In something of a surprise to me the Republicans have held on to the seat of the late Congressman Bill Young (R). Given that the Democratic nominee had higher name recognition (having run for Governor) and the district now leans a bit Democratic I was expecting her to win but the GOP nominee edged her out by a narrow margin. I don't consider this a bellweather election … [Read more...] about GOP Holds On To Florida 13
The Politics of Dignity
This is the thirteenth 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 8: THE POLITICS OF DIGNITY Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried. --Winston Churchill All the … [Read more...] about The Politics of Dignity
Third Anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
Today, March 11, marks the third anniversary of one the greatest disasters in recent times, the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. The devastating impact and lingering effects of that tragedy -- especially the effects of the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant -- are still felt today, three years later. PBS Newshour science … [Read more...] about Third Anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
Millennials (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/millennials/ Copyright 2014 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Millennials (Cartoon)
Missing Airliner Reportedly Far Off Course
Breaking news this morning that the missing Malaysian airliner was far off course when it disappeared. According to an anonymous source in the Malaysian Air Force, after the plane's transponders stopped transmitting the plane made a wide u turn and was hundreds of miles off course when it vanished from radar. Of course we always want to take such reports with a grain of salt … [Read more...] about Missing Airliner Reportedly Far Off Course
Big Move
I am going to sever my telephone land line. I probably should have done it years ago since it's redundant and only costs me money. I still remember my childhood phone number. It was before 7 digit phone numbers and area codes, Capitol (CA) xxxx. It latter became 227-xxxx. I can't really recall when area codes came into play. I have always had a land line but in this … [Read more...] about Big Move
With A Little Help From Our Friends
THE GRASS IS A LITTLE BROWNER ON THE OTHER SIDE. ‘CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG’ ISN’T A BAD PHILOSOPHY. THE VIEW FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS By John McCarthy TMV Columnist The more things change, the more they stay the same. Sometimes a truism just isn't true – so says a non-“truther”. Instant Karma was popular during John Lennon’s time (if only just to … [Read more...] about With A Little Help From Our Friends
Number Of Uninsured Continues To Decrease
Gallup reports a continued decrease in the percentage of Americans without health insurance, including a drop in uninsured young people: The percentage of Americans without health insurance continues to fall, measuring 15.9% so far in 2014 compared with 17.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013. These data are based on more than 28,000 interviews with Americans from Jan. … [Read more...] about Number Of Uninsured Continues To Decrease
Recognize Russia’s Legitimate Interests or Ukraine is Doomed (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
Is it time for leaders in the West to cut talk of confrontation and accept the fact that Crimea is legitimately in Russia's sphere, and that Ukraine must be seen as neither West nor East? For de Volkskrant, columnist Thomas von der Dunk looks at history and geopolitical reality in an effort to awaken Western policy makers from what he regards as a deluded, self-righteous … [Read more...] about Recognize Russia’s Legitimate Interests or Ukraine is Doomed (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
The Downside of Democracy (1)
“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Winston Churchill’s famous quote has been employed repeatedly over the years to reinforce the idea that democracy is the preferred way for states to be managed and for people to be governed. In Western societies, this is considered an accepted truth by the vast … [Read more...] about The Downside of Democracy (1)
Cabin in the Woods: Something special… I think
I have stated on many occasions that when it comes to horror films I am a certified b**ch. I don’t like them, I have never liked them – and more importantly, I have always hated the fact that I don’t like them. I am forced to be ignorant of a whole genre of cinema because of my cowardliness and that just grinds my gears. There are times when I try to test my nerve, times … [Read more...] about Cabin in the Woods: Something special… I think
On the Money: A House Divided Against Itself
On the Money: A House Divided Against Itself (via Moyers & Company) In the first two months of this year, 20 percent of all the money spent on election advocacy came from conservative political groups attacking Republican candidates — a total of $2.3 million — reports The Center for Public Integrity. Super PACs,… … [Read more...] about On the Money: A House Divided Against Itself
Watch in Horror as “Gravity” Plays Out in Real Life w/ SuitSat 1
Watch in Horror as “Gravity” Plays Out in Real Life w/ SuitSat 1 (via Planetsave) Watching what looks like a cosmonaut slipping away from the International Space Station in an uncontrolled spin is utterly horrifying. Seeing the camera track the motionless suit as it orbits nearby in a slowly deteriorating orbit for months on end… … [Read more...] about Watch in Horror as “Gravity” Plays Out in Real Life w/ SuitSat 1
Dick Cheney (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 Dick Cheney (Cartoon)
Sharyl Attkisson resigns from CBS News: reportedly felt it was too liberal
CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl is leaving CBS amid what reports say was a feeling that the network's news had gotten too liberal and that it lacked its longtime commitment to investigative reporting, The Politico reports. If those indeed prove to be the reason -- we'll know when he book comes out on election day -- it will be a sign of our times: 1. News has … [Read more...] about Sharyl Attkisson resigns from CBS News: reportedly felt it was too liberal
Sullivan on Obama’s Record
Andrew Sullivan digs into the data to tout the actual record of the Obama administration on The Daily Dish. The news cycle is so punishing these days you might be forgiven for thinking the Obama era is over. But it isn’t. It’s at its peak in terms of impact, because policies, especially economic ones, take some time to have effect. Five years in, we have enough data – so … [Read more...] about Sullivan on Obama’s Record
(Updated) Ukraine: Condoleezza Rice Joins the Cabal
Update: The New Republic published a column by Leon Wieseltier that, in its attacks on Obama's Ukraine policy specifically and his foreign policy in general, is similar to Condoleezza Rice's column discussed below. Jim Sleeper, at the Washington Monthly Magazine, reacts to Wieseltier's remarks in a unique and effective way: "Leon Wieseltier’s Moral Posturing on Crimea … [Read more...] about (Updated) Ukraine: Condoleezza Rice Joins the Cabal
Poll: 61% of young Republicans favor same-sex marriage
A new Pew Research Center poll underscores an emerging fact: conservative Republicans and/or Tea Party Republicans who are battling same-sex marriage are increasingly oh, so 20th century -- even among young Republicans who favor same-sex marriage: Young people continue to be the strongest proponents of same-sex marriage. And as public support for same-sex marriage … [Read more...] about Poll: 61% of young Republicans favor same-sex marriage
Annexing Crimea ‘Too Costly for Russia to Bear’ (Gazeta, Russia)
Even if it wants to, can Russia afford to incorporate Crimea into its territory - either economically or diplomatically? Western media is not alone in posing the question. This editorial from Russia's Gazeta is categorical in its conclusions: 'No' and 'No.' The non-nonsense Gazeta editorial starts off this way: Crimea may not turn out as a "triumph of historical justice … [Read more...] about Annexing Crimea ‘Too Costly for Russia to Bear’ (Gazeta, Russia)
The View from 90: Havoc and Hope
On March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated. It was my ninth birthday. In April 1945, I was a 21-year-old foot soldier on the floor of a German farmhouse when someone shook me awake to whisper that FDR had died. Now, at 90, I am inevitably shaped by those years after a working lifetime as writer, editor and publisher trying to explain the world to … [Read more...] about The View from 90: Havoc and Hope