This addition of the “Rattling of the Cages” focuses on new developments in major House, Senate, and Gubernatorial races. In addition, the vote to reopen the federal government after a two-week standstill, while mostly on predictable lines, still offeres fodder as 2014 fast approaches. Florida-13 The first special election of 2014, and in all likelihood the first test of … [Read more...] about Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages:
Latest NSA Leak Puts President Nieto’s Credibility at Stake (La Jornada, Mexico)
Perceived subservience to the United States has become a major obstacle for Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto's administration, particularly after it was revealed by Germany's Der Spiegel that both he and his predecessor's e-mail accounts were hacked by the U.S. National Security Agency. This editorial from Mexico's La Jornada warns Nieto that failure to stand up to … [Read more...] about Latest NSA Leak Puts President Nieto’s Credibility at Stake (La Jornada, Mexico)
Emerging US-China rivalry around Myanmar
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is at the core of a new emerging rivalry between the US and China in the Indian Ocean region, which contains the world’s most crowded sea lanes and trade routes. The rivalry is adding to the already tense US-China competition in the South and East China Seas and the Sea of Japan. There, the Chinese navy is trying to claim islands disputed by key … [Read more...] about Emerging US-China rivalry around Myanmar
Obamacare Website (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obamacare Website (Cartoon)
Pope Francis suspends Germany’s ‘bling bishop’ over extravagant lifestyle
Vatican suspends Germany's 'bling bishop' (via AFP) The Vatican on Wednesday suspended indefinitely a German Catholic cleric dubbed the "bling bishop" for his luxury lifestyle, despite multiple calls in Germany for the prelate to be dismissed. "The Holy See deems it appropriate to authorise a period… … [Read more...] about Pope Francis suspends Germany’s ‘bling bishop’ over extravagant lifestyle
Texas voter ID law targets women, students and minorities
The U.S. Supreme court in its (in)famous Voting Rights Act ruling gave Texas a green light to legislate voter suppression, and here Texas most assuredly goes: Texas’s new voter ID law got off to a rocky start this week as early voting began for state constitutional amendments. The law was previously blocked as discriminatory by the federal courts under the Voting Rights … [Read more...] about Texas voter ID law targets women, students and minorities
Inhofe Used to be Rational
As if Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) hadn't provided enough doubt about his ability to think rationally with his constant accusations that the concept of anthropogenic global warming is a huge hoax on the part of thousands of scientists he now has taken his relationship with reality to a distance that might best be measured in light years. He has claimed that the kind of … [Read more...] about Inhofe Used to be Rational
A Radio Host Tired of Partisan Politics: A Call for Reconciliation
I host a daily radio talk show entitled Live from Seattle with Doug Bursch on 820 AM KGNW. Yesterday, in the first hour of our show, I spoke on Christians and partisan politics. Listen if you want to hear a somewhat different perspective than what is often heard on the religious and political airwaves. Click here to listen to the podcast on reconciliation. … [Read more...] about A Radio Host Tired of Partisan Politics: A Call for Reconciliation
FDA warns pet owners of jerky treats linked to animal deaths and illnesses
FDA warns pet owners of jerky treats linked to animal deaths and illnesses (via PBS News Hour) By: News Desk A reported 580 pets have died from jerky-related illnesses since 2007. Photo by Flickr user rawlands The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to get the bottom of a mysterious outbreak that has sickened thousands of dogs and cats in… … [Read more...] about FDA warns pet owners of jerky treats linked to animal deaths and illnesses
14-Year-Old Philip Chism Held Without Bail for Murder of Teacher Colleen Ritzer
BREAKING : 14-year-old Philip Chism, held without bail for the murder of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer. Philip Chism reportedly beat the teacher to death. Boston.com: Philip D. Chism was ordered held without bail at his arraignment this afternoon in Salem District Court. Judge Matthew Nestor approved funds for a mental competency evaluation. A probable cause … [Read more...] about 14-Year-Old Philip Chism Held Without Bail for Murder of Teacher Colleen Ritzer
Flying Soon? Be Prepared for More Security
If you thought airport security was strict enough, you may not be happy the next time you have to hop on a plane. The Transportation Security Agency (T.S.A) recently unveiled its plans to tighten airport security in the future. The screening process for passengers can now begin hours before you board the flight. No, the agency won't be giving you a pat-down when you board the … [Read more...] about Flying Soon? Be Prepared for More Security
Employment and the ACA
While opponents of the ACA have claimed that it will result in more part time employment Matthew Yglesias notes that part time employment is actually on the decrease. He thinks that this may not last but not because of the reasons given by opponents of the ACA. My strong suspicion is that if the ACA has an impact on the labor force (which it probably will) it will be through … [Read more...] about Employment and the ACA
Snowden Exposes NSA Christmas Holiday Loophole! (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
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