Educating ourselves to the ways of the world — and the knowledge that the rest of the world isn’t all the same as America when it comes to racism — is a major reason why black Americans need to travel. This Sunday, I have Trayvon Martin on my mind. To a lot of people, the death of this young man, and the acquittal of his killer under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, … [Read more...] about TRAYVON MARTIN: Why blacks need to travel
Curing the Poison of “Rankism”
I got a close look at the poison of "rankism" at the age of seven, when my classmate Arlene was sent to the hall for the whole school day. Arlene lived on a farm and wore the same dress to school each day. When she spoke, it was in a whisper. Our teacher, Miss Belcher, began every day with an inspection of our fingernails. One day she told Arlene to go to the hall and stay … [Read more...] about Curing the Poison of “Rankism”
Oh, mommy, please make him go AWAY (Donald Trump is hyping again) (UPDATED)
Oh, mommy, please make that man go away. Please, mommy, just make him go away. That's likely the verdict of a good chunk of America's electorate as the media -- and, in many ways, Republicans -- continues its love affair with Donald Trump, a living example of how lots of money and loudness brings lots of attention. And -- no, joke, now...this is not from The Onion or Mad … [Read more...] about Oh, mommy, please make him go AWAY (Donald Trump is hyping again) (UPDATED)
This chart shows just how anti-gay Russia is (Guest Voice)
This chart shows just how anti-gay Russia is (via GlobalPost) European tolerance of homosexuality in society | Create infographics The media frenzy surrounding the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia has highlighted an ever-growing divide between Russian and the rest of Europe over the rights and civil… … [Read more...] about This chart shows just how anti-gay Russia is (Guest Voice)
Hillary Game: In Your Biopic, Who Should Play You?
Heated negotiations go on for a miniseries about Hillary Clinton as a well as a biopic about her youth. Republicans are in a dither over NBC producing it, but now Fox is showing interest. The politics are a mess, of course, but rumors about which actresses will play the various Hillarys interest me more. Diane Lane, who won an Oscar for portraying an athletically adulterous … [Read more...] about Hillary Game: In Your Biopic, Who Should Play You?
Fringe Factor: Gay Love Is Just Like What Ariel Castro Had With His Victims
YEP someone in our political culture, where no one misses a chance to demonize someone who they disagree with or disdain in the most transparent way, actually said it on (get ready for the surprise) Fox News: "Gay Love Is Just Like What Ariel Castro Had With His Victims" -- as The Daily Beast notes in this collection of some examples of why independent voters often vote … [Read more...] about Fringe Factor: Gay Love Is Just Like What Ariel Castro Had With His Victims
Hannah Anderson rescued, James Lee DiMaggio killed as abduction ends
Hannah Anderson rescued, James Lee DiMaggio killed as abduction ends (via The Christian Science Monitor) Mary Rook of the Salt Lake City FBI speaks during a press conference at the Cascade Fire Station in Cascade, Idaho, Saturday. The man suspected of kidnapping 16-year-old Hannah Anderson was shot dead in Idaho as the girl was rescued.(Robby Milo/AP)… … [Read more...] about Hannah Anderson rescued, James Lee DiMaggio killed as abduction ends
Eydie Gorme Dies
Talented singer and performer Eydie Gorme has died at the age of 84 Here are a couple of her incredible performances from the Carol Burnett Show She was an amazing talent … [Read more...] about Eydie Gorme Dies
More than 60 dead as Iraqis mark end to lethal Ramadan
More than 60 dead as Iraqis mark end to lethal Ramadan (via AFP) Car bombs ripped through Baghdad cafes and markets while blasts and shootings struck elsewhere Saturday, killing 61 people as Iraq marked the end of its deadliest Ramadan holy month in years. The attacks were the latest in spiralling violence which… … [Read more...] about More than 60 dead as Iraqis mark end to lethal Ramadan
Values of Amazon Would Be ‘Sellout’ of Journalism (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
Can Jeff Bazos, who built his fortune by 'dominating the value-production chain without producing anything of value himself', do justice to one of America's journalistic icons? Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung columnist Michael Hanfeld has his doubts, and writes that the sale of the Post to Bezos 'shifts America's media landscape,' and is likely to reduce Washington Post … [Read more...] about Values of Amazon Would Be ‘Sellout’ of Journalism (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
The real Elysium: Send your dead loved one into space for $2K
The real Elysium: Send your dead loved one into space for $2K (via Pando Daily) By Hamish McKenzie On August 9, 2013If you want to go to space, you can go to school, study hard, get good grades, work for a few years, then wheedle your way into NASA and apply to be an astronaut. Or you can be a celebrity or a millionaire and sign… … [Read more...] about The real Elysium: Send your dead loved one into space for $2K
Some of the smartest staffers are leaving the Hill
No, that's not very good news. Nobody with an ounce of loyalty to democracy wants to lose Republican aides who kept the government going even as their bosses were trying to destroy it. And that's what's happening. The Post has a long article about the changes and Jonathan Chait, at Daily Intel, sounds a warning: Republicans have defused the bomb before by crafting … [Read more...] about Some of the smartest staffers are leaving the Hill
Abbott vows to be Australia’s ‘PM for Aborigines’
Abbott vows to be Australia's 'PM for Aborigines' (via AFP) Australian conservative leader Tony Abbott pledged Saturday to spend one week every year in a remote indigenous community if elected, saying he wanted to be the "prime minister for Aboriginal affairs". Abbott said he wanted to make Australia's most… … [Read more...] about Abbott vows to be Australia’s ‘PM for Aborigines’
Chilling News (Guest Voice)
Chilling News by Peter Funt SAN JOSE, Calif. — All I know about climate, some say, is what's outside my window. Across much of California this is one of the coolest summers in memory, with temperatures well below normal. Here in San Jose, where the average high in August is 82 degrees, so far this month it's at 75 — with no warming predicted anytime soon. Yet, on a … [Read more...] about Chilling News (Guest Voice)
With seniors turning on Republicans, are Republicans done?
Carville and Greenberg notice something interesting, and perhaps transformational, going on: There's something going on with seniors: It is now strikingly clear that they have turned sharply against the GOP. This is apparent in seniors' party affiliation and vote intention, in their views on the Republican Party and its leaders, and in their surprising positions on jobs, … [Read more...] about With seniors turning on Republicans, are Republicans done?
(Video) YMCA as Sung by Lord of the Rings Characters
Hey, everyone loves that song. Must viewing: YMCA -- as sung by the Lord fo the Rings Characters: … [Read more...] about (Video) YMCA as Sung by Lord of the Rings Characters
Lovestruck: A Hollywood Dreamgirl Turns 90
In the classic movie “Citizen Kane,” a very old man reminisces, “One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month … [Read more...] about Lovestruck: A Hollywood Dreamgirl Turns 90
US-Russia relations: A cancelled summit, a troubled relationship
US-Russia relations: A cancelled summit, a troubled relationship (via GlobalPost) Copyright ImageClick to View Enlarge There were many good reasons for President Barack Obama to scrap a one-on-one meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow next month, but NSA leaker Edward Snowden wasn’t one of them. At least not a major one… … [Read more...] about US-Russia relations: A cancelled summit, a troubled relationship
How do you spell “AOL CEO?”
How do you spell "AOL CEO"? If THIS is any indication, it's "S.O.B." … [Read more...] about How do you spell “AOL CEO?”
Texting While Driving Kills: Werner Herzog Film
Texting While Driving Kills: Werner Herzog Film (via Planetsave) Texting while driving kills several thousand people in America every year. Research has found that texting while driving makes it 23 times more likely that there will be an accident. Drinking and driving actually results in slightly fewer teen deaths… … [Read more...] about Texting While Driving Kills: Werner Herzog Film