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
Mocked Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Knocks over a councilwoman
What could be as bad as being knocked over by a Ford truck? Being knocked over by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, as a Toronto councilwoman found out during a session that ended in him effectively being stripped of his powers as mayor. As the council debated a motion to take away Ford’s staff, budget and authority, Ford, who last week admitted to smoking crack, paced the chamber … [Read more...] about Mocked Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Knocks over a councilwoman
Cheney sisters row over anti-gay marriage remarks
Cheney sisters row over anti-gay marriage remarks (via AFP) The daughters of former vice president Dick Cheney are quarreling publicly over comments Liz Cheney, running for office in Wyoming, made opposing Mary Cheney's right to marry her wife. In an interview on FoxNews Sunday, Liz Cheney said she does "believe… … [Read more...] about Cheney sisters row over anti-gay marriage remarks
George Zimmerman Arrested for Domestic Violence Against ‘Girlfriend’ at Apopka Residence
BREAKING: Here we go again, George Zimmerman arrested in Apopka after domestic disturbance, Seminole County Sheriff's Office says. Sheriff Don Eslinger told the Orlando Sentinel that Zimmerman, who was acquitted for the murder of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, is en route to the Seminole County Jail. It is not clear what he is accused of doing, but there is some word that … [Read more...] about George Zimmerman Arrested for Domestic Violence Against ‘Girlfriend’ at Apopka Residence
Walmart is a Symptom of what’s wrong with America
This is just really sick: CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables. This isn't a merchandise display. It's a food drive - not for the … [Read more...] about Walmart is a Symptom of what’s wrong with America
A more benevolent nation?
WASHINGTON -- Tired of gloom and ceaseless talk of American decline? Me too. So let's celebrate an important way in which the United States has become stronger -- and a genuinely kinder and gentler nation. That last phrase, used by George H. W. Bush in 1988 when he accepted the Republican presidential nomination, has become a cliche. But it was also a pledge. And in the … [Read more...] about A more benevolent nation?
Now THIS is a hailstorm (Video)
You think you've seen hailstorm? Now THIS is a (potentially lethal) hailstorm in Australia: … [Read more...] about Now THIS is a hailstorm (Video)
Obamacare is a heavy load for Democrats (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 is a heavy load for Democrats (Cartoon)
Elian Gonzalez blames US law for childhood ordeal
Elian Gonzalez blames US law for childhood ordeal (via AFP) Elian Gonzalez, who at age six sparked an international custody battle that ended in his dramatic return to Cuba, blamed a US law for his mother's death in an interview posted Monday. In November 1999, Gonzalez was plucked from the sea off Florida's… … [Read more...] about Elian Gonzalez blames US law for childhood ordeal
The clock is ticking on Obamacare
If you hear a ticking sound, it isn't the "60 Minutes" clock. November 30th could be the watershed day when a portion of the bleeding of the Affordable Care Act halts, or there's a massive political hemorrhage. Will the shockingly inept official sign-up website work or not? If it isn't, expect to see more than the trickle of political obituaries now being written for … [Read more...] about The clock is ticking on Obamacare
How JFK Saved the World We Have Today
I experienced the Cuban Missile Crisis twice: in real time, during a Los Angeles panic where they ran out of toilet paper and six years later, through Robert Kennedy’s eyes, editing and publishing his memoir, “Thirteen Days.” Imagine the psychic shock of 9/11 multiplied a hundredfold. Add an imminent nuclear exchange to kill millions after only minutes of warning. Take away … [Read more...] about How JFK Saved the World We Have Today