The politics of and sentiments in Spain's Catalonia beg a question about one-state solutions, writes Gershom Gorenberg in The American Prospect. And he notes, nationalism is "alive and well in Europe," so asking Israelis and Palestinians to abandon it may not be a realistic request. A few excerpts: From the balconies above the narrow stone-paved streets of Girona hung … [Read more...] about Catalonia’s One State Solution Red Flag
Lindsey Graham is “very dangerous”
John McCain's little sidekick is pissed off: Sen. Lindsey Graham is angry. He’s frustrated. He's upset. In his own words, he's "very dangerous." With the government shutdown now in its 12th day, and a possible U.S. debt default looming on Oct. 17, the veteran Republican was in the mood to lash out at everyone Saturday. President Barack Obama, House Republicans, Senate … [Read more...] about Lindsey Graham is “very dangerous”
Super Girls – 10 Amazingly Talented Young Black Girls Who Brighten Our Future (Guest Voice)
Super Girls – 10 Amazingly Talented Young Black Girls Who Brighten Our Future (via http://mybeautifullife.me) Super Girls Shine By Yvette Brown Everyday there are people who strive for excellence and achieve their goals despite great hardship. Regardless of age, race and background often the deciding factors in their success is an unusually clear focus, inner… … [Read more...] about Super Girls – 10 Amazingly Talented Young Black Girls Who Brighten Our Future (Guest Voice)
US headed toward ‘very dangerous moment’: World Bank
US headed toward 'very dangerous moment': World Bank (via AFP) World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim warned Saturday that the United States was headed toward peril as politicians failed again to resolve a standoff over the budget and debt ceiling. "We are now five days away from a very dangerous moment," Kim said at the… … [Read more...] about US headed toward ‘very dangerous moment’: World Bank
“Shutdown”: I Don’t Think That Word Means What You Think It Means (Guest Voice)
On the first of October, 92 veterans ignored barricades to visit a World War II memorial that should have remained shuttered as a result of the government shutdown. Since then, there have been a trickle of stories about various people demanding certain national parks and services be reopened, politicians offering to pay out of pocket to open gates, and, my personal favorite, … [Read more...] about “Shutdown”: I Don’t Think That Word Means What You Think It Means (Guest Voice)
Obama’s blunt weekly video address: “advance those ideas through elections and legislation – not extortion”
President Barack Obama was blunt in his weekly address posted on the White House website and You Tube: "Politics is a battle of ideas, but you advance those ideas through elections and legislation - not extortion." GO HERE to read the FULL TEXT … [Read more...] about Obama’s blunt weekly video address: “advance those ideas through elections and legislation – not extortion”
Is MSNBC President Griffin a ratings truther?
Every time a poll come out that shocks a party, you invariably hear partisans on the losing end going on about how it's biased. The old, tiresome, hack charge about the methodology being wrong (used by the inimitable Texas Senator Ted Cruz, architect of the GOP shutdown and poll collapse disaster, lately) is dragged out. And now we have a cable news channel President asking for … [Read more...] about Is MSNBC President Griffin a ratings truther?
Cooler than cool
Cooler than cool: 20 long ago, historic photos...colorized … [Read more...] about Cooler than cool
Finger in the political wind: McConnell says its time for political “come together moment” over shutdown debt ceiling crisis
If we ever needed proof (and we didn't) that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reads polls, we most surely have it now. As proof that he has put up his finger (but not the one he usually holds up to the White House) to gauge the political winds, he now says it's time for a "come together moment" and actually bragged about how he has worked with Democrats and … [Read more...] about Finger in the political wind: McConnell says its time for political “come together moment” over shutdown debt ceiling crisis
India evacuates 500,000 as cyclone lashes east coast
India evacuates 500,000 as cyclone lashes east coast (via AFP) India evacuated nearly half a million people as massive cyclone Phailin closed in on the impoverished east coast Saturday, with winds already uprooting trees and tearing into the flimsy homes. The storm packed gusts of up to 240 kilometres per hour (… … [Read more...] about India evacuates 500,000 as cyclone lashes east coast
Banana Republic Burlesque: Capital’s Last Act
As pre-teens a friend and I slipped into a Manhattan burlesque house with high expectations but, instead of earthly delights, we found tired old strippers sashaying around amid a succession of clowns doing pratfalls on imaginary banana skins. Republicans must be feeling that way these days. Tea Party acts by John McCain-labeled “wackos” have degenerated into a mix of low … [Read more...] about Banana Republic Burlesque: Capital’s Last Act
A tale of two men (Guest Voice)
A Tale of Two Men by K.E. Moore Charles Krauthammer engages in the kinds of ideological cheerleading and false equivalency that has helped make the hole we find ourselves and kept digging in some strange fatalistic desire to see if we can make it to China before anyone catches wise. The crux of Krauthammer’s post is to pin the blame of the nearly two week long … [Read more...] about A tale of two men (Guest Voice)
The Ten Hardline Conservatives Pulling the Strings of the GOP Shutdown
The Ten Hardline Conservatives Pulling the Strings of the GOP Shutdown (via Moyers & Company) Much of the coverage of the government showdown has focused on a relatively small group of hardline conservatives within the Republican caucus who have backed their party’s leaders into a fight they didn’t want. As Ryan Lizza noted in The New Yorker… … [Read more...] about The Ten Hardline Conservatives Pulling the Strings of the GOP Shutdown
Republican negative branding affirmation continues
Republican negative branding affirmation continues and not only on the national level. … [Read more...] about Republican negative branding affirmation continues
Vietnam Signs Nuclear Deal With the U.S.
A few days ago I reported on the death of of North Vietnamese Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap. When he met with John McCain in 1990 he indicated his primary desire was for the the United States and Vietnam to become friends. Well a few days after his death his desire is alive and well. Vietnam Signs Nuclear Deal With the U.S. Vietnam and the United States on Thursday inked an atomic … [Read more...] about Vietnam Signs Nuclear Deal With the U.S.
Republicans: Good White House meeting but no deal yet
Republicans: Good White House meeting but no deal yet (via AFP) Republican senators left the White House Friday encouraged by talks with President Barack Obama, but warned there was no deal yet to reopen the government and avoid a debt default. The meeting came a day after House Republicans met Obama with a plan… … [Read more...] about Republicans: Good White House meeting but no deal yet
Pre-Existing Obsessions (Cartoon)
Copyright 2013 by David Donar. All rights reserved. Cross-posted from Political Graffiti. … [Read more...] about Pre-Existing Obsessions (Cartoon)
Azerbaijan Releases Election Results Before People Actually Vote
You have to give the credit for efficiency … [Read more...] about Azerbaijan Releases Election Results Before People Actually Vote
Headline of the Day: “Republicans Working Out Terms of Their Surrender”
Headline of the Day: "Republicans are working out the terms of their surrender." The bottom line: Republicans are working out the terms of their surrender and are attempting to get something for a standoff that has divided the party and cost dearly in the polls. On substance, it is Republicans who are giving in, although the president is now doing something he said he would … [Read more...] about Headline of the Day: “Republicans Working Out Terms of Their Surrender”
Dr. Ben Carson: ‘Obamacare Worst Thing That’s Happened to Nation Since Slavery”
Dr. Ben Carson continues to spew venom to please the right wing extremists, AKA Tea Party, in the Republican Party. He now said that Obamacare is the worst thing to happen to America since slavery. Um, no mention of Jim Crow or the civil rights era. "I have to tell you Obamacare is, really I think, the worst thing that's happened in this nation since slavery," Carson said … [Read more...] about Dr. Ben Carson: ‘Obamacare Worst Thing That’s Happened to Nation Since Slavery”