WASHINGTON -- What is the greatest fear of conservatives when they warn against the dangers of big government? It is that a leader or the coterie around him will abuse the authority of the state arbitrarily to gather yet more power, punish opponents and, in the process, harm rank-and-file citizens whose well-being matters not a whit to those who are trying to enhance their … [Read more...] about Christie’s conservative problem
“Trust me” journalism, TIME style
On display today: journalism-as-an-op-ed: juicy on claims, thin on sources. Center court: "A Nightmare Returns" (print title) in the January 20, 2014 edition of TIME. Journalist, Aryn Baker, the magazine's Middle East Bureau Chief: a title you have to discover by searching the TIME website, no biographical details in print, no bio link online. The first named source … [Read more...] about “Trust me” journalism, TIME style
Dignity and Recognition (Part 2)
This is the fourth part of the serialization of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (Berrett-Koehler, 2006). The ideas in this book are further developed in my recent novel The Rowan Tree. CHAPTER 2: DIGNITY AND RECOGNITION (Continued) What Would a Dignity Movement Look Like? In both business and government, many people act as if finding the right … [Read more...] about Dignity and Recognition (Part 2)
Republicans circle wagons around Chris Christie
Slowly, and most-assuredly the partisan-two step is beginning in the case of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political crisis involving the intentional slowing down of traffic on the world's busiest bridge in an act of political retaliation. Christie contends he knew nothing about his aides actions and fired some highly visible ones. But when the crisis broke last week, many … [Read more...] about Republicans circle wagons around Chris Christie
Polar Vortex: To Warm Up – Move to Alaska! (News, Switzerland)
Should the human race be concerned when the Behring Strait is warmer than Nashville, Tennessee? While climate change deniers talk themselves blue in the face about how global warming is a hoax given how cold it is in America, columnist Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's News writes that global warming isn't the issue at hand, but increasingly dangerous and unpredictable … [Read more...] about Polar Vortex: To Warm Up – Move to Alaska! (News, Switzerland)
Grimms’ New Fairy Tales for GOP Faithful
Just when Republicans were getting some traction with their “Chicken Little” yarn about Obamacare, the sky falls on them from different directions. Call such cautionaries from the new Brothers Grimm’ canon, “The Elephant and the Weasel,” as Chris Christie and Robert Gates personify why the pachyderm party just can’t seem to get a break in the realm of instructive … [Read more...] about Grimms’ New Fairy Tales for GOP Faithful
Should Free Speech Include the Right to Lie?
The Susan B. Anthony List believes it should. They wanted to put up a billboard accusing a member of the House running for re-election in Ohio who backed the ACA of voting for government funded abortions. Ohio has a law that forbids lying in political ads. When they wanted to put up billboards saying "Shame on Steve Driehaus! Driehaus voted FOR taxpayer-funded abortion," he … [Read more...] about Should Free Speech Include the Right to Lie?
A Fresh Take on Unwanted Pregnancy
Charles Blow offers a fresh take on societal issues impacting unwanted pregnancy in The New York Times. Furthermore, much of the discussion about single-parent families and births outside of marriage is focused too heavily on young women and is simply a form of sex shaming that blames them for not being proper guardians of chastity. The shaming itself is a shame, and often … [Read more...] about A Fresh Take on Unwanted Pregnancy
Obama’s bold gambits
In addition to economic travails including dwindling jobs, shaky welfare and carelessly taken debt, the world seems headed into another long Mideast war similar to a low intensity third world war of attrition. President Barack Obama is struggling to prevent deterioration by using astute foreign policy moves. His gambits may turn out to be a worthy blend of Sun Tzu, … [Read more...] about Obama’s bold gambits
Ariel Sharon Has Died, Some Say The King is Gone; Some Say The Bloodshedder
"Arik", Ariel Scheinermann has died. He is also known by the name Ariel Sharon, his last name meaning 'plain' as in a land mass... He took the name Sharon for he was born in 1926 in the British occupied territory of Palestine and he and his father worked the fields there. Sharon became a war-hardened soldier for Israel, then eventually became the defense minister of … [Read more...] about Ariel Sharon Has Died, Some Say The King is Gone; Some Say The Bloodshedder
The NSA Meta-Data Program and the Fourth Amendment
As the President gets ready to unveil his proposed reforms to the much criticized NSA surveillance programs, Professor Geoffrey R. Stone, one of the five members of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, has published his last and probably most significant essay on the constitutionality of the bulk telephony meta-data program. More … [Read more...] about The NSA Meta-Data Program and the Fourth Amendment
Comey Not on Board New Privacy Suggestions for Surveillance
James Comey, new head of FBI does not agree with suggestions to protect privacy in surveillance necessary for terrorism prevention. ( http://goo.gl/s0ttt1) Really tough call for two competing imperatives- privacy vs citizen safety. Decisions today can lead to problems tomorrow if successful terrorism attack occurs. President could be pilloried in future by his decision. Can … [Read more...] about Comey Not on Board New Privacy Suggestions for Surveillance
Vulgarity-laced emails show Christie’s aides worried about “Bridgegate” inquiries and fallout
They knew it was coming. They could almost smell it -- as the media smelled something about the George Washington Bridge lane closures that have seemingly for now derailed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's fast-track as a potential 2016 Presidential nominee. The Record reports that emails show some of Christie's allies desperately tried to keep a lid on to stem the flow … [Read more...] about Vulgarity-laced emails show Christie’s aides worried about “Bridgegate” inquiries and fallout
Governor Christie Bridge to Nowhere (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 Governor Christie Bridge to Nowhere (Cartoon)
Memory and the Sense of Smell
I frequently patronize a small local chain that carries everything from electrical and plumbing supplies to food. It's kind of a mini Walmart except that it is employee owned and usually cheaper. There used to be an upscale grocery store next to it but it left for greener pastures in an upscale neighbor hood. It was replaced by an Oriental market. The suburban smell was … [Read more...] about Memory and the Sense of Smell
Obama Will Announce NSA Reforms Jan. 17
We have been describing the technical, legal, constitutional and practical aspects of recent NSA surveillance activities — in particular the NSA’s bulk telephony meta-data program -- here, here, here and here, by presenting the thoughts and analysis of Geoffrey R. Stone, one of the five members of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications … [Read more...] about Obama Will Announce NSA Reforms Jan. 17
The New Yorker’s classic Chris Christie bridge traffic cover
The New Yorker has a classic cover coming up by Barry Blitt portraying New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie titled "Playing in the Traffic." It's great - -and will be yet another microchip of bad imagery for Christie: h/T: The Huffington Post … [Read more...] about The New Yorker’s classic Chris Christie bridge traffic cover
Beware of “record” numbers claims in a headline
The headline du jour: The Number of Americans Identifying as Liberal Jumps to Record High. Why am I calling for a skeptical view? Because, ladies and gentlemen, there are more adults in the U.S. this year than last year. So even if the percentages remained constant, there would be "more" of whatever is being measured. In today's story, Gallup claims a 1% increase in the … [Read more...] about Beware of “record” numbers claims in a headline
Why Bankers Have Gotten a Pass
Today's New York Times has an interesting article on why no bankers have yet been indicted on criminal charges, nor banks accused of fraud ( http://goo.gl/GzUW7T). According to Judge Jed Rakoff, who has been unhappy with the way the financial debacle has been handled, the problem has been prosecutorial weaknesses. Judge Rakoff would like to see prosecutors taking more … [Read more...] about Why Bankers Have Gotten a Pass
Is Adolf Hitler on their minds? Booming Hitler ebook sales and Google maps Hitler name error
These days, a lot of folks seem to have the unlamented late mass-murderer Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler on their minds. First, comes the news that Hitler's controversial manifesto, “Mein Kampf, ” where he laid out many of his (murderous) plans is a hot seller on Amazon and iTunes. Now comes the news that Google maps inadvertently placed his name on some plazas in 21st century … [Read more...] about Is Adolf Hitler on their minds? Booming Hitler ebook sales and Google maps Hitler name error