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
It’s Time to Say Thank You to Those that Saved the World
It's Time to Say Thank You to Those that Saved the World by Michael Reagan Here in this little French village of Sainte Mere Eglise they remember D-Day. Sainte Mere Eglise, as students of history and World War II movies know, became the first town to be liberated from Hitler's armies when hundreds of American paratroopers fell from the sky early on the morning of June … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Say Thank You to Those that Saved the World
Cartoon: Welcome Home Sergeant Bergdahl
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: Welcome Home Sergeant Bergdahl
Susan Rice on defensive: defends remarks on freed soldier, Benghazi
Susan Rice defends remarks on freed soldier, Benghazi (via AFP) US National Security Advisor Susan Rice is defending her comments that Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, freed in a prisoner swap after five years' captivity with the Taliban, had served "with honor." Her remarks have come under fire amid allegations that… … [Read more...] about Susan Rice on defensive: defends remarks on freed soldier, Benghazi
Obama’s red line — and likely hurdles
Russia’s Vladimir Putin seems to be on the way to greater success than he ever imagined by annexing Crimea and creating turmoil in Ukraine. President Barack Obama’s swing through Europe indicated his gains by unmasking the difficult rift between Obama and the main European allies. After a G-7 Summit in Brussels (excluding Russia), Obama gave Putin one month to pressure … [Read more...] about Obama’s red line — and likely hurdles
Science
I spent most of my life as a scientist and engineer. How did this happen? I was in the 6th grade the Russians launched Sputnik sending the US into a paranoid frenzy. At about same time I got caught trying to set off a homemade bomb in the school playground. They were so desperate that rather than seeing a budding anarchist they saw a budding scientist. It may have all … [Read more...] about Science
Asteroid HQ124
Asteroid HQ124 — dubbed ‘the Beast’ — expected to approach Earth this weekend Asteroid Dubbed "The Beast" Expected To Approach Earth This Weekend I guess what is most disturbing about this is it wasn't detected before now. I think we have the technology but not the will or resources to do so. But quite honestly I'm not really sure we could have done anything about it … [Read more...] about Asteroid HQ124
Reagan: Real or Memorex?
Larry Kudlow attempts to rally the GOP by invoking cult hero Ronald Reagan on Real Clear Politics. In other words, significant U.S. corporate tax reform would jack up wages and jobs -- predominantly middle class wages and jobs. It would attract investment from all over the world. And to U.S. companies that shelter profits overseas, we'd be able to say, "Come home to … [Read more...] about Reagan: Real or Memorex?
Bergdahl and the Price of War
Over at OTB Doug Matacoinis links to a piece by J.D. Tucille. American troops have engaged in continuous war in Afghanistan since 2001, so nobody can claim that they don’t know that military service might require actual military service. Then again, military recruiters focus on the young not just because they’re physically fit, but also because they have little perspective on … [Read more...] about Bergdahl and the Price of War
Twenty-Eight Percent Of Americans Believe Bible Is The Literal Word Of God
I recently cited a Gallup poll which showed that 42 percent of Americans believe in creationism. With that in mind, I imagine it is a good thing that a lower number, 28 percent, believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. Gallup reports that this is below the 38 percent to 40 percent seen in the late 1970s, and near the all-time lows of 27 percent seen in 2001 and 2009. … [Read more...] about Twenty-Eight Percent Of Americans Believe Bible Is The Literal Word Of God
NATO Badly Divided on Stationing Troops in East Europe; Facing Moscow (Die Welt, Germany)
Seventy Years after the D-Day landings in Normandy, members of the alliance forged in the aftermath of WWII are bickering over what to do about Russia and Ukraine. According to Die Welt columnist Christoph B. Schultz, Southern Europeans and Germans don't like Poland's idea of permenently stationing additional troops and equipment in Eastern Europe, as that would violate NATO's … [Read more...] about NATO Badly Divided on Stationing Troops in East Europe; Facing Moscow (Die Welt, Germany)
In Defeating the ‘Russian Disease,’ Will Ukraine Lose its Soul? (Ukrayinska Pravda, Ukraine)
Can you defeat an enemy without scruples without losing your own? That is Ukraine's dilemma as outlined by columnist Michael Dubinyansky of Ukraine's Ukrayinska Pravda newpaper, who writes that while turning back the Russian tide may be possible, in the process Ukraine is likely to end up a lot like its ruthless, and for many detestable, northern neighbor. For Ukrayinska … [Read more...] about In Defeating the ‘Russian Disease,’ Will Ukraine Lose its Soul? (Ukrayinska Pravda, Ukraine)
E Pluribus Unum Factor
Word Fight At The OK Corral A Rose By Any Other Name View From The Virgin Islands. By John McCarthy TMV Columnist I spend a lot of time thinking about words. Kind of goes with the territory if you consider yourself a writer. And if you know your Mark Twain you know that “the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between … [Read more...] about E Pluribus Unum Factor