After over fifty votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act the Republicans are in the need for another gimmick. John Boehner believes he has come up with a new one in suing Barack Obama for doing what he supported when Bush was president. Republicans are giving up their claimed opposition to frivolous law suits to sue Barack Obama for issuing Executive Orders despite the fact … [Read more...] about Republicans Plan Frivolous Law Suit Against Barack Obama’s Use of Executive Power
The .01% and Pitch Forks
The ,01% billionaire, Nick Hanauer has a warning for his fellow .01 percenters, look out for pitch forks, But his article at Politico goes beyond that, it talks about the economic necessity of a strong middle middle class. I see pitchforks. At the same time that people like you and me are thriving beyond the dreams of any plutocrats in history, the rest of the country—the … [Read more...] about The .01% and Pitch Forks
Has Putin Orchestrated Poland’s Eavesdropping Scandal? (Newsweek Polska, Poland)
Is Vladimir Putin plotting to bring down the Polish government to gain in Ukraine? Newsweek Polska columnist Jakub Korejba writes that recently leaked recordings of Polish leaders making disparaging remarks about the United States are likely an attempt by the Kremlin to remove the biggest obstacle to its plans to restore the Russian Empire. With Polish Prime Minister Donald … [Read more...] about Has Putin Orchestrated Poland’s Eavesdropping Scandal? (Newsweek Polska, Poland)
Video: Wild boar attacks TV crew
As a former full-time journalist, I think I can accurately say that print and broadcast journalists are used to being verbally attacked by readers, sources, or supporters of people not portrayed in a flattering way. Journalists meet a lot of boors. Here's a case where a wild boar attacks a TV crew in Japan -- perhaps a kind of metaphor for journalists and their critics … [Read more...] about Video: Wild boar attacks TV crew
The best opening movie scenes (Part 3)
5 The Godfather (1972) My heart wanted to put this at number one but my head won over. Anyone who knows me personally understands what The Godfather means to me. This is my favourite film of all time, and further more, I think it is as close to perfection as any movie will ever manage to get. It is emotionally and aesthetically extraodinary and just thinking … [Read more...] about The best opening movie scenes (Part 3)
(Update) North Korea Threatens ‘Resolute and Merciless’ Response Over ‘It’
Update: Scroll to the bottom for the "official teaser trailer" of The Interview. ~.~ North Korea is threatening a “resolute and merciless” response against the United States, labeling it "reckless US provocative insanity" and saying it will consider it an “act of war.” Moreover, a statement attributed by North Korea's official news agency KCNA to an unidentified … [Read more...] about (Update) North Korea Threatens ‘Resolute and Merciless’ Response Over ‘It’
The drone dilemma
WASHINGTON -- In our growing reliance on armed drones as instruments of war, how slippery is the slope we're sliding on? Imagine that Vladimir Putin began using drones to kill Ukrainians who opposed Russia's annexation of Crimea. If Putin claimed the targets were "members of anti-Russian terrorist groups," what credibility would the United States have to condemn such … [Read more...] about The drone dilemma
Study: Ideological battles create fireworks, but the political center will rule
Study: Ideological battles create fireworks, but the political center will rule … [Read more...] about Study: Ideological battles create fireworks, but the political center will rule
Are the Dueling Hillary Clinton Narratives Correct?
Hillary Clinton looks like the person to beat for the 2016 Democratic Presidential nomination, and any Republican who could get the GOP nomination can't defeat her in a general election. She is also a flawed and overhyped candidate who carries enough baggage to overwhelm several TSA inspectors, and she'd be vulnerable due to Bush and Clinton fatigue, not to mention her … [Read more...] about Are the Dueling Hillary Clinton Narratives Correct?
A desperate, weeping clown cries “Off with his head!”
The executive has been amassing power at the expense of the legislative branch — not just for the past five years but for a generation or more. Yet Boehner’s proposed legal remedy will accomplish nothing, in part because it misidentifies the nature of the problem. ...DanaMilbank,WaPo The only thing that holds water in Boehner's threat to sue the president is the part about … [Read more...] about A desperate, weeping clown cries “Off with his head!”
The Absolute Perils of Absolutism
Hope fades SCOTUS STRIKES AGIN! The Supreme Court Just Made It Harder For Women To Exercise Their Right To Choose ThinkProgress The Supreme Court unanimously struck down Massachusetts' abortion buffer zone law on Thursday, ruling in favor of anti-choice protesters who argued that being required to stay 35 feet away from clinic entrances … I will not attempt to … [Read more...] about The Absolute Perils of Absolutism
A Nazi-themed cafe re-opens in Indonesia
A Nazi-themed cafe re-opens in Indonesia … [Read more...] about A Nazi-themed cafe re-opens in Indonesia
Howard Baker Dies
Word breaking this morning that former Senator Howard Baker has died Baker first came to public attention during the Watergate scandal when he served on the Senate investigation committee. He is best know there for coining the phrase "What did the President know and when did he know it" After serving 3 terms in the Senate he went on to help restore balance to the Reagan … [Read more...] about Howard Baker Dies
US Advances To Next Round Of World Cup
The United States will advance to the "knockout round" (final 16) of the World Cup. Few commentators expected this before the games began as the US was in what many called the "group of death". Odds are that the US will play Belgium and while I am no expert most of those who are suggest that we have a very good chance of beating them, though that does not make it certain. … [Read more...] about US Advances To Next Round Of World Cup
Favorable Court Rulings From Privacy Of Cell Phone Data To Marriage Equality
It has been a good week in terms of judicial opinions. Following the decision I reported on that the current no-fly list procedure is unconstitutional, there was an even bigger decision regarding civil liberties as well as two decisions regarding same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that police cannot search the contents of cellphones without a warrant: In a … [Read more...] about Favorable Court Rulings From Privacy Of Cell Phone Data To Marriage Equality
(Update) First U.S. Advisors Arrive in Iraq
Update: With the arrival of an additional four teams of U.S. advisors in Baghdad last night, the number of American service members in Iraq is now about 500, according to the Defense Department. They have now opened a joint operations center in the city “to assess the security situation in the wake of the rapid territorial gains made by Sunni militants.” “Enhanced … [Read more...] about (Update) First U.S. Advisors Arrive in Iraq
Supreme Court Ruling Says You Can’t Search Cell Phones Without a Warrant
In a landmark decision issued June 25, the Supreme Court decided it's unconstitutional in most instances for police to search a person's cell phone without obtaining a warrant. The decision was issued in response to two separate cases brought to the Court – Riley v. California and United States v. Wurie. Both cases dealt with the question of whether or not searching a person's … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Ruling Says You Can’t Search Cell Phones Without a Warrant
Deeply Divided Unanimous Court Strikes Down NLRB Recess Appointments
Today, the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in NLRB v. Noel Canning. The Court invalidated three of President Obama's appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an administrative body that regulates labor disputes and that has become a hotbed of bipartisan struggles over the roles and powers of labor unions. On its surface, the decision … [Read more...] about Deeply Divided Unanimous Court Strikes Down NLRB Recess Appointments
Democrats’ panic time? Odds increase that Republicans will win Senate
For months, as pundits suggested the Senate was poised to be taken over by the Republicans in 2014, some Democrats suggested there really was no need to panic. Now it sounds as if Democrats feel it's time to panic: it's sinking in that Tuesday night's election results suggest Democrats can't rely this year on madcap Republican candidates to chase voters to them or on President … [Read more...] about Democrats’ panic time? Odds increase that Republicans will win Senate
Same-Sex Marriage Poised for Supreme Court Decision
Yesterday, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of a federal district court in Utah that Utah's ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution. We hold that the Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital laws. A state may not deny the … [Read more...] about Same-Sex Marriage Poised for Supreme Court Decision