What’s an NSL An NSL is a National Security Letter. First authorized in 1978 to circumvent the Right to Financial Privacy Act, NSL’s were to be used in counter espionage investigations by the FBI and were limited to investigations of foreign powers and foreign agents. In 1993 the power under the law was broadened to include persons not under direct investigation. With … [Read more...] about What’s An NSL? Why Does It Matter? [Updated]
Gates’ Memoir and Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta
In my “Gates Is No Rumsfeld,” I said: At a more personal level, I was — and still am — disappointed that Gates did not support awarding the so clearly well deserved Medal of Honor to Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta . As many others and I have already written numerous pieces about both the heroism that prompted the Commandant of the Marine Corps to nominate Marine … [Read more...] about Gates’ Memoir and Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta
A Thought Experiment
There are actually two versions of the question for you to consider. Imagine you are given the power to do one of the following 1. Save 200,000 Iranians from death in an earthquake 2. Save 400 Americans from death in a plane crash 3. Save your child from death in a car accident You can only do one, which do you do ? My guess is that most people, if honest … [Read more...] about A Thought Experiment
The earliest animated cartoons (Videos)
Animation is now in a kind of new "golden age," with highly creative computer animation. But where did it start? The very first animated cartoon consisted of 500 painted images, in a system developed by Charles-Émile Reynaud. The film opened at his his Théâtre Optique at the Musée Grévin in 1892: Here is what is considered to be the first animated film -- from … [Read more...] about The earliest animated cartoons (Videos)
Hard to see the victim here
WASHINGTON -- You know a politician is having a bad day when he has to stand before a news conference and plead, "I am who I am, but I am not a bully." Frankly, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was unconvincing on that score Thursday as he attempted to contain a widening abuse-of-power scandal. Moreover, Christie displayed a degree of egocentrism that can only be … [Read more...] about Hard to see the victim here
Christie’s bridge presser defense: mission accomplished or bungled? (News and cartoons roundup)
Beset New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's two hour press conference on the scandal about traffic on the world's busiest bridge being in effect sabotaged by aides: did it end in mission accomplished, or mission bungled? The opinion is divided and Christie has enemies in both parties -- conservative Republicans and Democrats -- who'll give him a thumbs down no matter … [Read more...] about Christie’s bridge presser defense: mission accomplished or bungled? (News and cartoons roundup)
The Cure for Terrorism: Forbid All News Coverage (Izvestia, Russia)
Is there a fast and effective way to halt terrorist attacks in their tracks? Just weeks before the Winter Olympics in nearby Sochi, and after two deadly bombings in the city of Volgagrad, Volgograd Oblast's former vice governor writes in Izvestia that the history of terrorism makes clear that halting all press coverage of such crimes, as long as the public gives its consent, … [Read more...] about The Cure for Terrorism: Forbid All News Coverage (Izvestia, Russia)
Kim and Rodman (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 Kim and Rodman (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: How Christie could survive
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Doug Mataconis, who is part of a New York Times op-ed debte on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's bridge scandal. Mataconis' short piece -- which needs to be read in full -- first points to Christie's press conference and concludes: The governor went a long way toward putting this matter behind him with his press … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: How Christie could survive
Christie, the bridge and the Republicans (Guest Cartoonist)
Christy, the bridge and the Republicans by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Why the Christie scandal is a major challenge for Republicans --Christie Traffic-Jam Crisis Poses Test of 2016 Prospects --WHY SOME REPUBLICANS ARE GLOATING OVER CHRISTIE'S TROUBLES --Republican Leaders Assess Scandal Damage to Christie --Republicans go after Christie on … [Read more...] about Christie, the bridge and the Republicans (Guest Cartoonist)
MoMa Plans a Massive Renovation, But Will Nix the American Folk Art Museum
There's big news for all of you art lovers out there — the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York has revealed its plans for a huge renovation. Located in Midtown at 54th Street, the MoMa draws around 3 million annual visitors with its impressive collection of 20th century and new-age art. The museum announced it would undergo another massive overhaul just 9 years after the … [Read more...] about MoMa Plans a Massive Renovation, But Will Nix the American Folk Art Museum
House Intelligence Committee: “Snowden Leaks Helped Terrorists”
It is possible that U.S. House Intelligence Panel members are exaggerating, embellishing or fear-mongering, but this is what The Hill reports: Edward Snowden's leaks about National Security Agency programs have put U.S. troops at risk and prompted terrorists to change their tactics, according to a classified Pentagon report. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike … [Read more...] about House Intelligence Committee: “Snowden Leaks Helped Terrorists”
Christie Presser on bridge: “embarrassed…humiliated” and in the dark
Touched by a scandal that could throw a monkey wrench into his 2016 Republican Presidential hopes and possibly his political career, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in a press conference declared he was "embarrassed...humiliated" and in as a manager in the dark about "some people on my team" seemingly slowing down traffic on the George Washington Bridge to get back at Fort Lee's … [Read more...] about Christie Presser on bridge: “embarrassed…humiliated” and in the dark
The Christie Fib-A-Thon, Er, News Conference
Being a trial lawyer causes a person to see the world in ways perhaps different from others. Having to judge the credibility of witnesses, discuss their testimony with jurors in closing argument and/or prepare for cross examination, I tend to see events like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's press conference from that courtroom perspective. The signs of dishonesty … [Read more...] about The Christie Fib-A-Thon, Er, News Conference
When you divide by 15 minutes of fame what do you get?
When you divide by 15 minutes of fame what do you get? (The Call of the Wild is an ad revenue shell game by Duck, Duck Goose) The View from the Virgin Islands By John F. McCarthy TMV Guest Voice Columnist All the world's a stage, but the modern American media business is but a shill game. So Tina Dupuy is right to make a distinction between Free Speech and Free … [Read more...] about When you divide by 15 minutes of fame what do you get?
Avoid Conventional Wisdomitus: Don’t Count Christie Out (Yet)
It's raging. It's flaring. It's spreading. In light of emails linking his office closely to shutting down lanes of the George Washington Bridge in what looks like a hack partisan revenge move, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christy was t-h-e political story yesterday. And the conventional wisdom was spreading full blast. By the end of the day some written and broadcast pundits were … [Read more...] about Avoid Conventional Wisdomitus: Don’t Count Christie Out (Yet)
Dreher on Gates/Obama
Rod Dreher comments on Robert Gates' memoir in The American Conservative. On Afghanistan: Is it just me, or is this nuts? Obama’s judgment of the sleazy Karzai was correct, Obama knew the war was unwinnable, Gates thinks Obama made the right calls — but he faults the president for not being a True Believer? As if George W. Bush’s unwillingness to reassess American strategy … [Read more...] about Dreher on Gates/Obama
Rodman apologises for N. Korea outburst, blames drink
Rodman apologises for N. Korea outburst, blames drink (via AFP) Former NBA star Dennis Rodman apologised Thursday for his televised outburst about a US missionary detained in North Korea, explaining that he had been stressed and drinking at the time. Rodman was roundly criticised for his angry tirade in an interview… … [Read more...] about Rodman apologises for N. Korea outburst, blames drink
Chris Christie’s role in GWB bridge scandal questioned in wake of newly revealed e-mails
Chris Christie's role in GWB bridge scandal questioned in wake of newly revealed e-mails (via NJ.com) TRENTON — The release of a stunning series of e-mails implicating his administration in the controversial lane closures at the George Washington Bridge last September leave Republican Gov. Chris Christie weathering his first major political scandal… … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s role in GWB bridge scandal questioned in wake of newly revealed e-mails
Invasion of the Political Entertainment Media Body Snatchers
(Sigh.) And so we see another example of a cable political personality's previous branding bite the dust. Another apology. Another brand altered. This time it was MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry, the writer and political science professor at Tulane University. When her weekend show debuted on MSNBC last spring some called it dull. She recently urged her panelists to be funnier … [Read more...] about Invasion of the Political Entertainment Media Body Snatchers