The news that Philip Seymour Hoffman died shocked me more than it had the right to. I don’t claim to be a huge fan of the actor, but news of his death had me shaking my head in disbelief for a good while. Hoffman may not have been a ‘superstar’, but he was the type of actor to routinely steal a film from the headliners – he did this in every film I saw him in. The perfect … [Read more...] about A Tragedy: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Is New Republican Robot Paul Ryan in Drag?
GOP white coats are thisclose to getting it right. Previous prototypes like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann blew up after leaving the launching pad, but Cathy McMorris Rodgers is in orbit as their new Matron of the Year, full of empty catch phrases with no content whatsoever but friction-free. Only SNL or the Daily Show would be mean enough to parody a nice farm girl, first … [Read more...] about Is New Republican Robot Paul Ryan in Drag?
Joan Mondale Enters Hospice Care
Sometimes humanity trumps politics and this is such a case. Joan Mondale, wife of former VP Walter Mondale, has entered hospice care. No other details were released. … [Read more...] about Joan Mondale Enters Hospice Care
So here’s why Germany is struggling to ban neo-Nazis (Guest Voice)
So here's why Germany is struggling to ban neo-Nazis (via GlobalPost) BERLIN, Germany — Reeling from revelations that a neo-Nazi cell allegedly robbed banks and murdered immigrants with impunity for more than a decade, the authorities have been at pains to show they’re acting against extremism. Leading the effort… … [Read more...] about So here’s why Germany is struggling to ban neo-Nazis (Guest Voice)
Oscar Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead Of Suspected Drug Overdose
Once in a while there's a talent that is so huge you're in awe of it and figure you'll be able to enjoy and marvel at it your entire life. Such was the talent of Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman whose life has ended too soon at 46. The cause: a drug overdose. He was found with a needle hanging out of his arm. Hoffman was an actor's actor -- someone able to appear totally … [Read more...] about Oscar Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead Of Suspected Drug Overdose
No matter who’s at fault, Christie comes off looking grimy
Evidently, Christie's office couldn't manage to put some distance between the governor and the governor's old "friend" and ally. David Wildstein, who told the press that Christie knew all about those lane closings on the GeoWash bridge, is now the target of Christie's staff. The attack on Wildstein goes all the way back to high school days, sounds desperate. In a … [Read more...] about No matter who’s at fault, Christie comes off looking grimy
Turning Point? Christie faces damage from angry, knowledgeable friend (Guest Voice)
Chris Christie faces the wrath of a scorned friend (via NJ.com) Of all the arrows fired at Gov. Chris Christie over the years, the one that inflicted the deepest wound came not from a rival, but from an ally. David Wildstein, by all accounts, was thrilled to be part of the governor’s inner circle. He was known… … [Read more...] about Turning Point? Christie faces damage from angry, knowledgeable friend (Guest Voice)
Missouri Man Executed While His Appeal Pending in Court: Not the First Time
And now here's a truly shocking story. The debate over capital punishment continues to rage and one of the key points of debate is whether innocent people are executed. But now comes a new twist: cases where people whose cases are still pending are hurriedly put to death -- and the cases reportedly come out of the state of Missouri, the Atlantic reports: It is 2014, not … [Read more...] about Missouri Man Executed While His Appeal Pending in Court: Not the First Time
Loudest Voice in the Room
Check out an excerpt from Gabriel Sherman's biography of Fox News' Roger Ailes--"The Loudest Voice in the Room" on The National Memo. Sherman's picture of Ailes is a lot like other backgrounders on right-wing figures . Ailes was reportedly abused both physically and emotionally by his father. He has spent his professional life paying that abuse forward with a paranoid, bullying … [Read more...] about Loudest Voice in the Room
NFL Super Bowl XLVIII rundown
NFL Super Bowl XLVIII rundown (via Fox Sports) Joel Beall Updated Feb 1, 2014 10:39 PM ET Of New York, Walt Whitman once wrote, “There is no place like it, no place with an atom of its glory, pride, and exultancy. It lays its hand upon a man’s (guts); he grows drunk with ecstasy; he grows… … [Read more...] about NFL Super Bowl XLVIII rundown
The GOP Psyche: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
The GOP Psyche: An Explainer By Tina Dupuy I believe the Republican Party's psychic break happened the moment their "compassionate conservative" economic philosophy melted the world's economy. President George W. Bush, the champion of deregulation, bailed out the banks and then offered: "I've abandoned free market principles to save the free market system." I know when I … [Read more...] about The GOP Psyche: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
Immigration Reform: Cruz, Boehner Vie for Less
After building the most powerful nation on earth by welcoming those around the world who want a better and freer life, a significant number of Americans now want to slam the gates. Sorting out and integrating millions of illegal aliens is no easy matter, too long delayed, but John Boehner and Ted Cruz are taking off the masks that Republicans donned after losing the White … [Read more...] about Immigration Reform: Cruz, Boehner Vie for Less
Christie’s “brand” implodes
The crises swirling around New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are likely to have several legal and political consquences, but there's one consequence now, no matter how he emerges legally: the collapse of his political brand. The montage of newspaper covers above tell the story. When have we seen such a rapid implosion of a brand? To be sure, we've seen the sex scandals … [Read more...] about Christie’s “brand” implodes
A Hair Story, Confrontation and Lessons Learned
When my daughter was fourteen I got a call from her pediatrician that she had been diagnosed with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma, a very aggressive soft tissue cancer. I was on the way to her basketball game. She was a starter on her women's high school basketball team. I watched her play with tears in my eyes knowing that she didn’t have any idea what was coming; that I might … [Read more...] about A Hair Story, Confrontation and Lessons Learned
Monsters Hiding in Plain Sight (Guest Voice)
Monsters Hiding in Plain Sight by Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam In the darkest recesses of our minds we have always known that monsters exist. It is only when we are involuntarily thrust into an unfolding human tragedy that shocks our senses and devastates our hearts that we truly acknowledge their presence. Our collective eyes have been opened by the discovery of … [Read more...] about Monsters Hiding in Plain Sight (Guest Voice)
Thanks, fellas, for bringing back botched abortions
The New Yorker posts a chart showing the damage done by unlicensed doctors in unauthorized clinics, the doctors to whom women seeking abortions now turn when they can't get care from legitimate clinic. For this you can thank those"moral" neighbors in your community who, among others across the nation, are working to destroy available healthcare and reproductive choice in … [Read more...] about Thanks, fellas, for bringing back botched abortions
2014 Super Bowl stars as recruits: The Broncos offense vs. Seahawks defense (Guest Voice with Video)
2014 Super Bowl stars as recruits: The Broncos offense vs. Seahawks defense (via SB Nation) By SB Nation College News on Feb 1 2014, 11:57a + The clash of Peyton Manning's No. 1 offense and Seattle's No. 1 defense will be one of the biggest matchups in NFL history. Let's take a look at each starter on those two units as high school prospects… … [Read more...] about 2014 Super Bowl stars as recruits: The Broncos offense vs. Seahawks defense (Guest Voice with Video)
National Review in Trouble
The National Review, the conservative journal founded by William F. Buckley, faces a libel suit from climate scientist and Penn State faculty member Michael Mann for comparing Mann to convicted sex offender Jerry Sandusky. Mann could be said to be the Jerry Sandusky of political science, except that instead of molesting children he has molested and tortured data in the service … [Read more...] about National Review in Trouble
SMH: Montana GOP Congressional Candidate Ryan Zinke Calls Hillary Clinton the Anti-Christ
the right wing called President Obama the anti-Christ, now Republican Congressional candidate Ryan Zinke (MO) is now calling former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the anti-Christ. Um, are there more than one anti-Christ? A Republican candidate for Congress in Montana compared former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the anti-Christ. The candidate, state Sen. Ryan … [Read more...] about SMH: Montana GOP Congressional Candidate Ryan Zinke Calls Hillary Clinton the Anti-Christ
Ender’s Game – The Movie
While I may despise the bigoted politics of Orson Scot Card I have always enjoyed his science fiction novels. The Ender's Game series and the Ender's Shadow series are among his best. When I heard that they were going to make a movie of Ender's Game I could only wonder how they would screw it up. Well I watched the movie and they didn't. Yes, when you make a two hour movie … [Read more...] about Ender’s Game – The Movie