WASHINGTON -- The future of immigration reform is, for now at least, not up to House Speaker John Boehner. It is in the hands of a group of moderately conservative Republican senators who have to decide whether their desire to solve a decades-old problem outweighs their fears of retaliation from the party's right wing. These senators are clearly looking for a way to … [Read more...] about Immigration: Time to choose sides
Gandolfini’s Teenage Son Found Stricken Actor in Hotel Room in Italy
A sad detail about the sudden death of James Gandolfini, the 51 year old actor who many considered one of the best actors of his generation. He died yesterday in Italy while on vacation and news reports now say he was on vacation with his 13-year-old son Michael who had graduated 8th grade -- and it was his son who found the stricken actor: James Gandolfini’s teenage son … [Read more...] about Gandolfini’s Teenage Son Found Stricken Actor in Hotel Room in Italy
Goombahs and goodbyes – R.I.P. James Gandolfini June 20, 2013
Goombahs and goodbyes - R.I.P. James Gandolfini (via NewsWorks) June 20, 2013 By Rob Tornoe for NewsWorks I was shocked to hear the news that James Gandolfini, best known for his role as North Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, died Wednesday of an apparent heart attack while on holiday in Rome. There is a great divide among editorial cartoonists about drawing cartoons… … [Read more...] about Goombahs and goodbyes – R.I.P. James Gandolfini June 20, 2013
Illinois GOP Official Jim Allen Pens Ugly Email About GOP Congressional Candidate Erika Harold
Illinois Republican county chairman Jim Allen called black congressional candidate Erika Harold the "love child" of the Democratic party; a "street walker" whose "pimps" are party leaders. He even suggested that after the election, Harold, who is a former Miss America and a Harvard Law School graduate, will be "working for some law firm that needs to meet their quota for … [Read more...] about Illinois GOP Official Jim Allen Pens Ugly Email About GOP Congressional Candidate Erika Harold
Sopranos’ Star Dies Young, Real Mafia Live Long
James Gandolfini, the brilliant actor who embodied Tony Soprano, has died at 51 Grief at his passing is compounded by awareness that the lowlifes who inspired his performance have outlived him by decades and are now flashing their aged selves on cable news as well as HBO. Eventually they will be deservedly forgotten, while Gandolfini will live on in one of TV’s most … [Read more...] about Sopranos’ Star Dies Young, Real Mafia Live Long
Concert Review: Mahavishnu John McLaughlin: Back & Better Than Ever
When the history of the jazz guitar is written, Mahavishnu John McLaughlin is sure to have a chapter of his own, and a deservedly large one. It was McLaughlin who changed the direction of the instrument from the smooth sound of Charlie Christian, Les Paul and Wes Montgomery, imbuing it with a technical precision and harmonic sophistication paired with aggressive speed, exotic … [Read more...] about Concert Review: Mahavishnu John McLaughlin: Back & Better Than Ever
There Is No Air In The Windmill Of Their Minds
It seems like every time I turn on the news I find evidence that many of our political leaders are what might charitably be called dim bulbs, one taco short of a combo plate, etc. I’m not talking about the people you simply disagree with. During the last campaign I had plenty of disagreements with both President Obama and Mitt Romney and from my perspective some of the … [Read more...] about There Is No Air In The Windmill Of Their Minds
James Joseph Gandolfini Jr., What Many Do Not Know About Him
He was a "joisey boy" born in New Jersey 1961 the midst of Vietnam War. When James Gandolfini was three years old, JFK was assassinated, many believing that loss of that President prolonged the war and its carnage beyond the beyond. James would have grown up seeing television and newsreels of the napalm and deforestations and war protests re the Vietnam of his time, one of the … [Read more...] about James Joseph Gandolfini Jr., What Many Do Not Know About Him
NASA Releases Billion Pixel Photo Of Mars
You can zoom in and out and explore in amazing detail. To be fair there are 50 gigapixel (that's a billion pixels) photos of places on Earth but having one of Mars is really impressive too. … [Read more...] about NASA Releases Billion Pixel Photo Of Mars
A Special Word about James Gandolfini (R.I.P.)
It's worth putting in a special word here about James Gandolfini, who died today at 51 while on vacation in Italy. I'm a news junkie, especially entertainment news about shows and performers, and I've long followed press coverage about Gandolfini. There is and will be a LOT written about him. But here are a few things to recap: He created one of the best characters in … [Read more...] about A Special Word about James Gandolfini (R.I.P.)
Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini
Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini (via NJ News Commons) The news of the death of 51-year-old James Gandolfini, who created the iconic character of Tony Soprano for HBO, spread like wildfire across the internet this evening. On Twitter, New Jerseyans wondered if Gov. Christie would order flags lowered, and Rutgers alum proudly claimed him as one of … [Read more...] about Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini
BREAKING: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies in Italy at Age 51
REPORT: 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies suddenly in Rome at age 51. HBO confirms the actor's death. James Gandolfini won three Emmy awards for his portrayal of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos." ABC is reporting he may have suffered a heart attack while vacationing in Rome. Developing. Stay tuned for updates. HBO issued the following statement: ”We’re all in shock and … [Read more...] about BREAKING: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies in Italy at Age 51
2013: Year of the B-2 ‘Spirit’
I came across a photo (below) of a U.S. Air Force general briefing an Army general about “B-2 bomber operations.” My immediate smart-alecky thought for a caption was something like “This is how we fly an airplane in the Air Force, general.” But looking a little closer into the occasion for the photo, I will refrain from such comments. The photo depicts Air Force … [Read more...] about 2013: Year of the B-2 ‘Spirit’
Cheers, sobriety meet Obama call to action in Berlin
Cheers, sobriety meet Obama call to action in Berlin (via AFP) Under a blazing sun and waving German and US flags, a crowd in Berlin cheered a call by US President Barack Obama on Wednesday for more transatlantic cooperation, but with a whiff of disappointment in recent American leadership. Anticipation ran high for the address before the Brandenburg Gate, the… … [Read more...] about Cheers, sobriety meet Obama call to action in Berlin
FBI director admits domestic use of drones for surveillance
The controversy about the precise size and reach of surveillance designed to keep America safe and whether it intrudes on civil liberties is likely to increase with FBI Director Robert Mueller's admission that, yes, drones have been used within the United States: The FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance purposes, the head of the agency told Congress early … [Read more...] about FBI director admits domestic use of drones for surveillance
Contestant Disowned By Family Wows Crowd
I am not a fan of the American Idol/America's Got Talent kind of show. I don't mind they are on and if someone else wants to watch I don't mind a bit of it but I don't usually watch on my own. But I was struck by this story, a young man who was disowned by his parents on his 18th birthday because he is gay came on the show and just blew the audience away. … [Read more...] about Contestant Disowned By Family Wows Crowd
What Price Privacy in an Age of Preening?
In the age of Twitter and Facebook, we all offer up pieces of our privacy in exchange for what? A sense of community? Bonding with others? Reassuring ourselves that our lives have value and that we are not alone? The outrage over government surveillance and invasion of our privacy is rather piquant in view of all this voluntary self-revelation. Parsing such history in the … [Read more...] about What Price Privacy in an Age of Preening?
Washington has an Edward Snowden problem
Imagine a heaping plate of spaghetti teetering on the edge of a table. A few strands of pasta have already fallen to the floor, and now the whole darn thing seems a breath away from toppling. This is basically the situation faced by the intelligence and political communities in dealing with Edward Snowden, the 29-year-old National Security Agency contractor responsible for what … [Read more...] about Washington has an Edward Snowden problem
What About A Bipartisan Retreat ?
One of the annual traditions in Washington is the Congressional retreat. Republicans and Democrats alike gather at a resort to make plans for the coming year, discuss strategies and generally rally the base. Certainly I understand the need for such gatherings and obviously they are going to continue into the future. But given the dysfunctional nature of Washington today I … [Read more...] about What About A Bipartisan Retreat ?
Sebastien De La Cruz, Bigots and the American Dream
Yes, it is possible. You can pursue the American dream. And maybe even be on your way to achieving it by age 11. That won't necessarily stop comments by racists or cretins who think it's cool and intelligent to stereotype, belittle and insult. But they can't stop a proud and determined kid from marching, head held high, straight towards that American dream. And that's the … [Read more...] about Sebastien De La Cruz, Bigots and the American Dream