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
The Singing Sergeants: ‘I Saw Three Ships’
SECOND, angrier Duck Dynasty star Robertson anti-gay rant emerges in video (Video)
If you thought the controversy over Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson's comments about gays had exploded and was big, you ain't see nothing yet: new comments have emerged that are likely to take it to another level -- and perhaps provide some benefits and risks to conservatives who are defending him. The new words make his previous comments seem like those issued by a … [Read more...] about SECOND, angrier Duck Dynasty star Robertson anti-gay rant emerges in video (Video)
“Saving Mr. Banks”: Disney explores own history in magical filmmaking tale
Disney explores own history in magical filmmaking tale (via AFP) Disney delves into its own history in "Saving Mr. Banks," a movie about the difficult birth of the classic film "Mary Poppins," wrenched from a tale by a reluctant British author. Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney, who used all his sunny Californian charms… … [Read more...] about “Saving Mr. Banks”: Disney explores own history in magical filmmaking tale
Khodorkovsky flies to Germany after release
Khodorkovsky flies to Germany after release (via AFP) Russia's most famous prisoner and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky on Friday walked out of jail after more than 10 years behind bars, immediately flying to Germany following his surprise pardon by President Vladimir Putin. The former oil tycoon was… … [Read more...] about Khodorkovsky flies to Germany after release
Reading Corner: Horatio’s Drive
I've just finished listening to an absolutely fascinating audiobook, and one that seems uniquely appropriate for listening to in the car. It's called Horatio's Drive and is based on a PBS program about the first man to drive a car across the country in the year 1903. The story was produced by Ken Burns and the audio version features Tom Hanks as Horatio Nelson Jackson and … [Read more...] about Reading Corner: Horatio’s Drive
Cartoonists on Duck Dynasty star suspension (Cartoons)
Cartoonists are having a field day in drawing cartoons about the suspension of Duck Dynasty patriarch over his anti-gay comments. Here's a cross section: See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license these cartoons for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com Editor's note: Be sure to read The Week's … [Read more...] about Cartoonists on Duck Dynasty star suspension (Cartoons)
Chris Matthews and his book (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 Chris Matthews and his book (Cartoon)
Don Lemon on Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson’s comments (Video)
CNN's Don Lemon weighs in on the controversial comments of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson on homosexuality: Other TMV posts by TMVers giving their view on the controversy are here and here. … [Read more...] about Don Lemon on Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson’s comments (Video)
George Zimmerman’s painting to sell for $100,000 (Guest Cartoon)
George Zimmerman's painting to sell fof $100,000 by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --George Zimmerman's Painting Bids Reach $100,000 --Zimmerman's lawyer hopes he makes millions from his "art" --Zimmerman Latest Notorious Figure to Turn to Art --George Zimmerman’s Dog Whistle Art Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists … [Read more...] about George Zimmerman’s painting to sell for $100,000 (Guest Cartoon)
Texting Santa (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/texting-santa/ … [Read more...] about Texting Santa (Cartoon)
Sarah Palin Defends ‘Duck Dynasty’ Patriarch’s Homophobic Rant as Attack on Free Speech
Leave it up to Alaska's former half-term governor Sarah Palin to give her two cents where it's not needed. She said the suspension of Phil Robertson, the patriarch of A&E's "Duck Dynasty," over his recent anti-gay comments is an attack on free speech. She claims "intolerants" were behind Robertson's suspension, Politico reports. Um, yeah, right Sarah. “Free speech is an … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Defends ‘Duck Dynasty’ Patriarch’s Homophobic Rant as Attack on Free Speech
(Updated) Six U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash.
Update: The Department of Defense has identified the six soldiers who died Dec. 17 in Now Bahar, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered as a result of the helicopter crash: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy L. Billings, 34, of Heavener, Okla., Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua B. Silverman, 35, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Sgt. Peter C. Bohler, 29, of Willow Spring, … [Read more...] about (Updated) Six U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash.
CNN SETS NEW LOW
Watching CNN this morning and wondering what happened to "News in depth." 1. It is disgusting to hear a British newswoman--anyone that is, reading aloud on CNN this morning, the private voice mails of Prince William and Kate Middleton while they were dating. These messages put into the trial record of Rupert Murdoch's old newspaper that is charged with illegal hacking of … [Read more...] about CNN SETS NEW LOW