All nations require revenue in order to buy armaments and pay for defense, maintain and expand their infrastructure, keep the health care system and social security intact, support the justice system, pay employees, and so forth. A dilemma in democratic states is how to raise these revenues in a fair and equitable fashion, though no matter what is ultimately decided by the … [Read more...] about Taxes and Revenues in Democratic Nations
GOP GIFT: SCOTUS Delays Start of Ohio’s Early Voting
The US Supreme Court granted the Ohio Republican Party its wish by restricting early voting. The 2014 and 2016 elections will be very interesting as the GOP continues its efforts to stymie pro-Democratic Party votes by engaging in shameful voter suppression tactics. So, while Jon Husted managed to get early voting rolled back by one week, it should raise some concerns because … [Read more...] about GOP GIFT: SCOTUS Delays Start of Ohio’s Early Voting
Fraternities Under Attack: I’m Not Pulling Your Keg
Fraternities Under Attack: I'm Not Pulling Your Keg Tyrades! By Danny Tyree I guess the college "Greek system" was always Greek to me. As a small town nerd, when I attended college I was all "Wow! Microfiche newspapers! College bookstore! Meal plan!" in between weekly trips home. No great desire to seek forbidden pleasures, test the rules, join a brotherhood, etc. So … [Read more...] about Fraternities Under Attack: I’m Not Pulling Your Keg
Cartoon: Telegrapher
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: Telegrapher
Get the authorization
WASHINGTON -- President Obama should call Congress back to Washington for a special session to vote on authorizing war against the Islamic State. If he does not, Congress should return on its own to conduct this vital debate. Do your jobs, everybody. As legal justification for the war, Obama relies on two measures, passed more than a decade ago, that authorized … [Read more...] about Get the authorization
White House fence-jumper reached East Room: report
The man who jumped over the White House fence and sprinted across the front lawn made it all the way to the East Room before he was apprehended, according to a Washington Post report. Omar J. Gonzalez, 42, rushed past a Secret Service agent at the front door on Sept. 19, and made it all the… … [Read more...] about White House fence-jumper reached East Room: report
Cartoon: Bill walks through
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: Bill walks through
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Police and Toy Guns
The Police and Toy Guns by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --What killed John Crawford: How terrible police training is destroying America --Video: John Crawford didn't seem to aim toy gun at anyone before police shot at him --Police: Boy’s toy gun triggers lock down Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: The Police and Toy Guns
Setting a deadline on death (Guest Voice)
Setting a deadline on death by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- My friend Ezekiel Emanuel, in his typically smart, provocative and bullheaded way, has decreed that he hopes to die at age 75, which would give him just 18 more years during which to exasperate friends and family. Zeke's wrong, of course. Yet he's wrong, as always, in an … [Read more...] about Setting a deadline on death (Guest Voice)
“Obama is the rare politician who finds telling whoppers difficult…
"Obama is the rare politician who finds telling whoppers difficult...[icopyright one button toolbar] "... and he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, hide some of his concerns about where this all is leading," writes John Cassidy in a clear analysis of Obama/ISIS/60 Minutes." Probably Obama shouldn't have blamed the intelligence agencies. Or rather, he was right to blame the … [Read more...] about “Obama is the rare politician who finds telling whoppers difficult…
UK Voices Concerns Over Protests As Crowds Swell In Hong Kong
The British Foreign Office said on Monday that it is “concerned about the situation in Hong Kong,” even as the number of demonstrators swelled across three neighborhoods in the city. Three important districts -- Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay -- attracted a growing number of protesters, according to media reports. “Britain's longstanding position, as a… … [Read more...] about UK Voices Concerns Over Protests As Crowds Swell In Hong Kong
Mt St Helens
When I was going to college in the late 60's the head of the geology department predicted that Mt St Helens would erupt in his life time - he was right. In may of 1980 a massive eruption occurred which took the life of a dear friend of mine. The mountain has been quiet for several years but that may be changing. Mount St. Helens shows signs of reawakening And 5 miles below … [Read more...] about Mt St Helens
Bomb Mexico? (Guest Voice)
Bomb Mexico? By Jason Stanford Sometimes it's hard to tell whether a politician is crazy or just joking. The problem is usually that no one is laughing. Such was the case recently when two candidates offered a radical solution to the humanitarian crisis on the Texas border: Bomb Mexico. Serious or not, it shows how far the anti-immigrant tide has carried some politicians … [Read more...] about Bomb Mexico? (Guest Voice)
Catalonia has got a case of the Scotland
Catalonia's president on Saturday formally called a referendum to decide whether Spain's richest region should be independent, defying Madrid which vowed to block the move. Shortly after Artur Mas set the vote for Nov. 9, the Spanish government said the referendum would not take place because it was "unconstitutional." Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria… … [Read more...] about Catalonia has got a case of the Scotland
Holder and RFK’s legacy
WASHINGTON -- When he announced his leave-taking last week, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke of Robert F. Kennedy as his inspiration for believing that the Justice Department "can and must always be a force for that which is right." There are many reasons why our nation's first African-American attorney general might see Kennedy as his guide, but this one may be the … [Read more...] about Holder and RFK’s legacy
SciFi Weekend: Tuesday Shows Go Dark (SHIELD and Person of Interest); Sleepy Hollow; Under The Dome (“Nothing But A Giant Suck Hole”); Doctor Who; Outlander; Arrow; Gotham; Shatner Star Trek Rumors; If Ayn Rand Wrote Buffy
Tuesday night featured the return of two television shows which have both changed for the post-Snowden era, Agents of SHIELD and Person of Interest. On each show the heroes are now working in secret, or even greater secrecy than they had operated in the past.[icopyright one button toolbar] The premiere of Agents of SHIELD was not as good as the final episodes of the first … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Tuesday Shows Go Dark (SHIELD and Person of Interest); Sleepy Hollow; Under The Dome (“Nothing But A Giant Suck Hole”); Doctor Who; Outlander; Arrow; Gotham; Shatner Star Trek Rumors; If Ayn Rand Wrote Buffy
Add One More Name to That Open Letter to Fox News
[icopyright one button toolbar] Talking Points Memo (TPM.com) yesterday published an open letter to the idiots at Fox News who made some very offensive and inappropriate remarks about a female United Arab Emirates (UAE) pilot who courageously took part in allied air strikes against ISIL terrorists last week. The pilot and squadron commander in question was 35-year-old … [Read more...] about Add One More Name to That Open Letter to Fox News
Racism is a long way from over
The Justice Department on Friday pressured the Ferguson Police Department to stop its officers from wearing bracelets stamped with the message “I am Darren Wilson,” in solidarity with the police officer who is being investigated for shooting an unarmed black 18-year-old, and from covering up their name plates with tape. ...NYT Above that report opener in the Times is a … [Read more...] about Racism is a long way from over
US Vets DESTROY Fox News Tools for ‘Boobs on the Ground’ Remark in Open Letter (Guest Voice)
First, the folks over on FOX made a misogynistic joke regarding a female pilot. Then, the half-hearted not-apology, and now, the full smack-down, courtesy of the United States Military Veterans. On Thursday, The Five decided to live up to the sort of blind jingoism and Military Worship that right-wingers are constantly demanding of others when Fox… … [Read more...] about US Vets DESTROY Fox News Tools for ‘Boobs on the Ground’ Remark in Open Letter (Guest Voice)
EXCLUSIVE: The Politics of Animal Cruelty
Pennsylvanians can still butcher, braise, and broil their pet cats and dogs because a murky mixture of politics has left a critical bill on the table in the state senate.[icopyright one button toolbar] Residents may also continue to use cats, dogs, and other animals as targets for what some erroneously call “sporting events.” Although there are no documented cases of … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE: The Politics of Animal Cruelty