UPDATE II: The Washington Post reports: President Obama is weighing a military strike against Syria that would be of limited scope and duration, designed to serve as punishment for Syria’s use of chemical weapons and as a deterrent, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in that country’s civil war, according to senior administration … [Read more...] about Syria: Time to End a ‘Moral Obscenity’ (UPDATES)
The Miley Cyrus firestorm (with Tweets)
This is a story with legs. And other parts of the anatomy. Once upon a not-too-short time ago, kids everywhere would say that one of their favorite shows was "Hanna Montana" on the Disney Channel -- a show that symbolized Disney entertainment growing up a bit from the days of the 50s. Even now when new episodes are not being taped, kids know and love the show and many of … [Read more...] about The Miley Cyrus firestorm (with Tweets)
US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply
US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply (via AFP) Firefighters reported progress Monday battling a huge blaze on the edge of Yosemite National Park, but warned it remains an "extreme" threat as it nears the top US tourist destination and San Francisco's water supply. The Rim Fire, which began nine… … [Read more...] about US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply
Syria Chemical Attack a Clumsy Atrocity By Islamists to ‘Buy Time’ (Izvestia, Russia)
As America and its allies prepare for military action in Syria in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack on civilians, the Russians, Chinese and others are expressing skepticism over assertions that the Assad regime is responsible. For Izvestia, laying out the Russian case for why the rebels are the most likely culprits is historian Stanislav Khatuntsev. Khatuntsev not only … [Read more...] about Syria Chemical Attack a Clumsy Atrocity By Islamists to ‘Buy Time’ (Izvestia, Russia)
Daniel Hernandez, Former Intern Who Saved Giffords, Hit With Nasty, Homophobic Recall Campaign
If you think (like me) that American politics is getting increasingly smelly, not smelling like a melting pot of ideas and groups but a septic tank of tactical seek-and-destroy moves that usually involve demonizing someone or another group, then here is more proof. Right Wing Watch: Daniel Hernandez Jr., the former intern credited with helping to save Rep. Gabrielle … [Read more...] about Daniel Hernandez, Former Intern Who Saved Giffords, Hit With Nasty, Homophobic Recall Campaign
The Armageddon Caucus
WASHINGTON -- Are you ready for the Big Magilla of American politics? This fall, every important domestic issue could crash into every other: health care reform, autopilot budget cuts, a government shutdown, even a default on the national debt. If I were betting, I'd wager we will somehow avoid a total meltdown. House Speaker John Boehner seems desperate to get around … [Read more...] about The Armageddon Caucus
What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers (Infographic)
A great infographic from llminfo.com titled: "What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers" Via LLM Info … [Read more...] about What Country Should You Flee to? Citizenship Info for U.S. Asylum Seekers (Infographic)
Tea Partiers now calling Obamacare ‘BoehnerCare’
It's fascinating -- and troubling -- to see how despite occasional stories about its waning influence Tea Partiers weild so much clout within the Republican Party. And now we see yet another shift: Tea Partiers are calling Obamacare "BoehnerCare," a term they intend to use unless he does everything possible (government shut down...or let the country default on its debt) to halt … [Read more...] about Tea Partiers now calling Obamacare ‘BoehnerCare’
Banned rodeo clown would like to shake Obama’s hand
The rodeo clown who set off a mini-firestorm and was banned for life from performing at the Missouri State Fair says he would like to shake President Obama's hand -- and has received death threats. Two things: a)his comments enhance the argument that he himself didn't mean it to be taken in the way the bit seemed to be hyped up by the announcer and taken by the crowd, and, … [Read more...] about Banned rodeo clown would like to shake Obama’s hand
Ty Michael Carter Receives the Medal of Honor
President Obama is about to present the Medal of Honor — our nation’s highest award for battlefield heroism — to Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter for his “conspicuous gallantry” in Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009, while serving as a cavalry scout with the 4th Infantry Division’s Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, and 4th Brigade Combat Team. You can watch the … [Read more...] about Ty Michael Carter Receives the Medal of Honor
UPDATE — Impeach Obama NOW! Do the Paperwork Later.
UPDATE: Fair is fair. It is gratifying to note that not all Republicans are obsessed with wanting to impeach the first black president of the United States -- so much that “it would be a dream come true” for some. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal over the weekend rejected such irresponsible rabble-rousing. . Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Jindal said, "Look, … [Read more...] about UPDATE — Impeach Obama NOW! Do the Paperwork Later.
Meet a Man with ‘Three Big Hearts’
Two-time heart recipient New Jersey man helps others have their second chance Heart transplants are, in my nonprofessional opinion, miracles: Precious, God-given, man-facilitated second chances at life. The Mayo Clinic defines a heart transplant somewhat more clinically as "an operation in which a failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthier, donor heart...a … [Read more...] about Meet a Man with ‘Three Big Hearts’
Chris Christie’s 2016 tightrope walk
If you hear a grinding sound, it may be New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shifting gears to run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He's clearly gearing up — as evidenced by his shoring up of political positions, aggressive outreach to both party pragmatists and the conservative base, criticizing of Republican rivals, and attempts to straighten conservative noses … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s 2016 tightrope walk
Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria
Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria (via AFP) Snipers shot at a UN team set to inspect the site of a suspected deadly chemical weapons attack on Monday, further ratcheting up tensions as the West warned of possible military action against Damascus. A defiant Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared… … [Read more...] about Snipers shoot at UN chemical weapons team in Syria
If Martin Luther King Had Lived On
Grainy black-and-white images were all over TV this weekend, but a flesh-and-blood Martin Luther King Jr. might still be here, heavy with years denied him by an assassin’s bullet at age 39. As they celebrate his finest moment fifty year ago, can Americans reckon the moral loss of his not walking the earth since then and working for a just and nonviolent world? That he … [Read more...] about If Martin Luther King Had Lived On
Dumbest Flag Idea I’ve Ever Seen
Mediaite has a piece on reactions to a flag with Obama's face on it instead of the fifty stars. Twitter and conservative blogs have lots to say about it and lots of it seems to be extreme ranting of the kind I can only read so much of. But I do have to say that this has got to be one of the dumbest ideas I've ever seen political partisans of either side have. … [Read more...] about Dumbest Flag Idea I’ve Ever Seen
Colin Powell’s new warning to the Republican Party: voter ID drive will backfire
I have often said that former Secretary of State Colin Powell is the "voice of truth" for many independent, centrists and moderate voters and for that species of Republican called the "moderate Republican" or even the "center-right Republican" -- a species vanishing as surely as the animal rhino and the elephants are poised to exit the earth. In business trip from September … [Read more...] about Colin Powell’s new warning to the Republican Party: voter ID drive will backfire
Too little too late? Syria says it’ll let UN inspectors inspect gas site
Syria is indicating it's willing to cooperate a more with the United Nations but as evidence -- and an international consensus -- builds that it used chemical weapons against civilians, killing by some accounts more a thousand, including hundreds of children, is it too little too late? Syria agreed on Sunday to let the United Nations inspect the site of a suspected … [Read more...] about Too little too late? Syria says it’ll let UN inspectors inspect gas site
Lawsuit says Trump University made bogus claims
This would be enough to make someone flip their wig: The New York State attorney general’s office filed a civil lawsuit on Saturday accusing Trump University, Donald J. Trump’s for-profit investment school, of engaging in illegal business practices. The lawsuit, which seeks restitution of at least $40 million, accused Mr. Trump, the Trump Organization and others … [Read more...] about Lawsuit says Trump University made bogus claims
Syrian Showdown? Senior Administration Official: ‘Very Little Doubt’ Assad Regime Behind Alleged Chemical Attack
Are the United States and other countries on the verge of taking some kind of action against Syria in light of news reports, photos and heartbreaking videos of a chemical attack on its citizens by the government? It sounds like they're getting closer to it given new reports -- including a senior administration official now saying it's all but certain the Assad regime was behind … [Read more...] about Syrian Showdown? Senior Administration Official: ‘Very Little Doubt’ Assad Regime Behind Alleged Chemical Attack