Cruz's Senate speech generates ill will among GOP colleagues (via CBS News) Sen. Ted Cruz took to the Senate floor to give a prolonged speech urging his colleagues to block any government funding bill that preserves funding for Obamacare. But most of his fellow Senate Republicans know they don't have the votes to kill the Affordable… … [Read more...] about Cruz’s Senate speech generates ill will among GOP colleagues (VIDEO)
Did Chris Wallace misguggle Cruz’s thrapple?
According to Frank Bruni, Wallace did a great job of showing up Ted Cruz for the $%*! the senator has become. Cruz wound up with a lot more than just a misguggled thrapple . For starters there’s Chris Wallace’s demeanor: I would almost swear I caught him holding his nose. There’s his bafflement, the bafflement of an entire nation, about what Cruz hopes to accomplish … [Read more...] about Did Chris Wallace misguggle Cruz’s thrapple?
Less fatty ‘Satisfries’ hit Burger King menus in US
Less fatty 'Satisfries' hit Burger King menus in US (via AFP) Fast food giant Burger King introduced a lower-fat, fewer-calorie french fry to US patrons, allowing customers to order a side of "Satisfries" with their meal. The new fry, which is being sold alongside the old classic, has one-third the fat and 20… … [Read more...] about Less fatty ‘Satisfries’ hit Burger King menus in US
Senate Makes History: Confirms First Openly Gay Circuit Judge
Heading an amazing “infographic" (below) on President Obama's Judicial Nominees is the statement: Creating a judicial pool for the 21st Century, one with intellect, fair-mindedness and integrity that resembles the nation that it serves, is a top priority for President Obama and his administration. In fact, the President’s nominations for federal judges embody an … [Read more...] about Senate Makes History: Confirms First Openly Gay Circuit Judge
Kenyan president says mall bloodbath over
Kenyan president says mall bloodbath over (via AFP) Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Tuesday that a four-day siege by Islamist gunmen of a Nairobi shopping mall was over, with the "immense" loss of 61 civilians and six members of the security forces. "We have ashamed and defeated our attackers… … [Read more...] about Kenyan president says mall bloodbath over
(UPDATE) Navy Suspends Search and Rescue Efforts for Two MH-60S Crewmembers
UPDATE: The Department of Defense announced today the death of the two missing crewmembers aboard the ill-fated MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. They died Sept. 22, as a result of the crash. Both sailors were assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. Killed were: Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones, 35, of Lompoc, … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Navy Suspends Search and Rescue Efforts for Two MH-60S Crewmembers
Competition Among States and Tax Disparities
Avid competition among the states is constantly in progress to attract individuals and companies to move to their cities and towns. The enticements offered include low income, estate, and business taxes and right to work laws. I was reminded of this competition recently by three couples who are friends of ours. They are currently making preparations to return to Florida from … [Read more...] about Competition Among States and Tax Disparities
Best yogurt ever! Fake online reviews targeted by N.Y. attorney general.
Best yogurt ever! Fake online reviews targeted by N.Y. attorney general. (via The Christian Science Monitor) Those with a discerning ear for huckster-speak may have always suspected that some of the gushing praise for online products was probably posted by company partisans. It’s an online technique sometimes called “astroturfing,” or laying down fake… … [Read more...] about Best yogurt ever! Fake online reviews targeted by N.Y. attorney general.
Last Best Hope for Shooting Down the NRA
The billionaire who will soon be New York’s former mayor has a post-retirement vocation ready and waiting for him: making real progress in getting rid of America’s guns. Seven years ago, Mike Bloomberg co-founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which grew from 15 to 1,000 mayors in 46 states, including Republicans, Democrats, and Independents around the country. When he … [Read more...] about Last Best Hope for Shooting Down the NRA
Kenya troops ‘in control’ of mall after bloodbath
Kenya troops 'in control' of mall after bloodbath (via AFP) Kenyan troops are in "control" of Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall three days after a deadly siege by Islamists, who, according to Kenya's foreign minister, include "two to three Americans" and a British woman. As the interior ministry said early Tuesday… … [Read more...] about Kenya troops ‘in control’ of mall after bloodbath
What Will It Take To End the Suffering in Syria? (Guest Voice)
What Will It Take To End the Suffering in Syria? by Michael Z. Youhana Americans concerned about the crisis in Syria should consider an insightful quote from an August 31 op-ed by the Brookings Institution's H.A. Hellyer: "Give the people of Syria a better choice than one type of madness over another." One madness being the Obama administration's proposed strikes in Syria, … [Read more...] about What Will It Take To End the Suffering in Syria? (Guest Voice)
Marijuana: Killing the bull (Guest Voice)
Where marijuana finds itself today in America’s (un)welcoming hands A bull enters the ring. The spectators, now on their feet, shout out, some in cheer, others in disdain. With an “M” emblazoned on her side, the bull rushes forward to face her destiny. For so long, the United Stadiums of America had a one-size-fits-all policy: Always kill the bull. That plan seemed to … [Read more...] about Marijuana: Killing the bull (Guest Voice)
Godzillas in the Mist
'We expect that behavior from three-year-olds and senile delinquents doddering into dementia. We do not expect it of United States Congresscritters or Senators.' Just got back from Alaska. This was the first time we've cruised since 9-11-2001, which found us pulling into Juneau as the first news of the Twin Towers reached us and before the towers collapsed in endless loop … [Read more...] about Godzillas in the Mist
Family Donates Wedding Dinner To Homeless
A nice story to start the week with.. When a family learned that the wedding they had been planning was cancelled they decided to make good out of bad and donated the planned reception dinner to the homeless. Good for them ! … [Read more...] about Family Donates Wedding Dinner To Homeless
Secret Emmy Planning Email Exposed!
This morning someone forwarded me an anonymous email from the Emmy planning committee. I assume it came from the NSA or a 14 year-old hacker who was upset that Glee was once again shut out of the winner’s circle. Anyway, this email might shed light on why this year’s broadcast seemed to have some consistently awkward moments. The following is an email that was sent out a week … [Read more...] about Secret Emmy Planning Email Exposed!
Two Year Census Figures Give House Dems Reason To Crow
Last week, the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau released figures of growth patterns in the U.S. for the two years since the initial 2010 census was made public. The Daily Kos subsequently composed a spread sheet by Congressional district, which reflected the population patterns, including growth and decline, by each demographic. Predictably, it reflected … [Read more...] about Two Year Census Figures Give House Dems Reason To Crow
Government Shutdown and GOP: on Cruz control?
At a time when America's political center has seemingly vanished, all eyes this week will be on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who many see as a key instigator in House Republicans' effort to defund Obamacare by shutting down the government. His test will soon come when it goes to the Senate and, in true Cruz style, he's politically repelling Democrats, and angering members of his own … [Read more...] about Government Shutdown and GOP: on Cruz control?
Obamacare’s strange bedfellows
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was the last thing the Rev. Tim Ahrens expected to do during a chat in his book-lined office at the historic First Congregational Church here: He expressed admiration for Gov. John Kasich. Ahrens is a progressive social activist whose house of worship has deep roots in the old Social Gospel movement. He has demonstrated and organized against Ohio's … [Read more...] about Obamacare’s strange bedfellows
Post on TMV prematurely
Due to a technical glitch, an unfinished post on Ted Cruz went on TMV. It will not go on until several more hours. We've pulled this post since it was incomplete and unedited. It may be indexed on some sites (the link is up) but it will now just be edited as is but not put on TMV until it's completed. … [Read more...] about Post on TMV prematurely
Kenya mall siege: Live Report
Kenya mall siege: Live Report (via AFP) 1505 GMT: Kenyan Interior Minister Joesph Ole Lenku says security forces are in control of "all floors" of the four-storey Westgate mall. Authorities have since early this morning been saying they are hopeful of a "speedy conclusion" to the operation… … [Read more...] about Kenya mall siege: Live Report