The United States of Dumb and Dumber
It’s hard to figure out who’s dumber – the president of the United States or James “Ooker” Eskridge, the mayor of Tangier Island, Virginia in Chesapeake Bay. The island boasts…
The Mound of Sound
While America Takes Itself Down…
Has America taken a self-inflicted, mortal blow? Has it been brought down from within? Fareed Zakaria ponders the question that most Americans refuse to ask themselves. Partisanship today is more…
The Philosopher Prophet of the Anthropocene
An intriguing article in The Guardian about a young man, Timothy Morton, described as the first philosopher for our new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.Part of what makes Morton popular are…
Terry May On the Run – To Where?
After her party’s disastrous performance in an unnecessary election entirely of her own choosing, Brit prime minister, Theresa May has been on shaky ground as she struggled to cobble together…
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. But, Really, Just Don’t Ask.
Who is buying Trump property? Who knows? Not you and not me. A USA Today investigation finds that something has changed since the inauguration with those who’ve been buying property…
What, Engines Fail?
A brand, spanking new oil tanker has grounded in sand near Cornwall in the St. Lawrence. Fortunately the weather is clear and the waters of the St. Lawrence are placid…
Trump’s "Dear Leader" Cabinet Meeting
A session befitting Kim Jong Un as Trump held his first full cabinet meeting. The Guardian saw little humour in the cringeworthy episode:“We thank you for the opportunity and blessing,”…
Merkel’s People Brand Trudeau a Judas Goat on Climate Change
Has Justin Trudeau joined Donald Trump in Angela Merkel’s class of “unreliables”? The German view is that Trudeau has become a Judas goat on climate change who threatens Merkel’s hope…
There’s a Reason the Dodo Bird Went Extinct.
Sometimes pending change is difficult to imagine much less accept. That’s okay for you and me but we expect something a good deal better from those who would govern us.…
This Was Bound to Happen. Ivanka Under the Spotlight.
A buffoon of a president, almost as unpopular at home as he is abroad. His glamorous fashionista daughter hawking her signature brand of clothing and accessories. A ticket to Indonesia.…
Chief Justice McLachlin Giving Up the Gavel
She’s done a fine job for the past 17 years as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. That’s coming to an end on December 15th when Beverley McLachlin…
Oh Yeah, Thucydides, That Guy. Remember Him?
You’ll have to go back to the fifth century B.C. when the Athenian, Thucydides, looked at Athens and Sparta and pondered whether an aggressive, rising power challenging a dominant power…
In Case You Missed It Last Night
Once again, John Oliver hit it out of the park:
The Age of Anger
I feel it. You do too. We all do if at somewhat different levels. Chris Hedges writes that the Age of Anger is the entirely predictable, even inevitable outcome of…
Trump’s Next Best Seller
Order your advance copy now and get the “pre-impeachment” introductory price.
Back to the 50s – Unless We’re Very, Very Lucky
Imagine you wake up Monday morning to find that, overnight, our society has fallen back to the 50s. You pick up your cell phone, no signal. The TV is out.…
When Hell Freezes Over
Steve Bell, The Guardian Donald Trump is calling off his state visit to Britain. The US president said he did not want to come if there were large-scale protests and…
Comey Bites Back
“Lordy, I Hope There are Tapes“ According to former FBI Director, James Comey, Donald Trump lied. In his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Comey wasted no time dropping…
The Emerging Consensus – the U.S. Has Chosen to Become a "Has Been."
For decades many Americans were fond of chants praising, well, themselves. “We’re Number One, We’re Number One,” or the always popular, “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.” It was a great way to…
New Zealand – Where Rex Tillerson Goes to Get Fingered.
Fortunately for U.S. state secretary, Rex Tillerson, his visit to Wellington was a mere 8-hour drive by event. As Tillerson’s motorcade proceeded to the New Zealand parliament building, crowds of…