No one can say that the Sochi Winter Olympics has been without controversy. From the threat of terrorism to the questionable accommodations given to guests and journalists, this Olympics has been one of the more controversial in recent memory. Perhaps the most hot-button topic of the games has been the Russian government's attitude towards gays. Russia recently passed a law … [Read more...] about Sexuality Continues to Be a Hot Topic at the Sochi Olympics
1 in 4 Americans unaware that Earth circles Sun
1 in 4 Americans unaware that Earth circles Sun (via AFP) Americans are enthusiastic about the promise of science but lack basic knowledge of it, with one in four unaware that the Earth revolves around the Sun, said a poll out Friday. The survey included more than 2,200 people in the United States and was… … [Read more...] about 1 in 4 Americans unaware that Earth circles Sun
Valentines Day
I'm almost 68 and my last Valentine passed away over 10 years ago so this can be a lonely day. I still wear my wedding ring after all these years. That does not mean I can't love and be happy. I both took the photograph and grew the tomato. So a happy Valentine's day to you all! … [Read more...] about Valentines Day
The Winter Of Our (Well, My) Discontent
It was the final meteorological indignity in a winter full of meteorological indignities. Not the fact that there have been only a few hours of temperatures above freezing since New Year's Day. (The afternoon of January 31; ah, I remember it well.) Not the half-assed job the highway department has done in keeping the road past the mountain retreat open. … [Read more...] about The Winter Of Our (Well, My) Discontent
Magic Mike: What not to watch this Valentine’s Day
If you asked people who know me to describe me in just one word, I am pretty sure the majority of the adjectives would not be flattering. One word that I doubt would come up is ‘jealous’ and this is because, for better or for worse, I am a very self-assured guy. This misplaced bravado pretty much took a running jump once I watched the film Magic Mike. For background, Mrs … [Read more...] about Magic Mike: What not to watch this Valentine’s Day
Santana Video Mania: Songs with legs (and bellies) (Videos)
[buzz] Santana made music song with "legs." And bellies. Here's a remix of Laurel and Hardy's famous "Way Out West" dance where the boys are dancing to Santana: And a longtime friend in New Delhi has sent me this: a belly dancer doing "Black Magic Woman": … [Read more...] about Santana Video Mania: Songs with legs (and bellies) (Videos)
The GOP’s health crisis
WASHINGTON -- Oh dear. The Republican Party's worst nightmare is coming true. Obamacare is working. The news that nearly 1.2 million people signed up last month for insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges is highly inconvenient for GOP candidates nationwide. It looks as if the party's two-word strategy for the fall election -- bash Obamacare -- will need to … [Read more...] about The GOP’s health crisis
Chris Christie loses weight (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 Chris Christie loses weight (Cartoon)
Noah Gundersen’s Ledges Album is Simply Beautiful
My older brother Jeff gave me Noah Gundersen’s album Ledges as a birthday present. Before I received this gift, I knew nothing about Gundersen’s work. However, when Jeff called to see if I had downloaded the album yet, I began to suspect that I was about to hear something really good. Jeff and I don’t always have the same musical tastes, but he has, from time to time, … [Read more...] about Noah Gundersen’s Ledges Album is Simply Beautiful
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Or, do those headlights coming straight at me mean that Heaven Can Wait?
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Or, do those headlights coming straight at me mean that Heaven Can Wait? The View From The Virgin Islands By John McCarthy TMV Columnist Should the United States be supporting faith speech through its employment of military chaplains in branches of the American armed services? The Constitution is clear on the … [Read more...] about Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Or, do those headlights coming straight at me mean that Heaven Can Wait?
US anger as Afghanistan releases 65 ‘insurgents’
US anger as Afghanistan releases 65 'insurgents' (via AFP) Scores of alleged Taliban fighters walked free from an Afghan jail Thursday, triggering condemnation from the United States, as President Hamid Karzai accused Washington of "harassing" his country's judicial authority. The decision to release the prisoners… … [Read more...] about US anger as Afghanistan releases 65 ‘insurgents’
Best Snow Day Announcement Ever
Words not needed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtqjdUi0nw … [Read more...] about Best Snow Day Announcement Ever
Sochi 2014: The Luge Behind Them, It’s On to the ‘Bobsleigh’ for our Soldier-Athletes
Our military team did not fare too well in what is considered to be one of the most risky Olympic winter sports -- the luge. Sgt. Preston Griffall and Sgt. Matt Mortensen finished 14th in the luge doubles after skidding in turn five of their second run at the Sanki Sliding Center Wednesday night, according to the U.S. Army. Griffall, 29, a member of the Utah National … [Read more...] about Sochi 2014: The Luge Behind Them, It’s On to the ‘Bobsleigh’ for our Soldier-Athletes
Good News On The Affordable Care Act
With all the poor reporting on the Congressional Budget Office report last week, I was disappointed to see that at times this extended to NRP, even if primarily by more conservative-leaning commentators discussing the report. Therefore I was happy to hear a report on Morning Edition today in which Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne immediately started out by setting the record … [Read more...] about Good News On The Affordable Care Act
Viral Video: Texas sportscaster Dale Hansen, on Michael Sam being gay
Viral Video: Texas sportscaster Dale Hansen, on Michael Sam being gay (via NJ.com) News that Missouri Tigers football star Michael Sam may become the first openly gay player in the NFL resounded widely Sunday. But now, so has commentary from Dale Hansen, a sports anchor at WFAA, an ABC affiliate in Dallas. (Sam, born in Galveston,… … [Read more...] about Viral Video: Texas sportscaster Dale Hansen, on Michael Sam being gay
Barbie Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition: Mattel’s Shameful Decision
Mattel has made the terrible choice to prostitute their Barbie brand by partnering Barbie with this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. No, this is not a joke! As a talk show host, this is one of the worst American culture stories I’ve covered in my four years on the air. Click link below to hear Barbie segment from my daily talk show “Live from Seattle with Doug … [Read more...] about Barbie Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition: Mattel’s Shameful Decision
John Boehner’s sunshine band
WASHINGTON -- From now on, it's the Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah House. The political world stopped for a moment when Speaker John Boehner broke into the jaunty old Disney tune -- "My, oh my, what a wonderful day" -- after a news conference during which he threw in the towel on the debt ceiling fight. He found himself trapped between the immovable object of Democrats determined … [Read more...] about John Boehner’s sunshine band
Chris Christie Distorts Democratic Views On Income Inequality
As Chris Christie's popularity has fallen following recent scandals, his popularity has picked up to a degree on the far right now that they see him as a "victim" of the liberal media. There's almost nothing the far right loves better than to see themselves as victims. In return Christie is pandering to the Tea Party and far right, using their tactic of distorting the views … [Read more...] about Chris Christie Distorts Democratic Views On Income Inequality
The future of Chinese democracy will be decided in Hong Kong this year
The future of Chinese democracy will be decided in Hong Kong this year (via GlobalPost) Enlarge Protesters rally for democracy in Hong Kong on July 1, 2013, the 16th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Tens of thousands of protesters marched through torrential rain chanting slogans demanding universal suffrage… … [Read more...] about The future of Chinese democracy will be decided in Hong Kong this year
Reactions to Comcast/Time Warner Cable Merger
Comcast confirmed this morning that it wants to buy (merge with) Time Warner Cable. Analysis has been light, but expect that to change throughout the day. In the meantime, check out my Storify. The plan is to update it throughout the day. [View the story "Comcast and Time Warner Cable: Nope" on Storify] … [Read more...] about Reactions to Comcast/Time Warner Cable Merger