Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey appeared before the Senate House Armed Services Committee today to discuss the president’s fiscal year 2015 budget request for DOD, and Hagel mentioned the Ukraine situation. In his remarks Hagel said that, over the past few days, he and Dempsey have been in constant touch … [Read more...] about Ukraine – Hagel and Dempsey: ‘Pursuing Measures’
UN fixes blame for Syria massacres
An independent United Nations investigation has faulted pro-government forces in Syria for perpetrating mass casualties, malnutrition and starvation in Syria. About chemical weapons attacks, it concluded that sarin gas was used on multiple occasions but could not determine the perpetrators with enough certainty to meet its standards of proof. “Widespread attacks and … [Read more...] about UN fixes blame for Syria massacres
Predictions As To The Demise Of The Health Insurance Industry
I've been seeing a prediction from Ezekiel Emanual recently that insurance companies will be replaced by Accountable Care Organizations and hospital systems in various medical publications recently and now that The New Republic has picked up on this it is starting to be discussed in the blogosphere. Accountable Care Organizations are basically organizations of hospitals and … [Read more...] about Predictions As To The Demise Of The Health Insurance Industry
Chait on Ryan’s Budget Adventures
Jonathan Chait comments on Paul Ryan's faux wonkishness in his latest budget proposal in New York Magazine. Paul Ryan’s budget proposals are not mere compilations of proposals, but grand vision statements. The classic versions relied on sweeping ideological pronouncements (i.e., “it is built on the enduring truths from which America’s Founders established this great and … [Read more...] about Chait on Ryan’s Budget Adventures
Daft Russian Punk (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/daft-russia-punk/ Copyright 2014 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Daft Russian Punk (Cartoon)
Ukraine: Hype vs. Facts
There are numerous alarming, the sky-is-falling reports on the Ukraine crisis and even more harrowing reports from and by the Right on what an unmitigated disaster the crisis is, on the abysmal manner the president is dealing with it and on how it is the ultimate result of Obama’s "feckless foreign policy," of the Benghazi Consulate attack, of the unenforced "red line" in … [Read more...] about Ukraine: Hype vs. Facts
Get YOUR name Travolified John Travolta style (link to widget)
John Travolta has had many lives in America culture. First as a teen idol on TV, then as a teen idol in the movies. Then as a declining movie star. Then as a movie star making a big comeback. And now as a...name mangler whose own name is becoming an adjective. It all started at the highly-rated Oscars, when Travolta called Idina Menzel "Adele Dazeem." This wasn't just a … [Read more...] about Get YOUR name Travolified John Travolta style (link to widget)
Does The Future Of Humanity Lie In Space? (Guest Voice)
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