As this point you may as well call it "election nullification" because the scope of this is unprecedented -- and if this works it will indeed set a new precedent: Congressional Republicans are moving to gut many of President Obama’s top priorities with the sharpest spending cuts in a generation and a new push to hold government financing hostage unless the president’s … [Read more...] about Report: GOP Preparing to “hold government financing hostage” to gut Obama programs’ funding (UPDATED)
North Korea: where playing ‘jazz’ is a crime
North Korea: where playing 'jazz' is a crime (via GlobalPost) Copyright ImageClick to View Enlarge SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Cheol Woong belonged to North Korea’s coddled elite. Then in 2001 he was accused of treachery. His crime: playing a Richard Clayderman piece on his piano. Scion of a privileged political… … [Read more...] about North Korea: where playing ‘jazz’ is a crime
Geraldo’s Tweet (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Geraldo’s Tweet (Cartoon)
Regulatory Agencies Need to Be Proactive, Not Just Reactive
A recent article of mine focused on the way banks were making huge profits by manipulating the commodities market (http://goo.gl/EhEEXD). A New York Times investigative reporter had written an in depth article that detailed the extensiveness of bank involvement with commodity trading, including ownership of storage and transportation facilities for aluminum, copper, and various … [Read more...] about Regulatory Agencies Need to Be Proactive, Not Just Reactive
America: Over The Brink, In The Vat, Sinking Fast, Napping
There are 24 legislative days on the congressional calendar between now and October 1, which is 68 days away. Our congress must therefore slave away for 24 days with only 44 days of rest before, after, and during this period in which to do the country's business. And do this for a piddling wage of only about $170,000 per annum. Plus fringe benefits. Which is not to say that … [Read more...] about America: Over The Brink, In The Vat, Sinking Fast, Napping
NSA Leaker Edward Snowden Not Leaving Russia Airport, Asylum Request Not Complete
Well, it seems that Edward Snowden isn't about to be sprung from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. Russia's RIA Novosti earlier reported that the fugitive NSA leaker had been given documents to leave the Moscow airport transit area and formally enter Russia. I hope Edward Snowden isn't jaded into thinking he will be living in paradise once outside the airport. He should revisit … [Read more...] about NSA Leaker Edward Snowden Not Leaving Russia Airport, Asylum Request Not Complete
How to Predict the Next Royal Baby in 2015
Now that Prince What’s-His-Name has made his fashionably late arrival and media royal womb watchers are all agog, it behooves a former member of the fraternity to offer the benefit of his experience to help them move on from their current trauma. In the 1980s, as a woman's magazine editor duty-bound to run cover stories about the new baby’s super-celebrity grandmother, I … [Read more...] about How to Predict the Next Royal Baby in 2015
Weiner to stay in NY mayor race despite new sex claims
Weiner to stay in NY mayor race despite new sex claims (via AFP) Disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner said he would continue his bid to become New York's next mayor despite being hit by a new sex scandal. Weiner, 48, admitted sending lewd texts and photographs under the name "Carlos Danger" to a young woman… … [Read more...] about Weiner to stay in NY mayor race despite new sex claims
A Serious National Discussion on Race (NOT!)
LOS ANGELES -- Is it possible to have a s-e-r-i-o-u-s discussion on race in America? In light of some of the reaction to President Barack Obama's comments on race in the aftermath of George Zimmerman being found not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, you have to conclude that our political "debate" has jumped the killer whale. While many pundits called Obama's … [Read more...] about A Serious National Discussion on Race (NOT!)
Nuke Map 3D
This is a pretty cool if disturbing web site You can pick any place on earth and blow it to bits. … [Read more...] about Nuke Map 3D
Champion, And Maybe Gay, Boxer Dies At 75
Sometimes when you’re 12 years old things happen that are forever burned into your memory. That happened for me on March 24, 1962. It didn’t start out to be all that special, just a family gathering. After dinner “the men”, my father, uncle, grandfather and I, gathered around the old black and white television set at my grandparent’s home in Shawano, Wisconsin to watch the … [Read more...] about Champion, And Maybe Gay, Boxer Dies At 75
(UPDATE) Let’s Talk About Inspiration
Update: At the end of this post we refer to the great segment the NBC TODAY show had on Josh Wege this morning, July 23. Sadly, the segment does not appear on the TODAY Show web site -- while all other segments are shown -- nor anywhere else. I and many others have e-mailed, "face-booked" NBC asking them to post the segment, to no avail thus far. Will keep pressing … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Let’s Talk About Inspiration
Anthony Weiner Confirms Sending Newly Revealed Sexually Explicit Texts, Photos
Old habits die hard, I suppose. NYC mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner has admitted to sending sexually explicit texts and photos, as recent as last August. On one hand, I am inclined to believe that this could torpedo his chances at becoming New York City's next mayor, but look at ex-mayor Rudy Guiliani! The Dirty is out with a bunch of unverified screenshots allegedly between … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner Confirms Sending Newly Revealed Sexually Explicit Texts, Photos
Fear of Vladivostok Escape for Snowden Drives U.S. Threats Against Venezuela (ABC, Spain)
Over recent weeks, Washington has been putting the screws to Venezuela in an effort to halt its efforts to assist U.S. whistle-blowing fugative Edward Snowden. Offering a detailed look at these threats and what drives them, ABC reporter Emili J. Blasco writes that one of the things Washington fears most is that Snowden might obtain temporary asylum and take refuge at the … [Read more...] about Fear of Vladivostok Escape for Snowden Drives U.S. Threats Against Venezuela (ABC, Spain)
Royal Birth (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Royal Birth (Cartoon)
Adjusting to Our ‘Brave New World’ of Liberty (O Globo, Brazil)
With nations around the world screaming bloody murder over U.S. surveillance and the loss of privacy it represents, should they instead embrace and build upon the inevitable changes it reflects? For O Globo, filmmaker Caca Diegues, in one of the more profound comments on the subject so far, writes that in this brave new world without secrets, Brazilians and other peoples should … [Read more...] about Adjusting to Our ‘Brave New World’ of Liberty (O Globo, Brazil)
Life On Land 2.2 Billion Years Ago — Four Times Earlier Than Previously Thought, Research Finds
Life On Land 2.2 Billion Years Ago — Four Times Earlier Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (via Planetsave) The first land life may have appeared far earlier than was previously thought — at least 2.2 billion years ago, instead of the 500 million years ago that was estimated before, according to new research from the University of Oregon. The evidence that… … [Read more...] about Life On Land 2.2 Billion Years Ago — Four Times Earlier Than Previously Thought, Research Finds
How will Obama defend secret NSA program in court? Letter offers clue.
How will Obama defend secret NSA program in court? Letter offers clue. (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View The new National Security Agency (NSA) Utah Data Center in Bluffdale is expected to open this fall. It will store massive amounts of data. (National Security Agency/Reuters) The Obama administration has filed what appears… … [Read more...] about How will Obama defend secret NSA program in court? Letter offers clue.
Pulling Apart
For those who view economics as a morality play, Detroit's bankruptcy is another example of an economic sinner in the hands of an angry god. For those who view economics as a Darwinian test of survival, Detroit is just another species that didn't make the cut. The truth is that Detroit illustrates the consequences of the economic policies of the last thirty-five years. For the … [Read more...] about Pulling Apart
Biography: 90 Years of a Black and White Life
Now that Barack Obama has turned personal about race and started a national debate, an older witness is impelled to step forward and testify. Nearly 90 years ago, I was born to white shopkeepers in the black ghetto of Harlem, living in back of a small store, selling things to people even poorer than they were. Their customers were descended from African slaves, while they … [Read more...] about Biography: 90 Years of a Black and White Life