Columnist Remembers Gandolfini As a Guy Happy With His ‘Jerseyness’ (via NJ Today on NJTV) The Star-Ledger columnist Mark Di Ionno struck a friendship with the late James Gandolfini during freshman year at Rutgers. Since then, he has witnessed his college chum catapulted to fame for playing the iconic role of Mafia hitman Tony Soprano. Since news broke of his … [Read more...] about Columnist Remembers Gandolfini As a Guy Happy With His ‘Jerseyness’
Poll: Markey Way Ahead With Gomez Badly Trailing Among Women Voters in Massachusetts Senate Race
Although some conservative websites have touted some polls released by Republicans showing a fairly close race to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by now Secretary of State John Kerry, other polls show U.S. Rep. Edward Markey comfortably ahead of businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez -- and if the latest one is correct it's going to be a blowout. Most telling part of … [Read more...] about Poll: Markey Way Ahead With Gomez Badly Trailing Among Women Voters in Massachusetts Senate Race
Elders v. Burgess
Elders v. Burgess By Tina Dupuy In 1994, 40,000 U.S. residents died of AIDS. The epidemic was at its peak domestically and accounted for a third of deaths among American women aged 24-44 that year. It was then the first African-American Surgeon General, Joycelyn Elders, attended the United Nations World AIDS Day Conference. The first question directed to Dr. Elders was: … [Read more...] about Elders v. Burgess
One in three women ‘a victim of domestic violence’
One in three women 'a victim of domestic violence' (via AFP) More than one woman in three around the globe is a victim of domestic violence, with those in Asia and the Middle East most-affected by the scourge, the World Health Organization said. In what it billed as the first-ever systematic study of global data on the prevalence of violence against women and… … [Read more...] about One in three women ‘a victim of domestic violence’
Hundreds turned away from testifying on Texas anti-abortion bill
Update: 10:20 am Pacific Just posted: #HB60 will be voted out of committee at 1pm, in a closed meeting #SB5 will be taken up. We're tired, but we need ppl. #txlege— Shelby Alexander (@ShelbyLAlex) June 21, 2013 As many as 700 people registered to testify at Thursday's hearing in Austin over a bill to severely restrict abortion in Texas. The Texas … [Read more...] about Hundreds turned away from testifying on Texas anti-abortion bill
James Gandolfini (Guest Cartoonist)
James Gandolfini by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Doctors couldn't revive Sopranos star James Gandolfini --Don but not forgotten: the late, great Gandolfini --James Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony Soprano changed television --Stars react to his death Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as … [Read more...] about James Gandolfini (Guest Cartoonist)
Republicans to the World: Get Off My Lawn!! Farm Bill Fails. (Guest Voice)
Republicans to the World: Get Off My Lawn!! Farm Bill Fails. (via BlareShare) The Republican Party seems to be continuing down its path of self-destruction. So much so that today even Speaker of the House, John Boehner, seems to be giving up. Farm Bill Fails in Congress Come on over to the other side, John, you’re welcome in the Democratic Party. When you can’t even … [Read more...] about Republicans to the World: Get Off My Lawn!! Farm Bill Fails. (Guest Voice)
Mars Had Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere 4 Billion Years Ago? New Research Provides Good Evidence
Mars Had Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere 4 Billion Years Ago? New Research Provides Good Evidence (via Planetsave) Did Mars have an oxygen-rich atmosphere 4 billion (4000 million) years ago? New research investigating the differences between rocks studied by NASA’s Spirit rover and Martian meteorites is suggesting just such a thing. The differences in composition between the two can be … [Read more...] about Mars Had Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere 4 Billion Years Ago? New Research Provides Good Evidence
Obama’s in good shape
At least one poll this week has shown a dip in Obama's job approval rating -- quite a sharp dip. But Pew Research, a polling group with a steadily reliable record, finds that his approval rating has remained positive. Obama’s current job rating has stayed at about 50% all year. He began the year with a 52% job approval mark, which fell to 47% in March, when the … [Read more...] about Obama’s in good shape
Political Hari Kari? Republican House Defeats Farm Bill
A big embarrassment and political stumble for the GOP. The House Republican have defeated the farm bill 195-234. You have to wonder if the current members of the Republican Party are ordering a pup tent given all the potential constituencies the party is alienating. In a blow to House GOP leaders, the House on Thursday rejected a five-year farm bill. Members voted down … [Read more...] about Political Hari Kari? Republican House Defeats Farm Bill
All-Women Jury Seated in George Zimmerman Trial in Death of Trayvon Martin
BREAKING NEWS: An all-women jury has been chosen for George Zimmerman's trial in fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. Opening statements will begin on Monday. So, is an all-women jury truly a jury of George Zimmerman's peers?' I am not a betting person, but I believe George Zimmerman will be acquitted and the family will sue him like there's no tomorrow. Here are some details … [Read more...] about All-Women Jury Seated in George Zimmerman Trial in Death of Trayvon Martin
Obama Criticizes Complacency in the ”City of Hope ”
"Hello Börlin. Thank you, Chancellor Mörkel." Obama charmed the crowd and gave an emotional boost to German-American relations, but I think his political message to Germany was too subtle and has not convinced politicians and citizens. President Obama said that "freedom won here in Berlin", while he stood behind bullet-proof glass in a sort of aquarium... More than anything … [Read more...] about Obama Criticizes Complacency in the ”City of Hope ”
How does immigration reform help us save $1 trillion? (White House Infographic)
The White House has just released THIS infograhic bout how immigration reform can save money. … [Read more...] about How does immigration reform help us save $1 trillion? (White House Infographic)
Supreme Court Roundup For June 20th
Although we did not get any big rulings this morning (or at least none of the juicy ones), the Supreme Court did issue several interesting rulings today and I thought I would give you a brief overview. None of these rulings are that earthshaking but then it is not unusual for the relatively common to have a much greater impact than the big-name ruling. One of the cases they … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Roundup For June 20th
Howard Kurtz and CNN Party Company: Kurtz Goes to Fox News
You really could see this coming: in May, Howard Kurtz and The Daily Beast parted company after Kurtz made a major error in a story and apparently raised eyebrows at The Daily Beast for an outside writing project that was taking up chunks of his time. This sparked some speculation about whether CNN and Kurtz would end their relationship once his contract had run out. The … [Read more...] about Howard Kurtz and CNN Party Company: Kurtz Goes to Fox News
NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government (Guest Vocie)
NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government by Jan Ting Since its earliest days, the United States has been a great experiment testing whether a free people are capable of governing themselves through law, without the need of a king or dictator. King George III of England was the first of a long line of skeptics extending to this day, a line which includes the … [Read more...] about NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government (Guest Vocie)
Taliban Demands Prisoner Swap
For the last few weeks there is been increasing speculation about possible talks between the Taliban and the United States. It now appears however that there may be preconditions on the part of the Taliban. This week they are proposing to exchange a US soldier they have held captive since 2009 for five prisoners held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay. The five prisoners … [Read more...] about Taliban Demands Prisoner Swap
Breaththrough in Senate Immigration Plan?
Has there there been a big breakthrough in the Senate's immigration reform plan? It sounds that way: Senators seeking a solution to a deadlock over border security have reached a tentative agreement they believe could win the votes of a significant number of Republican lawmakers for the Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill. Republican Sens. John Hoeven … [Read more...] about Breaththrough in Senate Immigration Plan?
Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (Guest Voice)
Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (via NewsWorks) National Interest June 19, 2013 By Dick Polman Please make them stop. Yet again, a member of the House Republicans' loony wing has taken it upon himself to school us in the particulars of female biology. Last year, Todd Akin said that the gals have the gift for identifying rapist sperm and thus preventing… … [Read more...] about Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (Guest Voice)
Is It A Police State Yet?
Driving the three miles to the office this morning, I passed through a school zone. School is out for the summer and the School Zone signs were off. When school is in session those signs, solar powered, flash yellow lights and tell you to the mph how fast your vehicle is travelling. And they could be easily modified to take photos and issue citations electronically. The … [Read more...] about Is It A Police State Yet?