(Portions of this post were originally published in September 2006) New Jersey joined the fledgling American union early on, unanimously ratifying the Constitution a few days after Delaware and then Pennsylvania. That may well be the last time over the intervening two-plus centuries that there has been unanimity about anything to do with New Jersey. Except for widespread … [Read more...] about What Rhymes With Crap & Corruption? Can You Say The State Of New Jersey?
Crimea asks to join Russia, plans referendum
Crimea asks to join Russia, plans referendum (via AFP) Pro-Moscow authorities in Crimea on Thursday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to examine a request for their region to join the Russian Federation, which will be put to a referendum on March 16. "The parliament of Crimea has adopted a motion for… … [Read more...] about Crimea asks to join Russia, plans referendum
Tea partyers, unlike Republicans, don’t believe there should be an opposition party
Illustrating the difference between Republicans and their far right parasites, Jeffrey Frank -- writing in the New Yorker -- remembers the Eisenhower era and Republican factions. He also shreds the tea party. The tea party would like us to remember their fantasy as fact. But their fantasy -- that they're some kind of noble insurgency -- glides quickly past their earliest … [Read more...] about Tea partyers, unlike Republicans, don’t believe there should be an opposition party
The Good Wife: Where is the love?
(more reviews can be found on Chocolate Films) I deliberately choose not to write about television because, unlike films, older shows have not had much of an impact on my life. Unlike film and music, I can’t think of a television show that is more than 20 years old that I love. That can’t be said for television shows from the past 10 years. Out of nowhere I have been … [Read more...] about The Good Wife: Where is the love?
The Death of Liberty in the Land of the Blind
The headline says it all, masterfully distilling a sea of BS into a single, transcendentally synesthetic quatrain of eight words*. Even old Hemingway would be pleased: Senate rejects Obama nominee who defended cop killer Alexander Bolton and Ramsey Cox / The Hill The Senate voted 47-52 Wednesday to reject controversial nominee Debo Adegbile as an assistant attorney … [Read more...] about The Death of Liberty in the Land of the Blind
Rand Paul argues for a bigger GOP tent
Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, widely seen as someone who'll mount a strong campaign for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination, has once again argued that the Republican Party needs to be a bigger tent -- and that it needs debate to evolve: Sen. Rand Paul delivered a fervent plea Wednesday to expand the Republican Party and make the GOP more compassionate toward … [Read more...] about Rand Paul argues for a bigger GOP tent
Republicans and Putin (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
Republicans and Putin by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Rudy Giuliani: Unlike Obama, Putin is “what you call a leader” ---Why Neocons Love the Strongman --Sally Kohn: "Republicans Are Practically Cheering For Vladimir Putin" --Am I the Only One Who Notices the Republican Lovefest with Vladimir Putin? | Forward Progressive Mike Peters is recognized as one of … [Read more...] about Republicans and Putin (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
India’s Congress party and the Gandhis: A bizarre fixation
India's Congress party and the Gandhis: A bizarre fixation (via The Economist) CHATTING in Delhi the other day to a senior figure in the ruling Congress party, I had a strong sense of déjà entendu. Much has changed in Indian politics in the past ten years. But not, it seems, the inability of Congress to imagine an existence… … [Read more...] about India’s Congress party and the Gandhis: A bizarre fixation
Still listening (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 Still listening (Cartoon)
Ukraine – Hagel and Dempsey: ‘Pursuing Measures’
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