Kiev has received threats of nuclear retaliation from Russia through unofficial channels if it continues to fight pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Valeriy Heletey, announced on his Facebook page on Monday. “The Russian side has threatened on several occasions across unofficial channels that, in the case of continued resistance they … [Read more...] about Russia Has Threatened Nuclear Attack, Says Ukraine Defence Minister
A Market Basket of dignity
WASHINGTON -- Who knew that one of the best made-for-Labor Day speeches in American history would be delivered by a CEO? And who could have guessed that the summer's major labor story would not be about a CEO saving the jobs of his workers but about the workers saving the job of their CEO? This is the wonder of the happy-ending tale of Market Basket, the New England … [Read more...] about A Market Basket of dignity
Jackie Brown: The best Tarantino film?
Although I hate to admit it, there is a good chance that Quentin Tarantino is my favourite director. The film snob in me would love to say it’s Francis Ford Coppola or Martin Scorsese but the truth is that, apart from The Godfather films, none of those great directors’ projects feel as fun to watch as many of Tarantino’s work.[icopyright one button toolbar] I own every one … [Read more...] about Jackie Brown: The best Tarantino film?
Media erroneously put Siri on trial, which reveals deep personal tech footprints
Although there were some outrageous (and false) claims made about technology in the Gainesville, Florida murder trial of Pedro Bravo this summer, there are also some byproducts of how we use our personal technology that should give us pause.[icopyright one button toolbar] The infamous erroneous claim Detective: Murder suspect asked Siri how to hide body … [Read more...] about Media erroneously put Siri on trial, which reveals deep personal tech footprints
Swagger VS Knowledge
What do the Republican hawks hate about Obama? George W. Bush had little foreign policy knowledge, remember he didn't know the difference between Shi'a and Sunni in the lead up to the invasion and occupation of the Iraq war, but he did have "swagger." That's what the hawks hate about Obama - he lacks swagger. He is cautious and deliberate. Michael Barbaro takes a look at … [Read more...] about Swagger VS Knowledge
Carl Hiaasen: If you don’t ask, Rick Scott won’t tell (Guest Voice)
Rick Scott is our own man of mystery, Austin Powers without the hair mop and dance moves. No Florida governor has ever operated with such jet-setting stealth, concealing so many details of his daily travels and contacts. He says he's out working nonstop for the citizens of his adopted state, yet his official schedule is full… … [Read more...] about Carl Hiaasen: If you don’t ask, Rick Scott won’t tell (Guest Voice)
The Yazidi Nightmare: Hopefully Some of It Is Over
[icopyright one button toolbar] While there are a thousand reasons not to use military force in support of the tens of thousands of innocents “over there” who are being tortured, abducted, raped and murdered en-masse, one reason to do so -- although many will say it is a flimsy one -- is because our national psyche and our national conscience tells us that it is the right … [Read more...] about The Yazidi Nightmare: Hopefully Some of It Is Over
Happy Labor Day
Hope your weekend was a great one. Some quotes ===> A hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. Albert Einstein My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds … [Read more...] about Happy Labor Day
Labor Daze, A Dickensian Contrast
Labor Day actually falls ON Labor Day this year. Monday, September 1, 2014. It was the strangest of days, it was the most predictable of days.[icopyright one button toolbar] Happy Labor Day. Are Unions Dead? Jonathan Cohn / The New Republic — An interview with Rich Yeselson, labor strategist and expert … Are unions dead? — No. — Explain, please. — Their power … [Read more...] about Labor Daze, A Dickensian Contrast
New Technology Could End The Debate Over Pipeline Safety (Guest Voice)
New Technology Could End The Debate Over Pipeline Safety by James Stafford, Oilprice.com Who could have ever imagined that North America would surpass Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas liquids? A decade ago, that would have seemed laughable. Yet that’s exactly what has happened; and it’s not just Saudi Arabia that has been left in North … [Read more...] about New Technology Could End The Debate Over Pipeline Safety (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Labor Day Parade For Job
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: Labor Day Parade For Job
Hillary Clinton And The Left
The Hill has an article on Hillary Clinton which, as is the case with many of their articles, recites the conventional wisdom with little real insight or new information. Most of their five points are trivial, such as that anything Hillary says, or doesn't say (as in the case of Ferguson) makes the news. The only point in the article which I think is worthy of any discussion is … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton And The Left
What Makes One a Warmonger and a ‘Fear Monger’?
[icopyright one button toolbar] After our disastrous invasion and occupation of a sovereign nation, Iraq, and after the now-longest war in American history -- the Afghanistan War -- there is naturally a great reluctance on the part of Americans to get involved in any more military entanglements, especially in the Middle East. Then along comes a band of thugs -- very well … [Read more...] about What Makes One a Warmonger and a ‘Fear Monger’?
Animated cartoon classic that couldn’t be made today: Be Human with Betty Boop
It's now a cliche to say "this movie couldn't be made today," or "this cartoon couldn't be made today," but usually it entails something such as a racial stereotype. But the 1936 Betty Boop theatrical cartoon short "Be Human" would be an unlikely candidate to be produced as a theatrical short today.[icopyright one button toolbar] To be sure, its message of animal cruelty … [Read more...] about Animated cartoon classic that couldn’t be made today: Be Human with Betty Boop
HAPPY LABOR DAY
Happy Labor Day to you and yours. graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about HAPPY LABOR DAY
Obama: Defeating the Islamic State
The Islamic State’s military victories are part of a war among Sunni Muslims of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. They are not yet a direct threat to the US, Israel, Europe or even Shia Muslims in Iraq and Iran. [icopyright one button toolbar] Therefore, its military defeat must be led by Sunnis, whether tribal militias or a coalition bringing Saudi Arabia and the Gulf … [Read more...] about Obama: Defeating the Islamic State
US Trained Alaskans As ‘Stay-Behind Agents’ In Case Of Russian Invasion
This is interesting: WASHINGTON (AP) — Fearing a Russian invasion and occupation of Alaska, the U.S. government in the early Cold War years recruited and trained fishermen, bush pilots, trappers and other private citizens across Alaska for a covert network to feed wartime intelligence to the military, newly declassified Air Force and FBI documents show. Invasion of Alaska? … [Read more...] about US Trained Alaskans As ‘Stay-Behind Agents’ In Case Of Russian Invasion
Federal Court Throws Out Abortion Restrictions In Texas
Republicans in control of state governments have been trying to restrict access to both abortion and contraception but on Friday a federal judge rule against new restrictions on abortions in Texas: A federal judge in Austin, Tex., blocked a stringent new rule on Friday that would have forced more than half of the state’s remaining abortion clinics to close, the latest in a … [Read more...] about Federal Court Throws Out Abortion Restrictions In Texas
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kids and Uzis
Kids and Uzis by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Leonard Pitts: A 9-year-old with Uzi? Only in US --Kin of dead Uzi instructor: We feel sorry for girl --OPINION: Why do we allow a child to handle an Uzi? --AZ Talk: Uzi shooting says what about our culture? --Letting Kids Shoot Guns Is Good for Them --After Uzi death, gun ranges debate safest way to teach kids … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Kids and Uzis
Things you can do that you couldn’t before digital photography and Photoshop!
As a photographer for nearly 50 years I have been known to miss the "good old days" of film. Below is a scanned 2 1/4 negative. A good picture except for one serious flaw - the dreaded white sky. In an attempt to salvage the photo I used Photoshop to turn it into a color night scene and replaced the white sky with a partly cloudy full moon sky. If you look … [Read more...] about Things you can do that you couldn’t before digital photography and Photoshop!