Typhoon: after battle to survive, the struggle to live (via AFP) People who clung to power cables or cowered in concrete buildings as an apocalyptic storm blew through the Philippines may have thought they were lucky to live, but for many, the struggle to survive has only just begun. Those who made it through the… … [Read more...] about Typhoon: after battle to survive, the struggle to live
The Kennedy Honeymoon in the White House
The first months of the Kennedy presidency were a media feast. The White House had a young family with movie-star looks and a flair for publicity: children and pets, a President who quipped his way through TV press conferences, a First Lady with continental taste in fashion, food and decor. After eight years of Ike’s garbled syntax and Mamie Eisenhower’s plastered bangs, the … [Read more...] about The Kennedy Honeymoon in the White House
Tropical Storms Getting Worse Due to Climate Change
Last Friday, a devastating tropical storm known as Typhoon Haiyan wiped out much of the Philippines. At least 10,000 people were killed in a single city, and when all is said and done the death toll will likely be insurmountable. Those who were lucky enough to survive the storm are far from being out of hot water. Their homes were literally wiped out, and many have nothing … [Read more...] about Tropical Storms Getting Worse Due to Climate Change
Sometimes You Forget The Progress
I was watching C-Span and they aired a brief interview with former House member Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, a fairly liberal Democrat who served in the 1970s. As part of her interview she discussed the fact that she was the first member of Congress to give birth to a child and the first to be granted maternity leave. It struck me that today that would hardly be a big deal, … [Read more...] about Sometimes You Forget The Progress
Sullivan on Burke’s Conservatism
Andrew Sullivan channels Edmund Burke on the true nature of conservatism on The Daily Dish. For a conservative should not be implacably hostile to liberalism (let alone demonize it), but should be alert to its insights, and deeply aware of the need to change laws and government in response to unstoppable change in human society. Equally, a liberal can learn a lot from … [Read more...] about Sullivan on Burke’s Conservatism
The Global Warming Interlude Might Not Exist
Much has been made of the supposed pause in global warming for the last 15 years or so on the part of those who deny that there is warming, or that people aren't responsible or that it's good for us or whatever argument they think might sound best in a given situation. RealClimate, a site run by climatologists, informs us that a new analysis of data from that time frame that … [Read more...] about The Global Warming Interlude Might Not Exist
Update and Clarification
A few days ago I did a post that alleged that the Stuxnet virus had infected the International Space Station and quoted Eugene Kaspersky. I just received the following email from Sarah Bergeron of the Kapersky Labs: On November 7, while talking with the press after his speech at the National Press Club of Australia, Eugene Kaspersky, illustrating how a network with no … [Read more...] about Update and Clarification
It’s Not Just Obamacare For the Tea Party
At least one Tea Party organization hasn't let the Great Obamacare Panic distract them from something really important. The Tea Party Leadership Fund is starting a project to primary all 87 Republicans who dared to vote for the deal to end the government shutdown. After all, as Dan Backer, the treasurer of the group says "You can’t be a conservative and vote to raise the debt … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just Obamacare For the Tea Party
Quote of the Day: Why Obamacare is in greater trouble this week
In response to some comments on TMV and a few emails that suggest that yours truly and TMV are now somehow doing Republican talking points, or the site is being co-written by Sean Hannity, our Quote of the Day is from the Washington Post's apparently (using that same standard) right wing columnist Ezra Klein on why Obamacare is in greater trouble than a week ago. We'll just … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Obamacare is in greater trouble this week
Polls: Bad news for Obama, Congress and Democrats
A slew of new polls contain mostly bad news for President Barack Obama, Congress and Democrats in Congress. Many voters are saying "a pox on all of your houses" as Obama's numbers sink to within a hair of former President George Bush's bad numbers, Congress has dropped down so far down a "SOUTH POLE" sign can be seen -- and Democrats have lost the advantage that they had on the … [Read more...] about Polls: Bad news for Obama, Congress and Democrats
Obamacare sign up numbers come up far short of projections: 106,000
Only 106,000 'select' Obamacare plans in October (via AFP) Only 106,000 people enrolled in the new US health plan in its first month and only a quarter did so on a faulty government website, in early failures for President Barack Obama's top domestic achievement. Government figures published Wednesday were… … [Read more...] about Obamacare sign up numbers come up far short of projections: 106,000
German Snowden-Mania Puts All Europe at Risk (ABC, Spain)
Are Germans giving in to self-defeating emotion by considering asylum for former NSA analyst Edward Snowden? For Spain's ABC Newspaper, columnist Hermann Tertsch castigates Germans for being whipped up 'by media which is as populist as it is irresponsible' - with a 'campaign of hysteria and compassionate demagogy' that puts the entire continent at risk. For Spain's ABC, … [Read more...] about German Snowden-Mania Puts All Europe at Risk (ABC, Spain)
Tidbits from Down Under – Part 3
While reading my second installment of “Tidbits from Down Under,” I realized that introductions, caveats, disclaimers, etc. took up a large portion of the piece. This time, having already heard from a friend from Down Under, I will just repeat and expand one “disclaimer”: These "tidbits" are impressions of someone who knew very little about that magnificent continent … [Read more...] about Tidbits from Down Under – Part 3
Drugs in Canada (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/justin-trudeau-and-rob-ford/ Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Drugs in Canada (Cartoon)
How FDR’s Widow Helped Elect JFK
My main contribution to Kennedy’s election was inadvertent, and it was delivered by Eleanor Roosevelt. We had run a piece by FDR’s widow, “My Advice to the Next First Lady.” The producers of the “Tonight” show called me to ask her if she would appear with Jack Paar. To my surprise, she agreed. On the way to the studio, I asked Mrs. Roosevelt, who had supported Adlai … [Read more...] about How FDR’s Widow Helped Elect JFK
Panic? Democrats ask White House to fix Obamacare ASAP
It certainly sounds like panic is setting in among Democrats. And for good reason: It is now undeniable that when historians write the history of Barack Obama they'll say a)he accomplished what no other President could do in the Affordable Health Care act b)he used up lots of political capital in getting the Affordable Health Care Act through, which hurt his party in the … [Read more...] about Panic? Democrats ask White House to fix Obamacare ASAP
The Comedy God Gives You Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford
The universe's comedy God has answered prayers of comedians everywhere who seek a sure-fire punch line: He has given them Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Ford has become a living unfunny joke. For years people joked when a politician said something silly: "What is he? On crack?" In the case of Canadian politician and businessman Rob Ford, the answer at least one time would be "yes." … [Read more...] about The Comedy God Gives You Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford
Misreading a Column on Christie in Iowa
The controversy over a Washington Post column about Chris Christie confirms that, in the wake of cable TV and Internet shrieking, Americans have become illiterate. Writing about Christie’s chances in an Iowa primary dominated by Tea Party prejudices, Richard Cohen notes, “People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York--a … [Read more...] about Misreading a Column on Christie in Iowa
Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn
Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn (via AFP) Meteorologists have yet to formally link global warming to typhoons like the one that devastated the Philippines, but they expect increasingly extreme weather phenomena due to a rise in ocean temperatures. The trail of death and destruction left in… … [Read more...] about Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn
Some Compelling Math For Republicans
With the elections over it is time for both sides to play pundit. Republicans no doubt will trump the win in New Jersey while Democrats will cite Virginia. In fairness both sides are a bit off in their analysis since the results in both states extend to a large degree from event specific factors (Christie's personal popularity in New Jersey and the horrible campaign run by the … [Read more...] about Some Compelling Math For Republicans