President’s Day is the third Monday in February and is not what most people might assume. This celebration was established in 1885 in honor of America’s first official president, George Washington. For years, Americans celebrated Washington on the day he was born, February 22. Abraham Lincoln was acknowledged on his birth date of February 12. During the 1960’s when I was in elementary school we wrote papers about Washington and Lincoln each February and colored pictures of both men that were hung on the classroom wall. We were taught two major facts about these leaders that stick with me today. George Washington was the father of our country and Lincoln had freed the slaves.

Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey is dismissing tens of thousands of convictions related to marijuana possession. But it’s not enough. This is great news but it needs to go further. Not only does the substance need to be cleared from records, it needs to be decriminalized and legalized completely nation-wide.

Although Julius Caesar acted in many ways like a monarch, the change from Roman Republic to Roman Empire dates from the accession to the role of head of state of Gaius Octavius (later Gaius Julius Caesar, but generally known as Octavian), with the title Caesar Augustus. This took place in 27 BC, but the process of turning Octavian into Augustus had been a long and painful one.

The traditional view is that America takes its name from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who sailed to South America in 1499. However, a Welshman based in Bristol has at least an equal claim to the honour.

The story of the Black Hole of Calcutta was one that was believed for decades to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but what really happened would appear to be very different from what the history books used to tell.

Another fairly slow week for Congress, with only 16 votes taken. Eleven of them were party line, and Rep. Steil voted with the Republicans every time again this week. That brings us to six straight weeks of Bryan not thinking for himself.

During the fifty fourth Super Bowl this year in 2020, the Half-Time show was a performance put on by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. The show caused quite the controversy in the media. While everybody is entitled to their opinion, some things are simply facts. Facts and humanity are what we are here to discuss today.

The Czech New Wave was a film movement that emerged in 1963 which writer Simon Hitchman in his 2015 article suggested was due to increasing pressure for socio-political reform within Czechoslovakia. The country was in the midst of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSR) period in which the country was under communist rule. Film makers needed a voice to combat this oppressive rule and thus the New Wave movement began. During this period, a renowned female director, Vera Chytilova; ‘first lady of Czech cinema,’ according to Fox in 2014, released the film Daisies in 1966. The film is a 70-minute experimental, absurdist look at two young girls who, after deciding that the world ‘has gone bad’ decide that they themselves will ‘go bad’ too. They embark on a series of anarchic, destructive behaviours as a rebellion against society. Theorist Shaviro in 2007 wrote that he regarded Daisies as a ‘violently nihilistic assault’ against the conventions of filmmaking, social normalities and even the spectator themselves.

It is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces of Royal film ever: a 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth dedicating her entire life to the service of her people and further Commonwealth family. Her historic words – “my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service” – set a precedent for her reign, and in the near seventy years of service as Queen and Monarch, she has unflinchingly, stoically and tirelessly honoured each and every word.

Photo by Mick Reynolds

Ah, 2019. What a year. It was...long and...uh...that's all I can think of right now: it was long. It was so long, that so many things happened, that I can't remember what happened at the beginning of the year. Hell, I can't even remember what happened at the beginning of the day! That's how bad it is. So, with that, here are a few things that you might have forgotten that happened in 2019.

I’ve been invited recently to the fifth annual Youth Global Forum in Amsterdam as a journalist.

Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey is dismissing tens of thousands of convictions related to marijuana possession. But it’s not enough. This is great news but it needs to go further. Not only does the substance need to be cleared from records, it needs to be decriminalized and legalized completely nation-wide.

Climate change is a reality: last year, Spain suffered five heat waves, an unknown number until then. Cordoba reached 46.9 degrees centigrade, and was not the only city to see its summer temperature (already high) rise considerably from last year's. As citizens of the world, this affects us directly, and in ways that we had not even considered.

In 2009, the Democrats controlled congress, the courts and the executive branch. The more environmentally inclined party still increased fossil fuel production but can at least be credited with slightly decreasing emissions. The grade doesn’t cut it for long time environmental activist Dr. Susan Rubin, and the Chappaqua, NY resident really didn’t have to see the final report card to know that the Obama administration would come up far short. “I stopped smoking hopium in 2009,” Rubin said, and can only hold her breath in hopes that the movement she’s joined helps avert the environmental catastrophe we all face.

It is not unusual for two networks to air specials surrounding the same topics. What is unusual is that ABC and Fox are airing specials on the same night about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's stepping away from being senior members of the royal family and their move to become more independent.

Photo by Gage Skidmore

It has been only a few days since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from being senior members of the royal family, but there are already some plans in place for their future.

In memory is where many of us can escape the surrealness of now. For a nation that was founded by the guiding principles of Liberty, Justice, Education, and Morality have all withered by the decay of corruption, deceit, and greed of those who we entrusted to do the publics good. From humble beginnings of a fledging nation to the harsh realities of today the American public have been grossly misled. While some Presidents and members of Congress thought they were moving the country in the right direction only to have the public ill prepared for the consequences of their actions have had lasting effects on every American. Some of those actions taken were designed to deceive the public and entrench a ruling class elite.

Since we are wrapping up Bryan Steil’s first year in the House, it seems like a good time for a review. So here are the top votes for each month, to give you a feel for Steil’s record.

Let’s start with the obvious news of the week: At 8:32 PM Eastern Standard Time on December 18, Donald Trump became the third US President to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The first article, regarding Trump’s quid pro quo deal with the Ukranians, passed 230 to 197, with only two Democrats (Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew) voting no. Every single Republican sided with Donald Trump. The second article, regarding obstruction of Congress, passed 229 to 198, with Peterson, Van Drew and Jared Golden of Maine against. Every single Republican voted in favor of allowing the President to hinder a congressional investigation.

The flag of the rising sun is a flag that was used by the Imperial Army of Japan during and before World War II. Many pacific countries have complicated opinions about the flag. This is because wherever the flag went atrocity, sorrow, and death followed swiftly, mostly as a package deal. After the endless carnage, the flag would be posted up around the fallen kingdom in high places, banning the one belonging to the country, a symbol of dominance, nationalistic pride, and triumph. This flag had spread throughout Pacific Eurasia, including but not limited to Korea, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In the eyes of Imperial Japan the people they invaded were treated as beings less than human – playthings, literal objects of pleasure, bullet catchers, slaves. Worthy only of use and death, the usual when it comes to war crimes. The only problem is that this flag, a symbol of atrocity, is still flown today.

During the fifty fourth Super Bowl this year in 2020, the Half-Time show was a performance put on by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. The show caused quite the controversy in the media. While everybody is entitled to their opinion, some things are simply facts. Facts and humanity are what we are here to discuss today.

Legality

There are three key issues to look at when examining the Peruvian mining case. The first issue is the violence, conflict, frustration and poverty of created by the mining practices of certain mining companies. Their policies then create a climate of violence, conflict, poverty and frustration because they refuse to listen to the local populations demands. The second issue taking place in Peru is the increasing violations of human rights by the mining companies and their private security forces. The last issue brought is the question whether or not the industry will be viable in the future with metal prices falling.

I’m being censored in secret. In Germany, Nicole Junkermann, associate of Jeffrey Epstien, Ehud Barak, Matt Hancock MP and Peter Thiel, has taken out a court injunction to silence me. However, they haven’t informed me of the case. They have never served me with any court papers - as required by the “Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters” - more commonly called the “Hague Service Convention”. Therefore, I have had no opportunity to respond to any accusations and it’s clear that the German judiciary is automatically on the side of the multimillionaire Epstein associate, Countess Nicole Junkermann. The first time I heard any rumors about a German court injunction taken out against me was on 11 January 2020. I’ll always remember the date very well as I was nursing my dying cat when it came through the letterbox. Because I was about to lose my big ginger buddy of almost two decades, I had zero emotional response to the incoming mail.

Injustice is everywhere.

To date over 6,000 Americans have died due to our blundering in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In the Vietnam War we lost over 58,000 Americans and what for? What have these wars brought to the American people I ask you? We are still in Afghanistan and Iraq. Vietnam was a complete failure and what is interesting is all of these wars never had a clear goal or mission in mind. I must ask what is our mission in Iran, if it begets war.

The attacks on the World Trade Centre and on the Pentagon had a lasting effect on the world which we still see to this day. The events that had taken place on September 11, 2001, was quoted by many as the event that had ‘changed everything.' The attacks had caused many changes to happen in many aspects around the world and changed many attitudes as to how to cope and deal with terrorism. It had caused conflicts to begin in Afghanistan and Iraq, with many nations around the world rushing to America’s aid to deal with those that had caused 9/11. Security was increased drastically to try and prevent anything on this magnitude to ever be able to happen again. The biggest change to have come from the attacks was surely the intelligence services.

United Kingdoms Exclusive Economic Zone

Although Julius Caesar acted in many ways like a monarch, the change from Roman Republic to Roman Empire dates from the accession to the role of head of state of Gaius Octavius (later Gaius Julius Caesar, but generally known as Octavian), with the title Caesar Augustus. This took place in 27 BC, but the process of turning Octavian into Augustus had been a long and painful one.

The traditional view is that America takes its name from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who sailed to South America in 1499. However, a Welshman based in Bristol has at least an equal claim to the honour.

The story of the Black Hole of Calcutta was one that was believed for decades to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but what really happened would appear to be very different from what the history books used to tell.

"STL Trans & GNC Pride March 2019

My daughter's first rally was in support of our city last year and she protested for peace and against hatred for all. She had just found out about children and families being kept in Immigration Camps. She insisted on going to the rally at our City Hall. At first I was hesitant to take her because I worried that it would get too rowdy. Knowing that it was going to take part at City Hall and be attended by our mayor I felt that it would be a good first time experience for her. You see she's nine and she's very interested in the world and politics. She watches the news and loves history. She's reading children's books about children enduring difficult situations during Word War II and about Germany and Nazi's. Most of the stories talk about losing books or language and are age appropriate. Recently at school she wrote her own report about World War II while other kids in her class wrote about how to take care of your pets. Her curiosity keeps her busy writing stories. She's taken a bit after her dad who also loves history. It's very interesting to see.

Photo by Mick Reynolds

Another fairly slow week for Congress, with only 16 votes taken. Eleven of them were party line, and Rep. Steil voted with the Republicans every time again this week. That brings us to six straight weeks of Bryan not thinking for himself.

A relatively busy week for Congress this week, with 20 votes. 17 were party line, and Steil continued his record of non-thinking, voting with the Republican caucus every time this week.

The phrase “separation of church and state” is one of the most commonly used yet least understood political sayings in all of modern vernacular. Many Christians claim this separation as the unrelenting law that took prayer from public schools, tore down crosses from public parks and seeks to removed America from being “one nation under God”. Others see it as an open minded and helpful gesture that ensures equality for a nation of immigrants that is a melting pot of global cultures. For both good and bad the term “separation of church and state” has been touted in more wrong ways that correct ways.

In the final week of 2019, I asked the supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang (otherwise known as the Yang Gang) to let me know their favorite videos of the year with or about him, and to vote on them using likes on Twitter. The result was a list of over 30 favorite videos. I then took the top 15 from that list and asked the Yang Gang to rank them using ranked-choice voting (one of Yang's policy proposals) to best determine the top ten videos. Over 350 people voted and this ranked list is the result.

Before I get into this, I want to play my “minority card” granting me the power of immunity to personal attacks about my perceived privilege. I hope by the time you finished reading this post the following declaration will be redundant. I am a masculine looking gay woman, I grew up poor, and I am half native. I also live with a mental illness, but I mean who doesn’t these days? My point is while my stats indicate I am not a typical person of “privilege,” my education and my bank account would state otherwise. I graduated at the University of Calgary with a bachelor of social work. I basically have a degree in oppression. We were always encouraged to advocate for people in-need. While I do agree with many of the principals and philosophies of social work I've seen being a "social justice warrior" become bastardized, and hijacked by today's youth in the name of leftist politics. Here are four uncomfortable truths about "the left" that more conservative thinkers and politically centered folk find cringey and foolish.

Recently, scientists moved the Armageddon clock closer to midnight than it's ever been. This clock, which shows us how close we are to the end of the world as we know it, has been around for decades.

President’s Day is the third Monday in February and is not what most people might assume. This celebration was established in 1885 in honor of America’s first official president, George Washington. For years, Americans celebrated Washington on the day he was born, February 22. Abraham Lincoln was acknowledged on his birth date of February 12. During the 1960’s when I was in elementary school we wrote papers about Washington and Lincoln each February and colored pictures of both men that were hung on the classroom wall. We were taught two major facts about these leaders that stick with me today. George Washington was the father of our country and Lincoln had freed the slaves.

There were two anxieties that unnerved us at the place where we checked in for a long weekend. Not in a Norman Bates way as in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller ‘Psycho’; thankfully. The first anxiety was the lady owner. We were confident she would not sneak into the place with a knife while one of us was having a shower or deliver “some milk and sandwiches” at the dead of night. She just gave off this air of knowing all our movements and appearing out of nowhere. The second anxiety was her Yorkshire terrier. Such a little thing with a face like a gremlin crossed with a Tasmanian devil and the attitude to match.

Back in June of 2019, I tweeted about the latest egregious example of MSNBC excluding Democratic Presidential candidate Andrew Yang from their ongoing coverage of the 2020 Presidential candidates. There had been previous examples, but that was the worst up to that point because they had photos of all 20 candidates who were going to be in the first debates, and instead of including Yang as one of them, they included someone who wasn't even going to be there. I then started to add each new example as a new reply, and that ongoing thread has now been covered over and over again with each new example as a source of entertaining absurdity. It's been covered by traditional media outlets like The Guardian, Vox, and The Hill. It's also been covered by new media like Ethan and Hila Klein of the H3 Podcast for their two million subscribers.

Britain and racism---

It's official: The Republicans would rather choose loyalty to Trump rather than loyalty to the country

It’s strange sitting here and watching seconds fall off the clock as the march almighty toward the hallow sunlit uplands of Brexit fast approaches.

In a weird case of life imitating art, the country of Wakanda - established in #Marvel canon as the homeland of King T'Challa aka Black Panther - has been struck from the list of approved free trade agreement partners with the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA.

Looking at Justin Trudeau's latest scandal. I started wondering about cultural appropriation, and how each region around the world thinks about things differently.

How do you lampoon an election that already routinely veers into absurd territory? That’s a challenge that Trevor Noah, the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, faces nightly, as he discusses an election cycle of scandals, leaks, bigotry, and fear-mongering—a cycle where even the most unprecedented happenings have become mundane. A South African television and radio host and comedian, Noah has been the host of The Daily Show since 2015. Being the child of a Xhosa mother and Swiss-German father, his childhood in Johannesburg under apartheid’s Immorality Act had a large impact on his life and future in comedy. This is explained in his autobiographical comedy book Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, which become a #1 New York Times Bestseller and named one of the best books of the year after being published in 2016. Noah's mixed-race ancestry, his experiences growing up in Soweto, and his observations about race and ethnicity are leading themes in his comedy. His typical humor genres include political/news satire, deadpan, and black, insult, and observational comedy. This he carried over to The Daily Show after the retirement of his predecessor and one of his comedic influences Jon Stewart, integrating political and ethnic humor.

“Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” ― Mark Twain

To date over 6,000 Americans have died due to our blundering in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In the Vietnam War we lost over 58,000 Americans and what for? What have these wars brought to the American people I ask you? We are still in Afghanistan and Iraq. Vietnam was a complete failure and what is interesting is all of these wars never had a clear goal or mission in mind. I must ask what is our mission in Iran, if it begets war.