What does the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 have to do with who runs Venezuela? Everything. What does a fee by the International Maritime Organization have to do with the fate of the National Center for Atmospheric Research? Everything. Everything — that is — desired by oil, gas and coal interests from the man…
DetailsThey stood in a starchy semicircle, posing, preening behind their role model. They — Republican bigwigs including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy — awash with pride and affirmation as the man they admired most said some of the vilest things ever uttered in the Oval Office. It was…
DetailsIn the craft of propaganda, one of the slyest techniques is euphemism — soft words for hammer blows. “Enhanced interrogation” for torture. “Downsized” for vaporized careers. “Alternative facts” for one who lies with each breath. Out in the Caribbean among the shards of an outboard-motor craft, make that several, we have “collateral damage” — another…
DetailsThe immense irony about what this president has done with the economy is that only the Supreme Court can save him — from himself. He says a ruling by the Supremes against his willy-nilly, go-it-alone-meaning-by-me-myself-and-I tariffs would be “disaster for the economy.” Run that assertion past shoppers, retailers, importers, manufacturers, farmers and just about any…
DetailsAnd I looked, and behold the pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him – Book of Revelation As a respected commentator, my job is to stay calm amid calamity. Even when I hear of a new dinner-table hazard for all of mankind. Unfortunately, considering the threat…
DetailsI saw the president call the ABC reporter “fake news.” That’s a laugh. The reporter was asking about his obsequiousness with murderous Saudi dictator Mohammed bin Salman while Don and Eric, aka the Crypto Sibs, do business with his government. Asking the president about important matters like that is the furthest thing from “fake news.”…
Details“Either you want to advance the cover-up or you want the truth to come out.” – Congressman Jamie Raskin. Multiple choice. Was he referring to: A) A cover-up to mask extensive engagement with Russia in advance of the 2016 election and, as president, extensive efforts to gum up Robert Mueller’s probe into collusion? B) A…
DetailsMaybe it was all that sledgehammering of White House walls. Hard labor at 79. Maybe it was partying like the devil Halloween night while government stood still. (Did they check the ages of those girls taking turns in the giant martini glass?) Whatever, no one could blame Orange Kool-Aid Man for being tuckered out Election…
DetailsThe Law Enforcement Oath of Honor: “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community, and the agency I serve.” And now, the ICE…
DetailsIf you take this as a media critique, you’re missing the story. This is a citizenship critique. Not the citizenship that comes with a Social Security card. Let’s discuss the kind of citizenship that demands devotion beyond a flash of attention – say, every four years — with a rudimentary trip to the polls. Call…
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