Below is a statement from the office of Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General. Hopefully, this ceasefire will happen although earlier press reports on Friday said the Israeli Prime Minister will not observe a ceasefire until all the tunnels are destroyed.[icopyright one button toolbar] New York, 31 July 2014 - Joint Statement by the Secretary-General and US Secretary of … [Read more...] about 72-hour humanitarian pause in Gaza starting Friday morning
Motorcycle Riding ‘Angels of Help’
Next time you see, and hear, a bunch of burley guys, sporting black leather jackets blazoned with all kinds of intriguing patches, roaring down your quiet street on their Harley- Davidson "hogs," don't be nervous. These fearsome looking men could be on their way to perform some work for their community, on their way to help out a person in need. That was exactly the case … [Read more...] about Motorcycle Riding ‘Angels of Help’
UN human rights chief cites increasing evidence of war crimes in Gaza
Referring to Israel's military invasion of Gaza, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay today underlined the need for “real accountability considering the increasing evidence of war crimes and an ever-growing number of civilian casualties, including some 250 children.” [icopyright one button toolbar] In general, Tel Aviv thinks that she and the UN Human Rights Council are heavily … [Read more...] about UN human rights chief cites increasing evidence of war crimes in Gaza
Why a Strike or Lock Out at the Met Won’t Bode Well for Music
It's not easy to be a musician these days, even in New York City, which is often considered the land of opportunity for jobs in the arts. Freelance opportunities still haven't reached prerecession levels, and even the city's largest musical organizations are hurting for ticket sales. Last year the New York City Opera closed its doors after failing to generate enough revenue for … [Read more...] about Why a Strike or Lock Out at the Met Won’t Bode Well for Music
Fast food looks like a zero sum game
graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Fast food looks like a zero sum game
Decriminalization of Prostitution Led To Reduction In Rape And Gonorrhea
An unintended experiment in Rhode Island found that when prostitution conducted indoors was decriminalized due to a loophole in the law, there was a decrease in rape and cases of gonorrhea. The Wall Street Journal reports:[icopyright one button toolbar] A loophole in Rhode Island law that effectively decriminalized indoor prostitution in 2003 also led to significant … [Read more...] about Decriminalization of Prostitution Led To Reduction In Rape And Gonorrhea
The Oregon Senate Race
Incumbent Democratic Senator Jeff Merkly is running against neurosurgeon Monica Wehby. Now Oregon has not elected a Republican to statewide office in over 12 years. In spite of that the Republicans are channeling Don Quixote and tipping there hats at windmills. The reality is that in spite of the fact that Merkly has a 14 point lead in the polls the Republicans still think … [Read more...] about The Oregon Senate Race
Balls
I can speak only about home territory, the state of Texas. But there may be a variation on the theme in every state of the union. One can only hope. [icopyright one button toolbar] Here in the Lone Star State, the first thing you say about the new doggy or kitty your neighbor has adopted, after the "so cute!" comments is, "Has s/he been spayed/neutered?" A local vet … [Read more...] about Balls
MH17: Guilty Rebels ‘Worse for Moscow than KAL-007’ (Gazeta, Russia)
What would happen if it were proven that pro-Russia rebels shot down MH17, that the Kremlin was complicit, and sanctions began to bring down the Russian economy? Gazeta columnist Georgy Bovt forecasts that the situation would be far worse than anything encountered in 1983, when the USSR admitted to downing Korean Airlines Flight 007. Bovt warns that in defense of Russia's … [Read more...] about MH17: Guilty Rebels ‘Worse for Moscow than KAL-007’ (Gazeta, Russia)
A VERY aggressive turkey (VIDEO)
Think you know everything about how a wild animal -- or wild bird -- reacts? Well, (for the umpteenth time) think again: a decoy turkey was placed out in Michigan, and Jake the Turkey didn't take too kindly to it. The decoy's owner tried to save the decoy and then (WATCH)... But it isn't only Americans who have had problems with wild turkeys: Here's a video from … [Read more...] about A VERY aggressive turkey (VIDEO)
The GOP’s impeachment two-step
WASHINGTON -- If you attack the president repeatedly for law-breaking, executive overreach and deceiving the public and Congress, do you have an obligation to impeach him? This is the logical question Republicans are now trying to duck. There is a reason why impeachment is a big deal in Washington this week. It's not just because a call to defend President Obama … [Read more...] about The GOP’s impeachment two-step
House votes to sue President Obama over claims of presidential power
House votes to sue President Obama over claims of presidential power … [Read more...] about House votes to sue President Obama over claims of presidential power
PhotoShop Fun
Well WordPress seems to have eaten my last serious post so how about a picture. Yes, if you don't have a life and your really bored you can combine photos and create some really strange images using Photoshop. … [Read more...] about PhotoShop Fun
In 1938: Mahatma Gandhi on the Jewish homeland
'THE JEWS', BY GANDHI - FROM HARIJAN, NOVEMBER 26, 1938 (http://www.gandhiserve.org/information/writings_online/articles/gandhi_jews_palestine.html#'The Jews', by Gandhi - From Harijan, November 26, 1938) Several letters have been received by me asking me to declare my views about the Arab-Jew question in Palestine and the persecution of the Jews in Germany. It is … [Read more...] about In 1938: Mahatma Gandhi on the Jewish homeland
Nixon
[icopyright one button toolbar] I graduated from college in June of 1968 in the middle of the Vietnam war. The day after Nixon was elected I reported to the Army. Fortunately for me following basic training I was recruited by the Defense Intelligence Agency and spent my entire army career sitting behind a typewriter in downtown Munich, Germany usually wearing civilian … [Read more...] about Nixon
The impeachment thing
There is no impeachment thing. Both sides are using it as a vote-catching threat. [icopyright one button toolbar] All this impeachment bluster also may be laying down the terms of engagement for another battle, should Obama soon — as many expect — take executive action to protect millions of illegal immigrants from the threat of deportation. Republicans are saying … [Read more...] about The impeachment thing
Exodus: Europe’s Jews Are Fleeing Once Again
Exodus: Europe's Jews Are Fleeing Once Again … [Read more...] about Exodus: Europe’s Jews Are Fleeing Once Again
Americans Are Still In Debt
Even years after the great recession 35 percent of Americans are still deep in debt.http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nhregister/obituary.aspx?pid=171867717 According to a new report by the Urban Institute, more than 35 percent of Americans owe non-mortgage debt that’s been turned over to a collection agency—including anything from credit card balances to student loans to … [Read more...] about Americans Are Still In Debt
Children Seeking Asylum and Finding Antipathy
Children Seeking Asylum and Finding Antipathy By Tina Dupuy I might be the only syndicated columnist in the country who was raised by the state. So when lawmakers and public pontificators discuss the welfare of unaccompanied minors who've been dropped on our proverbial doorstep, I should probably speak up. I was a ward of the court starting at 13 until I aged out after … [Read more...] about Children Seeking Asylum and Finding Antipathy
Campus Sexual Assault: What Are Colleges Doing Wrong?
Campus Sexual Assault: What Are Colleges Doing Wrong? graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Campus Sexual Assault: What Are Colleges Doing Wrong?