Troutdale, Oregon is a windy, but otherwise unremarkable, suburb of Portland. Its exposure to the Columbia River Gorge contributes to its windy reputation. Today, there was more than the sound of wind being heard in this bedroom community of 16,000. "Boom, Boom...Boom, Boom, Boom". That was the description of one witness. Her knees gave way and she fell to the ground as … [Read more...] about No News Here, Just Another School Shooting, Two Dead (Updated)
Hillary Clinton Says 2008 Obama Presidential Campaign Wanted Her to Attack Sarah Palin
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton refused to go along with then-candidate Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign's request to attack Sarah Palin immediately after she was picked by John McCain as his running mate. Clinton said in an interview with NBC's Cynthia McFadden, "The day she was nominated, the Obama campaign did contact me and asked me if I would attack … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Says 2008 Obama Presidential Campaign Wanted Her to Attack Sarah Palin
Farm-to-Table Dairy Farms Grow Popular in India
The United States isn’t the only country where the farm-to-table movement has really taken off. In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, farm-to-table refers to a type of food preparation with minimal transportation, storage and preservation. The focus is on fresh, locally grown and recently harvested ingredients. From South America to Europe and Australia, people around the … [Read more...] about Farm-to-Table Dairy Farms Grow Popular in India
Medicaid Coverage Varies From One Side Of Town To Another In Some Border Cities
As Annie Lowrey described, which side of town one lives on can determine whether a poor person receives Medicaid benefits if the town is on a border between a state which participates in the expanded Medicaid program and one which does not. The Affordable Care Act provides for expanding Medicaid benefits with the federal government paying most of the cost, but many … [Read more...] about Medicaid Coverage Varies From One Side Of Town To Another In Some Border Cities
‘Not Since Slavery’ Has U.S. Treated People Worse than Undocumented (La Jornada, Mexico)
With controversy swirling about underage immigrants streaming across the border without adult supervision, the perceptions on the other side of the frontier couldn't be more different. This editorial from Mexico's La Jornada complains that the U.S. is either unwilling or unable to accept that migration is an inherent element of human society, and that the global economic … [Read more...] about ‘Not Since Slavery’ Has U.S. Treated People Worse than Undocumented (La Jornada, Mexico)
This Week in Hillary-World: Memoir Bombshells, Putin Sexism and a Silly People Controversy
This Week in Hillary-World: Memoir Bombshells, Putin Sexism and a Silly People Controversy by Nikki Gloudeman Each week, we explore Hillary Clinton's universe to provide a round-up of the most compelling recent news, while providing 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 … [Read more...] about This Week in Hillary-World: Memoir Bombshells, Putin Sexism and a Silly People Controversy
What Happens When You Boil Soda? YUCK!
You'll Be Disgusted When You See What Happens When You Boil Soda More From Our Authors (via Fitbie) Trending June 9, 2014 | Leave a Comment Science lover-slash-YouTuber Crazy Russian Hacker recently decided to figure out exactly what's floating around in a bottle of soda. His method: Boiling the stuff. More from Women's Health: Study: Exercise Can… … [Read more...] about What Happens When You Boil Soda? YUCK!
Anger feeding on resentment based on supposition fueled by inchoate rage
As with most issues over the past half-dozen years, the matter of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and release is greatly complicated by the persistent, sick rage on the right. It's hard to argue facts with people who treat facts as threats. Time to revisit Michael Hastings' 2012 article about Bowe Bergdahl and Tim Dickinson's reread of Hastings's analysis of "America's Last … [Read more...] about Anger feeding on resentment based on supposition fueled by inchoate rage
Seeking sanity on Sgt. Bergdahl
GETTYSBURG, Pa. -- There were many poignant moments in President Obama's speech in Normandy commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. But two sentences he spoke at what he called "democracy's beachhead" seemed especially resonant back home. "Whenever the world makes you cynical, stop and think of these men," Obama said. "Whenever you lose hope, stop and think of … [Read more...] about Seeking sanity on Sgt. Bergdahl
Cartoon: A pox on your house
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: A pox on your house
Cliff Scheter: the NRA has created a monster
You could say with the past few months' events, it's High Noon for America with the American political system watching a growing number of families grieving for loved ones who are the victims or the perpetrators of gun-related crimes. Only, in this instance, unlike in the movie, you don't have a brave sheriff walking foward with his head up high, getting ready to get out there … [Read more...] about Cliff Scheter: the NRA has created a monster
Vegas cop killers ‘had pro-gun militia links’
Vegas cop killers 'had pro-gun militia links' (via AFP) A gun-toting couple possibly linked to anti-government militias killed two US cops execution-style and left a swastika on the bodies, in America's latest chilling shooting rampage, police said Monday. In the third mass shooting in three weeks in the… … [Read more...] about Vegas cop killers ‘had pro-gun militia links’
D-Day: ‘Peace Through Strength,’ Then and Today
In my enthusiasm to share my respect and appreciation for those World War II veterans being honored on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, I probably went overboard with two long articles, the second one a whopping 1800+ words. I have been told many times by editors that, in journalism, 700 words is pretty much the max. Fortunately, I am not a journalist and the media I … [Read more...] about D-Day: ‘Peace Through Strength,’ Then and Today
FiveThirtyEight Senate Forecast: Toss-Up or Tilt GOP?
Uh, oh. Nate Silver who used to be pointed to as the most accurate, nearly flawless pollster by Democrats and progressives, will likely find his methodology questioned again, as he did in March from some former big fans. When partisans on both sides get polls they don't like, the frequent response is to start questioning the methdology. In modern politics, the only reliable … [Read more...] about FiveThirtyEight Senate Forecast: Toss-Up or Tilt GOP?
With new Indian leader Narendra Modi, Israel sees brighter horizon in the east
With new Indian leader Narendra Modi, Israel sees brighter horizon in the east With a focus on Hindu nationalism and pro-market policies, newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises to propel the country in a new direction. India and Israel have enjoyed increasingly close military and economic cooperation over the past two decades, and Modi also brings strong … [Read more...] about With new Indian leader Narendra Modi, Israel sees brighter horizon in the east
SciFi Weekend: Orphan Black; Continuum; Fargo; The Flash; Agent Carter; Constantine and Other New Shows Based On Comics; Neurotic Robots
Orphan Black introduced yet another clone on Variable And Full Of Perturbation, a transsexual clone named Tony. Besides providing for some interesting interaction with Felix, Tony introduction could be a way to get into the back stories of two other characters raised, Beth and Paul (who seems to be missing). We only saw Beth briefly in the first episode before she jumped in … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Orphan Black; Continuum; Fargo; The Flash; Agent Carter; Constantine and Other New Shows Based On Comics; Neurotic Robots
Bergdahl and the Price of War Part II
I did a post a few days ago, Bergdahl and the price of War . The New York Times today has an article that does a much better job of explaining the point I was trying to make in that post. Bergdahal's unit was indeed dysfunctional but mostly because it was in a dysfunctional situation. The platoon was, an American military official would assert years later, “raggedy.” On … [Read more...] about Bergdahl and the Price of War Part II
Koch Brothers Donate $25 Million To The United Negro College Fund
I think it was a smart move by the Koch Brothers to give a $25 million grant to the United Negro College Fund. If their goal is to improve their public reputation in response to the campaign by the Democratic Party to vilify them, such a move is likely to be far more effective than Charles Koch's whiny and misleading op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. Maybe they hope that this … [Read more...] about Koch Brothers Donate $25 Million To The United Negro College Fund
Republican Murdoch says America is going way of Hitler’s Nazi Germany
[stumble] Many partisans may love our politics, which has pretty much become to thoughtful, serious discussion of policy and the debate of ideas into what professional wrestling is to real sports. But to Americans fed up with hyperventilating politicians that have to hurl the worst and most outlandish comparisons, the comments of Indiana's Republican Treasurer Richard … [Read more...] about Republican Murdoch says America is going way of Hitler’s Nazi Germany
(Updated) 70th D-Day Anniversary – Looking Back
Update: A couple more images (DOD). Veterans from several nations board the train on their way to the 70th anniversary celebration of D-Day at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, June 6, 2014. A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft drops U.S. and international paratroopers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, June 8, 2014. More than … [Read more...] about (Updated) 70th D-Day Anniversary – Looking Back