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The Moderate Voice

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Give Kerry a break

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WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State John Kerry was right to push for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza earlier this week. All outside parties should do everything they can to end a war in which both Israel and Hamas have seemed willing to fight to the death of the last Palestinian civilian. Kerry has been slammed as naive for pressing Israel to end its attack, which as of … [Read more...] about Give Kerry a break

Washington and Jerusalem: Forces Beyond their Control (La Stampa, Italy)

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Why are there so many seemingly intractable conflicts in the world today, and what's behind the unprecedented deterioration of U.S.-Israeli relations? For Italy's La Stampa, columnist Gianni Riotta writes that it isn't Barack Obama's fault that the American people don't want to police the world, or that a world without two diametrically-opposed poles lacks the leadership it … [Read more...] about Washington and Jerusalem: Forces Beyond their Control (La Stampa, Italy)

Another Frivolous Suit Against Obamacare Thrown Out Of Court

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There have  been a lot of frivolous suits filed by various Republicans lately, ranging from suits to try to block the Affordable Care Act to the House Republicans’ own suit. While we had contradictory rulings in the case making the absurd argument that the ACA did not intend to allow subsidies to those who obtained coverage on the federal as opposed to a state exchange, another … [Read more...] about Another Frivolous Suit Against Obamacare Thrown Out Of Court

GOP Unable to Govern

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In a replay of similar fiascoes over other issues, the House GOP again showed its inability to govern (e.g propose and pass actual legislation) this time on immigration. Andrew Sullivan: So, yes, the president is once again damned if he does use his executive powers and damned if he doesn’t. And the Republican Congress has shown that it can pass nothing – even in the midst of … [Read more...] about GOP Unable to Govern

Obama Runs Against The Haters In The Do-Nothing Congress

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Republicans have the edge going into the midterm elections considering the traditional disadvantages of a president's party in the sixth year, but considering the negatives faced by the Republicans there is still a question of whether campaigning against them will improve the outcome for Democrats. Obama spoke out against them today (video above). He criticized Congressional … [Read more...] about Obama Runs Against The Haters In The Do-Nothing Congress

72-hour humanitarian pause in Gaza starting Friday morning

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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’

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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

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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

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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

Decriminalization of Prostitution Led To Reduction In Rape And Gonorrhea

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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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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