Iran, a long time supporter of Nuri al-Maliki, has signaled it's support for the newly selected Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi. Tehran (AFP) - Iran officially ended its long-time allegiance to Iraq's sidelined Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday, swinging its support behind newly designated premier Haidar al-Abadi in a congratulatory message. Even Iran has lost … [Read more...] about When You’ve Lost Iran
High Praises for Robin Williams
[icopyright one button toolbar] So much has already been said here and elsewhere mourning the death of Robin Williams and celebrating his incredible talents and humanity, that I will not even try to add, except to say he was my favorite actor and comedian -- a beautiful person. But, perhaps, one of the greatest tributes to Robin Williams is the quickness and number of … [Read more...] about High Praises for Robin Williams
The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
In announcing the new U.S. Digital Service (USDS), Chief Information Officer Steve VanRoekel told the Washington Post: "Think of this as [a team of] management consultants that helps you understand your gaps." The Playbook is a next step for the digital president and a response to the HealthCare.gov disaster.[icopyright one button toolbar] There were gaping holes - not … [Read more...] about The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Once upon a time the United States had the best educational system in the world, American universities as its crowning achievement. During that period, universities understood that their primary mission was education, with research as a secondary objective. [icopyright one button toolbar] Today, however, many of America’s largest universities have changed their paramount … [Read more...] about Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Paying for the 2003 invasion
WASHINGTON -- As President Obama struggles to deal with the crisis in Iraq, it's useful to remember who gave the world this cauldron of woe in the first place: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Their decision to launch a foolish and unwarranted invasion in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein and destroying any vestige of the Iraqi state, is directly responsible for the chaos we … [Read more...] about Paying for the 2003 invasion
We Must End Stigma Of Mental Illness and Depression
Yesterday brought us the shocking news of the death of Robin Williams, most likely the result of suicide. As much as we should mourn this loss we must see to it that there is something to be learned by it. By all accounts Williams felt he had no real options, no place to go, no ability to speak openly about his problems. He tried but never managed to be comfortable in making … [Read more...] about We Must End Stigma Of Mental Illness and Depression
Comedy, substance abuse and depression: reflecting on Robin Williams’ life and death
I learned about Robin Williams, 63, the old-fashioned way. My husband walked in the house and announced, "The world is a sadder place today."[icopyright one button toolbar] "Mom and dad just heard on the TV. Robin Williams has died." From devastation to disbelief, colleagues and admirers of Robin Williams reflect on his death: http://t.co/zIRXOWMUqn— The Associated … [Read more...] about Comedy, substance abuse and depression: reflecting on Robin Williams’ life and death
Cartoon: Robin Williams Memorial
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: Robin Williams Memorial
Media Support For Legalization Of Marijuana and Prostitution
There is a welcome trend towards support of decriminalization of victimless crimes. The New York Times recently came out for legalization of marijuana, outlining the harm done by the unsuccessful prohibition: [icopyright one button toolbar] America’s four-decade war on drugs is responsible for many casualties, but the criminalization of marijuana has been perhaps the most … [Read more...] about Media Support For Legalization Of Marijuana and Prostitution
Robin Williams is Gone, Ay! Long Live the Fisher King
Robin Williams, was not only a consummate actor and tour de force comedian. He appeared to also be a lovable Puer Aeternus, an eternal boy; and also a Pater Familias, a father not only to his own but to many many young persons pursuing comedy careers. [icopyright one button toolbar] He was also a Lover -- of life, so so deeply and so sensitively. His role in Fisher King* was … [Read more...] about Robin Williams is Gone, Ay! Long Live the Fisher King
Actor & Comedian Robin Williams Found Dead at Age 63 (Additional Details) UPDATE 2
Oscar-Award winning actor Robin Williams dies at age 63. He was found dead at a home in Marin County. The coroner suspects suicide as the cause of his death. He starred in "Mork & Mindy" and several other movies throughout the years. Here's a statement from the Marin County Sheriff: On August 11, 2014, at approximately 11:55 am, Marin County Communications received a … [Read more...] about Actor & Comedian Robin Williams Found Dead at Age 63 (Additional Details) UPDATE 2
Robin Williams Dead At 63
Just breaking this afternoon that actor Robin Williams has been found dead at the age of 63. Initial reports say authorities are looking at the death as a possible suicide … [Read more...] about Robin Williams Dead At 63
Grifters
We often hear of different wings of the Republican party, corporate, tea party and libertarians. But there is another wing, the Grifter wing. [icopyright one button toolbar] Practical Politicking asks is Is the Tea Party Express Just a Fundraising Scam? Looking at the data they have obtained it certainly looks like it. $9.5 million raised, at a cost of $8 million, with … [Read more...] about Grifters
Iraq: While Our Troops Battle, Baghdad Bickers
[icopyright one button toolbar] At a time when U.S. forces are risking life and limb to protect Iraqi citizens from being slaughtered by ISIL forces and to provide humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Kurds fleeing the ISIL terrorists, over in Baghdad Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is more concerned about his political survival than about the survival of … [Read more...] about Iraq: While Our Troops Battle, Baghdad Bickers
NBC News likely home run? Chuck Todd likely the new host of “Meet the Press”
Is NBC's -- and many longtime "Meet the Press" fans' -- nightmare finally over? [icopyright one button toolbar] NBC may be poised to score a home run in naming Chuck Todd to be the new host of "Meet the Press" in the wake of viewers reacting to David Gregory as host as viewers reacted to the old series "Bewitched" when it brought in a "new Darrin": the program continued but … [Read more...] about NBC News likely home run? Chuck Todd likely the new host of “Meet the Press”
Iraq Continues to Unravel
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse in Iraq they just did. It looks like we could have a civil war or coup in the Green Zone in Baghdad. [icopyright one button toolbar] Kerry said that the formation of a government is “critical” to Iraq’s stability and urged Maliki not to add to tensions gripping Iraq - where Sunni militants have declared an Islamic state … [Read more...] about Iraq Continues to Unravel
Can Americans actually learn to accept reality?
Can Americans actually learn to accept reality? [icopyright one button toolbar] I think we know the answer to that. Many Americans want life to resemble a movie. Tell us a story! We want bombs bursting in air (preferably on Fox), winners, losers, heroes, villains, great endings, satisfactory solutions. So what's with this Obumble business of political and military … [Read more...] about Can Americans actually learn to accept reality?
School Vending Machine Bans Don’t Always Change Kids’ Diets
Sullivan on Clinton’s Neocon Foreign Policy
Andrew Sullivan worries about Hilary Clinton's neoconservative tendencies on The Daily Dish. And the greatest throwback to 2003 in this respect is Hillary Clinton. So far as one can tell from her interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, there is no daylight between her and John McCain or even Benjamin Netanyahu – but a hell of a lot of space between her and Barack Obama. The interview … [Read more...] about Sullivan on Clinton’s Neocon Foreign Policy
Where goes the neighborhood?
WASHINGTON -- Consider how our definition of "neighborliness" has evolved. Once upon a time, being neighborly meant "reaching out to the people who lived next door" by, among other things, "offering to watch the kids in a pinch." Now, "being 'neighborly' means leaving those around you in peace." Or think about reSTART, the nation's first rehab center for … [Read more...] about Where goes the neighborhood?