This is Hallstatt Austria. Hallstatt is a sleepy little Austrian town of less than a thousand people but it's importance in history and yes even pre-history can't be over estimated. The reason is salt. It was the the source of the iron age Celtic community that latter migrated to the British Isles. The citizens of Hallstatt had a lake full of fish and the … [Read more...] about Another Picture and some History
Winter Solstice
The bad news is this will be the shortest day of the year - the good news is the days now start getting longer. Happy Winter Solstice. Photo near Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany circa 1970. … [Read more...] about Winter Solstice
Video: Brave passenger takes down armed robber on Seattle bus
Yes, sometimes crime doesn't pay. And sometimes it's the people who don't have martial arts training, or who haven't been in fights, who spring into action because their "fight or flight" mechanism goes instantaneously into "fight." And so it was for Casey Borgen who suddenly saw a 19-year-old would-be robber pointing a gun at his face on a crowded Seattle bus. And Trevonnte … [Read more...] about Video: Brave passenger takes down armed robber on Seattle bus
What does this money tell us?
Probably not a whole lot. But it is interesting that the money raisers for Congressional seats in 2014 are doing significantly better on the Democratic side than their opponents are doing. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $5 million in November, its best showing in an off-year November ever and $1 million more than its Republican … [Read more...] about What does this money tell us?
Quote (Poem) of the Day: The Twelve Weeks of Obamacare
An instant classic. Our Quote (poem) of the Day comes from The ACP Advocate blog: On the first week of Obamacare, The government gave to me A promise of good healthcare, for me and my family On the second week of Obamacare, the government gave to me A website that wasn’t working And a promise of good healthcare, for me and my family On the third week of … [Read more...] about Quote (Poem) of the Day: The Twelve Weeks of Obamacare
Worst Congress Ever (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 Worst Congress Ever (Cartoon)
China will require its 250,000 journalists to pass a ‘Marxism test’
China will require its 250,000 journalists to pass a 'Marxism test' (via GlobalPost) Enlarge A newspaper vendor looks out from her booth on a street in Shanghai in January 2013. After a year in which Chinese media tested the government's restrictions, the Party is now requiring journalists to pass a Marxism exam in order to keep working… … [Read more...] about China will require its 250,000 journalists to pass a ‘Marxism test’
A Christmas Poem: ‘Santa Don’t Cry, This Life Is My Choice’
Owen Matta was a highly decorated Royal Australian Air Force pilot who flew missions in the European Theater. He came home to Melbourne where he taught electronics for many years at the RAAF Academy and University of Melbourne. He led an active life that included, at the invitation of the U.S. Air Force, breaking the sound barrier in a fighter jet when he visited the Air … [Read more...] about A Christmas Poem: ‘Santa Don’t Cry, This Life Is My Choice’
‘Well, Mr. Potter, In My Book He Died A Much Richer Man Than You’ll Ever Be.’
Sixty-seven years ago on Christmas eve, George Bailey was at the end of his rope and was about to jump off a bridge in Bedford Falls, New York. So began the beginning of the end of It’s A Wonderful Life, a movie that I never tire of seeing this time of year. Even when I was at my most cynical, It’s A Wonderful Life was never simplistic, a label that feckless critics … [Read more...] about ‘Well, Mr. Potter, In My Book He Died A Much Richer Man Than You’ll Ever Be.’
The Singing Sergeants: ‘The Holly and the Ivy’
On the third day of Christmas, the Singing Sergeants gave to thee... their unique version of the traditional English carol, "The Holly and the Ivy." -Recorded from Historic Hangar II, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Wikipedia: "The Holly and the Ivy" is an English traditional Christmas carol. Holly and ivy have been a mainstay of English Christmas decoration for … [Read more...] about The Singing Sergeants: ‘The Holly and the Ivy’
One More Photo instead of politics
I keep this image of this little guy at my desk daily. ¡Yo quiero Zorro! I would like to ever have Zorro [in Spanish, 'the fox] at my side as I ride through the days and nights. Especially this little one with his bright eyes and inquiring look. At risk of turning TMV into a petting zoo... here he is! Thanks Dorian, Ron and Jim, too. And to certain commenters, dont … [Read more...] about One More Photo instead of politics
More Photos Instead of Politics
Editor's Note: In the midst of all the flurry both holiday and politicaliana as usual, it is good to take time to pause for the small beauties of this earth, and the larger ones too made from men's minds and work of backs and hands. [dr.e] Inspired by Ron and Dorian I thought I'd contribute some shots I took on a long driving vacation a while back. These are a few from San … [Read more...] about More Photos Instead of Politics
Some More Non-Politics: Non-GOP Kangaroo Eviction Notice
Inspired by Ron Beasley's “non-politics” post and the beautiful, pileated woodpecker photo, here are a couple of photos I was going to use in my next Tidbits from Down Under installment. For the one above, a monstrous Joey that looks as it has been thrown out of its mother’s pouch (and perhaps it was -- we did not stick around long enough to see if it would be let “back … [Read more...] about Some More Non-Politics: Non-GOP Kangaroo Eviction Notice
Willful Retreat Into Myth
Ta-Nehesi Coates responds to Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson's comments on race relations on The Atlantic. The black people who Phil Robertson knew were warred upon. If they valued their lives, and the lives of their families, the last thing they would have done was voiced a complaint about "white people" to a man like Robertson. Ignorance is no great sin and one can forgive … [Read more...] about Willful Retreat Into Myth
Obama tells Congress ‘no need’ for new Iran sanctions
Obama tells Congress 'no need' for new Iran sanctions (via AFP) President Barack Obama issued a stern defense of his outreach to Iran on Friday, warning US lawmakers not to derail diplomatic efforts to curtail the Islamic state's nuclear program. In an end-of-year news conference, Obama said efforts in Congress… … [Read more...] about Obama tells Congress ‘no need’ for new Iran sanctions
Some non politics
My Desktop computer died recently and I had to get a new one. In the process of uploading files I ran across this photo of a pileated woodpecker I was lucky enough to get a few years ago, A case of being in the right place at the right time with the right lens. … [Read more...] about Some non politics
Best Christmas Movies Ever? Holiday Homicide
“Die Hard” is one of the all-time great Christmas movies. Who knew? Yet, according to such diverse opinion makers as the Christian Science Monitor and Forbes Magazine, the 1988 Bruce Willis shoot-out makes the list because the mayhem takes place during an office Yuletide party at an LA high-rise. Despite the tinsel and trees, the old-fashioned may see the Christmas spirit … [Read more...] about Best Christmas Movies Ever? Holiday Homicide
(Updated) Cool Article on a Cool President
Update: During a recent interview with comedian Steve Harvey, Harvey suggested that the two should surprise some visitors on a tour through the White House. President Obama immediately said, “Let's go spread some Christmas cheer” and the two walked up to the tour group and… Well, see for yourself -- talk about cool! The special Steve Harvey Show, with the … [Read more...] about (Updated) Cool Article on a Cool President
Senate Will Take an Even Closer Look at the C.I.A’s Interrogations
It's hardly a secret that the C.I.A. has employed some questionable interrogation methods in the past. In Guantanamo Bay, the Agency's former detention center, detainees were waterboarded, deprived of sleep and more or less starved out. The C.I.A. justified its actions by stating they were part of a post-911 antiterrorism effort. However, the American people were by and large … [Read more...] about Senate Will Take an Even Closer Look at the C.I.A’s Interrogations