A bit of wisdom from Zachary and Bert … [Read more...] about A Lovely Summer Day
A bad mark for the New York Times, and maybe worse
Though we can't know the whole story yet, Ken Auletta adds to his assessment of Jill Abramson's abrupt firing earlier this week. Not everything is known yet (or maybe ever will be known), but -- quite apart from Auletta's finding -- we already know that Abramson was treated, um, differently from men in the same post. Just how differently we don't yet know. The Times … [Read more...] about A bad mark for the New York Times, and maybe worse
Are Charter Schools in New Orleans the 2014 Version of Plantation Education? (Recommended Read)
"Are Charter Schools in New Orleans the 2014 Version of Plantation Education?" That's the headline of a recommended read by Buzzflash's Mark Karlin. It's particularly important because some of what students absorb from education is not material taught in the classroom. Here's a little of his must-read post: In an Op-Ed published in Time this week, 16-year-old Kenyatta … [Read more...] about Are Charter Schools in New Orleans the 2014 Version of Plantation Education? (Recommended Read)
‘Godzilla’ far from the new kid on the block
'Godzilla' far from the new kid on the block (via NJ.com) Raymond Burr brought one of the most interesting iterations of anyone named Steve Martin to the big screen in the 1956 film “Godzilla, King of Monsters,” even though people mostly noticed the giant irradiated monster that headlined the film. “… … [Read more...] about ‘Godzilla’ far from the new kid on the block
The Republican War On Science: From Climate Change To Reproduction
There is good reason that, going back to the Bush years, only six percent of scientists identify themselves as Republicans. For several years Republicans have promoted views contrary to facts as demonstrated by the scientific method, and commonly distort science to justify their positions. We have seen more examples of this with Marco Rubio's denial that human action is … [Read more...] about The Republican War On Science: From Climate Change To Reproduction
CNN: A Symbol of Journalism in Decline (El Universal, Mexico)
As it is so fond of reminding its viewers ad infinitum, CNN is a global network. So this column on its 'dip into sensationalim' from Mexico's El Universal is perhaps fitting. Columnist J. Jaime Hernandez writes that rather than being a counterweight to those in power, CNN and its fellow mainstream news networks have let Thomas Jefferson down, 'becoming in many cases simply a … [Read more...] about CNN: A Symbol of Journalism in Decline (El Universal, Mexico)
Cuba Faces U.S. Terror Threat, Not the Other Way Around (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
The issue highlighted in this column from Brazil's Opera Mundi, one of the most egregious and hypocritical miscarriages of justice the U.S. government is responsible for, relates to a certain Luis Posada Carriles. The former CIA operative and Cuban police officer, who has admitted to being behind a number of terrorist attacks, and who continues to walk free on U.S. soil, now … [Read more...] about Cuba Faces U.S. Terror Threat, Not the Other Way Around (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Massive Fail!
Instead of millions it looks like hundreds showed up for Operation American Spring. Perhaps there aren't as many wingnuts as we thought. It's still early, but it appears safe to say that tens of millions of people will not be turning out to participate in "Operation American Spring – Beginning Of Tyranny Housecleaning," which kicked off Friday in Washington, D.C. The … [Read more...] about Massive Fail!
Mt Saint Helens
It has been 34 years since Mt St Helens erupted . I don't have much to add to the post I did on the 25th anniversary but it did bring me in contact with Bob Kaseweter's sister who helped me through my caregiver responsibilities when my mother was on home hospice. Life works in strange ways. Here is the 25th anniversary … [Read more...] about Mt Saint Helens
(Updates – Video) Military Join Efforts to Battle Southern California Wildfires
Update photos: Marines assist in efforts to contain the Cocos fire in San Marcos, Calif., May 15, 2014. The Marines, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, partnered with state officials to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires ablaze in San Diego … [Read more...] about (Updates – Video) Military Join Efforts to Battle Southern California Wildfires
Charlie Rangel’s Phone Call Debate
He may be a corrupt crook but he's got an odd kind of style. During a debate with two primary opponents Rangel used his opening statement to stage a fake phone call in which he trashed his opponents without actually directly addressing them. In other fun election news, Congressman John Conyers of Michigan (who has been in office for 50 years) failed to qualify for the … [Read more...] about Charlie Rangel’s Phone Call Debate
New Hampshire Police Commissioner Refuses to apologize for calling Obama the N-word
It's so sad for many Americans to see this new era in politics where there will be people who'll passionately defend someone who goes way over the line no matter what if they're members of their political sports team or friends. Still, given the Hollywood stars who actually defended convicted child abuser Roman Polanski with a straight face, perhaps it isn't that new. But make … [Read more...] about New Hampshire Police Commissioner Refuses to apologize for calling Obama the N-word
A headline that tells the whole story
A headline that tells the whole story: 'Clueless' star may join Fox News … [Read more...] about A headline that tells the whole story
Cartoon: Pathetic Pundits and #BringBackOurGirls
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV by Cagle Cartoons. All right reserved. For using it on your site and obtaining a license contact Cagle Cartoons. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Pathetic Pundits and #BringBackOurGirls
Landslide: Hindu Nationalist BJP declares ‘new era’ for India as ruling Congress concedes defeat
'New era' for India after landslide Modi victory (via AFP) India's triumphant Hindu nationalists declared "a new era" in the world's biggest democracy Friday after hardline leader Narendra Modi propelled them to the biggest win in 30 years on promises to revitalise the economy. Preliminary results at the end… … [Read more...] about Landslide: Hindu Nationalist BJP declares ‘new era’ for India as ruling Congress concedes defeat
(Update: San Diego Area Fires) Military Week in Photos
Update: Smoke fills the sky as wildfires burn in and around Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook in San Diego County, Calif. California-based U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters were tasked to assist with firefighting efforts at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and surrounding areas after numerous wildfires affected San Diego County. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Orrin … [Read more...] about (Update: San Diego Area Fires) Military Week in Photos
Obama’s Christianity
Andrew Sullivan notes an under-rated influence on the President on The Daily Dish. Partly because of the Muslim canard, very few have taken the president’s profession of Christianity very seriously. I’d argue it’s critical to his record and to his politics, but Christianist Republicans and secular Democrats have largely missed it because of ideological … [Read more...] about Obama’s Christianity
Clinton gets the GOP treatment
WASHINGTON -- Republican panic at the prospect of facing Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race has suddenly reached Godzilla-nearing-Tokyo proportions. The election is more than two years away, and Clinton hasn't even decided whether to run. But none of this seems to matter to the GOP strategists and spinmeisters who are launching the whole arsenal at her -- … [Read more...] about Clinton gets the GOP treatment
Scott Walker’s anti-Obamacare snark, and the Catch-22 that may turn him out of office (Guest Voice)
Scott Walker's anti-Obamacare snark, and the Catch-22 that may turn him out of office (via Uppity Wisconsin) Gov. Scott Walker looks more and more like Milo Minderbinder, the war-profiteering rapscallion in Joseph Heller's famous satirical novel, “Catch-22.” Minderbinder is an Army Air Force officer in World War II who believes “the business of government… … [Read more...] about Scott Walker’s anti-Obamacare snark, and the Catch-22 that may turn him out of office (Guest Voice)
Health Care Policy Briefs: Early Retirement, The Two Americas, Sabotaging Obamacare, Marijuana Not A Gateway Drug, And The Pentagon’s Plan For The Zombie Apocalypse
Five health care policy items today: Goldman issued a report on how availability of health insurance allows people the option of retiring early (or as Republicans would put it, become takers) as opposed to waiting until they qualify for Medicare. The found that "the annual probability of retirement--i.e., what share of workers of a given age will retire within the next … [Read more...] about Health Care Policy Briefs: Early Retirement, The Two Americas, Sabotaging Obamacare, Marijuana Not A Gateway Drug, And The Pentagon’s Plan For The Zombie Apocalypse