Archives for 2024

Democratic Elections in Autocratic Iran and Russia? Why Do They Bother?

Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10:09 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Iran’s democratic charade In the grand circus of global politics, few acts are more darkly comical than so-called ‘democratic’ elections held in autocracies. Take Iran, for instance. Yesterday, Iran held parliamentary elections, exuding the enthusiasm of a tranquilized sloth. The economy’s languishing in the gutter, the populace suffers a collective Stockholm Syndrome, and the government is engrossed in… Read more.

Sen. McConnell to Retire as Minority Leader: Good Riddance, Mitch.

Friday, March 1, 2024 at 6:21 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

McConnell, the Grim Reaper Mitch McConnell (82), the longest-serving Senate leader in history, shocked Washington on Wednesday. He announced he plans to retire as minority leader in November. His decision punctuates a powerful ideological transition underway in the Republican Party, from Ronald Reagan’s brand of traditional conservatism and strong international alliances, to the fiery, often isolationist populism of… Read more.

Supreme Court Decides to Hear Trump Immunity Claim, Giving Him De Facto Immunity

Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:11 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Presidential immunity? The Appeals Court said, hell no Donald Trump’s autocratic and notorious claim is that a president enjoys “absolute immunity” for every presidential action. He stretches this to the absurd, suggesting immunity would even shield a president ordering Seal Team 6 to assassinate political rivals. This outrageous notion was what the US Court of Appeals for… Read more.

Justice Thomas Hired Racist Clerk Because He Hates Black People Too

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 6:27 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Thomas: an embarrassment to the Court and his race Let’s face it: Only pathological self-loathing explains this: Justice Clarence Thomas recently hired a law clerk who was previously accused of sending racist text messages. … In late 2017, a New Yorker story reported that Ms. [Crystal] Clanton, who had served for five years as the national field… Read more.

Letitia James Slays Trump and the NRA. But Whither Fani Willis

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 6:15 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

In case you haven’t noticed, New York State Attorney General Letitia James has been kicking ass and taking names. And she’s not targeting the usual suspects on the streets. Because she’s going after the presumed untouchables in the C-suites too. Tish humbles Trump and LaPierre It was another day of eye-popping courtroom victories for New York State… Read more.

Special Counsel Hur Damns Biden with Faint Sympathy

Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 6:25 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Hur damns Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland handpicked Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate Biden’s mishandling of classified documents. However, Hur laced his report with so many cheap shots that it read more like a political hit job than an investigative report. Did Special Counsel Robert Hur Cross the line when he attacked President Biden’s mental acuity in… Read more.

Widow of Haitian President Orchestrated His Assassination? Haiti Is a Lost Cause

Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6:29 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

The widow did it She might be a “Black widow.” But, given reports that Martine Moïse orchestrated her husband’s assassination, “queen bee” might be a more fitting title. The wife of Haiti’s former President Jovenel Moïse, Martine Moïse, and the former prime minister Claude Joseph are among 51 people who have been indicted over the assassination of… Read more.

Israelis Soldiers Filming Their War Crimes for Social Media ‘Likes’

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 10:08 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Israeli war crimes Last month, South Africa filed a case in the United Nation’s highest court accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. I reacted by accusing South Africa of being a useful idiot. I argued this was a blatant deflection, a smokescreen for the actual genocide – courtesy of its comrade Russia in Ukraine. I found the gaslighting at play unconscionable.… Read more.

Observing Presidents’ Day

Monday, February 19, 2024 at 6:02 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Presidents’ Day: it’s about the sales, man Alas, “Presidents’ Day” has become just another jingoistic way to induce Americans to shop for cars and mattresses. And this is one distortion or, in this case, commercialization of history that has nothing to do with race matters. Instead, this one stems from TV commercials now heralding and defining this… Read more.

The Fall of Avdiivka: US and NATO Should Be Ashamed

Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 7:19 PM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Congress dithers while Ukraine falls This week, Republicans set yet another precedent for congressional shame and dysfunction. With one gesture, they shocked NATO and pleased Russia in equal measure. Members skipped town for a two-week vacation, not bothering to vote on, much less pass, a critical aid bill. The House of Representatives has broken up for its… Read more.