The Starve A Senior Today Act Sequestration is forcing communities to cut back on Meals On Wheels. by Kay Wood The Congress acted speedily so that rich people - including themselves - wouldn't have to suffer delays when flying. However they don't seem to feel the same urgency when it comes to helping people avoid going hungry. Homebound seniors will be facing this grim … [Read more...] about The Starve A Senior Today Act
Fresh street clashes pressure Turkey government
Fresh street clashes pressure Turkey government (via AFP) Turkey's Islamist-rooted government faced growing pressure after angry demonstrators clashed for a third night with police in a nationwide wave of protests. Police fired tear gas and water cannon Sunday at protesters who marched on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's offices in Istanbul and Ankara… … [Read more...] about Fresh street clashes pressure Turkey government
Why Mike Bloomberg’s gun control ads backfired
In politics part of the trick of getting it right is not just knowing when to go on the attack, or knowing how to play defense, but knowing how to mount an attack that doesn't backfire and strengthen your foes, or mount a weak defense that compounds the problem. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has just provided political junkies of a classic case of someone not thinking … [Read more...] about Why Mike Bloomberg’s gun control ads backfired
Eric Holder undermines his own credibility: Dana Milbank
Eric Holder undermines his own credibility: Dana Milbank (via OregonLive.com) By Dana Milbank WASHINGTON -- Eric Holder is in a mess of his own making. Two weeks ago, the attorney general testified to the House Judiciary Committee in categorical terms: "With regard to potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material, that is not something that I have ever … [Read more...] about Eric Holder undermines his own credibility: Dana Milbank
Defense Update: Of Reunions and Unions
There is nothing more touching and gratifying than the sight of our troops being reunited with their loved ones -- sometimes for the first time with a “brand new” one -- after a prolonged deployment. There is, in my opinion, not a more loyal, brave and intelligent animal than a military working dog and hardly a union stronger than between such dogs and their … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Of Reunions and Unions
Massive Demonstrations Shake Turkey (Guest Voice)
Massive Demonstrations Shake Turkey By Barry Rubin More than 1000 people have been injured in several days of protests in Istanbul against Turkey’s Islamist regime, involving more than 90 demonstrations, the biggest anti-Islamist protest in a decade. Hundreds more were hurt in conflicts with police in Ankara, the capital. The demonstration began as an environmental protest … [Read more...] about Massive Demonstrations Shake Turkey (Guest Voice)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Talks of Possible Holder Perjury
If I had to place a bet now in Vegas, it would be that Attorney General Eric Holder doesn't finish out Barack Obama's term. Will he resign due to scandal? Say he's spending more time with his family? Or will it be some other kind of fig-leaf covering reason. News that the House Judiciary Committee chairman is at least talking about the possibility that Holder perjured himself … [Read more...] about House Judiciary Committee Chairman Talks of Possible Holder Perjury
What is a Journalist?
What Is a Journalist? by Peter Funt As amateur news hounds gain power and influence through social media, the definition of "journalist" has ripened for philosophical debate. But now it's becoming a legal issue — one that could hamper efforts to protect the news profession at the very time federal lawmakers are awakening to the need to do so. Following disclosure of … [Read more...] about What is a Journalist?
Tim Samaras and Two Others from Discovery’s “Storm Chasers” Die in Oklahoma Tornado
If you've always wondered watching those videos of people chasing storms how they manage to do it and come out alive there is a sad answer today: They don't always. Tim and Paul Samaras and Carl Young, who had been on the former Discovery Channel show "Storm Chasers," are dead. Three storm chasers were among the nine people killed in powerful storms that struck … [Read more...] about Tim Samaras and Two Others from Discovery’s “Storm Chasers” Die in Oklahoma Tornado
Rep. Darrell Issa, With a Questionable Past, Calls White House Press Secretary Jay Carney a “Paid Liar”
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called White House press secretary Jay Carney a "paid liar," who is not being truthful about the IRS snooping scandal, Politico reports. Fancy Darrell Issa calling anyone a liar, considering he was accused of criminal behavior in the past. These Republicans have a lot of nerve. Darrell Issa … [Read more...] about Rep. Darrell Issa, With a Questionable Past, Calls White House Press Secretary Jay Carney a “Paid Liar”
Protesters claim win as police leave Istanbul square
Protesters claim win as police leave Istanbul square (via AFP) Thousands of protesters in Istanbul were celebrating victory early Sunday after police withdrew from the square at the centre of one of the largest demonstrations against Turkey's Islamist-rooted government. Rights groups denounced police violence, with Amnesty International saying that there had been… … [Read more...] about Protesters claim win as police leave Istanbul square
Actress Jean Stapleton, Who Played Edith Bunker, Dies at 90
The American arts has lost one of its most solid actresses -- a long time reliable character and supporting actress who shot to fame as the long-suffering but actually quite wise Edith Bunker, wife of Archie Bunker in the ground-breaking 1970s comedy "All in the Family." She is dead at 90.: Jean Stapleton, an actress whose portrayal of a slow-witted, big-hearted and … [Read more...] about Actress Jean Stapleton, Who Played Edith Bunker, Dies at 90
Sexual Abuse in the Military: Fresh Faces, Fresh Leadership – Hopefully a New Culture
In the wake of a string of very public and very embarrassing sexual misconduct incidents in the military and after the release of damning statistics on the extent and pervasiveness of such misconduct, the President and the Pentagon announced a number of initiatives to eradicate sexual assault in the military. At a press conference three weeks ago, President Obama … [Read more...] about Sexual Abuse in the Military: Fresh Faces, Fresh Leadership – Hopefully a New Culture
Evangelical Lutheran Church Elects Openly Gay Bishop
Another sign that the times they are a changing. … [Read more...] about Evangelical Lutheran Church Elects Openly Gay Bishop
Too juvenile to govern
WASHINGTON -- With budgetary tantrums in the Senate and investigative play-acting in the House, the Republican Party is proving once again that it simply cannot be taken seriously. This is a shame. I don't share the GOP's philosophy, but I do believe that competition makes both of our major parties smarter. I also believe that a big, complicated country facing economic … [Read more...] about Too juvenile to govern
Quote of the Day: On Republicans Poised to Defeat Immigration Reform
Are Republicans poised to defeat immigration reform? I gave my take HERE on the dangers if they do. Our political Quote of the Day is the last part of New York Time's Charles Blow's column where he recounts President George W. Bush's thwarted attempt to enact comprehensive immigration reform: According to exit poll data, from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Republicans Poised to Defeat Immigration Reform
Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat
Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat (via PBS News Hour) JUDY WOODRUFF: Next: A Chinese company made the biggest play yet for a U.S. company in a bid for Virginia's Smithfield Foods. China's appetite for pork keeps growing and growing. It's now the largest market for pork products in the world. WOMAN: When I was young, my family could … [Read more...] about Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat
News Brand to Watch: Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Obliterates Erickson and Dobbs on Remarks on Women
Fox News' Megyn Kelly had already started to carve out a refreshing news brand for herself. Tune in MSNBC and you almost know what many of the hosts and anchors will say before they say it. Tune in Fox News and you almost know what each of them will say or whether they'll let a guest who shares the Fox viewpoint make assertions that would be challenged elsewhere. This … [Read more...] about News Brand to Watch: Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Obliterates Erickson and Dobbs on Remarks on Women
A Celebrity Priest Who Fought for Victims
Andrew M. Greeley has died at the age of 85, described by the New York Times as “Priest, Author, Scholar, Scold,” writer of 120 books including steamy novels, one of which was a best-seller. Father Greeley was a combative polymath, often at odds with his Church’s hierarchy. A quarter of a century ago he denounced pedophile priests and later gave a million dollars from his … [Read more...] about A Celebrity Priest Who Fought for Victims
Immigration bomb about to explode?
Conservative talk-show hosts who stoked intense opposition to comprehensive immigration reform in 2007 have discussed it less this year. And conservatives have been focused on other issues, such as the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of Tea Party groups, and the administration’s handling of the attacks on Benghazi. “I think opposition is going to escalate dramatically … [Read more...] about Immigration bomb about to explode?