On December 7, 1941 I was the age my twin grandsons are now, 17. Along with the Cuban Missile Crisis and 9/11/2001, it is etched in memory as the world-shaking time of a long life. For those their age, it is ancient history. For me, remembering in detail is a way of hoping with all my heart that they and their generations will never have to experience anything like it. It … [Read more...] about A Day That Lives in Infamy and Me
Remember Pearl Harbor
Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and US entry into the Second World War. Sadly we are quickly approaching the time where we no longer have living survivors and Pearl Harbor may gradually become an abstract historical event rather than a true harsh experience. Whenever I think of the attack I am reminded of one of the more impressive stories of … [Read more...] about Remember Pearl Harbor
We’re All Winners And Heroes
Who came second? Third? Last? Splendid. You may not have won but the important thing is you’re still a winner. Have a medal. A diploma. An award. Have whatever you like, perhaps a gilt cup or a money prize, because you deserve it, my friend, you won even if you didn’t and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Boy, wouldn’t you hate to be one of those pathetic, wimpy... … [Read more...] about We’re All Winners And Heroes
Mandela’s American Connection: Her Story
Nelson Mandela is for most Americans a distant figure. In his lifetime, we watched from afar and marveled. It is only now, in celebrating him as an historical figure, that Americans are reminded of his connection to their own racial odyssey during those momentous years. On the PBS NewsHour, much of the tribute to Mandela’s passing is taken up by his interviews over the … [Read more...] about Mandela’s American Connection: Her Story
Ending Academic Apartheid: Equity and Dignity for Adjunct Professors
In choosing the academic life, most teachers expect to be part of a community committed to freedom, fairness, and justice. It’s the rare academic who does not take pride in belonging to an honorable profession. I was a young college president during the turmoil of the sixties and early seventies. Within a few years, students, faculty, and administrators at virtually all our … [Read more...] about Ending Academic Apartheid: Equity and Dignity for Adjunct Professors
Nelson Mandela, the conscience of the world
WASHINGTON -- His smile was like sunshine, but Nelson Mandela was made of steel. It was his strength of character, repeatedly tested throughout his long and impossibly full life, that made him one of the towering political figures of our time. "Our nation has lost its greatest son," South African President Jacob Zuma said Thursday as he announced Mandela's death at age … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela, the conscience of the world
Rick Santorum Likens Obamacare to South African Apartheid
Once again a Republican is trying to rewrite history.....Rick Santorum is tying Obamacare to Nelson Mandela. Yes, he went there -- compared Obamacare to apartheid. He claims Mandela fought against some great injustice in South Africa, and Obamacare is "front and center" in the injustice being perpetrated in America today. Wow. Absolutely unbelievable. Rick Santorum is the male … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Likens Obamacare to South African Apartheid
GOP’s Incredible Shrinking Big Tent
Jamelle Bouie on the Republican Party's apparent inability to act in its own best electoral interests in The Daily Beast. Most Republicans agree that the party needs a bigger tent. Earlier this year, the Republican National Committee released a whole report to that effect, and individual Republican lawmakers can’t stop talking about how their party is open to everyone. “We … [Read more...] about GOP’s Incredible Shrinking Big Tent
Reading Corner: Johnstown Flood
Over the past few weeks I have been spending much of my driving time listening to the audiobook of David McCollough's book on the Johnstown Flood. It is an absolutely fascinating story (and read by Edward Herrmann, who has a perfect voice for such readings). So for anyone looking for an interesting story I highly commend either the audio or print version of the story, which … [Read more...] about Reading Corner: Johnstown Flood
Can Obama Unplug the Ears of a Deaf Nation?
Barack Obama’s “best speech” on the economy goes unheard, like the tree in the GEICO commercial. The ambient health-reform noise leaves him looking like the nation has pressed a mute button. More response comes from implacable haters than admirers. “For all of their mutual public admiration, Presidents Clinton and Obama react differently to political trouble,” huffs the Wall … [Read more...] about Can Obama Unplug the Ears of a Deaf Nation?
Irresponsible multinationals: watch out!
A new global coalition is mobilizing to hold international corporations accountable, through criminal sanctions if necessary, for harm done to local communities by abusive practices whether in poor countries or elsewhere. Human rights NGOs and legal groups are also looking into the role of law and lawyers in tax avoidance, and its impacts on human rights. These were among … [Read more...] about Irresponsible multinationals: watch out!
The Parallels of JFK, President Obama And A Nuclear Middle East (Guest Voice)
The Parallels of JFK, President Obama And A Nuclear Middle East by Amy Ray The weekend of November 22 to 24th celebrated two historic events that are tied together in ways most do not think about. It was 50 years ago last Friday when President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas, Texas while riding down a street in a Presidential motorcade. Meanwhile this past … [Read more...] about The Parallels of JFK, President Obama And A Nuclear Middle East (Guest Voice)
Google’s Doing Evil in the Eyes of Some
Annette Shaff / Shutterstock.com It's going to be interesting to see how Google explains this if and when they make a public statement. While it's true that lobbying and joining lobbying groups is business as usual for the modern corporation for a company such as Google that purportedly prides itself on progressive social policies and doing their best to minimize their … [Read more...] about Google’s Doing Evil in the Eyes of Some
World Cartoonists Remember Nelson Mandela (Cartoon Roundup)
World cartoonists are extensively marking the death of Nelson Mandela. Here's just a cross section of the cartoons here at Cagle Cartoons: See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license these cartoons for your own site as The Moderate Voice has, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists Remember Nelson Mandela (Cartoon Roundup)
Republican male politicians trained in running against women
SHHHHHHHHHH!!! That's the message the Republican National Committee is trying to put out to Republican male sitting politicos if they're running against women. In recent years, Republicans have been hampered or outright defeated by demonstrating so much foot and mouth disease against female opponents that a shoe-horn for Republican mouths could sell out on Amazon. So … [Read more...] about Republican male politicians trained in running against women
The Roadrunner, the window and his own reflection (Video)
What happens when a bona fide road runner see his own reflection in a window -- and tries to get in? Here's what happens: … [Read more...] about The Roadrunner, the window and his own reflection (Video)
Madiba, Mandela, A Personal Remembrance
This is a letter I received just a few moments ago from my son, who is a Haitian born black man who immigrated as a child to North America, and who was special ops police officer for many years. He was with Madiba for four days on security mission... and the letter below is from my son's heart. There are few heroes in our world, though many limelight seekers. Madiba, surely was … [Read more...] about Madiba, Mandela, A Personal Remembrance
Madiba I: A Tribute To Nelson Mandela, One Of The Greatest Men Of Our Time
While there is no question that Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Alfred Einstein, Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King were among the great men of the 20th century, greatness can be a relative thing and often is in the eyes of the beholder. By those lights, my nominee for one of the greatest men of the modern era is Nelson Mandela. Mandela, who left this mortal … [Read more...] about Madiba I: A Tribute To Nelson Mandela, One Of The Greatest Men Of Our Time
Madiba II: ‘I Will Always See Mandela In The Faces Of My Everyday Heroes’
By SUSAN WINTERS COOK EASTERN CAPE, South Africa -- -- It’s a death in the family. A family of millions who call him” Tata”, Our Father. There is no person here in South Africa not affected by Mandela’s passing, even those who opposed him. He is the reason we are where we are today. Not that he achieved South Africa’s transition on his own, many South Africans on all … [Read more...] about Madiba II: ‘I Will Always See Mandela In The Faces Of My Everyday Heroes’
The really dangerous politics of the ACA
Republican governors and legislatures have let their hate of Obama get in the way of the well being of their citizens. Not only will citizens not get health insurance their states will lose billions of dollars in federal money. But it gets even worse: GOP obstruction of Obamacare is closing hospitals The Obamacare website is open for business. But the Charlton Memorial … [Read more...] about The really dangerous politics of the ACA