Japan imports tonnes of whale meat from Iceland, Greenpeace says (via AFP) Environmentalists on Friday lashed out after Japan imported 2,000 tonnes of frozen whale meat from Iceland, in what they say is continued defiance of world opinion over the hunting of the mammals. Packages containing meat from fin whales were unloaded… … [Read more...] about Japan imports tons of whale meat from Iceland, Greenpeace says
REAL Pie in the face: Anita Bryant (1977) and others (VIDEOS)
I LOVE Pies in the Face in movies, but when it's done in real life it really does have the look of a near assault. The most famous real life pie in the face was in 1977 when anti-gay activist Anita Bryant (who ultimately lost her career over her campaigns against gays) was hit with a pie thrown by a gay activist. Real life pie-facing has a whole different feel than it does in … [Read more...] about REAL Pie in the face: Anita Bryant (1977) and others (VIDEOS)
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
I watched the first part of the movie Che tonight. It was about Ernesto 'Che' Guevara's involvement in the Cuban revolution that over threw the government of Fulgencio Batista. The Cuban revolution became part of the cold war because of the support it received from the Soviet Union. As a result Americans have received a lot of misinformation on the causes of the … [Read more...] about Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
Preparing ‘Stalin’s Eleventh Blow’: Russia’s New War Against Fascism (Izvestia, Russia)
This column by Izvestia columnist Alexander Prokhanov conveys a sense of what the annexation of Crimea means to Russians, and how special this year's celebration of Victory Day over the Nazis has been. Evoking imagery deeply stirring to Russians who remember the life and death struggle against Nazi fascism, Prokhanov paints today's government in Kiev as a direct descendent of … [Read more...] about Preparing ‘Stalin’s Eleventh Blow’: Russia’s New War Against Fascism (Izvestia, Russia)
Updates: How Not to Honor Our Veterans
No, it is not Veterans Day. Just a reminder that we should honor our veterans every day. ~.~ 10 May Update: The Hill reports that the VA has named an interim director to replace the director of the Phoenix VA, Sharon Helman, who was placed on administrative leave on May 1. Helman’s replacement is Steve Young from the Salt Lake City VA, which he has led since 2009. … [Read more...] about Updates: How Not to Honor Our Veterans
Defending and Attacking Presidents In The New Media Age
There is some amazing tunnel vision from James Oliphant in an article on the progressive blogosphere. An article on the subject, or even how it often helps Obama, might make sense. This does not make sense once you get to the second paragraph quoted below: It's been a familiar pattern since President Obama took office in 2009: When critics attack, the White House can count on … [Read more...] about Defending and Attacking Presidents In The New Media Age
The impeachment threat? It’s real.
You can stop saying "Benghazi" now. The correct word for what's going on in the House is "impeachment." No matter that Boehner says it's a politically dangerous move. It's what the new, post-Issa select committee is all about. ... A select committee is what you form when there may be crimes and misdemeanors to uncover. It has no other business to distract it, and it … [Read more...] about The impeachment threat? It’s real.
A Divide and Conquer ‘Gaffe (Guest Voice)
A Divide and Conquer 'Gaffe' By Tina Dupuy Journalist Michael Kinsley is the namesake for the Kinsley Gaffe. In a 1988 interview he said: "A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth — some obvious truth he isn't supposed to say." A recent example is Todd Akin (R-MO), the then-candidate for Senate in 2012. On St. Louis local television he was asked about his stance on … [Read more...] about A Divide and Conquer ‘Gaffe (Guest Voice)
Six numbers that explain why Europe can’t get its act together on Russia
Six numbers that explain why Europe can't get its act together on Russia (via GlobalPost) LISBON, Portugal — Western sanctions against Russia appear to have done little to influence the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine. But while the United States has targeted some of President Vladimir Putin's close allies, the European Union has largely… … [Read more...] about Six numbers that explain why Europe can’t get its act together on Russia
For Mother’s Day Give Her One Rose, Very Carefully
Three years ago, for Mother's Day, I decided to surprise my wife with one beautiful red rose. Only one rose, you ask. Some will say "how romantic," others may say "how cheap." Yes, only one, albeit this rose happened to be one of those gorgeous Ecuadorean roses grown in Ecuadorean rose and flower farms and greenhouses high up in the Andes. An industry that earns … [Read more...] about For Mother’s Day Give Her One Rose, Very Carefully
Fact-checking Benghazi Claims
Politifact.com weighs in on Benghazi claims of both parties. After the attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, "the ambassador's body was dragged through the street." Laura Ingraham, Saturday, May 3rd, 2014. Ruling: False | Details In discussing the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, "Ms. Rice did say 'a terrorist attack.' It’s … [Read more...] about Fact-checking Benghazi Claims
A missed chance on religious freedom
WASHINGTON -- To understand why religious freedom matters, put yourself in the position of someone who is part of a minority faith tradition in a town or nation that overwhelmingly adheres to a different creed. Then judge public practices by how they would affect the hypothetical you. This act of empathy helps explain why religious liberty in the United States is such a … [Read more...] about A missed chance on religious freedom
An Oliphant Always Forgets
This was once a reporter, before pulling a Sharyl Attkisson. click for larger I will ladle out his swill undiluted for a paragraph or so: Progressive Bloggers Are Doing the White House's Job James Oliphant / NationalJournal.com This administration enjoys an advantage afforded no other: a partisan media that has its back, minute-by-minute. — Off the record: The Obama … [Read more...] about An Oliphant Always Forgets
Precursors of genocide in South Sudan
Navi Pillay, the UN Human Rights chief who earlier served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, said she recognizes many precursors of genocide in the massive human rights violations underway in South Sudan. “I recognize in this account many of the precursors of genocide: hate media including calls to rape women of a particular ethnic group; … [Read more...] about Precursors of genocide in South Sudan
Republicans dust off old scandals ahead of elections
Republicans dust off old scandals ahead of elections (via AFP) Six months ahead of crunch US mid-term elections, Republicans seeking to capture Congress have rehashed well-worn political scandals that they hope will portray the Obama administration and Democrats as abusers of executive power. Republican leaders… … [Read more...] about Republicans dust off old scandals ahead of elections
Cartoons: The Republicans and Benghazi (Guest Cartoonist)
The Republicans and Benghazi: Two Cartoons by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --A Heat-Fever Bacchanalian Feast of Stupid --Republicans Didn't "Benghazi" Ronald Reagan Over Hundreds of GI Deaths in Lebanon --Republicans stick with Benghazi cash grab --Forget about Obamacare. Benghazi is the Republican Party’s new favorite 2014 buzzword --How Republicans Twist … [Read more...] about Cartoons: The Republicans and Benghazi (Guest Cartoonist)
Infographic: The Death Penalty in the United States
Death Penalty in the USA The Death Penalty in the USA. Produced from ArrestRecords.com … [Read more...] about Infographic: The Death Penalty in the United States
Vulnerable Democrat Takes Offensive On Obamacare
I have been writing for a while that Democrats need to take the offensive on the Affordable Care Act. As long as they fail to promote its significant accomplishments, voters will only hear the Republican misinformation. If Democrats act scared, people will assume they have something to be afraid of. I was happy to see this example of a Democrat in a tight race using Medicaid … [Read more...] about Vulnerable Democrat Takes Offensive On Obamacare
Nigerian Schoolgirls: Saving the Children – For Real (Guest Voice)
Saving the Children — For Real by Michael Reagan President Obama — three weeks late — has done something to help rescue those Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by extremist Islamist terrorists. He's sending a team of military officials and hostage negotiators to help the hapless Nigerian government track down and retrieve the 223 girls. The girls will almost certainly … [Read more...] about Nigerian Schoolgirls: Saving the Children – For Real (Guest Voice)
The consequential Obama
WASHINGTON -- Is it safe to say that Barack Obama's presidency will be remembered as the most consequential since Ronald Reagan's -- a presidency that "changed the trajectory of America" and "put us on a fundamentally different path"? That was the audacious goal Obama set for himself during his 2008 campaign. Now is a useful time to assess his progress because the sixth … [Read more...] about The consequential Obama