Skin color in America is still destiny, as the Supreme Court and the George Zimmerman trial remind us this week, but how far have we come in a lifetime and how far do we still have to go? Below these visible eruptions over race and even more important for the future is the double-edged story of Barack Obama. Yes, we have elected and reelected an African-American president, … [Read more...] about Court Rules on Race But Obama Hatred Tells More
Texas Legislature Changes Timestamps on SB5 Votes
UPDATE 12.32 am 2.51 am 11.50 pm Pacific SB5 did not pass. Later on Wednesday, Gov. Perry called a special session for July 1. And thus marked the first time in #Texas history that a bunch of rich, old white men couldn't bend the rules to get their way. #SB5— Arturas Rosenbacher (@Arturas_) June 26, 2013 There was drama afoot in Austin today as … [Read more...] about Texas Legislature Changes Timestamps on SB5 Votes
Rep. Edward Markey Projected to Win Massachusetts Senate Race
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D) is projected to win the Massachusetts Senate race, defeating Republican Gabriel Gomez. With most precincts reporting Tuesday night, Markey led Gomez 53 percent to 46 percent, according to the Associated Press, which called the race about an hour after polls closed. Read more at the Washington Post. … [Read more...] about Rep. Edward Markey Projected to Win Massachusetts Senate Race
Snooping could cripple trust in US
President Barack Obama’s efforts in foreign affairs could suffer body blows if NSA snooping on America and the world continues unchanged. The US may find fewer sympathizers of its foreign policies, almost none of which can be implemented without the support of friends and allies. US leadership of the international community stems from the trust of the majority of nations … [Read more...] about Snooping could cripple trust in US
A blow for bigotry: The Supreme Court demolishes the Voting Rights Act
As you may have heard by now, the Supreme Court -- or, rather, the Supreme Court's right-wing majority, issued a ruling today that significantly undermines the efficacy of the Voting Rights Act: The Supreme Court on Tuesday effectively struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by a 5-to-4 vote, ruling that Congress had not provided adequate justification for … [Read more...] about A blow for bigotry: The Supreme Court demolishes the Voting Rights Act
The Hypocrisy of the Transparency Messiahs
In this era, Americans have been “blessed” by having a number of men who have taken it upon themselves to save the citizens of the United States from their intrusive government. One of them, Bradley Manning, is incarcerated and being tried by the American military. He was a soldier when he transmitted classified information to Wikileaks, disregarding its effect on the nation’s … [Read more...] about The Hypocrisy of the Transparency Messiahs
President Vladimir Putin: Russia Will Not Extradite Edward Snowden to U.S.
Vladimir Putin to Barack Obama --Russia will not extradite Edward Snowden BREAKING: Well, President Obama just got another kick in the gut from Russia. President Vladimir Putin says NSA leaker Edward Snowden won't be turned over to the U.S. government since he didn't break any laws in Russia. He said Snowden was in the transit area at a Moscow airport. He also said … [Read more...] about President Vladimir Putin: Russia Will Not Extradite Edward Snowden to U.S.
SCOTUS Strikes Down Key Provision in Voting Rights Act of 1965
BREAKING NEWS: The U.S. Supreme Court invalidates key portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. SCOTUS rules that Congress needs to update the voting rights act. The court has struck down the portion that protects minority voters. The court ruled that "Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. Its formula can no longer be used as a basis for subjecting … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Strikes Down Key Provision in Voting Rights Act of 1965
Supreme Court Roundup June 25th
The Supreme Court issued several major rulings today covering issues ranging from voting rights to property rights. Tomorrow will be the final decision day and will feature marriage equality rulings. The voting rights case was Shelby County v. Holder and focused on two aspects of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Sections 4 and 5 were challenged by Shelby County Alabama on the … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Roundup June 25th
Russia denies Snowden involvement as mystery deepens
Russia denies Snowden involvement as mystery deepens (via AFP) Russia on Tuesday denied that US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden had ever crossed its border and slammed US claims of complicity in his disappearance, as the mystery deepened over the whereabouts of the wanted ex-contractor. The United States had… … [Read more...] about Russia denies Snowden involvement as mystery deepens
Showdown In Austin: Anti-Abortion Bill Filibuster In Progress
UPDATED (11.14 am Pacific) : Filibuster underway. Link to LiveStream below. The rally begins at 9:00 am, the filibuster at about 11 am. The deadline: midnight. The goal: prevent a Texas Senate vote on SB5, a sweeping anti-abortion bill. Texas Sen. Wendy Davis (D) is leading the filibuster, reprising her 2011 role of GOP spoiler. Need to catch up on the … [Read more...] about Showdown In Austin: Anti-Abortion Bill Filibuster In Progress
Reality over ideology
\ WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court decision on affirmative action could have been a lot worse. Given the court's ideological tilt, in fact, it was probably the best we could have hoped for. This is a "dog that didn't bark" kind of story: In a 7-1 ruling, the justices ordered a lower court to reconsider its decision upholding the University of Texas' admissions … [Read more...] about Reality over ideology
A Looming Climate Shift: Will Ocean Heat Come Back to Haunt us? (Guest Voice)
A Looming Climate Shift: Will Ocean Heat Come Back to Haunt us? (via Skeptical Science) Posted on 24 June 2013 by Rob Painting Key Points: Despite a large increase in heat being absorbed by the Earth's climate system (oceans, land & ice), the first decade of the 21st century saw a slowdown in the rate of global surface warming (surface… … [Read more...] about A Looming Climate Shift: Will Ocean Heat Come Back to Haunt us? (Guest Voice)
Zimmerman Lawyer Don West’s Opening Knock Knock Joke Bombs Bigtime
This I gotta tell ya, it's hard to be in show biz/law these days. In his opening line during today's first day of the trial of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin, Zimmmerman's lawyer Don West told a knock knock joke that badly bombed. Don West, Zimmerman’s defense counsel, started with a tale about his own upbringing that drew an objection … [Read more...] about Zimmerman Lawyer Don West’s Opening Knock Knock Joke Bombs Bigtime
US Senate clears border-security hurdle
US Senate clears border-security hurdle (via AFP) The US Senate cleared a key immigration reform hurdle, bucking pointed Republican opposition and proceeding on a critical measure that would tighten security on the US border with Mexico. The procedural vote marked an important test for comprehensive… … [Read more...] about US Senate clears border-security hurdle
Loyal Opposition (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 Loyal Opposition (Cartoon)
Author Richard Matheson has died
Richard Matheson, an American author, has passed away at the age of 87. Author Richard Matheson passed away at home at age 87. (Beth Gwinn / Tor/Forge / March 22, 2011) 'I Am Legend' author Richard Matheson has died at 87 The Los Angeles Times By Carolyn Kellogg June 24, 2013, 3:26 p.m. Author Richard Matheson, who was 87, has died at home. His family … [Read more...] about Author Richard Matheson has died
Snowden’s Troubled Journey and Dubious Destination
It is impossible to map out a route to your destination if you don’t know where you’re starting from. Sue Orman Disclaimer: The author, a native of Ecuador, left Ecuador at age 10. He has been living in the United States since 1957 and became a U.S. citizen in 1961. Let me first make perfectly clear: The Ecuadorian people are some of the most wonderful people in … [Read more...] about Snowden’s Troubled Journey and Dubious Destination
Edward Snowden Tells South China Morning Post He Took NSA Job to Gather Information on Surveillance Program
The South China Morning Post is reporting Edward Snowden took Booz Allen Hamilton contractor job so he could gather cyber evidence from the National Security Agency. I have long maintained that there was no way for Edward Snowden to do what he did unless he had ulterior motives -- to gather information for the purpose of leaking. He is a traitor, plain and simple. Edward … [Read more...] about Edward Snowden Tells South China Morning Post He Took NSA Job to Gather Information on Surveillance Program
LIVE STREAMING VIDEO: George Zimmerman Treyvon Martin Murder Case
Here's live streaming video of George Zimmerman's trial in Sanford, Florida: … [Read more...] about LIVE STREAMING VIDEO: George Zimmerman Treyvon Martin Murder Case