During the 1960s a major topic was how China and India could implement effective population control, as their populations grew and resources and land space did not. Note 21st century Japan: the population is steadily shrinking. The National Interest's John W. Traphagan wonders whether Japan is facing "death by demograhics." Here's a bit of his take: [M]any media outlets … [Read more...] about Is Japan suffering Death by Demographics?
Speak Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace
Speak Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace By Jason Stanford It's hard to choose which was the bigger shock: a federal judge ruled Oklahoma's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, or the founder of a Republican gay-rights group quit the Republican Party. What could have ever driven a gay advocate from the GOP? Was it something they said? Jimmy LaSalvia, the founder of … [Read more...] about Speak Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace
New Jersey Lt.Governor “”whole-heartedly” denies Hoboken Mayor’s allegations of Sandy relief money as hostage
The latest of two major allegations swirling around New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has now boiled down to this: it's a matter of she said she said. New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is vehemently denying that she told Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer that if her city wanted all the hurricane Sandy relief money it sought, she'd have to green light a big redevelopment project Christie … [Read more...] about New Jersey Lt.Governor “”whole-heartedly” denies Hoboken Mayor’s allegations of Sandy relief money as hostage
Considering White And Black Cats
There is an old Chinese proverb, quoted by various leaders over the centuries, which says ‘It doesn’t matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice’. I have myself often quoted this proverb to family and friends when discussing various political issues and hope to use it for a series of posts over the coming weeks. The basic point, of course, is that when … [Read more...] about Considering White And Black Cats
MLK at 85: Person of the Century
He was no plaster saint, this remarkable man who brought a race out of American darkness with soaring words and body rhetoric more muscular and effective than any mob uprisings might have been. In his 39 years on earth, Martin Luther King Jr. preached nonviolence to the oppressed. “Our weapon is love,” he told them, and he used it with stunning force. At the dawn of TV, … [Read more...] about MLK at 85: Person of the Century
BREAKING: Hoboken Mayor Zimmer talks to U.S attorney about Christie Sandy fund hostage allegation
New York Governor Chris Christie's problems just got worse. And bigger. Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer on Sunday talked to the U.S. Attorney about her allegations that the Christie administration wouldn't give all the aid Hoboken asked for unless the mayor approved a redevelopment project. Zimmer has offered to testify under oath about what was said to her and by who. This … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Hoboken Mayor Zimmer talks to U.S attorney about Christie Sandy fund hostage allegation
The President’s NSA Speech: An Expert’s Analysis
These are all difficult questions. What is needed is not dogmatism, posturing and self-righteous declarations of outrage (on either side of the debate), but careful, rigorous reasoning and scrutiny. The president's speech marks a potentially historic turning point in our continuing effort to strike a better balance between liberty and security. But only time will tell. As the … [Read more...] about The President’s NSA Speech: An Expert’s Analysis
Christie camp challenges MSNBC’s “gleeful” report on Sandy aid
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's office is angrily challenging the report on MSNBC that many have called a "bombshell" in which Hoboken's mayor charged Christie's aides of holding back Hurricane Sandy aid until she agreed to green-light a redevelopment project. They're on the attack against MSNBC, it's role as an ideology-anchored news network, bias elsewhere against Christie … [Read more...] about Christie camp challenges MSNBC’s “gleeful” report on Sandy aid
Three Stooges Revival 1959: The Stooges live on The Steve Allen Show (Video)
In the late 50s, The Three Stooges old Columbia shorts were released to television, only a few years after their contract was ended. They suddenly became instant stars. So Moe Howard tried to get the act together and wound up hiring burlesque/comedy short comedian Joe DeRita as his "Curley replacement." (Note: a silly typo by this lifelong mega-Stooges fan had him in earlier … [Read more...] about Three Stooges Revival 1959: The Stooges live on The Steve Allen Show (Video)
Curbing NSA: What Price to Prevent Another 9/11?
The Founding Fathers are often cited in the debate over government surveillance vs. individual freedom, but we don’t have to go back that far to disentangle rhetoric from reality. In the aftershock of 9/11, the bipartisan commission found ample evidence that the FBI and other agencies, out of sloppiness or squeamishness, kept ignoring evidence of Arabs enrolling in American … [Read more...] about Curbing NSA: What Price to Prevent Another 9/11?
Maybe you’ve received this warning, too? (TPP)
A Pacific Nafta is about to hit us. This time it's the TPP, or Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP is an expansive, highly secretive international free trade agreement. It's being negotiated by delegates from twelve Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, along with hundreds of industry leaders. Elected officials, civil society, and the press have largely … [Read more...] about Maybe you’ve received this warning, too? (TPP)
Show some love to Will Ferrell
I keep chuckling about this Gov. Chris Cristie stuff... It is actually funny. A comedian couldn't write a better political scandal. Speaking of comedians, my good friend Jessica Young wrote a very interesting piece on an American that should get far more love for his work than he actually does - Will Ferrell. Here is a snippet: "The chances of Will Ferrell winning an … [Read more...] about Show some love to Will Ferrell
The Christian Science Monitor rises again (digitally)
I have to admit I'm biased about this story which is a story of journalistic good news. The proudest moments in my newspaper career came when I wrote for The Christian Science Monitor as a freelance from New Delhi, India (byline "Special to The Christian Science Monitor") from 1973 to 1975, and when I served as The Monitor's Special Correspondent ("full time contributor" is … [Read more...] about The Christian Science Monitor rises again (digitally)
Clown mistakenly burns dove in birthday party show (Video)
I know something about birthday parties because I do a lot of them in my non-writing incarnation. And, yes, sometimes things do go wrong -- but never as wrong as during this clown's act. I mean, entertainers always want to "kill" when they do a show, but that doesn't mean literally -- and particularly not a dove. Or was this meant as a barbecue lesson for the kiddies? You … [Read more...] about Clown mistakenly burns dove in birthday party show (Video)
Should the Republicans admit the Iraq war was a mistake?
Republicans face a major problem going into 2016: if you look at the electoral college, the Republicans can't win. Among the many things the GOP should do, has it come time for Republicans to admit the Iraq war was a bit mistake? If the GOP due to its existing coalition can't take advice on rebranding, should it move to separate itself from a military venture that's likely … [Read more...] about Should the Republicans admit the Iraq war was a mistake?
(Updates) Some of the Changes Obama will Announce in Collection of Phone Records
Update IV: Appearing on “Fox News Sunday," Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the top senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that he could live with the president’s changes to the NSA’s bulk collection of telephone data, even if they didn’t go as far as he would like, according to the Huffington Post. Asked if he would fight the president’s proposal to transition … [Read more...] about (Updates) Some of the Changes Obama will Announce in Collection of Phone Records
New RULES for the NSA (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 New RULES for the NSA (Cartoon)
Republicans advise Christie to get a better team
It sounds as if -- for now, at least -- many top GOPers are sticking with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But they're offing him some advice which goes on the assumption that his account of him not ordering "Bridgegate" is correct: get a better team. N-o-w. The reason: while the other shoe hasn't yet dropped, some socks have: On a conference call with Gov. Chris … [Read more...] about Republicans advise Christie to get a better team
The joyful reunion of longtime friends: a squirrel and a cat (Video)
Ahh, friendship. It comes for all ages -- and species. Once upon a time there was a pet squirrel who ran away. But he still comes back -- to see and play with his long time friend. A cat: But, then, there are many unlikely animal friendships: … [Read more...] about The joyful reunion of longtime friends: a squirrel and a cat (Video)
Governor Juggernaut (Guest Voice)
Governor Juggernaut Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Avast me mateys. Off the starboard bow. Thar she blows. Looks like the Chris Christie juggernaut hit its first iceberg. And harpoons are flying in from multiple quarters. Back on the Jersey Shore, Hillary Clinton's people and Rand Paul's people are partying so loud and hard, Snooki and JWoww's people are banging on doors … [Read more...] about Governor Juggernaut (Guest Voice)