Classified documents that have been reexamined in the last few days, and which show massive NSA spying against France, Germany and the Netherlands, also show something that offers a small measure of cheer for Europeans seeking to evade America's big ears. For de Volkskrant of the Netherlands, adding a dash of humor to the global tumult surrounding American surveillance, … [Read more...] about Snowden Exposes NSA Christmas Holiday Loophole! (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
Fox News defends global warming false balance by denying the 97% consensus (Guest Voice)
Fox News defends global warming false balance by denying the 97% consensus (via Skeptical Science) Posted on 24 October 2013 by dana1981 A study published earlier this year in the journal Public Understanding of Science found that consumption of politically conservative media outlets like Fox News decreases viewer trust in scientists, which in turn… … [Read more...] about Fox News defends global warming false balance by denying the 97% consensus (Guest Voice)
Durbin: House leader told Obama ‘I cannot even stand to look at you’
How utterly toxic has our partisan and ideology dominated politics gotten? And how does the Tea Party dominated Republican House reflect this toxicity where it all comes down to being personal -- a shift away from the days when all politics is local to all politics is personal? How does this quote symbolize the utter disrespect for the office of President? It's this toxic and … [Read more...] about Durbin: House leader told Obama ‘I cannot even stand to look at you’
Reince Priebus Compares President Obama to ShamWow Guy
Despite abysmal poll numbers, the Republicans are still on a suicide mission to defund Obamacare. Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus is now calling President Obama #PresidentShamWow. You all know the story behind the Sham Wow guy, who was popped for beating up a prostitute who reportedly bit him on the tongue. Priebus tweeted out a link to a Chicago … [Read more...] about Reince Priebus Compares President Obama to ShamWow Guy
The Big Hidden Problem with Obamacare
Amid all the hubbub about ACA website failures and Obamacare squabbles, completely overlooked is a massive new problem faced by health insurers who will not only have to manage millions of new customers but actually start paying some of their claims. Their plight may be masked by all those premiums they will collect, but how will they cope with an actual outflow of … [Read more...] about The Big Hidden Problem with Obamacare
US government shutdown hurt Republicans’ image: poll
US government shutdown hurt Republicans' image: poll (via AFP) The recent shutdown of the US government has taken a stinging toll on the image of the Republican Party, according to a poll published on Tuesday. The Washington Post-ABC News survey showed the public's opinion of the party has sunk to an all-time low… … [Read more...] about US government shutdown hurt Republicans’ image: poll
America’s Political Center Fights Back
Is America's center rising again? It certainly seems that way. After months of looking as if it was being prepared for embalming by a political mortician, several things have happened. American voters, the Republican establishment and Wall Street got a harrowing glimpse of how the Republican far right was ready to willingly shove the United States over political and fiscal … [Read more...] about America’s Political Center Fights Back
We Are Social Creatures
Studies that show we are social creatures and have been for a very long time continue to appear. This interview in Scientific American refers to indications that emotional pain is as real as physical pain. I think of these kinds of studies whenever I see the ragings of those who I have to think of as radical individualists. As Dr. Lieberman says in his book: In the West, … [Read more...] about We Are Social Creatures
GOP Incapable of Governing
Conservative columnist Ramesh Ponnuru and liberal counterpart Jonathan Chait make the same point about the Republican Party (h/t Andrew Sullivan). Ponnuru in Bloomberg News: At a Senate Republican lunch the day of the vote, someone mentioned that the party wasn’t ready to run the Senate: If Republicans had held a majority in both the House and the Senate, they wouldn’t have … [Read more...] about GOP Incapable of Governing
Our New Three Party System
America finds itself coming to grips with a de facto three party system as the Tea Party rises as a force unto itself. With little regard for traditional Republicanism and no regard for conservatism, the Tea Party does not seek to live in its parental, Republican, home, but rather to take it over by coup, or, failing that, burn it to the ground if usurpation should prove … [Read more...] about Our New Three Party System
Consumer Reports Blasts Republicans for Twisting Its Position on Healthcare.Gov
Consumer Reports issued a statement raining on the parade of Obamacare opponents after it said people should wait for a month before signing up. Some misinterpreted the magazine's position on the website to mean it had turned against President Obama's signature legislation. Not so fast. Here's the full article from Consumer Reports: Pundits opposed to the new health care law … [Read more...] about Consumer Reports Blasts Republicans for Twisting Its Position on Healthcare.Gov
How College Ratings Hurt Students and Schools
Living with three high-school grandchildren brings back parental days of anxiety about getting into the best possible college. But the question is: What is the definition of best? When U.S. News & World Report issued its annual rankings last month, there were no surprises: Princeton, Harvard, Yale, motherhood and apple pie, everything in order. But there are critics, … [Read more...] about How College Ratings Hurt Students and Schools
Maine GOP Gov. Paul LePage Echoes Mitt Romney’s 47 Percent Insult
Quote of the Day: "About 47% of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don't work." -- Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage quoted by the Bangor Daily News, echoing Mitt Romney's infamous 47 percent comments made during the 2012 presidential campaign. Yep, now the people of Maine really know how their governor feels about them. The Republican Party just can't stop … [Read more...] about Maine GOP Gov. Paul LePage Echoes Mitt Romney’s 47 Percent Insult
“Nice Kid” at Nevada middle school kills teacher and self and the question is (again) “why?” (Emergency calls video)
The latest school shooting this time in Sparks, NV, is another seemingly inexplicable tragedy ending in a popular and brave teacher trying to get a middle school student to lay down his gun winding up dead, two injured students, and the young shooter taking his own life. But it's seemingly more inexplicable than several other school shootings since the shooter was described … [Read more...] about “Nice Kid” at Nevada middle school kills teacher and self and the question is (again) “why?” (Emergency calls video)
Forty Years at the Typewriter
First of all, I'm only going to do this once. But it's my fortieth anniversary, and so many people tell me they love my "memoir" kinds of things, that I decided to do a long piece on my "origin" as a writer. Don't worry. It doesn't start with a radioactive spider bite or anything like that. It began with an injustice. And the desire to please a girl. Life is funny that … [Read more...] about Forty Years at the Typewriter
Who should conduct US foreign policy – CIA/Pentagon or Diplomats?
During the past decade, the world has somehow come to believe that the US State Department has just become a sidekick of the Pentagon and the CIA in formulating the American foreign policy. In other words, the US has given up the traditional and time-honoured style of conducting diplomacy through dialogue, discussion and consensus in dealing with contentious issues relating to … [Read more...] about Who should conduct US foreign policy – CIA/Pentagon or Diplomats?
Now is a time for growth
WASHINGTON -- It's fine to talk -- eventually -- about chronic deficits and mounting debt. But now that our government is up and running again, the nation's first priority should be economic growth. Sorry if this gives conniptions to all you deficit hawks out there. Actually, I'm not that sorry, because it was the hawks' over-the-top warnings of impending doom that … [Read more...] about Now is a time for growth
Credit rating blues
Credit rating blues (via GlobalPost) Enlarge BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — The United States is in trouble. BIG trouble. Or so it seems. Despite a last-minute save from Capitol Hill that averted what could have been financial Armageddon, the damage to America’s reputation will be lasting,… … [Read more...] about Credit rating blues
Giving Obama the benefit of the doubt (Guest Voice)
Giving Obama the benefit of the doubt by Peter W. Johnson During the 2008 Democratic primary I was immediately impressed with then, Senator—Barack Obama. When the field of candidates was asked if they would support a temporary moratorium on the gasoline tax, they all eagerly concurred. However, although knowing full well that agreeing would ensure him many votes, Obama … [Read more...] about Giving Obama the benefit of the doubt (Guest Voice)
Social conservatives take aim at Christie over gay marriage decision
Social conservatives take aim at Christie over gay marriage decision (via NJ.com) While Democrats in New Jersey rejoiced over today's decision by the governor to drop the state's legal opposition to same sex marriage, some national social conservative leaders lashed out at the governor. "This would suit him a lot better if he were… … [Read more...] about Social conservatives take aim at Christie over gay marriage decision