And you thought YOUR cat shed a lot? As MSNBC's Chris Matthews would say: "HA!" Meet Colonel Meow who has set a new Guiness World record as the world's hairiest cat: Normally this could be cat-astophic or hair-raising in a pet -- but in this case the owner can just brush that off since as Daffy Duck could say, "Hair raising hair shmazing, he set a world record!" And there … [Read more...] about “World’s Hairiest Cat” sets Guiness World Record
Sarah Palin On Syria
Am I getting old or did Sarah Palin just manage to say something that makes sense? Shortly before President Obama decided to seek congressional approval for the use of force in Syria, the former half term Alaskan Governor let her views be known. And most of it made sense. Not all of course. This is Sarah Palin we’re talking about, so she had to go over the top at the … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin On Syria
Farewell to Football: Human Price is Too High
What price entertainment? Violent movies carry a disclaimer that “No animals were hurt in the making,” but now pro football admits to human brain damage and agrees to pay $765 million as an oops to 4500 wrecked plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the NFL. Sports, we are told, helps society sublimate innate savagery, but few lives are destroyed by baseball, basketball, tennis, … [Read more...] about Farewell to Football: Human Price is Too High
The Corporate States of America
As war drums beat in Washington, DC (and at many US newspapers), it's useful to understand how the federal government spends our tax dollars and borrowed money. There's an image floating around Facebook that compares military, health, housing and education spending. It's undated, but it's from 2009. And the numbers in the supporting article are, well, squishy. For … [Read more...] about The Corporate States of America
Is India’s Economy Collapsing?
India’s economy is collapsing. How bad will it get? (Updated) (via GlobalPost) Enlarge NEW DELHI, India — How bad can things get in India? Experts say a full-blown financial crisis like the one that devastated the so-called “Asian tigers” in 1997 is unlikely. But some of India Inc's marquee names are in big trouble. “You… … [Read more...] about Is India’s Economy Collapsing?
Reaction to Obama call for Congress to authorize Syrian action
is quickly coming in to President Barack Obama's announcement that he will ask Congress to authorize a limited military action in Syria -- a call he made with arguing that ignoring Syria's brutal ignoring of international law and norms on the use of chemical weapons could set a dangerous precedent as the world heads further into the 21st century. Here's his full … [Read more...] about Reaction to Obama call for Congress to authorize Syrian action
Bombing Assad for What Reagan OKed
The United States tacitly approved and pinpointed targets for deadly chemical attacks by Saddam Hussein against Iranian troops in Iraq, according to Foreign Policy Magazine. A military attaché in Baghdad in 1988 recalls, "The Iraqis never told us that they intended to use nerve gas. They didn't have to. We already knew.” The White House, according to declassified CIA … [Read more...] about Bombing Assad for What Reagan OKed
UPDATE 2 – Obama Will Seek Use Of Force Authorization (w/ Reactions)
This just breaking. President Obama, having determined that a military strike is justified against Syria, now says he will seek Congressional approval first. He has asked congress’s leaders to schedule debate and a vote after Congress returns from recess according to reports from USA Today and MSN News. Details on the President’s thinking have not yet emerged. Awaiting … [Read more...] about UPDATE 2 – Obama Will Seek Use Of Force Authorization (w/ Reactions)
Obama Will Do Something On Syria (But Not Neccessarily The Right Thing)
President Obama announced today he has authorized force in Syria but will ask for approval from Congress when they return on September 9th. He also dismissed the lack of support from the UN and the international community. It is worth noting that in the past he has said moving without such support is wrong. He also did not say what he would do if Congress fails to give … [Read more...] about Obama Will Do Something On Syria (But Not Neccessarily The Right Thing)
BREAKING: Syria: Obama to Seek Authorization from Congress
In a dramatic change of policy, President Obama announced that -- although he is prepared to strike Syria "whenever we wish" -- he will seek authorization from Congress before taking such military action against Syria. It is not clear whether the President will still pursue military actions if Congress does not authorize such Details of his remarks will be posted as soon … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Syria: Obama to Seek Authorization from Congress
It’s Not Just Friedman
Livia Gershon on Salon critiques Tom Friedman's take on the present and future of the American economy. Of course Friedman's take isn't unique. The positive viewpoint on an economy that requires a lot of the individual and holds out promises of how great the rewards can be so long as you work hard to adapt to the needs of the economy can be found everywhere in the … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just Friedman
Fast-food wage protest: Is $15 an hour asking too much? (Guest Voice)
Fast-food wage protest: Is $15 an hour asking too much? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Demonstrators make their way up Pike Street in Seattle during a strike aimed at the fast-food industry and the minimum wage. Fast-food workers went on strike and protested outside restaurants in 60 cities on Thursday, in the largest protest of an almost… … [Read more...] about Fast-food wage protest: Is $15 an hour asking too much? (Guest Voice)
Putin demands US prove Syria chemical arms use
Putin demands US prove Syria chemical arms use (via AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday dismissed as "nonsense" claims that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons and demanded that the United States provide proof. Speaking after the United States released an intelligence report, Putin rejected… … [Read more...] about Putin demands US prove Syria chemical arms use
Justice Ginsburg To Perform Same Sex Marriage Today
Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is scheduled to perform a same sex wedding ceremony today. It is the first ever such ceremony presided over by a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. The ceremony will take place at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marrying Michael Kaiser and John Roberts. No, not that John Roberts. Ginsburg agreed to officiate … [Read more...] about Justice Ginsburg To Perform Same Sex Marriage Today
No Simple Answers
The United States and France appear ready to attack Syria. If that happens, Iran says it is ready to attack Israel. And Israel has atomic weapons. Bob Rae wrote this week that: A couple of years ago I had the chance to meet Benjamin Netanyahu and Shimon Peres, Israel’s prime minister and president, respectively, in separate meetings. The subject was Iran. For Mr. … [Read more...] about No Simple Answers
Syria: This Attack Was ‘Different’
Thou Shalt Not Govern
In a governmental system like ours compromise is an essential component for it to work. How much you have to compromise depends a great deal on which branches you control and by how much. The Washington Post gives us yet another example of why it doesn't seem possible when it comes to some of the most vital functions of government in today's environment. … [Read more...] about Thou Shalt Not Govern
False Flag in Syria: Action Only Hitler Could Admire! (Argumenty i Facty, Russia)
When it comes to the U.S. and Russian narratives on Syria, it appears that never shall the twain meet. Columnist Andrei Sidorchik of Russia's Argumenty i Facty considers the Western case for action against the Assad regime not only factually false, but logically absurd, and the product of a foreign policy intent on only one thing: installing a more compliant tool in … [Read more...] about False Flag in Syria: Action Only Hitler Could Admire! (Argumenty i Facty, Russia)
Fox’s Bill O’Reilly Apologizes for saying no Republicans invited to March on Washington ceremony
Fox News' Bill O'Reilly has apologized for his role in being one a large number of conservative talkers and bloggers who said no Republicans were invited to the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington: The mistake — entirely on me," O'Reilly said on his show Thursday. "I simply assumed that since all the speakers were liberal Democrats, Republicans … [Read more...] about Fox’s Bill O’Reilly Apologizes for saying no Republicans invited to March on Washington ceremony
Cory Booker, sexuality, and the GOP’s regressive politics
A new issue has been raised about Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the emerging Democratic Party star running to be senator of New Jersey: his sexuality. And who will benefit from the resulting reaction? Booker. The catalyst was a profile in The Washington Post, in which it was noted how he keeps his life private. Booker made this statement: "Because how unfair is it to a … [Read more...] about Cory Booker, sexuality, and the GOP’s regressive politics