Joseph Stiglitz writes in this morning's New York Times that, just as America is beginning to recover from the crisis which rocked the world financial system, another storm is about to hit: The crisis that is about to break out involves student debt and how we finance higher education. Like the housing crisis that preceded it, this crisis is intimately connected to … [Read more...] about Stiglitz On Higher Education
Ohio kidnap suspect’s brothers hope he ‘rots’ in jail
Ohio kidnap suspect's brothers hope he 'rots' in jail (via AFP) The brothers of the US man charged with kidnapping and raping three women, locking them in his home for a decade, said they hope he "rots" in jail, in an interview aired on Monday. He's a "monster. Hateful. I hope he rots in that jail," Onil Castro, 50, told CNN. "I don't even want them to take his… … [Read more...] about Ohio kidnap suspect’s brothers hope he ‘rots’ in jail
Secretary Gates on Benghazi Critics’ ‘Cartoonish’ View of Military Capability
One Republican whom I have always admired -- there are others -- is Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Even on issues that I disagreed with him -- such as his refusal to approve the Medal of Honor for Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta -- I have continued to respect him. Today, among the cabal that is Benghazi, there rose one Republican voice that has steadfastly refused … [Read more...] about Secretary Gates on Benghazi Critics’ ‘Cartoonish’ View of Military Capability
Classic Mother Song: M-o-t-h-e-r A Word That Means the World to Me (1916)
A classic mother song: recorded 1916. M-o-t-h-e-r: … [Read more...] about Classic Mother Song: M-o-t-h-e-r A Word That Means the World to Me (1916)
For Mother’s Day: My Mother’s Eyes
Sometimes a moldy, oldy song has lyrics that do say it all. AFitting for Mother's Day: A moldie oldie but the lyrics are poignant for all of us who loved or love our mothers. Listen to the lyrics from this 1929 recording of "My Mother's Eyes" sung by George Jessle. Footnote: Roy Shields who wrote most of the early music for The Little Rascals and Laurel & Hardy at Hal Roach … [Read more...] about For Mother’s Day: My Mother’s Eyes
The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann’s ‘9-11’ Pray Day and Mor
The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann's '9-11' Pray Day and More: From Michele Bachmann's '9-11 Pray' Day to the Texas 'Birther Ballot' bill, here's The Daily Beast's weekly rundown of American politics at its wackiest. tin foil hat graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann’s ‘9-11’ Pray Day and Mor
Best-selling novel ‘Room’ bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter
Best-selling novel 'Room' bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter (via Cleveland.com) Last September, novelist Emma Donoghue sold out the Ohio Theatre in downtown Cleveland to an audience eager to hear the author of "Room," a tense best seller about a young woman locked in a shed with the child fathered by her captor. … [Read more...] about Best-selling novel ‘Room’ bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter
Spain’s star ham fights for greater prestige
Spain's star ham fights for greater prestige (via AFP) The exquisite cured ham called Jamon Iberico made from distinctive Iberian black pigs, is the star of Spanish cuisine, but the economic downturn gripping Spain has hurt domestic sales and producers are looking to boost their fortunes abroad. To help market the product overseas, they want to tighten… … [Read more...] about Spain’s star ham fights for greater prestige
US military involvement in Syria a ‘mistake’: Gates
US military involvement in Syria a 'mistake': Gates (via AFP) Former US defense secretary Robert Gates warned Sunday that deepening US military involvement in Syria's civil war would be a "mistake," warning the outcome would be unpredictable and messy. In an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation," Gates also said he saw "no good outcomes" in dealing with Iran… … [Read more...] about US military involvement in Syria a ‘mistake’: Gates
Will Obama suffer the ‘second-term curse’? (Yes)
< On Friday I noted that the "second term curse" has now sprung into effect for President Barack Obama. And I would not be surprise if soon voices on the right accelerate a demand for Obama's impeachment and if at some point Republicans in Congress feel they must (as usual) respond to their base -- with all the implications that will have for the Republican Party (and … [Read more...] about Will Obama suffer the ‘second-term curse’? (Yes)
Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22)
Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22) 11. The integrity of our communication is often rooted not in what we say, but in why and how we say it. 12. Individuality is a mirage. We understand our humanness in relationship to other humans. When we love more, we become more human. 13. Wayward eyebrows are the reward of longevity. 14. If our first goal is to win the … [Read more...] about Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22)
Mother’s Day – by a Mother
On this Mother’s Day weekend I have already posted two articles in honor of that very special day and of those very special ladies. As a retired military I naturally gravitate to “all things military,” thus both articles are about “military Moms.” Yesterday, however, I read a touching article about Mothers, period. Moreover, it is written by a mother who has … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day – by a Mother
The Remarkable Prince Harry
In reading THIS STORY I've concluded we are seeing someone very special in Prince Harry. Just read the story and look at the photos. He has that rare "spark." … [Read more...] about The Remarkable Prince Harry
Nawaz Sharif declares victory in Pakistan election
Nawaz Sharif declares victory in Pakistan election (via AFP) Nawaz Sharif declared victory for his centre-right party in Pakistan's landmark elections Saturday, as unofficial partial results put him on course to win a historic third term as premier. The result represented a remarkable comeback for a man who was deposed as premier in a 1999 military coup and… … [Read more...] about Nawaz Sharif declares victory in Pakistan election
Donald Trump: The Rape Apologist
Donald Trump: The Rape Apologist by Tina Dupuy Donald Trump thinks it's a no-brainer that so many American servicewomen are raped by their fellow soldiers. This week, when the increase in these crimes is the subject of a Senate hearing, Trump tweeted: "26,000 unreported sexual assults (sic) in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put … [Read more...] about Donald Trump: The Rape Apologist
Rape in the Military (Cartoon)
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 Rape in the Military (Cartoon)
Ladies swoon as Prince Harry begins US tour
Ladies swoon as Prince Harry begins US tour (via AFP) Prince Harry broke hearts in Washington's corridors of power, showing more interest in landmines than in the excited fans who greeted him at the start of a week-long US visit. Squeals ricocheted down the halls of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill as the 28-year-old eligible bachelor… … [Read more...] about Ladies swoon as Prince Harry begins US tour
Domestic Violence Revelations with Erin Pizzey
Saturday 11 May 2013 marks the first episode of a new radio show I'll be doing with domestic violence pioneer Erin Pizzey: Domestic Violence Revelations with Erin Pizzey. The first show airs today (Saturday May 11th) at 4:00 pm (1600) London England time, 11:00 am Eastern US time. This show will be live and will include call-ins. Erin will be available to answer your questions … [Read more...] about Domestic Violence Revelations with Erin Pizzey
Mother’s Day for Our Deployed Moms
Army Maj. Yolanda Poullard, deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, will spend her first Mother's Day away from her 5-year-old daughter, Alahna. U.S. Army photo by Patricia Ryan For active duty troops who are also mothers, Mother’s Day can be a happy day, or a bittersweet, “subdued” day. For those fortunate enough to spend Mother’s Day at home with their loved ones, of course … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day for Our Deployed Moms
Carbon Dioxide Passes 400 PPM Milestone, NOAA Finds
Carbon Dioxide Passes 400 PPM Milestone, NOAA Finds (via Climate Central) By Andrew Freedman Follow @afreedma On May 9, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air exceeded 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in the observational record since 1958, and very likely for the first time in at least 800,000 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration … [Read more...] about Carbon Dioxide Passes 400 PPM Milestone, NOAA Finds