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
What to Look For In Dueling Autopsies of Michael Brown
In the next few weeks, separate teams of doctors will issue autopsy reports about Michael Brown, the unarmed African American shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. If history is any guide, they will differ, perhaps significantly, on how to interpret the gunshot wounds on his body. Michael Baden, the veteran medical examiner… What to Look For In Dueling … [Read more...] about What to Look For In Dueling Autopsies of Michael Brown
Comment Editing Disabled
Comment editing has been disabled due to an inconsistent experience across different web browsers. I'm currently looking at the feature and making it accessible on all platforms. I don't have an ETA yet but this WILL NOT be a long process. Until them, please re-read your comment before posting and take care when posting URLs to make sure they are accurate. Thank you! … [Read more...] about Comment Editing Disabled
Law enforcement actions against journalists in Ferguson
On Saturday, August 10 at 12:01 p.m., 28-year-old Darren Wilson confronted 18-year-old Michael Brown. According to press reports, Brown was walking down the middle of a street; Wilson was in his police car. Reports conflict as to what happened next, but three minutes later Brown was dead, his body riddled from at least six gun shots. At Storify, I've begun chronicling … [Read more...] about Law enforcement actions against journalists in Ferguson
Emmitt, Trayvon, Rodney, Raymond, and now Michael (Guest Voice)
Emmitt, Trayvon, Rodney, Raymond, and now Michael by Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Ferguson, Missouri, and the inexplicable shooting of teenager Michael Brown, represents not only the latest episode of America’s urban war against black men—it will be far from the last. Still unresolved is another horrifying racial incident in Miami Beach, Florida. Police there … [Read more...] about Emmitt, Trayvon, Rodney, Raymond, and now Michael (Guest Voice)
NFL: New Season, New Rules For 2014-15
NFL: New Season, New Rules For 2014-15 by David Parada If there is one cliché I’ve heard often during my short life on earth it’s this, “The only constant is change.” Change is the name of the game every year in the NFL and the upcoming season will be no exception. Several rule changes will be enforced this upcoming season to ensure safety, speed, and the league’s … [Read more...] about NFL: New Season, New Rules For 2014-15
The Police
Watching the scenes from Ferguson, MO has reminded of something a friend of mine, who was an officer in the Portland Police Department, told me some 30 years ago - probably a third of the officers on the force should not be for psychological reasons. All police officers in Oregon must attend The Oregon Police Academy. About 10 years ago the Academy realized the truth of … [Read more...] about The Police
What Do You Save Because It Is Important to You?
I have had these two items in my position for over forty years. They are not really cool or overly important or valuable to anyone but me. But I like them and so do my children; because I do. Do you have items you have saved for decades? Or have had passed down to you? They are cool because we say they are! Please share them. Jewelry. Trinquits. Documents. Poems. … [Read more...] about What Do You Save Because It Is Important to You?
Ferguson: Everyone already knows what happened…
My care meter on the Ferguson, MO shooting involving an unarmed young black man named Michael Brown and Officer Darren Wilson is low. Initially I was shocked that my care meter started high and dropped so low so fast. But now, after a bit of reflection, I know why: [icopyright one button toolbar] Everyone already knows what happened... It's very cut and dry. … [Read more...] about Ferguson: Everyone already knows what happened…
Iraqi and Kurdish Forces Backed By U.S. Air Power Recapture Mosul Dam
[icopyright one button toolbar] Water flows down the Mosul Dam chute spillway May 14, 2003. The spillway was built with a “ski-jump” section to dissipate the energy of outflowing water. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens The Mosul Dam in northern Iraq, the fourth largest in the Middle East, is an immensely strategic asset, resource and target, as it captures … [Read more...] about Iraqi and Kurdish Forces Backed By U.S. Air Power Recapture Mosul Dam
Suspect Steals San Diego Police car and is (surprise!) nabbed
There aren't a lot of rocket scientists in the world. And then there are those who seemingly don't even seem to fill the ranks of those who don't qualify to be rocket scientists. Yes, it actually did happen: someone did finally steal a police car and lead police on a chase...after their police car. And yes, police did catch the police car.[icopyright one button toolbar] The … [Read more...] about Suspect Steals San Diego Police car and is (surprise!) nabbed
Study Debunks Claims That Medicaid Patients Abuse Emergency Rooms
Opponents of Medicaid expansion have often distorted reports of increase Emergency Room use after their expansion of the Medicaid program in Oregon as reason to oppose the program. MACPAC, a nonpartisan federal agency that provides policy and data analysis on Medicaid and CHIP to Congress, has found the problem to not be as serious as suggested as the vast majority of the use … [Read more...] about Study Debunks Claims That Medicaid Patients Abuse Emergency Rooms
Two ISIL Terrorists Officially Designated ‘Terrorists’
[icopyright one button toolbar] The Department of State has officially designated two terrorists affiliated with ISIL as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.” They are Said Arif and Abu Mohammed al-Adnani. The designation was done under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. The … [Read more...] about Two ISIL Terrorists Officially Designated ‘Terrorists’
Rick Perry’s True Colors
Alec MacGillis takes Governor Good Hair's measure in The New Republic. But regardless of how strong the charges against Perry are, it is worth noting how fitting they are. Put simply, the case against Perry points to an aspect of his political persona that is well known in Texas but has too often been overlooked in the national portrayal of Perry. On the national stage, Perry … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s True Colors