2014: Turbulence ahead for the Democrats by Richard Barry Well, here's some bad news for Democrats, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll conducted between March 20-24: Thirty-seven percent in the poll last month chose Republicans, compared to 36 percent who said they would rather see Democrats in charge, with the November general elections seven months … [Read more...] about 2014: Turbulence ahead for the Democrats
Power to the Plutocracy (Cartoon)
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 Power to the Plutocracy (Cartoon)
G Is For Gilligan
The letter for today is G and after considering several options I settled on G for Gilligan, our favorite friend from the three hour tour. I first came to know the series as a child, like many of us watching it on afternoon TV (usually one of the UHF channels). Even at that age I could see the show was campy and the plots full of holes. But that didn't seem to matter in … [Read more...] about G Is For Gilligan
Share the torture report
WASHINGTON -- Torture is immoral, illegal and irreconcilable with this nation's most cherished values. If defenders of the CIA's "enhanced interrogation" program disagree, they should come out and say so. Instead, they blow smoke. Sexist smoke, at that: Former CIA Director Michael Hayden said Sunday that Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is being "emotional" rather than … [Read more...] about Share the torture report
‘I Wake Up To The Sound Of Music . . . Speaking Words Of Wisdom, Let It Be’
Neither of my parents were particularly musical, although my father had a lovely singing voice and was a great whistler. My mother not so much. I vaguely recall big band music played on a staticy, low-fi AM radio when I was really little, but it wasn't until we got an FM -- a hulking Philco in a Bakelite case -- that I became aware of the ability of music to transport me, … [Read more...] about ‘I Wake Up To The Sound Of Music . . . Speaking Words Of Wisdom, Let It Be’
Esiason’s foot in mouth (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
Esiason's foot in mouth by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Boomer Esiason’s apology to Daniel Murphy is right move, but what’s next step in world of Gasbags? --Boomer Esiason Apologizes For Comments On Murphy’s Paternity Leave --Boomer Esiason rips Mets infielder for taking paternity leave --The Lesson From Baseball's Paternity Leave Controversy: Paternity Leave Is … [Read more...] about Esiason’s foot in mouth (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
Here’s your guide to every major 2016 presidential contender
Here’s your guide to every major 2016 presidential contender (via PBS News Hour) 2014 is a year of auditioning, positioning, networking and just plain hard work for people who might run for president in 2016. There’s plenty to do, and the pace has quickened since The Associated Press last took a broad look at preparations for… … [Read more...] about Here’s your guide to every major 2016 presidential contender
Video shows Republican Congressman McAllister kissing staffer
Any day, now, an updated poem of the old kids' chant will start. Such as: Vance and a woman in an office that's free k-i-s-s-i-n-g, First comes love, he's married, of course, Better act quick or there could be divorce. The Vance is freshman GOP Rep. Vance McAllister (La.), who ran as a conservative Christian. He now has to explain away why he was caught on video in … [Read more...] about Video shows Republican Congressman McAllister kissing staffer
(Updated) A Billboard in Louisiana: Truth vs. Trademark
Update: Remember a few weeks ago, Louisiana Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and other Louisiana Republicans did not like a billboard calling out Gov. Jindall’s refusal to expand Medicaid -- a shenanigan that results in the denial of health care to 242,000 Louisianans -- and sued MoveOn.org in federal court, saying the sign violates trademark rules? If you don’t, the full … [Read more...] about (Updated) A Billboard in Louisiana: Truth vs. Trademark
America and Russia: Two Empires Now ‘Nakedly Imperial’ (Semana, Colombia)
Once again we have a Latin American newspaper, this one in Colombia, highlighting our nation's imperial past in regard to Ukraine, although this time, Russia does not emerge unscathed. How much of a difference is there between the imperialism espoused by Vladmir Putin's Russia, and the one possessed and denied by the United States? For Colombia's Semenal, columnist Antonio … [Read more...] about America and Russia: Two Empires Now ‘Nakedly Imperial’ (Semana, Colombia)
Bad News for Christie: Wildstein Co-operating with Feds
Despite his recent press conference and seeming return to politics as usual, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has just gotten (another) bit of bad news: his former high school chum (who he distanced himself from one Bridgegate broke) who is the former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive who orchestrated the George Washington Bridge lane closures is now … [Read more...] about Bad News for Christie: Wildstein Co-operating with Feds
You choose: severe weather or bioterrorism attack?
Either way, Ezra Klein re-enters our atmosphere with a new website and an article on willful stupidity. Stupidity is old and well known. The article is led by a photo of the Capitol during either what appears to be a terrible great grey storm or, possibly, after a bioterrorism attack on the Congress we would most like to annihilate. The subject is, again, stupidity. We … [Read more...] about You choose: severe weather or bioterrorism attack?
Rand Paul Says Cheney Pushed Iraq War to Benefit Halliburton
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's escalating war of words with former Vice President Dick Cheney, and, in effect, with neocons is continuing. It'll be fascinating to see if the latest episode ends with Paul's political stock plummet or soar. Because now he has all but come out and directly stated that Cheney was interested in getting the U.S. into the Iraq war so his former company … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Says Cheney Pushed Iraq War to Benefit Halliburton
Encouraging gains in renewable energy production – UN
Despite uncertain commitments by governments to confront climate change, there is a sliver of encouraging news. Private and public investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind, excluding hydro projects, have exceeded $1.5 trillion cumulatively since 2006. They accounted for 8.5 percent of global electricity generation in 2013, up from 7.8 per cent in 2012. A … [Read more...] about Encouraging gains in renewable energy production – UN
Obamacare Effect: US Uninsured Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since 2008
A new Gallup poll released Monday found that the uninsured rate in the U.S. is the lowest level it has been since 2008. Gallup reports the uninsured rate dipped to 15.6% in the first quarter of 2014, a 1.5-percentage-point decline from the fourth quarter of 2013. The uninsured rates for blacks also fell, while the enrollment rate for young people in Obamacare, fell. The … [Read more...] about Obamacare Effect: US Uninsured Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since 2008
Supreme oligarchy
WASHINGTON -- An oligarchy, Webster's dictionary tells us, is "a form of government in which the ruling power belongs to a few persons." It's a shame that the Republican majority on the Supreme Court doesn't know the difference between an oligarchy and a democratic republic. Yes, I said "the Republican majority," violating a nicety based on the pretense that when people … [Read more...] about Supreme oligarchy
(Breaking Update) Flight MH 370: Promising ‘Pings’
UPDATE: The U.S. Navy team operating the towed pinger locator (TPL) onboard the Australian defense vessel Ocean Shield reports having detected pinging signals “consistent with sounds that would come from a black box,” April 6. The U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs: "The TPL heard consecutive pings at one-second intervals. At the time of detection the TPL was at a depth … [Read more...] about (Breaking Update) Flight MH 370: Promising ‘Pings’
Charles Sumner ‘Chuck’ Stone (1924-2014)
Back when we worked together at the Philadelphia Daily News, I usually could hear and smell Chuck Stone before I saw him. The city desk, where I worked, was around the corner from a lobby. An elevator door would open with a ceremonial "ding" and I would hear the "click, click, click" of the cleats on the heels of Chuck's wingtips on the marble floor and the aroma of the … [Read more...] about Charles Sumner ‘Chuck’ Stone (1924-2014)
F Is For Fame
Fame.... Something many people strive for. In many ways this is understandable. Who doesn't like being recognized and known ? Who doesn't want to leave behind a legacy ? Certainly in my own life my little bits of radio work, or my writing on this blog are enhanced when someone recognizes them. But what kind of fame should we strive for ? Many kinds of fame are … [Read more...] about F Is For Fame
RIP Mickey Rooney
Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney has died at the age of 93. According to news reports he had been ill for some time … [Read more...] about RIP Mickey Rooney