For endangered wildlife, the Surabaya Zoo can be akin to a death sentence (via GlobalPost) JAKARTA, Indonesia — Surabaya Zoo is famous across the world. Not for being the oldest and biggest zoo in Indonesia, nor because of its large and diverse collection of rare species. No, the reason Surabaya Zoo has been making international headlines… … [Read more...] about For endangered wildlife, the Surabaya Zoo can be akin to a death sentence
It’s Not The Hate, It’s The Stupidity (Guest Voice)
It's Not The Hate, It's The Stupidity Raging Moderate by Will Durst Alright. Woo-hoo. We're partying now. With the kind of enthusiasm normally reserved for sorting Phillips head screws from flat head screws, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer publicly vetoed SB 1062, legislation that would provide legal cover to businesses denying services based on the operator's religious … [Read more...] about It’s Not The Hate, It’s The Stupidity (Guest Voice)
Vultur (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 Vultur (Cartoon)
The Lego Movie: Not so Awsome
In first world terms, I've had one of the most stressful months in my recent history. Let me put it this way – this past weekend I’ve had to move into a new flat after I scorched every bridge with our previous landlord (burst pipes, mould and a 15 month baby girl isn’t a great combination). On top of that, I am getting married in just under 2 weeks. So what better way to … [Read more...] about The Lego Movie: Not so Awsome
‘Slave,’ Gravity’ big winners at Oscars
'Slave,' Gravity' big winners at Oscars (via AFP) Harrowing historical drama "12 Years a Slave" was crowned best picture Oscar on Sunday, while 3D space thriller "Gravity" was the top prize winner at the 86th Academy Awards with seven. True-life AIDS activist drama "Dallas Buyers Club" won three Oscars… … [Read more...] about ‘Slave,’ Gravity’ big winners at Oscars
Feeling Slighted By Obama, Tokyo Pins Hopes on Republican Win in 2016 (47 News, Japan)
It would appear that Japanese officials have a lot in common with U.S. Republicans: they both find President Obama stiff, unemotional and hard to get to know. This editorial from Japan's 47 News details some of the unusually-open criticism of Barack Obama by Prime Minister Abe and members of his cabinet, both over the president's personal style, and a sense that the White … [Read more...] about Feeling Slighted By Obama, Tokyo Pins Hopes on Republican Win in 2016 (47 News, Japan)
Confessions of a Former White Guy
It came to my attention recently that I’m no longer white. Don’t get me wrong: I’m still a certifiable Caucasian. My ancient Armenian ancestors hailed from the high plateau below the mountain range that lent its name to the so-called white race. I’m more a child of the Caucasus than your average Dane or Irishman. But it seems that history and politics have exiled me from the … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Former White Guy
The NFL and the N Word (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
The NFL and the N Word by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Ron Cook: NFL wants to stop use of offensive word in locker room, sports culture --Time to silence the N-word forever --Rev. Al Sharpton Praises NFL’s N-Word Penalty But Urges League to ‘Go Further’ --Greeson: NFL's N-word concern pure or PC PR? Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most … [Read more...] about The NFL and the N Word (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
Closing the D.C. Reality Gap
WASHINGTON -- To understand the country's frustration with politics, we shouldn't focus primarily on "gridlock" and "polarization." The larger problem is a disconnect between what the nation's capital is talking about and what most citizens are worried about. The issues discussed at kitchen tables and over back fences relate to getting and keeping good jobs, better … [Read more...] about Closing the D.C. Reality Gap
SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; The Americans; Arrow; Revolution; Orphan Black; Heroes; Farscape; Firefly; Better Call Saul; Doctor Who; Sherlock; The Crazy Ones; Mixology
With the Olympics over many weekly series have returned and two of the best shows from last season which aired in the spring or winter have started their second seasons. Hannibal and The Americans both began their second seasons. Hannibal began with an extended fight scene between Hannibal and Jack Crawford which foreshadows what we know must eventually occur before moving … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; The Americans; Arrow; Revolution; Orphan Black; Heroes; Farscape; Firefly; Better Call Saul; Doctor Who; Sherlock; The Crazy Ones; Mixology
Cameras, guns and Israel
I'm not going to pretend to understand what was really going on here Friday, but I count a LOT more cameras than guns pointed at the Israeli policeman. Israeli policeman threatens reporters in Jerusalem. Later, he threw stun grenade at nearby photographers @FPAIsPal pic.twitter.com/bE78FwOKEq— crispian balmer (@crispiandjb) February 28, 2014 @crispiandjb … [Read more...] about Cameras, guns and Israel
Republican governor sees the light
Jan Brewer's speech about her decision to veto of the knuckledragging attempt of the Arizona legislature (the epitome of a corrupt, ALEC-driven state legislature) to push their state deeper in the dark ages with a bible-driven condemnation of gay marriage) turned out to be graceful and "ungrudging," as Hendrik Hertzberg writes in the New Yorker. Okay, she was under … [Read more...] about Republican governor sees the light
Will Smith flop ‘After Earth’ crowned at Razzies
Will Smith flop 'After Earth' crowned at Razzies (via AFP) Sci-fi flop "After Earth" starring Will Smith and son Jaden earned three Golden Raspberries on Saturday at the annual Razzie worst-of film awards, Hollywood's hall of shame. A day before the Oscars, spoof comedy compilation "Movie 43" won worst picture… … [Read more...] about Will Smith flop ‘After Earth’ crowned at Razzies
Ukraine: What a Difference Partisanship Makes
As Russian troops entered neighboring territory the president of the United States, in an address to the nation, expressed his deep concern at reports that Russian troops have “invaded a sovereign neighboring state.” “Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century," the President said. Referring to how Russia's actions have raised serious questions about its intentions … [Read more...] about Ukraine: What a Difference Partisanship Makes
Vlad the Assailer in: Annexing the Sudentenland!
The Soviet Union's Russian Republic's greatest per capita consumer of Viagra® has played his dictator card again, following the template he established with the military bullying of Georgia (the country, and not the American state which has long since left civil society). Hands are wrung: Why Russia no longer fears the West Ben Judah / Politico The West is blinking in … [Read more...] about Vlad the Assailer in: Annexing the Sudentenland!
Sarah Palin Saw A Russian Invasion Of Ukraine From Her House
I really wouldn't mind if Sarah Palin just made her amusing quip about the Ukraine crisis saying "Yes, I could see this one from Alaska" on her Facebook page. It is understandable that she would react this way, both in response to criticism for giving a foreign crisis example of Russia invading Ukraine in 2008 and for the impression of her by Tina Fey. Palin and other … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Saw A Russian Invasion Of Ukraine From Her House
Putin bets Western powers will blink
It appears that Vladimir Putin has decided Ukraine belongs to Russia, and if they don't like it, too bad. My bet would be that Putin wins this little gamble. Obama will indeed blink first, and so will the rest of the NATO powers. No one will use military force to counter Putin, and not much else will deter him either. A de facto Russian Empire will slowly become a … [Read more...] about Putin bets Western powers will blink
Putin Can’t Shed His KGB Stripes
Olle Johansson, Sweden[/caption] When you boil down Russian President Vladimir Putin it comes down to this: the world has seen many leaders of all kinds who had military backgrounds and even intelligence backgrounds. But even if he took his KBG shirt off and put on another shirt, Putin has never lost his KBG persona. His year of reset is now a reset, all right: resetting is … [Read more...] about Putin Can’t Shed His KGB Stripes
Twilight of the Right
Alan Pell Crawford chronicles the decline of movement conservatism in a long but worthwhile read in The American Conservative. “Every great cause,” Tyrrell quotes Eric Hoffer in After the Hangover, “begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” The conservative movement underwent this transmogrification with blazing speed. Maybe it had … [Read more...] about Twilight of the Right
Obama, Hagel and Kerry on Ukraine
Because of personal time constraints and because I do not have all the facts and inside intelligence and knowledge to opine on what is becoming a very serious and tense crisis in Ukraine, I will just post two pieces. The first one is a press statement by Secretary of State John Kerry and the second one is a American Forces Press Service news release on contacts by … [Read more...] about Obama, Hagel and Kerry on Ukraine