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
The top 10 movie opening scenes (part 2)
8 The Lion King (1994) This one nearly didn’t make the list because… well to be honest, I almost forgot. The Lion King stage show has overshadowed the film somewhat over the past couple of years, and for good reason – it is fantastic. The opening to the stage show is enough to turn any black hearted man into a Disney loving kid but it is easy to forget where … [Read more...] about The top 10 movie opening scenes (part 2)
Thad Cochran’s Democratic Campaign
WASHINGTON -- "There is something a bit strange, there is something a bit unusual about a Republican primary that's decided by liberal Democrats." The words of Chris McDaniel, the tea party candidate vanquished in Mississippi's runoff on Tuesday by Sen. Thad Cochran and the state's GOP establishment, were not the most gracious. But they contained an important truth … [Read more...] about Thad Cochran’s Democratic Campaign
GOP still faces war with tea party
GOP still faces war with tea party Photo via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about GOP still faces war with tea party
Cartoon: Hillary Well Off
This cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on TMV. Reproduction without licensing is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Hillary Well Off
Night Of The Incumbents
Last night was a good night for incumbents. Thad Cochran, widely written off as doomed, managed to beat Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel. His victory was partly attributed to cross over support from black voters but he also benefited from higher turnout among his supporters. Some of McDaniel's supporters aren't giving up so easily though. I don't expect McDaniel to run … [Read more...] about Night Of The Incumbents
Will Amazon Take A Hit On J.K. Rowling’s Latest?
The Silkworm, a new detective novel by Robert Galbraith, is the guaranteed hottest bestseller of the summer. If you've never heard of Galbraith, try J.K. Rowling, who has now written two books under that nomme de plume since publishing the last book of her wildly popular Harry Potter series. But what makes the buzz over this book different than the usual reviews of … [Read more...] about Will Amazon Take A Hit On J.K. Rowling’s Latest?