Telling the Jokes? By Gene Perrett There are two important elements to joke-telling. First there’s the joke itself. Is it inherently funny? Would it get laughs even if you read it in a paper? If it satisfies those criteria, it should get laughs. It’s a good joke. Will it get laughs? That’s a different story. That depends on the second element – who’s … [Read more...] about Telling the Jokes? (Guest Voice)
The Ten Commandments of Travel
Whether you’re new to travel or a veteran globetrotter, these ten tips from a major Asian tour operators are definitely words to see the world by. Most travel writers and bloggers talk about where to travel. This piece deals with how to travel. The guidelines below, penned in the style of the ten Biblical commandments, and distributed to travelers who book a tour of China … [Read more...] about The Ten Commandments of Travel
SeaWorld to Phase Out Killer Whale Show in Strategy Change
SeaWorld to Phase Out Killer Whale Show in Strategy Change by Chris Jennewein Updated at 1:35 p.m. Nov. 9, 2015 Bowing to pressure from animal-rights groups that has hurt attendance, SeaWorld Entertainment plans to phase out its iconic killer whale show in San Diego and replace it with a conservation-oriented whale exhibit. The Orlando-based company announced the … [Read more...] about SeaWorld to Phase Out Killer Whale Show in Strategy Change
Ben Carson’s own weapon of mass distraction
WASHINGTON -- Ben Carson's woe-is-me whining about media scrutiny is more than just a sorry spectacle. It shows the extent to which a culture of victimization has infected the conservative movement. "There's no question I'm getting special scrutiny, because there are lot of people who are very threatened," Carson said in a "Face the Nation" interview Sunday. "The whole … [Read more...] about Ben Carson’s own weapon of mass distraction
Small Tokens for our Veterans – Update
Update: The Military Times lists additional places where veterans can receive “from free meals to discounts on propane deliveries,” here, but also offers a word to the wise: Always call ahead to confirm what they’re offering, and whether there are limitations, such as hours. In many cases, for example, a free meal doesn’t come with a beverage, so be prepared to … [Read more...] about Small Tokens for our Veterans – Update
SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; New Star Trek Series; Supergirl; Jessica Jones; Donald Trump & Larry David (as Bernie Sanders) on Saturday Night Live
The Zygon Inversion had a different feel from last week's episode of Doctor Who, The Zygon Invasion. Both are anti-war stories, but the first built up what appeared to be grave danger for the Doctor and the earth on a worldwide scale. The conclusion was a far more personal story, and eliminated the threats from the previous week rather easily. The Doctor used the Osgood Box … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; New Star Trek Series; Supergirl; Jessica Jones; Donald Trump & Larry David (as Bernie Sanders) on Saturday Night Live
Congress should work five days a week (Guest Voice)
Congress should work five days a week by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Paul Ryan has two goals. He can accomplish both with one move. The new speaker of the House wants to make sure the big job doesn't keep him from spending time with his wife and three children, who live in Janesville, Wisconsin. He also wants to restore "regular … [Read more...] about Congress should work five days a week (Guest Voice)
Hillary Clinton’s Biggest 2016 Election Challenge Will Be Strong Voter Turnout
I've often noted here over the years how at some key points in our history Democrats have decided to either teach their party a lesson, or just not voted. Then they complain about Republicans using the power won in elections go give the voters who voted for them (some of) what they promised. In my views, Democrats virtually gave their dominance on the Supreme Court away. Greg … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton’s Biggest 2016 Election Challenge Will Be Strong Voter Turnout
Movie Review: ‘James White’ (AFI Fest 2015)
4/5 I sometimes describe great films as being populated with people I feel like I’ve known for years. James White is a film full of people I have known for years. The mother who’s mind and body are dissolving too quickly for her to cope with; the fraught son who simply isn’t equipped to handle the world, even if at times it seems like it’s the world that’s consciously … [Read more...] about Movie Review: ‘James White’ (AFI Fest 2015)
Why Republicans Win
Democrat hand-wringing is the topic of Reid Wilson's 11/04/15 article "Democrats Look for Answers After Surprising Losses". Reid begins by saying, "Startling election losses on Tuesday have given new urgency to top Democrats in Washington planning to coordinate campaign resources, according to people involved in behind-the-scenes conversations." Those losses may have … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Win
University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe Resigns Amid Protests
Amid mounting student protests over racial tensions on campus, University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe resigned on Monday morning during a special meeting of the Board of Curators. "I take full responsibility for the actions that have occurred. I have asked everybody to use my resignation to heal. Let's focus in changing what we can change… … [Read more...] about University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe Resigns Amid Protests
A soft-hearted tough guy?
WASHINGTON -- Just when his fellow Republican presidential candidates most need to listen closely to what he has to say, Chris Christie finds himself knocked off the main debate stage. If the Republicans did listen to Christie, they might not have to complain about how their encounters have become a blend of a professional wrestling match and a hallway argument among … [Read more...] about A soft-hearted tough guy?
Politix Update: The Republican Party Is Eating Itself Alive. Blame That Sarah Palin.
With Election Day exactly one year away, there is an essential truth in American politics that transcends all others: The Republican Party is eating itself alive and shows no sign of coming to its senses. This has become such common knowledge that the problem for pundits like myself in describing the party's immolation -- whether in the context of vacuous presidential … [Read more...] about Politix Update: The Republican Party Is Eating Itself Alive. Blame That Sarah Palin.
What Would You Do To Save The Republican Party?
The Politix Update column above opines that the Republican Party is intent on destroying itself. Okay, that's the problem. What's the solution? If you believe that there must be at least two viable national political parties for the American version of participatory democracy to work, let alone thrive, then the Republican Party must be saved from itself. But how to do … [Read more...] about What Would You Do To Save The Republican Party?
What happened to Abraham Lincoln’s party?
What happened to the Republican party Abraham Lincoln helped shape in the years prior to the election of 1860? Would the President who knew all too well what happened when this country was torn apart recognize his party today? Would he understand why they seem so determined to divide this country now? Would he stand and applaud their efforts? Or would he be stunned and wonder … [Read more...] about What happened to Abraham Lincoln’s party?
Mizzou Football Players Boycott All Team Activities, Won’t Play Until University President Resigns
At least 32 members University of Missouri football team are boycotting team activities until the president Tim Wolfe resigns "due to his negligence towards marginalized students." The move comes as campus groups have been protesting the way Wolfe has dealt with issues of racial harassment during the school year, which include swastikas drawn inside dormitories and one … [Read more...] about Mizzou Football Players Boycott All Team Activities, Won’t Play Until University President Resigns
Embarrassing! Over 1,000 Places In The U.S. Still Have Racist Names
Why do these racist place names still exist? Yikes! What century do we live in again? "At least" 1,441 towns, landmarks and other spots in the U.S. still have racist place names, according to Vocativ. These include the charmingly named Chinaman Lagoon and Dago Creek in Arkansas; Wetback Tank, New Mexico; Darkey Springs in Tennessee; and… … [Read more...] about Embarrassing! Over 1,000 Places In The U.S. Still Have Racist Names
Bernie Sanders Has Excellent Night At Democratic Forum
We might have had a full debate rather than a series of interviews at Democratic Forum hosted by Rachel Maddow if not for the limitations on debates imposed by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, but Friday did have a series of good interviews with the Democratic candidates. Martin O'Malley was interviewed first and overall did well, including taking jabs at both Hillary Clinton and … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders Has Excellent Night At Democratic Forum
British jihadis may have been part of Sinai plane bombing
A British intelligence agency overheard UK accents among Sinai Peninsula jihadists who were celebrating the downing of a Russian airliner that killed all 224 passengers and crew aboard. The overheard accents imply “a definite and strong link” between British jihadis and the crash of the A321 airliner belonging to the Metrojet airline shortly after it took… … [Read more...] about British jihadis may have been part of Sinai plane bombing
Snuggling Up to Celebrities Not Part of Journalism Training
One of the basic tenets of journalism ethics and practices is that reporters must keep their distance from news sources. They’re allowed to be friendly. They’re even allowed to share a meal with a news source. But, they must be independent. It’s a “Caesar’s wife” thing—they must be above suspicion. This past week, Lara Spencer, co-anchor of ABC-TV’s “Good Morning … [Read more...] about Snuggling Up to Celebrities Not Part of Journalism Training