UPDATE II: As expected, on a party-line vote of 221 to 211, Republicans approved the formation of a Select Subcommittee to investigate the “Weaponization” of the Federal Government, to be chaired by Trump’s close buddy, Jim Jordan, who himself “was deeply involved in Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.” As Jordan will have extensive subpoena … [Read more...] about The 118th Congress: Those Under Investigation to Investigate the Investigators (UPDATES)
KEVIN MCCARTHY’S VERSION OF WINNING
LIARS, SPEAKERS, AND SWEARERS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Yes, I stayed up all night to watch Kevin McCarthy finally become the Speaker of the House after 15 ballots. One thing that’s for certain is that McCarthy enters the office as the weakest Speaker in House history. There are actually a lot of certainties with this, one being that the Goon Caucus or Chaos Caucus which consisted of nihilists like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, … [Read more...] about LIARS, SPEAKERS, AND SWEARERS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
SQUEAKER OF THE HOUSE (CARTOON)
Russia’s woes set to worsen as Ukraine readies to receive new offensive weapons
While US Congress fights chaos to find a speaker, Germany, Europe’s reluctant warrior, is in the throes of sea change. It is gearing up to provide armored infantry fighting vehicles and a Patriot air defense battery to harden Ukraine’s fierce response to Russia’s unwarranted invasion. The government of pacifist post-World War II Germany took the very painful decision to … [Read more...] about Russia’s woes set to worsen as Ukraine readies to receive new offensive weapons
On #Jan6th anniversary, Biden honors 12 with the Presidential Citizens Medal
Friday, 06 January 2023, marks the second anniversary of a Trump-inspired insurrection that attempted to overturn the results of the November 2020 presidential election. To mark the moment, President Joe Biden is presenting the first Presidential Citizens Medals of his administration at noon (EDT). The 12 people being honored played important roles in the election (five) and … [Read more...] about On #Jan6th anniversary, Biden honors 12 with the Presidential Citizens Medal
Talking across the political aisle isn’t a cure-all – but it does help reduce hostility
Americans tend to not cross their political divides amicably. New research shows what helps this actually happen. Orbon Alija, CC BY Dominik Stecu?a, Colorado State University and Matthew Levendusky, University of Pennsylvania Simmering tension in American politics came to a head two years ago, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol … [Read more...] about Talking across the political aisle isn’t a cure-all – but it does help reduce hostility
MCCARTHY SPEAKER FIASCO (CARTOON)
Four ways Netanyahu’s new far-right government threatens 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 Four ways Netanyahu’s new far-right government threatens Israeli democracy
PACHYDERM PROBLEMS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Republicans have made a lot of promises about how they’ll use their House majority. They’re going to close the border, go after “unelected” bureaucrats, they’re going to cut spending, they’re gonna conduct multiple investigations after more investigations, blah, blah, blah. Legislate and govern? They can’t even get through the door. Earlier this week, two members of the Goon … [Read more...] about PACHYDERM PROBLEMS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Republican Party vs. Reality
Dear Republican Party: Reality called. It wants you to get in touch. It has what you're lacking: A clue. By that, I don't mean the board game. By browsing what Republicans are saying on Twitter, one sees that these space cases are in need of a reality check. For example, this is what one such critter tweeted at the start of the New Year: Oh, wait, wrong … [Read more...] about Republican Party vs. Reality
How a Brave Ukrainian Woman Went from Teaching How to Prepare Tea to Learning How to Fight for her Country
During the sacred days of Christmas and into New Year’s Eve and Day, the residents of Kyiv endured some of the cruelest missile and drone attacks of the year-long ruthless Russian aggression against Ukraine. A so-called “special military operation” that has already claimed more than 6,800 Ukrainian civilian lives, 428 of them children. Neither hospitals – not even a … [Read more...] about How a Brave Ukrainian Woman Went from Teaching How to Prepare Tea to Learning How to Fight for her Country
Is Kevin McCarthy a sinking political Titanic?
Is Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) the equivilent of a sinking political Titanic? The third time wasn't the charm for McCarthy, who shocked many when he went to Mar-A-Largo after January 6 to get a photo of himself with a smiling Donald Trump. Many pundits contend that if McCarthy had stuck witih his original strong criticism of Trump's role in the January 6 coup attempt … [Read more...] about Is Kevin McCarthy a sinking political Titanic?
Speaker of the House faces political peril from member deaths and resignations – especially with a narrow majority
GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy wants to be speaker of the House. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Charles R. Hunt, Boise State University The arm-twisting, dealmaking and vote hunting around Kevin McCarthy’s quest to be named House speaker have put on full display the fact that razor-thin majorities in both the House and the Senate are becoming a fact of … [Read more...] about Speaker of the House faces political peril from member deaths and resignations – especially with a narrow majority
Why The Bills and Bengals, Grown Men So Shocked: Protected, Wept and Prayed for Damar Hamlin
Embed from Getty Images You've heard it by now: Buffalo Bills, Safety: Damar Hamlin, after making a tackle on the field, during Monday Night Football-- rose up, then suddenly fell backward, prone and unmoving on the turf. The NFL players are men who are paid millions to trade off, to hope to fulfill their dream, yet to risk their lives every game, for the NFL owners' … [Read more...] about Why The Bills and Bengals, Grown Men So Shocked: Protected, Wept and Prayed for Damar Hamlin
Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he is driven through a crowd during his weekly general audience, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, on June 2, 2010. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross Benedict XVI leaves behind a complex legacy as a Pope and theologian. To many observers, Benedict, who died on Dec. 31, 2022 at the … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy
Year in review 2022
All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti https://toons.to/go/daviddonar … [Read more...] about Year in review 2022
ABBOTT IN HELL (CARTOON)
Teddy Roosevelt’s failed Bull Moose campaign may portend the future of the GOP and Donald Trump
A bold and brash Teddy Roosevelt during a visit to the Badlands in 1885. MPI/Getty Images Jerald Podair, Lawrence University What happens when a former president decides he wants his old job back, regardless of what stands in his way? As Donald Trump launches his third run for the White House, it is useful to look back at another ex-president, … [Read more...] about Teddy Roosevelt’s failed Bull Moose campaign may portend the future of the GOP and Donald Trump
GEORGE SANTOS AND THE NORMALIZATION OF BALD-FACED LIES
Decades ago, Holocaust scholar Hannah Arendt warned: “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, i.e. the reality of experience and the distinction between true and false, i.e., the standards of thought, no longer exist.” With that quote in mind, it’s oh so … [Read more...] about GEORGE SANTOS AND THE NORMALIZATION OF BALD-FACED LIES