Update II: Fox News and others are claiming that a “Leahy Law Makes It Harder To Bring Back Our Girls.” You see, they claim, “a 1997 law known as the Leahy Amendment is complicating the joint effort with Nigerian forces. The law, named for its sponsor, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., bars U.S. forces from working with militaries, or units within them, accused of chronic human … [Read more...] about (Updates) #BringBackOurGirls with #SomeHelpFromOurTroops
Now you can own Dracula’s castle
Now you can own Dracula’s castle (via GlobalPost) Count Dracula never lived in Bran Castle, in the Transylvania region of Romania, because he was a fictional character. But look, it’s a Gothic-looking castle in Transylvania — plus, Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker… … [Read more...] about Now you can own Dracula’s castle
What UKIP Must Learn from the American Liberty Movement
Of all of their political parties that most Brits have heard of, only UKIP – the United Kingdom Independence Party – calls itself “libertarian”. Being only two decades old, UKIP - now polling 38% for the European elections this year and about 15% for the general election next year – has achieved a success on paper that the American Libertarian Party can only dream of. … [Read more...] about What UKIP Must Learn from the American Liberty Movement
A Second Chance for Donald Sterling?
Some 20 years ago, a 12-year-old boy on a trip to San Francisco was taken into a restaurant in Chinatown. He saw the menu, and in a loud voice said: "Chinese food? I hate Chinese food. I don't even like the Chinese!" Then he noticed all the Asians glaring at him. He was one of two non-Asians there. "Oops," he said, turning red. But the "Oops" didn't erase perceptions now … [Read more...] about A Second Chance for Donald Sterling?
Meet The Tweedledum, Tweedledee & Tweedledah Of Global Climate Change
The year was 1978. Rick Scott was a 26-year-old Navy veteran and up-and-coming entrepreneur who had bought and revived two Kansas City donut shops. Jeb Bush was a 25-year-old working in the international division of a Texas bank. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban emigres, was a four-year-old attending kindergarten in Miami. It was the year that Jim Jones's followers committed … [Read more...] about Meet The Tweedledum, Tweedledee & Tweedledah Of Global Climate Change
Climate Change And “Conservatives”
The other day I had a post on Marco Rubio's climate change denial. Yesterday we found out that the West Antarctic ice sheet is collapsing which will result in a significant rise in sea level. For at least the last decade every prediction of sea level rise has been more dire than the previous one. As I noted earlier Miami is already experiencing flooding at high tide. Over … [Read more...] about Climate Change And “Conservatives”
Some Personal Notes on the Death of H.R. Giger
Or, when I was "Lee Quarnstrom." The Long Playing Record Album cover of Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery" (obscure slang for fellation, as it turns out. Note the airbrushed penis. ) Swiss "surrealist" artist H.R. Giger is dead, of a fall. H.R. Giger, Surrealist Artist and 'Alien' Designer, Dead at 74 Painter and sculptor, whose cover art graced albums by … [Read more...] about Some Personal Notes on the Death of H.R. Giger
Army SGT Kyle White, Our Newest Medal of Honor Recipient
President Barack Obama this morning awarded the Medal of Honor to former Army SGT Kyle White for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan when he was a platoon radio telephone operator. He is the seventh living recipient to receive the honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Former Army Sgt. Kyle J. White smiles as the audience applauds after President Barack Obama … [Read more...] about Army SGT Kyle White, Our Newest Medal of Honor Recipient
The Crime of Feeding the Homeless
I know that there must be law and order, public health, and other -- I am sure readers will come up with more -- reasons for stopping some good-hearted people from feeding the homeless, the hungry, in a public park, but I do find it sad and have to resort to the cliché, "don’t these law-and-order people have more urgent law-and-order work to do?" Chico and Debbie Jimenez, a … [Read more...] about The Crime of Feeding the Homeless
Kim Jong Putin Lives
The video alone is worth watching for a laugh It seems President Putin has learned to play hockey and in a game with a bunch of 20 year olds the 65 year old Putin managed 6 goals and 5 assists. Of course when your opponents want to avoid polonium in their morning coffee it is easier to score. … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Putin Lives
West Antarctic ice sheet collapse ‘unstoppable’, says NASA
West Antarctic ice sheet collapse 'unstoppable', says NASA (via AFP) Ice is melting in the western Antarctic at an "unstoppable" pace, scientists said Monday, warning that the discovery holds major consequences for global sea level rise in the coming decades. The speedy melting means that prior calculations of sea level… … [Read more...] about West Antarctic ice sheet collapse ‘unstoppable’, says NASA
Cartoon: Hillary Clinton Benghazi Kick-Me
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on The Moderate Voice. 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: Hillary Clinton Benghazi Kick-Me
This Week in Hillary-World: Lewinsky’s Baaack!
This Week in Hillary-World by Nikki Gloudeman Each week, we explore Hillary Clinton's universe, gleaning insights from rumor-mongers, pundits, pollsters, political writers and more. Yes, the election is still a bazillion years away, but when it comes to the story of the potential first female president ever (!!), it's never too early to start the conversation. Monica … [Read more...] about This Week in Hillary-World: Lewinsky’s Baaack!
Republican Scare Stories Of Doctor Shortages Under Obamacare Failing To Come True
We are well into the year and none of the Republican horror stories about Obamacare have come true. There are no death panels. Enrollment through the exchanges has exceeded expectations. Over 80 percent of those purchasing insurance are paying premiums as the Obama administration predicted, and ultimately this might exceed 90 percent. Premiums are not expected to increase next … [Read more...] about Republican Scare Stories Of Doctor Shortages Under Obamacare Failing To Come True
The Democrats’ strategic ambiguity
WASHINGTON -- Bragging about what they've achieved is what incumbent politicians do. Ronald Reagan brought morning to America. Nelson Rockefeller, running for his fourth term as governor of New York in 1970, had a snappy slogan: "He's done a lot. He'll do more." British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan told voters in the late '50s they "never had it so good." But … [Read more...] about The Democrats’ strategic ambiguity
The Daily Beast: Fifth Person Joins Sex Abuse case against Michael Jackson Estate
A fifth person has now come forward to join the sexual abuse case against the estate of the late Michael Jackson, charging that when he was a child he was abused by Jackson, The Daily Beast's Diane Dimond reports in an exclusive: The star of a 1987 Pepsi ad featuring Michael Jackson has joined a suit against the singer’s estate, alleging that Jackson sexually abused him for … [Read more...] about The Daily Beast: Fifth Person Joins Sex Abuse case against Michael Jackson Estate
Cartoon: Benghazi Committee Hammers
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: Benghazi Committee Hammers
Ann Coulter Tweet mocking #BringBackOurGirls Twitter campaign backfires
An Ann Coulter political statement/joke inadvertantly symbolizing what's wrong with our politics backfired and her Tweet could become to Twitter satirists what the clip of "Downfall" has become to You Tube satirists. Coulter ran a Tweet poking fun at those pushing the #BringBackOurGirls" Twitter campaign aimed at raising awareness of and getting back the 200 Nigerian … [Read more...] about Ann Coulter Tweet mocking #BringBackOurGirls Twitter campaign backfires
The United States is the Only Guarantor of German Liberty (Cicero, Germany)
Is boiling German anti-American sentiment due to NSA mass surveillance, George W. Bush, or the Iraq War? For Germany's Cicero, columnist Alexander Grau writes that the roots of German dislike of the United States go back much farther and are far deeper, based on the romanticism of the 19th Century, suspicion of 'international finance Jewry,' and mixed emotions over World War … [Read more...] about The United States is the Only Guarantor of German Liberty (Cicero, Germany)
Clay Aiken’s Opponent Keith Crisco Dies After Fall At Asheboro Home
Keith Crisco, Clay Aiken's opponent for U. S. House District 2 seat in North Carolina, died suddenly after a fall at his home on Monday, Asheboro Courier Tribune reports. The North Carolina State Board of Elections released a statement: "The State Board of Elections is saddened to hear of the passing of Keith Crisco. A native of North Carolina, we are grateful for Mr. … [Read more...] about Clay Aiken’s Opponent Keith Crisco Dies After Fall At Asheboro Home