In the aftermath of most major disasters, reports inevitably appear of alleged graft and corruption and of slow, inefficient or insufficient aid and relief efforts. It is, and will be, no different with Typhoon Haiyan. The good news is that aid, donations and support continue to pour and, in fact, are being stepped up. Here are images of our Marines, Sailors and Airmen … [Read more...] about Typhoon Haiyan: Aid and Relief Efforts Continue
Koch Bros Reach Out to Punish Sick and Needy
Americans for Prosperity, the voice of billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, is wasting no time to target vulnerable Democrats up for re-election next year with $3.5 million of attack ads over Obamacare. The “Kochtopus,” as described in Jane Meyer’s classic 2010 New Yorker takedown, is always at the ready to pick up its anti-Obama campaign with aims of “drastically … [Read more...] about Koch Bros Reach Out to Punish Sick and Needy
Democrats ready to use “nuclear option” to break Republicans ideological filibuster
It has been threatened by both parties but never used but now it seems as if it's going to happen. Faced with Republicans filibustering a-n-y appointments by President Barack Obama to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court because they don't want him to appoint anymore and upset the existing conservative tenor, Majority Leader Harry Reid is reportedly ready to use the Democratic … [Read more...] about Democrats ready to use “nuclear option” to break Republicans ideological filibuster
Federal trial court vacancies soar highest under Obama
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now seems poised to make good on a long-made threat to trigger the "nuclear option" to halt nonstop Republican filibusters aimed at preventing President Barack Obama to appoint ANYONE to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court, the Brennan Center for Justice reports that trial court vacancies are now higher than during President Clinton or President … [Read more...] about Federal trial court vacancies soar highest under Obama
Up to 15,000 foreign troops could stay in Afghanistan: Karzai
Up to 15,000 foreign troops could stay in Afghanistan: Karzai (via AFP) Afghan President Hamid Karzai gave his backing Thursday to a proposed security pact with the United States that will see up to 15,000 foreign troops stay in the war-torn country. But he said it would not be signed until after next year's election. A… … [Read more...] about Up to 15,000 foreign troops could stay in Afghanistan: Karzai
George Zimmerman (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 George Zimmerman (Cartoon)
Kerry’s ‘End of Monroe Doctrine’ Seems More Like New Beginning (La Jornada, Mexico)
Days ago, at the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington, Secretary of State Kerry undertook to declare the 1823 Monroe Doctrine ended. Beginning by saying that he was 'happy to be here' because it is such a short drive from his office, Kerry called for a 'partnership of equals' before immediately launching into Monroe-Doctrine-like language about Cuba … [Read more...] about Kerry’s ‘End of Monroe Doctrine’ Seems More Like New Beginning (La Jornada, Mexico)
Myanmar’s Rapid Modernization is Making More Trades Obsolete
Although it may seem incredulous to some Americans, there are some parts of the world where many people don't use laptops. One such place is the southeastern country of Myanmar, also known as Burma. Much of the country's technology and infrastructure has long been obsolete elsewhere. In Myanmar, things like rubber stamps, typewriters and public phone booths are still fairly … [Read more...] about Myanmar’s Rapid Modernization is Making More Trades Obsolete
Tea Party’s Shameful American Hunger Games
In the Great Depression, when I was a child, the greatest sin imaginable was to let others go hungry when you had food, however little, to share. Whatever your religious beliefs, if any, that was the most unforgivable crime against humanity. Now the Republican-controlled House would cut food stamps by almost $40 billion over 10 years. In the Senate, if the GOP had its way, … [Read more...] about Tea Party’s Shameful American Hunger Games
Obama Is No JFK. How Could He Be Today?
As he sends John F. Kennedy’s daughter to be his Ambassador to Japan, our 44th President is besieged not only by today’s forces of political darkness at the low point of his tenure in office but a flood of national memories to mark the violent death of her father. Cultural changes aside, how does Barack Obama measure up to JFK in the qualities essential to lead America in … [Read more...] about Obama Is No JFK. How Could He Be Today?
Time To Bury Old Tom
Recently I've been in a reflective mood about how to deal with family and friends and in particular those ever present past done wrongs, disputes,etc I was reminded of an old Andy Griffith episode. The episode deals with a husband and wife relationship where the wife constantly nagged the husband and he drank as a result. This led him to leave her and rather than admit … [Read more...] about Time To Bury Old Tom
11/22/63: What we lost
WASHINGTON -- Whenever we reflect on the horror of Nov. 22, 1963, we mourn not only the murder of a graceful and inspiring leader but also a steady ebbing in the years thereafter of our faith in what we could achieve through public life and common endeavor. It tells us a great deal about the meaning of John F. Kennedy in our history that liberals and conservatives alike … [Read more...] about 11/22/63: What we lost
Right point, wrong example (Guest Voice)
Right point, wrong example (via The Economist) THE biggest question in the teeth-gritting Obamacare roll-out thriller is whether, if it fails, it will kill all further political appetite for large-scale government reforms. Ross Douthat made an excellent point on this score in Sunday's New York Times… … [Read more...] about Right point, wrong example (Guest Voice)
Obamacare operation (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 Obamacare operation (Cartoon)
Who does this hurt the most?
President Obama’s relationship with congressional Democrats has worsened to an unprecedented low, Democratic aides say. They are letting it be known that House and Senate Democrats are increasingly frustrated, bitter and angry with the White House over ObamaCare’s botched rollout, and that the president’s mea culpa in a news conference last week failed to soothe any ill … [Read more...] about Who does this hurt the most?
George Zimmerman: latest arrest and a troubling post-verdict saga (Guest Voice)
George Zimmerman: latest arrest and a troubling post-verdict saga (via The Christian Science Monitor) George Zimmerman listens to the judge during his first-appearance hearing in Sanford, Fla., on November 19. Mr. Zimmerman was charged with assault after his girlfriend called deputies to their home and claimed he pointed a shotgun at her during an argument… … [Read more...] about George Zimmerman: latest arrest and a troubling post-verdict saga (Guest Voice)
Rob Ford, The Biggest Loser (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/rob-ford-biggest-loser/ Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Rob Ford, The Biggest Loser (Cartoon)
‘Selfie’ named Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year
'Selfie' named Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year (via PBS News Hour) By: Colleen Shalby First Daughters Sasha and Malia Obama take a selfie to commemorate their dad's inauguration in January. Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images Infographic by Oxford Dictionaries There's no telling when the first "selfie" was taken.… … [Read more...] about ‘Selfie’ named Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year
(Updated) True Love Between Brothers and Sisters
Here is a great and relevant update to the original story, below: Wednesday afternoon, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) signed marriage equality into law, making Illinois the 16th state to allow same-sex couples to marry. It was originally expected to be the 15th, but Hawaii technically completed the passage of its law first, and that law will take effect before … [Read more...] about (Updated) True Love Between Brothers and Sisters
JFK’s Last and Best Days
Fifty years ago last June, John F. Kennedy gave the “best speech of his life,” which led to a nuclear test ban treaty. The next night, as Alabama police were attacking protesters with water cannons and dogs, he was on TV from the Oval Office affirming the rights of African-Americans. Two days later I was in the Cabinet Room of the White House across a table from him leading … [Read more...] about JFK’s Last and Best Days