Iraq is now playing out as opponents of the war warned from the start. Predictably, the right wing blames Obama for Republican mistakes, when Obama understood from the start that going into Iraq was a mistake. I don't understand why the media keeps playing clips of John McCain attacking Obama over the events in Iraq. First of all, shouldn't the man who was wrong every step of … [Read more...] about The Failure Of Republican Policy On Iraq
The Roots Of The Chaos In Iraq
"There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." William Kristol on PBS - April 2003 David Atkins posting at The Political Animal does a really good job … [Read more...] about The Roots Of The Chaos In Iraq
Vegan Supermarket Coming To US
Vegan Supermarket Comes To US (via Planetsave) Originally published on Eat Drink Better.By Jill Ettinger Long-time vegans would say it’s about time. And the wait is almost over for a store that only sells vegan food. That’s right. A vegan supermarket is coming to the U.S. But not until 2016.… … [Read more...] about Vegan Supermarket Coming To US
Friedman on Iraq
Thomas Friedman spells out five principles for understanding the implosion of Iraq in The New York Times. Having just returned from Iraq two weeks ago, my own thinking is guided by five principles, and the first is that, in Iraq today, my enemy’s enemy is my enemy. Other than the Kurds, we have no friends in this fight. Neither Sunni nor Shiite leaders spearheading the war in … [Read more...] about Friedman on Iraq
The Politics Of Resentment
Doug Saunders writes, in the Globe and Mail, that the politics of resentment is tearing modern conservatism asunder. The argument is about immigration; and it was apparent last week in Washington with the fall of Eric Cantor. There are now two distinct camps: One group: argues that immigrants tend to be natural conservatives: They’re more likely than other voters to … [Read more...] about The Politics Of Resentment
While Iraq Unravels, Over in Ukraine…
While the focus of the world is on the advances of the ISIL forces towards Baghdad and it holds its breath as to what the U.S., and others, will do, things are unraveling rapidly in Ukraine -- again. The Guardian reports, “Pro-Russian rebels have shot down a military transport plane in Luhansk in the bloodiest single day of fighting in eastern Ukraine since the conflict … [Read more...] about While Iraq Unravels, Over in Ukraine…
Where Have You Gone, Thad Cochran?
Tip O'Neill said "all politics is local." With all the out-of-state money pouring into Mississippi for the Republican primary and runoff between Thad Cochran and his Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel, all the national dynamics that seem to be in play, all the rather absurd attempts by McDaniel's supporters to paint Cochran as something approaching a liberal, I'm still … [Read more...] about Where Have You Gone, Thad Cochran?
A counter to scientific denialism: ASAP Science videos
Science, technology, engineering and math, aka STEM, are key areas of knowledge for the 21st century. Heck, they were key in the 20th century, too! Remember JFK and the moon challenge as well as his tribute to science on the 100th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences? Recent scientific advances have not only made international cooperation desirable, but they have … [Read more...] about A counter to scientific denialism: ASAP Science videos
To Save Iraq and Itself, West Must Drop War on Assad (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
With ISIS terrorists battling both Bashar al-Assad's Syria and Nouri al-Maliki's Iraq, does it make any sense at all to pursue the toppling of Syria's odious dictator? For Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, columnist Rainer Hermann urges an immediate reconsideration of Western policy toward Syria, and suggests it might be a good idea to think anew about Iranian … [Read more...] about To Save Iraq and Itself, West Must Drop War on Assad (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
Iraq And The Media
The media was pretty compliant when Bush/Cheney made the decision to invade and occupy Iraq after 911. Even though Iraq seems to be coming apart at the seams the media seems to be much less enthusiastic about intervention. The major theme is to ignore those who got us into the Iraq mess to begin with. Paul Waldman: As you watch the debate on this issue, you should remind … [Read more...] about Iraq And The Media
(Updates) No Boots on the Ground in Iraq, But…
Update I: What was was previously "reportedly" is now a fact. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to move today from the North Arabian Sea into the Arabian Gulf, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. American Forces Press Service: In a statement, Kirby said the order will provide … [Read more...] about (Updates) No Boots on the Ground in Iraq, But…
“Lining its streets were the decapitated heads of policeman and soldiers”
This isn't Islam. "They’re knocking at a policeman’s door. It’s the middle of the night, but the cop soon answers. Then they have him. He’s blindfolded and cuffed. They take him to the bedroom. And, reports say, they decapitate him with a knife." ...WaPo It's ISIS, the "Islamic State of Syria and Iraq" and it is a parody of Islam in much the same way as, though to … [Read more...] about “Lining its streets were the decapitated heads of policeman and soldiers”
Deception in Advertising (Infographic): Do misleading ads influence your buying decisions?
Ever notice that ads for food (fast food and other food) make the food look a lot better than it really looks? There's a reason: deceptive advertising - and some surprising (often eyebrow-raising) tricks. Here's a great infographic: Reviews by Martin -- Visit our LinkedIn … [Read more...] about Deception in Advertising (Infographic): Do misleading ads influence your buying decisions?
Iran offers help if US acts against militants in Iraq
Iran offers help if US acts against Iraq militants (via AFP) Shiite Iran offered Saturday to consider working with longtime foe the United States if it takes the lead in helping push back Sunni Arab militants, who have seized a swathe of northern Iraq. The offer came as Iraqi commanders said the army had recaptured… … [Read more...] about Iran offers help if US acts against militants in Iraq
Cartoon: Guns and the Weather Report
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: Guns and the Weather Report
This Week in Hillary-World: Tepid Book Reviews, a Gaffe and a Heated Exchange
Each week, Ravishly.com explores Hillary Clinton's universe to provide a round-up of the week's most compelling news, offering analysis on media commentary, punditry, polling and more. Yes, the election is still a bazillion years away, but when it comes to the story of the potential first female president ever, it's never too early to start the conversation.Hillary's Big Deal … [Read more...] about This Week in Hillary-World: Tepid Book Reviews, a Gaffe and a Heated Exchange
Review of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess Traveling Production at The 5th Avenue Theatre
The national touring company version of the recent Tony Award winning revival of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess has reached the 5th Avenue Theatre. If you desire to hear powerful melodic voices sing haunting harmonies and melodies within a surprisingly complex musical drama, then buy a ticket before Porgy and Bess leave town. The choreography of Porgy and Bess is understated but … [Read more...] about Review of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess Traveling Production at The 5th Avenue Theatre
Republican Extremism And The Weakness Of Republican Leadership
The victory of David Brat over Eric Cantor was momentarily a cause for celebration, but the long term results might not be so favorable. Norm Ornstein warns that this will lead to further radicalization of the Republican Party: First, it is clear that this moves the Republican Party even further to the right, in approach, attitude and rhetoric. Even if the overwhelming … [Read more...] about Republican Extremism And The Weakness Of Republican Leadership
My Evergreen Column About the Latest Mass Shooting
My Evergreen Column About the Latest Mass Shooting By Tina Dupuy My condolences go out to the families of the victims at fill-in-the-blank. I know the gun-manufacturing industrial complex has dubbed the wake of a tragedy as an inappropriate time to talk about their product. So lets just eulogize the lives of the people lost to a fill-in-the-blank with his/her/their … [Read more...] about My Evergreen Column About the Latest Mass Shooting
Mud: All you need is love
There was a time when Matthew McConaughey’s name being attached to a film was enough for me to wipe it from my consciousness completely. The man has just been involved with too many films which have made me steaming angry – I actually paid to watch Sahara and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Paid actual money! But I haven’t seen a career rehabilitation like the one McConaughey … [Read more...] about Mud: All you need is love