Be Afraid! Be very Afraid! Dictators are on the rise!
“Israel cannot be allowed to turn into an autocracy like Viktor Orban’s Hungary; Ukraine cannot be allowed to fall to Vladimir Putin; and Donald Trump cannot be allowed to occupy the White House ever again.” The words of Thomas Friedman in his latest column in the New York Times. Friedman believes that Israel is on the path to becoming an autocracy (I think Israel would be a theocracy) if their population does not stand up to the right wing religious fanatics in Israel and if Putin occupies Ukraine the rest of Western Europe would be his next objective. Friedman believes that if Trump wins the 2024 election democracy as we know it would end in the United States.
The problem is that democracies by their very nature have no road blocks to stop a Netanyahu, an Orban authoritarian or a Trump from taking control. It was Adolph Hitler who legally came to power and then destroyed the Weimar Republic. Donald Trump admires Kim Jung Un. In an interview on Fox News on April 12, 2023 Trump praised President Xi of China, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jung Un.
So while Joe Biden may be old, he does defend the American democracy and does support other countries that are democracies.
Donald Trump is an outstanding speaker. His rallies bring crowds. Like Hitler his speeches are loved. It was those speeches by Hitler that brought him to power. Trump learned and copies.
Trump and Biden participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University, in Nashville, Tennessee, in October 2020. (Jim Bourg / Pool /AFP via Getty)
Polls for the past six months or so have consistently shown that a majority of Americans do not want to see a rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. And yet, unless health issues sideline one or the other (or unless a newly unemployed Tucker Carlson decides to take his angry-racist-preppie shtick into politics), the Trump-Biden showdown feels inevitable.
Trump and Biden are likely to be renominated for very different reasons. Obviously, Biden is the incumbent—and has been a remarkably successful president under difficult circumstances. Whatever the grousing from Democratic faithful, parties do not torpedo their own president: The only sitting chief executive who was elected in his own right and then denied renomination for another term was Franklin Pierce, in 1856. (Four others were denied nomination after becoming president upon the death of the incumbent.).
The four Warner brothers, who created the studio celebrating its centennial this month. The Jazz Singer, the first popular talking film, single-handedly changed motion pictures forever. My Four Years in Germany was a post World War I film that foreshadowed World War II Germany.
This article was written by Martin Cooper, President of Cooper Communications, supervised public relations for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for 10 years. It was published in the Warner Center News in Woodland Hills, California.
It started like most fairy tales…
Once upon a time, there were four Wonsal brothers, Hirsz Mojżesz, Aron, Shmul and Izaak. The first three were born in Krasnosielc, a largely Jewish village north of Warsaw; the youngest was born in Canada.
Their father, Benjamin, fleeing anti-Semitism and economic privation, left Poland in 1888 for Baltimore, changing his name to Warner. The four brothers changed their first names to Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack.
That is just the beginning of the fairy tale of the four Warner Bros.
Sam found a job as a projection operator at an amusement park in Ohio; he soon saw the possibilities of motion pictures. Purchasing a projector and a portable screen, the brothers traveled around Ohio and Pennsylvania, presenting screenings of The Great Train Robbery and other films.
In 1903, they opened their own moving picture theatre, the Bijou (some histories said the theater name was the Cascade), in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and, a few years later, began producing their own films. Like so many others, the lure of Southern California’s weather and its distance from Thomas Edison’s license fee demands that his company be paid a royalty on every film screened, was irresistible.
In 1918, from their new Culver City production facility, they released their first full-length motion picture, My Four Years in Germany; it was the precursor to anti-German and socially conscious films for which Warner Bros. became known during World War II.
The semi-documentary is based on the experiences of the American a m b a s s a d o r to Germany from 1913 to 1917, James W. Gerard. The opening shot sets the tone: A Prussian officer in full regalia sits in his office and looks up at a framed slogan on his wall that reads “Nothing can confer honors and fame upon a Prince except the Sword.”
In a prescient c o m m e n t foretelling the Blitzkrieg of World War II, the German Foreign Minister explains why his country cannot negotiate: “We cannot surrender our greatest asset, sudden and overwhelming assault.”
While the nearly two[1]hour silent film is dated by today’s standards, the Los Angeles Daily Times review of May 21, 1918, included: “My Four Years in Germany is the motion picture of the hour, of the century. It is momentous history, with almost the power and grip of life itself. It will be treasured in our archives. It will mold millions of Americans into heroic stature…”
Made for $50,000, this film grossed a surprising $1.5 million; it was the first hit for the brothers Warner. Its success encouraged them to concentrate on film production rather than distribution and provided the funds for them to purchase a studio in Hollywood.
And so, on April 4, 1923, Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., was formally established, 100 years ago this month. (Happy centennial birthday, Warner Bros.!)
In 1927, Warner Bros.’ enjoyed a financial windfall from the first talkies: The Jazz Singer, followed by The Singing Fool. If one film can be said to have changed motion pictures more than any other, it would be The Jazz Singer. It cost $422,000 to make and grossed $2.6 million… and put Warner Bros. on the map.
Both films starred Encino resident Al Jolson and provided the studio the funds to buy a majority of First National Pictures.
The year before The Jazz Singer premiered, in 1926, First National purchased 62 acres of farmland in Burbank and built its own studio. As part of its acquisition of First National, Warner Bros. decamped from Hollywood to the First National studio lot, and the San Fernando Valley has been its home ever since.
Under the agreement, Warner Bros. gained access to First National’s chain of affiliated theaters, while First National acquired the rights to use Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone sound system. A number of Warner Bros. films were branded First National Pictures until July 1936, when First National Pictures, Inc., was dissolved. In the decade 1930-1939, Warner Bros. produced more than 575 pictures…a staggering record: many classic hits, many so-so features, and more than a few duds. The studio didn’t shy away from near-salacious titles during this decade: Playing Around, Loose Ankles, She Couldn’t Say No, and The Flirting Widow (1930); The Naughty Flirt, Other Men’s Women, Misbehaving Ladies, The Hot Heiress, and Compromised, (1931); and, in 1932, Street of Women, Ladies They Talk About, and Beauty and the Boss, to name but a few.
Perhaps it’s better to focus on the truly wonderful cinematic offerings the Burbank studio brought forth during the decade, one film per year: The Dawn Patrol (1930); Little Caesar (1931); I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932); Lady Killer (1933); Here Comes the Navy (1934); Captain Blood (1935); The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936); The Life of Emile Zola (1937); Jezebel (1938); and Dark Victory (1939).
The fairy tale of the four Warner brothers continued into the following decade.
…And they lived happily ever after (except they didn’t, as we’ll see next month).
Nationally, abortion is legal through all nine months (40 weeks) of pregnancy, nevertheless no providers in Canada offer care beyond 23 weeks and 6 days.
May 5, 2022 — — The Trudeau government wants it known that Canada is open to any Americans who may need to travel north to access an abortion.
Abortions are a common medical procedure in Canada, yet those living outside of large urban areas have trouble receiving the care they need.
Ontario has this posted on their immigration web site. “Abortion is legal throughout Canada and can be accessed by anyone over the age of 12. Abortion ends a pregnancy by taking medicine or having a surgical procedure. Abortions are available in every province and territory; however not every city has equal access.“
The province is governed by the Access to Abortion Services Act, which limits political demonstrations outside abortion-providing facilities, doctor’s offices, and doctor’s homes to set distances. BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre can provide late-term abortions in Vancouver up until the 25th week of pregnancy (its CARE Program).[77] There are six abortion clinics throughout the province that can be accessed without a doctor referral and upwards of 30 hospitals that are required to perform abortions with a doctor’s referral.[78][79]
The province has limited access for the those in rural communities. Aspiration or surgical procedures are available up to 19 weeks, 6 days. Medical abortions up to 9 weeks.[80]
New Brunswick does not use public funding to pay for abortion services outside of hospital settings. This means that abortions provided in clinics are not funded by the government.[81]
In Nova Scotia, there is an abortion clinic in Halifax or someone needing an abortion can call the abortion helpline for other options throughout the province that may be closer to them.[84]
Intimidation of and interference with patients or providers are illegal in “safe access zones” around abortion-providing clinics and other requesting health care facilities; the offices (on request) of providing doctors, nurses, pharmacists and some other providers; and providers’ homes under the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, 2017.[86] There are nine regions in Ontario where abortion is available with full spectrum doula services.[68][69]
Prince Edward Island offers in province abortions up until 12 weeks and 6 days pregnant. After that limit, an out of province surgical abortion would have to be performed. A referral must be obtained through a PEI physician prior to any surgical procedure.[87]
The province has a multitude of options for abortion access.[88] Historically, late term abortions (beyond 30 weeks) had to be performed in the US with all expenses paid by the Quebec government. This changed in 2020 because of Covid travel restrictions.[89]
The suit was for $1.6 Billion. Both sides knew the trial would be difficult to win. Settling for a $787.5-million payout was compromise both sides could live with.
Fox won because they did not agree to a public apology. The payout was sufficient but without that apology they have shown they can say whatever they want and call it news.
The Los Angeles Times laid out the situation succinctly. Fox Corp. is in for more battles. More justice will be dealt out and that is a good thing.
Has Fox News and Fox Corp. learned a lesson about not reporting lies? I doubt it!
Jackie Calmes nailed it in the Los Angeles Times. The unwritten GOP planks of their campaign for the presidency and control of congress are:
Anti-abortion extremism
Pro-gun absolutism
Anti-LGBTQ activism
Book banning
Vote suppression
Election denialism
These are the issues that are dividing this country. There is apparently no compromise among the extreme loyalists. Perhaps Marjorie Taylor Greene’s suggestion that it’s time for a divorce should be seriously considered.
At the very least many of those people who register as an independent will be pushed into the Democratic Party.
Sadly many Americans treat the Constitution as if it is a bible. Their view is that whatever was written in 1787 and 1788 was a mandate that must be obeyed as if it was handed down by God. That is the reason the pro-gun groups treat their right to own guns as a right handed down by God. So even though there is Article V that defines the procedure those that believe they just cannot bring themselves to make changes. It has been amended 27 times.
Reaching the position of United States senator is a role almost every politician dreams to achieve. There are no term limits and so once obtained they remain there almost to the day they die. Eight senators died in office since the year 2000. The last was John McCain who died August 25, 2018 from uncurable brain cancer.
In 2003, South Carolina’s Strom Thurmondretired at the ripe old age of 100 after 48 years in the Senate. The not-so-hidden secret was that his staff did everything but actually push the vote button during his last term, which ended six months before his death.
The current leader of the Republican caucus in the Senate is Mitch McConnell who is 81. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader is a mere 72.
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the oldest serving member of the Senate, at age 89, has missed 60 of the 82 Senate votes taken so far this year due to illnesses. After announcing that she was not running for re-election, the following day she has forgotten that she had made the announcement.
With memory problems and the stresses of participation in the Senate it is time for Senator Feinstein to retire with dignity.
Then comes the next issue. Governor Gavin Newsom will be deciding who will replace Feinstein.
Yellowstone National Park is the most stunning and diverse natural wonder in the United States. With hundreds of miles of trails, dozens of geysers, and 14 lakes, it offers something for everyone. Whether you want to hike, kayak, camp, or just enjoy the scenery, Yellowstone National Park along with adjoining Teton National Park is a destination you won’t forget.
But planning a trip to Yellowstone can be challenging, especially if you want to make the most of your time and avoid the crowds. Here are some of the best tips and tricks to help you plan a successful and memorable trip to Yellowstone.
## Lodging must be your first priority
My first piece of advice if you’re going to Grand Teton and Yellowstone is to plan early. Lodging inside the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks books up quickly, with the most desirable lodging snapped up as soon as reservations become available, sometimes more than a year in advance. Our trips were driving to the parks and arranging for a camp site. I made reservations for both trips. The first trip we stayed at a campground in Grand Teton. The choice was made because it is at a lower elevation and that meant warmer weather. But at 6,800 feet it is cold even in the middle of the summer. Fishing Bridge RV Park in the middle of Yellowstone is at 7,800 feet and is definitely colder. I know. My first visit to Yellowstone was in a cabin there (cabins are now gone).
## Research to decide the things you want to see
Everyone drives very slowly in the parks because everyone in your car along with you wants to see everything. In addition bears, bison, moose and other animals like to walk along and across the roads.
For me a must-do activity in Grand Teton National Park is a float trip down the Snake River. It has beautiful views, opportunities for animal-sightings, and great park information from the tour guide. Several concessionaires offer these trips in the park, including Signal Mountain Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge. You can book them right along with your accommodations.
All of these photos are old 35mm slides with the exception of the picture of the bear family.
Bison seen from the float down the Snake River
If you like hiking, you’ll love Grand Teton National Park. One of the best hikes—Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls—was closed while we visited because of a fissure in one of the rocks above the trail, but the trail re-opened in August 2018, after the park service found the area safe. If you go, don’t miss it.
You can take a short boat ride across Jenny Lake to access the Hidden Falls trailhead or you can hike around Jenny Lake to get there. The benefit of the hike around the lake is that you might see some wildlife you might not see elsewhere.
Everyone wants to see Old Faithful Geyser but in that area you may see many other geysers. They do not spray water on a daily basis. There are other geyser basins that also include hot pools. The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Yellowstone National Park. Then there is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is another extraordinary thing to see.
## Be ready to change your trail plans
Yellowstone/Teton is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose. While seeing these animals can be a highlight of your trip, it can also pose some risks. Sometimes, trails may close because of bear activity, or because of other hazards, such as snow, rockfall, or fire. To avoid disappointment, you should always check the trail status before you head out, and have some backup options in case your preferred trail is closed. You can check the trail status online, at the visitor centers, or by calling the park hotline.
Not my photo but a great one of a family of bear
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is not to be missed
## Consider West Yellowstone as your home base
This is a town that is at the entrance to the park and provides a variety of stores, gift shops, motels and nearby campgrounds. There is a live theater there that provides entertainment.
## Conclusion
Yellowstone and Teton National Parks is a bucket-list destination for many travelers, and for good reason. It offers unparalleled beauty, diversity, and adventure. But to make the most of your trip, you have to plan ahead and be flexible. By following these tips and tricks, you can have a smooth and enjoyable trip to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks.
Lesley Stahl interview of Marjorie Taylor Greene was a shocker. Following are the highlights of the interview.
Stahl tried to reason with Greene but to no avail. Greene doubled down on accusing Democrats of being pedophiles and calling the scrutiny on her past comments unfair.
“They are not pedophiles. Why would you say that?” correspondent Lesley Stahl asked.
“Democrats support — even Joe Biden, the president himself — supports children being sexualized and having transgender surgeries. Sexualizing children is what pedophiles do to children,” the Georgia Republican replied.
“Wow. OK,” a visibly taken aback Stahl responded. “But my question really is, can’t you fight for what you believe in without all that name-calling and without the personal attacks?”
Greene answered by turning the question around on the Dems. “I would ask the same question to the other side, because all they’ve done is call me names and insult me non-stop since I’ve been here, Lesley. They call me racist. They call me– sen– antisemitic, which is not true. I’m not calling anyone names. I’m calling out the truth, basically.”
The controversial Congressperson who has promoted far-right conspiracy theories also sidestepped Stahl’s questions about whether she apologized to Nancy Pelosi for liking a comment on her Facebook page saying that the former House speaker should get a “bullet to the head,” something that she claimed was done by someone on her social media team.
Coast Contact 