Separate "Marriage" and State By Tina Dupuy The problem with our debate about same-sex marriage is in many ways language. The term "marriage" is a religious one. All the dictates as to what a marriage is and who gets to be in a marriage (and how many) are bible-based. We have a religious idea that's sanctioned by the state in the form of regulations (sorry first cousins in … [Read more...] about Separate ‘Marriage’ and State
Watching big (Koch) money buy 2014
Koch money is beginning to scare the bejesus out of Democrats and democrats. Greg Sargent looks at what Americans For Prosperity (Koch) is spending vs. the Senate Majority PAC (Democratic fund raisers). A source familiar with ad buy info collected by the Senate Majority PAC tells me that as of today in Louisiana, AFP has spent over $1.7 million so far on ads against … [Read more...] about Watching big (Koch) money buy 2014
Woody Allen attacks ex over abuse allegations
Woody Allen attacks ex over abuse allegations (via AFP) Film director Woody Allen again denied molesting his daughter and launched a furious attack on his ex-partner Mia Farrow, blaming her for the abuse allegations. In a nearly 2,000-word op-ed in The New York Times, Allen on Friday castigated his former… … [Read more...] about Woody Allen attacks ex over abuse allegations
Christie’s Defense Undermines Image Again
It's almost like the old adage about burning down a village to save it. As the continuing political crisis swirling around New Jersey Chris Christie continues to unfold, his main line of defense that he never knew what his aides were doing continues to undermine his previous image. The latest: it's now being said that he had no idea his aides had sent out a memo mercilessly … [Read more...] about Christie’s Defense Undermines Image Again
Our Vulnerable Electric Grid
There has been a lot of talk about how our electrical grid is vulnerable to a cyber attack but is it even more vulnerable in other ways? There is this report: Why an AK-47 may be a bigger threat to the electricity grid than a cyberattack The revelation this week that a group of people attacked a power station in California last spring is forcing a reassessment of what may be … [Read more...] about Our Vulnerable Electric Grid
American moved from North Korea hospital to labor camp
American moved from North Korea hospital to labor camp (via AFP) North Korea has moved imprisoned US citizen Kenneth Bae from hospital and back to a labor camp, a US official said Friday, which could further complicate efforts to win his release. In an interview on Friday with a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan,… … [Read more...] about American moved from North Korea hospital to labor camp
Sabato: Christie falling, Rand Paul Rising to top of GOP Prez Prospects
The University of Virginia's Larry Sabato, one of the most accurate political analysts and forecasters in the country, find in his latest edition of his must-read Crystal Ball a shake up in the emerging ranking of Republicans believed to be seeking the Oval Office in 2016. According to Sabato, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been damaged by "bridgegate" and has declined … [Read more...] about Sabato: Christie falling, Rand Paul Rising to top of GOP Prez Prospects
Google Doodle flies gay flag for Sochi Olympics
Google Doodle flies gay flag for Sochi Olympics (via http://newsrule.com) Google has marked the Winter Games in Sochi by flying the gay flag in a search page Doodle that linked to a call for equality in the Olympic Charter Google marked the Winter Games in Sochi by flying the gay flag Thursday in a search page Doodle that… … [Read more...] about Google Doodle flies gay flag for Sochi Olympics
Jay Leno says goodbye to “The Tonight Show”: Goes out on top (Video)
And so Jay Leno is gone from "The Tonight Show." Like Johnny Carson's, whose seat he was selected to fill in a decision that sparked controversy, a book and a movie, he went out on top in his role in comedy, survivability, and in the ratings. He had a controversial reign as host but in the end, his ratings kept growing. It was an evening in that made Sandra Bullock cry -- and … [Read more...] about Jay Leno says goodbye to “The Tonight Show”: Goes out on top (Video)
America’s Espionage Obsession: ‘To Understand is Not to Tolerate’ (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
News that the Bush White House ordered the NSA to spy on German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder in the run up to the Iraq War is not going down well in Berlin. Seeking to hinder knee-jerk anti-Americanism, Sueddeutsche Zeitung columnist By Stefan Kornelius asks readers to take account of the situation in the United States at the time, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. For … [Read more...] about America’s Espionage Obsession: ‘To Understand is Not to Tolerate’ (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
Georgia – Republican Self Destruct?
On the surface you would think that a Republican Senate victory would be a done deal in the state of Georgia but maybe not. For starters the Democrats have a strong candidate in Michelle Nunn, daughter of the former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA). And then there are the eight Republican candidates that represent everything the Republicans have been trying to avoid. The front runner … [Read more...] about Georgia – Republican Self Destruct?
Wall Street Journal Slams Boehner on Immigration
The very conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page slammed House Speaker John Boehner for caving on immigration reform. Boehner blamed President Obama for his "lawlessness" despite the fact that Obama has issued fewer executive orders than recent Republican Presidents. The latest evidence is John Boehner's punt on immigration reform. Only days ago the House Speaker … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal Slams Boehner on Immigration
The CBO Report
The Republicans have had a field day with the CBO report on Obamacare, of course as usual it's mostly fiction. Even Republican leaning James Joyner admits as much. Over at TPM Dylan Scott makes a point I have made before, not being dependent on employer health insurance can be a job creator and encourage innovation. When I was an engineer a Tektronix in the 80s talented … [Read more...] about The CBO Report
Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust
Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust (via AFP) House Speaker John Boehner threw cold water on the prospects of near-term immigration reform, saying Thursday that Barack Obama must rebuild "trust" in his presidency before there is progress on the issue. "I have never underestimated the difficulty… … [Read more...] about Boehner: No immigration reform until Obama rebuilds trust
Russia says it knows journalists are trying to make Sochi hotel look bad because its room surveillance cameras prove it
All was missing was Texas Gov. Rick Perry saying: "Oops.." A Russian official, angry because of many reports indicating the Sochi hotel where Olympic-goers stay is beyond just plain lousy -- it's reportedly gross -- decided to hammer home his contention that the press is exaggerating it and even sabotaging the hotel. So he said they have surveillance video showing people … [Read more...] about Russia says it knows journalists are trying to make Sochi hotel look bad because its room surveillance cameras prove it
Black History Month Menu at Concord School Sparks Controversy
You have to feel a bit sorry for the administrators at Carondelet High School for Girls in Concord, CA. I mean, how were they to know people would be offended and upset? Who'd ever imagine it? It stands to reason that if it's Black History Month, the school would seek to honor it. So why not offer a special menu to mark the occasion? Who'd ever think anyone could be upset … [Read more...] about Black History Month Menu at Concord School Sparks Controversy
[My Future Funeral] The Analytics of Doug Bursch’s Lifelong Social Media Presence
We are here to live tweet and celebrate the life of Doug Bursch. Although his birth certificate handle was Douglas Steven Bursch, his close family and friends knew him simply as @fairlyspiritual or [email protected]. @fairlyspiritual was loved by his many Facebook friends and cherished by his many Live from Seattle with Doug Bursch Facebook fanpage fans. Even though … [Read more...] about [My Future Funeral] The Analytics of Doug Bursch’s Lifelong Social Media Presence
Text Message Crisis Hotlines: Why They’re Important and How They Help Teens
Free support hotlines have long been available to those undergoing mental or emotional crises. When experiencing suicidal thoughts or suffering from abuse, people need to get help immediately, and hotlines can provide a nondiscriminatory voice of support at all hours of the day. In recent years, it has also been increasingly common for people to receive help from texting … [Read more...] about Text Message Crisis Hotlines: Why They’re Important and How They Help Teens
Chris Christie’s Branding Implosion
When the Hindenburg flew over Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey on May 6, 1937, as it burst into flames, causing 35 fatalities, WLS radio's Herbert Morrison's eyewitness account became one that would be remembered for the ages: "Oh, the humanity!" We're now witnessing the explosion and lightning nosedive of Gov. Chris Christie's carefully cultivated and executed … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s Branding Implosion
Ben-gonzo (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 Ben-gonzo (Cartoon)