George W. Bush's former speechwriter David Frum has been consistent in his constant call for the Republican Party to try and offer a bigger tent. And in his no-holds-barred criticism of Rush Limbaugh and the conservative entertainment political industry due to the way they have led and often mislead the once proud Republican Party, conservatives who were once considered … [Read more...] about When Will Republican Leaders Fight Back Against the Tea Party?
A Hard Reign’s Gonna Fall
The perils of playing tin god? Tin gods tend to have tin ears. [2017 NOTE: Illustrations removed due to copyright questions. GWB note is White House photo, and, thus, Public Domain. You paid for it, in other words.] George W. Bush: mission accomplished ... Congress that enabled him? Well, election's coming ... And so, having invaded a sovereign nation to kill one man … [Read more...] about A Hard Reign’s Gonna Fall
US mulls ‘all options’ as militants move nearer Baghdad
US mulls 'all options' as militants move nearer Baghdad (via AFP) Jihadists moved nearer to Baghdad Thursday after capturing a town just hours to the north, as President Barack Obama said Washington was exploring all options to save Iraq's security forces from collapse. With the militants closing in on the capital… … [Read more...] about US mulls ‘all options’ as militants move nearer Baghdad
David Brat’s Views On Economics And Religion
The surprising defeat of Eric Cantor on Tuesday appears to be largely due to the personal faults on Cantor's part along with possible preference for the more extremist views of David Brat, despite Cantor's dishonest ads calling him a liberal college professor. It does not appear that cross over Democratic voters had a meaningful impact on the results. Cantor's problems appear … [Read more...] about David Brat’s Views On Economics And Religion
Ornstein: Cantor’s Defeat and Brat’s Rise Means a More Extreme GOP
The political "earthquake" caused by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s primary defeat at the hands of Tea Party challenger Dave Brat has not yet settled down, but some already see evident damage: moderates will be weaker than ever and the Republican Party will become more extreme and even less (if that is possible) prone to compromise. Norm Ornstein, resident scholar at the … [Read more...] about Ornstein: Cantor’s Defeat and Brat’s Rise Means a More Extreme GOP
Cantor’s Defeat Doesn’t Bode Well for Progress
Something virtually unprecedented has occurred in our country. Tea Party candidate David Brat defeated Eric Cantor, Republican House Majority Leader, for the party's nomination in Virginia's 7th district. For most of the campaign, Cantor appeared to be a shoe-in for the party nomination. He spent a great deal more money on his campaign and already held a position of power … [Read more...] about Cantor’s Defeat Doesn’t Bode Well for Progress
The ‘Nazi Stench’ and U.S. ‘Fascism’ (La Jornada, Mexico)
When your government carries out untold numbers of coups and military interventions abroad without the consent of the people, often based on false allegations, when the law allows the military to capture and indefinitely detain citizens without due process of law, and well-connected multinational firms effectively own your elected representatives, what do you call it? For … [Read more...] about The ‘Nazi Stench’ and U.S. ‘Fascism’ (La Jornada, Mexico)
Juan Carlos’ Courageous Reign in Spain
Many Americans probably yawned when they saw the news that Spain's King Juan Carlos decided to abdicate the throne in favor of his son, Prince Felipe. But they should have been in awe of the King's name. He's a historical figure who displayed guts despite personal danger in helping modern-day Spain become a democracy. The reign in Spain has been anything but plain. On two … [Read more...] about Juan Carlos’ Courageous Reign in Spain
Cartoon: Student Loan Debt
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: Student Loan Debt
The Brat Win in Virginia
Gingrich explains Brat win in Virginia “What the Republican establishment and the Chamber of Commerce don’t understand is that there’s a large element of America that wants a fight,” said former Speaker Newt Gingrich. “If you’re a conservative, you think Barack Obama is literally destroying the country you love. And you watch your leadership and they seem unwilling to … [Read more...] about The Brat Win in Virginia
Wordsmiths
A brief non political post and I will mostly do those in the future. In my 68 years I have been a spy, a scientist and an engineer. But I have always loved and appreciated literature. There are authors and writers and then there are wordsmiths - craftsmen of the English language. They are rare but I have three special favorites. Alduos Huxley is the first, in addition to … [Read more...] about Wordsmiths
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: the Tea Party Beats Eric Cantor
The Tea Party Beats Eric Cantor by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: ---M-U-S-T READ: 11 political lessons from Eric Cantor’s loss --CNN: 7 Reasons why Eric Cantor lost --Will Virginia be biggest loser from Eric Cantor’s defeat? --CANTOR LOSES, AND WASHINGTON GOES APE Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: the Tea Party Beats Eric Cantor
Peak Pollution: China Aims For The Top So It Can Go Down (Guest Voice)
Peak Pollution: China Aims For The Top So It Can Go Down By Nicholas Cunningham of Oilprice.com City-dwelling Chinese may still be choking on smog, but amid all the haze, China may turning a corner in its fight on pollution. Top Chinese officials have hinted at the fact that China is working hard to achieve "peak" greenhouse gas emissions, which may come sooner than … [Read more...] about Peak Pollution: China Aims For The Top So It Can Go Down (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Another school shooting
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: Another school shooting
Blip or bombshell, Tea Party again makes mark on Washington
Blip or bombshell, Tea Party again makes mark on Washington (via AFP) The Tea Party keeps jolting American politics, with Republicans struggling Wednesday to grasp implications of the ouster of one of their political masters who despite his stature failed to crush an insurrection from within. House Majority Leader Eric… … [Read more...] about Blip or bombshell, Tea Party again makes mark on Washington
Cohn on Cantor’s Loss
Jonathan Cohn interprets Eric Cantor's GOP primary loss in The New Republic. But Cantor’s loss sure looks like a reminder that the GOP establishment may not have so much control after all. If so, it seems only fitting that Cantor, who repeatedly stoked Tea Party frustrations in order to undermine Boehner, would himself fall to a Tea Party challenger. As my colleague Danny … [Read more...] about Cohn on Cantor’s Loss
How long will Dave Brat last if he’s against the biggest, worstest people in Washington?
His win signals that it's not just the policies supported by the BRT and the Chamber that are under threat. The business lobby groups and big firms themselves have increasingly become political targets--along with any lawmakers who are seen as working closely with them. ...JiaLynnYang,WaPo Really, one has to wonder. Brat won, it is said, thanks to his outspoken … [Read more...] about How long will Dave Brat last if he’s against the biggest, worstest people in Washington?
Seven Key Takeaways From Eric Cantor’s Shocking Defeat
Seven Key Takeaways From Eric Cantor’s Shocking Defeat (via Moyers & Company) No incumbent majority leader had lost a seat in Congress since 1899, when the post was first created. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) broke that streak last night. He’s announced that he’ll step down from leadership within weeks. Cantor’s stunning defeat… … [Read more...] about Seven Key Takeaways From Eric Cantor’s Shocking Defeat
The State of Our ‘Culture’ in One Photo and Five Words
Bulletproof blankets for our schoolchildren* ~.~ * Sorry, eight words: For tornadoes, too. Read more/Image: Protecht/FB … [Read more...] about The State of Our ‘Culture’ in One Photo and Five Words
Hillary Clinton Avoided Hard Choices
I did consider ordering Hillary Clinton's new book, Hard Choices, but my but feeling was that if she has any intention of running for president she would avoid saying anything controversial (or interesting). Michael Scherer's review for Time reinforces this, confident that the book was written by (or actually for) someone who is definitely planning to run: Without the reality … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Avoided Hard Choices