It just doesn't end. Some people really need to get a life. Our politics really now centers on whipping up resentment and hatred at the drop of a (stove pipe) hat. … [Read more...] about It just doesn’t end
Inmates control most Mexican prisons: rights body
Inmates control most Mexican prisons: rights body (via AFP) Violence has increased in Mexico's prisons and the majority are controlled by inmates, the National Human Rights Commission said. The commission found in an annual report that 65 of the country's 101 most populated prisons were under the control of… … [Read more...] about Inmates control most Mexican prisons: rights body
GOPcare (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
GOPcare by Mike Peters Of related interest: --GOP Seizes on Obamacare Polls to Raise Heat on Dems --How to silence GOP nuts — and stop the Obamacare repeal campaign --Officials say Obamacare website improves as Republicans pounce --The Morning Plum: Obamacare is the salvation of the GOP. (Not.) Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon … [Read more...] about GOPcare (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)
150 Years Later, Can We Still Hear Lincoln’s Voice?
Most of us used to imagine the voice of Abraham Lincoln, who spoke at Gettysburg seven score and ten years ago today, as something deep, rugged and resonant. If we had to cast an actor to read his words, we might think of Gregory Peck or Charlton Heston. But Lincoln's voice emerged from a strangely elongated and narrow-chested body, and its sound reflected its earthly … [Read more...] about 150 Years Later, Can We Still Hear Lincoln’s Voice?
Virginia Sen. Deeds in critical condition after stabbing
Virginia Sen. Deeds in critical condition after stabbing (via CNN Video) Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds is in critical condition after being stabbed at his home in Bath County, Virginia. … [Read more...] about Virginia Sen. Deeds in critical condition after stabbing
The Long, Strong And Wrong Arm Of The Law
The woman had stolen two strawberries and when the judge asked me what her sentence should be I told him: “Give her the chair!” Her name was Datcher. I forget her first name. It was in Washington DC and, as a newspaper reporter, I had called His Honor during the two-week adjournment. I thought the frivolous suggestion of a death sentence would register my astonishment that a … [Read more...] about The Long, Strong And Wrong Arm Of The Law
Reports Expose America’s ‘Secret War’ in Germany (Tagesschau, Germany)
Has President Obama broken yet another promise - this one to the German people not to use Germany as a launching pad for drone strikes? As if there wasn't enough friction between Germany and the United States, this week, Tagesschau is reporting that two of Germany's most respected journalistic organizations, German Public Television and Süddeutsche Zeitung, are publishing and … [Read more...] about Reports Expose America’s ‘Secret War’ in Germany (Tagesschau, Germany)
From Scientology To Steve Jobs: A Dozen Great Books For Holiday Giving
IS TOM CRUISE OUT TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM ALIENS? Your Faithful Reviewer plowed through 30 or so books in the course of 2013, some new, some not so old and a couple of classics that I had not gotten around to reading. Here are the best dozen of the bunch, six fiction and six non-fiction offerings, all great holiday gifts for a literary inclined spouse, other family member … [Read more...] about From Scientology To Steve Jobs: A Dozen Great Books For Holiday Giving
Obamacare Thanksgiving (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/obamacare-thanksgiving/ Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Obamacare Thanksgiving (Cartoon)
Saving Obama From His Sinking Ship
For nights after the Kennedy assassination, I had fever dreams of rescuing him. So did other Americans, as psychiatrists reported. Now 50 years later, it is Barack Obama who needs to be saved—-from his own stubborn determination to pass health care reform four years ago. When the Congressional butchering began in 2009, the President stubbornly persisted and walked into a … [Read more...] about Saving Obama From His Sinking Ship
Success: How Much Is Luck And How Much Is Hard Work
A few months back I was listening to the radio and the topic was the tax cuts and the general attitudes towards wealth/success/etc. The various callers debated whether success was the result of work or opportunity or both. One caller though caught my attention. He was the father of 5, the youngest in her 5th year of college, so you figure he’s around 60ish. He grew up as one … [Read more...] about Success: How Much Is Luck And How Much Is Hard Work
Gettysburg Address Plus 150
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Somewhat ironically the speech was not well received at the time as it was an era in which long and elaborate addresses were considered the norm. The keynote speaker was one of the great orators of the era, Edward Everett, he spoke for more than two hours. After he listened to Lincoln speak he walked over and … [Read more...] about Gettysburg Address Plus 150
The Foggy Crystal Ball (Guest Voice)
The Foggy Crystal Ball Raging Moderate, by Will Durst The heck is going on here, people? Did someone drop the flag signaling the start of the 2016 presidential election race in secret? Was there a furtive whispered "go now" left on the voice mail of all the major players in the 202 area code? Thirty-six months before the election? Is it possible to earn extra credit by … [Read more...] about The Foggy Crystal Ball (Guest Voice)
Eyewitness captures Polaroid of moment JFK was shot (Guest Feature)
Eyewitness captures Polaroid of moment JFK was shot (via PBS News Hour) MARY ANN MOORMAN KRAHMER: Being here today just brings back all the memories. Really mixed emotions – more so than the last few times that I’ve been here. I saw a man killed right in front of my eyes. HARI SREENIVASAN: When Mary Ann Moorman was… … [Read more...] about Eyewitness captures Polaroid of moment JFK was shot (Guest Feature)
The myth of unbiased reporting (Guest Voice)
The myth of unbiased reporting by Peter Johnson Let’s get two things straight. Firstly, The President made a serious omission when he failed for years to acknowledge that with the implementation of the ACA, many policy holders would be forced to give up old insurance policies that they already liked. He did accurately point out that insurance policies issued before 2010, … [Read more...] about The myth of unbiased reporting (Guest Voice)
Liz and Mary Cheney: Sisters Asunder
WASHINGTON -- Looks like the holidays are going to be, shall we say, a bit awkward for the Cheney family. Actually, more than a bit. A feud between the former vice president's daughters emerged into public view when Liz Cheney, who is trying to win a Senate seat from Wyoming by pandering to the far-right Republican base, went on "Fox News Sunday" and declared her … [Read more...] about Liz and Mary Cheney: Sisters Asunder
On Jeb Bush as the GOP Nominee (Guest Voice)
[Editor's Note: The Moderate Voice occasionally runs reader Guest Voices. In this Reader Guest Voice, Jordan Cooper further explains why he likes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and looks at his presidential prospects -- which has been in the news this week.] On Jeb Bush running for President by Jordan Cooper Life is all about relationships. Relationships are built on … [Read more...] about On Jeb Bush as the GOP Nominee (Guest Voice)
Al Jazeera America reportedly fizzling in U.S.: Small viewership dropping
I sampled Al Jazeera America (until I changed my cable package and it is no longer included) and liked what I saw. It seemed almost like the B.B.C. in tone. But apparently I was (nearly) alone: it is fizzling in the United States so badly it's ratings reportedly resemble those of a public access channel: After just two months on the air, Al Jazeera America is losing ground in … [Read more...] about Al Jazeera America reportedly fizzling in U.S.: Small viewership dropping
Chaotic scene as Toronto strips mayor of powers
Chaotic scene as Toronto strips mayor of powers (via AFP) Toronto city council voted to strip Mayor Rob Ford of most of his remaining powers in further sanctions against him following admissions of crack smoking and binge drinking. The move effectively makes the chief magistrate of Canada's largest city and… … [Read more...] about Chaotic scene as Toronto strips mayor of powers
Poll: Obama smells but Congress smells worse
A new Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll finds voters feel President Barack Obama smells politically -- but Congress smells worse. This suggests that upcoming elections could involve many voters deciding to hold their nose and vote for the least smelliest alternative: The bottom has fallen out for everyone in the nation's political leadership. That's the … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama smells but Congress smells worse