Humoring the Headlines by Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO-- Chairman of the joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey testified to the Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 16, that he couldn’t rule out dispatching boots on the ground to Iraq if circumstances warranted. President Obama continues to insist that he will never reintroduce boots on the ground there. Technically, the President might … [Read more...] about Humoring the Headlines (Guest Voice)
Surprisingly Civil Benghazi Hearing
Dana Milbank registers surprise at the civility of House Benghazi hearings in The Washington Post. When Trey Gowdy got the job to run the House’s new Benghazi select committee, there was good reason to fear bad things. Gowdy, a former prosecutor, was known for theatrical outbursts in hearings, rank partisanship and a fascination with Benghazi conspiracy theories about … [Read more...] about Surprisingly Civil Benghazi Hearing
Fall TV season brings a new-found commitment to diversity
In 2008, when America's broadcast networks unveiled their new TV schedules, only one show was anchored by a minority — and he was a black cartoon character voiced by a white actor. Six years later, prime time is undergoing a big, multicultural change. When the fall season starts in earnest Monday, it will deliver the most… graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Fall TV season brings a new-found commitment to diversity
Do ‘Civilized’ Nations Have What It Takes to Defeat ISIS?
Does the "civilized" world have what it takes to defeat the self-declared Islamic State, otherwise known as ISIS? To be sure, the U.S. has launched air strikes on ISIS targets over Iraq, Congress and President Barack Obama finally seem in gear, and there are ongoing efforts to put together a coalition involving NATO and countries such as Saudi Arabia to combat the world's … [Read more...] about Do ‘Civilized’ Nations Have What It Takes to Defeat ISIS?
Cartoon: ISIS Magazine
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 Magazine
Apple does something really right
I'm no fan of Apple. But I really like their latest move. It's a dilly. Apple said Wednesday night that it is making it impossible for the company to turn over data from most iPhones or iPads to police — even when they have a search warrant — taking a hard new line as tech companies attempt to blunt allegations that they have too readily participated in government … [Read more...] about Apple does something really right
United Kingdom remains united: Scotland votes “No” on independence
Scotland has voted "No" to independence and you can almost hear and FEEL the sigh of relief from British Prime Minister David Cameron and from Washington, where a formally downsized U.K. could have had a slew of implications. Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom after voters decisively rejected independence. With the results in from all 32 council areas, … [Read more...] about United Kingdom remains united: Scotland votes “No” on independence
Cartoon: NFL wives
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: NFL wives
Health Care Advocates File Suit Against California For Lag In Enrollments In Expanded Medicaid Program
By most measures the Affordable Care Act has been a success, increasing the number insured without the problems predicted by Republicans. However not everything has worked out perfectly to date. The biggest problems have been with the expansion of Medicaid. The worst problem has been seen in the Republican controlled states which have blocked Medicaid expansion, but there are … [Read more...] about Health Care Advocates File Suit Against California For Lag In Enrollments In Expanded Medicaid Program
President Praises Congress for Anti-ISIL Legislation
[icopyright one button toolbar] Shortly after the U.S. Senate easily approved (78-22) a $1 trillion government-funding bill that gives President Obama new authority to battle ISIL -- legislation that had been previously approved by the House in a 273-156 vote -- President Obama spoke to the nation commending Congress for approving his plan to arm and train rebels in Syria to … [Read more...] about President Praises Congress for Anti-ISIL Legislation
Fall Picture
I don't really have much to say so how about a picture. I woke up to the sound of rain this morning. Not really enough to do any good but the first wet pavement in 3 months. The relief will be short lived - more desert dry east winds and temperatures in the 90's this weekend. Here is what I'm looking forward to: … [Read more...] about Fall Picture
Apple and iTunes offer free candy to children
Riding high from the reception of their free U2 album download promotion, Apple is offering all of its younger iTunes listeners a very sweet deal: free candy from a van! [icopyright one button toolbar] Today, in a surprise move, Apple announced that they will be sending thousands of white vans to elementary schools and playgrounds throughout the country to offer free candy … [Read more...] about Apple and iTunes offer free candy to children
The Democratic Edge In The Electoral College
The electoral college has been shifting in a Democratic direction since the Bush years when the country was split more evenly and a single state would determine the winner. This trend was seen both times Obama was on the ballot leading to the assumption that the Democratic candidate in 2016 has a strong edge. Tom Holbrook at Politics by the Numbers took a closer look at the … [Read more...] about The Democratic Edge In The Electoral College
Artificial Sweeteners Cause Chaos In Our Guts, Spurring Obesity
For years dieters and scientists alike have wondered why artificial sweeteners with zero calories do not seem to help anyone lose weight. Researchers even worry that artificial sweeteners may be contributing to both the obesity and diabetes problem affecting many parts of the globe. Now, a new study from the Weizmann Institute says exactly that. Sugar… … [Read more...] about Artificial Sweeteners Cause Chaos In Our Guts, Spurring Obesity
For the love of Scotland
WASHINGTON -- Scotland's referendum on independence will be decided by voters whose hearts say yes but whose heads say no. This is why the energy of the campaign in one of the most consequential democratic consultations in history has been with the Yes side. Passion, imagination and hope are always more inspiring than reason, calculation and doubt. That will make … [Read more...] about For the love of Scotland
Gilligan’s Island Turns 50: A Shipwreck of A Column
Gilligan's Island Turns 50: A Shipwreck of A Column Tyrades! By Danny Tyree Just sit right back and you'll endure a tale... September 26 marks the 50th anniversary of the classic TV sitcom "Gilligan's Island." People exclaim, "You're making me feel old!" when I tell them that. Gee, Skipper, I would have thought it had something to do with your shiny dome, extra chins … [Read more...] about Gilligan’s Island Turns 50: A Shipwreck of A Column
Cartoon: NFL
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: NFL
August Was Hottest August Ever Recorded Per NASA Data
Living through 2014 has given many of us the sensation that after years of record warm years this could be an exception. Of course even if this was the case, one year would not change the overall trend, and certainly add no credence to the phony conservative claim of a hiatus in global warming. We can be mislead because having a generally cooler year in some areas does not mean … [Read more...] about August Was Hottest August Ever Recorded Per NASA Data
FCC receives 3+ million comments on #netNeutality, takes another look at mobile
The FCC received 1,776,471 emails and 1,297,691 electronic comments on its network neutrality proposal from late April to September 15. On Wednesday, the agency released daily and weekly data totaling 3,074,162 comments. [icopyright one button toolbar] The comment period officially opened on May 15, but the email account was established April 24. This explains the … [Read more...] about FCC receives 3+ million comments on #netNeutality, takes another look at mobile
Scottish Opponents of Independence Slightly Ahead In Polls
(Reuters) - Scottish supporters of staying in the United Kingdom are 4 percentage points ahead of secessionists with just a day to go before Scots vote in an independence referendum, three different opinion polls showed. The United Kingdom's fate remains uncertain as the three surveys - from pollsters ICM, Opinium and Survation - showed support for… … [Read more...] about Scottish Opponents of Independence Slightly Ahead In Polls