There are increasing signs that the mid-term elections are the Republican Party's to lose. The latest: a national survey by the Pew Research Center and USA TODAY that show midterm election indicators are working against the Democrats. And this is an election when Democrats can't count on having a hugely popular President to ride in and save the day: With the midterm … [Read more...] about Pew: Midterm Election Indicators Working Against Democrats
Barack Macbeth’s ‘Murder’ of Net Neutrality (News, Switzerland)
To what degree does the Obama Administration reversal on net neutrality resemble a Shakespearean tragedy? For Switzerland's News, Regula Stampfli depicts President Obama in the role of Macbeth, after his FCC chairman, Tom Wheeler, attempted to persuade the American people, unsuccessfully so far, that this monumental change in policy is somehow in their interests. For News, … [Read more...] about Barack Macbeth’s ‘Murder’ of Net Neutrality (News, Switzerland)
Louisiana aims to punish the homeless by making it illegal to beg
Oh, you're a homeless person? Well, screw you. That's not me saying that, it's the State of Louisiana, which is about to punish those who live on the streets, among others: If you are poor, live in Louisiana, and have the audacity ask someone else for help, be prepared to spend up to six months in jail. A new bill to outlaw panhandling is quickly moving its way … [Read more...] about Louisiana aims to punish the homeless by making it illegal to beg
Cartoon: The GOP and Donald Sterling (Guest Cartoonist)
The GOP and Donald Sterling by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --GOP consensus on voter ID doesn't make it right -- Richard Maxwell --Wisconsin threw out voter ID Tuesday. It’s a fight still playing out in 12 other states. --Welcome to the beginning of the end of the GOP's voter-imposter performance --The Battle to Protect Voting Rights Mike Peters is recognized … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The GOP and Donald Sterling (Guest Cartoonist)
The Hillary Difference
WASHINGTON -- There are two majorities in the country right now. One disapproves of President Obama. The other is still inclined to vote Democratic. The key question for the 2014 elections is whether voting this fall -- and Obama's approval ratings -- can come into line with the electorate's broader Democratic leanings? There is also this: Obama's difficulties do not … [Read more...] about The Hillary Difference
Cartoon: Benghazi Cover-up Rat
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 Cover-up Rat
The Future of Rural Telecom
This is a very good article about the quandary facing the state of Maine when it comes to how to cover the additional costs of providing service to rural areas in the modern era of telecom, which is very different than that world was when universal service requirements were created. The article presents arguments from the sides involved in what seems to me to be a fairly even … [Read more...] about The Future of Rural Telecom
Mortals on the high court
Mortals on the high court by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- "We are not final because we are infallible," Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson famously observed, "but we are infallible only because we are final." Now -- actually, six decades later -- comes Justice Antonin Scalia to demonstrate that neither aspect of … [Read more...] about Mortals on the high court
Odessa violence flares anew as Kiev blames deaths on Russia
Odessa violence flares anew as Kiev blames deaths on Russia (via AFP) Thousands of pro-Russian protesters attacked Odessa's police headquarters Sunday, days after deadly clashes and a fire there killed dozens of their comrades in what Kiev charged was a Russian plot to "destroy Ukraine". The unrest in the southern port… … [Read more...] about Odessa violence flares anew as Kiev blames deaths on Russia
Cartoon: Peeved Packy
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: Peeved Packy
What is an Ethnic Russian?
Are they anything but a pretext for the re-creation of Novorossiya by Putin? National Geographic has an interesting article on this issue. For one thing, the question of exactly what constitutes an ethnic Russian isn't exactly clear cut. As one policy expert notes in the article: "First of all, what constitutes 'ethnic Russians' in Ukraine?" asks Stephen Blank, a … [Read more...] about What is an Ethnic Russian?
Friedman on Obama’s Foreign Policy
Thomas Friedman offers a smart take on President Obama's foreign policy in The New York Times. Let me start by asking a question I’ve asked about other countries: Is American foreign policy today the way it is because Obama is the way he is (cerebral, cautious, dispassionate) or is Obama the way Obama is on foreign policy because America is the way America is today (burned … [Read more...] about Friedman on Obama’s Foreign Policy
How the Philippines is crushing the Indian call center business
How the Philippines is crushing the Indian call center business (via GlobalPost) BANGKOK, Thailand — It’s a call center cliche, familiar to many Americans who’ve picked up phones to contest bogus bank charges or gripe about a laptop on the skids. The agent who answers goes by a common US name, perhaps Larry or Jennifer. Yet… … [Read more...] about How the Philippines is crushing the Indian call center business
No facts, please. We just want the news.
Fox News Cuts Away From Obama Press Conference Because No One Asked About Benghazi Headline,DailyIntel Cross-posted from Prairie Weather 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 No facts, please. We just want the news.
This Week in Hillary-World: Feeling the Heat from Both Sides of the Aisle
This Week in Hillary-World: Feeling the Heat from Both Sides of the Aisle by NikkiGloudeman 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 … [Read more...] about This Week in Hillary-World: Feeling the Heat from Both Sides of the Aisle
Japanese fans complain local hero Godzilla too fat
Japanese fans complain local hero Godzilla too fat (via AFP) Japanese fans of Godzilla say the newly-unveiled monster, set to star in a Hollywood reboot of the post-war classic, is too fat and has been "super-sized" by a country used to large portions. The latest version of the giant beast will hit 3D screens… … [Read more...] about Japanese fans complain local hero Godzilla too fat
Watch Comedy: Obama wows ’em at White House Correspondent’s Dinner (FULL VIDEO)
Once again President Barack Obama wowed 'em as he assumed the role of Comedian In Chief at the White House Correspondent's Dinner -- a dinner where newspeople mix with politicians and celebrities and the highlight is always the political zingers. And Obama delivered a lot of them. Here's the full video of his remarks and YOU decide: Of course, when a President gets up … [Read more...] about Watch Comedy: Obama wows ’em at White House Correspondent’s Dinner (FULL VIDEO)
A Floating Nuclear Power Plant?
There are bad ideas and then there are really bad ideas. This qualifies as a really bad idea: (via Andrew Sullivan) Researchers find advantages in floating nuclear power stations THERE are many things people do not want to be built in their backyard, and nuclear power stations are high on the list. But what if floating reactors could be moored offshore, out of sight? … [Read more...] about A Floating Nuclear Power Plant?
Condoleezza Rice Cancels Rutgers Commencement Speech Over Student Protests
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice canceled her commencement address at Rutgers University after students and some faculty members protested her appearance. Rice said in a statement Saturday that she informed Rutgers President Robert Barchi that she was declining the invitation. “Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their … [Read more...] about Condoleezza Rice Cancels Rutgers Commencement Speech Over Student Protests
Republican Benghazi Truthers Go Wild In Preparation For Midterm Elections
What do the Republicans do when the Affordable Care Act is exceeding expectations, their latest lies have been exposed, and there are no real scandals for them to attack with? Benghazi. Sure it has been investigated over and over again with nothing coming up, but that doesn't matter. Politics, especially in a year with a midterm election, is all about firing up the base to get … [Read more...] about Republican Benghazi Truthers Go Wild In Preparation For Midterm Elections