished
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/mission-accomplished/ Copyright 2015 David Donar. All rights reserved.Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Mission Accomplished
Killing the Islamic State with cliches (Guest Voice)
Killing the Islamic State with cliches by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republicans unveiled a new strategy Tuesday morning to defeat the Islamic State: Kill it with cliches. House GOP leaders huddled with their caucus in the Capitol basement for an hour before emerging to hit the enemy with an unrelenting barrage … [Read more...] about Killing the Islamic State with cliches (Guest Voice)
Over the top political rhetoric continues: The political Twilight Zone
More episodes in the ongoing program The Political Twilight Zone continues: over-the-top, in accurate in some cases downright dangerous rhetoric, EPISODE ONE: Republican presidentrial wannabe Rick Santorum who in effect is calling Barack Obama a traitor or a fellow-traveler of ISIS: Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said on Wednesday that President Obama’s … [Read more...] about Over the top political rhetoric continues: The political Twilight Zone
Remember that prediction of less snow?
As residents of Kansas dig out from the snow that fell on that state (20 inches in some places), let's recall a snow forecast from the year 2000. That is the year in which a British newspaper published a story titled "Snowfalls are now just a thing of the past". That particular newspaper story has been scrubbed from that newspaper's website, but not before it was … [Read more...] about Remember that prediction of less snow?