China is likely to grab gains as President Barack Obama and his Western allies slide into quicksand in the confrontation with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Obama is still limping in the Middle East, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan, and faces bruises in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Beijing is quietly clenching fists to take swift advantage in its neighborhood of his imbroglios elsewhere. … [Read more...] about China seeks gains from the Obama-Putin clash
SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Hannibal; Orphan Black; Doctor Who; Star Trek; Person of Interest; The Americans; Continuum; Fox vs. Kristen Bell; Mad Men; Lost; Creationists vs. Cosmos
I must admit I was a bit underwhelmed by this week's episode of Arrow, not because it was a bad episode (it wasn't) but my expectations had been raised so high by all the hype over the introduction of the Suicide Squad. I did like how they tied it to Dingle and his ex-wife, but beyond them there was little time for anyone else other than Deadshot and Amanda Waller. Of course … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Hannibal; Orphan Black; Doctor Who; Star Trek; Person of Interest; The Americans; Continuum; Fox vs. Kristen Bell; Mad Men; Lost; Creationists vs. Cosmos
The Voice of God
I'd like to think that when God spoke the world into existence, it sounded more like a melody and less like a command, more like a song than an instruction. We try to make the way we communicate truth hierarchical. We give the sermon precedence over the song, the doctrine authority over simple heartfelt tears; we lift up the wise man at the expense of the foolish child. We … [Read more...] about The Voice of God
Swallowed by the Streets: A Child’s Innocence in Danger
Swallowed by the Streets: A Child's Innocence in Danger By Jerome Elam and Michael Reagan On city streets throughout America a battle is being waged for the soul of humanity, and it is taking place right in front of our eyes. As darkness descends, the fading light lays bare an open wound in the fabric of society. The most vulnerable among us are being offered up as prey for … [Read more...] about Swallowed by the Streets: A Child’s Innocence in Danger
New satellite image boosts Malaysia plane search hopes
New satellite image boosts Malaysia plane search hopes (via AFP) China released Saturday a new satellite image of a large floating object possibly linked to missing Malaysian Flight MH370, boosting search efforts as anger with the pace of the operation boiled over among Chinese relatives in Beijing. The grainy photo… … [Read more...] about New satellite image boosts Malaysia plane search hopes
Medicare Benefits Under The Affordable Care Act
With all the scare stories being sent out in right wing emails, it is worth posting this press released emailed yesterday from CMS regarding how Medicare patients have benefited from the Affordable Care Act. On the 4th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act into law, new information released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that … [Read more...] about Medicare Benefits Under The Affordable Care Act
Because It’s About Science
After a couple of episodes I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the "reboot" of Cosmos hosted by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Some people, of course, aren't as thrilled. Answers in Genesis, the folks who have brought you the Creation Museum, think that a show about science isn't balanced unless their views are acknowledged. Tyson explains why they're wrong: “You don’t talk … [Read more...] about Because It’s About Science
Jim Wallis on Fox News
Evangelical Christian writer Jim Wallis hits Fox News right in its hypocritical little heart on his blog, God's Politics. Gretchen Carlson tells stories about food-stamp recipients jetting off to Vegas. Of course, what billionaire casino owners are doing, the morality of what is happening in their casinos, or that one of the owners is literally paying for ultra-conservative … [Read more...] about Jim Wallis on Fox News
Tsunami at Kuji Port (VIDEO)
Yet another video is making the rounds from Japan's 2011 earthquake and tusnami which killed 15,884 people, left 6,148 injured, and 2,633 missing. This one is from the tsunami at Kuji Port. Keep your eye on the two boats with people in the water. The science of a tsunami is fascinating; the impact often tragic. … [Read more...] about Tsunami at Kuji Port (VIDEO)
Bill Kristol thinks Americans (and our leaders) are Wusses
Oh, my. The Weekly Standard's Editor Bill Kristol is suggesting that war weariness is no excuse -- basically suggesting that Americans and many of their leaders are wusses. Here's just part of his piece: Are Americans today war-weary? Sure. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been frustrating and tiring. Are Americans today unusually war-weary? No. They were wearier after … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol thinks Americans (and our leaders) are Wusses
Rick Santorum Should Be Taken Seriously by the Media
The mainstream media has almost unanimously counted Rick Santorum out as a factor within the 2016 Republican primary. The former senator is often left out of polls, while Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee remain as resident firebrand bomb-thrower and religious right magnet, respectively. But why is Rick Santorum being treated as a non-candidate when he has all but declared a second … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Should Be Taken Seriously by the Media
What’s the matter with Democrats? (The answer isn’t very comforting.)
Taegan Goddard has an interesting quote from Politico. Discounting the general sleaziness of Politico, the truth remains. Democrats are frozen in place. "The claim has hardened into accepted fact among many Democratic operatives: Hillary Clinton is freezing the Democratic 2016 field as she waits until possibly late this year to decide on another presidential run. It's … [Read more...] about What’s the matter with Democrats? (The answer isn’t very comforting.)
A Grateful Nation Cheers President Putin’s Triumph (Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russia)
Vladimir Putin might be seen as an evil totalitarian in Washington, Paris and Berlin, but in Russia, support for the president is soaring. For Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda, columnist Israel Shamir praises Putin for the speedy annexation of Crimea, and explains why he has won over the hearts of a great majority of Russians, to say nothing of people around the world. For … [Read more...] about A Grateful Nation Cheers President Putin’s Triumph (Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russia)
Pew Poll: Only 40% Approve of Obamacare
To show you the heavy lifting the Democrats and White House will have running up to the 20-14 elections, a new Pew Research survey finds only 40% approve of Obamacare. The good news for the Democrats and the White House: Americans don't want to totally scuttle it. But it's hardly the scenario many predicted would be in play years ago when it was argued that once the law went … [Read more...] about Pew Poll: Only 40% Approve of Obamacare
Three Types Of Obamacare Winners You Might Not Have Thought Of
Despite all the fake horror stories being spread by conservatives, the vast majority of people in this country are benefiting significantly under the Affordable Care Act. Some benefit due to being able to obtain health insurance when they were not able to in the past due to pre-existing medical conditions and/or cost. Many also benefit due to receiving heath care coverage which … [Read more...] about Three Types Of Obamacare Winners You Might Not Have Thought Of
An Experience With Obamacare
Maybe this should be filmed as an ad to counter all those dishonest ads with fake horror stories being put out by the right wing. Kaiser Health News has a comic from a freelancer on her experiences in buying health insurance under the Affordable Care Act following her experiences in buying health insurance on the individual market in the past. The above portion gives an example … [Read more...] about An Experience With Obamacare
Government to Release Web-Based Climate App
Do you wish there was more data about climate change readily available? If so, you may be pleased with a new web-based app to be developed by the federal government. Recently, President Obama unveiled a Climate Data Initiative, which will compile masses of climate change data and make it available to users at climate.data.gov. Visitors won’t just be reading facts and … [Read more...] about Government to Release Web-Based Climate App
Whining About the Koch Brothers is a Losing Strategy (Guest Voice)
Whining About the Koch Brothers is a Losing Strategy By Dick Polman Democratic leaders are understandably worried that their liberal base will be AWOL in the congressional midterm elections. But they're nuts to think that turnout can be stoked by a campaign to demonize the Koch brothers. Yet, at least for now, that seems to be the plan. Various Democratic senatorial … [Read more...] about Whining About the Koch Brothers is a Losing Strategy (Guest Voice)
Into the Twilight Zone
WASHINGTON -- Let me go out on a limb: The Malaysian airliner did not get sucked into a black hole, vanish over the Indian Ocean equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle or crash-land on the spooky island from "Lost." Those "theories" were actually discussed on CNN this week. Host Don Lemon dismissed them as "preposterous" before asking one of his assembled "expert" guests -- … [Read more...] about Into the Twilight Zone
Humans can detect one trillion smells: study
Humans can detect one trillion smells: study (via AFP) The human nose can distinguish at least one trillion different odors, millions more than previously estimated, US researchers said Thursday. For decades, scientists accepted that humans could detect only 10,000 scents, putting the sense of smell well… … [Read more...] about Humans can detect one trillion smells: study