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
Massive Slaughter of Dolphins for Shark Bait in Peru Causes International Outrage
Massive Slaughter of Dolphins for Shark Bait in Peru Causes International Outrage (via World-Wire) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LIMA, Peru, October 21, 2013 –/WORLD-WIRE/– The government of Peru is considering measures to halt the massive slaughter of dolphins exposed this week by conservation organizations Mundo Azul and BlueVoice. Marine conservation… … [Read more...] about Massive Slaughter of Dolphins for Shark Bait in Peru Causes International Outrage
Texas Republican Judge Carlo Key quits Republican Party: “The Republican Party left me”
As signs continue to mount that the Republican Party nationally is now in the early stages of a life-or-death Civil War between the Tea Party and its talk radio and internet pundit supporters and more traditional Republicans backed by the business community and Wall Street, Texas Republican judge Carlo Key has articulated what many polls show many Republicans have felt over … [Read more...] about Texas Republican Judge Carlo Key quits Republican Party: “The Republican Party left me”
Could US Chamber of Commerce be counterweight to tea party? (Guest Voice)
Could US Chamber of Commerce be counterweight to tea party? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce speaks to reporters in Washington Monday. (Michael Bonfigli/The Christian Science Monitor ) The head of the US Chamber of Commerce, one of the most powerful players in Washington, ducked… … [Read more...] about Could US Chamber of Commerce be counterweight to tea party? (Guest Voice)
Celebrate Free Speech Week
Today marks the beginning of Free Speech Week For all the disagreements we may have the one thing we can all agree that without the 1st amendment and the rights thereto we wouldn't be able to have those debates. And yes, that right extends to everyone, even if you think they have idiotic opinions. It applies to liberals and conservatives, to Republicans and Democrats and … [Read more...] about Celebrate Free Speech Week
Christian, Not Conservative
Novelist Marilynne Robinson, winner of the Pulitzer prize and National Book Award, distinguishes between spiritual and political in an interview with Robert Long in The American Conservative. Well, what is a Christian, after all? Can we say that most of us are defined by the belief that Jesus Christ made the most gracious gift of his life and death for our redemption? Then … [Read more...] about Christian, Not Conservative
A case for hope
WASHINGTON -- "Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed." It was the early 20th century socialist Eugene V. Debs who pointed to the utility of this extra Beatitude. You don't have to be a lefty to appreciate its relevance to our politics after the shutdown disaster. Cynicism about the political future is a default position with a … [Read more...] about A case for hope
Obama: don’t confuse affordable care act benefits with awful website glitches
Obama defends health law despite chaotic debut (via AFP) President Barack Obama said Monday there was "no sugarcoating" the problems clouding the online launch of his health care law, but mounted a firm defense of a system that will help define his legacy. Obama struggled to assert control over a mounting… … [Read more...] about Obama: don’t confuse affordable care act benefits with awful website glitches
Trailer House of Representatives (Cartoon)
Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Trailer House of Representatives (Cartoon)
What You Need to Know About The Syrian Civil War
The American People oppose it but many are still clamoring for intervention in Syria. Yes it is a humanitarian nightmare but is there really anything we can do to help? To answer this question we need to know more about Syria and the nature of civil wars in general. Fifteen years ago Barbara F. Walter wrote The Critical Barrier to Civil War Settlement, a study of civil wars … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know About The Syrian Civil War
Time to Split?
It’s time for the Republican Party to formally split. A chasm has already opened up informally, with party infighting between the extremist take-no-prisoners Tea Party wing and the old establishment Republicans. The extreme right-wingers have already tarnished the Republican brand with their unwillingness to govern or compromise, which will make it more difficult for the GOP to … [Read more...] about Time to Split?
Environmentalist Sunita Narain injured riding bicycle in Delhi
Internationally-acclaimed and India’s pioneering environmental activist, Ms Sunita Narain was seriously injured when her bicycle was hit by a speeding car in the heart of New Delhi. Narain hit international headlines, and made several enemies a decade ago, when her NGO revealed that famous soft drinks brands, including Coca Cola and Pepsico, contained unacceptably high levels … [Read more...] about Environmentalist Sunita Narain injured riding bicycle in Delhi
Poll: Half think Republican House Control is bad
More troubles for the GOP as it tries to pivot from the House shutdown and debt default threat political debacle: a new poll finds more that half believe it's not good that the Republicans control the House amid yet another Democratic poll that finds an increasingly large number of House Republicans are politically vulnerable. The CNN/ORC International survey illustrates why … [Read more...] about Poll: Half think Republican House Control is bad