UPDATE: It is well known that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is increasingly relying on Artificial Intelligence and related technology for numerous military applications. DoD’s public spending on AI, including autonomy, “ballooned” to $2.5 billion in 2021, according to C4ISRNET. It should thus be no surprise that the new OpenAi bot ChatGPT has caught DoD’s eye … [Read more...] about The New B-21 ‘Raider’ Bomber According to ChatGPT (Update)
Madonna Biopic Axed Over Singer’s Script Demands & ‘Weird’ Social Media Antics: Source
Published by OK MagazineEarlier this week, news hit headlines that Madonna's highly anticipated biopic — which the "Like a Virgin" singer had been set to pen and potentially direct — had been scrapped by Universal Pictures. Now, sources have revealed that Madonna's demands for the tone of the flick and her bizarre behavior on social media didn't help her out when it came to the … [Read more...] about Madonna Biopic Axed Over Singer’s Script Demands & ‘Weird’ Social Media Antics: Source
IF YOU THOUGHT DONALD TRUMP WAS THE WORST, CHECK OUT MIKE POMPEO
The good news is many Republicans want to leave Donald Trump in the dust. The bad news is so many of them are just as odious. Case in point: Mike Pompeo. This choleric guy, who was plucked from back-bench House obscurity by the Trump team and inexplicably elevated to CIA director and Secretary of State, is clearly maneuvering to run for president in 2024. It’s obvious in … [Read more...] about IF YOU THOUGHT DONALD TRUMP WAS THE WORST, CHECK OUT MIKE POMPEO
‘Acts that defy humanity:’ 3 essential reads on police brutality, race and the power of video evidence
People attend a candlelight vigil in memory of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tenn., on Jan. 26, 2023. Scott Olson/Getty Images Howard Manly, The Conversation In the case of the five Black, former Memphis police officers accused of murder in the beating death of Tyre Nichols, justice has moved quickly. In fewer than 30 days after Nichols’ Jan. 10, 2023 … [Read more...] about ‘Acts that defy humanity:’ 3 essential reads on police brutality, race and the power of video evidence
Pain of police killings ripples outward to traumatize Black people and communities across US
RowVaughn Wells, in gray jacket, mother of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, is with friends and family members at the conclusion of a candlelight vigil for Tyre, in Memphis, Tenn., on Jan. 26, 2023. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert Denise A. Herd, University of California, Berkeley As the video goes public of Black police … [Read more...] about Pain of police killings ripples outward to traumatize Black people and communities across US
WALKING IN MEMPHIS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Memphis, and law enforcement in other cities, braced for unrest after the bodycam footage of the arrest and beating of Tyre Nichols is released in the coming days, or perhaps hours. Tyre Nichols was a 29-year-old black man who was pulled over for what police claim was reckless driving. According to their report, there was a confrontation after the stop, then he fled on foot, … [Read more...] about WALKING IN MEMPHIS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Paul Pelosi Attack Graphic Bodycam Video Released (Full police video)
Video has been released of the October 28th, politically motivated hammer attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi, husband of then-Speaker of the House Democrat Nancy Pelosi. The bottom line: it was a brutal attack and the many people in the Republican Party, right wing media and online who spread homophotic conspiracy theories have proven to be wrong. In 21st century America when … [Read more...] about Paul Pelosi Attack Graphic Bodycam Video Released (Full police video)
Combating antisemitism today: Holocaust education in the era of Twitter and TikTok
Technology is increasingly important in Holocaust education – seen here in ‘The Journey Back’ within The Richard and Jill Chaifetz Family Virtual Reality Gallery at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Courtesy of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, CC BY-NC-ND Alan Marcus, University of Connecticut In the era of social … [Read more...] about Combating antisemitism today: Holocaust education in the era of Twitter and TikTok
IS TRUST SOMETHING OF THE PAST?
by Don Hermann Trust used to be on top of most people’s minds, not too long ago, Have we rationalized it to the point where it’s not a quality that we care to deal with? Politically, I am a Progressive. I do have my share of problems with the Democratic Party. I have written about them. For whatever reasons, I have not thought much lately about “Trust.” It seems to be … [Read more...] about IS TRUST SOMETHING OF THE PAST?
‘Letters’ from Kyiv
No, they are not really “letters.” They are electronic messages sent by a very brave woman in Ukraine. She "texts" them whenever she is able to recharge her cell phone and whenever she is not seeking safety deep in a shelter. Oksana first escaped her homeland when the Russians attacked 336 days ago only to return a few months later to help her country fight the Russian … [Read more...] about ‘Letters’ from Kyiv
America The Outlier
Being an outlier nation can be either good or bad depending on the issue in question. With high GDP or per capita wealth it is obviously good being an outlier in a positive direction as America is. In terms of income inequality being high, it’s bad to be an outlier. In a number of areas such as cost of health care, availability of child care and various social programs, America … [Read more...] about America The Outlier
Horror and anguish are playing out on repeat following the latest mass shooting – and the mental health scars extend far beyond those directly affected
The mass shooting at a dance studio in Monterey Park, Calif., is the latest in an endless string of gun violence tragedies. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University Yet another community is stricken with grief in the wake of the horrific shooting at Monterey Park, California, on Jan. 21, 2023, that left 11 people dead and 9 more … [Read more...] about Horror and anguish are playing out on repeat following the latest mass shooting – and the mental health scars extend far beyond those directly affected
DON’T SAY “BLACK” (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
If this cartoon looks familiar, it’s because it’s a sequel. Ron DeSantis gave us “don’t say gay.” Now, he’s giving us “don’t say black.” Officially titled the Parental Rights in Education law, the measure enacted last year bans Florida public school teachers from engaging in classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity. It’s nicknamed the “Don’t … [Read more...] about DON’T SAY “BLACK” (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Israel’s Netanyahu facing off against the supreme court and proposing to limit judicial independence – and 3 other threats to Israeli democracy
Israelis protest the new government – the most far-right, religiously conservative in history – on Dec. 29, 2022, outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Boaz Atzili, American University School of International Service Democracy is not just about holding elections. It is a set of … [Read more...] about Israel’s Netanyahu facing off against the supreme court and proposing to limit judicial independence – and 3 other threats to Israeli democracy
Santos, the ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous is He?
by Bruce S. Ticker Until Tuesday, our first “Jew-ish” Congressman established himself as a serial liar, a possible criminal suspect and a punchline. Now it is far worse: George Santos is scary, and maybe dangerous. The Washington Post reports a web of connections that begs questions as to what he is capable of, in or out of Congress. It compounds other disturbing … [Read more...] about Santos, the ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous is He?
Twitter (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Twitter (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
TV Series Review: HBO Max’s “Velma”
Is the HBO Max TV series Velma a disaster or clever-but-misunderstood comedy? A Scooby-Doo "historian" weighs in. Thus far, the ratings for Velma have been anything but positive, but do the ratings reflect the show's worth? Slate magazine's Nadira Goffe writes, "Velma premiered on HBO Max last week, and almost instantly achieved the impossible feat of getting the internet … [Read more...] about TV Series Review: HBO Max’s “Velma”
HOMELAND TERROR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Let’s make one thing clear. What happened on January 6, 2021, was a terrorist attack against our country. It was an insurrection by white nationalists to overturn a free democratic election and install an unelected dictator. It was a coup attempt. It was an attack designed to stop the certification of the election, a duty mandated on Congress by the United States … [Read more...] about HOMELAND TERROR (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
All politicians must lie from time to time, so why is there so much outrage about George Santos? A political philosopher explains
Rep. George Santos stands during the voting for speaker in the House chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2023. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Michael Blake, University of Washington The idea that politicians are dishonest is, at this point, something of a cliché – although few have taken their dishonesty as far as George Santos, U.S. representative for … [Read more...] about All politicians must lie from time to time, so why is there so much outrage about George Santos? A political philosopher explains
