The video animators at Taiwaan's NMA offer this typically-off-the-wall take on New Jersey Chris Christie's bridge crisis: … [Read more...] about Chris Christie bridgegate scandal: Jersey Shore Fort Lee (Video Animation)
J.J. Abrams’ “S.” Delivers Mystery, Love, and Political Armageddon
While those who live in it might balk at the phrase “geek culture,” we’re still perfectly willing to acknowledge the brave souls who fly our banners proudly. In the world of character-driven science fiction, J.J. Abrams is a household name, bringing us critically acclaimed television series such as Alias, Lost, and Fringe. He’s no stranger to the big screen, either: he’s … [Read more...] about J.J. Abrams’ “S.” Delivers Mystery, Love, and Political Armageddon
A War On The Poor
As Republicans and Democrats argue about whether they should extend unemployment insurance to the long termed unemployed, Paul Krugman writes that the Republican argument is part of a war on the poor: Right now Republicans are doing all they can to hurt the poor, and they would have inflicted vast additional harm if they had won the 2012 election. Moreover, G.O.P. … [Read more...] about A War On The Poor
Federal Authorities Investigating NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Use of Sandy Relief Funds
When it rains, it pours: Gov. Chris Christie, who is under fire for the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal, is now facing an investigation by federal officials whether he improperly used Superstorm Sandy relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred he and his family. You will recall that last week, Gov. Christie threw his deputy chief of staff Bridget … [Read more...] about Federal Authorities Investigating NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Use of Sandy Relief Funds
How cold is it? Creating a cloud in a house (Video)
How cold is it? One guy could create a cloud in his house: … [Read more...] about How cold is it? Creating a cloud in a house (Video)
(Updates) Promise Zones, Economic Freedom Zones and a Kid from Harlem
UPDATE II: I will be the first to admit that, until last week, I had no clear idea of what the President’s “Promise Zones” program is. I also had not heard about the Promise Academy Charter Schools -- a partnership with Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc. to “give children in Harlem a high-quality, well-rounded education” -- until I saw and listened to a product of that … [Read more...] about (Updates) Promise Zones, Economic Freedom Zones and a Kid from Harlem
Why Chris Christie’s Unconvincing Performance As Victim Won’t Matter When It Counts: 2016
CHRIS CHRISTIE AND BRIDGET ANNE KELLY New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is not the first bully to make a name for himself in politics, but then our memories are awfully short. After all, we already have forgotten revelations during the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney's star turn as a gay-bashing high school bully. And face it, Dick and Liz Cheney are so … [Read more...] about Why Chris Christie’s Unconvincing Performance As Victim Won’t Matter When It Counts: 2016
Christie’s conservative problem
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