While much of the country is experiencing cold weather, ice and snow we here on the west coast are experiencing drought conditions, We hear about California on the national news but it also applies to my state of Oregon. Dry conditions and high winds have resulted in unheard of January forest fires in normally soggy Western Oregon. ARCH CAPE, Ore. -- Rare winter wildfires … [Read more...] about Climate Change Impacts
Poll: Americans split on Obama approval
As America's polarization continues unabated and he prepares for next week's State of the Union address, CBS News reports that a new poll finds Americans are split on President Barack Obama's approval rating. The news could be worse for Obama but it's not good news for the Democrat Party as it heads into mid-terms where some analysts believe the GOP could take control of the … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans split on Obama approval
Justin Bieber’s Entourage (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 Justin Bieber’s Entourage (Cartoon)
A Tale of Two Governors – Both Republican
But what a difference… Utah’s Republican Governor, Gary Herbert, says that Utah will expand Medicaid to cover more of the state’s uninsured. "Doing nothing...I’ve taken off the table. Doing nothing is not an option," the Republican governor said at his monthly news conference, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. While Herbert has not indicated which of two Medicaid … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Governors – Both Republican
Why China’s People Favor American Police Over Their Own (Huanqiu, China)
A few days ago, an elderly Chinese gentleman in New York was injured in a tussle with New York police officers, who detained the man for jaywalking. According to this editorial from the state-run Huanqiu, the fact that Chinese public opinion sides with New York police in this case, and that in similar circumstances, Chinese police would be condemned, highlights a troubling lack … [Read more...] about Why China’s People Favor American Police Over Their Own (Huanqiu, China)
Austin Slowly Digs Out of Winter Storm
CODA: With sincere sympathy to any and all Austinites and Texans who suffered any kind of hardship as a result of our winter storm It is almost 11:00 a.m., the sun is coming out, the temperature is nearly 32 degrees (still an unbelievably freezing-cold 31 degrees at the airport), our roads are beginning to thaw out and our city is finally beginning to dig itself out of a … [Read more...] about Austin Slowly Digs Out of Winter Storm
Conservative author and filmaker Dinesh D’Souza charged in campaign finance case
His lawyer in a statement insists it's "at worst, this was an act of misguided friendship," but in yet another fall from grace, conservative author D’Souza has been indicted on federal charges of violating campaign finance laws by using straw donors to funnel money to a U.S. Senate candidate. It's just the latest in a series of problems that pitchforked the once rising … [Read more...] about Conservative author and filmaker Dinesh D’Souza charged in campaign finance case
Abe Adopts ‘North Korean Tactics’ on Yasukuni Shrine (Ismedia, Japan)
Why did Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of the most successful Japanese politicians in modern times, choose this moment to worship at the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 class-A war criminals are interred? For Japan's Ismedia, columnist Koga Shigeaki seeks to explain Abe's apparently self-destructive behavior, and in the process issues a powerful indictment of the Japanese … [Read more...] about Abe Adopts ‘North Korean Tactics’ on Yasukuni Shrine (Ismedia, Japan)
Monday, January 27, is Holocaust Memorial Day
January 27, the day in 1945 when Soviet Forces liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau --- the largest Nazi death camp - - is Holocaust Memorial Day. On that day in 1945, the Soviet army entered Auschwitz and liberated more than 7,000 prisoners, who were mostly ill and dying, but not before -- as the Soviets were approaching the camp -- the Nazis forced nearly 60,000 prisoners to … [Read more...] about Monday, January 27, is Holocaust Memorial Day
Because It Will
For most of us one of the most frustrating words of our childhood was the dreaded and disliked ‘Because’. When a parent would tell us we couldn’t do something or could not go somewhere and we asked why, the response was ‘Because I said so’ or just ‘Because’. But as I grow older I think it is time we all revisit this term with a little more affection and respect. It is not … [Read more...] about Because It Will
The Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking (Guest Voice)
The Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking = by Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam On February 2 of this year, thousands will gather at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., to watch the Seattle Seahawks battle the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. As the athletes take the field and the fans cheer, they will be oblivious to the tragedy unfolding around them in dark hotel rooms … [Read more...] about The Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking (Guest Voice)
Rat-Infested Ghost Ship on the Way to Britain?
Talk about a gloomy, ghastly, gnawing, ghostly story -- this is one. Here is the gist of the story. "A ghost ship carrying nothing but disease-ridden rats could be about to make land on Britain’s shore, experts have warned." (The Independent) The Lyubov Orlova cruise liner has been drifting across the north Atlantic for the better part of a year, and salvage hunters … [Read more...] about Rat-Infested Ghost Ship on the Way to Britain?
Huckabee on Libido 101
Webster’s: li-bi-do (li-bi’do) n. [L.libido, lubido, pleasure, wantonness...] 1. the sexual urge or instinct... Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R), on "libido" according to the Washington Post: If the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing them for them a … [Read more...] about Huckabee on Libido 101
According to Court of Appeals, Homosexuals Cannot Be Banned from the Jury
There's great news for all of you LGBT rights activists out there. On Tuesday, January 21, the Ninth Circuit's Court of Appeals declared it was unlawful for individuals to be barred from jury duty on the basis of sexual orientation. The decision came after a gay man was not selected for a jury because of his sexuality. By barring this form of discrimination, the court's … [Read more...] about According to Court of Appeals, Homosexuals Cannot Be Banned from the Jury
NFL Thug Kill (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/nfl/ Copyright 2014 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about NFL Thug Kill (Cartoon)
(It starts:) “Can anyone beat Hillary?”
The conventional wisdom is now at full throttle. Some underlying assumptions: Hillary Clinton is the one to beat for the 2016 Democratic Presidential nomination...if it isn't a slam-dunk, it may already a dunk...only she has the political and financial resources....her legion of supporters and record as Secretary of State put her at a huge advantage...the Clinton machine is … [Read more...] about (It starts:) “Can anyone beat Hillary?”
Sochi: U.S. Soldiers on Luge-TeamUSA
In addition to the five U.S. Army soldiers who will compete in the Sochi Olympic Games bobsled event, three more soldiers will be part of the U.S. Olympic Luge Team at Sochi. Tim Hipps. U.S. Army Installation Management Command, reports: Team USA luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares will lead Sgt. Matt Mortensen and Sgt. Preston Griffall, who secured their spot … [Read more...] about Sochi: U.S. Soldiers on Luge-TeamUSA
To Russia with Hope…and little else (Guest Voice)
Note: This originally appeared in The Ripon Forum's Summer 2009 issue. To Russia with Hope (…and little else) by David Satter President Obama’s visit to Moscow July 6-8 did not result in serious agreements, but it changed the tone of U.S.– Russian relations. Whether or not this is a good thing, however, is very much open to doubt. Obama made a serious attempt to … [Read more...] about To Russia with Hope…and little else (Guest Voice)
AP severs ties with Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who altered work
File this one in your The Realities of the Media file. In this polarized age, it's easy for partisans to talk about the mainstream media as being out to get their party in the reporting media companies do, their use of video, even in the photos that are chosen to be released for use in the media. In fact, professional media companies usually have stringent standards that … [Read more...] about AP severs ties with Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who altered work
NSA Surveillance: A Second Opinion
In August of last year, the President appointed a five-member Review Group to advise him on the NSA surveillance issues. In December, the Review Group submitted its 300 page report to the President making 46 recommendations. The President addressed several of the recommendations in a speech a week ago, and he also consulted with another group, the Privacy and Civil … [Read more...] about NSA Surveillance: A Second Opinion