[icopyright one button toolbar] Living in Austin, Texas, less than two miles -- as the Texas crow flies -- from the beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and having frequently jogged in my younger and fitter days on the scenic Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, I felt I knew all about Lady Bird Johnson's love of the outdoors and about her passion for protecting and … [Read more...] about Lady Bird Johnson’s Letters Convey Passion for Nature
Israeli soft power deserves more
The intemperate tirades of right wing Israelis and their American friends on news sites and social media make the Gaza war look like an expression of Jewish hatred of Islam, implemented by an invincible Jewish army killing despairing Muslims bunched in crowded neighborhoods. [icopyright one button toolbar] This is bad for Israel because most young people in far-flung … [Read more...] about Israeli soft power deserves more
Remembering Robin Williams
Remembering Robin Williams by Michael Winship Two memories of Robin Williams. The last time I was in his presence was during the 2007-08 Writers Guild strike. Robin showed up to walk our picket line at the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle, just a couple of blocks from where the Moyers & Company offices are now. He came bearing bagels. Lots and lots of bagels. He … [Read more...] about Remembering Robin Williams
Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion (Guest Voice)
Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion graphic (which is not part of the original article) via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion (Guest Voice)
Failure isn’t Obama’s problem
Failure isn't Obama's problem [icopyright one button toolbar] Turns out it's John Boehner who faces defeat. Mitch McConnell is hanging in there, but doesn't seem to have a strong grip on reality or, perhaps, his own Kentucky constitutency. The tea party is back, relishing its primary successes, and ready for action. A legislative year in which Speaker John A. … [Read more...] about Failure isn’t Obama’s problem
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Robin Williams
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Fox News makes blunder in reporting Robin Williams' death (wrongly identified footage -- and Shepard Smith called Williams a "coward" and had to apologize). --Robin Williams Committed Suicide by Hanging Himself, Police Say --Furor over graphic details of Robin Williams' death --Robin Williams and depression: We all wear a mask Mike Peters is … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Robin Williams
Gaza: Let the UN help
The shaky ceasefire in Gaza gives opportunity for limited accords on structuring a longer truce. The core need is for an honest partner to reach the first steps. The vital immediate step is establishment of an administrative, policing and monitoring structure to ensure that weapons and related materials do not enter Gaza at border crossings with Egypt or a planned new … [Read more...] about Gaza: Let the UN help
Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama
Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama … [Read more...] about Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama
Obamacare Health Insurance Premiums Expected To Increase By Average Of 7.5 Percent; Kaiser Lowering Rates In California
As the data comes in, we are seeing that another of the scare stories about Obamacare isn't coming true. For example, there was a report in March claiming rates would sky rocket which many lazy journalists repeated despite it originating from a story with no sources, written by someone who had interned at The National Review. The same writer at The Hill now says that premiums … [Read more...] about Obamacare Health Insurance Premiums Expected To Increase By Average Of 7.5 Percent; Kaiser Lowering Rates In California
Tragic Incident in Battle for Mount Sinjar
[icopyright one button toolbar] For almost a week now, U.S., Iraqi and Kurdish military have been in a battle to save tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children -- members of the Yazidi sect -- trapped by ISIL terrorists in the Sinjar Mountains of Northern Iraq. In what can be rightly called the battle for Mount Sinjar, the military have employed both air … [Read more...] about Tragic Incident in Battle for Mount Sinjar
When You’ve Lost Iran
Iran, a long time supporter of Nuri al-Maliki, has signaled it's support for the newly selected Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi. Tehran (AFP) - Iran officially ended its long-time allegiance to Iraq's sidelined Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday, swinging its support behind newly designated premier Haidar al-Abadi in a congratulatory message. Even Iran has lost … [Read more...] about When You’ve Lost Iran
High Praises for Robin Williams
[icopyright one button toolbar] So much has already been said here and elsewhere mourning the death of Robin Williams and celebrating his incredible talents and humanity, that I will not even try to add, except to say he was my favorite actor and comedian -- a beautiful person. But, perhaps, one of the greatest tributes to Robin Williams is the quickness and number of … [Read more...] about High Praises for Robin Williams
The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
In announcing the new U.S. Digital Service (USDS), Chief Information Officer Steve VanRoekel told the Washington Post: "Think of this as [a team of] management consultants that helps you understand your gaps." The Playbook is a next step for the digital president and a response to the HealthCare.gov disaster.[icopyright one button toolbar] There were gaping holes - not … [Read more...] about The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Once upon a time the United States had the best educational system in the world, American universities as its crowning achievement. During that period, universities understood that their primary mission was education, with research as a secondary objective. [icopyright one button toolbar] Today, however, many of America’s largest universities have changed their paramount … [Read more...] about Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Paying for the 2003 invasion
WASHINGTON -- As President Obama struggles to deal with the crisis in Iraq, it's useful to remember who gave the world this cauldron of woe in the first place: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Their decision to launch a foolish and unwarranted invasion in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein and destroying any vestige of the Iraqi state, is directly responsible for the chaos we … [Read more...] about Paying for the 2003 invasion
We Must End Stigma Of Mental Illness and Depression
Yesterday brought us the shocking news of the death of Robin Williams, most likely the result of suicide. As much as we should mourn this loss we must see to it that there is something to be learned by it. By all accounts Williams felt he had no real options, no place to go, no ability to speak openly about his problems. He tried but never managed to be comfortable in making … [Read more...] about We Must End Stigma Of Mental Illness and Depression
Comedy, substance abuse and depression: reflecting on Robin Williams’ life and death
I learned about Robin Williams, 63, the old-fashioned way. My husband walked in the house and announced, "The world is a sadder place today."[icopyright one button toolbar] "Mom and dad just heard on the TV. Robin Williams has died." From devastation to disbelief, colleagues and admirers of Robin Williams reflect on his death: http://t.co/zIRXOWMUqn— The Associated … [Read more...] about Comedy, substance abuse and depression: reflecting on Robin Williams’ life and death
Cartoon: Robin Williams Memorial
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: Robin Williams Memorial
Media Support For Legalization Of Marijuana and Prostitution
There is a welcome trend towards support of decriminalization of victimless crimes. The New York Times recently came out for legalization of marijuana, outlining the harm done by the unsuccessful prohibition: [icopyright one button toolbar] America’s four-decade war on drugs is responsible for many casualties, but the criminalization of marijuana has been perhaps the most … [Read more...] about Media Support For Legalization Of Marijuana and Prostitution
Robin Williams is Gone, Ay! Long Live the Fisher King
Robin Williams, was not only a consummate actor and tour de force comedian. He appeared to also be a lovable Puer Aeternus, an eternal boy; and also a Pater Familias, a father not only to his own but to many many young persons pursuing comedy careers. [icopyright one button toolbar] He was also a Lover -- of life, so so deeply and so sensitively. His role in Fisher King* was … [Read more...] about Robin Williams is Gone, Ay! Long Live the Fisher King