by Walter Brasch You’re sitting in your favorite restaurant one balmy September morning. Your waitress brings a pot of coffee and a standard 5-ounce cup. “Would you like cream and sugar with it?” she asks. You drink your coffee black. And hot. You decline her offer. “Would you like arsenic with it?” she asks. Arsenic? You’re baffled. And more than a little … [Read more...] about Arsenic-Laced Coffee Good for You
Isaac Asimov
When I was in high school all so many decades ago I received this huge volume of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy. I devoured it like a hungry lion and read it many times. A couple of decades later when I was in my my mid thirties Asimov wrote three sequels and a prequel which proved to be more rewarding than the the original trilogy. I have just finished reading all … [Read more...] about Isaac Asimov
The Military and the NFL Scandal
[icopyright one button toolbar] I am neither a big fan of the National Football League (NFL) nor a big follower of professional football. I watch and follow mostly college football. However, unless one lives under a rock and in Timbuktu, the recent domestic violence incidents in the NFL are bound to have captured everyone’s attention, including this non-NFL fan and the … [Read more...] about The Military and the NFL Scandal
This Week In Pantsuit Politics: Emma Watson Backs Women In Uruguayan Parliament
One need only look at the Oval Office to see that when it comes to politics, we've got a bit of a gender discrepancy. In this weekly roundup, Ravishly.com focuses on powerful political women in the news who are helping to break the proverbial glass ceiling of policy-making around the world. Politicos, move aside. We bring you . . . politicas. For more on female politicians to … [Read more...] about This Week In Pantsuit Politics: Emma Watson Backs Women In Uruguayan Parliament
A wistful ‘no’ in Scotland (UPDATED Dionne column)
WASHINGTON -- Scotland's referendum on independence was decided by voters whose hearts said yes but whose heads said no. This is why the energy of the campaign in one of the most consequential democratic consultations in history was with the "Yes" side. Passion, imagination and hope are always more inspiring than reason, calculation and doubt. This kept the polls close … [Read more...] about A wistful ‘no’ in Scotland (UPDATED Dionne column)
Humoring the Headlines (Guest Voice)
Humoring the Headlines by Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO-- Chairman of the joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey testified to the Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 16, that he couldn’t rule out dispatching boots on the ground to Iraq if circumstances warranted. President Obama continues to insist that he will never reintroduce boots on the ground there. Technically, the President might … [Read more...] about Humoring the Headlines (Guest Voice)
Surprisingly Civil Benghazi Hearing
Dana Milbank registers surprise at the civility of House Benghazi hearings in The Washington Post. When Trey Gowdy got the job to run the House’s new Benghazi select committee, there was good reason to fear bad things. Gowdy, a former prosecutor, was known for theatrical outbursts in hearings, rank partisanship and a fascination with Benghazi conspiracy theories about … [Read more...] about Surprisingly Civil Benghazi Hearing
Fall TV season brings a new-found commitment to diversity
In 2008, when America's broadcast networks unveiled their new TV schedules, only one show was anchored by a minority — and he was a black cartoon character voiced by a white actor. Six years later, prime time is undergoing a big, multicultural change. When the fall season starts in earnest Monday, it will deliver the most… graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Fall TV season brings a new-found commitment to diversity
Do ‘Civilized’ Nations Have What It Takes to Defeat ISIS?
Does the "civilized" world have what it takes to defeat the self-declared Islamic State, otherwise known as ISIS? To be sure, the U.S. has launched air strikes on ISIS targets over Iraq, Congress and President Barack Obama finally seem in gear, and there are ongoing efforts to put together a coalition involving NATO and countries such as Saudi Arabia to combat the world's … [Read more...] about Do ‘Civilized’ Nations Have What It Takes to Defeat ISIS?
Cartoon: ISIS Magazine
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: ISIS Magazine
Apple does something really right
I'm no fan of Apple. But I really like their latest move. It's a dilly. Apple said Wednesday night that it is making it impossible for the company to turn over data from most iPhones or iPads to police — even when they have a search warrant — taking a hard new line as tech companies attempt to blunt allegations that they have too readily participated in government … [Read more...] about Apple does something really right
United Kingdom remains united: Scotland votes “No” on independence
Scotland has voted "No" to independence and you can almost hear and FEEL the sigh of relief from British Prime Minister David Cameron and from Washington, where a formally downsized U.K. could have had a slew of implications. Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom after voters decisively rejected independence. With the results in from all 32 council areas, … [Read more...] about United Kingdom remains united: Scotland votes “No” on independence
Cartoon: NFL wives
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: NFL wives
Health Care Advocates File Suit Against California For Lag In Enrollments In Expanded Medicaid Program
By most measures the Affordable Care Act has been a success, increasing the number insured without the problems predicted by Republicans. However not everything has worked out perfectly to date. The biggest problems have been with the expansion of Medicaid. The worst problem has been seen in the Republican controlled states which have blocked Medicaid expansion, but there are … [Read more...] about Health Care Advocates File Suit Against California For Lag In Enrollments In Expanded Medicaid Program
President Praises Congress for Anti-ISIL Legislation
[icopyright one button toolbar] Shortly after the U.S. Senate easily approved (78-22) a $1 trillion government-funding bill that gives President Obama new authority to battle ISIL -- legislation that had been previously approved by the House in a 273-156 vote -- President Obama spoke to the nation commending Congress for approving his plan to arm and train rebels in Syria to … [Read more...] about President Praises Congress for Anti-ISIL Legislation
Fall Picture
I don't really have much to say so how about a picture. I woke up to the sound of rain this morning. Not really enough to do any good but the first wet pavement in 3 months. The relief will be short lived - more desert dry east winds and temperatures in the 90's this weekend. Here is what I'm looking forward to: … [Read more...] about Fall Picture
Apple and iTunes offer free candy to children
Riding high from the reception of their free U2 album download promotion, Apple is offering all of its younger iTunes listeners a very sweet deal: free candy from a van! [icopyright one button toolbar] Today, in a surprise move, Apple announced that they will be sending thousands of white vans to elementary schools and playgrounds throughout the country to offer free candy … [Read more...] about Apple and iTunes offer free candy to children
The Democratic Edge In The Electoral College
The electoral college has been shifting in a Democratic direction since the Bush years when the country was split more evenly and a single state would determine the winner. This trend was seen both times Obama was on the ballot leading to the assumption that the Democratic candidate in 2016 has a strong edge. Tom Holbrook at Politics by the Numbers took a closer look at the … [Read more...] about The Democratic Edge In The Electoral College
Artificial Sweeteners Cause Chaos In Our Guts, Spurring Obesity
For years dieters and scientists alike have wondered why artificial sweeteners with zero calories do not seem to help anyone lose weight. Researchers even worry that artificial sweeteners may be contributing to both the obesity and diabetes problem affecting many parts of the globe. Now, a new study from the Weizmann Institute says exactly that. Sugar… … [Read more...] about Artificial Sweeteners Cause Chaos In Our Guts, Spurring Obesity
For the love of Scotland
WASHINGTON -- Scotland's referendum on independence will be decided by voters whose hearts say yes but whose heads say no. This is why the energy of the campaign in one of the most consequential democratic consultations in history has been with the Yes side. Passion, imagination and hope are always more inspiring than reason, calculation and doubt. That will make … [Read more...] about For the love of Scotland