Recently, I listened to a very interesting interview with world-class Cambridge neuroscientist John Coates, PhD who was discussing his new book. It focuses on the biology of risk taking and how our actions literally transform our body chemistry. It is fascinating stuff that may begin to explain why so many of us at one time or another have said, “Damn, why the heck did I do … [Read more...] about The Biology of Risk
$444 Million New Red Wings Hockey Arena Still a Go in Detroit Despite Bankruptcy Filing
Disgrace in Detroit -- $444 million hockey arena for the Red Wings is still a go in the Motor City despite grappling with the biggest public sector bankruptcy in U.S. history. Of course, a new hockey arena is far more important than preserving pensions plans and health care coverage to city employees and retirees or even investing in schools, right? SMH. Advocates of the arena … [Read more...] about $444 Million New Red Wings Hockey Arena Still a Go in Detroit Despite Bankruptcy Filing
Remembering the ‘Forgotten War’
It has been 60 years since the end of a war that many Americans call "The Forgotten War." While the Korean War may be for many "a conflict fought in a far-off country and so painful that even survivors have tried to erase their memories of it," the North Koreans have not forgotten. "Sixty years after the end of the Korean War, [North Korea] is marking the milestone … [Read more...] about Remembering the ‘Forgotten War’
UPDATED: UK Misogyny On Twitter Met With US Silence, Then Promise
[UPDATED 11.15 pm 1:30 pm Sunday Pacific] UPDATE 2: Arrest made UPDATE 1: Late Saturday on the west coast, Alex Howard reported that Twitter had emailed GigaOm and the BBC, promising it would be “extending the ability to report tweets [to] all of its hundreds of millions of active users around the world.” That ability had been rolled out for Twitter iPhone users … [Read more...] about UPDATED: UK Misogyny On Twitter Met With US Silence, Then Promise
Fiscal Fight Looming Over August Recess (Guest Voice)
Fiscal Fight Looming Over August Recess (via PBS News Hour) By: Terence Burlij and Christina Bellantoni Pressure to reach an agreement on how to fund the U.S. government lingers while Congress prepares to go on a month-long recess next week. Congress is a week away from a month-long summer recess, and appears… … [Read more...] about Fiscal Fight Looming Over August Recess (Guest Voice)
Dozens die in Egypt as clashes erupt at Morsi rally
Dozens die in Egypt as clashes erupt at Morsi rally (via AFP) Dozens of Mohamed Morsi's supporters were shot dead in the Egyptian capital on Saturday as violence erupted after a night of massive rallies for and against the ousted Islamist president. Morsi's camp said more than 100 people were killed. An AFP correspondent… … [Read more...] about Dozens die in Egypt as clashes erupt at Morsi rally
Who Can Save San Diego? (Guest Voice)
Who Can Save San Diego? (via LA Progressive) Stay classy? That may be too much to ask of San Diego these days. “America’s Finest City” is in the middle of another one of its routine, self-destructive crises of local government. This one is an ugly fight over the fate of Mayor Bob Filner.… … [Read more...] about Who Can Save San Diego? (Guest Voice)
Park-Your-Heart Politics: Christie Nails Rand Paul
If nothing else, Chris Christie will be pumping blood into hardened Republican arteries between now and November 2016. Naming Rand Paul among “any number of people” who project a “dangerous strain” of libertarianism on domestic surveillance, the Governor cites families in his state who lost loved ones on 9/11: “These esoteric, intellectual debates--I want them to come to … [Read more...] about Park-Your-Heart Politics: Christie Nails Rand Paul
Even Gaining Seats May Be A Struggle For House Ds
At one point after President Obama's re-election, I thought it possible for the Democrats to gain eight House seats. The President's high approvals, as well as the improving economy and the GOP struggling to find it's place would seem to add fuel to the momentum. But Democrats as of late have been besieged by declining poll numbers for the President, and a series of recruitment … [Read more...] about Even Gaining Seats May Be A Struggle For House Ds
The Korean War, Then and Now.
Foreward: This one, Willwright, is for your wife’s nephew, “a Marine who was wounded and decorated for actions near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.” The Korean War, which began June 25, 1950, with the North Korean army's invasion of South Korea, officially ended July 27, 1953, a day now recognized as Armistice Day. The President, in a message said in … [Read more...] about The Korean War, Then and Now.
Chris Christie’s On-Target Attack on Libertarianism
Much ink has been spilled since the 2012 elections (or even 2008) about the need for a Republican makeover. Many of those pushing the narrative have anything but Republicans' best interests at heart. Their desire is for perpetual Democratic dominance, not a Republican renewal. But the underlying point is undeniable: the current Republican Party is in a handbasket riding to … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s On-Target Attack on Libertarianism
Winner of the best Anthony Weiner magazine cover yet
And the winner of the best Anthony Weiner magazine cover yet goes to....The New Yorker. … [Read more...] about Winner of the best Anthony Weiner magazine cover yet
Arctic methane breach an ‘economic time bomb’
Arctic methane breach an 'economic time bomb' (via AFP) Massive leakage of methane from thawing shoreline in the Arctic would devastate the world's climate and economy, a trio of scientists warned on Wednesday. Billions of tonnes of this potent greenhouse gas are locked in the shallow frozen shelf of the… … [Read more...] about Arctic methane breach an ‘economic time bomb’
Obstruction as the new normal
WASHINGTON -- The bad news is that approval ratings for both the president and Congress are sinking, with voters increasingly frustrated at the bitter, partisan impasse in Washington. The worse news is that in terms of admiration for our national leaders, these may come to be seen as the good old days. I'm an optimist by nature, a glass-half-full kind of guy. But try as … [Read more...] about Obstruction as the new normal
Big Weenie (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Big Weenie (Cartoon)
Police hold Spain train crash driver for ‘recklessness’
Police hold Spain train crash driver for 'recklessness' (via AFP) Spanish police said Friday they have detained the driver of a speeding train that crashed in the nation's deadliest rail disaster in decades, accusing him of criminal recklessness. The country was in mourning over Wednesday's horrific tragedy, which… … [Read more...] about Police hold Spain train crash driver for ‘recklessness’
Solving the Student Loan Crisis is Only the First Step
Congress will likely hammer out some sort of deal, which Republicans will love and Democrats will be forced to swallow, but it’s worth considering whether we view education in entirely the wrong way here in America. In Britain, where my girlfriend lives, students don’t begin paying off their loans until they find stable employment, and the cost is in proportion to their … [Read more...] about Solving the Student Loan Crisis is Only the First Step
A Closer Look at the FISA Court
Judges selected for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by Chief Justice John Roberts are trending towards ideologically conservative judges with executive branch connections, leading to concerns that the court will grow even more biased in favor of government surveillance requests. There is a lot of surprising information in that one sentence, starting with the fact … [Read more...] about A Closer Look at the FISA Court
A President and a Veteran Recall the ‘Forgotten War’
It has been 60 years since the end of a war that many Americans call “The Forgotten War.” While the Korean War may be for many, “a conflict fought in a far-off country and so painful that even survivors have tried to erase their memories of it,” the North Koreans have not forgotten. “Sixty years after the end of the Korean War, the country is marking the milestone … [Read more...] about A President and a Veteran Recall the ‘Forgotten War’
Ode to Dolores Umbridge
I love villains in movies and literature. I have always thought a bad guy says a lot about a film’s protagonist and to a certain extent that film’s writers and directors. A poor villain can render a story meaningless in my eye. I don’t think the Harry Potter series, book or film, gets a proper bonafide superstar villain until Dolores Umbridge strolls into town with her cats … [Read more...] about Ode to Dolores Umbridge