Is there any chance that the U.S., Russia and China could join forces to guarantee the security of both Iran and Israel, thus defusing not only the Iran nuclear crisis, but the Syria civil war, the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and any number of other confounding problems? For Russia's Izvestia, columnist Kiril Benediktov writes that if Israel's hawks in and out of … [Read more...] about A U.S.-Russia-China Alliance Offers Iran and Israel a Way Out (Izvestia, Russia)
Free Market Created Health Care Mess
Paul Waldman on health care for CNN.com. For all the difficulties of the Affordable Care Act's rollout, Americans are more patient than you might think: A new poll shows a majority expressing optimism that the problems are going to be ironed out. Not only that, a majority continues to support the law or think it didn't go far enough. Nevertheless, the conservatives rooting for … [Read more...] about Free Market Created Health Care Mess
The Supreme Court Episode 5: Burt v. Titlow
This is the 5th in the series, I hope that readers are finding it informative and helpful in giving them some insight into cases before the highest court. This case is Burt v. Titlow. It was argued before the Justices on October 8th (one of the first cases they heard) and is a 6th amendment case. It deals with the issue of sixth amendment ineffective counsel case which … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Episode 5: Burt v. Titlow
Clinton vs. Christie 2016: Bookies Lay the Odds
Never mind the talking heads, consider the opinions of people who put money where their mouths are. If you consult leading bookies, Hillary Clinton and Chris Christie will vie for the Presidency three years from now, and the winner will be...Mrs. Clinton. Those who believe the former First Lady will reoccupy the White House after 2016 can bet on her against odds of only 2-1. … [Read more...] about Clinton vs. Christie 2016: Bookies Lay the Odds
The GOP attempts to hide behind Rosa Parks’ apron strings
Check out the headline: GOP Credits Rosa Parks For ‘Ending Racism’ BY IGOR VOLSKY ON DECEMBER 1, 2013 AT 12:10 PM ThinkProgress The Republican National Committee celebrated the 58th anniversary of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, by proclaiming in a tweet that racism has ended: Racism, of course, hasn’t ended and … [Read more...] about The GOP attempts to hide behind Rosa Parks’ apron strings
European Reporter Battles for U.S.-Style Magnitsky Act (Le Figaro, France)
Despite the doom and gloom that appears to be all around us these days, are we entering a 'new era' for the enforcement of human rights? For Le Figaro, columnist Jean-Sebastien Stehli writes that a book by Russian-French investigative reporter Elena Servettaz called, Why Europe Needs a Magnitsky Law, may trigger major changes, making it impossible for human rights violators to … [Read more...] about European Reporter Battles for U.S.-Style Magnitsky Act (Le Figaro, France)
GOP FAIL: RNC Tweets Congratulations to Rosa Parks for Role in ‘Ending Racism’ in America
RNC Tweet Backfires: Once again, the Republican National Committee is trying to rewrite history. In a poorly worded tweet meant to honor the mother of the Civil Rights movement, Rosa Parks, on the anniversary of her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white passenger, the RNC lauded her for "her role in ending racism." Um, I didn't realize racism … [Read more...] about GOP FAIL: RNC Tweets Congratulations to Rosa Parks for Role in ‘Ending Racism’ in America
New York train derails: crash kills four
New York train derails killing four, 67 injured (via AFP) A train hurtled off the tracks in a New York suburb Sunday, killing at least four people, injuring 67 and coming perilously close to ploughing into a freezing river. New York emergency services launched a major rescue operation after the train careered… … [Read more...] about New York train derails: crash kills four
What’s Making American Life a Contact Sport?
Holiday shopping and eating call up thoughts about styles of day-to-day living as a key to human happiness. Two days before Thanksgiving, I had a harrowing time in a large supermarket that normally provides a satisfying experience of leisurely food shopping for the son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren I live with now, bringing home their favorite foods as an expression of … [Read more...] about What’s Making American Life a Contact Sport?
Attacks on scientific consensus on climate change mirror tactics of tobacco industry (Guest Voice)
Attacks on scientific consensus on climate change mirror tactics of tobacco industry (via Skeptical Science) Posted on 29 November 2013 by John Cook The importance of public perception of scientific consensus has been established in a number of studies (e.g., here, here and here). Perhaps nothing underscores its importance as much as the effort that opponents… … [Read more...] about Attacks on scientific consensus on climate change mirror tactics of tobacco industry (Guest Voice)
Black Friday Stun Gun Fight in Pennsylvania mall (Video)
You have to look at these videos of Americans battling seemingly to the death over getting big bargains on Black Friday and wonder if they're fake -- actually produced by the United States' enemies abroad. They can't be real. But they are -- and the latest new twist is women getting into a stun gun fight in a mall in Pennsylvania: Some details: Black Friday shopping can … [Read more...] about Black Friday Stun Gun Fight in Pennsylvania mall (Video)
Actor Paul Walker Reported Dead In Car Accident At Age 40
UPDATE: Death Confirmed by Reuters Reuters) - Actor Paul Walker, best known for his roles in the "Fast and the Furious" action movies, died on Saturday in a car crash in Southern California, his publicist said. Walker, 40, who was in five of the six films about illegal street racing and heists, died as a passenger in a friend's car while attending a charity event, … [Read more...] about Actor Paul Walker Reported Dead In Car Accident At Age 40
Julian Assange’s Warning ‘Urgent’ for Developing World (La Jornada, Mexico)
One emerging Internet structure independent of the United States (read: NSA) now has a name: CABLEBRICS - as in the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This La Jornada editorial once again advises Latin American leaders to heed the advice of Julian Assange to create portals free of U.S. and European influence. The question of whether an Internet … [Read more...] about Julian Assange’s Warning ‘Urgent’ for Developing World (La Jornada, Mexico)
MMA fighting: Inside look at the brutal sport’s rising popularity and danger
div class="rpuEmbedCode"> MMA fighting: Inside look at the brutal sport's rising popularity and danger (via NJ.com) At 11 o'clock on a Thursday night in August, the thermostat inside George Sullivan's apartment is cranked to 90 degrees. This might as well be hell. Over the next 20 hours, Sullivan, a professional mixed martial arts fighter from Brick, must lose 13… … [Read more...] about MMA fighting: Inside look at the brutal sport’s rising popularity and danger
What does it mean to have been a Republican 100 years ago?
Or for that matter, a Democrat? When you see one of these digital posters that frames Republican Teddy Roosevelt's political views as a counterpoint to today's Republican party ... remember that Teddy did not get the presidential nomination in 1912 when this was his platform: Roosevelt called for women’s suffrage, a federal minimum wage, an end to child labor and … [Read more...] about What does it mean to have been a Republican 100 years ago?
Poll: Congress approval rating at 6 percent record low
Members of Congress can see the South Pole sign now. A new poll puts Congress' approval rating at 6 percent: Americans are split down the middle on whether filibuster rules in the Senate are good or bad, but only 6% of Americans approve of the job Congress is currently doing. What Americans are sure about is how they feel about Congress in general. They don’t like it, … [Read more...] about Poll: Congress approval rating at 6 percent record low
Texas Stupid!
Have we reached the point where we should not only let Texas succeed from the union but actually request that they do? This is an example of the kind of people making educational decisions in Texas. With childlike glee, McLeroy flipped through the pages and explained what he saw as the gaping holes in Darwin’s theory. “I don’t care what the educational political lobby and … [Read more...] about Texas Stupid!
Politics and Thanksgiving 2013 (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 Politics and Thanksgiving 2013 (Cartoon)
Obamas Serve Nine Kinds Plus Pie in the Sky
Whatever the First Family was grateful for this Thanksgiving, they did it in high American style with nine kinds of pie—-huckleberry, pecan, chocolate cream, sweet potato, peach, apple, pumpkin, banana cream and coconut cream. Not exactly in line with the First Lady’s healthful low-calorie crusade, but a day of indulgence in hard times is understandable, literally and … [Read more...] about Obamas Serve Nine Kinds Plus Pie in the Sky
Wanted: GOP Realist
Robert D. Kaplan argues for a realist Republican to unite the Neoconservative and Isolationist factions on Realclearpolitics.com. Only such a presidential aspirant, whom different subcultures of the party respect, has a chance to win the next election. For as much as Republicans may furiously deny it, Obama continues to execute a credible foreign policy that, while rarely … [Read more...] about Wanted: GOP Realist