As an unashamed Michael Jackson obsessive, one question I get asked more than any other, more than what is my favorite song or album, is: What if he did it? [icopyright one button toolbar] The question is always phrased in this way, in an ambiguous fashion but I know exactly what they’re trying to say. But I like to screw with people so I always answer: did what? There … [Read more...] about What if Michael did it?
The new politics of foreign policy
The new politics of foreign policy (Changes throughout to reflect President Obama's speech on the Islamic State) By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Over the last decade, Americans' views on foreign policy have swung sharply from support for intervention to a profound mistrust of any military engagement overseas. Over the same period, political debates on … [Read more...] about The new politics of foreign policy
13 Years On, Our Choice Is Between America and Fear
The politics of our nation since 9/11 have been the politics of fear.[icopyright one button toolbar] Because of fear that one of us is a terrorist, we've allowed our intelligence services to listen into our private conversations; because of fear of terrorists from abroad, we have killed innocent people in foreign nations (supposedly to protect ourselves here); because of … [Read more...] about 13 Years On, Our Choice Is Between America and Fear
Remembering the 9/11 Pentagon Attack
[icopyright one button toolbar] The 13th anniversary of the September 11 attack on our nation dawned early with our military. Early this morning, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel along with the President and other dignitaries observed the anniversary at the Pentagon Memorial, Arlington, Virginia. This is some of what the Secretary of Defense had to say about those … [Read more...] about Remembering the 9/11 Pentagon Attack
deBoer on Perpetual War
Fredrick deBoer comments on the US waging perpetual war.[icopyright one button toolbar] We’re going to war again. We’re going to war in Iraq again. And we’re going with no better idea of how to win or when to get out or what victory could mean than the last time. The media is beating the drum again. And the same set of characters– the exact same people– who were so terribly … [Read more...] about deBoer on Perpetual War
A Nation Addicted To War & Other Big Takeaways From Obama’s ISIS Address
President Obama has been fairly sparing in his prerogative of pre-empting prime-time television to address the nation over the last five and a half years, but last night's address was a doozy. Here are the big takeaways: (1.) Hard to believe, but Barack Obama may be best remembered not as the president who rescued the economy and then provided millions of Americans … [Read more...] about A Nation Addicted To War & Other Big Takeaways From Obama’s ISIS Address
9-11 Elegy
Just this: may all souls be comforted in ways that matter to each soul. [icopyright one button toolbar] May the days be eased by beauty and remembering better times. May the Autumn light be beautiful to look at. May we be sad with those who are sad. May we be glad with those who find a bit of gladness. May we not relive, but remember the goodness of the good … [Read more...] about 9-11 Elegy
History lesson: ‘so help me God’ did not come from the U.S. founders
Neither did "one nation under God." [icopyright one button toolbar] Bryan Fischer, of the American Family Association, has weighed in on the case of the U.S. Air Force sergeant who has been told he can't re-enlist because he refuses to pledge "so help me God" as he swears to uphold the Constitution. According to Fischer: Military service should be reserved for … [Read more...] about History lesson: ‘so help me God’ did not come from the U.S. founders
Corruption in Government: First ask the right question
Amitai Etzioni suggests we're on the wrong track if we want to stop corruption in government. Look at the convictions of Mr. Perp and Ms. Perp in Virginia.[icopyright one button toolbar] "The conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen on several corruption charges," Etzione writes, "reveals yet again that Americans are more troubled by … [Read more...] about Corruption in Government: First ask the right question
Roger Goodell Is Either Incompetent or a Liar. Either Way, He’s Gotta Go (Guest Voice)
It may be time for the National Football League to punt Roger Goodell. On Tuesday afternoon the Associated Press, citing an anonymous source in law enforcement, reported that the notorious videotape that shows former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice delivering a single knockout punch to the face of his future wife, Janay Palmer, was sent… Roger Goodell Is Either … [Read more...] about Roger Goodell Is Either Incompetent or a Liar. Either Way, He’s Gotta Go (Guest Voice)
50th Anniversary of the TV Ad that Changed Politics
50th Anniversary of the TV Ad that Changed Politics By Dick Polman Happy anniversary, Daisy girl! What would our politics be like today if she hadn't burst upon the scene 50 years ago - a freckled tyke blown up in a nuclear blast, the star of America's first gut-punch TV ad? Maybe our politics would be cleaner, but who knows. If the "Daisy ad" hadn't smeared Barry … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of the TV Ad that Changed Politics
Cartoon: the perfect NFL player
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: the perfect NFL player
Google accounts source of the latest “credential dump”
Ten years ago, Google launched gmail. [icopyright one button toolbar] Two years ago, gmail became the world's largest email service. Today there are more than 425 million monthly users ... and we learned that as many as 5 million accounts were leaked on a Russian website (along with passwords that may or may not be associated with the account). That's about 1% of … [Read more...] about Google accounts source of the latest “credential dump”
Chris Matthews Didn’t Hear Enough From President Obama
Given how much Matthews has supported the President it's a bit of a blow to his speech … [Read more...] about Chris Matthews Didn’t Hear Enough From President Obama
The President: We Will Degrade, and Ultimately Destroy, ISIL
[icopyright one button toolbar] In a high-stakes prime-time address to the nation from the State Floor of the White House tonight, President Obama described the threat posed by the Islamic State terrorist group and laid out his much-awaited strategy for “degrading and ultimately destroying” ISIL. Predictably, it is a strategy that some will applaud, but many more will … [Read more...] about The President: We Will Degrade, and Ultimately Destroy, ISIL
Obama Speech Says.. Well Not A Whole Lot (Plus Some Net Reaction)
[learn_more caption="Click here to learn more"] President Obama spoke this evening about plans for dealing with ISIL (or ISIS) and to be honest really didn't say a lot new. This would have been the case with any President speaking so it's not a condemnation of him. Indeed I am not sure we *need* all kinds of details. There is such a thing as need to know. [icopyright one … [Read more...] about Obama Speech Says.. Well Not A Whole Lot (Plus Some Net Reaction)
The President’s ISIL Speach
I would have to describe tonight's Obama speech as clueless. I'm not really criticizing Obama because there are really no answers here.[icopyright one button toolbar] The area is a mess. In 2013 uber hawk John McCain met with ISIS leaders and said we had to support them to overthrow Assad while in 2014 he was inferring we had to support Assad to defeat ISIS. Support … [Read more...] about The President’s ISIL Speach
Grover Norquist Does Burning Man
Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist went to the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert and tells the tale in The Guardian. What is Burning Man? It is a larger version of ... what? Woodstock? That was a bunch of teenagers coming to watch artists perform. At Burning Man, everyone is expected to be a participant. Burners bring their art work, their art cars, their … [Read more...] about Grover Norquist Does Burning Man
Some Wisconsin Skullduggery You Might Have Missed
I hope I don't scare Mr. Eric O'Keefe with this, as well, but a very interesting trial is taking place in a Federal Courthouse in Wisconsin. Listen to audio of today’s arguments: Eric O’Keefe v. John Chisholm #JohnDoe #ScottWalker by blue cheddar • September 9, 2014 I do not expect to be writing anything on this tonight (the brain is too fried) but I will be adding links … [Read more...] about Some Wisconsin Skullduggery You Might Have Missed
Democratic Georgia Voter Registration Group Slapped with Subpoena Over Fraud Allegations
If you haven't been paying attention to the Georgia gubernatorial and Senate races, you should. It's shaping up to be quite interesting. Voter suppression tactics and all. WSB-TV reported late Tuesday night that there are allegations of voter registration fraud against a Democratic group, The New Georgia Project, which is linked to Ebenezer Baptist Church's Rev. Raphael … [Read more...] about Democratic Georgia Voter Registration Group Slapped with Subpoena Over Fraud Allegations