We Jews also have our fanatics By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Not all the religious fanatics are Muslims. One can think of candidates under the umbrella of Christianity, but here our concern is Jews. Two cases recently in the headlines provoke shame or something else, depending on one’s sense of responsibility or cynicism. One is a bearded, well-coiffured man whose … [Read more...] about We Jews also have our fanatics (Guest Voice)
Civil Asset Forfeiture System Leads to Abuse
Civil Asset Forfeiture System Leads to Abuse By Nadin Abbott SAN DIEGO, Calif.--East County Magazine was informed by a reader in Santa Ysabel about seizure of $4,500 during a Sheriff’s raid locally. A member of the household was arrested on drug charges, Sheriff’s records indicate. But a relative claims the money belonged to the suspect’s father--savings that the older man … [Read more...] about Civil Asset Forfeiture System Leads to Abuse
Hubris Is Alive and Well
Some economists saw the Great Recession coming. Certainly Robert Reich did. But, as Paul Krugman writes in this morning's New York Times, an army of economists missed the boat. They did so for a number of reasons: Clearly, economics as a discipline went badly astray in the years — actually decades — leading up to the crisis. But the failings of economics were greatly … [Read more...] about Hubris Is Alive and Well
Germany Bans Islamic State After Hundreds Of Residents Enlist
Germany on Friday banned the extremist militant group Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, as the country faces the challenge of stopping hundreds of Germans from joining the group. The move is just one step away from declaring the group a terrorist organization. The ban will come into effect from 10:00 a.m. GMT (6:00 am EDT)… … [Read more...] about Germany Bans Islamic State After Hundreds Of Residents Enlist
Cartoon: Dogs of War
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: Dogs of War
The NSA makes Watergate break-in look like kindergarten
The NSA and the British agency GCHQ have broken into Deutsche Telekom, according to der Spiegal. Their goal? Map the Internet. The initiative is called Treasure Map: [E]very single end device that is connected to the Internet somewhere in the world -- every smartphone, tablet and computer -- is to be made visible. The article continues: Because Netcologne is a … [Read more...] about The NSA makes Watergate break-in look like kindergarten
Hurricane and earthquake hammer Baja Peninsula
Hurricane Odile hit near Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Peninsula Sunday night. It was followed by a 5.3 earthquake further north, near San Felipe, Baja California, according to the WeatherChannel. Never seen the arch like this #cabo #cabosanlucas #baja #odile #hurricane #cat4 by landsendcharters pic.twitter.com/jM7v0avqQ5— Los Cabos Mexico (@CabosNews) September 14, … [Read more...] about Hurricane and earthquake hammer Baja Peninsula
The 2016 Campaign Starting With O’Malley Taking On Clinton In Iowa
Earlier in the month I noted fund initial fund raising by Martin O'Malley which may have been the start of a potential challenge to Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination. It looks like he is serious, being the first to start organizing a campaign in Iowa:[icopyright one button toolbar] Martin O’Malley’s incipient presidential campaign already has 11 staffers on … [Read more...] about The 2016 Campaign Starting With O’Malley Taking On Clinton In Iowa
SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Sleepy Hollow; Outlander; Star Trek TOS In Wide Screen; You’re The Worst; Married; An Honourable Woman; Gilmore Girls; SHIELD; Agent Carter; The Hulk; Supergirl; Teen Titans; The Leftovers
Listen was an ambitious episode of Doctor Who, even if it does fall short of Blink, which it has been compared to. The episode deals with the character and origin of the Doctor, the further importance of the impossible girl in the development of the Doctor, along with Danny Pink's (and presumably Clara's) family tree. The episode begins with the Doctor writing on his chalk … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Sleepy Hollow; Outlander; Star Trek TOS In Wide Screen; You’re The Worst; Married; An Honourable Woman; Gilmore Girls; SHIELD; Agent Carter; The Hulk; Supergirl; Teen Titans; The Leftovers
Net Neutrality comments due Monday {!important}
You may have noticed a spinning-wheel-of-death atop your browser last week while visiting Etsy, Kickstarter, Netflix, Reddit, Tumbler or any number of sites around the Internet. [icopyright one button toolbar] The web site owners were raising awareness of something known as network neutrality (which should really be called network discrimination). Comments on an FCC … [Read more...] about Net Neutrality comments due Monday {!important}
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: A NFL Trophy
A NFL Trophy by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --NFL star Adrian Peterson arrested for child abuse --Peterson's NFL future in doubt as charges unfold --Despite Scandals, The NFL Always Wins --Concussions, domestic violence, child abuse ... how much can NFL take? --What the Numbers Show About N.F.L. Player Arrests Mike Peters is recognized as one of our … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: A NFL Trophy
Are we a match for ISIS?
Are we a match for ISIS? It's quite possible we're not. The numbers are daunting. The CIA estimates that ISIS has a fighting strength of 20,000 — at minimum. The high-end estimate is 31,500. Back in June, the Agency estimated that ISIS topped out at about 10,000 soldiers. But after its June 10 offensive that swept northern Iraq (explained in the above video), … [Read more...] about Are we a match for ISIS?
Cameron: ‘The Murder Of David Haines Is An Act Of Pure Evil’
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron condemned Saturday the apparent beheading of British aid worker David Haines by the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS. The militant group released a video it claimed showed the execution of the 44-year-old father of two. “The murder of David Haines is an act of pure evil. My heart goes out… … [Read more...] about Cameron: ‘The Murder Of David Haines Is An Act Of Pure Evil’
The Dumb Debate: Big vs Small
Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com[/caption The Dumb Debate: Big vs Small By Tina Dupuy One of the dumbest points of contention in modern politics is the Big Government vs. Small Government one. It's a fake debate, only meaningful to the privileged: investors, business executives and their cronies. To everyday Americans it's a lofty, largely academic concept. Yet we've been … [Read more...] about The Dumb Debate: Big vs Small
Cartoon: ISIS Partners
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 Partners
Islamic State video purports to show killing of British aid worker David Haines
BEIRUT - Video has been posted online purporting to show the beheading by the Islamic State group of British aid worker David Haines, who went missing in Syria last year. The video emerged hours after the family of Haines issued a public plea on Saturday urging his captors to contact them. Islamic State militants have beheaded… Islamic State video purports to show killing of … [Read more...] about Islamic State video purports to show killing of British aid worker David Haines
This Week In Pantsuit Politics: Ireland’s Mary Robinson Has World’s Most Impressive Resume
One need only look at the Oval Office to see that when it comes to politics, we've got a bit of a gender discrepancy.[icopyright one button toolbar] In this weekly roundup, Ravishly.com focuses on powerful political women in the news who are helping to break the proverbial glass ceiling of policy-making around the world. Politicos, move aside. We bring you . . . politicas. … [Read more...] about This Week In Pantsuit Politics: Ireland’s Mary Robinson Has World’s Most Impressive Resume
Weekend Photo – Fall
Even though it is supposed to be in the upper 80's or low 90's today there is little doubt that the feel of fall is in the air. As I write this it is the mid 40's here in the Portland area and I was thankful that I put my down comforter on my bed when I washed the sheets yesterday. I for one am ready for Fall. We have not had measurable rain since June and have had over 70 … [Read more...] about Weekend Photo – Fall
Response To Republican Support For Making Birth Control Pills Available Over The Counter
While Republicans have generally been trying to restrict access to contraception, recently some Republicans have been promoting making oral contraceptives available over the counter without prescription. Many people quickly saw through this. It gives the Republicans a way to claim they are removing a barrier to receiving contraception and avoid situations like the Lobby Hobby … [Read more...] about Response To Republican Support For Making Birth Control Pills Available Over The Counter
ISIS, Obama And The Mother Of All Conspiracy Theories
Thirteen years ago, the U.S. was the victim of an attack that sparked numerous conspiracy theories. Al Qaeda's assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon led to all manner of weird and wacky theories, suggesting the American government abetted the terrorists who killed thousands of its citizens. In the 13 years since 9/11, those… … [Read more...] about ISIS, Obama And The Mother Of All Conspiracy Theories