A woman kicks snow at a cat. Kitty doesn't like that. It's not wise to get Kitty into a position where she doesn't like that. The result: a vicious cat attack that seems to injure the woman who thought it was no big deal if she kicked snow at a cat: … [Read more...] about Video: Vicious house cat attack
Elizabeth Warren Has Another Great Idea
One of the things that you don't hear much about when it comes to individual privacy is how great an enemy of it the private sector is. So many people are so worried about what the government is doing or might be doing that they ignore what private businesses are already doing. One of the current standard practices is to run a credit check when considering someone for a job. … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Warren Has Another Great Idea
If we are serious about protecting our privacy, then let’s have that discussion
Shocked, SHOCKED, to find that surveillance has been going on! Gee. The Gray Lady FINALLY notices that the Snoopocracy created by Bush the Dumber and aided and abetted by the New York Times is ... well, they're SHOCKED, SHOCKED to find out that GAMBLING is going on at Rick's Café Americain: A Powerful Rebuke of Mass Surveillance THE [New York Times] EDITORIAL BOARD … [Read more...] about If we are serious about protecting our privacy, then let’s have that discussion
Pope Replaces Conservative U.S. Cardinal on Influential Vatican Committee
Take this Rush Limbaugh: Pope Francis moved on Monday against a conservative American cardinal who has been an outspoken critic of abortion and same-sex marriage, by replacing him on a powerful Vatican committee with another American who is less identified with the culture wars within the Roman Catholic Church. The pope’s decision to remove Cardinal Raymond L. Burke … [Read more...] about Pope Replaces Conservative U.S. Cardinal on Influential Vatican Committee
Apple’s 2013 Christmas ad: a story with a twist
Apple’s holiday ad via @gruber : https://t.co/ke7SqHKv9J #nicelyDone #promoForVideoRotateTools — Kathy E Gill (@kegill) December 17, 2013 I almost added #kleenex to that tweet. I probably should have. Without revealing the plot twist in the 90-second clip, I'll simply say that I thought it was an effective reframing that makes the title, "Misunderstood," … [Read more...] about Apple’s 2013 Christmas ad: a story with a twist
UPDATE: Hey Kids, ‘Santa Just is White,’ and so is Jesus.
Update: Jon Stewart has issued an apology to Fox News’ Megyn Kelly for taking her remarks that Santa and Jesus are white seriously. Watch it here === Original Post: Well that is not exactly what Fox News’ Megyn Kelly -- ”inspired” by an excellent piece on Slate by Aisha Harris -- said during her prime-time show last Wednesday when she was dreaming of a White … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Hey Kids, ‘Santa Just is White,’ and so is Jesus.
How Johnny Cash spoke to the heart of America (Guest Voice)
How Johnny Cash spoke to the heart of America (via PBS News Hour) GWEN IFILL: Finally tonight: the Man in Black. It's been 10 years since the legendary singer songwriter died at age 71. Last week, his estate announced a new album would be released in March. The never-before-heard songs were recorded in 1986. The audiotapes… … [Read more...] about How Johnny Cash spoke to the heart of America (Guest Voice)
To Remember, to Honor: Mission Accomplished
The mission of Wreaths Across America is simple yet noble: “To Remember, Honor, & Teach about the service and sacrifices of our veterans, active military, and their families. We will Never Forget.” And that they did, on Dec. 14, when Wreaths Across America volunteers placed thousands of beautiful wreaths (Maine balsam with a hand-tied red bow ) on as many as possible … [Read more...] about To Remember, to Honor: Mission Accomplished
India angry with US for arresting diplomat & retaliates
New Delhi not only summoned the US ambassador to register its protest against the arrest of a senior Indian diplomat in America but also initiated a series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges, including withdrawing all airport passes and stopping import clearances for the embassy. Asking all American consulate personnel and their families to turn in … [Read more...] about India angry with US for arresting diplomat & retaliates
Does Passage of the Budget Deal Indicate a New Era of Bipartisanship?
Whoopee! The House passed a budget deal that will avert a government shutdown for two years when it’s enacted by the Senate. Does that indicate a new era of comity and bipartisanship is about to descend on Washington? Don’t hold your breath and shout Kumbaya. First of all, Senate Republicans are steaming mad over the Democrats use of the “nuclear option,” eliminating the … [Read more...] about Does Passage of the Budget Deal Indicate a New Era of Bipartisanship?
The continued decline of Geraldo Rivera: loses nationally syndicated radio talk show
The continued and steady decline of Geraldo Rivera is very sad to those of us who were up and coming or aspiring journalist in the early 70s, when he was considered a young hot shot who embodied broadcast "investigative journalism." It has been a steady decline once he left ABC, even if he did get boffo ratings for a while as a daytime talk show host. Mediaite has THIS POST … [Read more...] about The continued decline of Geraldo Rivera: loses nationally syndicated radio talk show
Demand your privacy (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- It seems our elected officials have no intention of reining in the National Security Agency's mad-scientist quest to know everything about our communications and movements. If we want our privacy back, we're going to have to fight for it. Months after Edward Snowden spilled the beans, the NSA -- whose mission is supposed to be foreign surveillance -- is … [Read more...] about Demand your privacy (Guest Voice)
Authentically Fighting Santas (Video)
When I was a kid growing up in Connecticut, I remember one friend in elementary school who'd leave a glass of punch for Santa. Here's a video from Santacon showing some Santas deliver a punch in what looks like a drunken brawl. Perhaps they weren't lifting a few -- but they definitely THREW a few: NOW we know why Santa's nose is red... … [Read more...] about Authentically Fighting Santas (Video)
New Jersey Port Authority Scandal Is Result of Leadership, Patronage Mess, Analysts Say (Guest Voice)
Port Authority Scandal Is Result of Leadership, Patronage Mess, Analysts Say (via NJSpotlight) The Bridge-gate scandal that forced the resignations of two of Gov. Chris Christie’s Port Authority appointees was the inevitable result of divided leadership, growing patronage, and increased gubernatorial meddling in the operations of the multibillion… … [Read more...] about New Jersey Port Authority Scandal Is Result of Leadership, Patronage Mess, Analysts Say (Guest Voice)
Huffington Post gets almost half of traffic from overseas
And so the 21st media shakeup and shakedown continues. As print newspapers and print magazines struggle to survive, adapt and built up online versions of themselves, the online news media is growing -- and facing its own dilemmas. Adweek notes that almost half of The Huffington Post's traffic comes from overseas, but the Internet mega-site still has to tinker a bit on the … [Read more...] about Huffington Post gets almost half of traffic from overseas
How Anti-Christian is Fox News?
Andrew Sullivan poses a perceptive question on The Daily Dish. It has been fascinating lately to watch Fox News go after the Pope for reiterating long-standing Catholic and Christian doctrine about the false god of materialism. By echoing Jesus’ insistence that you cannot know the kingdom of Heaven if you are bound up in wealth and possessions, the Pope drew charges of Marxism … [Read more...] about How Anti-Christian is Fox News?
Family values hypocrisy
WASHINGTON -- Politicians talk about family values but do almost nothing to help families. They talk about parental responsibility but do almost nothing to help parents. They talk about self-sufficiency but do precious little to make self-sufficiency a reality for those who must struggle hardest to achieve it. How often can we hear that government should be more … [Read more...] about Family values hypocrisy
NSA Program Ruled Unconstitutional
United States District Court Judge Richard Leon has ruled that the NSA’s telephony metadata collection program is unconstitutional. The 68 page opinion, which the brave of heart can read here , goes deep into the weeds of federal judicial processes and standing issues before getting to the Constitutional point. This is not the work of an ACLU mole on the federal bench. … [Read more...] about NSA Program Ruled Unconstitutional
Bitcoins (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/bitcoins/ Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Bitcoins (Cartoon)
NSA Official Richard Ledgett Mulls Amnesty for Edward Snowden In Exchange for Documents
In an effort to literally stem the bleeding, NSA may be mulling granting fugitive leaker Edward Snowden amnesty. In other words, they don't quite know exactly what documents he has in his possession and they want the leaks to stop and get back the extensive document 'treasure trove' he took from the agency. The White House is shooting down any possibility of amnesty for … [Read more...] about NSA Official Richard Ledgett Mulls Amnesty for Edward Snowden In Exchange for Documents