While tired Americans hide under the covers, Congress goes to work every day to haggle over going to work. Why bother? Wouldn’t the country be better off if lawmakers stayed in bed too? Capitol Hill’s Sleeping Beauty, Michele Bachmann, arises from a two-year stupor to proclaim, "This isn't load limits on turnip trucks that we're talking about. This is...a consequential … [Read more...] about Will They? Wake Me When It’s Over
Best Review of the finale of Breaking Bad
Yours truly is on the road until late Wednesday night and posting and writing will be limited due to driving and non-writing projects. I' ve been a HUGE fan of Breaking Bad and missed the finale. But I couldn't wait, so when I got into my hotel I read an hour of summaries on the internet. Here is the BEST SUMMARY of the finale (which I will watch tomorrow or Tuesday night on … [Read more...] about Best Review of the finale of Breaking Bad
GOP tied up in a knot (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on The Moderate Voice. Unauthorized reproduction without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP tied up in a knot (Cartoon)
Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown
Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown (via AFP) Lawmakers have one final day to try to prevent the first US government shutdown in 17 years, but a deal appeared remote Monday as congressional leaders showed little intent to compromise. With Congress going into crunch sessions ahead of an 11:59 pm… … [Read more...] about Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown
Cooper Indians
... Cooper’s Indians never notice anything. Cooper thinks they are marvelous creatures for noticing, but he was almost always in error about his Indians. There was seldom a sane one among them. ~ Mark Twain In his delightful essay "The Literary Offenses of James Fenimore Cooper," Mark Twain defines Cooper Indians, which I'll do in a moment, but first, let's watch Cooper … [Read more...] about Cooper Indians
Bye Bye Boehner: Cruz Timetable Derails Speaker
The Speaker is being treated like just another illegal by the now-ubiquitous Texan. If John Boehner can’t keep Ted Cruz’s hands off his caucus, members will be pushed across the border of sanity and Boehner will be out of a job next year. Cruz himself has a different timetable. Secure in a Senate seat for six years, he can aim his efforts at 2016, which have already borne … [Read more...] about Bye Bye Boehner: Cruz Timetable Derails Speaker
Bill Clinton on the GOP and the Government Shutdown
Former President Bill Clinton on the GOP's government shutdown: "I've never seen a time-- can you remember a time in your lifetime when a major political party was just sitting around, begging for America to fail?" Fox News, Tea Party members, and conservative new and old media pundits willinsist Americans don't see it this way but the truth is: today's Republican Party … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton on the GOP and the Government Shutdown
Lynne Cheney’s (losing) battle with Alan Simpson
In the 1980s I had a chance to briefly talk to Wyoming's Alan Simpson when he was the co author of the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli immigration act, when I was a reporter covering immigration reform as my beat on the San Diego Union newspaper. He was crisp, content-heavy, bluntly honest -- and credible. And in my non-journalists role, I may not have always agreed with him but if he … [Read more...] about Lynne Cheney’s (losing) battle with Alan Simpson
Shutdown bad; default crazy… and catastrophic for the economy
... It would be vastly better if there was no shutdown and no default and House Republicans stopped trying to enact an agenda that lost at the polls by threatening the country. But American politics is what it is right now, and given its sorry condition, a shutdown might be the best of very bad options. ...EzraKlein/WaPo Because a shutdown will screw the economy. No one … [Read more...] about Shutdown bad; default crazy… and catastrophic for the economy
Republican House does it: get ready for a government shut down
US govt shutdown likely amid Obamacare divisions (via AFP) The government was in deadlock Sunday after the House of Representatives approved a Republican bill that attempts to delay President Barack Obama's health care law. Congress now has less than 48 hours to strike a deal that keeps the government open… … [Read more...] about Republican House does it: get ready for a government shut down
India: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vs “Prince” Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi, the vice-president of India's ruling Congress party, dropped a bombshell on Friday when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was set to enjoy his usual bonhomie with the US President Barack Obama in Washington DC. Rahul Gandhi's vicious attack on the government caused political tremors and confusion. His powerful mother Sonia Gandhi heads the Congress party, and was … [Read more...] about India: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vs “Prince” Rahul Gandhi?
Quote of the Day: on the Republican debt ceiling default threat
Our political Quote of the Day comes from CNN and The Daily Beast's John Avlon, writing in Telegraphabout how Republicans are threatening to go nuclear and push the United States into a debt default if they don't get their way. He starts off with this: For decades, the key question when dealing with the murderous mullahs of the Islamic Republic was whether they were … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: on the Republican debt ceiling default threat
Three reasons the shutdown will hurt the GOP
If the government does shut down -- as it is now widely expected to do -- it's likely to hurt the GOP, no matter what you hear on Fox News or read on conservative websites. Republican David Frum, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush gives three reasons why. He looks at three Republican "happy endings," and shows why they are actually wishful thinking: 'Happy … [Read more...] about Three reasons the shutdown will hurt the GOP
Another Poison Pill Clause
If by any chance you had any doubts about the complete insincerity of the House GOP when it comes to any desire to avoid a shutdown, wonder no longer. Just in case the Christmas list of demands that were revealed to be their debt ceiling proposal, they have chosen to add a conscience clause to their newest spending bill that would allow insurers and employers to opt out of … [Read more...] about Another Poison Pill Clause
Viagra for Boehner
Shutdown looms larger after GOP move on Obamacare Politico House Republicans will vote to pass a one-year delay of Obamacare in exchange for funding the government, a plan that drastically increases the chances of a government shutdown this Tuesday. — The decision was announced by the GOP leadership … Pity poor John Boehner, who has been reduced from Speaker of the House … [Read more...] about Viagra for Boehner
GOP House Member Equates He and His Fellow Radicals to Flight 93 Heroes
. When I thought my opinion of the GOP radicals couldn't get any lower one of them pops up with this … [Read more...] about GOP House Member Equates He and His Fellow Radicals to Flight 93 Heroes
First President Finally Gets His ‘Presidential Library’
There have been 43 Presidents of the United States, excluding the present President. But there are only 13 Presidential Libraries, including the recently inaugurated George W. Bush Presidential Library. How come? The answer can be found at the National Archives’ “Presidential Libraries” website where we learn that President Roosevelt started the informal tradition of … [Read more...] about First President Finally Gets His ‘Presidential Library’
Congress Should Use ’89 Minimum Wage Fight And Pomeroy Lesson As Guide For Averting Shutdown
In the spring of 1989 I was a high school freshman who salivated at the chance to see the political process at work. My first opportunity was watching Congressional Democrats battle President George H.W, Bush over plans to raise the minimum wage. More than two decades later, there is again a split between the Executive and at least one chamber of the Legislative branch, and … [Read more...] about Congress Should Use ’89 Minimum Wage Fight And Pomeroy Lesson As Guide For Averting Shutdown
I Wont Be Boycotting Barilla Pasta. Why?
Here's why. I paddle past all the flotsam and jetsam on fire== as on the Cuyahoga River that exploded in fire some years back, from all the garbage floating in it-- tossed there by human beings. I paddle past the arguments of progressive, regressive. Past the hoo-holler about bigots and spigots. Past all the rest. In 1992, Colorado passed by voters' affirmation, Amendment … [Read more...] about I Wont Be Boycotting Barilla Pasta. Why?
Barilla Pasta stand on gays in advertising counter to advertising trend
The furor continues over the comments Barilla Pasta's CEO made about not wanting gays in his company's ads and that people who don't like that are free to eat another pasta. It has set off boycotts on some fronts, calls to buy more of it on others, and expressions of dismay among others about boycotting a product over a CEO's views. But Advertising Age's EJ Schultz adds a … [Read more...] about Barilla Pasta stand on gays in advertising counter to advertising trend