Does The Future Of Humanity Lie In Space? (via Planetsave) World-renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, and Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, are united by a common belief. They are members of an influential group of scientists and visionaries who believe that the long-term future of the human… … [Read more...] about Does The Future Of Humanity Lie In Space? (Guest Voice)
Obama seen offering Putin way out of Ukraine crisis
Obama seen offering Putin way out of Ukraine crisis (via AFP) While increasing pressure on Russia on the Ukraine crisis, the United States is also seeking to offer President Vladimir Putin a way out. US President Barack Obama has offered to address point by point Moscow's concerns over the situation in Ukraine… … [Read more...] about Obama seen offering Putin way out of Ukraine crisis
DUMB HUMAN: Pick up truck teases elephant (VIDEO)
I've often said that our species is NOT one of the earth's smartest. And below, you'll see proof of that. An idiot in a pick up truck teases -- virtually challenges -- an elephant, trying to dominate it in his/hers/its pick up truck. What you will see is: the elephant is far smarter than the creep in the pick up. The cretin driving the truck has a story he/she/it can brag … [Read more...] about DUMB HUMAN: Pick up truck teases elephant (VIDEO)
Texas doesn’t heart the tea party quite as much
There are plenty of results coming from yesterday's grey, chilly primary day to indicate that the far right is getting a not spectacular but firm push from state and federal government. John Cornyn (whom we are expected to consider a "moderate") seems to be keeping his Senate seat. Crazy Steve Stockman has been encouraged to go away somewhere and eat worms. But the tea party … [Read more...] about Texas doesn’t heart the tea party quite as much
Friedman on Putin
Thomas Friedman offers a strategic take on how to deal with Putin and Crimea in The New York Times. Let’s start with Putin. Any man who actually believes, as Putin has said, that the breakup of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century is caught up in a dangerous fantasy that can’t end well for him or his people. The Soviet Union died … [Read more...] about Friedman on Putin
Putin Gives the World Half a Peace Sign
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held up his hand, clenched his fist and given "half a peace sign" to the Ukraine, Europe and especially to President Barack Obama. And so the debate has begun: Is the invasion of Crimea a shocking turning point for modern Russia? Is it proof Obama has turned the U.S. into a paper tiger? Is it a crucial moment for the world in the 21st … [Read more...] about Putin Gives the World Half a Peace Sign
Obama, Ukraine and Republican Amnesia
Obama, Ukraine, and Republican Amnesia By Dick Polman Boy oh boy, the President of the United States is such a wimp! Russian troops have invaded a nearby sovereign nation, yet all he has done is respond with words: "Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century...The Russian government must reverse the course that it appears to be on...These actions have … [Read more...] about Obama, Ukraine and Republican Amnesia
Los Angeles bans e-cigarettes in public places
Los Angeles bans e-cigarettes in public places (via AFP) Los Angeles lawmakers voted Tuesday to ban e-cigarette use in public places where tobacco smoking is prohibited, including work places, restaurants and bars. The LA City Council agreed by 14-0 to outlaw their use in indoor workplaces, outdoor dining… … [Read more...] about Los Angeles bans e-cigarettes in public places
Putin’s embarrassments in Ukraine
Russia’s Vladimir Putin thought he could use Ukraine’s stumbles to reinforce his dictatorial hold over the Russian people by showing how tough he can be when crossed. He has hit embarrassing roadblocks. President Barack Obama has foiled some of those ambitions and placed hurdles on any attempt to swallow large parts of Ukraine through military action. It is now time to wind … [Read more...] about Putin’s embarrassments in Ukraine
Worst Headline of the Year Award on 12 Years a Slave Getting an Oscar
I worked for the San Diego Union, which was then owned by Copley Press which also owned The Daily Breeze. Helen and David Copley must be rolling over in their graves as they gaze down on The Daily Breeze's headline -- one that's raising eyebrows and is most assuredly the worst of the year: At least they didn't put in a sub-headline about the director whipping out his … [Read more...] about Worst Headline of the Year Award on 12 Years a Slave Getting an Oscar
The Social Contract in a Dignitarian Society
This is the twelfth part of the serialization of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (Berrett-Koehler, 2006). The ideas in this book are further developed in my recent novel The Rowan Tree. CHAPTER 7: THE SOCIAL CONTRACT IN A DIGNITARIAN SOCIETY Poverty is the new slavery. --Reverend Jim Wallis, God's Politics The exclusion of one group of people … [Read more...] about The Social Contract in a Dignitarian Society
Michele Bachmann calls Jewish Voters Sellouts
Did you really think she was done? Rep. Michele Bachmann, the political gift to Democrats and the media that keeps on giving, has now insulted Jewish voters who she says sold out Israel's interests to vote for Barack Obama for President. In American politics it's not unusual for politicians and political parties to compete for voting blocks. Sometimes they win, sometimes … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann calls Jewish Voters Sellouts
FedEx: The Man, the Company, the Motto
When all the news is doom and gloom, as it is these days with respect to Ukraine, Venezuela, Syria and so many other places and faces, it does the heart good to read what I call a “good all-American success story.” I just read one and I would like to share it, but first an anecdote. A few weeks ago, while one of our winter storms was pushing through the Northeast, I had … [Read more...] about FedEx: The Man, the Company, the Motto
A Response To Obama’s Critics On Ukraine
There's nothing like a crisis to show how intellectually bankrupt the right wing has become. I won't waste more time with the nutty right wing, such as those who think the Russian invasion of Ukraine means that Palin had some actual insights into foreign policy she mentioned Ukraine or Russia during the 2008 campaign. The supposedly more sensible portion of the right wing over … [Read more...] about A Response To Obama’s Critics On Ukraine
Putin says Russia can use ‘all means’ in Ukraine
Putin says Russia can use 'all means' in Ukraine (via AFP) President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said Russia had the right to use "all means" to protect its citizens in Ukraine but denied he had already deployed troops there, as the West pressed Moscow in a Cold War-style standoff over the ex-Soviet state. His… … [Read more...] about Putin says Russia can use ‘all means’ in Ukraine
Foreign Policy Scholar Sarah Palin: Obama Wears ‘Mom Jeans’ and ‘Bloviates’ on Russia
Foreign policy expert and Alaska's half-term governor, Sarah Palin, continued to insult President Obama with a barrage of nasty comments on Fox News Monday night, saying he wears "mom jeans and equivocates and bloviates." Vladimir Putin, Palin said, is viewed as a man who “wrestles bears and drills for oil,” while Obama’s “potency” is one of “weakness” and said he’s viewed as … [Read more...] about Foreign Policy Scholar Sarah Palin: Obama Wears ‘Mom Jeans’ and ‘Bloviates’ on Russia
Obama is a weak tyrant, feckless control freak, timid dictator, socialist fascist (etc)
It's clear that the events in the Crimea have revealed Russian President Vladimir Putin as true to his KGB and Cold War era roots. And it's also clear that your head can almost explode if you surf talk radio, read blogs and listen to politicians now when it comes to President Barack Obama and the Russia-Crimea-Ukraine crisis.Welcome to an authentic tower of (partisan) babel. … [Read more...] about Obama is a weak tyrant, feckless control freak, timid dictator, socialist fascist (etc)
Democrats Seek To Regain Votes Of White Males
The Republicans have built a strange coalition. In terms of priorities, it is primarily the party of the top one percent, but many other upper income Americans still mistakenly believe the Republicans represent their interests. This still would not give them anywhere near enough votes to win elections so they have gone after primarily two other types of supporters. For years … [Read more...] about Democrats Seek To Regain Votes Of White Males
Larison on Leadership and Resolve
Daniel Larison comments on the clichéd use of these terms in The American Conservative. I would add that the abuse of “leadership” as a concept is in some ways even more obnoxious and misleading than the reliance on the “isolationist” slur. It’s true that hawks typically assume that real “leadership” requires the use of force or at least the threat to use force, but it can … [Read more...] about Larison on Leadership and Resolve
Central Europe braces for escalation in Ukraine
Central Europe braces for escalation in Ukraine (via GlobalPost) BERLIN, Germany — Political leaders across Central Europe slammed Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Monday and sought to reassure their own people amid mounting fears that the crisis may escalate into war. “Europe undoubtedly faces its sharpest crisis… … [Read more...] about Central Europe braces for escalation in Ukraine