Donald Trump has again lashed out over negative press coverage of his war with Iran, singling out The New York Times for criticism after it asked what the conflict had actually achieved.
“The way the Corrupt and Failing New York Times is covering stories on a very battered and beat up Iran, through FAKE & MADE UP ‘FACTS’ is, in my opinion, ‘TREASONOUS,'” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform late Sunday.
“I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multi Billion Dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals!”
Shortly beforehand, he had vented his fury on the same subject in another post that read: “The headline in the Corrupt and Failing New York Times: ‘What Changed After Almost 4 Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.’ REALLY?
“Their Military is DONE, their Navy is GONE, their Air Force is GONE, their Launching Pads, Missiles, Drones and Manufacturing of same, is almost GONE, their top two sets of Leaders are GONE, their Inflation is at 250%, their Economy is BROKEN, their Soldiers aren’t being paid, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN, THE OIL IS GUSHING, and the U.S. Stock Market and Jobs are at record HIGHS.
President Donald Trump has again lashed out at The New York Times, calling the newspaper’s reporting on the Iran conflict ‘false and ridiculous’ and its staff ‘criminals’ (Reuters)
President Donald Trump has again lashed out at The New York Times, calling the newspaper’s reporting on the Iran conflict ‘false and ridiculous’ and its staff ‘criminals’ (Reuters)
“That’s what’s CHANGED, you corrupt and unethical cowards, and MORE!!!”
Opinion: The Trumpelstilskin methodology, sue, get issues into the judicial system where it will take time (a long time) to adjudicate. This ties up court time with frivolous lawsuits while keeping the issue in the public space. All the while normal life contracts along with the business sector. MA
Comments Off on Definition of Fascism vs. Social Democracy
The Difference made me curious, are we either of these or something else.? MA
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and the supremacy of the state over individual rights. It emerged in the early 20th century, notably in Italy under Benito Mussolini, and is characterized by:
Authoritarian, centralized government with suppression of political opposition and dissent.
Nationalist ideology that often promotes exclusionary or exclusionist policies toward minorities.
Corporatist economic model where the state coordinates labor and capital, often suppressing unions.
Militarization and glorification of military strength.
Suppression of civil liberties in favor of collective identity and state control thisvsthat.io+1.
Social Democracy is a center-left political ideology that supports democratic governance, social welfare, and equality. It developed in the late 19th century in response to industrialization and inequality, and is marked by:
Democratic institutions with protections for individual rights and freedoms.
Mixed economy with government regulation to ensure social welfare, economic stability, and fairness.
Progressive taxation and public investment in healthcare, education, and social security.
Commitment to social justice and inclusivity, often advocating for progressive values and anti-discrimination policies thisvsthat.io+1.
Key differences:
Governance: Fascism is totalitarian and authoritarian; Social Democracy is democratic and participatory.
Economy: Fascism centralizes economic control; Social Democracy blends market economy with state intervention for welfare.
Individual vs. Collective: Fascism prioritizes collective identity over individual rights; Social Democracy protects individual freedoms while promoting equality.
Social policy: Fascism often promotes traditional values and exclusion; Social Democracy emphasizes inclusivity and progressive social reforms thisvsthat.io+1.
In short, Fascism seeks to unify society under a single, authoritarian state with suppressed dissent, while Social Democracy seeks to strengthen democracy and protect rights through social welfare and inclusive policies.
Socialism: a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole:
Populism: a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups
Social Democracy: a system of liberal democracy that incorporates a commitment to social reform and social justice.
Fascist:an advocate or follower of the right-wing political philosophy or system of fascism
The political Mafia (aka Trump Organization) has taken over the government and dragged the criminal ruling class from each state with it. There is no other way to say it. The Federal Government as it is right now can be likened to the “Star Wars” saga. We have elected the basest members of society to represent us under a thin cape of “honesty” and strength to fight for us. To quote another Movie: “What we have is a failure to communicate”. There is no other way we can overcome this is the power of the vote (guided by facts). The once trustworthy streams of information are now suspect in the information they provide except for the comic strips that dare to poke fun at politicians and their politics. Make no mistake we are now under the leaky umbrella of long time suspected and now confirmed grifter on a grand scale. The common denominator is “proof of concept”- we have always suspected the political class and we have been proven correct more times that we should have to experience. OUR ONE JOB (as voters) is to forget party lines if possible and pay attention to who is running for office (new or incumbent) and determine by facts if they are worth your support. Remember the good and bad often meld into “tolerable” as far as politics go.
We may have to abide by “tolerable” to survive these next few years, with that exercise any of the several avenues of contacts with the existing seat fillers and voice your opinion-OFTEN!
Comments Off on Netanyahu” warmonger#1, Trumpelstilskin mini warmonger
I am thinking Trumpelstilskin is a useful tool for “Bibi” to try to give legitimacy for attacking Iran. The “smart” man who leads(?) the USA is definitely a pawn for anyone he perceives as a strong leader of their country. He wants to emulate them but does not have the knowledge or ability to do it. It takes an entire team of people to wage a successful war and we don’t have that. Trumpel is more a follower than a leader. A successful cook can only stir one pot at a time.
It is pretty obvious by now that facts riles up the liars no matter the party. It seems that all purveyors of non facts get upset when presented with facts and counter with more non facts or personal attacks.
Sixes 2 A
We’re doing what best for you
autocrats, dictators, people in power all seem to tell us that what they are doing to us is for our own good and somehow many of us believe it. If we are paying attention, we can see that the GOP is doing and saying the same thing while enacting repressive laws on
voting, reproduction and installing “their choice of judges” while stopping passage of infrastructure legislation. Is this for our own good?
No truth in poLItics, neither party
Dishonesty appears to be the bedrock of politics and unfortunately too many voters are accepting it.
Botch already backing TOTUS for 2024
Botch McConnell in a play to remain in power has already endorsed TOTUS for a 2024 Presidential run-Is it possible that his (Mitch) constituents are blind and numb?
Cruz, Hawley, Johnson, modern JoeMcCarthy’s
Only in America can miscreants become lawmakers (or breakers?) and suffer no consequences
Higher standards-N/A to elected officials
We always thought it- politicians generally are suspect
Foxes have control of the henhouse
The GOP now has control of the US house and has proceeded to exact revenge on the DEMs for perceived and real (correct) sins against the party. This energy world be better used to actually strike an accord and govern instead of pursuing irrational and uninformed issues. The course being followed will certainly come back to
bite” them and further divide the voters.
Shiny objects no motive for support-The most prominent or shiniest object more distracting than useful
Flip flops are not just footwear-
ask Linsey Hop graham and Botch McConnell
Patton slap to GOP-all Cowards!
General Patton was reprimanded for slapping a GI who was suffering from what we now know as” battle fatigue”, he was wrong in what he did however he was ordered to apologize for it. We as voters need not apologize if we “Patton” slap our elected officials
2Tr tax cut or 2Tr stimulus?
The GOP happily passed a 2trillion dollar tax cut that benefitted themselves and big business yet balk against 2trillion to stimulate the economy and help the voters. No brainer on who to vote foTop of Form
r.
Why Do Balding heads require parting?
Just curious
Congress competing for standup Comic jobs?
Standups are more serious about their work than these neer do wells
Its Ok until you’re the victim
What happens to one affects us all and we should all be involved or be at least paying attention.
Possibly hoods in the Congressional closet?
Ron Johnson has made plain what we have always suspected of the GOP. Perhaps not all but too many to ignore and we should not let the Dems off the hook either.
Fist Bump ridiculed once, now gentrified
During Obama Presidency fist bump was ridiculed, not so “ghetto” now is it?
Amazing disgrace: current miscreant elected officials
There is no partisanship when elected officials disrespect the office for their personal gain, not the country and the voters who put them in office.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Abel Meeropol (February 10, 1903 – October 29, 1986)[1] was an American songwriter and poet whose works were published under his pseudonym Lewis Allan. He wrote the poem and musical setting of “Strange Fruit” (1937), which was recorded by Billie Holiday.
Early life
Meeropol was born in 1903 to Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants in the Bronx, New York.[2][3][4] He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1921 (his classmate Countee Cullen graduated in 1922) and earned a B.A. from City College of New York and an M.A. from Harvard University. Meeropol taught English at DeWitt Clinton for 17 years.[5] During his tenure as a high school teacher, Meeropol taught author and racial justice advocate James Baldwin.[6]
Song writing and poetry
The sheet music for ‘Vote I. for Ben’, written for Communist New York City Council candidate Benjamin J. Davis Jr., 1943
Meeropol wrote the anti-lynching poem “Strange Fruit” (1937), first published as “Bitter Fruit” in a teacher union publication. He later set it to music. The song was recorded and performed by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.[7] Holiday notes in the book Lady Sings the Blues that she co-wrote the music to the song with Meeropol and Sonny White. The writers David Margolick and Hilton Als dismissed that claim in their work Strange Fruit: The Biography of a Song, writing that hers was “an account that may set a record for most misinformation per column inch”. When challenged, Holiday—whose autobiography had been ghostwritten by William Dufty—claimed, “I ain’t never read that book.”[8] Meeropol wrote numerous other poems and songs, including the Frank Sinatra and Josh White hit “The House I Live In”.[9] He also wrote the libretto of Robert Kurka’s opera The Good Soldier Schweik, which was premiered in 1958 by the New York City Opera.
According to his adopted son Robert Meeropol, the songs “Strange Fruit” and “The House I Live In”, along with the Peggy Lee hit “Apples, Peaches and Cherries”, provided most of the royalty income of the family. “Apples, Peaches and Cherries” was translated into French by Sacha Distel and became a number one hit in France under the title “Scoubidou”. Meeropol filed a copyright infringement lawsuit over Distel’s plagiarism as Distel initially had claimed the song as his. After the case was settled, Meeropol started receiving the royalties.[10]
Meeropol published his work under the pseudonym of “Lewis Allan” in memory of the names of his two stillborn children.
It appears that we are dupes or dopes(?). FFLOTUS told us what he would do if reelected and we ignored his factual statements on this. WE forgot what he did and tried to do in his previous administration. We forgot the lessons of history from 90 years ago when an authoritarian regime in Europe made the same types of promises prior to and after being elected. These promises were kept to the devastation of most of Europe and millions of lives lost. The current administration is attempting to follow the same kind of track with the assistance of unelected, uninformed businesspeople (who by many accounts are not very good at what they do in their real jobs?). The “so called” Red States have been deceived in thinking the administration will do great thing for them, however any actions that affect the population at large does not discriminate in red or blue states- all are affected. There are no exceptions to the actions that affect our lives except for those whose income is high enough to absorb the effects of “tariffs” aka taxes. “The proof is in the eating” as the saying goes and right now we are gagging! The ineffectual “leader we have and his minions (the too scared to do anything GOP) are following the same path as 1930’s Germany. While industry was revived, it was revived due to war production, and the population was grateful for the work and wages ignoring the fact that the “leader” was heading them to another war except the idea of not eating drove them forward ignoring the parallels of the previous world conflict’s devastation.
Our current government headed by the least capable leader since Andrew Johnson! Fast forward to now, governing by fiat appears to be the norm with a “damn the Torpedoes” attitude. It will take more effort on the part of the citizenry to ignore the loud and pay more attention to the quiet. History has shown where the current path of governance leads and we as citizens need to find another path!
The past 11 months of the current administration has been a whirlwind ride of Presidential orders, the BBB and an assortment of “deals “connected to Tariffs (tariffs are taxes paid eventually by the consumers). The wider world of business uses discussions about trade to benefit all parties as much as possible, this arrangement has benefitted everyone for many years until now. With the advent of “Trumplestilskin” we have seen “flim flam”, sleight of hand, subterfuge and outright lies become norms in many areas including our national discourse. The current GOP Congress has besmirched and debased the once honest brokers in right side politics. They have joined the long line of “puckerers”who have deserted their electoral base (who they were elected to protect and serve). There appears to be no guardrail too sacred to supplant or alter to aid the “Boss”! The long list of “acting, appointed (with no Congressional input) members” of this administration have brought lawsuit after lawsuit with little to no stronger evidence than the “nightly utterings of a child”. This iteration of Governing appears to be no more than stooges waiting for the next Rant in order to function.
Might I suggest that all of us put on our grown-up pants, forget party lines and determine what type of Americans we want to be and be diligent in our information consumption. We can be the ally and leader the rest of the world has seen us to be and want us to continue to be or join the “kiddy” table! Billy Shakespeare stated that “all the world’s a stage and we are merely players ( loosely stated by me), we the United States have forgotten who the real leaders are and they are us!
Home Warranty Companies or Extended warranties For a Variety of Objects and machines.
How to select:
Get a copy of their mission statement, contract or statement of operation.
Determine if their customer service is local (speaking your native language)
Request in your native language if you need it.
Do not believe the statements of coverage and the cadre of contractors across your area or the country.
Better Business inquiries usually do not yield much useable information. Even if the company has good or bad rating.
In their advertising they tout how many contractors they have, 24-hour service.
The reality: The service quality depends on the company’s relationship with the contractors.
1.Your basic fee may be less that the contractor fee.
2.Replacement or repair price is negotiated with the contractor to get the cheapest price for the job.
Relative to their location: contractors have a basic fee (which the customer pays) to make the visit and evaluate the problem. When the evaluation is complete the contractor provides that information to the company and the company approves the evaluation after some negotiation (the company always goes for the cheapest way not necessarily best way e.g. If you have a high-quality product and the repair would exceed the price of replacement, the company will offer the customer a” token” amount for replacement maybe with installation according to the product).
Summary:
Read the contract
Talk only to customer service people who speak your language
Get specific details on Contractor fees (even if you have a contracted fee with the company All of these companies express their ability to service but have the basic objective of getting as many signed up as possible but can and will fail the customer at some point usually in the negotiation with the contractor. Remember contractors are being hosed as well as the customer and for that reason the better contractors do not remain in the service of these companies. The hype of what you save in time and money from these companies varies from state
Wow, those military parades can’t even keep a totalitarian awake. Jun 16
President Trump’s Shitstaffel Chief Stephen Miller, who is currently getting a busy signal from his wife, the New Musk GF Du Jour, has had a busy week rounding up school children, four year olds, and people who pick crops to feed his emaciated Goebbels face.
He had Trump send U.S. Marines, the California National Guard, and any loose Boy Scout troop to patrol the streets of Los Angeles, to no real effect, since what was, in fact, going on was 4,000,000 people getting ready to go to a Dodgers game, brunch, or Disneyland.
This cartoon features a device called “transmogrification”, which means that you make a human into some other weird, surprising object. I think. As I have previously noted here, I am always looking for a little phrase that I can turn into a drawing. They’re not puns, per se, they’re word play. So I kept thinking about the phrase, “Stephen Miller’s biggest fan,” which, of course ultimately called for me converting Trump into an actual fan, which was surprisingly easy to do. Sometimes, this doesn’t work, at all. This worked fine, as Trump’s mouth is open all the time when he’s not pouting. Throw in a whirling blade, build the face around it, and there you go.
I am remiss in not featuring Miller more. I drew him a few times during Trump 1.0, but mostly haven’t done that much about him. I can see this needs to be done much more going forward. It’s my patriotic duty.
I can only imagine the chitchat between Miller and his equally odious wife when he found out she was going to join Musk and his 12 other wives in California.
X-wife, if you will.
Anyway, let’s move on, shall we?
I couldn’t resist doing this, even being part of the Resistance. I have always called The Home Depot “The Home Despot”, and even genius buddy Joel Pett, my colleague late of the Lexington Herald Leader (don’t get him started, either) said he calls it the same thing.
When I set out to do a storefront, I always have to take some care that it at least vaguely resembles the actual business. I drew Walmart the other day, for example, and carefully reproduced the Walmart logo. In this case, I noted that Home Depots usually have that orange lattice on the top of the building. Not exclusively, but usually. When I draw lattice (most frequently on NASA rocket launch gantries, I am usually kind of winging it. I suppose if you carefully examined the lattice, you would probably note that it isn’t technically correct, but I also know it’s unlikely you will give it that level of scrutiny, and thank God.
Then there’s the tank.
I almost never look at tank photos anymore, and just draw a tank the way I want it to look. I suppose that now I have brought this up, I also may have to do that, just to amuse myself. I remember looking at older cartoonists work in 1980, and noting that they would draw television cameras from 1950, with multiple interchangeable lenses sticking out. I would sigh, and draw them correctly, because I am so hip and with it.
I drew a camera a few years ago, and I got a note from a cameraman saying, hey buddy, you might want to check out the way cameras look now, which I did. Wow, were they off. I assume this means that there’s now a new generation of cartoonists looking at my cameras and shaking their heads about how out of it I am.
I’m 64, after all. You can’t keep up with everything. I used to listen to American Top 40 in 1976 and knew every single on the Billboard chart, and whether it was rising or falling. “Oh, Bungle in the Jungle has dropped to Number 24”.
Let’s resume the countdown. NUMBER THREE!
Normally, I don’t like to do cartoons like this, which are simply paens to someone. I’m not above it, but I was delighted to see and hear Gov. Gavin Newsom’s speech the other day where he acted like he wasn’t exactly setting the table for his political future. He sounded like a guy who actually was passionate and sincere about the direct threat of authoritarianism facing this country, California, and him.
Look, I know Newsom is, in fact, a politician likely lining up for 2028, if we have an election, which I do not assume at this point. But he showed a lot of courage and character, and I give him props for doing so.
When doing these types of cartoons, the subject is usually dead or leaving office. There is a fine line between interesting and cornball, so I kept thinking “beacon”. That’s when I saw Gav as a lighthouse. I also really enjoyed drawing this as:
I enjoy drawing water.
I enjoy drawing dark skies.
I enjoy drawing blue and yellow drawings.
I enjoy drawing Newsom.
Newsom is beyond good-looking, honestly. I’ve talked to him many times in person, and I find myself looking at him as an objet d’art—how did they do that? He looks better in person; he almost has an AI appearance to him. Obama: same. JFK: same. Reagan: same. When we have to tackle the good-looking politicians, male or female, it’s something of a challenge. Prior to television, it was perfectly normal to elect politicians who weren’t handsome or pretty. Radio faces, and all. Now most electeds look like weekend weathermen or saleswomen at Nordstrom.
Next?
This was kinda fun.
I’ve never drawn the iconic JFK birthday song by Marilyn Monroe, who was dressed in “skin and beads, and I didn’t see the beads,” according to historian and Kennedy guy Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.. Finally I got my chance here.
I had originally labelled Marilyn Monster as “FASCISM,” which would have fit better. Labeling is tough, people, and the only space I had was where you see it, although in closer examination I could have put it on the tail. I then decided to say “AUTHORITARIANISM,” which was still a bit more accurate than fascism, although I am very open to your counterarguments.
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