Pope Francis reached out an olive branch to the gay community Monday, saying he wouldn't judge priests for their sexual orientation during a news conference as he returned from his trip to Brazil. He asked, "If someone is gay and he searched for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" This is the first time a Pope has ever taken such a conciliatory stance. His … [Read more...] about Pope Francis: “If Someone is Gay and He Searched for the Lord, Has Good Will, Who am I to Judge?”
WATCH: Why Fox News’ interview with Reza Aslan is so awful
Why Fox News' interview ith Reza Aslan is so awful. Just watch it. And you think: and there are so many skillfull journalists out there who are stuck in small markets, laid off, or waiting for their first jobs. … [Read more...] about WATCH: Why Fox News’ interview with Reza Aslan is so awful
Morsi supporters call new Egypt protests
Morsi supporters call new Egypt protests (via AFP) Supporters of Egypt's ousted president called for new protests on Monday, threatening to deepen the country's crisis as the EU foreign policy chief met both the government and the opposition. The Anti-Coup Alliance of Islamist groups organising protests… … [Read more...] about Morsi supporters call new Egypt protests
Fighting back on voting rights
WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Eric Holder has opened what will be an epic battle over whether our country will remain committed to equal rights at the ballot box. In a display of egregious judicial activism in late June, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. Holder made clear last week he intends to fight back. The struggle will … [Read more...] about Fighting back on voting rights
Anthony Weiner Can Run but Has He The Gravitas to Win?
I dont want to dun the man. But, it's harder and harder not to notice that Mr. Weiner running for mayor of one of the most influential and changing cities in the world- New York City, can run around run afoul run amok run away, run with the tired rhetoric... but it seems unlikely he can win a serious election for such an important position. A mayor of NYC has to … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner Can Run but Has He The Gravitas to Win?
Talk Radio Earthquake? Cumulus Planning to Dump Limbaugh and Hannity
A major talk radio earthquake? Media giant Cumulus is planning to dump conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity when their contracts run out. This doe NOT mean their style of talk will be gone -- but they'll be minus some big outlets: In a major shakeup for the radio industry, Cumulus Media, the second-biggest broadcaster in the country, is planning to drop both … [Read more...] about Talk Radio Earthquake? Cumulus Planning to Dump Limbaugh and Hannity
Twenty Years in Oregon
Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, twenty years ago (July 27th), I crossed the Snake River into Ontario, Oregon pulling my life behind me in a modern day Conestoga wagon. the tandem-axle log truck was ubiquitous on Oregon roads (Helpful that it was a 302 V-8. I was carrying a couple boxes of papers, books and vinyl records behind the van in an old two-wheel teardrop … [Read more...] about Twenty Years in Oregon
Rep. Peter King: Sen. Rand Paul Comparing Edward Snowden to Martin Luther King Jr. is ‘Madness’
Another prominent Republican is slamming Sen. Rand Paul and his stance on surveillance programs. Rep. Peter King (NY), who has 2016 presidential ambitions, said the libertarian wing of the Republican Party is damaging the party's reputation on national security. He criticized Paul for supporting fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden. The Hill: "When you have Rand Paul actually … [Read more...] about Rep. Peter King: Sen. Rand Paul Comparing Edward Snowden to Martin Luther King Jr. is ‘Madness’
Report: Anthony Weiner’s Campaign Manager Danny Kedem Calls It Quits After New Sexting Revelations
More trouble for New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner. There are reports that his campaign manager, Danny Kedem, has thrown in the towel after a week of blistering revelations of an online sexual relationship with liberal blogger Sydney Elaine Leathers. NY Times: Mr. Kedem, 31, informed Mr. Weiner of his decision in the last 24 hours, the two people said. Mr. Kedem … [Read more...] about Report: Anthony Weiner’s Campaign Manager Danny Kedem Calls It Quits After New Sexting Revelations
New lake at North Pole? More of a pond, really (Guest Voice)
New lake at North Pole? More of a pond, really (via The Christian Science Monitor) A remote Arctic webcam shows a large meltwater pond on July 22. (North Pole Environmental Observatory) The online buzz over a new "lake" on the North Pole as the latest symbol of global warming is mostly hype. Yes, there is a new foot-deep body of water… … [Read more...] about New lake at North Pole? More of a pond, really (Guest Voice)
Political Benefits of a Royal Baby
Political Benefits of a Royal Baby By Dick Polman Back in the early '90s, when I worked in London and wrote frequently about the hi-jinks of the monarchy, I tried in vain to understand why the British clung to such an archaic institution. But with the arrival of The Royal Baby, I finally get it. The House of Windsor gives the British permission to ignore their political and … [Read more...] about Political Benefits of a Royal Baby
The North Pole Is A Lake Right Now — Small Melt Lake At The Top Of The World (VIDEO) (Guest Voice)
The North Pole Is A Lake Right Now — Small Melt Lake At The Top Of The World (VIDEO) (via Planetsave) The North Pole is a lake right now. Yeah, you read that right — there’s a small meltwater lake at the top of the world right now, as these photos from the North Pole Environmental Observatory show us. That’s an interesting thought isn’t it?… … [Read more...] about The North Pole Is A Lake Right Now — Small Melt Lake At The Top Of The World (VIDEO) (Guest Voice)
NASA’s IRIS telescope sends back first images of the sun
NASA's IRIS telescope sends back first images of the sun (via GlobalPost) Enlarge This image by NASA's new ISIS telescope shows the region around two sunspots, giving scientists unprecedented detail of the lowest parts of the sun's atmosphere, known as the interface region. (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics/NASA… … [Read more...] about NASA’s IRIS telescope sends back first images of the sun
The Great American-EU Sleaze-Off
Which major economic power, the United States of America or the European Union, has the sleaziest politicians? The field is crowded, the competition intense, and some potential top-sleazers aren't even permitted in the match because their behavior is so utterly despicable it's more suitable for medical intervention than comparative sleaze recognition. Here are my own … [Read more...] about The Great American-EU Sleaze-Off
Middle East Exhaustion: Time to Ease Out
If new bloodshed in Egypt is a wakeup call, could Syria be the last straw? Cairo is aflame again, with scores of protesters killed, bloody fruit of an Arab Spring that keeps yielding more death than democracy. As tolls rise, it is past time to rethink the Bush-Cheney Neocon doctrine of a strong America bestowing freedom on benighted nations across the world. Now the Joint … [Read more...] about Middle East Exhaustion: Time to Ease Out
The Biology of Risk
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)