Category Archives: Government

The rise of a new form of germ theory denial

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD There is a growing, concerning movement undermining one of the most well established scientific theories there is: germ theory, the idea that germs—like viruses and bacteria—cause disease. But it’s subtle. Outright denial of germ theory is … Continue reading →

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Are we on the cusp of a new religious revival? 

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By David Brooks Opinion Columnist in the NYT – article titled “How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact” I had forgotten how exhausting it is to live in Donald Trump’s world. He’s not only a political figure. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Government, happiness, History, Mental Health, Religion | 1 Comment

Try to re-establish the rule of law

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

commentary by historian Heather Cox Richardson Yesterday I identified incorrectly the messaging app newly fired national security advisor Michael Waltz was using at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday as the unsecure Signal app. Joseph Cox of 404 Media identified the app as … Continue reading →

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The fate of NPR and PBS?

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M. Dear Mary,Late last night, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board of directors to “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS.” The order would negatively impact the partnership between PBS … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Media | Leave a comment

DOGE and the Peace Corps meet up

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: I just received the sad but expected message below from the National Peace Corps Office. Please note that this beloved creation of President John F. Kenney has a very modest budget. Peace Corps: ~$430.5 million; Department of State … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Military, Politics, Social justice, Volunteering | Leave a comment

Liar’s Club

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

From the Salt Lake Tribune (thanks to Bob P.)

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Down is up – “It’s totally bananas bonkers”

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson This morning the Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report showing an abrupt reversal in the U.S. economy. Gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total market value of goods and services, shrank from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Government, Immigration, Politics | Leave a comment

The making of an oligarchy

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Heather Cox Richardson Last night a new club opened in the wealthy Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, D.C. It’s called “Executive Branch,” and it’s an invitation-only club backed by Donald Trump Jr. and megadonor Omeed Malik. Dasha Burns of Politico reported … Continue reading →

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“Honest Men Like Me”

Posted on April 26, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Today’s major stories must be seen in the context of President Donald Trump’s dramatic losses in court and his plummeting poll numbers. Yesterday, Trump told the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue, the platform that … Continue reading →

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The Ugly Historical Echoes of Kennedy’s Comments on Autism

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Jessica Grose Opinion Writer in the NYT (thanks to Ed M) Last week Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held his first news briefing as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to address a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading →

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Gov. Josh Shapiro: Finding Moral Clarity After an Arsonist’s Attack

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Josh Shapiro — Mr. Shapiro is the governor of Pennsylvania (thanks to Mary Jane F.) I woke up to yelling in the hallway. A few seconds later, there was a bang on the door. It was just after 2 a.m., … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Government, Religion | 1 Comment

What is ‘ordo amoris?’ Vice President JD Vance invokes this medieval Catholic concept

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: As reported in the NYT Pope Francis and JD Vance don’t see eye to eye on what loving the neighbor should mean. “Pope Francis on Tuesday harshly criticized President Trump’s policy of mass deportations and urged Catholics to … Continue reading →

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Word of the year by the Economist in 2024

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from Wikipedia (thanks to Mary M.) A kakistocracy (/ˌkækɪˈstɒkrəsi/ KAK-ist-OK-rə-see) is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens.[1]: 54 [2][3] The word was coined as early as the 17th century,[4] and is derived from two Greek words, kákistos (κάκιστος, ‘worst’) and krátos (κράτος, ‘rule’), with a literal meaning … Continue reading →

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First They Came – by Pastor Martin Niemöller

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust First they came for the CommunistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a CommunistThen they came for the SocialistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a SocialistThen they came for … Continue reading →

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What’s Happening Is Not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That Is Not Normal.

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: This “call to action” by David Brooks is a challenge to us all. What steps strategically will help to slow the tsunami of dysfunctional destructive edits coming from the White House? Doing nothing, thus caving in, isn’t an … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Education, Government, Law, Politics | Leave a comment

‘This Should Be Shocking:’ Read a Federal Appeals Panel’s Sharp Rebuke of the Trump Administration

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Adam Liptak and Alan Feuer in the NYT Ed note: I hope we all have a chance to read this beautiful 7 page ruling below from the conservative Judge Wilkson. It states in clear language that we all (citizens or not) have … Continue reading →

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News Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter gives context to current events that is more readable and incisive than most commentators. I’ll try to more frequently post her essays because of the need to put the daily chaos into some kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Government, Immigration, Law | Leave a comment

The tragic story of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to MaryLou P. and others) This evening, lawyers for the Department of Justice told a federal court that the administration does not believe it has a legal obligation to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Immigration, Law, Politics | Leave a comment

‘Don’t Fight the Stupidity’ and Other Relevant Bonhoeffer Advice

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Tim Snyder in Sojourners (thanks to Mary Jane F.) As a theologian, I get nervous when reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer becomes all too relevant. I’m the kind of theologian who would rather not find myself in what some scholars refer … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Essays, Ethics, Government, History, Religion | Leave a comment

View Historic City Council Meeting – Unanimous Approval of Skyline’s Skybridge!

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Disabilities, Government, Health, In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on View Historic City Council Meeting – Unanimous Approval of Skyline’s Skybridge!

The tariff question

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

David J. Lynch – Washington Post (thanks to Mary M.) The tariff barrage that President Donald Trump unleashed this week on the world economy marks a decisive end to an era of freewheeling globalization that was shaped by American policymakers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Government | Comments Off on The tariff question

Trump Just Bet the Farm

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Thomas L. Friedman Opinion Columnist in the NYT (thanks to Marilyn W.) Donald Trump is not known for doing his homework — he’s more of a go-with-my-gut kind of guy. What I find most terrifying about what Trump is doing … Continue reading →

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Connecticut Senator Murphy explains the real purpose of Trump’s tariffs

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C.

Posted in Economics, Government | 1 Comment

“The Trump Tariff Tax is the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history,” former Vice President Mike Pence

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson – posted yesterday April 2nd as the anticipated fallout began Just five months ago, on October 19, 2024, The Economist ran a special report on America’s economy. That economy was, the magazine said, “the envy of … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance, Government | Comments Off on “The Trump Tariff Tax is the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history,” former Vice President Mike Pence

“Perfect Storm” at the University of Washington

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. This message is being sent to all staff, faculty and academic personnel across the University of Washington. Dear colleagues, Over the past two months, we have been tracking and responding to a range of policy changes … Continue reading →

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