WASHINGTON -- For more than three decades, working class Americans receded as cultural heroes, replaced in the popular imagination by swashbuckling entrepreneurs, brilliant innovators, and shrewd investors who make millions at the touch of a computer key. It was not always this way. In the 1930s, '40s and '50s, the people who operated the trains, worked the machines and … [Read more...] about The return of the working class hero
‘Mind Control’ Achieved by Post-Snowden United States (El Espectador, Colombia)
One of the most disturbing consequences of Edward Snowden's revelations is the self-censorship that has begun to take hold in what was once called the 'freest nation in the world.' For Colombia's El Espectador, columnist Juan Gabriel Vásquez cites a recent survey of American writers, and explains why going along to get along with surveillance makes a mockery of some of the … [Read more...] about ‘Mind Control’ Achieved by Post-Snowden United States (El Espectador, Colombia)
Why Shouldn’t Magazines Die?
One of the best around goes bi-weekly because not enough readers and advertisers are funneling money into it every week. In a postmortem, Megan McArdle, a former magazine writer who now labors for Bloomberg News, writes, “Hearing that New York magazine can’t make it as a weekly is, for a professional journalist, rather like being told that your teddy bear has cancer.” But … [Read more...] about Why Shouldn’t Magazines Die?
Suddenly Aware
Over the last several months, politicians on the left appear to be awakening to the fact that there is great inequality in America, with an increasing percentage of the nation’s wealth in the hands of a fortunate few. As President Obama noted, half of the national income goes to the top 10% of Americans, up from one third in 1979, among the most unequal wealth distribution of … [Read more...] about Suddenly Aware
The Supreme Court Episode 6: Kaley v. United States
Today is Monday so it is time for us to take a look at another case before the US Supreme Court. The last couple weeks we looked at cases involving the 5th and 6th amendments so this week we have a case that deals with both the fifth and sixth amendments and involves the extent to which the government is limited in action against criminal defendants with regard to asset … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Episode 6: Kaley v. United States
War on Christmas (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 War on Christmas (Cartoon)
Saturday Night Live spoofs NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live” (Video)
NBC's "The Sound of Music Live" got NBC boffo ratings and some smello reviews -- and gave Saturday Night Live some material. It's a sketch that also has the rythmn of a sketch on one of the classif 1950s 1960s comedy shows when they spoofed a movie -- partially due to the scene stealing appearance by Kristin Wiig, doing her popular Denise character. (Despite hideous reviews, … [Read more...] about Saturday Night Live spoofs NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live” (Video)
Tidbits from Down Under – Part 4
Those who have been following my Australia travelogue will notice that -- after three installments -- I am still in Sydney and the Sydney area. Although there are many reasons for dwelling on this magnificent city, it is time to move on -- but not before mentioning one (or two) more thing(s). Perhaps some of the reasons why we fell in love with Sydney are the same reasons … [Read more...] about Tidbits from Down Under – Part 4
Conservatives plan assault on public schools, workers’ rights, Medicaid
The photo adorning the lead article in the Guardian today (US edition) shows David Koch, of course. The report details "a co-ordinated assault against public sector rights and services in the key areas of education, healthcare, income tax, workers' compensation and the environment." The Guardian has been given documents revealing the funding the far right and the State Policy … [Read more...] about Conservatives plan assault on public schools, workers’ rights, Medicaid
Should journalists help catch sources who commit crimes? Pierre Omidyar, Paul Carr, and Sarah Lacy debate (Guest Voice)
Should journalists help catch sources who commit crimes? Pierre Omidyar, Paul Carr, and Sarah Lacy debate (via Pando Daily) By David Holmes On December 8, 2013Last night, Paul Carr pointed to a tweet by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of a new investigative journalism outlet that employs Glenn Greenwald, that read, “Anybody who publishes stolen info should help catch the … [Read more...] about Should journalists help catch sources who commit crimes? Pierre Omidyar, Paul Carr, and Sarah Lacy debate (Guest Voice)
This Is Water
From a 2005 commencement speech by David Foster Wallace it serves as a lesson for all of us. … [Read more...] about This Is Water
“Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”
Conservative blogger Josh Barro comments on the political implications of the "War on Christmas" on Business Insider. Here's a shirt recently sold by the National Republican Congressional Committee. It reads "'Happy Holidays' is what liberals say." An NRCC spokesperson told Buzzfeed the shirt has sold out. Here's the thing: Some people celebrate Christmas and some don't. It's … [Read more...] about “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”
Nuclear Power Isn’t Neccessarily What You Think It Is
I came across this article on Reddit and thought it was very interesting. Then there's also the idea of liquid thorium reactors. It's going to take energy from multiple sources to solve our future needs and we really need those sources to not add to our global warming problem. There will be trade offs. But nothing should be rejected out of hand without honest evaluation of the … [Read more...] about Nuclear Power Isn’t Neccessarily What You Think It Is
Air Force Band Surprises and Elates Museum Visitors
U.S. Air Force men and women fly planes, but they can also do many other things and do them well. One of them is playing beautiful music, and singing beautifully, as the U.S. Air Force Band recently did -- one by one, eventually “swelling to 120 musicians” -- at the National Air and Space Museum’s “Milestones of Flight” gallery in Washington, D.C. on Dec 3. Watch it … [Read more...] about Air Force Band Surprises and Elates Museum Visitors
Corporate Extortion and Corporate Wellfare
Matt Yglesias has a great article on Boeing's attempt to extort money from local communities for the privilege of having a Boeing plant in their community. Boeing Will Build a Factory in Your Town If You Pay For The Factory It's no secret that big companies with lots of jobs to throw around try to strike good deals with state and local governments in exchange for deigning … [Read more...] about Corporate Extortion and Corporate Wellfare
Black Friday and the Darkness in America’s Soul
Clearly, it MUST have been a video produced by America's enemies, a vicious piece of propaganda that was so outlandish it would have brought laughs 10 years ago. No one except indoctrinated citizens of communist countries would ever believe it. The setting is Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia. The date is "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving, a day when retailers … [Read more...] about Black Friday and the Darkness in America’s Soul
US war veteran released from N.Korea as Biden visits frontier
US war veteran released from N.Korea as Biden visits frontier (via AFP) North Korea Saturday released a detained American veteran of the Korean War as US Vice President Joe Biden visited the world's last Cold War frontier. US officials said Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old from California, headed home after arriving in Beijing… … [Read more...] about US war veteran released from N.Korea as Biden visits frontier
A Day That Lives in Infamy and Me
On December 7, 1941 I was the age my twin grandsons are now, 17. Along with the Cuban Missile Crisis and 9/11/2001, it is etched in memory as the world-shaking time of a long life. For those their age, it is ancient history. For me, remembering in detail is a way of hoping with all my heart that they and their generations will never have to experience anything like it. It … [Read more...] about A Day That Lives in Infamy and Me
Remember Pearl Harbor
Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and US entry into the Second World War. Sadly we are quickly approaching the time where we no longer have living survivors and Pearl Harbor may gradually become an abstract historical event rather than a true harsh experience. Whenever I think of the attack I am reminded of one of the more impressive stories of … [Read more...] about Remember Pearl Harbor
We’re All Winners And Heroes
Who came second? Third? Last? Splendid. You may not have won but the important thing is you’re still a winner. Have a medal. A diploma. An award. Have whatever you like, perhaps a gilt cup or a money prize, because you deserve it, my friend, you won even if you didn’t and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Boy, wouldn’t you hate to be one of those pathetic, wimpy... … [Read more...] about We’re All Winners And Heroes