Is Trump Gearing Up for War?
An executive order signed by Trump late Friday may indicate that the Mango Mussolini has war on his mind. The order allows Trump, among other things, to press into active…
The Mound of Sound
If We Don’t Get This Right, We May Pay Dearly For Failing
Like most people I had a weak grasp of neoliberalism when ushered in by Thatcher, Reagan and Mulroney as our new default governmental operating system. It’s not easy to pin…
Even Trump Can Do the Right Thing Occasionally
It’s a small thing but it’s still important to some Americans. Donald Trump says he won’t block the release of the government’s remaining tranche of documents about the Kennedy assassination…
Well, That Didn’t Take Long
The political two-step over Quebec’s law that would deny public services to those wearing face coverings is triggering the expected greasy responses from the NDP, the Tories, and the prime…
It’s Funny How a Little Truth Changes a Narrative
The US government and its allies never pass up an opportunity to vilify Iran. We make it out to be a horrible theocracy ruled by despotic Mullahs intent on nothing…
And This Is a Democracy?
I know, I know, it’s Texas. But still. In the hurricane battered town of Dickinson, 30 miles southeast of Houston, disaster relief comes with some pretty weird strings. Those applying…
That’s Refreshing. Election Hacking is "Warfare."
It’s always notable when a Trump appointee strays from the script. This time it’s America’s UN ambassador, Nikki Haley. While the Mango Mussolini does his best to dismiss Russia’s meddling…
Bugs Give Monbiot the Willies.
A couple of days ago The Guardian reported on a German study that flying insect populations had declined by 75 per cent over the past 25 years. Another report for…
Nine Million a Year, But Who’s Counting?
Other than The Lancet, that is. A study published in the prestigious British medical journal finds that 9 million premature deaths are caused every year by man-made pollution. With our…
Have the Republicans Developed "Stockholm Syndrome"?
An article in Foreign Policy by displaced former Republican pundit Max Boot suggests that Congressional Republicans have capitulated to Donald Trump’s will and have begun accelerating his and their own…
Another Sign? I Sure Hope Not.
Something has changed over the past two years. My home is bordered along the back by a row of large cedar trees. When I moved here some 15 years ago…
Climate Change – Turns a Calamity into Catastrophe
Even the most affluent nation on Earth can’t escape the knock-on effects of climate change. The Pentagon thinks of it as a “force multiplier.” It magnifies difficulties, makes them more…
It’s Not Just Some Fable Any More.
Thanks, Aesop, the tortoise will take it from here.
Is It Unreasonable?
It’s a simple question. Is climate change an existential threat? Does anthropogenic global warming imperil the continuation of life as we know it on Earth? C’mon people. This question is…
Back to the Drawing Board, Rachel.
If there’s one thing that petro-states know it’s that honesty never pays. In fact, honesty almost always costs and sometimes the costs can be huge. And, yes, by petro-states I…
Now There’s an Idea
Brookings Institute fellow Ranj Alaaldin has a clever idea about how Trump can strike back against Iran, back the Iraqi Kurds in their independence struggle against the Shiite-controlled central government…
Kids Will Be Kids
Even as they’re embarking on their 30s, our children can sometimes sugar coat things especially if they don’t want their to upset their parents. I have a daughter who lives…
Is Airbus Flying to Bombardier’s Rescue?
CBC is reporting that European aircraft consortium, Airbus, will acquire a majority stake in Bombardier’s C-class jetliner project. Boeing has tried to kill off the C-class aircraft using its clout…
Trump, Russia and Cambridge Analytica (Maybe the Crew From Victoria Too?)
The plot thickens. The world was awakened to how votes could be hacked, voters brainwashed, by sophisticated software, social networks, and targeted messaging in the upset “leave” vote for Brexit.…
Will Trump Bankrupt the United States?
That’s a serious question and a genuine prospect. Trump the business genius has established a pattern, one that led to five major business bankruptcies. He’s doing it again, this time…