Clean, shaven

President Barack Obama arrived in Myanmar today in the first visit by a U.S. president to the Southeast Asian nation that had long been a pariah because of its oppressive military regime.

Obama’s official message to the Myanmar government consisted of a series of roadside signs: “Down with dictatorship / Democracy’s finer / We’re your friends / Not China / Burma-Shave.”

It’s a cover-up: A ban on nudity in public places will be voted on this week by city supervisors in San Francisco, where it apparently is common practice for people to stroll the streets while not wearing a stitch.

If the new law doesn’t chase these exhibitionists indoors during San Francisco’s chilly winter, hypothermia should do the job.

Big #&!#ing deal: Second lady Jill Biden recently published a children’s book entitled “Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops”. It’s both a salute to U.S. troops who do the hard work in combat zones, and the commas that heroically splice together two independent clauses.

Mrs. Biden’s next book, “Don’t Forget, Your Gaffes Embarrass and Annoy the President,” will be dedicated to her husband.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, May 8

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters during a press conference about the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Senate Democrats reintroduced broad legislation on Wednesday to legalize cannabis on the federal level, a major shift in policy that has wide public support, but which is unlikely to be enacted this year ahead of November’s elections and in a divided government. (Valerie Plesch/The New York Times)
Editorial: Federal moves on cannabis encouraging, if incomplete

The Biden administration and the Senate offer sensible proposals to better address marijuana use.

Tom Burke: Don’t know much about history? Better start reading

Reading — anything — matters, but especially before an election with history-making consequences.

Where did Carolyn Hax advice column go?

Recently the Herald has replaced the Carolyn Hax column with Dear Abby.… Continue reading

Why did The Herald add an astrology column in print?

We live in times when accurate information and good science are vital.… Continue reading

Plastics are vital to health care

Regarding a recent letter warning about plastic pollution: For the past six… Continue reading

Climate change, nuclear war threat to life on earth

There is one sentinel topic that has received minimal media attention in… Continue reading

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, May 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A radiation warning sign along the road near the Hanford Site in Washington state, on Aug. 10, 2022. Hanford, the largest and most contaminated of all American nuclear weapons production sites, is too polluted to ever be returned to public use. Cleanup efforts are now at an inflection point.  (Mason Trinca/The New York Times)
Editorial: Latest Hanford cleanup plan must be scrutinized

A new plan for treating radioactive wastes offers a quicker path, but some groups have questions.

Maureen Dowd: Consider the three faces of Donald Trump

Past, present and future are visibile in his countenance; an especially grim one on the cover of Time.

Paul Krugman: Still no stag and not much flation

The grumbling about inflation’s slow path to 2 percent isn’t worth steps that risk a recession.

David Brooks: Why past is prologue and protests help Trump

Today’s crowd-sourced protests muddle their message and goals and alienate the quiet disapprovers.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.