Hubris is the only word that adequately sums up Glenn Greenwald's threat saying that the documents fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden stole could be the 'worst nightmare' for the U.S. In my opinion, Glenn Greenwald's morality is running on empty right now. “Snowden has enough information to cause harm to the U.S. government in a single minute than any other person has ever … [Read more...] about Glenn Greenwald: US Should “Be On Its Knees Begging” That Nothing Happens to Edward Snowden
Jury Still Pondering Zimmerman Fate in Trayvon Martin Killing
Jury mulls fate of US watchman who killed black teen (via AFP) The six-woman jury in the racially-charged trial of a US neighborhood watchman accused of murdering unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin resumed its deliberations on Saturday. George Zimmerman, 29, a volunteer night watchman, is accused of pursuing… … [Read more...] about Jury Still Pondering Zimmerman Fate in Trayvon Martin Killing
The Trial of Treyvon Martin
The umpteen hours of cable TV courtroom melodrama are finally over, and the reaction of an intermittent viewer is to recall the old cliché that used to pervade rape trials: “She asked for it.” An unarmed teenager is shot dead, but like the sexually assaulted victim with her “provocative” clothing and behavior, the issue has been contorted into whether Treyvon Martin somehow … [Read more...] about The Trial of Treyvon Martin
(Video) Amazing Time Lapse Video: Fog moving through San Francisco Bay
A truly amazing video: Fog rolling through San Francisco Bay -- Adrift from Simon Christen on Vimeo. The film is by Simon Christen, who writes: Almost 3/4 of a million views and 10k likes in one week, I am floored. It truly makes me happy that my little film is able to connect with you and hopefully evokes the same feeling of happiness that I felt while shooting … [Read more...] about (Video) Amazing Time Lapse Video: Fog moving through San Francisco Bay
Winning it all in 2016
The Atlantic's Megan McArdle, writing in her own blog, assures us that the Republicans will take over in 2017. But her reasoning seems to have multiple faults, starting with an apparent misunderstanding of the filibuster. Okay. Why beat her to a pulp? Waste of time. I betcha she'll come up with another prediction in a while having forgetten today's frightening view of … [Read more...] about Winning it all in 2016
Egypt and Zimmerman (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 Egypt and Zimmerman (Cartoon)
New Hampshire and Arizona Produced Two Erratic Governors in New Hampshire and Arizona
Historic Quote: "They are wrong. My beliefs are rooted in the values of the 17th century, and I'm proud of it." New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson on those who said his views were rooted in the 19th century." Once upon a time, Arizona and New Hampshire gave America two of the most erratic, fringe like Governors they had seem in some time. By the end of their tenures, … [Read more...] about New Hampshire and Arizona Produced Two Erratic Governors in New Hampshire and Arizona
Texas abortion law passes despite protests
Texas abortion law passes despite protests (via AFP) The Texas senate late on Friday approved a bill setting some of the strictest limits on abortion in the United States, just weeks after a filibuster by opposition Democrats dramatically thwarted the measure. The bill -- similar to the one that state… … [Read more...] about Texas abortion law passes despite protests
Defense Update: This Is Your Military, Too
Our military, the finest in the world, are best at what they have been trained for. We have seen many images of them jumping out of aircraft, taking that hill, forging rivers, confronting the enemy, etc. But our military do many other things. There are other sides of them. Here are some images. Lead image: Air Force Capt. Marshall Klitzke, an instructor pilot … [Read more...] about Defense Update: This Is Your Military, Too
America, Edward Snowden & Human Rights
Important Update: "In her first reference to whistleblower Edward Snowden’s case, UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay has called on all countries to protect the rights of those who uncover abuses and stressed the need to respect the right for people to seek asylum. Commenting on the fugitive former US intelligence contractor, who is presently wanted by the US for leaking … [Read more...] about America, Edward Snowden & Human Rights
PRICELESS (Video): TV Station Falls for Fake Chinese Names in San Francisco Plane Crash (UPDATED)
Yes, it can happen. In the rush to gather and package the news, news people can pass along material from a bogus or unconfirmed source (this seemingly has happened more with breaking news stories on TV than with print journalists). But sometimes the source itself has been "punked." KTVU Channel 2 in San Francisco stepped in it, bigtime, running phone Chinese names supposedly … [Read more...] about PRICELESS (Video): TV Station Falls for Fake Chinese Names in San Francisco Plane Crash (UPDATED)
NASA Hubble Finds A True Blue Planet
NASA Hubble Finds A True Blue Planet (via PR Newswire) Download image NASA Logo. (PRNewsFoto/NASA) WASHINGTON, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Astronomers making visible-light observations with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have deduced the actual color of a planet orbiting another star 63 light… … [Read more...] about NASA Hubble Finds A True Blue Planet
The Weaselly, Weaselly Weekend
As I survey the headlines for this day -- a link which I double dog DARE you to click -- I cannot bring myself to any specific conclusions, other than What a weaselly, weaselly way to start the weekend. Arrrrrgh! Thesis I can only think of the words of John Maynard Keynes: … [Read more...] about The Weaselly, Weaselly Weekend
Darrell Issa Guide to Washington Ugliness
If you want to know exactly what’s wrong with politicians today and have a high threshold for disgust, skim the bloated “How to Win in Washington” in last Sunday's New York Times Magazine. Written by chief national correspondent Mark Leibovich and culled from his insider Beltway book, the piece is an acrobatic feat of journalistic tap-dancing, revealing the sliminess of … [Read more...] about Darrell Issa Guide to Washington Ugliness
Poll: Voters blame GOP for gridlock in Washington
As Republicans in Congress on several fronts give clear signs that they will ignore the party's own election "autopsy," and aggressively take positions that alienate women voters, rising demographic groups such as Hispanics, and continue to reject compromise in favor of using power to force acceptance of their priorities, a new poll says Americans blame Republicans for gridlock … [Read more...] about Poll: Voters blame GOP for gridlock in Washington
Russia says Snowden could stay if he stops harming US
Russia says Snowden could stay if he stops harming US (via AFP) Edward Snowden could stay in Russia if he stops issuing leaks that damage the United States, the Kremlin said Friday after the US fugitive told rights activists in a Moscow airport that he is seeking asylum in Russia. "Mr. Snowden could hypothetically… … [Read more...] about Russia says Snowden could stay if he stops harming US
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Resigns, to Lead Univ. of California System
BREAKING NEWS: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano resigns. She will take over as head of the University of California system. This is big. Did Obama finally come to his senses and push her out? Here's Janet Napolitano's statement on her abrupt resignation: “For more than four years I have had the privilege of serving President Obama and his … [Read more...] about Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Resigns, to Lead Univ. of California System
Europe Will Rue Toppling Obama Over Snowden (La Stampa, Italy)
Are headline-hungry European politicians milking the NSA scandal by feigning alarm, while playing into the hands of Russia and China, who want to see Obama's back? La Stampa columnist Gianni Riotta warns that effectively destroying the Obama presidency over the age-old practice of spying on allies will blow up in Europe's face. For La Stampa, Gianni Riotta gets off to a … [Read more...] about Europe Will Rue Toppling Obama Over Snowden (La Stampa, Italy)
What the Farm Bill Really Means
The failed farm bill has largely been viewed in light of immigration reform and congressional dysfunction, but it also underlies another spectre: the weakening farm lobby. Since our nation’s founding, farmers (originally slave-owners) have had an unequal voice. The senate, for instance, is made up of two representatives from every state, no matter how large or small. The … [Read more...] about What the Farm Bill Really Means
Quote of the Day: Why Immigration Reform Fizzled
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Week's Marc Ambinder (one of my favorite, most level-headed analysts) who explains why immigration reform if probably dead. I'd say "probably" is a hedge word at this point. Ain't gonna happen. I have consistently noted the role of conservative talk show hosts in setting the no-compromise, just-please-the-base tone of today's … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Immigration Reform Fizzled