Big breaking entertainment news: CBS has announced that Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert -- the guy that Fox News' Bill O'Reilly said is "destroying America" after Colbert destroyed him in segment -- will replace David Letterman when Letterman retires: CBS named Stephen Colbert to succeed David Letterman as host of “The Late Show,” handing the reins of its flagship … [Read more...] about CBS: Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman
“The spectacle of stupid goes on and on”
Hey, he said it, I didn't. But may I use the word "ditto?" Martin Longman in a post says "The spectacle of stupid goes on and on." And he offers two examples (read his posts in full). (1) Republicans once again rejected a budget put forward by President Barack Obama, an event that happens almost on automatic pilot in this era when compromise is seen as partisan treason and … [Read more...] about “The spectacle of stupid goes on and on”
The New, Creative Routes Hackers Use
If you think your network is secure, you might want to think again. Recently, a giant oil company revealed that its network had been compromised, even though it thought the system was airtight. The hackers came in through an unexpected method — a menu from a Chinese food restaurant. This hack is the latest in a series of major data breaches, such as the Target hack that … [Read more...] about The New, Creative Routes Hackers Use
Newly Insured Able To Find Doctors Despite Republican Predictions Of Shortage And Long Waits
With people actually becoming enrolled in health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act, we have further evidence that the Republican scare stories are not coming true. There are no death panels. The government has not taken over health care. Enrollment in plans sold through the exchanges have met earlier projections despite the initial problems with the computer system. … [Read more...] about Newly Insured Able To Find Doctors Despite Republican Predictions Of Shortage And Long Waits
The United States Of Cowardice: Still No Accountability For Torture Regime Perps
WE DO NOT TORTURE TERROR SUSPECTS ~ George Bush (November 7, 2005) Since 2007, I have written over 30 in-depth blog posts on what I term the Bush Torture Regime. Underpinning these posts have been a call for accountability for the men who used the 9/11 terror attacks not as a clarion call to affirm all that is right about America, but manipulated the so-called War on … [Read more...] about The United States Of Cowardice: Still No Accountability For Torture Regime Perps
LBJ’s Way
WASHINGTON -- History offers a rough kind of justice. As the nation's current president and three of his predecessors gathered this week at the University of Texas for an LBJ Library conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, they confirmed what has been building for many years now: a thoroughly justified revival of Lyndon B. Johnson's … [Read more...] about LBJ’s Way
To the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States:
To the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, RE: The Appearance of Corruption by Peter W Johnson I grew up in our country being taught that we all have the opportunity to fulfill our lives by becoming what we want to become, simply by playing with the help of some definite rules of fairness and acknowledging their importance. In recent years, with … [Read more...] about To the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States:
Republicans kiss votes from women goodbye (Guest Voice)
Republicans kiss votes from women goodbye by Dana Milbank Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- This was not the way Republican leaders had planned to observe Equal Pay Day. On the eve of Tuesday's commemoration -- the day symbolizing how far into 2014 women must work to catch up to the wages men earned in 2013 -- a small newspaper in Louisiana, The … [Read more...] about Republicans kiss votes from women goodbye (Guest Voice)
It is better to be feared than loved, or not
It is better to be feared than loved, or not by Richard Barry Ryan Lizza has a fascinating piece in The New Yorker on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political style. For the piece he interviewed former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, who clearly has issues with Christie: "He doesn't always try to persuade you with reason," Kean said. "He makes you feel that your life's … [Read more...] about It is better to be feared than loved, or not
Harvard students insensitive to terror victims (Guest Voice)
Harvard students insensitive to terror victims By Stephen M. Flatow/JNS.org The controversy over the Harvard University students who recently posed, smiling, at Yasser Arafat’s grave sent a shot of pain through every one of us who has lost a loved one in the terrorist attacks that Arafat and his allies have waged over the years. But it must have been particularly awful … [Read more...] about Harvard students insensitive to terror victims (Guest Voice)
20 hurt in mass stabbing at US high school
20 hurt in mass stabbing at US high school (via AFP) An American student stabbed 19 teenagers and a security guard in a bloody 30-minute rampage in the classrooms and hallways of a Pennsylvania high school on Wednesday, officials said. At least four students were critically injured in the shocking assault… … [Read more...] about 20 hurt in mass stabbing at US high school
The More Things Change
Old School Is The New School In TV: An Unblinkered Look At The Future: The View From The Virgin Islands By John McCarthy TMV Columnist In the movie “Truth or Dare” we got a glimpse into the future of TV. Only we didn’t realize it when we were watching it in real time. “There's nothing to say off camera," Warren Beatty complains in the 1991 film. … [Read more...] about The More Things Change
Letterman, Hillary and Jeb: 21st Century Symbols (with BONUS Ernie Kovacs videos)
Yes, it's a new century. Just look at David Letterman, Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush. They're all symbols of a new era. Letterman surprised the entertainment biz by suddenly announcing he intends to retire from CBS's "Late Show," as soon as next year. His late-night-nemesis Jay Leno gave up his NBC "Tonight Show" throne last month. In making his decision, Letterman proved … [Read more...] about Letterman, Hillary and Jeb: 21st Century Symbols (with BONUS Ernie Kovacs videos)
Hagel Must Be Told: China is Not Russia (Huanqiu, China)
Is part of America's 'Asia Pivot' to use China's territorial disputes with Japan and the Philippines to gain leverage over Beijing? This editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu exhorts Chinese officials not to be too polite with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who is now in China after stopping in Japan. According to the government mouthpiece, it must be made abundantly clear … [Read more...] about Hagel Must Be Told: China is Not Russia (Huanqiu, China)
Obama Administration Announced Increase In Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans
Presumably in response to Republican scare stories about Medicare cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and insurance company lobbying, on Monday CMS announced an increase in payments of 0.4% in 2015, in place of the expected 1.9% rate cut as of February. This negates a distorted Republican attack that Obama is cutting payments to Medicare. The proposed cuts were to what is … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Announced Increase In Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans
H Is For Happy
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss Today we find ourselves at the letter H. As with previous days I found myself considering a number of options. At one point I was going to try for Haiku but decided that would be a bit too ambitious given my work schedule. In fact today's post will be a bit on the short side, but I hope no less insightful … [Read more...] about H Is For Happy
Change your passwords: the Heartbleed bug
UPDATED: About two-thirds of the Internet's web servers are running software which may have exposed your passwords or other sensitive (read, encrypted) information. Make no mistake about it. The OpenSSL Heartbleed security hole is as serious for Internet security as a stage four cancer diagnosis would be for you. - Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols UPDATE 8:40 am … [Read more...] about Change your passwords: the Heartbleed bug
Recalling MLK who was murdered 46 years ago on April 4 (Guest Voice)
Recalling MLK who was murdered 46 years ago on April 4 by Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The National Civil Rights Museum, built on the site of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, and visited by 200,000 people every year, re-opened last weekend. A remarkable renovation, joining history to our moral future, has been completed in conjunction with the 46th anniversary of … [Read more...] about Recalling MLK who was murdered 46 years ago on April 4 (Guest Voice)
A GREAT World Cruise Part 4
Editor’s Note: Cruises that go terribly or tragically wrong are always in the news, starting with the Titanic. But what about the many, many cruises that are sheer joy? Two years ago retired French professor Jeffry Foster went on a world voyage. We are presenting his diary in several parts. Here’s Part 4: Tuesday, February 28 Fremantle It's a return to Fremantle /Perth as … [Read more...] about A GREAT World Cruise Part 4
Putin’s Masterful Ukraine Subversion
Russian President Vladimir Putin is achieving his goals in the Ukraine. Marc Ambider, writing in The Week, notes how Putin is right on track and playing a long game: Don't be surprised that Russian special forces and military intelligence are stirring up resistance in eastern Ukraine. When acute conflicts seem to simmer, Americans lull themselves into a false nap of … [Read more...] about Putin’s Masterful Ukraine Subversion