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
Right Wing Lies About Obamacare
Sahil Kapur reports on conservative attacks on Obamacare flunking fact-checks on Talking Points Memo. Americans For Prosperity is struggling to find a way to attack Obamacare that fits the facts. The Koch-funded conservative activist group is spending millions of dollars on TV ads aimed at undermining the Affordable Care Act and unseating Democratic senators who voted for it … [Read more...] about Right Wing Lies About Obamacare
Between Russian and the West: Ukraine’s Insurmountable Task (Rzeczpospolita, Poland)
Is there any hope whatsoever that Ukraine's young government, born out of the fire of revolt against Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovitch, will survive the apparent loss of Crimea to Russia? For Poland's Rzeczpospolita, columnist Jedrzej Bielecki paints an intimidating picture for interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who leads a nation deep in debt, comprised of … [Read more...] about Between Russian and the West: Ukraine’s Insurmountable Task (Rzeczpospolita, Poland)
Commentary: Ukraine crisis signals our 25-year break from history is over
Commentary: Ukraine crisis signals our 25-year break from history is over (via PBS News Hour) A new Cold War is not upon us. Probably the only country that could afford one is China, and even it has some regime-threatening problems at home, such as the air its citizens breathe every minute, that require some very expensive fixes. What is upon… … [Read more...] about Commentary: Ukraine crisis signals our 25-year break from history is over
Russia Today and European Video Coverage of the Ukraine Crisis for March 20, 2014
Worldmeets.US has been putting these together most days since the Ukraine crisis broke: VIDEOS: European Video Coverage of Ukraine Crisis for Mar. 20 from Russia Today, Deutsche Welle, Euronews, France 24, and the BBC. First, a roundup of segments from Russia Today on the Ukraine crisis for March 20: First up, this is the latest episode of the program World's Apart … [Read more...] about Russia Today and European Video Coverage of the Ukraine Crisis for March 20, 2014
Fred Phelps Dies But Let’s Focus on Mr. Rogers
Fred Phelps has died and as I've said before I think one of the best things we can do is ignore him. As it happens today is also Mr. Rogers birthday. I suggest that in his spirit we should spend the day doing kindness to others rather than waste time on Phelps. And letting go of him is a kindness to yourself … [Read more...] about Fred Phelps Dies But Let’s Focus on Mr. Rogers
Rep. John Boehner and Sen. John McCain Among US Lawmakers Sanctioned by Russia
President Obama stepped up sanctions against Russia over its "illegal" annexation of Crimea from the Ukraine, to include a key bank, Rossiya, which will be "frozen out of the dollar," and more members of President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. Here's the list from the Treasury Department of the Russians banned in latest round of US sanctions. The Russians also released a … [Read more...] about Rep. John Boehner and Sen. John McCain Among US Lawmakers Sanctioned by Russia
‘Screams’ of Fukushima Must Not Be Ignored Like Those of Okinawa (Chunichi Shimbun, Japan)
Three years after the Fukushima earthquake and nuclear catastrophe, it appears that people who lived near the disaster zone are being ignored by Japan's government, as it rushes to declare the region safe again. This editorial from Japan's Chunichi Shimbun compares the victims of Fukushima to the survivors of the Battle of Okinawa in terms of the damage done and the way they … [Read more...] about ‘Screams’ of Fukushima Must Not Be Ignored Like Those of Okinawa (Chunichi Shimbun, Japan)
Angela Merkel: Buh-bye G8
Buh bye G8. The group formed in 1975 for the leaders of eight key industrialized countries is for now dead, and it doesn't look as if it'll be back very soon: The European Union is set to impose further sanctions on Russia following its decision to annex Crimea as German Chancellor Angela Merkel today declared the G8 'is dead'. EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels … [Read more...] about Angela Merkel: Buh-bye G8
Poll: Russians who feel their country is “great” hits 15 year high
More evidence that we're heading into a new Cold War? A new poll finds Russians who feel their country is "great" has hit a 15 year high -- and the United States is viewed more negatively than at any time since 1990: Things haven’t been going so well for the average Russian lately. Last year, the economy only grew 1.3 percent — its poorest showing since the economic … [Read more...] about Poll: Russians who feel their country is “great” hits 15 year high
Is this IT? Two objects spotted possibly related to MH370: Australia
Australia investigates 'possible' MH370 debris (via AFP) Australia said Thursday that two objects -- one estimated at 24 metres (79 feet) long -- had been spotted in the Indian Ocean, the "best lead we have" in the search for a Malaysian passenger jet. Four search aircraft had been dispatched to the remote… … [Read more...] about Is this IT? Two objects spotted possibly related to MH370: Australia
Japan’s version of amazon.com gets reamed for selling illegal ivory and whale products
Japan's version of amazon.com gets reamed for selling illegal ivory and whale products (via GlobalPost) The internet is abuzz this week with news that Rakuten, Japan's Amazon.com, is the world's leading online retailer of elephant ivory and whale products. This news came in the form of a new report, "Blood e-commerce: Rakuten's profits from the slaughter… … [Read more...] about Japan’s version of amazon.com gets reamed for selling illegal ivory and whale products