Six years ago Jon Stewart nailed the “partisan hacks” of CNN’s weeknight food fight by telling them on camera, “You’re doing theater, when you should be doing debate, which would be great.” Soon afterward, Crossfire disappeared but now CNN is starved for ratings, Stewart is temporarily away, and the program is rising from the undead with, appropriately enough, Newt Gingrich … [Read more...] about “Crossfire” Returns with Newt: Paging Jon Stewart
6 States Rushing to Use Supreme Court Voting Rights Nix to Restrict Voting
With truly breathtaking speed, six Southern states are rushing to take full advantage of the Supreme Court's blow to the Voting Rights Act. Think Progress notes that in the "5-4 decision, the Court’s five conservative justices ruled Tuesday that the formula, which required states with a history of racial discrimination to “preclear” changes to their voting laws with the … [Read more...] about 6 States Rushing to Use Supreme Court Voting Rights Nix to Restrict Voting
The Supreme Court Overstates Racial Progress
There is a common thread in both of the Court's last two decisions: an appeal to illusory racial progress. In Fisher v. University of Texas Kennedy argues that it may be time to replace race-based affirmative action with another system, "Strict scrutiny imposes on the university the ultimate burden of demonstrating, before turning to racial classifications, that available, … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Overstates Racial Progress
James Gandolfini’s Funeral
MailOnline has THIS article about "The Sopranos" star and acclaimed actor James Gandolfini, who died last week of a heart attack. It's filled with photos of familiar faces -- only sad. Cast members, family members. … [Read more...] about James Gandolfini’s Funeral
Justin Beiber’s Unaired SNL Skit Disaster: “The Greatest Trainwreck” (VIDEO)
What happens when a sketch is so awful in rehearsal that it shouldn't be aired? Sometimes it isn't. And here's an example -- with Justin Beiber from SNL. Viewers often don't know the things that go on behind the scenes on famous television shows. For instances, during is quarter century early television run, the famous host of the Ed Sullivan variety show on CBS could cut an … [Read more...] about Justin Beiber’s Unaired SNL Skit Disaster: “The Greatest Trainwreck” (VIDEO)
Cartoonists on Supreme Court DOMA and Proposition 8 Smackdowns
Cartoonists have been quickly weighing in on the Supreme Court's rulings striking down DOMA and California's Proposition 8. Here's a cross section: Gay Marriage: DOMA Struck Down: DOMA and Gay Rights: Marriage Parade: See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license these cartoons for your own site, visit … [Read more...] about Cartoonists on Supreme Court DOMA and Proposition 8 Smackdowns
Wendy Davis: A Political Star Rising in Texas
The now-famous Wendy Davis, whose filibuster the other night successfully stopped a conservative, anti-women bill from being passed in Texas' senate knew perfectly well that her efforts would be overcome, sooner or later, by Texas' governor and conservatives in the legislature. The abortion bill whose defeat shook the Texas Capitol this week has been revived. The day … [Read more...] about Wendy Davis: A Political Star Rising in Texas
Can Do-Nothing Congress Stop Do-It-All Court?
Was this week a tipping point? The Supreme Court’s casual 5-4 butchering of the 1965 Voting Rights Act has awakened the entire political spectrum to the bald fact that, in the face of a President neutered by Congress, John Roberts is running the country. Suddenly everyone in the House from John Lewis to Eric Cantor sounds the alarm on the Chief Justice’s usurping. "My … [Read more...] about Can Do-Nothing Congress Stop Do-It-All Court?
(Update) Where in the World is the Leaker?
Update As many know, The Onion is an entertainment newspaper -- and a website -- featuring satirical articles reporting on international, national, and local news. Its articles comment on current events, both real and fictional and parody traditional newspapers… The Onion has a satire piece on “With the U.S. demanding his return to America, The Onion looks at what … [Read more...] about (Update) Where in the World is the Leaker?
Americans Do NOT “Narrowly Support” 20-Week Abortion Ban
Even if the National Journal claims that we do. Ironically, the National Journal acknowledges in its lede (not its headline) that its survey shows a plurality support for banning abortions after 20 weeks. But the latest United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll shows that a plurality of Americans supports a ban on late abortions. The lede … [Read more...] about Americans Do NOT “Narrowly Support” 20-Week Abortion Ban
15 Federal Benefits Same-Sex Couples Can Now Look Forward To
15 Federal Benefits Same-Sex Couples Can Now Look Forward To (via PBS News Hour) By: Elizabeth Shell American University students Sharon Burk, left, and Mollie Wagoner embrace after hearing that the Supreme Court struck down a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that has prevented gay couples from receiving a range… … [Read more...] about 15 Federal Benefits Same-Sex Couples Can Now Look Forward To
The third political branch
WASHINGTON -- We prefer to think of the Supreme Court as an institution apart from politics and above its struggles. In the wake of this week's decision gutting the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, its actions must now be viewed through the prism of the conservative movement's five-decade-long quest for power. Liberals will still win occasional and sometimes partial … [Read more...] about The third political branch
Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law (Guest Voice)
Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law By Dick Polman John Roberts is a very patient man. Thirty years ago, as a young lawyer in Ronald Reagan's Justice Department, he wrote memos attacking a landmark civil rights law that was enacted to ensure that all Americans, regardless of color, had the right to vote. And on Tuesday morning, as chief justice of the U.S. … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law (Guest Voice)
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage (via The Christian Science Monitor) The Defense of Marriage Act evaporated in the US Congress not with a bang but with a whimper on Wednesday, after the US Supreme Court struck down the core of the law, allowing same-sex couples to access federal benefits in states that recognize gay… … [Read more...] about After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage
Physician Roy Nearly Discharged Dole From Senate In ’74
Historic Quote: "I wouldn't mind if he did a fly over." Bob Dole during the waning days of Watergate on whether he wanted Nixon to campaign for him. In the 1970's, it was rare to find a doctor in the House. For two terms, Kansas had one in Bill Roy. And in 1974, they darned near sent him to the Senate, over none other than Bob Dole. Roy’s resume would make every parent … [Read more...] about Physician Roy Nearly Discharged Dole From Senate In ’74
Is Snowden ‘TheTrueHOOHA’?
In an interesting piece on Monday, Bloomberg.com rightly notes that Snowden’s location and motives shouldn’t distract attention from “what really matters.” “What really matters” being -- according to Bloomberg -- the growing U.S. “security apparatus,” the “unprecedented scale” at which the U.S. government is monitoring its citizens, and other alleged problems with the … [Read more...] about Is Snowden ‘TheTrueHOOHA’?
DOMA’s invalidation created a ‘goosebumps moment’
DOMA's invalidation created a 'goosebumps moment' (via NewsWorks) June 26, 2013 By Emma Jacobs, @ecjacobs As news of DOMA's invalidation by the Supreme Court spread today, LGBT people in the Philadelphia region and elsewhere celebrated, while those who oppose same-sex marriage expressed dismay. The court invalidated… … [Read more...] about DOMA’s invalidation created a ‘goosebumps moment’
(Updated) DOD to Implement Supreme Court Decision on DOMA ‘Immediately’
Now that the Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, meaning that all couples will be equal in the eyes of the federal law, how does this ruling affect military spouses in same-sex marriages? The Department of Defense has wasted no time in welcoming the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about (Updated) DOD to Implement Supreme Court Decision on DOMA ‘Immediately’
DOMA, the Supreme Court and Individual Freedom
As a Republican, who is socially conservative, I have been waiting in interest for today's Supreme Court decision on DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). The Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional because of states' rights and 5th amendment violations. Social conservatives see this as a defeat of traditional marriage and I agree with their assessment of the court's … [Read more...] about DOMA, the Supreme Court and Individual Freedom
Discussion Or Distraction: Snowden And The Surveillance Disclosures
Well, fine. There was a feeling of personal vindication in reading the Bloomberg editorial during this morning’s perusal of editorial opinions. You see, I have taken the position that the dissing of Edward Snowden, as well as the speculation of his whereabouts, has become a distraction to the central issues that we should be focused on. When the President of the United … [Read more...] about Discussion Or Distraction: Snowden And The Surveillance Disclosures