A Pacific Nafta is about to hit us. This time it's the TPP, or Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP is an expansive, highly secretive international free trade agreement. It's being negotiated by delegates from twelve Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, along with hundreds of industry leaders. Elected officials, civil society, and the press have largely … [Read more...] about Maybe you’ve received this warning, too? (TPP)
Show some love to Will Ferrell
I keep chuckling about this Gov. Chris Cristie stuff... It is actually funny. A comedian couldn't write a better political scandal. Speaking of comedians, my good friend Jessica Young wrote a very interesting piece on an American that should get far more love for his work than he actually does - Will Ferrell. Here is a snippet: "The chances of Will Ferrell winning an … [Read more...] about Show some love to Will Ferrell
The Christian Science Monitor rises again (digitally)
I have to admit I'm biased about this story which is a story of journalistic good news. The proudest moments in my newspaper career came when I wrote for The Christian Science Monitor as a freelance from New Delhi, India (byline "Special to The Christian Science Monitor") from 1973 to 1975, and when I served as The Monitor's Special Correspondent ("full time contributor" is … [Read more...] about The Christian Science Monitor rises again (digitally)
Clown mistakenly burns dove in birthday party show (Video)
I know something about birthday parties because I do a lot of them in my non-writing incarnation. And, yes, sometimes things do go wrong -- but never as wrong as during this clown's act. I mean, entertainers always want to "kill" when they do a show, but that doesn't mean literally -- and particularly not a dove. Or was this meant as a barbecue lesson for the kiddies? You … [Read more...] about Clown mistakenly burns dove in birthday party show (Video)
Should the Republicans admit the Iraq war was a mistake?
Republicans face a major problem going into 2016: if you look at the electoral college, the Republicans can't win. Among the many things the GOP should do, has it come time for Republicans to admit the Iraq war was a bit mistake? If the GOP due to its existing coalition can't take advice on rebranding, should it move to separate itself from a military venture that's likely … [Read more...] about Should the Republicans admit the Iraq war was a mistake?
(Updates) Some of the Changes Obama will Announce in Collection of Phone Records
Update IV: Appearing on “Fox News Sunday," Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the top senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that he could live with the president’s changes to the NSA’s bulk collection of telephone data, even if they didn’t go as far as he would like, according to the Huffington Post. Asked if he would fight the president’s proposal to transition … [Read more...] about (Updates) Some of the Changes Obama will Announce in Collection of Phone Records
New RULES for the NSA (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 New RULES for the NSA (Cartoon)
Republicans advise Christie to get a better team
It sounds as if -- for now, at least -- many top GOPers are sticking with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But they're offing him some advice which goes on the assumption that his account of him not ordering "Bridgegate" is correct: get a better team. N-o-w. The reason: while the other shoe hasn't yet dropped, some socks have: On a conference call with Gov. Chris … [Read more...] about Republicans advise Christie to get a better team
The joyful reunion of longtime friends: a squirrel and a cat (Video)
Ahh, friendship. It comes for all ages -- and species. Once upon a time there was a pet squirrel who ran away. But he still comes back -- to see and play with his long time friend. A cat: But, then, there are many unlikely animal friendships: … [Read more...] about The joyful reunion of longtime friends: a squirrel and a cat (Video)
Governor Juggernaut (Guest Voice)
Governor Juggernaut Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Avast me mateys. Off the starboard bow. Thar she blows. Looks like the Chris Christie juggernaut hit its first iceberg. And harpoons are flying in from multiple quarters. Back on the Jersey Shore, Hillary Clinton's people and Rand Paul's people are partying so loud and hard, Snooki and JWoww's people are banging on doors … [Read more...] about Governor Juggernaut (Guest Voice)
Black widow spider males twerk to signal they’re mates, not dinner
Miley Cryus may have made twerking (in)famous, but she didn't originate it. In fact, you could argue no human did: spiders did. Male black widow spiders, that is... A study from the University of British Columbia reports that black widow spiders do a kind of twerking movement not to offer themselves up as dinner, but to let the female know she's being approached by a male. … [Read more...] about Black widow spider males twerk to signal they’re mates, not dinner
How an Ohio Family Came to Love Obamacare
I have read so many horror stories about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that when I read the story of how a skeptical Ohio family found plenty to like in the ACA, I had to assume that TIME Magazine was lying, that Steven Brill -- the author -- was lying, that health-insurance agent Barry Cohen was lying and, especially, that Sean and Stephanie Recchi -- the couple who now loves … [Read more...] about How an Ohio Family Came to Love Obamacare
Calm Yourself
Calm yourself by Doug Bursch Calm yourself by thinking deeply. See beyond the temporal and engage the eternal. Calm yourself by not thinking. Embrace the visceral beauty and engage the moment. Calm yourself in silent meditation. Empty your thoughts, be still and content. Calm yourself by moving, doing and speaking, be active and engaging. Calm … [Read more...] about Calm Yourself
Hoboken mayor says Christie camp used Sandy relief money as political hostage tool
In yet another blow to his national image that could open a whole new can of political worms, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is now facing allegations from the mayor of Hoboken that his camp used federal Hurricane Sandy relief money as a kind of political bludgeon -- to hold out giving it unless a political price was paid. Dawn Zimme is saying she asked for $127 million in … [Read more...] about Hoboken mayor says Christie camp used Sandy relief money as political hostage tool
The Moral Heart of “Downton Abbey”
In life, a minor character can assume a crucial role. For one who has experienced this phenomenon often, so too in popular art, as the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes, who has figured in all 34 episodes of “Downtown Abbey,” increasingly comes to the heart of conflicts that beset other characters. That someone who has willingly suppressed her own passions in the service of others … [Read more...] about The Moral Heart of “Downton Abbey”
(Updated) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Update: We still do not know which First Lady French President Francois Hollande is going to bring to dinner at the White House next month, but at least Hollande has finally -- on Thursday -- visited his first First Lady, Valerie Trierweiler, at a Paris hospital where she was hospitalized after news leaked out that he was having an affair with second First Lady, actress … [Read more...] about (Updated) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Republican Panic — and Glee — over Christie Bridgegate Crisis
They're mournful and fearful. They're absolutely besides themselves with joy. Those are the two key reactions as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie continues to see his name pitchforked into the headlines in stories about 20 subpoenas being issued in the "Bridgegate" scandal and Christie retaining an attorney, on op-eds asking the now trite but relevant question "What the … [Read more...] about Republican Panic — and Glee — over Christie Bridgegate Crisis
(Updates) Lost and Gained in Political Translation
Update II: María Conchita Alonso was to perform next month at the Brava Theater Center in San Francisco’s Mission District in a Spanish-language version of “The Vagina Monologues.” The show producer, Eliana Lopez, wife of San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, has told KPIX5, “We really cannot have her in the show, unfortunately.” Lopez said Alonso abruptly resigned … [Read more...] about (Updates) Lost and Gained in Political Translation
It’s the Infrastructure, Stupid!
Joe Conason urges Democrats to promote a jobs program repairing our long-neglected infrastructure in The National Memo. Considering how incessantly all politicians blather about jobs and how badly we need them, it is remarkable how little most of them actually do to increase employment. Much of what they’ve done in Washington over the past few years has achieved precisely the … [Read more...] about It’s the Infrastructure, Stupid!
Gallup Poll: Priority of and Dissatisfaction with NSA Surveillance
I was glued to the TV this morning -- as I assume many of our readers were -- as the president announced changes to be made to NSA surveillance activities, especially in the collection of phone records. I have also been very interested during the past few months in the issue of national security vs. privacy rights, as I know most of our readers have been. That is why I was … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Priority of and Dissatisfaction with NSA Surveillance