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Archives for 2017

Trump Decertifying Iran Nuclear Deal more MALO than MAGA

Friday, October 13, 2017 at 8:22 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Hardly a day goes by without Donald Trump doing or saying something to make his presidency a laughing stock. A recent highlight (or lowlight) had him shooting paper towels like basketballs into a crowd of cheering reporters during a photo-op stop in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. He reportedly thought this would provide a sign of hope… Read more.

Weinstein vs Trump: Hollywood more Righteous than Bible Belt…?

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 7:22 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

To quote The Freewheelin song by Bob Dylan, The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. After all, when Harvey Weinstein was outed as a sexual predator last week, righteous indignation compelled Hollywood actors to rebuke him. By contrast, when Donald Trump was outed as a sexual predator last year, political opportunism compelled evangelical… Read more.

Wildfires Rivaling Hurricanes…

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Here is how I began a commentary on the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States this season: No doubt this hurricane will leave a lot of devastation in his wake, which will likely include more (preventable) casualties. But it’s important to maintain some perspective. For example, it might be helpful to… Read more.

This Hurricane Harvey Harassed Hollywood Hotties for Decades

Friday, October 6, 2017 at 8:17 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Two decades ago, the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein invited Ashley Judd to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel for what the young actress expected to be a business breakfast meeting. Instead, he had her sent up to his room, where he appeared in a bathrobe and asked if he could give her a massage or she… Read more.

Pakistan Declares Former President Pervez Musharraf a Fugitive

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 8:06 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

I have found on occasion that merely listing the titles of a few commentaries speaks volumes about a topic. As it happens, I have written many commentaries on the fractious, even murderous, politics of Pakistan. This seems a good occasion to merely list the titles of a few of them: “Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf: A… Read more.

Target Las Vegas: Another Mass Shooting in Gun-Crazy USA

Monday, October 2, 2017 at 8:13 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

America is fighting unwinnable wars, implementing feckless screenings, erecting unsightly bollards, and enacting racist laws – all in a misguided attempt to combat “radical Islamic terrorism.” I’ve been bemoaning, if not warning, for years that none of it will ever protect us against this kind of “home-grown terrorism”: At least [58] people were killed and… Read more.

Catalonia Continues Sisyphean Climb Towards Independence

Monday, October 2, 2017 at 7:17 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Catalonia held an independence referendum yesterday. But only the Einsteinian definition of “insanity” explains why. It’s bad enough that legal prohibitions and political machinations rendered it invalid. But this referendum followed similar referendums in 2009 and 2011, mass independence rallies in 2010 and 2012, a parliamentary declaration of sovereignty in 2013, a self-determination referendum in… Read more.