The Weiner is now all but officially done. With his latest descent beneath the norms of how American political candidates should behave, you can now say that former Rep. Anthony Weiner is a real weenie. He gave an example of ageist, almost threatening bullying in a reply to 69-year-old George McDonald, who's running against him for New York City mayor. McDonald has been blunt … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner’s new political melt down
Bombings of Pearl, Hiroshima, Nagasaki: Days That Live In Infamy
Pearl, bombing of ships and murdering young sailors. Hiroshima, Nagasaki, bombing of structures and murdering civilians, mothers, fathers, children, elders, young soldiers. Days of infamy, all. Some will still want to take one side or another. They can. And will. They've had 73 years to say and say their 'side' over and over again. I've heard all the arguments. And more … [Read more...] about Bombings of Pearl, Hiroshima, Nagasaki: Days That Live In Infamy
UPDATE: Total of Women accusing San Diego Bob Filner will be more than 10
SAN DIEGO -- The stories are breaking fast and furious in the saga of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, who is accused by a large number of prominent women of sexual harrassment. The latest update from the mainstream news media is that attorney Gloria Allred says that Filner's accusers will grow to more than ten. TMV has has been working tirelessly on this story. Some … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Total of Women accusing San Diego Bob Filner will be more than 10
Grotesque and Outrageous: Gay Teen Abducted by Vigilantes in Russia Dies
When I lived in Madrid and reported for The Christian Science Monitor as a kind of mega-stringer (writing a lot each week and given the rare title of "Special Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor," versus the usual "Special to the Christian Science Monitor") from 1975 - 1978 a big ongoing issue were shadowy vigilante groups - who had no consquences. Some believed they … [Read more...] about Grotesque and Outrageous: Gay Teen Abducted by Vigilantes in Russia Dies
Dolphins remember friends’ whistles for decades: study
Dolphins remember friends' whistles for decades: study (via AFP) Bottlenose dolphins can remember each other's signature whistles for more than 20 years, a study said Wednesday -- the longest social memory ever observed in an animal. Elephants have long been credited with the animal kingdom's most prodigious memory… … [Read more...] about Dolphins remember friends’ whistles for decades: study
Republican Mathias’ Liberalism Caused Him Problems With Own Party
Historic Tidbit: In his book, Too Funny To Be President, Mo Udall recalls receiving a letter, I read where Congress is staying up late at night trying to find something else to regulate or tax. Have they thought about sex? It is a luxury; would not produce undue hardship; could be spread over a large segment of the population: would let the teenagers contribute; would give the … [Read more...] about Republican Mathias’ Liberalism Caused Him Problems With Own Party
Charges Filed Against Militia Leader Ahmed Khattalah in Benghazi Attack
Charges have been filed against Ahmed Khattalah, leader of a Libyan militia that U.S. officials believe was involved in the assault on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. The charges, which are have been sealed, are the first criminal counts to be brought in the probe. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed last September 11 in the assault on the … [Read more...] about Charges Filed Against Militia Leader Ahmed Khattalah in Benghazi Attack
Global Scientists Shocked by True Scale of Ocean Warming
Global Scientists Shocked by True Scale of Ocean Warming (via Environment News Service) SANTA BARBARA, California, August 5, 2013 (ENS) – Warming oceans are causing marine species to change their breeding times and shift their habitats toward the poles much faster than land-based species, finds new research by scientists at 17 institutions… … [Read more...] about Global Scientists Shocked by True Scale of Ocean Warming
George W. Bush Has Stent Procedure
Former President George W. Bush has undergone a stent procedure according to his office. The procedure went well and he expected to be released tomorrow. Installing a stent is an increasingly common procedure with blocked coronary arteries. Politics aside in cases like this we can all wish for a speedy recovery. … [Read more...] about George W. Bush Has Stent Procedure
The new al-Qaeda menace
WASHINGTON -- If the new, decentralized al-Qaeda is such a threat that 19 American embassies, consulates and other diplomatic posts have to be shuttered for a week, we have a decade of wrongheaded U.S. policy to blame. The Arab Spring contributed by creating power vacuums for militant anti-Western jihadists to exploit. But myopic decision-making in Washington clearly … [Read more...] about The new al-Qaeda menace
Cruel, Stupid and Evil
Those who are pushing the policies driving the further division of wealth in America are cruel, stupid and evil. Either that or they are our national enemies, because they really seem to want the country to become a failed state. It just doesn't make sense any other way any more. There is no religion or morality that exists that says it is right to attack the struggling poor … [Read more...] about Cruel, Stupid and Evil
Newspapers: There are some new Sheriffs in town (Guest Voice)
Newspapers: There are some new Sheriffs in town by Al Getler News about newspapers has outpaced news about the Kardashians this week. Even though we can’t wait to see more news about Kim’s new bundle of joy, we are forced to shift our sights to a much older and wiser member of society; newspapers. What in the name of corn in the cob is going on, you might ask. Why are … [Read more...] about Newspapers: There are some new Sheriffs in town (Guest Voice)
Despite Lacking Name Rec, Vermont’s Prouty Had Solid Contributions In Senate
Historic Quote: After his 1984 bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination ended, South Carolina Senator "Fritz" Hollings said "You know, Thomas Wolfe lied. You can come home again. In fact, in my case, the people of New Hampshire insisted on it." Over the years, Vermont has had a number of Senators who would often make national headlines. Men like George Aiken, Pat … [Read more...] about Despite Lacking Name Rec, Vermont’s Prouty Had Solid Contributions In Senate
Republican Delusions
Paul Krugman wrote in yesterday's New York Times that the Republican Party is fleeing from reality: Last week House Republicans voted for the 40th time to repeal Obamacare. Like the previous 39 votes, this action will have no effect whatsoever. But it was a stand-in for what Republicans really want to do: repeal reality, and the laws of arithmetic in particular. The … [Read more...] about Republican Delusions
Reflections On Hiroshima
This week marks the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and the beginning of the end of World War 2. As is usually the case every year, we have the stories of those who attack the incident as a ‘war crime’. These historical revisionists miss (or ignore) the fact that they are looking back with hindsight and applying modern attitudes to historical … [Read more...] about Reflections On Hiroshima
GOP Morphing into Catholic Church Index of Forbidden Books and Films?
WHen we were kids in Catholic school, there was [and still is] The Index. Sounds like a thriller/suspense novel. But really it was a long list penned by old celibate bachelors in Rome who said these books, these films, were 'occasions of sin' and 'a threat to The Faith.' [I read the list on The Index many times and was always intrigued by the name of a film called I am A … [Read more...] about GOP Morphing into Catholic Church Index of Forbidden Books and Films?
WaPost Plus Bezos = A Dash Of Hope
If there was any doubt that we are living in a new gilded age, today's news about the sale of the Washington Post to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos should put it to rest. Instead of industrial mechanization as our path to reducing production costs, we have digitization. We've made the world smaller through instant communication rather than railroads. We're still focused on … [Read more...] about WaPost Plus Bezos = A Dash Of Hope
Department of Dumb: GOP Considers Defunding Defunct ACORN
House Republicans are again considering whether do defund ACORN -- a defunct organization. Which proves that all of the country's nuts are not found in the mouths of squirrels or on your grocery shelf: When House GOP leaders abruptly shelved a bill to fund standard federal transportation and housing programs last Wednesday, one of the legislation's few uncontroversial … [Read more...] about Department of Dumb: GOP Considers Defunding Defunct ACORN
Content of Letter from Bezos to WaPo Employees
This is from the Washington Post, from Jeff Bezos on Post purchase. There will be disruptive change is a bet. There will be ESPECIALLY a positioning. Bezos is ace smart. Chances are good that he didnt want to buy a newspaper. He wanted, for the long run, to be closer in to the power center that also happens to regulate big business. Otherwise he could have purchased the Boston … [Read more...] about Content of Letter from Bezos to WaPo Employees
Amazon’s Bezos Buying The Washington Post Newspaper (Updated)
The iconic Grahams are done. Finished. The beloved WaPo comes into the hands of one of the most innovative minds [Bezos] who has hired ]and hired away from big 5 publishing and elsewhere] many of the most innovative and knowing minds in the 'digital shopping and digital delivery' world. WaPo will be under the guidance of what/whom I see as both charmingly-disarming and … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Bezos Buying The Washington Post Newspaper (Updated)