WASHINGTON — It's not a particularly strategic location, the United States and its allies never pledged to defend it, and few people outside the region had even heard of it before this month. But the symbolism of US-led airstrikes failing to stop Islamic State militants from overrunning the Syrian city of Kobani could provide an early… … [Read more...] about If Kobani falls, will Obama’s Syria strategy collapse too?
Remember that $20 billion in cash, flown into Iraq by the Bush administration?
Remember that $20 billion in cash, flown into Iraq by the Bush administration? [icopyright one button toolbar] Well, they still can't account for it. James Risen writes in the New York Times today that it's all over the place -- and some has just turned up in Lebanon. The sources of some of that money for reconstruction were the accounts of Saddam's government in the … [Read more...] about Remember that $20 billion in cash, flown into Iraq by the Bush administration?
(Updates) In Surprise Move, Supreme Court Clears Way for Gay Marriage in 5 States – Alaska Next?
[icopyright one button toolbar] Update III: And the beat goes on: Alaska Dispatch News has just reported that a federal judge ruled today “Alaska’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, paving the way for gay couples to begin marrying in the state for the first time.” The ruling comes less than a week after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to … [Read more...] about (Updates) In Surprise Move, Supreme Court Clears Way for Gay Marriage in 5 States – Alaska Next?
Dempsey on Kobani and on ‘Boots on the Ground’
[icopyright one button toolbar] As the U.S. continues to launch airstrikes against ISIL terrorists around the besieged Syrian town of Kobani, on the frontier with NATO member Turkey, ISIL continues to make advances and threatens to overrun and capture the entire town -- two days ago they controlled almost half the town. The fall of Kobani would not only be a disaster to … [Read more...] about Dempsey on Kobani and on ‘Boots on the Ground’
Another Weekend Photo
This is Laetiporus sulphureus also known as chicken of the woods because it does indeed taste like chicken. It must be cooked and don't harvest it from a eucalyptus tree because at best it will make you very sick and at worst kill you. … [Read more...] about Another Weekend Photo
Texas Health Worker Tests Positive for Ebola, Cared for Thomas Eric Duncan
A Texas healthcare worker, who provided care for Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, tests positive for Ebola virus, Texas' health agency said. The worker was isolated after presenting on Friday with a low-grade fever. The results were from a preliminary test from the state. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will now perform a confirmatory test.[icopyright one button … [Read more...] about Texas Health Worker Tests Positive for Ebola, Cared for Thomas Eric Duncan
Warsaw Has Lots of Apples – and Candles (Guest Voice)
Warsaw Has Lots of Apples – and Candles by Michael Winship WARSAW — People in Poland are eating apples these days. Lots of apples. Here in Warsaw, they’re pressed into your hands at a street festival, or baked into piles of pies and cakes. You see them everywhere. It’s an act of defiance. Moscow has banned the importing of fruits and vegetables to Russia, in retaliation … [Read more...] about Warsaw Has Lots of Apples – and Candles (Guest Voice)
Why America’s support for Israel can waver (Guest Voice)
Why America’s support for Israel can waver By Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –Most American supporters of Israel believe that the US government has high regard for Israel and that it considers the Jewish State a valued ally and friend. And why might that be? Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East. Israel shares “Judeo-Christian values” with America. Israel … [Read more...] about Why America’s support for Israel can waver (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Stop ISIS
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: Stop ISIS
SeaWorld President: ‘We’re Not Backing Down’ Amid Calls for Closing
SeaWorld President: ‘We’re Not Backing Down’ Amid Calls for Closing by Chris Jennewein SAN DIEGO, Ca. -- The name PETA didn’t come up, but a SeaWorld executive told business and political leaders Friday that the landmark San Diego park is the real friend of animals in today’s world. “The wild is a threatened place,” said SeaWorld San Diego President John Reilly, arguing … [Read more...] about SeaWorld President: ‘We’re Not Backing Down’ Amid Calls for Closing
Could Latino voters decide Kansas’ elections?
WASHINGTON — Kansas may not be considered Latino country, but the small, albeit growing, Hispanic community across the state is emerging as a potential threat to shake up the political landscape. The state's approximately 121,000 Latino voters make up just 6 percent of the electorate, but experts say they could make a difference in the tight… … [Read more...] about Could Latino voters decide Kansas’ elections?
Weekend Photo
Fall and Winter frequently come on fast here in the Pacific Northwest and this year is no exception. Three weeks ago we had our last 90 degree high temperature and the last 80 degree day was less than a week ago. It rained last night but the real rain is due next week with over a foot of snow expected in the mountains. That means it's fungus time. … [Read more...] about Weekend Photo
Gotta love “Reince Priebus”
Sorry, but that name somehow belongs in quotes. It isn't just the incredible statements from this "Reince Priebus" that make one doubt his authenticity, it's the name. Is "Reince Priebus" really an anagram? Or is it that his statements so often are so wild that one has to believe he's some kind of crazy frat joke? [icopyright one button toolbar] Let's take a look at a … [Read more...] about Gotta love “Reince Priebus”
A Swift Boat Load of Lies
by Walter Brasch “Gov. Tom Corbett, who claims he opposes legalization of marijuana, was seen behind a barn smoking weed. Just a-puffin’ and a-grinnin’.” [icopyright one button toolbar] “Tom Wolfe was speeding and driving drunk through the streets of York. If he can’t obey traffic laws, why would we think he’d obey the Constitution if elected Pennsylvania … [Read more...] about A Swift Boat Load of Lies
Baseball Drinks Up and Dumbs Down
Baseball Drinks Up and Dumbs Down By Peter Funt On the road in Atlanta, the Pirates learned they were among 10 teams to make it to baseball's postseason. Reporter Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described what followed: "The center of the visiting clubhouse turned into a fountain of champagne and beer. Everyone wore science-class style glasses, except (star … [Read more...] about Baseball Drinks Up and Dumbs Down
Waiting For A ‘Massacre’ In Kobani
If ISIS takes control of Kobani, at least 500 civilians trapped in the Syrian town on the Turkish border “will be most likely massacred,” the U.N.’s envoy to Syria warned on Friday. The remarks by Staffan de Mistura in Geneva came as a monitoring group estimated that Islamic State fighters control at least 40 percent of… … [Read more...] about Waiting For A ‘Massacre’ In Kobani
Republican Tactics Of Fear And Voter Suppression
[icopyright one button toolbar] Republicans, lacking a real agenda or any solutions to problems, are basing their campaign this year on a combination of fear and voter suppression. They are even trying to politicize Ebola with threats that it will cross our borders (along with people of other colors) and even mutate to become airborne to attack us. (Does their belief that … [Read more...] about Republican Tactics Of Fear And Voter Suppression
Sullivan on the “Failed Presidency” Meme
Andrew Sullivan debunks the "failed presidency" meme on The Daily Dish.[icopyright one button toolbar] Just a year ago, I had a conversation with a friend as the healthcare website was crashing. All that mattered, we agreed, was if, this time next year, the healthcare reform is working and the economy is doing better. Well, both those things have happened – Obamacare is … [Read more...] about Sullivan on the “Failed Presidency” Meme
Phyllis Schlafly Implies President Obama Bringing in Ebola Virus to America
Eagle Forum founder and right wingnut Phyllis Schlafly implies that President Obama is intentionally bringing the deadly Ebola virus to America to make us more like Africa.[icopyright one button toolbar] Here's more from Right Wing Watch: In an interview with WorldNetDaily published today, Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly weighed in on the unfounded theory gaining … [Read more...] about Phyllis Schlafly Implies President Obama Bringing in Ebola Virus to America
Courts Nix Wisconsin and Texas Voter ID laws
Every now and then -- even in the current, lamentable Supreme Court -- decency and common sense raise their hands and speak. This time a decision on voting laws from the Court sidelines three of our most shameful justices. The Supreme Court on Thursday evening stopped officials in Wisconsin from requiring voters there to provide photo identification before casting … [Read more...] about Courts Nix Wisconsin and Texas Voter ID laws