Columnists

ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Expectations of Mentally Ill Completely Different vs. Non-Disabled

Jack Bragen
Sunday July 04, 2021 - 02:48:00 PM

The mental health treatment system, composed of the people being treated for a psychiatric condition and those treating us, could be seen as a sub-society; it would be a small segment of society that can be distinguished from the mainstream of those who work at professional and/or union jobs, as well as the affluent, as well as undocumented workers. -more-


THE PUBLIC EYE: Biden's Infrastructure Strategy

Bob Burnett
Sunday July 04, 2021 - 03:39:00 PM

On March 31st, President Joe Biden introduced his infrastructure plan, "The American Jobs Plan" (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan/ ) This is an omnibus $2 trillion plan to repair the major holes in America's infrastructure, and to create jobs. After three months of negotiation, it appears that Congress will pass at least a $1 trillion bipartisan plan. (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/24/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-support-for-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-framework/ ) -more-


ECLECTIC RANT: For the People Act: Senate Democrats Lose Procedural Vote

Ralph E. Stone
Sunday July 04, 2021 - 02:51:00 PM

In a Senate procedural vote on whether to start debate on Senator Joe Manchins compromise For the People Act, which would add a nationwide voter ID requirement or other alternative like providing a utility bill receipt to prove identity; make Election Day a public holiday; along with an outline of about 24 other proposals that incorporate some of the original bill, including tighter campaign finance and ethics rules. The For the People Act ended as expected in a 50-50 vote along party lines. Sixty votes had been required to overcome Republicansuse of the filibuster. -more-


SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces

Gar Smith
Sunday July 04, 2021 - 02:55:00 PM

High-Caliber Christians

I just saw a fellow on the news proclaiming his undying fealty to Donald Trump. He was wearing a blood-red cap that read: "God Guns Trump."

Apparently the Fifth Commandment ("Thou Shalt Not Kill") is trumped by the Second Amendment ("Thou Shalt Bear Arms").

Meanwhile, Trump's First Commandment continues to be: "I am the Lord, thy God! Thou shalt have no other Gods but me!"

Nicknames for T****

In November 2020, Late Show host and recent Peabody Award-winner Stephen Colbert took an oath to no longer allow Donald Trump's name to be heard or seen on his late-night broadcast. But that presented a challenge: How do you refer to DJT without uttering his name? Answer: create some utterly ridiculous nicknames.

Here are a few that Colbert, his writers, and his audience have come up with: The Former Guy. Eric's Dad. Douche Nozzle. Orange Shrek. Mango Unchained. Traffic Cone of Treason. Girth Vader. Previous Occupant of the Oval Office (POOO). And Penis Pumpkinhead. -more-