As Americans are focused on the impact of the government shutdown and anxious about the consequences of yet another upcoming political debacle on the debt limit, we hardly noticed that four more Americans were killed in Afghanistan over the weekend, including an Army nurse -- she was only 25 -- in “the coalition’s worst loss of life in a single episode since June.” As we … [Read more...] about A War We Must Not Forget
Who’s to blame for the shutdown?
"DEAR COLUMNIST: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say the government shutdown will last a long time, America will default on its debt and our economy and the world economy will nosedive. They say conservative Republicans are bullying the American political system and economy in way that doesn't fit with how democracy is defined in my history books. My father says … [Read more...] about Who’s to blame for the shutdown?
Are Washington ‘Redskins’ doomed? NFL’s resistance to change showing cracks.
Are Washington 'Redskins' doomed? NFL's resistance to change showing cracks. (via The Christian Science Monitor) Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder arrives for the NFL fall meeting in Washington Tuesday.(Carolyn Kaster/AP) Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is appearing increasingly isolated in his vow never to change his team's controversial nickname… … [Read more...] about Are Washington ‘Redskins’ doomed? NFL’s resistance to change showing cracks.
Only one side is responsible (Guest Voice)
Only one side is responsible by Peter Johnson One really has to marvel at the ability of Republicans to influence public thinking by relying heavily on focus groups and poll testing to determine which will be the most effective. They really have caused far too many Americans to believe their bizarre spins concerning some pretty plain political fare needing only simple … [Read more...] about Only one side is responsible (Guest Voice)
Is all bleak in the House engineered government shut down and debt default threat?
Is all bleak in the Republican Tea Party-dominated Republican House's government shut down -- and the real threat that Republicans will hurl the United States into a debt default? Andrew Sullivan is not optimistic at all: The Republicans, alas, have two advantages that stem from their radicalism (yes, in a classic piece of total projection, they are the real Alinskyites … [Read more...] about Is all bleak in the House engineered government shut down and debt default threat?
(UPDATE) Sydney’s Population Explodes – for a Week and for Good Reason
UPDATE: Although we missed many of the events surrounding the International Fleet Review, we arrived just in time to catch the parade through downtown Sydney by Navy contingents representing 60 ships, 17 countries, several generations and many historical naval battles. Here are some images. The crew of the USS Chosin marching through downtown … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Sydney’s Population Explodes – for a Week and for Good Reason
Quote of the Day: Obama finally speaks his mind
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Esquire's political blogger Charles P. Pierce on President Barack Obama's quickly-called press conference where Obama spoke quite bluntly about there being no conditions to lift the Republican House engineered government shut down -- and the new Republican threat to left American fall into debt default: Yeah, I'm a little nervous … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama finally speaks his mind
End Times (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoons is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction of this cartoon is strictly prohibited. . … [Read more...] about End Times (Cartoon)
The incredible shrinking country called America (Guest Voice)
The incredible shrinking country called America (via GlobalPost) Enlarge BOSTON — Well here's an amazingly horrific statistic: Fifty-four percent of Republicans polled by the Pew Research Center this week believe the United States government can "go past the deadline for raising the debt limit without major economic… … [Read more...] about The incredible shrinking country called America (Guest Voice)
Marilyn Monroe plastic surgery files to be sold
Marilyn Monroe plastic surgery files to be sold (via AFP) Medical files proving that screen icon Marilyn Monroe underwent cosmetic surgery including on her nose and chin are to be sold at auction next month, auctioneers said Tuesday. The files going under the hammer include X-rays of the "Some Like It Hot"… … [Read more...] about Marilyn Monroe plastic surgery files to be sold
UN expert criticizes torture in American prisons
In a stinging condemnation, an independent international expert on torture accused US prison authorities of going “far beyond what is acceptable under international human rights law”. “Keeping Albert Woodfox in solitary confinement for more than four decades clearly amounts to torture and it should be lifted immediately,” he said in a statement. Woodfox is one of the “Albama … [Read more...] about UN expert criticizes torture in American prisons
James Baldwin re Boehner, Culberson, Koch Bro’s & Cump.
James Baldwin too, in his time was called 'a darky', an 'n', a 'm-fng coon', 'ouighter be 'taken out.' Strong and loud attempts were made to bar his words, his works, for no reason other than some hated down to their bony bones that anyone black would dare to walk as a human being with ideas and hopes and insights and preferences, that anyone black would rise to power and be … [Read more...] about James Baldwin re Boehner, Culberson, Koch Bro’s & Cump.
The Biggest Question of the Government Shutdown: Will the U.S. Default?
If you've been confident the U.S. will not default on its debt on October 17th, you may want to reconsider. When the government shutdown began early last week, most Americans were sure the government would not allow the shutdown to cause a default. Even now, most of us still don't see debt default as a real threat. We're sure that despite political differences, Congress and … [Read more...] about The Biggest Question of the Government Shutdown: Will the U.S. Default?
US default would be ‘worse’ than shutdown: Obama
US default would be 'worse' than shutdown: Obama (via AFP) Failure to raise the US debt ceiling would cause the United States to default on its bills and would be "dramatically worse" than the current shutdown, President Barack Obama warned Tuesday. "As soon as Congress votes to reopen the government, it's… … [Read more...] about US default would be ‘worse’ than shutdown: Obama
The reality of the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON -- While Republicans were throwing their silly tantrum, Obamacare became a fact. There is no turning back. The point of no return was reached when millions of people crashed the websites of the new Affordable Care Act exchanges trying to buy health insurance. Republicans can fight rear-guard battles if they want, but last Tuesday they lost the war. All they … [Read more...] about The reality of the Affordable Care Act
Are We Heading Toward a Constitutional Crisis?
The roots of our Constitutional system of government lay deep in the Western political tradition. But as for the architecture of our government, no philosopher exerted greater influence upon the Constitutional convention than Baron de Montesquieu. His Spirit of the Laws, published in 1748, held the attention of James Madison and others in 1787 as they sought a new governing … [Read more...] about Are We Heading Toward a Constitutional Crisis?
Boehner: ‘I’m Not Drawing Any Lines in the Sand’ (VIDEO)
Boehner: 'I'm Not Drawing Any Lines in the Sand' (via AP Video) As partial shutdown of the federal government enters its second week with no end in sight, House Speaker John Boehner says he is willing to negotiate budget issues with President Barack Obama without any conditions. (Oct. 8) … [Read more...] about Boehner: ‘I’m Not Drawing Any Lines in the Sand’ (VIDEO)
No Deal Good Enough
Since last week there have been whispers and rumblings that the right wing extremists have no interest in negotiation. They simply don’t trust either Obama or their own leadership to negotiate any deal they will accept. That attitude is now finding its way into public pronouncements. "If it doesn’t have a full delay or defund of Obamacare, I know I and many others will … [Read more...] about No Deal Good Enough
STEM and America’s Future
In the new global economy, science and entrepreneurship will lead the way to new products, manufacturing, and employment. America has no dearth of entrepreneurs and also has the financial companies to back men and women with innovative ideas that have the potential to grow into substantial business. But we lack adequate scientists and engineers to populate our economy, as … [Read more...] about STEM and America’s Future
Hidden Players in DC Doomsday Liar’s Poker
Maureen Dowd offers a Planet of the Apes scenario for 2084 America, while Gail Collins goes the other way in a Frankenstein revival with Ted Cruz as you-know-what. All well and good for reason-strapped observers, but future and past parodies can’t match what the Shutdown is doing now. In South Dakota at Mt. Rushmore, those huge stone heads of Presidents past are averting … [Read more...] about Hidden Players in DC Doomsday Liar’s Poker