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
A Primary Way to Beat the Tea Party
The Shutdown showed a reckless minority empowered by gerrymandering strangling government. Is there a legal way to loosen its grip? A self-proclaimed political junkie says there is. Reid Wilson on his Washington Post blog enthuses over: “A top-two primary system, one that incentivizes candidates in even the most conservative or liberal districts to appeal to the vast … [Read more...] about A Primary Way to Beat the Tea Party
India without Jews soon?
Although there is no anti-Semitism in India and the Jews have even occupied top government and military posts, the number of Jews in the country is dwindling fast. The latest development is likely to reduce their number in a dramatic fashion. Of the 5,000 estimated Jews in India, Israel has allowed 899 Indian Jews from states of Manipur and Mizoram, the members of the "lost" … [Read more...] about India without Jews soon?
A Review of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Production of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes at the 5th Avenue Theatre
There is one main reason to see the Roundabout Theatre Company’s touring production of Anything Goes at the 5th Avenue Theatre. That reason is Rachel York. If you don’t get a kick out of Rachel York’s voice, then you most likely don’t enjoy singing. The moment York began singing, I realized I would be in for an enjoyable night. Her voice is powerful and smooth with a delightful … [Read more...] about A Review of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Production of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes at the 5th Avenue Theatre
Sen. Dick Durbin Says Obamacare On It’s Way to ‘Substantial Success’ Despite Rollout Problems
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) says Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, is on its way to 'substantial success.' It should be noted that some venture capitalists also think so. Sen. Durbin appeared on "Fox News Sunday," where he acknowledged the problems with the roll-out of President Obama's signature legislation. There are media reports that said 476,000 applications … [Read more...] about Sen. Dick Durbin Says Obamacare On It’s Way to ‘Substantial Success’ Despite Rollout Problems
How a Law Becomes a Bill: Tea Party Civics (Guest Voice)
How a Law Becomes a Bill: Tea Party Civics By Tina Dupuy The President of the United States signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also referred to as ObamaCare, on March 23, 2010. It then became a law. In March 2012, the Supreme Court heard a challenge to ObamaCare, National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius. On June 28, 2012, in a 5-4 decision, the court … [Read more...] about How a Law Becomes a Bill: Tea Party Civics (Guest Voice)
Killer ‘clowns’ murder Mexican ex-drug capo
Killer 'clowns' murder Mexican ex-drug capo (via AFP) Gunmen disguised as clowns at a children's party shot dead the eldest brother of Mexico's once powerful Arellano Felix drug cartel family, authorities said Saturday. Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, 63, was gunned down at a family event Friday in Cabo… … [Read more...] about Killer ‘clowns’ murder Mexican ex-drug capo
What do Christians Believe (personal reflections)
(It's Sunday, so I thought I'd share some personal convictions on faith and the abiding presence of God) What do Christians believe? Well that depends on enumerable variations on a theme. The source material is supposed to be biblical, but that is up for much debate. Within our popular culture discussions, Christianity has become like the word balance. Everyone says they … [Read more...] about What do Christians Believe (personal reflections)
Ted Cruz warns non Tea Party Senate Republicans there will be primary consquences
Political analysts and politicians are having a hard time figuring out Tex. Senator Ted Cruz. Could there really be a politician who couldn't care less what the people who work with him in the Senate from his own party think about him? Could a freshman Senator really threaten others in his party with defeat since they didn't vote his way? The answer is yes: According to … [Read more...] about Ted Cruz warns non Tea Party Senate Republicans there will be primary consquences
Politifact Nails Ted Cruz
Non-partisan fact-check website Politifact.com details the fact-challenged world of Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). So far, we’ve issued the following ratings on Cruz’s statements. •True 1 (4%) •Mostly True 3 (12%) •Half True 4 (16%) •Mostly False 5 (20%) •False 8 (32%) •Pants on Fire 4 (16%) Cruz doesn't fare much better on FactCheck.org. This continues a trend in which … [Read more...] about Politifact Nails Ted Cruz
Citizens Demand Accurate Predictions for Doomsday! (El Observador, Uruguay)
If humans are going to predict the end of the world, why can't they get it right? For Uruguay's El Observador, columnist Bimbo Depauli rails against predictions of Doomsday that never come true, and begs for a more accurate reckoning to ensure that his canned peas and tinned corned beef keeps until the end times arrive. In his humorous look at the perhaps-approaching … [Read more...] about Citizens Demand Accurate Predictions for Doomsday! (El Observador, Uruguay)
Claire Danes, Marilyn Monroe: Life Outdoes Art
Half a century apart, life does not imitate art but overcomes its shortcomings to tantalize us about the people who create it. Just as Arthur Miller in 1961 stripped bare Marilyn Monroe’s psychic fragility in her last movie, “The Misfits,” a 2007 failure titled “Evening” unwittingly reveals more about the actors than the tale it unfolds. Watching on Netflix out of … [Read more...] about Claire Danes, Marilyn Monroe: Life Outdoes Art
‘Homeland’ goes to South America: Brody’s Venezuela nightmare tower
‘Homeland’ goes to South America: Brody’s Venezuela nightmare tower (via GlobalPost) Enlarge **SPOILER ALERT!** This piece divulges plot elements from Season 3 of "Homeland." BOSTON — After some time missing in action, cable television’s antihero-in-chief, Nick Brody, has finally reappeared this season of “Homeland.” Fugitive… … [Read more...] about ‘Homeland’ goes to South America: Brody’s Venezuela nightmare tower
Is the president trolling? (Guest Voice)
Is the president trolling? (via The Economist) BARACK OBAMA'S speech announcing the end of the shutdown made me think about the literary critic Stanley Fish's idea of interpretive communities. Mr Obama's wording was carefully, formally non-partisan: he said "Congress" rather than "Republican", and… … [Read more...] about Is the president trolling? (Guest Voice)
Will Voters Ever Believe Paul Ryan Again?
Last year’s VP loser, like all habitual liars, must have a short memory span and expect others to as well. Otherwise how could Paul Ryan vote to send the nation crashing into default and expect to be taken seriously as a Presidential candidate in 2016? Even sooner, as chairman of the House Budget Committee, can he go to work with a straight face on the Congressional … [Read more...] about Will Voters Ever Believe Paul Ryan Again?
Mitch McConnell wants us to forget who he really is
The Washington Monthly's Max Ehrenfreund nails it: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of the country's most skillful and disliked politicians, came through again in helping broker a deal -- but he clearly hopes voters and pundits will forget. But you can even take what Ehrenfreud says a step further. He writes notes that McConnell is portraying himself as the go-to-guy … [Read more...] about Mitch McConnell wants us to forget who he really is
Science 1 – Texas Board of Education 0
The Texas Board of Education has been trying to force text book publishers to include creationism in textbooks that discuss evolution. The publishers said no. Publishers refuse to include creationism in science textbooks In a victory for science education and the children of Texas, publishers are refusing to include creationism in science textbooks despite fierce pressure … [Read more...] about Science 1 – Texas Board of Education 0
‘Carrie’ retells cult horror tale in post-Newtown era
'Carrie' retells cult horror tale in post-Newtown era (via AFP) Nearly 40 years after Brian De Palma's cult horror movie "Carrie" shocked audiences, a new adaptation of Stephen King's masterpiece tells the story in an America haunted by the Columbine and Newtown massacres. The modern version, released in the United… … [Read more...] about ‘Carrie’ retells cult horror tale in post-Newtown era
It Takes One to Know One
Conservative columnist Ross Douthat diagnoses his party on the shutdown in The New York Times. However you slice and dice the history, the strategery, and the underlying issues, the decision to live with a government shutdown for an extended period of time — inflicting modest-but-real harm on the economy, needlessly disrupting the lives and paychecks of many thousands of … [Read more...] about It Takes One to Know One
Will Republicans and tea partyers stick together?
Or are they in the process of splitting? “Everybody understands standing your ground, hoisting your flag, and making your stand, but at some point, you have to decide if your stand is sustainable,” said Ari Fleischer, the former George W. Bush press secretary. “A lot of people who got elected in 2010 came to Washington as conservatives, not as Republicans. They came to … [Read more...] about Will Republicans and tea partyers stick together?