Ezra Klein separates GOP rhetoric from reality on anti-poverty policy in Bloomberg News. There’s a simple way to tell whether the Republican Party’s newfound commitment to fighting poverty is more than rhetoric: Follow the money. Follow the trail in the party’s recent budgets and what you find, hidden between appendix tables, are deep cuts to programs for the poor. That’s … [Read more...] about Ezra Klein on GOP Poverty Fighting
A Personal Post
It's been a long year. One year ago on Saturday the 18th of January will be the one year anniversary of my Mother's passing. As some of you know I was her 24/7 caregiver during the last few years. It was a sacrifice to be sure but worth it. She passed away peacefully in her own house which is what she wanted. The last three months I did have some help in the form of … [Read more...] about A Personal Post
Goodbye To Reuben Kincaid And The Professor
Two icons of classic television have passed away today. Russell Johnson aka the Professor on Gilligan's Island has died at age 89 Although he was best known for that role he was also a long time character actor in Westerns. As the Professor he was often asked why he couldn't repair the boat. His stock response was "If you were stranded on a desert island with … [Read more...] about Goodbye To Reuben Kincaid And The Professor
Why I Shall Become an American
Sometime toward the end of this year, I shall become an American citizen. A few of my European friends look confused when they realize that I go around the world expounding the importance of liberty – and yet choose to live in the USA. They are thinking, of course, of all the obvious stuff, like the abuses against privacy by the NSA; the killing of innocents in … [Read more...] about Why I Shall Become an American
Execution outrage? Ohio killer took 15 minutes to die with new drug mix
Capital punishment has long been a controversial issue -- and it's about to get much more controversial: an Ohio killer was executed using a somewhat unusual mix of drugs and he took 15 minutes to die. And they reportedly weren't silent, non-eventful moments. Get ready to see the issues of what to do with convicted murders and how to do executions come to the forefront once … [Read more...] about Execution outrage? Ohio killer took 15 minutes to die with new drug mix
Supreme Court Indecisive on Abortion Buffer Zones
Whether you're Pro-Choice or believe abortion should be outlawed, you're probably aware of the protests routinely held outside abortion clinics. Some of these protests are fairly passive — protesters will simply hold up signs and picket outside the building. However, these peaceful protests can quickly escalate to verbal and even physical abuse. Critics may shame patients and … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Indecisive on Abortion Buffer Zones
NSA Spying – The Economic Fallout
Most of the discussion about NSA surveillance practices has rightfully centered around the juxtaposition of security, privacy and other civil liberties. In the heat, and only rarely light, of that dispute over competing values, other interests may be overlooked. Among those other interests are the American brand in the world and the economic impact on private American … [Read more...] about NSA Spying – The Economic Fallout
After Obama, Can a Real Person Be President?
In 2008, Barack Obama told Tim Russert with a worried smile on “Meet the Press” that his wife and friends thought he was still there behind all the hype and on 60 Minutes admitted that the “attempt to airbrush your life...is exhausting.” Five year later, we can still see an authentic person in the Oval Office, the man himself not buried in all the sludge that has been heaped … [Read more...] about After Obama, Can a Real Person Be President?
The Brilliant Evil of Scarface
It's been a long time TMV - how have you been? I have managed to re-tool and move my film blog to Chocolate Films. It is still relatively new, so have a look at it if you like the following piece on the early 80's classic, Scarface. I have often claimed that such and such a film changed my life. As exaggerated as this statement might sound, films do have that much sway … [Read more...] about The Brilliant Evil of Scarface
Christie is surviving “Bridgegate”
Various polls have suggested there's no major damage to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over "Bridgegate" yet -- and yet another poll comes up with the same finding. But all is not happy news for the Gov: Nearly 70 percent of Americans say the bridge-closure scandal engulfing Chris Christie has not changed their opinion about the New Jersey governor, according to a new NBC … [Read more...] about Christie is surviving “Bridgegate”
Your Smart Phone and Rare Earths
Your smart phone, your computer, your car and the industrial robots that made them depend on a group of elements known as Rare Earths. Now Rare Earths is a bit of a misnomer because they are not really rare at all. What is rare are concentrations that make them economical to mine and process them. One such location is at Mountain Pass, California which used to be the primary … [Read more...] about Your Smart Phone and Rare Earths
Words, Words, I’m sick of words
Many people – including this writer – use words that are inaccurate, have multiple meanings, are outdated, and have been rendered meaningless by misuse and time. Therefore clarity in our personal thoughts and group discussions are significantly compromised or rendered impossible. Our understanding of words often reflects our economic, social, economic, political, religious, … [Read more...] about Words, Words, I’m sick of words
Flashback: Robert McNamara’s Catharsis As Mortal Man Cast Into A Giant’s Role
The dust-up over "Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War" by Bush-Obama Defense Secretary Robert Gates recalls to mind two other secretaries who were as controversial as Gates was circumspect. Herewith excerpts from a July 2009 post: With the death yesterday of Robert S. McNamara, the JFK-LBJ era defense secretary and Vietnam War architect, my thoughts segue quickly to … [Read more...] about Flashback: Robert McNamara’s Catharsis As Mortal Man Cast Into A Giant’s Role
FL Movie Shooter ‘Feared for Life’ After Victim Chad Oulson Threw Popcorn at Him During Argument
Don't be surprised if Florida movie theater shooter, retired police captain, Curtis Reeves uses the controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law to justify murdering Chad Oulson during an altercation about texting at Cobb CineBistro Movie theater in Wesley Chapel. Reeves was charged with second-degree murder. Judge Lynn Tepper ordered him held without bond, saying the "evidence of … [Read more...] about FL Movie Shooter ‘Feared for Life’ After Victim Chad Oulson Threw Popcorn at Him During Argument
Obama offers little if any hope on environmental issues
For some reason, his legacy has taken on a greater importance than the environment. The Obama administration is retreating from previous demands of strong international environmental protections in order to reach agreement on a sweeping Pacific trade deal that is a pillar of President Obama’s strategic shift to Asia, according to documents obtained by WikiLeaks, … [Read more...] about Obama offers little if any hope on environmental issues
Roswell New Mexico School Shooting’s Familiar Question: Why?
Another school shooting. This time in Rosewell, New Mexico, at Berrendo Middle School. This time two students injured: a 13-year-old girl in serious condition an an 11-year old boy in critical condition. This time yet another story of a heroic teacher. Only this time the teacher lives. And this time a familiar question that has grown tiresome: Why? As usual, the facts are … [Read more...] about Roswell New Mexico School Shooting’s Familiar Question: Why?
Don’t Count Christie Out
People waiting to get New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's last pound of flesh may have a long wait, and not for the obvious reason. In case you've been on Mars, polls have shown Christie to be one of the country's hottest properties, a Republican who won re-election by 22 points in a blue state by wooing and winning over many Democrats and independents. Is his seeming … [Read more...] about Don’t Count Christie Out
Employers Can Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ For Poverty Wages (Guest Voice)
Employers Can Take 'Personal Responsibility' For Poverty Wages by Tina Dupuy Brace yourself America—Republicans have discovered poverty! Right here, right under their noses, 48 million Americans are, as Senator Marco Rubio puts it, "soon-to-haves." Because nothing says you understand institutional and generational poverty like using corporate-ese to describe it. Now … [Read more...] about Employers Can Take ‘Personal Responsibility’ For Poverty Wages (Guest Voice)
New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking (Guest Voice)
New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking by Nick Cunningham The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a rule on January 9, 2014 requiring oil and gas companies using hydraulic fracturing off the coast of California to disclose the chemicals they discharge into the ocean. Oil and gas companies have been fracking offshore California for … [Read more...] about New EPA Rule Requires Chemical Disclosure for Offshore Fracking (Guest Voice)
Bacevich on Use (and Misuse) of Force
Andrew Bacevich discusses the use and misuse of military force in foreign policy in The Los Angeles Times. Fundamentally, a pronounced infatuation with armed might has led senior civilian officials, regardless of party, and senior military leaders, regardless of service, to misunderstand and misapply the military instrument. Force is good for some things, preeminently for … [Read more...] about Bacevich on Use (and Misuse) of Force