This might be funny if it were not so sad. An example of what a spineless joke the Republican Party has become. 27 GOP Senators 'Disapprove' Of Their Own Vote To Raise Debt Ceiling Twenty-seven Republican senators voted with Democrats on Oct. 16 to lift the debt ceiling and avert a catastrophic default. And each one of those 27 senators voted Tuesday to "disapprove" of … [Read more...] about Spineless Joke
Spain Reacts to NSA Surveillance Revelations
Since Spain's El Mundo published reports that the National Security Agency had monitored the phone calls of over 60 million of the nation's citizens, and that its prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, was one of the 36 heads of state spied upon by the agency, Spain's newspapers have been publishing editorials and op-eds about the situation. Here are three, translated by the people of … [Read more...] about Spain Reacts to NSA Surveillance Revelations
Quirky Journalism: New Obama War Doctrine
Journalism students are taught to “never bury the lead” but, with a little help from the President, I did just that in my last post, raising the question of whether there is a new Obama Doctrine for military action in the Middle East. Writing about the aftermath of Benghazi, I cited his National Security Adviser’s interview with the New York Times three days ago, headlined … [Read more...] about Quirky Journalism: New Obama War Doctrine
The Flight of Marco Rubio
Isn't it time to do a new political version of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's famous "Flight of the Bumblebee?" The musical piece has had various incarnations in American culture. In the 40s, it was the theme for "The Green Hornet" radio show. In the 60s, jazzed-up adaptation performed by trumpet player Al Hirt was the theme for the TV show -- and it became a worldwide hit when it … [Read more...] about The Flight of Marco Rubio
Fringe and purge (Guest Voice)
Fringe and purge (via The Economist) A COUPLE of days ago Ramesh Ponnuru and Rich Lowry published a long essay in the National Review arguing that Republicans need to stop engaging in intra-party purity wars, and fighting politics as if it were a perpetual last stand against the teeming… … [Read more...] about Fringe and purge (Guest Voice)
We will find proof of aliens, says Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth
We will find proof of aliens, says Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth (via The Inquirer) CANONICAL FOUNDER and technology entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth is no stranger to exploration. As the first South African to enter space when he launched aboard the Russian Soyuz TM-34 mission as the second spaceflight tourist in 2002, the man responsible… … [Read more...] about We will find proof of aliens, says Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth
NSA’s snooping: the real damage
The outrage of several European governments at alleged electronic espionage by the US is understandable but has a whiff of pretense to hide their own ineptitude. In the case of Germany’s Angela Merkel, the surprise is not that the NSA conducts this kind of deep surveillance but that the country famed worldwide for high technology failed to veil the communications of its … [Read more...] about NSA’s snooping: the real damage
New poll gives McAuliffe big lead in Virginia
New poll gives McAuliffe big lead in Virginia (via PBS News Hour) By: Terence Burlij and Christina Bellantoni Virginia Tech students attend a Monday event in Blacksburg, Va. for gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesWith one week to go until Election Day… … [Read more...] about New poll gives McAuliffe big lead in Virginia
Obama Tiptoes Out of Future Mideast Messes
“We’re here to kill Americans.” That chilling statement from an attacker of the US compound reported on 60 Minutes by a pseudonymous witness stirs again the anguish of four deaths last September 11. The pain of that loss is genuine on all sides, but it doesn’t stop there, rippling into politics as a preemptive strike against a Hillary Clinton run in 2016 and raising even … [Read more...] about Obama Tiptoes Out of Future Mideast Messes
Actress Suzanne Somers: Affordable Care Act is “Socialist Ponzi Scheme”
I never thought I would say it, but there's someone even dumber than Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann -- Suzanne Somers. The Wall Street Journal ran a column called "The Affordable Care Act Is a Socialist Ponzi Scheme," written by Somers. You will recall her role as Chrissy on "Three's Company." Well that says it all. Somers warns: Medical care will be degraded, the … [Read more...] about Actress Suzanne Somers: Affordable Care Act is “Socialist Ponzi Scheme”
Australia to Leave Afghanistan ‘Not with Victory, Not with Defeat…’
One of our staunchest allies is winding down its military mission in Afghanistan at the end of the year. During a surprise visit to troops in Uruzgan province, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced an end to Australia’s Defense Forces (ADF) combat involvement in Afghanistan. “It has been worth it. This has been a very difficult commitment. People have paid a high price. … [Read more...] about Australia to Leave Afghanistan ‘Not with Victory, Not with Defeat…’
Mass Shootings: acceleration
How greatly have mass shootings accelerated in the United States? This infographic from securitydegreehub.com lets you see the alarming trend -- and tragedy -- at a glance: Source: Security Degree Hub … [Read more...] about Mass Shootings: acceleration
Federal Judge blocks parts of Texas abortion law
The summer's controversial Texas abortion law was slated to go into effect on Tuesday. Although a federal judge blocked two key provisions of the law on Monday, the Attorney General has already appealed the ruling. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel heard three days of testimony last week during the trial in Austin, the outcome of a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood, the … [Read more...] about Federal Judge blocks parts of Texas abortion law
The out-of-control NSA
WASHINGTON -- Let's get this straight: The National Security Agency snooped on the cellphone conversations of German Chancellor Angela Merkel? Perhaps for as long as a decade? And President Obama didn't know a thing about it? Either somebody's lying or Obama needs to acknowledge that the NSA, in its quest for omniscience beyond anything Orwell could have imagined, is … [Read more...] about The out-of-control NSA
When Faith Becomes Ideology
Pope Francis warns of this pitfall in Christianity (h/t Andrew Sullivan): The faith passes, so to speak, through a distiller and becomes ideology. And ideology does not beckon [people]. In ideologies there is not Jesus: in his tenderness, his love, his meekness. And ideologies are rigid, always. Of every sign: rigid. And when a Christian becomes a disciple of the ideology, he … [Read more...] about When Faith Becomes Ideology
New TV channel Fusion aims at US Hispanics, in English
New TV channel Fusion aims at US Hispanics, in English (via AFP) A new cable television channel aimed at US Hispanics in English, dubbed Fusion, was set to debut Monday, snagging an interview with President Barack Obama for its first day. Fusion describes itself as a "news, pop culture and satire TV and digital network… … [Read more...] about New TV channel Fusion aims at US Hispanics, in English
Marco Rubio distances himself from his OWN immigration bill (UPDATED)
If JFK's book "Profiles in Courage" has a sequel called "Profiles in Cowardice," this is likely to be the first chapter. The case of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Once upon a time, immigration reform advocates felt they had a strong voice in Rubio who had steadfastly proposed meaningful immigration reform that went beyond a perfunctory legislative action. But then … [Read more...] about Marco Rubio distances himself from his OWN immigration bill (UPDATED)
Why do politicians gerrymander? (Guest Voice)
Why do politicians gerrymander? (via The Economist) IN 1812, the governor of Massachusetts enacted a measure redrawing district lines to give his party, the Democratic-Republicans (then one of America's two major political parties) an electoral advantage. One particularly oddly-shaped district resembled… … [Read more...] about Why do politicians gerrymander? (Guest Voice)
US denies Obama aware of Merkel spying as scandal spreads
US denies Obama aware of Merkel spying as scandal spreads (via AFP) Transatlantic tensions reached boiling point Monday as Washington sharply denied reports President Barack Obama knew US spies were tapping German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but fresh allegations emerged of mass snooping in Spain. As outrage over secret… … [Read more...] about US denies Obama aware of Merkel spying as scandal spreads
SNL Opening mocks Kathleen Sebelius and Obama Healthcare Website Problems
SNL's Kate McKinnon portrayed U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius giving reassurances to Americans on something that has now created a bipartisan consensus: the fizzle of the trouble Affordable Heathcare Act website. As usual, it's a masterful SNL sketch which will probably further shape the perception that "Obamacare" is off to a rocky start since it … [Read more...] about SNL Opening mocks Kathleen Sebelius and Obama Healthcare Website Problems