Although our fighting troops will continue to get paid -- at least for the time being -- the government shutdown must weigh heavily on their minds as they worry about the effects it is having on their families back home and even as to their own future pay, allowances and benefits. All “stateside” commissaries (except for two in remote areas of California and one in … [Read more...] about Government Shutdown: How it Punishes our Fighting Men and Women
Quote of the Day: GOP Congressman “I need my paycheck”
I wouldn't dare call this the Hypocrite of the Day (or would I?). Our quote of the day: "I need my paycheck. That's the bottom line. I understand that there may be some other members who are deferring their paychecks, and I think that's admirable. I'm not in that position." -- Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), in an interview with WTVD-TV, on needing to be paid during the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: GOP Congressman “I need my paycheck”
Global reaction to shutdown: USA looks dumb and dumber
Global reaction to shutdown: USA looks dumb and dumber Weekly Entertainment Guide – Mural Arts Month, Terror Behind the Walls, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours Confident same-sex marriage coming to Pa., but unsure when The party is afoot with pedicycle tours of Philly New book by Brad Bumsted profiles history of Pennsylvania corruption High levels of radiation found in … [Read more...] about Global reaction to shutdown: USA looks dumb and dumber
Lawless in DC: The Streets and Congress
This is as close as I come to live-blogging. As a black car drives wildly through Washington during a crisis of lawlessness in Congress, all eyes turn from the Shutdown to what looks like a shootout in the Capital. Switching cable channels, CNN seems chastened by Jon Stewart’s takedown during the last massacre and cautiously keeps referring to the driver as the “suspect,” … [Read more...] about Lawless in DC: The Streets and Congress
The shutdown is only the beginning of our unnecessary problems.
by Robert Coutinho Some of you may remember my previous articles on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). I believe it is time for a refresher, and also another rant about Congressional misdeeds. Thus, I will attempt to put some of the catastrophe that we are facing (and will face soon) into understandable language. First the shutdown: Congress (mostly the House of … [Read more...] about The shutdown is only the beginning of our unnecessary problems.
Let go of the car, Mr. Speaker
WASHINGTON -- Republicans in Congress are like a dog that chases cars and finally catches one. There is a fleeting sense of accomplishment, followed by sheer panic. God bless Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., for at least being honest. "We're not going to be disrespected," he told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday. "We have to get something out of this. And I don't know … [Read more...] about Let go of the car, Mr. Speaker
Republicans, Veterans and the Shutdown (Guest Cartoonist)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Tammy Duckworth: GOP exploiting veterans --Government Shutdown Could Grow Veterans' Backlogs Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression "WHAT A HOOT" certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are … [Read more...] about Republicans, Veterans and the Shutdown (Guest Cartoonist)
The Republicans are getting a little scared
Wall Street is shifting its attention to an even more worrisome situation: the possibility that the government could run out of money within the next few weeks, forcing an unprecedented default on its debt. ... ... As a result, economists and investors have quietly begun to explore the options the White House might have in the event Congress fails to act. The most widely … [Read more...] about The Republicans are getting a little scared
5 ways Obamacare affects hospitals, doctors and more
5 ways Obamacare affects hospitals, doctors and more (via NJ.com) The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, will affect many aspects of health care across the nation. Below are five ways the new law will influence procedures surrounding hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and insurers. HOSPITALS 1 The Affordable… … [Read more...] about 5 ways Obamacare affects hospitals, doctors and more
OK, So It’s Not Just Boehner’s Ego
It's the egos of other Republicans as well. … [Read more...] about OK, So It’s Not Just Boehner’s Ego
Well, Nature Doesn’t Care About Shutdowns
Tropical Storm Karen decided that it wasn't waiting for it to be convenient for the U.S. government. Of course the people who are needed when a potential hurricane is spotted are being called back to work. While the article doesn't mention it, they presumably aren't going to get paid though they are expected to come back to work. This is, of course, the case with all of the … [Read more...] about Well, Nature Doesn’t Care About Shutdowns
Connecticut-Based Dental Hygienist Miriam Carey Identified as Capitol Attacker
Miriam Carey, 34, identified as woman killed in Capitol shooting after taking police on high speed chase. Carey, from Connecticut, rammed her car into a barricade near the White House. Miriam Carey had a one-year old child in the car with her. Miriam Carey is a dental hygenist, according to the the New York Post and the New Haven Register. She has a history of mental … [Read more...] about Connecticut-Based Dental Hygienist Miriam Carey Identified as Capitol Attacker
A different sort of shutdown
WASHINGTON -- Why is this political crisis different from all the others? It's different because Republicans are badly divided over the government shutdown while Democrats are united. President Obama and his party want to say, firmly and unequivocally, that they will never again give in to the Republicans' abuses of the governing process -- or to their willingness to … [Read more...] about A different sort of shutdown
Boehner’s Limit? Tells Republicans He Won’t Let the Nation Default on Debts (UPDATE 2)
A big question in the looming double economic-political crises of the Republican House-engineered government shutdown and a feared Republican House-engineered default on the debt ceiling is: does House Speaker John Boehner have a limit in how far he'll go in being head of House Republicans if it clashes with the national interest? There are signs he does: the New York Times … [Read more...] about Boehner’s Limit? Tells Republicans He Won’t Let the Nation Default on Debts (UPDATE 2)
Gunshots Fired at Capitol: Driver Killed
UPDATE: It is said, the driver of the car was a woman in her 30s who was shot and killed. It is said the child somewhere between 1-3 years in age is not shot [and, as we can imagine, there are and will be more updates on the actual psychological and physical condition of the child.] Eyewitnesses describe the woman driver acting with reckless disregard, crashing into cars, … [Read more...] about Gunshots Fired at Capitol: Driver Killed
Capitol Police Confirm Shots Fired Near Capitol Hill, Female Suspect Dead
BREAKING: Gunshots reported near US Capitol building. House of Representatives under lockdown. Cops seen sprinting outside. Capitol police officer injured. US Capitol police send out shelter in pace notice to all Capitol Hill staff. NBC employee on @msnbc: 10 or 15 gunshots in rapid succession; police were chasing a black vehicle up Constitution Ave in DC … [Read more...] about Capitol Police Confirm Shots Fired Near Capitol Hill, Female Suspect Dead
A Call to Arms Against ‘American Exceptionalism’ (Izvestia, Russia)
Is the notion of American exceptionalism a danger to the world and its march toward equality in all its forms? For Russia's Izvestia, columnist Boris Mezhuyev calls on 'the best of the world's philosophers, the heads of traditional churches and representatives of all the world’s religions, and countries' to join with Russia in depositing American exeptionalism into the dustbin … [Read more...] about A Call to Arms Against ‘American Exceptionalism’ (Izvestia, Russia)
Senate Chaplain: Stop The Madness
Senate Chaplain Barry Black had a message for lawmakers in his morning prayer to open the Senate today. Read this excerpt and see what you think. Looks like he may have his head on straighter than many of those with whom he shares the chamber. Have mercy upon us, oh God, and save us from the madness...We acknowledge our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our … [Read more...] about Senate Chaplain: Stop The Madness
Poll: Republicans not making headway on convincing public over shutdown
A new CBS News poll finds Republicans have not made any headway in changing two important political numbers. Number one: the fact that 72 percent in a new CBS News poll are don't like the shutdown. Number two: the fact that more voters blame Republicans than blame President Barack Obama -- and not by a tiny margin: On day three of the partial government shutdown, a new CBS … [Read more...] about Poll: Republicans not making headway on convincing public over shutdown
For sale: Chinese babies and children
For sale: Chinese babies and children (via GlobalPost) Enlarge HONG KONG — No nightmare is more chilling than having one’s child stolen away. But in China, that nightmare becomes real up to 70,000 times a year. Although little known about it outside the country, child trafficking is epidemic in the… … [Read more...] about For sale: Chinese babies and children