Clueless Pundits Cluck About Domestic Violence By Dick Polman If there's any institution arguably more noxious than the National Football League, it has to be Fox News. Where else can you see clueless blowhards laugh it up about wife-beating? In case you've been living under a rock, that's the video - released Monday by TMZ - where entitled pigskin jock Ray Rice … [Read more...] about Clueless Pundits Cluck About Domestic Violence
Rob Ford drops out of Toronto mayor’s race: reports
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has withdrawn from the mayor's race. His campaign spokesman Jeff Silverstein filed the paperwork at city hall on Friday, about an hour before the deadline. Mr. Silverstein made no comment as he completed the transaction. He also filed withdrawal papers for Michael Ford, the mayor's nephew, who had been registered to run… … [Read more...] about Rob Ford drops out of Toronto mayor’s race: reports
Good News on Software Patents
The current system of software patents has been criticized by many for years now. Overly broad patents granted based on simplistic descriptions with nothing to back them up have been, in the opinion of many, a bane to real technological innovation for quite a while. I admit that I agree with that view. But then in June of this year the Supreme Court made a ruling concerning … [Read more...] about Good News on Software Patents
The ISIL Debate: There Are Virtually No Winners
[icopyright one button toolbar] The ongoing national debate on what to do, or not to do, about the ISIL threat -- or whether it is even a threat -- is probably the most intense and divergent debate since the one we had about the Iraq War and its legacy. There are those who do not believe ISIL poses a threat at all to Americans or America -- and/or “is not our problem” -- … [Read more...] about The ISIL Debate: There Are Virtually No Winners
As Shown Again in Iraq, France Must Reject ‘Subjection’ to the United States (Le Figaro, France)
After France's rejection of the Iraq War resolution at the U.N. Security Council, has France retreated from its independent course, only to march in lock step with the United States? For Le Figaro, senior international correspondent Renaud Girard reminds readers of how prescient the non-aligned France of General Charles de Gaulle and Dominique de Villepin have proven to be, and … [Read more...] about As Shown Again in Iraq, France Must Reject ‘Subjection’ to the United States (Le Figaro, France)
Obama’s Coalition Of the Unwilling To Actually Do Anything
The more I think about President's Obama speech last night the more upset I become. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Saudi Arabia today and the most they offered was moral support. The same applies to Germany and Great Britain and the attitude of Turkey is especially disturbing. The reality is the United States is probably less threatened than any of the the countries … [Read more...] about Obama’s Coalition Of the Unwilling To Actually Do Anything
Sarah Palin’s family (including Sarah) allegedly ‘involved in drunken brawl’ at house party
History has not been kind to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Except in the eyes of some die-hard conservatives, it's clear she will go down as the living embodiment of the poor judgment of Arizona Sen. John McCain and his 2008 Presidential campaign advisors. She's not considered a serious politico, but a specialist in pithy zingers, tweets, Facebook posts and getting big bucks … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s family (including Sarah) allegedly ‘involved in drunken brawl’ at house party
No Safe Haven for Obstructionists
by Walter Brasch Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate minority leader, is not a happy man. [icopyright one button toolbar] He didn’t like it when Barack Obama was elected president. Just about the first thing McConnell said was that his main responsibility was to make sure that Mr. Obama was a one-term president. That vow drove McConnell’s and the Tea Party’s … [Read more...] about No Safe Haven for Obstructionists
The Types Of People More Prone To Drug Addiction
Addiction is a complicated affliction, affecting people of all ages, intelligence levels, and backgrounds. It's hard to tell what causes some people to be more prone to addiction than others; it's usually a mix of many factors, from family background, genetics, environment, stress, and personality traits. The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists some basic addiction… … [Read more...] about The Types Of People More Prone To Drug Addiction
What if this doesn’t work?
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has committed the United States to another open-ended Middle East war in which the potential for doing harm rivals the possibility of doing good. That's the bottom line from Obama's sober address to the nation. The president made his decision cautiously, reluctantly, even painfully. But make no mistake: The pledge to "destroy" the Islamic … [Read more...] about What if this doesn’t work?
ISIS and the Nazis
Whither the Islamic State? That's a real double-edged question: where is the group otherwise known as ISIS headed, and can the United States and other civilized nations make it shrivel up and die? The group is and has taken off like a bat out of hell, gobbling up territory and becoming a virtual murder machine.[icopyright one button toolbar] President Barack Obama's speech … [Read more...] about ISIS and the Nazis
What justice? US attorneys go after conservative author
Federal prosecutors are seeking a 10- to 16-month prison sentence for conservative author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who has pled guilty to violating campaign finance law. [icopyright one button toolbar] D'Souza, 53, admitted in May to illegally reimbursing two "straw donors" who donated $10,000 each to the unsuccessful 2012 U.S. Senate campaign in New York of Wendy … [Read more...] about What justice? US attorneys go after conservative author
What if Michael did it?
As an unashamed Michael Jackson obsessive, one question I get asked more than any other, more than what is my favorite song or album, is: What if he did it? [icopyright one button toolbar] The question is always phrased in this way, in an ambiguous fashion but I know exactly what they’re trying to say. But I like to screw with people so I always answer: did what? There … [Read more...] about What if Michael did it?
The new politics of foreign policy
The new politics of foreign policy (Changes throughout to reflect President Obama's speech on the Islamic State) By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Over the last decade, Americans' views on foreign policy have swung sharply from support for intervention to a profound mistrust of any military engagement overseas. Over the same period, political debates on … [Read more...] about The new politics of foreign policy
13 Years On, Our Choice Is Between America and Fear
The politics of our nation since 9/11 have been the politics of fear.[icopyright one button toolbar] Because of fear that one of us is a terrorist, we've allowed our intelligence services to listen into our private conversations; because of fear of terrorists from abroad, we have killed innocent people in foreign nations (supposedly to protect ourselves here); because of … [Read more...] about 13 Years On, Our Choice Is Between America and Fear
Remembering the 9/11 Pentagon Attack
[icopyright one button toolbar] The 13th anniversary of the September 11 attack on our nation dawned early with our military. Early this morning, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel along with the President and other dignitaries observed the anniversary at the Pentagon Memorial, Arlington, Virginia. This is some of what the Secretary of Defense had to say about those … [Read more...] about Remembering the 9/11 Pentagon Attack
deBoer on Perpetual War
Fredrick deBoer comments on the US waging perpetual war.[icopyright one button toolbar] We’re going to war again. We’re going to war in Iraq again. And we’re going with no better idea of how to win or when to get out or what victory could mean than the last time. The media is beating the drum again. And the same set of characters– the exact same people– who were so terribly … [Read more...] about deBoer on Perpetual War
A Nation Addicted To War & Other Big Takeaways From Obama’s ISIS Address
President Obama has been fairly sparing in his prerogative of pre-empting prime-time television to address the nation over the last five and a half years, but last night's address was a doozy. Here are the big takeaways: (1.) Hard to believe, but Barack Obama may be best remembered not as the president who rescued the economy and then provided millions of Americans … [Read more...] about A Nation Addicted To War & Other Big Takeaways From Obama’s ISIS Address
9-11 Elegy
Just this: may all souls be comforted in ways that matter to each soul. [icopyright one button toolbar] May the days be eased by beauty and remembering better times. May the Autumn light be beautiful to look at. May we be sad with those who are sad. May we be glad with those who find a bit of gladness. May we not relive, but remember the goodness of the good … [Read more...] about 9-11 Elegy
History lesson: ‘so help me God’ did not come from the U.S. founders
Neither did "one nation under God." [icopyright one button toolbar] Bryan Fischer, of the American Family Association, has weighed in on the case of the U.S. Air Force sergeant who has been told he can't re-enlist because he refuses to pledge "so help me God" as he swears to uphold the Constitution. According to Fischer: Military service should be reserved for … [Read more...] about History lesson: ‘so help me God’ did not come from the U.S. founders