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Poll detects major shift in American attitudes on gay marriage

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Yet another poll detects a major shift in American attitudes on gay marriage. And this one provides some interesting breakdowns that show just how major this shift is -- and some interesting facts on a de facto coalition emerging that opposes it: Fifty-three percent of Americans now support same-sex marriage, up from 32 percent a decade ago, according to a recent survey by … [Read more...] about Poll detects major shift in American attitudes on gay marriage

Putin Asks Authority to Use Military Force in Ukraine

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Less than 24 hours after President Obama warned Russia that "there will be costs" for any military intervention in Ukraine -- something that most believed was already happening -- Russian President Vladimir V. Putin requested authority from the Russian Senate to use just such military force in Ukraine. The New York Times: Mr. Putin’s request, largely a formality, … [Read more...] about Putin Asks Authority to Use Military Force in Ukraine

Conservatives Blast Obama As Vladimir Putin Seeks Parliamentary Permission for Ukraine Invasion

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In another sign that Russia is thumbing its nose at President Obama's 'blunt' warning against a Ukraine intervention, Vladimir Putin has asked parliament for permission to use the country's military in Ukraine. Haaretz reports Putin said the move is needed to protect ethnic Russians and the personnel of a Russian military base in the Crimean region. Russia's RIA news agency … [Read more...] about Conservatives Blast Obama As Vladimir Putin Seeks Parliamentary Permission for Ukraine Invasion

(Updated) Take Your Gun to School, or ‘When May I Shoot a Student’?

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Update: ABC News reports that the Idaho State Affairs Committee has voted 11-3, in a party line split, for the bill and sent it forward to the House floor, over objections from the majority of people who testified before the committee. "Backers of the bill say letting those with Idaho's new enhanced concealed carry permit holders to carry guns to class could halt a … [Read more...] about (Updated) Take Your Gun to School, or ‘When May I Shoot a Student’?

Zakaria: US Not in Decline

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Fareed Zakaria debunks the punditocracy's claim of American foreign policy decline in The Washington Post. The world is not in great disorder. It is mostly at peace with one zone of instability, the greater Middle East, an area that has been unstable for four decades at least — think of the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanese civil war, the Iran-Iraq war, the Gulf … [Read more...] about Zakaria: US Not in Decline

Last Chance Johnny

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What happened to Matthew McConaughey? Last time I checked he was your average embarrassing romantic comedy leading man – an American Hugh Grant, if you will. But in a blink of an eye, he has become one of the most impressive actors working today. I am not complaining, he deserves every credit in the world – I watched him in Killer Joe and I couldn’t believe it was the same … [Read more...] about Last Chance Johnny

A helping hand for young men of color

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WASHINGTON -- "My Brother's Keeper" has a much nicer ring than "Stop and Frisk." It also promises to be a more effective, less self-defeating way to address the interlocking social and economic crises afflicting young men of color. I'll go out on a limb and predict that President Obama gets some heat for launching a program whose benefits are aimed solely at … [Read more...] about A helping hand for young men of color

The perils of Crimea

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Russia’s military maneuvers with some 150,000 men and thousands of tanks on Crimea’s borders are a reminder that nothing in European politics is straightforward. President Barack Obama’s cautious reaction is understandable and wise. Lulled by the unprecedented prosperity since World War II, many ordinary people might consider that wars involving European powers are unlikely … [Read more...] about The perils of Crimea

(Update) Cheney: How to Conflate National Security with Food Stamps

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Update: Mr. Cheney -- instead of bringing up the food stamps canard -- may want to talk to his Republican friends in the Senate to truly support the troops. The Hill: Senate Republicans stopped Democrats from advancing a bill that would have expanded healthcare and education programs for veterans. In a 56-41 vote Thursday, the motion to waive a budget point of … [Read more...] about (Update) Cheney: How to Conflate National Security with Food Stamps

Race of the 2016 Elephants Begins

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They're off and running for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination -- and as they run you can see the elephants' different styles. Last year, after the GOP's loss in the elections, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said: "We've got to stop being the stupid party. It's time for a new Republican Party that talks like adults." Some conservatives and talk show hosts weren't … [Read more...] about Race of the 2016 Elephants Begins

Are Bitcoins Safe? New Questions Raised in Light of Theft

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With all of the press they've been getting lately, there's a good chance you've heard of bitcoins, a form of online currency introduced in 2009. Considering how easy it is to digitally transfer money with bitcoins (almost zero processing fees and you don't need to change your IP address), a number of institutions have recently considered using them. While most banks initially … [Read more...] about Are Bitcoins Safe? New Questions Raised in Light of Theft

How Arizona’s anti-gay bill will hurt the religious right

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WASHINGTON -- Social and religious conservatives should have been the first to oppose the Arizona Legislature's effort to allow businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples on religious grounds. Partisans of the religious right apparently don't feel this way, but here's why they should: Pushing "conscience exemptions" beyond reasonable limits threatens a … [Read more...] about How Arizona’s anti-gay bill will hurt the religious right

The USA Has a Monarchy. Let It Have a Glorious Revolution

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This year marks the 1,000th anniversary of political liberty. When the United States began, the tradition in which it was founded was already 762 years old. As I wrote recently in celebration of this magnificent anniversary, those who would protect freedom in our country badly scupper themselves by their ignorance of history, and there is perhaps no greater obstacle to our … [Read more...] about The USA Has a Monarchy. Let It Have a Glorious Revolution

Rand Paul Blocks Surgeon General Nomination For Calling Guns A Health Threat

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Rand Paul has placed a hold on Dr. Vivek Murthy, Obama’s nominee for Surgeon General, because of calling guns a significant public health threat. Paul stated, "As a physician, I am deeply concerned that he has advocated that doctors use their position of trust to ask patients, including minors, details about gun ownership in the home." As I have discussed before, this … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Blocks Surgeon General Nomination For Calling Guns A Health Threat

Where Journalists Dare To Tread, The Grim Reaper Soon Follows

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Be Careful on your next Caribbean vacation: Drugs and Crime Make For A Nasty Hangover: The View From The Virgin Islands By John McCarthy TMV Columnist Did you ever notice how some of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists – are also the most dangerous for civilians? When it bleeds it leads, as the old newspaper adage goes, but that … [Read more...] about Where Journalists Dare To Tread, The Grim Reaper Soon Follows