As is typical, and expected, our military are once again providing critical life and property saving help during a natural disaster, this time battling the Black Forest Fire in Colorado. Personnel and equipment from many Colorado-based military installations are assisting local, state and federal authorities in battling the fire, according to the Department of … [Read more...] about Colorado Black Forest Fire: The Military Respond
Mel Price Southern Illinois Most Dominant Figure
Historic Tidbit: In 1972, a businessman named Jack Daniels was the Democratic nominee against Pete Domenici for an open New Mexico Senate seat. Domenici, who had lost a close race for Governor two years earlier, took 54%. Daniels may have won if he had incorporated "caffeine" into his name. No word on his taste in music. When people think of legendary Illinois political … [Read more...] about Mel Price Southern Illinois Most Dominant Figure
Life on Saturn’s moon? How a mountain gave clues to a subsurface sea.
Life on Saturn's moon? How a mountain gave clues to a subsurface sea. (via The Christian Science Monitor) Janiculum Dorsa, a mountain range on Saturn's moon Dione, as revealed by the satellite Cassini. Color denotes elevation, with red as the highest area and blue as the lowest. The crust under the mountain range has warped, suggesting that Dione's icy crust was sliding … [Read more...] about Life on Saturn’s moon? How a mountain gave clues to a subsurface sea.
Syria: Overlearned lessons from Bill Clinton (Guest Voice)
Overlearned lessons from Bill Clinton (via The Economist) THE scariest possibility regarding Barack Obama's decision yesterday to begin providing limited military aid to the Syrian rebels would be if it had something to do with the advice he was getting from Bill Clinton. In a recent conversation with John McCain that he didn't know was being recorded, … … [Read more...] about Syria: Overlearned lessons from Bill Clinton (Guest Voice)
President Obama Cancels Two-Day Safari Trip in Tanzania Over Costs
Here we go again, every time President Obama and his family take a vacation, the right wing freaks out. President Obama cancels safari trip in Tanzania because of the cost of security, during his trip to Africa later this month. Of course, he won't be applauded for it, instead, someone chose to leak that snipers will be on hand to shoot any lions or other wild animals that … [Read more...] about President Obama Cancels Two-Day Safari Trip in Tanzania Over Costs
A Democrat Won Ford’s House Seat When He Became VP
When Gerald Ford resigned his Congressional seat to accept the vice-presidency, the special election to succeed him the following February, resulted in the election of a Democrat. Many were stunned. Not only had Ford had held the seat convincingly since his first election in 1948, but no Democrat had won the Grand Rapids area district since 1912 and Nixon had racked up 60% in … [Read more...] about A Democrat Won Ford’s House Seat When He Became VP
Ducking Death; Surviving Superannuation
This is the sixth and final post in the series Why Everything You Know about Your “Self” Is Wrong. The series explores how our understanding of selfhood affects our sense of individuality, our interpersonal relationships, and our politics. We must believe in free will. We have no choice. – Isaac Bashevis Singer What Kind of Computer Is the Brain? Computers can’t do … [Read more...] about Ducking Death; Surviving Superannuation
Chisholm First Black Woman In Congress And To Be Nominated for President
For African-Americans and for women, Shirley Chisholm was a true trail blazer. Not only was she the first African-American woman to serve in the House of Representatives, but she in 1972 became the first black Presidential candidate to have her name placed in nomination for the Presidency. Many would call it the nomination. She stood no chance of gaining the nomination and she … [Read more...] about Chisholm First Black Woman In Congress And To Be Nominated for President
US says Syrian regime used chemical weapons
US says Syrian regime used chemical weapons (via AFP) The United States working with European allies has concluded that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against the rebels, killing up to 150 people, a top US official said Thursday. The declaration means that Syria has crossed what President Barack Obama has called a "red line," prompting his… … [Read more...] about US says Syrian regime used chemical weapons
What next after Syria chemical weapons evidence?
What next after Syria chemical weapons evidence? (via AFP) France and Britain have both confirmed for the first time that chemical arms were used in Syria and Paris says a line has been crossed. So what next in a conflict that has cost over 94,000 lives? Not much, experts predict, amid resistance from Syria allies Russia and China and ahead of a proposed peace… … [Read more...] about What next after Syria chemical weapons evidence?
Face to Face with JFK at His Peak
Fifty years ago this week, John F. Kennedy gave the “best speech of his life,” which led to a nuclear test ban treaty. The next night, as Alabama police were attacking protesters with water cannons and dogs, he was on TV from the Oval Office affirming the rights of African-Americans. Two days later I was in the Cabinet Room of the White House across a table from him leading … [Read more...] about Face to Face with JFK at His Peak
NSA Chief Urges Public Debate of Terrorist Surveillance?
The National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Md. NSA photo I believe that most Americans want an open debate on our government’s surveillance activities. Today, the Armed Forces Press Service Department published a piece, “NSA Chief Urges Public Debate of Terrorist Surveillance” Here’s the entire report. You decide whether this is a statement of fact, whether it … [Read more...] about NSA Chief Urges Public Debate of Terrorist Surveillance?
Cannon — The 48 Vote Man: No Vegas Pizzazz But A Boy Who Loved Life
Historic Quote: "The advent of these sleek coaches should provide a shot in the arm to both legs of Nevada's passenger train system." Nevada Senator Howard Cannon When one thinks of the last name Cannon, they may be forgiven for thinking of the detective played by the late actor William Conrad in the 1970's detective series. A tough persona with a friendly demeanor.There was … [Read more...] about Cannon — The 48 Vote Man: No Vegas Pizzazz But A Boy Who Loved Life
“Blue Republicans” Launch State and City Chapters Nationwide
These days, Rand Paul can often be heard saying that the Republican party needs to become competitive in "the West and New England," and that the more libertarian brand of Republican politics that he represents will help make that possible. In 2008, Democrats and Independents voted for Obama, believing that, in voting against Bush's Republicans, they were voting against … [Read more...] about “Blue Republicans” Launch State and City Chapters Nationwide
Arugula, Reconciliation, Humility and Narcissism
Arugula, Reconciliation, Humility and Narcissism (Incomplete thoughts for people in process) Self-Hate, Assessment Culture It seems to me that if you don’t like how people are leading, then get out there and lead by example. The assessing of leadership and actual leading are two very different things. When you do, you become a better doer and you also develop a fair … [Read more...] about Arugula, Reconciliation, Humility and Narcissism
The Bill Of Rights And The NSA
It strikes me that the starting point for the national discussion we have been invited to entertain should be an understanding of the Bill of Rights that undergirds our constitutional freedoms. For those who haven't read it in a while, here it is in its entirety: Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free … [Read more...] about The Bill Of Rights And The NSA
SCOTUS Genes Unanimous
The litigious DNA molecule (the most litigious of ALL molecules) Sometimes they get it right. Sometimes they get it REALLY right, and today, the Supreme Court got it really right: Supreme Court Rules Human Genes May Not Be Patented Adam Liptak / New York Times WASHINGTON — Human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. — The case concerned … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Genes Unanimous
Happy Birthday, Army (Updated)
[Update at end] Tomorrow your Army, the U.S. Army, will be 238 years young, Young because compared to the ages of armies of other nations, our Army is still a child. But there is nothing childish about our Army’s capabilities -- by far the best Army in the world. Army birthday celebrations started a little early today with a wreath laying at the tomb of the … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday, Army (Updated)
Milliken and Ray GOP Governors 14 Years — And Flaming Moderates
Historic Tidbit: In 1978, bombastic freshman California Congressman Bob Dornan was challenged by Cary Peck, son of the prominent actor. The district had given Gerald Ford 60% in 1976 and Dornan was not the man of obvious vitriol that would define his later career. But Peck actually outspent the incumbent slightly and came within 3,500 votes of unseating him (51-49%). Peck tried … [Read more...] about Milliken and Ray GOP Governors 14 Years — And Flaming Moderates
Turkey’s Protests and Erdogan’s Authoritarianism: The View from the Southeast
Guest post by Ali Ezzatyar The dust does not seem to be settling at all on protests in Turkey this week. All the while, talk of an "increasingly authoritarian government" and the erosion of democracy has had a particularly ironic resonance for one portion of Turkey’s population: the Kurds. Making up 25 percent of the country and historically estranged from Turkish society, … [Read more...] about Turkey’s Protests and Erdogan’s Authoritarianism: The View from the Southeast