Deadly violence shatters Ukraine truce (via AFP) Ukraine's brittle truce was left in tatters on Thursday by raging street battles between baton-wielding protesters and riot police Thursday that left dozens of people dead as the EU was meeting to consider sanctions. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators… … [Read more...] about Deadly violence shatters Ukraine truce
Republicans try to neutralize Clintons as GOP 2014 prospects rise
If you want to see how quickly agenda-influenced political rhetoric shifts, look no further than the comments coming from Republicans about Bill and Hillary Clinton. The race is now on to neutralize them by relitigating the Clinton years -- from talking about the Monica Lewinsky scandal, to trying to raise feelings of "Clinton fatigue," to other issues as well. The key theories … [Read more...] about Republicans try to neutralize Clintons as GOP 2014 prospects rise
Chris Christie’s Puerto Rico Vacation
Remember Ma Laureys: Something about Bob The View From The Virgin Islands By John McCarthy TMV Columnist While Chris Christie was leaving for a vacation in Puerto Rico, Sen. Robert Menendez was making the front pages of a newspaper just 120 miles south of there. The two men are joined at the hip – here’s how. United States Senator Menendez … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s Puerto Rico Vacation
The Religious Right’s Counterproductive Positions On Contraception And Abortion
It comes as no surprise that many in the religious right are not satisfied with the data released earlier this month showing a decrease in abortions. Margaret Talbot discussed their reaction: One problem was that the groups didn’t like the messenger. The report, which showed that between 2008 and 2011 the rate of abortions had fallen to its lowest level since 1973, came from … [Read more...] about The Religious Right’s Counterproductive Positions On Contraception And Abortion
What PR people can learn from Netflix’s “House of Cards” (Guest Voice)
My wife rolls her eyes every time it happens! We are watching a movie, and outside a courthouse or a murder scene, the press is all over the place – running around, asking questions, etc. I always yell, “The media doesn’t just get to do what they want in the real world.” So, with another season of Netflix’s “House of Cards,” comes another eye roll from my wife, but also – as … [Read more...] about What PR people can learn from Netflix’s “House of Cards” (Guest Voice)
No ground for ‘stand your ground’
WASHINGTON -- The law is supposed to solve problems, not create them. Laws should provide for as much clarity as possible, not expand the realms of ambiguity and subjectivity. Laws ought to bring about the practical results their promoters claim they'll achieve. And at its best, the law can help us to live together more harmoniously. By all these measures, "stand your … [Read more...] about No ground for ‘stand your ground’
Europe’s Ukrainian Nightmare
Europe's Ukrainian nightmare (via GlobalPost) LISBON, Portugal — In a year when Europe is marking a century since the outbreak of World War I, the images of helmeted, balaclava-clad young men fighting and dying among the burning barricades of Kyiv have a terrible resonance. The bloodshed that… … [Read more...] about Europe’s Ukrainian Nightmare
Snake Handlers (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 Snake Handlers (Cartoon)
Is the U.S. Middle Class turning Proletarian?
Is the U.S. middle class turning proletarian? Joel Kotkin asks the question in an article on New Geography. Here's a chunk of it: The biggest issue facing the American economy, and our political system, is the gradual descent of the middle class into proletarian status. This process, which has been going on intermittently since the 1970s, has worsened considerably over the … [Read more...] about Is the U.S. Middle Class turning Proletarian?
Video catches Pizza Hut district manager peeing in sink (VIDEO)
You have to applaud someone's work ethic when an employee doesn't want to stop working to run to the bathroom to answer the call of nature. But if he decides instead to use the sink -- in a restaurant, it doesn't deserve applause. And if he's a district manager, it most likely isn't a wise career move. It happened in Kermit, West Virginia, where, the AP reports, health … [Read more...] about Video catches Pizza Hut district manager peeing in sink (VIDEO)
Venezuela ‘Unraveling’?
The title of a Washington Post editorial this morning reads, “Venezuela’s neighbors have to work to stem the chaos.” However, an e-mail announcing the editorial reads “Venezuela Unravels” -- perhaps a more appropriate title in view of what is happening in that country. On Monday, the Venezuelan Government notified the State Department that they have declared three of our … [Read more...] about Venezuela ‘Unraveling’?
The Corruption of Tony Blair: he secretly advised Rebekah Woods on Murdock news outlets hacking scandal
Jarod Kintz once wrote: "“I once saw a snake having sex with a vulture, and I thought, It’s just business as usual in Washington DC.?” Apparently it's also business as usual among the elites in the UK as well. We submit to you the case of one former Prime Minister named Tony Blair, who was quietly advising Rebekah Brooks behind the scenes in the phone hacking scandal … [Read more...] about The Corruption of Tony Blair: he secretly advised Rebekah Woods on Murdock news outlets hacking scandal
Michael Dunn Trial Juror No. 4 Says Nine Out of 12 Jurors Convinced Of Jordan Davis’ Murder
Michael Dunn trial Juror #4, identified only as "Valerie," told ABC News that there was no chance from the start of a murder conviction for Jordan Davis' murder because three of the jurors were convinced Michael Dunn acted in self-defense, while nine were 100% sure he had committed murder. In other words, race was the elephant in the room, contrary to what many have … [Read more...] about Michael Dunn Trial Juror No. 4 Says Nine Out of 12 Jurors Convinced Of Jordan Davis’ Murder
With Obama, Hollande Plots ‘Economic War’ on Behalf of Multinationals (l’Humanite, Mediapart, France)
While the French media 'feasted' on President Hollande's state dinner at the White House, an interesting narrative has emerged centered on negotiations for the Transatlantic Free Trade area - aka/the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Here is the crux of the issue: will this agreement, when and if signed and enacted, emasculate civil society by operating above the … [Read more...] about With Obama, Hollande Plots ‘Economic War’ on Behalf of Multinationals (l’Humanite, Mediapart, France)
Remember Scott Walker? He’s in trouble… still
Walker is the Wisconsin governor who survived a strong effort to take him out of office. The reasons? Corruption in a governor who never met a corporation or a scion of huge wealth he didn't love. That love didn't extend to the makers of that wealth -- the laborers in his home state. Walker was a union-buster straight out of the old days of union-busting. Wisconsin … [Read more...] about Remember Scott Walker? He’s in trouble… still
Violence Reigns in Ukraine: 26 dead as protesters face off with police and EU eyes sanctions
Kiev protesters face off with police as EU eyes sanctions (via AFP) Anti-government protesters were locked in a stand-off with riot police across burning barricades Wednesday after fierce clashes left at least 26 people dead in Ukraine's worst crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The European Union called… … [Read more...] about Violence Reigns in Ukraine: 26 dead as protesters face off with police and EU eyes sanctions
Son of a Gun (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 Son of a Gun (Cartoon)
Republican lawmakers seek to define discrimination as religious freedom
Among the many things that dominate the political scene are the use of euphemisms and the prevalence of lawyers. If you want to see examples of both, look no further than a movement on the part of some Republican lawmakers to try pass laws that will pitch discrimination as religious freedom. Talking Points Memo brings it all together: The growing specter of legalized gay … [Read more...] about Republican lawmakers seek to define discrimination as religious freedom
After Amanda Knox, it’s Back to the Drawing Board for Italian Justice (Diritto, Italy)
What's wrong with Italy's legal system, when someone like Amanda Knox can be tried for murder, convicted, acquitted on appeal, and then convicted again? It appears from this column from Italy's Diritto - a legal blog - that Italians are just as baffled about it as Americans. The reason, according to legal scholar and former politician Davide Giacalone, is that since 1988, Italy … [Read more...] about After Amanda Knox, it’s Back to the Drawing Board for Italian Justice (Diritto, Italy)
We Must Never Forget Abeer Qassim Hamza
Steven Green, the ringleader of one of the most horrific crimes against Iraqi civilians during the American occupation, has taken his own life in a military prison. Here is a link to a post I wrote at my home blog about how the three most powerful men in America were responsible for the gang rape by Green and others of Abeer Qassim Hamza, a 14-year-old girl, who was burned … [Read more...] about We Must Never Forget Abeer Qassim Hamza