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
Oklahoma beheading: workplace violence or ISIS tie in or ISIS imprinting?
The news from Oklahoma that a man went haywire in his place of work and beheaded a co-worker, and seemed ready to take out as many people as he could in a style now made popular in the snuff videos posted online by ISIS has -- what else? -- led to a new controversy and speculation being presented as near fact. Was this an example of a mentally loose cannon who absorbed too much … [Read more...] about Oklahoma beheading: workplace violence or ISIS tie in or ISIS imprinting?
Fears Of A Taliban Takeover Of Afghanistan Growing
About three months before most U.S. and U.K. troops are scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan, the future of the Central Asian country looks increasingly uncertain. Taliban fighters seized control of a strategic district in the province of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Friday, Al-Jazeera reported. Their military victory comes at a time when political instability in Kabul… … [Read more...] about Fears Of A Taliban Takeover Of Afghanistan Growing
Cartoon: Dancing with ISIS and Ebola
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: Dancing with ISIS and Ebola
ISIL: Britain Joins the Air Battle, and More…
[icopyright one button toolbar] Two Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft prepare to depart RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, armed with Paveway IV laser guided bombs, in support of OP SHADER on the 27th of September 2014. Photo British MOD. CODA 1: Our newest partner in the battle against ISIL terrorists has just confirmed that Royal Air Force jets have conducted armed … [Read more...] about ISIL: Britain Joins the Air Battle, and More…
Small Business Exchanges Providing Coverage To Small Business At Lower Cost
With Obamacare having been such a success on the individual market, providing coverage for millions of people, generally at a lower cost than previously, some opponents of health care reform have concentrated on scare stories claiming that the cost of coverage will harm small business. While not many states had the small business exchanges operational in the first year, a study … [Read more...] about Small Business Exchanges Providing Coverage To Small Business At Lower Cost
Cruz: The Worst of Both Foreign Policy Worlds
Daniel Larison hammers the mindless aggression of Ted Cruz on foreign policy in The American Conservative.[icopyright one button toolbar] Cruz’s positioning is that he is usually in lockstep with hard-liners when it comes to (wrongly) assessing threats and reliably endorsing the use of force, but has no interest in any of the political conditions of the countries that he … [Read more...] about Cruz: The Worst of Both Foreign Policy Worlds
DoJ Tells Ferguson Police To Stop Wearing Darren Wilson Bracelets
The U.S. Department of Justice has asked the Ferguson, Missouri police department to order its officers not to wear bracelets saying “I am Darren Wilson,” a reference to the white officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown. The shooting has led to weeks of protests, mainly in the St. Louis suburb. Protesters had uploaded photos of… … [Read more...] about DoJ Tells Ferguson Police To Stop Wearing Darren Wilson Bracelets
Cartoon: ISIS Pig
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: ISIS Pig
Another nail in Republican coffin?
When was it we were all so sure there'd be a Republican wave in November. ...? There may not be. That greenish-brownish sludge in the corporate retaining pool over there on the right is barely moving, much less turning into a wave.[icopyright one button toolbar] Things could change. But they're looking less and less favorable for the Republican party. Greg Sargent has … [Read more...] about Another nail in Republican coffin?
Russia insists that citizen data be retained on in-country servers
Bits are not atoms, no matter how hard governments insist that they be treated as such. The latest "thou shalt treat them the same" edict came from the Russian bear. According to Roskomnadzor, the Russian government's mass media and telecom overseer, Google, Facebook and Twitter must register as "organizers of information distribution" and "keep information about their … [Read more...] about Russia insists that citizen data be retained on in-country servers
Bookends of a presidency
WASHINGTON -- President Obama began his presidency with a call for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world." He will end it as a reluctant but unapologetic warrior, using U.S. military force to smash Islamic extremists and the "network of death" they have planted at the heart of the Middle East. The speech Obama gave in Cairo in 2009 and … [Read more...] about Bookends of a presidency
Watch Jon Stewart Tell Fox News What They Can Do
[icopyright one button toolbar] Faux Fox has been eviscerating the President for saluting with a cup of coffee in his hand, in addition to attacking him mercilessly while our country is, in effect -- like it or not -- at war. One of the network’s talking heads also claimed that the President was disrespectful to those who are putting their lives on the line, because he … [Read more...] about Watch Jon Stewart Tell Fox News What They Can Do
NFL Gave Offenders a Pass
The news stories on Google News are surging as forcefully as a tsunami. The subject: the NFL and domestic abuse. "Domestic violence much bigger than NFL...Domestic violence in the NFL...The Media's NFL Domestic Abuse Hysteria...NFL looks to training to prevent domestic abuse in players...NFL sponsors don't want their ads running during Ravens or Vikings games." But that's only … [Read more...] about NFL Gave Offenders a Pass
As attorney general, Holder made friends, enemies and history
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder leaves a mixed legacy of highs and lows as the nation's top law enforcement official. A ground-breaker across several decades, the 63-year-old Columbia Law School graduate was the first African-American to lead the Justice Department. His tenure covered major issues of the day, including civil rights, crime, same-sex marriage and… … [Read more...] about As attorney general, Holder made friends, enemies and history
Republicans Remained Obsessed With The Sexual Activities Of Others
Periodically there is talk from some Republicans about letting up on the culture wars, especially as social issues are alienating Republicans from large segments of the electorate. Unfortunately there are always social conservatives who will react negatively to this: Conservative activists are launching “an unprecedented campaign” against three Republican candidates — two of … [Read more...] about Republicans Remained Obsessed With The Sexual Activities Of Others
Women Fighting the Islamic State
The history of women serving in armed conflicts probably goes back hundreds of years -- if not longer. In the United States, during the American Revolution, women served on the battlefield as nurses, water bearers, laundresses and saboteurs. Ever since then, their roles in the military have continued to expand in numbers, skills and responsibilities. But, it would … [Read more...] about Women Fighting the Islamic State
U.S. government settles with Navajo Nation
The federal government has agreed to pay the Navajo Nation more than $500 million to settle claims that the government mismanaged Navajo land -- 14 million acres, more than half of its total holdings -- for six decades. That's less than $10 million per year, including accrued interest. There are more than 300,000 members of the nation, and about two-thirds live on tribal … [Read more...] about U.S. government settles with Navajo Nation
The Ebola Crisis: International Efforts Intensify
[icopyright one button toolbar] In his excellent column on the rapidly escalating Ebola epidemic, Brij Khindaria, expresses some skepticism over the slow manner in which the international community, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States have reacted and over the lack of credible solutions. But Khindaria also lays some of the blame on “the … [Read more...] about The Ebola Crisis: International Efforts Intensify
After Initial Successes, Coalition Air Strikes Against ISIL Continue
[icopyright one button toolbar] After yesterday’s strikes on oil refineries in eastern Syria controlled by ISIL terrorists, initial assessments are that the strikes were successful in rendering all 12 of the targeted modular refineries inoperable, according to Pentagon Spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. Six U.S. jets, joined by 10 fighter aircraft from Saudi Arabia and … [Read more...] about After Initial Successes, Coalition Air Strikes Against ISIL Continue