Greg Sargent chronicles recent changes in red states and among Republicans in Congress. Obamacare is more acceptable. Whether you're a Republican like the Utah governor who has turned around and expanded Medicaid or whether you're a Republican candidate in West Virginia who now calls it "great" and "excellent," they're just not singing their old, off-key tunes. There … [Read more...] about Republicans cave, slowly but surely
Arizona GOP Censures McCain for being too liberal
Even though one species (1960s style moderate Republicans) is extinct, some of the Republican Party is still RINO hunting even though one species (21st century perceived-as-moderate Republicans who'd be considered traditional conservatives 20 years ago) is greatly endangered. Clearly the goal is to purify the party. The latest target: Arizona Sen. John McCain who the AP reports … [Read more...] about Arizona GOP Censures McCain for being too liberal
Study: People can smell when you’re sick
P.U. You smell sick. Believe it or not, that's what part of people's brains do as they almost automatically can tell you're not well. Yes, the human nose can apparently detect disease, according to research published in Psychological Science. And the nose knows the person is fighting off an infection, even if the eyes can't see it. Wray Herbert's piece notes that it has … [Read more...] about Study: People can smell when you’re sick
Owl Loves Dog (Video)
Friendship can cut across all ages, races -- and species. What happens when an owl meets a dog that it likes? This owl pets the dog. Both of them work at Tactical Avian Predators which defines itself as an "environmentally safe, ecologically sound wildlife control company certified green. Our primary method of control is the use of falcons for bird abatement, which is safe, … [Read more...] about Owl Loves Dog (Video)
Godwin’s Law in the WSJ Letters to the Editor
Tom Perkins of Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers fame, who has provided financing for many tech startups, has apparently never heard of Godwin's Law. In a letter appearing in the Wall Street Journal he attempts to draw parallels between Nazi Germany's treatment of Jews and "hatred" of the very wealthy 1% by progressives. Writing from the epicenter of progressive thought, … [Read more...] about Godwin’s Law in the WSJ Letters to the Editor
Republicans reach out to women (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
Republicans reach out to women by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --What Women Want, Huckabee Edition (Spoiler: It's Big Strong Republican Men) --Huckabee Spills the Beans --Huckabee to Megyn Kelly: I Wasn’t ‘Disparaging Women,’ I Was Trashing ‘Phony War on Women’ --6 Ways Republicans Have Helped Reduce American Women's Libidos Mike Peters is recognized as … [Read more...] about Republicans reach out to women (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
It takes two to tango
WASHINGTON -- It strikes me as illogical, sexist and just plain wrong to blame former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell's ruinous legal woes on his wife Maureen. She may be the one with the champagne taste, but he sipped the bubbly, too -- knowing that the family budget barely had room for beer. McDonnell's fall from grace has been stunning and sad. Not long ago, he was on … [Read more...] about It takes two to tango
Does Egypt face Al Qaeda threat on third anniversary of anti-Mubarak uprising?
Does Egypt now face an Al Qaeda threat on the third anniversary of the anti-Mubarak uprising? So far the death toll is 9 from the four deadly blasts that rocked Cairo, sparked street demonstrations and injured 90. Apart from the clinical facts about the explosions, what does this all mean? It means Egypt is -- for now at least -- facing a period of instability on several … [Read more...] about Does Egypt face Al Qaeda threat on third anniversary of anti-Mubarak uprising?
How Bible-minded is your town or city?
Update 2: 25 January @ 10:30 pm Pacific More research, new lede: From 2013 to 2014, there was a slight decrease in the percentage of Americans who are "Bible-minded." If I told you that a survey suggested that the deep south was more religious-minded than the northeast or the far west, I don't think you'd be surprised. In a nutshell, that's the claim made by the latest … [Read more...] about How Bible-minded is your town or city?
AP and Photographer Demand George Zimmerman Cease Using Their Photo for His Painting
George Zimmerman, acquitted in the murder of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, could find himself back in court -- this time for copyright violation. The Associated Press has sent Zimmerman a cease and desist letter for his painting showing Florida State Attorney Angela Corey on the grounds that the painting is a virtual copy of its photo. And so has the photographer who took … [Read more...] about AP and Photographer Demand George Zimmerman Cease Using Their Photo for His Painting
Mitt, the Movie
I watched Mitt on Netflix this afternoon. I recommend it highly. It certainly changed my image of Mitt Romney. I must admit I was guilty of type casting Mr Romney. I saw him as just another wealthy sociopath. After watching this documentary I will admit that I was wrong. I disagree with nearly everything that Mitt Romney stands for but he is a decent human being. His … [Read more...] about Mitt, the Movie
Climate Change Impacts
While much of the country is experiencing cold weather, ice and snow we here on the west coast are experiencing drought conditions, We hear about California on the national news but it also applies to my state of Oregon. Dry conditions and high winds have resulted in unheard of January forest fires in normally soggy Western Oregon. ARCH CAPE, Ore. -- Rare winter wildfires … [Read more...] about Climate Change Impacts
Poll: Americans split on Obama approval
As America's polarization continues unabated and he prepares for next week's State of the Union address, CBS News reports that a new poll finds Americans are split on President Barack Obama's approval rating. The news could be worse for Obama but it's not good news for the Democrat Party as it heads into mid-terms where some analysts believe the GOP could take control of the … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans split on Obama approval
Justin Bieber’s Entourage (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 Justin Bieber’s Entourage (Cartoon)
A Tale of Two Governors – Both Republican
But what a difference… Utah’s Republican Governor, Gary Herbert, says that Utah will expand Medicaid to cover more of the state’s uninsured. "Doing nothing...I’ve taken off the table. Doing nothing is not an option," the Republican governor said at his monthly news conference, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. While Herbert has not indicated which of two Medicaid … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Governors – Both Republican
Why China’s People Favor American Police Over Their Own (Huanqiu, China)
A few days ago, an elderly Chinese gentleman in New York was injured in a tussle with New York police officers, who detained the man for jaywalking. According to this editorial from the state-run Huanqiu, the fact that Chinese public opinion sides with New York police in this case, and that in similar circumstances, Chinese police would be condemned, highlights a troubling lack … [Read more...] about Why China’s People Favor American Police Over Their Own (Huanqiu, China)
Austin Slowly Digs Out of Winter Storm
CODA: With sincere sympathy to any and all Austinites and Texans who suffered any kind of hardship as a result of our winter storm It is almost 11:00 a.m., the sun is coming out, the temperature is nearly 32 degrees (still an unbelievably freezing-cold 31 degrees at the airport), our roads are beginning to thaw out and our city is finally beginning to dig itself out of a … [Read more...] about Austin Slowly Digs Out of Winter Storm
Conservative author and filmaker Dinesh D’Souza charged in campaign finance case
His lawyer in a statement insists it's "at worst, this was an act of misguided friendship," but in yet another fall from grace, conservative author D’Souza has been indicted on federal charges of violating campaign finance laws by using straw donors to funnel money to a U.S. Senate candidate. It's just the latest in a series of problems that pitchforked the once rising … [Read more...] about Conservative author and filmaker Dinesh D’Souza charged in campaign finance case
Abe Adopts ‘North Korean Tactics’ on Yasukuni Shrine (Ismedia, Japan)
Why did Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of the most successful Japanese politicians in modern times, choose this moment to worship at the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 class-A war criminals are interred? For Japan's Ismedia, columnist Koga Shigeaki seeks to explain Abe's apparently self-destructive behavior, and in the process issues a powerful indictment of the Japanese … [Read more...] about Abe Adopts ‘North Korean Tactics’ on Yasukuni Shrine (Ismedia, Japan)
Monday, January 27, is Holocaust Memorial Day
January 27, the day in 1945 when Soviet Forces liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau --- the largest Nazi death camp - - is Holocaust Memorial Day. On that day in 1945, the Soviet army entered Auschwitz and liberated more than 7,000 prisoners, who were mostly ill and dying, but not before -- as the Soviets were approaching the camp -- the Nazis forced nearly 60,000 prisoners to … [Read more...] about Monday, January 27, is Holocaust Memorial Day