An ISIS primer: who, what and when By Shoshana Bryen and Michael Johnson WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL), currently controls about one-third of Iraq. It is a combination of: [icopyright one button toolbar] • A non-al-Qaeda revival of the al-Qaeda-sponsored Islamic State of Iraq … [Read more...] about An ISIS primer: who, what and when
Secret terror: Fate of journalist Steven Sotloff now on world stage
MIAMI — A grisly recording of Islamic jihadists decapitating an American journalist that was posted on the Internet Tuesday revealed more than just the group's pitiless, homicidal soul. It also uncorked one of the Middle East's dirty little secrets: that a Florida man has been held hostage in Syria for a year by militants who now… … [Read more...] about Secret terror: Fate of journalist Steven Sotloff now on world stage
Video: Stunning footage of swimmer escaping huge crocodile
A swimmer's worst nightmare, in the same league with a shark: being in the water near a crocodile. Here's some stunning footage of a big croc watching and following a tourist in Mexico as he considers having manwhich for lunch. This footage was reportedly shot on a bridge by terrified tourists who were looking on: Background on this video: … [Read more...] about Video: Stunning footage of swimmer escaping huge crocodile
Is James Foley’s Death the End of Frontline Reporting?
Like many families of those who simply disappear and go missing, James Foley’s were no different. They believed that one day their son, who had gone missing before Thanksgiving 2012 in Syria, would walk through the door. Jim was smart. Jim was brave. Jim was a good guy. Because of these traits, his family and his… … [Read more...] about Is James Foley’s Death the End of Frontline Reporting?
The ones left behind
WASHINGTON -- The fire this time is about invisibility. Our society expects the police to keep unemployed, poorly educated African-American men out of sight and out of mind. When they suddenly take center stage, illuminated by the flash and flicker of Molotov cocktails, we feign surprise. The proximate cause of the rioting in Ferguson, Mo., is the killing of 18-year-old … [Read more...] about The ones left behind
(Updated) The President and John Kerry on Foley’s Murder
[icopyright one button toolbar] Update: Apparently, the U.S. had attempted a rescue operation to free Foley and other American hostages held in Syria by ISIL. Sadly, the mission failed “because hostages were not present at the targeted location” Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement announcing the unsuccessful mission, “the U.S. … [Read more...] about (Updated) The President and John Kerry on Foley’s Murder
Obama’s hard choices: Islamic State or just terrorists?
President Barack Obama will have to act more forcefully and quickly in both Iraq and Syria if he does decide to take the fight to the Islamic State to preempt a barbaric fortress of anti-Western terrorists. [icopyright one button toolbar] James Foley’s gruesome beheading underscores the urgency of unambiguous actions. First, he will have to clarify whether he sees IS as … [Read more...] about Obama’s hard choices: Islamic State or just terrorists?
Racing in the ‘Baja 1000’ to Heal Young Hearts
[icopyright one button toolbar] Every year, scores of adventurous men and women compete in one of the most grueling racing events, the SCORE Baja 1000. This year's 1,130-mile race -- the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 -- will take place November 12 through 16. It will start in Ensenada, Baja California, and end 1,130 miles and 30 to 40 hours later in La Paz, Baja California … [Read more...] about Racing in the ‘Baja 1000’ to Heal Young Hearts
The Letdown: Why I Feel Bad at the End of Good Days
The Letdown There might be a very good reason you feel down after big days. And there is a good chance is has less to do with reality and more to do with how your mind is processing reality. Don’t get me wrong, it is a real feeling you confront, but it might not be based on reality. Let me tell you why…[icopyright one button toolbar] Big days are different than normal … [Read more...] about The Letdown: Why I Feel Bad at the End of Good Days
The White House Confirms: Journalist James Foley was beheaded by ISIS
And now the dreaded confirmation from the White House. Yes, freelance journalist James Foley was indeed beheaded by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The video -- on line and for a while on You Tube, then taken off -- was authentic. [icopyright one button toolbar] The video showing the beheading of an American journalist by the militant group Islamic State is … [Read more...] about The White House Confirms: Journalist James Foley was beheaded by ISIS
Book Review – A History Of The Future
James Howard Kunstler was best known for his dystopian non fiction until he made the move to fiction in 2008. I reviewed his first novel, A World Made By Hand, in 2010. The US Economy and for all intents civilization has collapsed suddenly. [icopyright one button toolbar] The reasons really don't matter, there are hundreds of scenarios that might result in such a collapse. … [Read more...] about Book Review – A History Of The Future
Cartoon: Hands up in Ferguson
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV by Cagle Cartoons. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Hands up in Ferguson
Tea Party Has Republicans Afraid To Discuss Scientific Consensus On Climate Change
Republicans must say idiotic things to get elected, often denying science, but that does not mean that all elected Republicans are idiots. Bloomberg has discussed the scientific consensus on climate change with many Republicans. While well ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree on how human action has caused global warming, rank and file Republican remains in denial, … [Read more...] about Tea Party Has Republicans Afraid To Discuss Scientific Consensus On Climate Change
ISIS Releases Video of Execution, Alleges Victim is American Journalist James Foley
A video released Tuesday by militant Islamic extremist group ISIS depicts the violent execution of a man alleged to be missing American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria last year. Foley, 39, was taken while working for Agence France Presse. AFP has no comment at this time, AFP’s Chief Editor for North America told… ISIS Releases Video of Execution, Alleges … [Read more...] about ISIS Releases Video of Execution, Alleges Victim is American Journalist James Foley
(Updates) Another ‘Oops’ for Perry
Gov. Rick Perry's booking photo, Aug. 19, 2014. Courtesy Travis County Sheriff's Office [icopyright one button toolbar] Update II: Under a celebratory, almost victorious atmosphere, a defiant Texas governor Rick Perry arrived at the Travis County justice complex in Austin, Texas, this afternoon and spoke to a cheering crowd before entering the courthouse to be … [Read more...] about (Updates) Another ‘Oops’ for Perry
Islamic State: Victory, responsibility and deceit
For the US-led West, the best remedy to the Islamic State lies in military victory. But it remains unclear whether Iraqi groups mean the same thing by victory as President Barack Obama. [icopyright one button toolbar] The central fact is that Iraqi Sunnis, Shia and Kurds claim they are too weak to repel the invasion of their home territories by Islamic State warriors from … [Read more...] about Islamic State: Victory, responsibility and deceit
Observing World Humanitarian Day
When one looks around places like, Syria, Northern Iraq, Ukraine, etc., there is not much to be seen that qualifies as humane or “humanitarian.” There are also way too many natural disasters which all too often become catastrophic humanitarian disasters. Nevertheless, there are organizations and individuals -- “those unsung heroes” Secretary of State John Kerry calls them -- … [Read more...] about Observing World Humanitarian Day
Is Moderate Synonymous With Inert?
Polls over the last two decades show that the percentage of the electorate calling themselves independent, moderate, or centrist generally runs about 40%. However, in some states, such as Massachusetts and Alaska, 53% of their citizens are unaffiliated with any political party. It also appears that the number of independent voters may be growing, given the disgust the populace … [Read more...] about Is Moderate Synonymous With Inert?
Evil Strikes Back
Just as World War I didn't prove to be "the war to end all wars," the 20th century didn't turn out to be when the nearly unimaginable brutality and indescribable evil represented by German dictator Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime was definitively laid to rest. [icopyright one button toolbar] The evil is back. Big-time. This time it's in the form of the militant Islamic State … [Read more...] about Evil Strikes Back
Experts Skeptical of Perry Indictment
Sahil Kapur reports on legal experts skeptical of the indictment of Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) on Talking Points Memo. Susan Klein, a professor at UT-Austin School of Law, torched the indictment. "I think the Perry indictment is tragic. It makes my beloved city of Austin a national laughingstock. I am embarrassed to be a liberal Democrat. I consider Perry's behavior … [Read more...] about Experts Skeptical of Perry Indictment