A 777 jumbo jet has crashed at San Francisco International Airport. The jet was reportedly inbound from South Korea and latest reports indicate two fatalities. The new media world was seen in this incident with passengers tweeting photos from the scene. Based on the TV coverage it appears the tail of the plane struck an embankment at the beginning of the runway. … [Read more...] about Jumbo Jet Crash At San Francisco Airport
How Trustworthy Are Our ‘Secrets Keepers’?
Some believe that we have too much secrecy -- “too many secrets.” Perhaps. Some believe that too many individuals or organizations have the authority to classify material. Perhaps. Some believe that too many people have security clearances -- as of 2012, more than 4.9 million government workers. Perhaps. Some believe that we cannot or should not always trust those -- … [Read more...] about How Trustworthy Are Our ‘Secrets Keepers’?
The NeoConfederate/Libertarian Connection
'The Treasonous Shame of Forbes Magazine' (June 28) has morphed into a more recognizable form. You might recall that Forbes published a "lost cause" economic screed by a fellow who claimed that the Civil War was actually all about tariffs and that this "freeing the slaves" nonsense was just scotch-taped to the evil usurpation by implication by Lincoln. OK. The article … [Read more...] about The NeoConfederate/Libertarian Connection
Edith Green Mother of Title IX And Abundance Of Higher Ed Firsts
"If he won a victory, he was disguised as the lady from Oregon." A Congressional colleague of Edith Green, after overhearing another member trying to take credit for helping to pass anti-poverty legislation. Title IX is a requirement that many are aware of today. It prohibits federally funded colleges from discriminating against women. but there is a great history behind … [Read more...] about Edith Green Mother of Title IX And Abundance Of Higher Ed Firsts
The Coming Fight Over Egypt’s Constitution
Get ready here it comes.. … [Read more...] about The Coming Fight Over Egypt’s Constitution
Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind (Guest Voice)
Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind by Richard Barry Who: The Mitch McConnell Senate campaign Where: Kentucky What's going on: Well, it's hard to know what's going on. This may be the dumbest political ad of all time. Okay, that's saying too much. Still, it is stupid. The piece uses that annoying computer generated music to make fun of McConnell's Democratic … [Read more...] about Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind (Guest Voice)
IRS targeting wasn’t political, not by half
The applications were flagged as "political" were a tiny percentage of all the targets. Two months of investigation by Congress and the I.R.S. has produced new documents that have clouded much of the controversy’s narrative. In the more complicated picture now emerging, many organizations other than conservative groups were singled out: “progressive” organizations, … [Read more...] about IRS targeting wasn’t political, not by half
Scientists create ‘human liver’ from stem cells
Scientists create 'human liver' from stem cells (via AFP) Scientists in Japan said they had grown human liver tissue from stem cells in a first that holds promise for alleviating the critical shortage of donor organs. Creating lab-grown tissue to replenish organs damaged by accident or disease is a Holy Grail… … [Read more...] about Scientists create ‘human liver’ from stem cells
Martha Griffiths:Mother of ERA and Title VII
Historic Quote:"All I want to be is human and American and have all the same rights and I will shut up." Martha Griffiths Many members of Congress are associated with attempted passage of the Equal Rights Amendment but one, Martha Griffiths of Michigan, was without question the mother of the movement in Congress. Griffiths may not have had the satisfaction of seeing ERA … [Read more...] about Martha Griffiths:Mother of ERA and Title VII
Herschel Loveless Revived Iowa Democratic Party
Historic Quote: "I don't care what kind of car I drive. Cadillacs are for Republicans." Iowa Governor Herschel Loveless (D), saying he would not accept additional funds the Legislature wanted to allocate for him to buy a nicer state car. Until the 1950?s, Iowa was a virtual one-party state. A Democratic Governor had only been elected three times since the Civil War and … [Read more...] about Herschel Loveless Revived Iowa Democratic Party
Venezuela offers ‘humanitarian asylum’ to Snowden
Venezuela offers 'humanitarian asylum' to Snowden (via AFP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered Friday to grant asylum to US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, giving a possible escape route to the fugitive whose revelations rocked the American government and security establishment. Moments earlier… … [Read more...] about Venezuela offers ‘humanitarian asylum’ to Snowden
We can handle the truth
WASHINGTON -- I don't believe government officials when they say the National Security Agency's surveillance programs do not invade our privacy. The record suggests that you shouldn't believe them, either. It pains me to sound like some Rand Paul acolyte. I promise I'm not wearing a tinfoil hat or scanning the leaden sky for black helicopters. I just wish our government … [Read more...] about We can handle the truth
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Plays Jewish Card: Claims Egypt’s Interim President is Jewish
You've heard of the "race card?" Egypt's ousted Muslim Brotherhood is now playing the Jewish card -- claiming Egypt's interim President is Jewish: The Muslim Brotherhood claimed in a post on its official website that Egypt's new interim president Adli Mansour is Jewish, The Washington Post reported on Friday. The article on IkhwanOnline was subsequently … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Plays Jewish Card: Claims Egypt’s Interim President is Jewish
Chris Christie’s gay marriage dilemma
Chris Christie's gay marriage dilemma (via NewsWorks) National Interest July 5, 2013 By Dick Polman New Jersey is ground zero for the next epic battle over gay marriage. It's happening in the state legislature, and it's happening in the state courts; two days ago, marriage-equality lawyers asked a… … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s gay marriage dilemma
Snowden has worn out welcome in Russia
It sounds as if mega-leaker/whistleblower (use the term that fits your political preference) is wearing out his welcome in Russia. Reuters: Edward Snowden should find another country to seek refuge in, a Russian official said on Thursday, signaling Moscow's growing impatience over the former U.S. spy agency contractor's stay at a Moscow airport. Deputy Foreign Minister … [Read more...] about Snowden has worn out welcome in Russia
Pope Francis’ saintly politics
WASHINGTON -- Pope Francis is proving himself to be a genuinely holy man, a brilliant politician and a leader who knows that reform requires a keen understanding of how creating a better future demands sophisticated invocations of the past. Nothing demonstrated all three traits better than Francis' announcement that he would make both Pope John Paul II and Pope John … [Read more...] about Pope Francis’ saintly politics
Three shot dead as Morsi backers march on Egypt army
Three shot dead as Morsi backers march on Egypt army (via AFP) A deadly gunfight erupted in Cairo on Friday as thousands of supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi marched on the Republican Guard headquarters during mass rallies against the Islamist's ouster. An AFP correspondent said at least three… … [Read more...] about Three shot dead as Morsi backers march on Egypt army
Southern Fried Christian Sharia (Guest Voice)
Southern Fried Christian Sharia by Tina Dupuy North Carolina state legislators introduced what was described as an anti-Sharia law bill this week. The concern was a religion would trump our laws—threaten our constitution. This religion, they fear, would dictate our rights and punish dissent. It would blur the lines between church and state! Women would be subjugated! This … [Read more...] about Southern Fried Christian Sharia (Guest Voice)
(Video) Trayvon Martin’s Mother On Stand Identifies Her Son’s Screaming 911 Voice
Today will be one of the most emotional days in the trial of George Zimmermann for the shooting murder of teenager Trayvon Martin: Martin's mother and brother are taking the stand -- and both insist the screaming vote on the 911 tape is indeed the 17-year-old, Skittles-armed Martin: Prosecutors on Friday called Trayvon Martin's mother and brother to the stand in the trial … [Read more...] about (Video) Trayvon Martin’s Mother On Stand Identifies Her Son’s Screaming 911 Voice
After military ouster of Egypt’s Morsi, a chance to get it right (Guest Voice)
After military ouster of Egypt's Morsi, a chance to get it right (via The Christian Science Monitor) Any democracy should help define a people’s identity as well as reconcile their differences. Even established ones have difficulty with either purpose. For Egypt, its newly minted democracy failed on both. That is what triggered this week’s popular… … [Read more...] about After military ouster of Egypt’s Morsi, a chance to get it right (Guest Voice)