And so Jay Leno is gone from "The Tonight Show." Like Johnny Carson's, whose seat he was selected to fill in a decision that sparked controversy, a book and a movie, he went out on top in his role in comedy, survivability, and in the ratings. He had a controversial reign as host but in the end, his ratings kept growing. It was an evening in that made Sandra Bullock cry -- and … [Read more...] about Jay Leno says goodbye to “The Tonight Show”: Goes out on top (Video)
America’s Espionage Obsession: ‘To Understand is Not to Tolerate’ (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
News that the Bush White House ordered the NSA to spy on German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder in the run up to the Iraq War is not going down well in Berlin. Seeking to hinder knee-jerk anti-Americanism, Sueddeutsche Zeitung columnist By Stefan Kornelius asks readers to take account of the situation in the United States at the time, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. For … [Read more...] about America’s Espionage Obsession: ‘To Understand is Not to Tolerate’ (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
Georgia – Republican Self Destruct?
On the surface you would think that a Republican Senate victory would be a done deal in the state of Georgia but maybe not. For starters the Democrats have a strong candidate in Michelle Nunn, daughter of the former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA). And then there are the eight Republican candidates that represent everything the Republicans have been trying to avoid. The front runner … [Read more...] about Georgia – Republican Self Destruct?
Wall Street Journal Slams Boehner on Immigration
The very conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page slammed House Speaker John Boehner for caving on immigration reform. Boehner blamed President Obama for his "lawlessness" despite the fact that Obama has issued fewer executive orders than recent Republican Presidents. The latest evidence is John Boehner's punt on immigration reform. Only days ago the House Speaker … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal Slams Boehner on Immigration
The CBO Report
The Republicans have had a field day with the CBO report on Obamacare, of course as usual it's mostly fiction. Even Republican leaning James Joyner admits as much. Over at TPM Dylan Scott makes a point I have made before, not being dependent on employer health insurance can be a job creator and encourage innovation. When I was an engineer a Tektronix in the 80s talented … [Read more...] about The CBO Report
Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust
Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust (via AFP) House Speaker John Boehner threw cold water on the prospects of near-term immigration reform, saying Thursday that Barack Obama must rebuild "trust" in his presidency before there is progress on the issue. "I have never underestimated the difficulty… … [Read more...] about Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust
Russia says it knows journalists are trying to make Sochi hotel look bad because its room surveillance cameras prove it
All was missing was Texas Gov. Rick Perry saying: "Oops.." A Russian official, angry because of many reports indicating the Sochi hotel where Olympic-goers stay is beyond just plain lousy -- it's reportedly gross -- decided to hammer home his contention that the press is exaggerating it and even sabotaging the hotel. So he said they have surveillance video showing people … [Read more...] about Russia says it knows journalists are trying to make Sochi hotel look bad because its room surveillance cameras prove it
Black History Month Menu at Concord School Sparks Controversy
You have to feel a bit sorry for the administrators at Carondelet High School for Girls in Concord, CA. I mean, how were they to know people would be offended and upset? Who'd ever imagine it? It stands to reason that if it's Black History Month, the school would seek to honor it. So why not offer a special menu to mark the occasion? Who'd ever think anyone could be upset … [Read more...] about Black History Month Menu at Concord School Sparks Controversy
[My Future Funeral] The Analytics of Doug Bursch’s Lifelong Social Media Presence
We are here to live tweet and celebrate the life of Doug Bursch. Although his birth certificate handle was Douglas Steven Bursch, his close family and friends knew him simply as @fairlyspiritual or [email protected]. @fairlyspiritual was loved by his many Facebook friends and cherished by his many Live from Seattle with Doug Bursch Facebook fanpage fans. Even though … [Read more...] about [My Future Funeral] The Analytics of Doug Bursch’s Lifelong Social Media Presence
Text Message Crisis Hotlines: Why They’re Important and How They Help Teens
Free support hotlines have long been available to those undergoing mental or emotional crises. When experiencing suicidal thoughts or suffering from abuse, people need to get help immediately, and hotlines can provide a nondiscriminatory voice of support at all hours of the day. In recent years, it has also been increasingly common for people to receive help from texting … [Read more...] about Text Message Crisis Hotlines: Why They’re Important and How They Help Teens
Chris Christie’s Branding Implosion
When the Hindenburg flew over Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey on May 6, 1937, as it burst into flames, causing 35 fatalities, WLS radio's Herbert Morrison's eyewitness account became one that would be remembered for the ages: "Oh, the humanity!" We're now witnessing the explosion and lightning nosedive of Gov. Chris Christie's carefully cultivated and executed … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s Branding Implosion
Ben-gonzo (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 Ben-gonzo (Cartoon)
Is a Clinton-Bush race inevitable?
With New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political stock plummeting, pundits and journalists are now offering up another name as The Great Republican Establishment Hope: former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Which gives us this question from Booman: Is Jeb Bush inevitable? Would another Clinton/Bush contest prove that we're not a representative democracy but a "nepotistic … [Read more...] about Is a Clinton-Bush race inevitable?
‘American Idol’ star Clay Aiken launches Congress bid
'American Idol' star Clay Aiken launches Congress bid (via AFP) "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken declared Wednesday he is running for Congress, putting his singing career on hold as he aims to unseat a Republican from her North Carolina district. Aiken said he would run as a Democrat against two-term congresswoman… … [Read more...] about ‘American Idol’ star Clay Aiken launches Congress bid
Fact-checkers Debunk GOP Obamacare Claim
The fact-check websites say "not so fast" to GOP claims that the Affordable Care Act kills jobs according to a CBO report. Politifact.com gave House Speaker John Boehner and Fox News' Gretchen Carlson a "mostly false" rating for similar statements that the CBO report says the ACA will "kill 2.3 million jobs." They made it sound as if jobs are going away because businesses … [Read more...] about Fact-checkers Debunk GOP Obamacare Claim
UN report censures Holy See
A surprising, disturbing are surely controversial report has roundly criticized the Holy See (Vatican) for alleged neglect of violence against children, including sexual abuse, within its jurisdiction around the world. A United Nations committee on children complained today that the Holy See took 14 years to provide details about applying the international Convention on the … [Read more...] about UN report censures Holy See
(Update) Sochi 2014: Two Missions for Our Troops
Reality Distortion At Its “Finest”
As was pointed out in an earlier post, the right wing media world is in a frenzy over a CBO report that they claim shows that the ACA will cause a loss of jobs. That's not really what the report says, though. In fact, Douglas Elmendorf, the director of the CBO stated as much in testimony to a House Committee. Of course Greg Sargent noted the day before Elmendorf testified … [Read more...] about Reality Distortion At Its “Finest”
President Obama Gives Workers a Higher Minimum Wage
For the past few years, our country had been rife with debate over whether to raise the federal minimum wage. Many Americans feel that the current minimum wage is too low — if our country's lowest paid workers aren't in poverty, they at least have a very low standard of living. Due in part to the low minimum wage, the number of impoverished and nearly impoverished families is … [Read more...] about President Obama Gives Workers a Higher Minimum Wage
New White House Problem: Report says Obamcare will lose jobs
White House in damage control on health care jobs report (via AFP) The White House jumped to parry new attacks Tuesday against Barack Obama's healthcare law, after a congressional watchdog warned it takes the equivalent of two million workers out of the economy. The report, by the Congressional Budget Office, offered… … [Read more...] about New White House Problem: Report says Obamcare will lose jobs