The Egyptian hot potato is preparing to fall into President Barack Obama’s lap and the US might have to own it for a long time, for the sake of Israel’s security and its own national interests. Today the Muslim Brotherhood rejected participation in the new interim government partly because it does not want to be outdone by its rival Islamist al Nour party, which did so … [Read more...] about Egypt: Obama’s next hot potato in the Mideast
(Updates) Another ‘Sean Goldman’ Case Brewing in Brazil?
UPDATE: ABC News reports that Massachusetts Shauna Hadden, who has been stranded in Brazil with her 6-year-old daughter after Brazilian federal police seized their U.S. passports, may be returning to the U.S. soon after a Brazilian judge decided to return the U.S. passports. Read more here UPDATE: Watch the ABC News Video below: Remember the five-year … [Read more...] about (Updates) Another ‘Sean Goldman’ Case Brewing in Brazil?
(Rare Video) Video Shows President Franklin Roosevelt Pushed in His Wheelchair
It's now well documented by historians that President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his associates went to great lengths to ensure that he was never photographed being pushed in his wheelchair. Various accounts talk about the way he'd lean on people so it looked like he was more mobile than he was, or even walking -- and be solid as a rock if he was standing or sitting. But now Ray … [Read more...] about (Rare Video) Video Shows President Franklin Roosevelt Pushed in His Wheelchair
VA Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Corporation, Wife Got Thousands from Donor Jonnie Williams
Shouldn't criminal charges be brought against Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife for their shenanigans with accepting cash from political donors? The Washington Post reports prominent political donor, Jonnie Williams, gave $70,000 to a corporation owned by McDonnell and his sister last year. Gov. McDonnell failed to disclose the money as a gift or loan. Um, the IRS should … [Read more...] about VA Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Corporation, Wife Got Thousands from Donor Jonnie Williams
Tribune Co to split broadcast, publishing arms
Tribune Co to split broadcast, publishing arms (via AFP) Tribune Company announced plans Wednesday to spin off its newspaper division, which includes the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, from its television holdings in a move to designed "to maximize shareholder value." The move marks the latest breakup… … [Read more...] about Tribune Co to split broadcast, publishing arms
R.I.P. Immigration Reform: Consensus is it’s virtually dead
The consensus has been growing: immigration reform is virtually dead. Even though there are many risks facing the Republican Party if it looks like it killed it, it will in the end by killed or allowed to die a slow, painful death this year by the Republican House. If so, once again the 21st century Republican Party has wound up in the end doing precisely the what was the … [Read more...] about R.I.P. Immigration Reform: Consensus is it’s virtually dead
(Updated) Afghanistan: ‘It’s done. No more.’
Update: Perhaps an ironic and lasting legacy to the waste and mismanagement that has been Afghanistan, even as we are finally debating a complete U.S. troops withdrawal, will be the 64,000-square-foot, $34 million military headquarters building “on the dusty moonscape of southwestern Afghanistan that comes with all the tools to wage a modern war,” except troops -- a facility … [Read more...] about (Updated) Afghanistan: ‘It’s done. No more.’
On Board The Pequod
For me, there are two quintessential American novels. Huck Finn is about the American heart. Moby Dick is about the American soul. It is perhaps no accident, then, that Chris Hedges -- whose subject is the tortured American soul -- wrote this week that,"We are all aboard the Pequod." For Hedges, if the American ship of state continues on its present course, the result will be … [Read more...] about On Board The Pequod
Price Tag for Taking Back the Country
Bill Clinton’s “arithmetic” lesson at their 2012 convention should be on the front burner again as Democrats parse the price of wresting Congress—-and the nation—-from Tea Party control. A new report by the Campaign Finance Institute shows that winning a House seat last year cost the victor twice as much as it did a quarter of a century ago: $1.6 million, compared with … [Read more...] about Price Tag for Taking Back the Country
How safe is your airline?
When it comes to aviation safety, all airlines are not created equal. You can’t fly the plane, but you can arm yourself with information to help you decide who to fly with. Little by little, the pieces already are falling into place on the events that led up to last weekend’s crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in San Francisco. From Asiana, we learn that the guy at the … [Read more...] about How safe is your airline?
Sex Scandal Consequences Ain’t What They Used to Be
New York City's politics has now gotten more titillating. First came news that Anthony Weiner, the Democrat whose crotch-shot sexting to a woman he never met led to his resignation from Congress, was running for mayor. Now comes the news that former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer, who resigned due to his involvement in a prostitution scandal, is running for city … [Read more...] about Sex Scandal Consequences Ain’t What They Used to Be
10 amazing McDonald’s commercials that explain the world
10 amazing McDonald's commercials that explain the world (via GlobalPost) The golden arches may fulfill a similar longing across the globe, but the way they do it is decidedly different from country to country. Emily Lodish Have you ever pictured Ronald McDonald in a dress? No? How about with long, flowing red hair? Japan… … [Read more...] about 10 amazing McDonald’s commercials that explain the world
“Dapper” DiSalle First Big State Governor To Back Kennedy
Historic Quote: "The only way I could get the President out here was to promise he could meet (basketball great) Jerry Lucas, and it's going to be arranged, too -- just as soon as Jerry finds time to fit him into his schedule." Ohio Governor Mike DiSalle on John F. Kennedy's visit to Ohio. DiSalle at JFK's birthday party (Wiki photo) The Dapper DiSalle. Mike DiSalle, … [Read more...] about “Dapper” DiSalle First Big State Governor To Back Kennedy
Egypt’s Dark Future
WASHINGTON -- What's happening in Egypt is not a second revolution or a "correction" to the first. It is a coup d'etat that puts the military as firmly in command as it was during the autocratic reign of Hosni Mubarak. So much for the Arab Spring in the region's most populous country. And, judging by the reaction in Washington and other capitals, so much for Winston … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Dark Future
Snowden agrees to asylum in Venezuela: top lawmaker
Snowden agrees to asylum in Venezuela: top lawmaker (via AFP) Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has been holed up in a Moscow airport for more than two weeks, has agreed to an offer of asylum from Venezuela, a top Russian lawmaker said on Twitter on Tuesday before removing the post. "As was expected… … [Read more...] about Snowden agrees to asylum in Venezuela: top lawmaker
(Video Animation) Elliot Spitzer Versus Kristin “Madam” Davis in NYC Comptroller’s Race
Another great ripped-from-the-headlines animated satire from Taiwaan animators -- this time on former N.Y. Gov. Elliot spritzer running against former madam Kristin Davis in NYC: … [Read more...] about (Video Animation) Elliot Spitzer Versus Kristin “Madam” Davis in NYC Comptroller’s Race
End the Death Penalty
The United States needs to abolish the death penalty. It’s archaic, costly, ineffective, and most importantly, unjust. The first place to start with the death penalty may be philosophical. The purpose of our criminal justice system is to deter crime, rehabilitate convicts, and incapacitate hardened criminals. Philosophically speaking, life in prison serves these functions … [Read more...] about End the Death Penalty
Here We Go Again- Restricting Voters’ Rights
The recent Supreme Court decision that invalidated a portion of the Voting Rights Act was a major blow to the democratic ideal of equal access to the ballot box for every American citizen. The Court claimed that the Act which passed in 1965, employed forty year old data that did not take into account the racial progress that had occurred and the way American society had … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again- Restricting Voters’ Rights
What The Texas GOP Hopes No One Will Say Out Loud: Proposed Bills Weaken Inspections; Requirements Currently Kick In At 16-weeks
[UPDATED] Austin has become center stage for the religious conservative effort to reverse Roe v Wade. Many Texans, like Rep. Greg Bonnen (R), insist that they support these legislative proposals to insure access to safe medical procedures. What they don't acknowledge is the state of the current law. Since January 1, 2004, Texas "law requires that all abortions at 16 weeks … [Read more...] about What The Texas GOP Hopes No One Will Say Out Loud: Proposed Bills Weaken Inspections; Requirements Currently Kick In At 16-weeks
Snowden’s Cause Gives Rise to ‘Strange Bedfellows’
Whatever one may think of hero, whistle-blower, traitor, spy or villain Edward Snowden, he sure has been able to arouse some very strange "bedfellowships." Nations, governments, politicians, pundits and individuals have crossed all kinds of political, philosophical and ideological lines and aligned themselves pro- or anti-Snowden and, by extension pro- or anti-NSA … [Read more...] about Snowden’s Cause Gives Rise to ‘Strange Bedfellows’