No matter what you think about the results of the recent British election, you have to be impressed by how short and sweet it was. And inexpensive. If you contrast the British campaigns with those of the Americans, you realize how lucky they are not to have years of political advertisements clogging the airways and mailboxes for their general elections. The elections for … [Read more...] about Short and Sweet
Inherent Vice (Movie Review)
5/5 NOTE: This is a repost of the original review published on January 11th. Inherent Vice is a film of exotic taxonomy, a once-in-a-blue-moon sui generis that paves a road seen only by those who have breathed the smoke that so thickly permeates every frame. It is a pitch-perfect adaptation of its source material in that attempting to follow either of them … [Read more...] about Inherent Vice (Movie Review)
Politix Update: With Jeb Bush Dissing Vets, Is It Time To Get Real About The Iraq War?
For a brief if not shining moment, it occurred to me that Jeb Bush might just be the guy to make the 2016 presidential race interesting. I'm not saying that I'd vote for him, but I had really hoped that Hillary Clinton would not win in a walk because she was opposed by some Republican chucklehead. Yet in the space of four days last week, Jeb not only dashed my hopes, but … [Read more...] about Politix Update: With Jeb Bush Dissing Vets, Is It Time To Get Real About The Iraq War?
Jeb Bush’s agony
WASHINGTON -- Am I am the only person outside the Bush family who has a smidgen of empathy for Jeb Bush's roller-coaster ride in trying to answer a straightforward question: Was going to war in Iraq the right thing to do? It's hard to go much beyond "smidgen" because it remains astonishing that Bush hadn't worked out long in advance how he'd grapple with an inevitable … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush’s agony
ABC News Exclusive: a 21-year Elian Gonzalez Wants to Come to the United States
Yes, some may deny it or battle it, but we are in a new era of American relations with Cuba. Elian Gonzalez, the little boy who won so many American hearts when his mother drowned in 1999 getting him over to the United States, only to be forcibly sent back to Cuba in June 200o since his father there legally had custody, is now 21. He's has been a hero in Cuba for his … [Read more...] about ABC News Exclusive: a 21-year Elian Gonzalez Wants to Come to the United States
Boston Bomber’s Sentence Punishes Us All (Guest Voice)
Boston Bomber's Sentence Punishes Us All By Peter Funt Here is what the death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will achieve: It will remind the world that America is not entirely the home of exceptionalism as many politicians suggest. Retaining the death penalty while virtually the entire civilized world has rejected it is, indeed, exceptional — but in the wrong sense of … [Read more...] about Boston Bomber’s Sentence Punishes Us All (Guest Voice)
Analysis: A satisfying ‘Mad Men’ finale
After all was said and done, after seven seasons and 92 episodes, Matthew Weiner gave almost all of his "Mad Men" characters, Don Draper included, a happy ending — and fans of the show a mostly satisfying finale. If you did not see the series finale of "Mad Men" on Sunday night, do not read on.… … [Read more...] about Analysis: A satisfying ‘Mad Men’ finale
Cartoon: I’d Still Invade
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: I’d Still Invade
Marines Killed in Nepal Helicopter Crash Identified, Recovered (Updated)
The following Open Letter "from the People of Nepal" to the US Marines in Nepal is making its rounds on social media. The U.S. Ambassador to Nepal has replied (scroll down) We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of 6 Marines in the UH-1Y Huey helicopter crash this week. You and your fellow Marine brothers and sisters came to us at a time when we were … [Read more...] about Marines Killed in Nepal Helicopter Crash Identified, Recovered (Updated)
Lindsey Graham Running for President Because “World Falling Apart”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he's running for president because "I think the world is falling apart," CNN reports. Lindsey Graham: “I’m running because I think the world is falling apart. I’ve been more right than wrong on foreign policy. It’s not the fault of others or their lack of this or that that makes me want to run. It’s my ability in my own mind to be a good … [Read more...] about Lindsey Graham Running for President Because “World Falling Apart”
Mt St Helens 35 Years Later
This is the 35th anniversary of the eruption of Mt St Helens. It is an event that those of us who were here will never forget. I am thinking of my friend Connie Kaseweter Pullen who lost a dear brother that day - I lost a dear friend. Connie and I got together when she googled her brother Bob's name and was directed to my post on the 25th anniversary. Some 30 years later … [Read more...] about Mt St Helens 35 Years Later
Seymour Hersh’s Bin Laden Exposé Reveals Hypocrisy Of The Chattering Classes
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING PIONEER IDA TARBELL There is a back story to the back story that underpins Seymour Hersh's controversial new exposé claiming that the Obama administration lied about virtually everything having to do with the death of Osama bin Laden: If as a journalist you buck the official line, expect to be castigated not just by the people spouting that line, … [Read more...] about Seymour Hersh’s Bin Laden Exposé Reveals Hypocrisy Of The Chattering Classes
Defending the greatest film of all time
To be honest, it was outrageous that I even had to do this. As far as I am concerned, The Godfather is the greatest film of all time - not just my favourite - THE greatest film of all time. Let me back up. I have a mate, Alec, who has started a film orientated podcast. The idea is to put various films on trial. He has done one about The Shining and Prometheus. I am … [Read more...] about Defending the greatest film of all time
A gift basket for Clinton from the GOP
WASHINGTON -- At this point in the campaign, do you see the Republican presidential hopeful who's going to beat Hillary Clinton? I didn't think so. Not if what we're watching now is the best they can do. Maybe a thoroughbred will emerge from the coming debates, assuming the party finds a way to cram all the candidates onto the same stage. So far, however, most of the … [Read more...] about A gift basket for Clinton from the GOP
Nepal: A Brave Marine’s Photos (Updated)
Update: Cpl. Sara A. Medina’s Marine Corps portfolio includes more than 400 photographs covering various Marine Corps relief efforts, missions, exercises and a score of photographs on the Marine Corps support of President Obama’s trip to and visit to Australia to attend the G-20 Leaders Summit in 2014 (below). Her entire portfolio can be viewed here. The Marine Corps … [Read more...] about Nepal: A Brave Marine’s Photos (Updated)
SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Mad Men; Agent Carter; Agents of SHIELD; Person of Interest; The Blacklist; Gotham and Twin Peaks
I was surprised to see Arrow ending its third season in a way much like one of the possible endings I see for Mad Men. Although Don Draper doesn't currently have a comparable woman in his life, I can easily see him ending the series starting over with a new life in California. As for Oliver Queen, there is little doubt that a new threat to Starling City will bring him back. The … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Mad Men; Agent Carter; Agents of SHIELD; Person of Interest; The Blacklist; Gotham and Twin Peaks
DoD Admits Invasion of Texas Associated with “Jade Helm 15” (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Nil Admirari): DoD Secretary Ashton B. Carter admitted today there will be an invasion of Texas associated with the "Jade Helm 15" U.S. military exercise that has many Texans worried their state will be placed under martial law. Ashton cautioned Texans the invasion "isn't the kind you are so concerned about." "The DoD is going to use one-fourth of its … [Read more...] about DoD Admits Invasion of Texas Associated with “Jade Helm 15” (Guest Voice)
The Bush Years: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
The Bush Years: An Explainer By Tina Dupuy This week in Nevada, Jeb Bush accidentally declared he's running for president to reporters. He was supposed to say, "if I run" and instead said, "I'm running for president!" So now that it's official, I feel it's my duty to explain the Bush years to younger/amnesiac Americans who may not remember what life was like before … [Read more...] about The Bush Years: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Jeb Bush and Dubyah
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: Jeb Bush and Dubyah
Iraqi troops fail to retake Ramadi, flee Islamic State
IRBIL, Iraq — Iraqi security forces attempting to retake control of the western city of Ramadi were routed in heavy fighting Sunday in the worst defeat for Iraq's central government since Islamic State militants stormed across the country last June. In a replay of last year's military debacle, elite units fled the area, leaving several hundred… … [Read more...] about Iraqi troops fail to retake Ramadi, flee Islamic State