Who defeated the Islamic State In Syria?

Before answering that question. What is the ISIS? Can the public overcome its chronic amnesia and think back to the sudden appearance of ISIS dressed in brand new black uniforms, gleaming white NIKE’s and driving Toyota trunks? They seemed to appear out of nowhere in 2014. ISIS looked as if it were a mirage when it appeared, or more likely a CIA staged scene from Hollywood.

No sooner had ISIS appeared than it went on a head chopping binge that repulsed and frightened the US public. Washington officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry rang the alarm that this hoard of Islamic crazies wanted to invade the US and “kill us all”. A well-compliant mainstream media swallowed Washington’s script and regurgitated it to frighten a US public. The public gave its silent consent for more war really aimed at Bashar al-Assad.

Woman with her back to the camera wearing a large winter coat with furry hood holding a big sign that reads CHOOSE PEACE, she is with a group of people at a rally

Wednesday, January 3, 7-8:30pm, Columbus Metropolitan Library [Rm. 1-A], 96 S. Grant Ave.
Jewish Voice for Peace members are inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, equality, human rights, respect for international law, and a U.S. foreign policy based on these ideals. Contact: centralohio@jvp.orgfacebook.com/JVPCentralOhio

, 2018, at the University of Baltimore, Maryland. Endorsers include: Alliance for Global Justice, Black Alliance for Peace, CODEPINK, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, International Action Center, Liberty Tree Foundation, MLK Justice Coalition, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Popular Resistance, United National Antiwar Coalition, U.S. Peace Council, Veterans For Peace, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, World Beyond War and United for Peace and Justice.  Location:  University of Baltimore, Learning Commons Town Hall, Baltimore, Maryland.  Organized by: Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases.

Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases
January 12 - 14, 2018
Learning Commons Town Hall, University of Baltimore
1415 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland
Organized by: Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases

Black background with gray letters saying 2017

Thank Mother Earth 2017 is finally over. It was a year that chewed me up, crapped me out, made sweet love to me, punched me in the gut, stole my lunch money, made me laugh, pantsed me, and gave me hope. And I’m only talking about American politics.

It all began with saying goodbye to Barack Obama, the biggest disappointment since losing your virginity. His departure was going to be the end of congressional gridlock and political baby steps. Special interests, criminals, and Valerie Jarrett would no longer decide the nation’s fate while the president negotiated speaking fees with Cantor Fitzgerald. The people would take back their government, they would take back their lives. Yet, as we know all too painfully, the euphoria was immediately extinguished when Hurricane Donald made landfall.

Psychedelic bright hot pink, yellow and blue swirly colors and a Native man dancing with word New Year's Eve Sobriety Pow Wow

Sunday, December 31, 2017, 3:00 PM – 12:30 AM
St. John’s Church, 59 E. Main St., Columbus 43215
Come ring in the New Year old skool style and help support those opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline!!  The proceeds from the 1st Annual Sobriety Powwow Hosted by Five Rivers Chatauqua partnered with Sierra Club Central Ohio will be going to Wakpa Was'te Camp located on Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte South Dakota.  Grand Entry at 3:00 p.m. Intermission at 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Grand Entry at 8:00 p.m.  

Oliver Stone’s 2012 thriller Savages opens with gorgeous coastline images accompanied by O or Ophelia’s (Blake Lively) voiceover saying: “It started here in paradise, Laguna Beach, where they say God parked himself on the seventh day…” In addition to its stunning scenery, languid Laguna has much to lure Angelenos away from the big city’s daily grind to this SoCal oceanic enclave located about 50 miles south on the 5 Freeway from Downtown L.A.

 

Of course, this Orange County seaside village is widely known for its art galleries - and it’s no wonder, given the splendor of its natural surroundings that would make any dauber’s palette burst with color. But there are also eateries there to make gourmet’s palates drool, so I decided to combine one of my regular excursions as a theater reviewer south to the Laguna Playhouse with a feast.

 

Drifting Down to Driftwood Kitchen: Caramel-By-the-Sea

 

Enough is enough. Especially when it comes to a name.

Many of you have undoubtedly faced a crisis or two about your own. It can come from anywhere, like changing (or NOT) your family name when getting married. Or dumping the curse of one you never liked.

Famous examples abound. The great Texas-born classical pianist Van Cliburn was in fact Harvey Lavan Cliburn. Lady Gaga is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Kirk Douglas was Issur Danielovitch. Marilyn Monroe came from Norma Jean Mortenson. Tony Curtis had been Bernard Schwartz. John Wayne was Marion Mitchell Morrison.

You get the picture.

When I was born in Boston 72 years ago this New Year’s Eve, my mom made my father promise not to name me “Harvey.” Dad’s father, who’d just passed away, was Herschel. So the “H” was unavoidable. But there were certainly better choices. She never forgave him. Me either.

My middle name is Franklin, as my parents were big FDR fans. As an historian, I like it for Ben.

Wasserman means “Aquarius” or Water Man in German. I’m good with that.

But “Harvey”?

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