Various polls have suggested there's no major damage to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over "Bridgegate" yet -- and yet another poll comes up with the same finding. But all is not happy news for the Gov: Nearly 70 percent of Americans say the bridge-closure scandal engulfing Chris Christie has not changed their opinion about the New Jersey governor, according to a new NBC … [Read more...] about Christie is surviving “Bridgegate”
Your Smart Phone and Rare Earths
Your smart phone, your computer, your car and the industrial robots that made them depend on a group of elements known as Rare Earths. Now Rare Earths is a bit of a misnomer because they are not really rare at all. What is rare are concentrations that make them economical to mine and process them. One such location is at Mountain Pass, California which used to be the primary … [Read more...] about Your Smart Phone and Rare Earths
Words, Words, I’m sick of words
Many people – including this writer – use words that are inaccurate, have multiple meanings, are outdated, and have been rendered meaningless by misuse and time. Therefore clarity in our personal thoughts and group discussions are significantly compromised or rendered impossible. Our understanding of words often reflects our economic, social, economic, political, religious, … [Read more...] about Words, Words, I’m sick of words
Flashback: Robert McNamara’s Catharsis As Mortal Man Cast Into A Giant’s Role
The dust-up over "Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War" by Bush-Obama Defense Secretary Robert Gates recalls to mind two other secretaries who were as controversial as Gates was circumspect. Herewith excerpts from a July 2009 post: With the death yesterday of Robert S. McNamara, the JFK-LBJ era defense secretary and Vietnam War architect, my thoughts segue quickly to … [Read more...] about Flashback: Robert McNamara’s Catharsis As Mortal Man Cast Into A Giant’s Role
FL Movie Shooter ‘Feared for Life’ After Victim Chad Oulson Threw Popcorn at Him During Argument
Don't be surprised if Florida movie theater shooter, retired police captain, Curtis Reeves uses the controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law to justify murdering Chad Oulson during an altercation about texting at Cobb CineBistro Movie theater in Wesley Chapel. Reeves was charged with second-degree murder. Judge Lynn Tepper ordered him held without bond, saying the "evidence of … [Read more...] about FL Movie Shooter ‘Feared for Life’ After Victim Chad Oulson Threw Popcorn at Him During Argument
Obama offers little if any hope on environmental issues
For some reason, his legacy has taken on a greater importance than the environment. The Obama administration is retreating from previous demands of strong international environmental protections in order to reach agreement on a sweeping Pacific trade deal that is a pillar of President Obama’s strategic shift to Asia, according to documents obtained by WikiLeaks, … [Read more...] about Obama offers little if any hope on environmental issues
Roswell New Mexico School Shooting’s Familiar Question: Why?
Another school shooting. This time in Rosewell, New Mexico, at Berrendo Middle School. This time two students injured: a 13-year-old girl in serious condition an an 11-year old boy in critical condition. This time yet another story of a heroic teacher. Only this time the teacher lives. And this time a familiar question that has grown tiresome: Why? As usual, the facts are … [Read more...] about Roswell New Mexico School Shooting’s Familiar Question: Why?
Don’t Count Christie Out
People waiting to get New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's last pound of flesh may have a long wait, and not for the obvious reason. In case you've been on Mars, polls have shown Christie to be one of the country's hottest properties, a Republican who won re-election by 22 points in a blue state by wooing and winning over many Democrats and independents. Is his seeming … [Read more...] about Don’t Count Christie Out
Employers Can Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ For Poverty Wages (Guest Voice)
Employers Can Take 'Personal Responsibility' For Poverty Wages by Tina Dupuy Brace yourself America—Republicans have discovered poverty! Right here, right under their noses, 48 million Americans are, as Senator Marco Rubio puts it, "soon-to-haves." Because nothing says you understand institutional and generational poverty like using corporate-ese to describe it. Now … [Read more...] about Employers Can Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ For Poverty Wages (Guest Voice)
New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking (Guest Voice)
New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking by Nick Cunningham The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a rule on January 9, 2014 requiring oil and gas companies using hydraulic fracturing off the coast of California to disclose the chemicals they discharge into the ocean. Oil and gas companies have been fracking offshore California for … [Read more...] about New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking (Guest Voice)
Bacevich on Use (and Misuse) of Force
Andrew Bacevich discusses the use and misuse of military force in foreign policy in The Los Angeles Times. Fundamentally, a pronounced infatuation with armed might has led senior civilian officials, regardless of party, and senior military leaders, regardless of service, to misunderstand and misapply the military instrument. Force is good for some things, preeminently for … [Read more...] about Bacevich on Use (and Misuse) of Force
Models of Dignity (Part 1)
This is the fifth part of the serialization of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (Berrett-Koehler, 2006). The ideas in this book are further developed in my recent novel The Rowan Tree. Chapter 3: MODELS OF DIGNITY (Part 1) When first we mean to build, We first survey the plot, then draw the model. –William Shakespeare, Henry IV The sciences … [Read more...] about Models of Dignity (Part 1)
A Real Tiger Goes Shopping (Video)
It almost sounds like the beginning of a joke: "A tiger walks into a store..." but it isn't in this video. A young-looking tiger strolls into a store carrying something in its mouth (credit rademacher). Just watch the clerk on the left when he sees it and see the customers flee on the right. Most notable: yes, the tiger saunters around like a house cat: … [Read more...] about A Real Tiger Goes Shopping (Video)
New Photo Seemingly Undermines Christie Bridge Narrative
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's problem now is that every assertion and statement he made in press conferences about "Bridgegate" is going to be vetted, and tested against any new statement from others, or anything on the record. And he has now had part of his narrative seemingly undermined by The Wall Street Journal: Gov. Chris Christie was with the official who … [Read more...] about New Photo Seemingly Undermines Christie Bridge Narrative
Senate Dems For War with Iran?
Andrew Sullivan poses the question noting Democratic Senators co-sponsoring a bill opposing the recent accord with Iran on The Daily Dish. The Senate is full of them. The list of Democratic Senators who favor a march to war with Iran rather than allowing the current negotiations to proceed unhindered is here. I note a few remarkable members of the war chorus: Michael Bennet of … [Read more...] about Senate Dems For War with Iran?
Gates Is No Rumsfeld, ‘Once More with Feeling’
My “Gates Is no Rumsfeld” post is getting a bit crowded with updates and comments. Thus, it might be a good idea to start a new column -- a final one, before we all get the chance to read the book for ourselves and review and comment on the book from that unusual perspective... (Gates’ book is set to be released officially today and Dana Milbank over at the Washington Post … [Read more...] about Gates Is No Rumsfeld, ‘Once More with Feeling’
Is Eminent Domain the Way to Fight Urban Blight?
The concept of cities using eminent domain to obtain homes whose owners are under water on their mortgages has recently come to the fore and is being debated in some towns. Homeowners who owe more money on their houses than the buildings are worth are unlikely to make the necessary repairs and keep up the maintenance on these structures and many of them decay, causing further … [Read more...] about Is Eminent Domain the Way to Fight Urban Blight?
Iraq Not Just a Problem for GOP
Conor Friedersdorf argues that the GOP isn't the only party for whom Iraq is a problem in The Atlantic. The tragic news that forces linked to Al Qaeda have retaken Fallujah is just the latest reminder that George W. Bush's war of choice was a historic, catastrophic misjudgment. "Any Republican seeking nomination for the 2016 presidential election should at a minimum be willing … [Read more...] about Iraq Not Just a Problem for GOP
Christie’s Niche in True Believer Hall of Fame
Size matters, but so does moral essence. Snarling bridge traffic out of political pique may be petty compared to aiming airliners at tall buildings, but the dazzling human disproportion between ends and means, the reckless assault on innocent people and the subjugation of life to self-serving abstractions are inescapable, the mark of what Eisenhower’s favorite philosopher, Eric … [Read more...] about Christie’s Niche in True Believer Hall of Fame
Mitt Romney Dances with Alex Boyle (Video)
Americans are used to politicians giving them a song and dance. Here's Mitt Romney giving an audience a dance (with Alex Boyle): … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Dances with Alex Boyle (Video)