Tax agency scandal thrusts Tea Party back into spotlight (via AFP) Left adrift in the wake of President Barack Obama's November election victory, the anti-tax Tea Party is predicting renewed popularity and relevance -- thanks to the scandal now rocking the IRS. The federal tax agency admitted this week that it inappropriately screened conservative groups, in particular… … [Read more...] about Tax agency scandal thrusts Tea Party back into spotlight
Those Online Dictionaries
Since English is an acquired language for me, I am a very frequent user of English dictionaries -- and foreign language dictionaries, too, but more on that later. Thus it is no surprise that an article, “The Role of a Dictionary,” by David Skinner, at the New York Times this weekend grabbed my attention. Skinner’s article is full of all kinds of interesting lexicographic … [Read more...] about Those Online Dictionaries
Quotes of the Day: Scandals and Wrong Reporting Not Impacting Obama Poll
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Booman, of the must-read blog Booman Tribune, who notes that despite all of the controversy last week President Barack Obama hasn't seen a drop in a big drop in his polling numbers -- and in fact in one sees a slight increase. Booman's headline asks if Obama is made of teflon and he writes: If last week was the president's worst … [Read more...] about Quotes of the Day: Scandals and Wrong Reporting Not Impacting Obama Poll
GOP overplays its hand
GOP overplays its hand by Dana Milbank Washington Post Writer's Group WASHINGTON -- At the end of a truly dismal week in his presidency, President Obama remains lucky in one crucial category: his opposition. It has been only a matter of days since two scandals -- the IRS harassment of conservative groups and the administration's seizing of AP reporters' phone … [Read more...] about GOP overplays its hand
Researchers make embryonic stem cells from skin
Researchers make embryonic stem cells from skin (via AFP) US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embryonic stem cells for the first time. The method described Wednesday by Oregon Health and Science University scientists in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create… … [Read more...] about Researchers make embryonic stem cells from skin
Second-Term Brood (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Second-Term Brood (Cartoon)
Gov. Christie defends his role in publicly funded TV ads
Gov. Christie defends his role in publicly funded TV ads (via NJ.com) BURLINGTON — Gov. Chris Christie today defended his starring role in publicly funded tourism ads that Democrats say gives him an unfair advantage in the race for governor. “I’m happy and proud to have me and my family in those ads and I hope that what they do is they bring people to the Jersey… … [Read more...] about Gov. Christie defends his role in publicly funded TV ads
Shields and Brooks on Government Scandals, Remembering Watergate
Shields and Brooks on Government Scandals, Remembering Watergate (via PBS News Hour) JUDY WOODRUFF: And to the analysis of Shields and Brooks. That is syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks. So, gentlemen, it's only been one week, but it's been three giant headaches for the Obama administration, for the president. David, let's take them one … [Read more...] about Shields and Brooks on Government Scandals, Remembering Watergate
Why DOMA Must Go
I have to ask those who oppose things like marriage equality why they think these two loving people should be kept apart ? … [Read more...] about Why DOMA Must Go
Getting it Wrong (Guest Voice)
Getting it Wrong by Peter Funt Scott Pelley of CBS News raised eyebrows and passions among journalists at a Quinnipiac University luncheon the other day when he said, "Our house is on fire." He was talking about challenges to the news business from within, as reporters become careless in a rush to be "first"; and, from outside, where social media supply what he labeled … [Read more...] about Getting it Wrong (Guest Voice)
Shrinking glaciers behind a third of sea-level rise: study
Shrinking glaciers behind a third of sea-level rise: study (via AFP) Water from the world's shrinking glaciers was responsible for almost a third of the rise in sea levels between 2003 and 2009, new research showed Thursday. A study published in the journal Science revealed that researchers had analyzed data gleaned from two NASA satellites as well as traditional … [Read more...] about Shrinking glaciers behind a third of sea-level rise: study
Progressive Portugal
Portugal has had a long and complicated political history. In the last century, it was ruled by a brutal right-wing dictatorship from 1926 to 1974. The non-violent Carnation Revolution (or "25 April") of 1974 put an end to that tyranny, and the country held its first democratic election in 50 years a year later. But there was little stability in those early years of democracy, … [Read more...] about Progressive Portugal
Why US Senate race in Massachusetts is Ed Markey’s to lose
Why US Senate race in Massachusetts is Ed Markey's to lose (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick (l.) applauds while joining Democratic US Senate nominee, Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, at a campaign event in Boston, May 8. Markey is running against Republican Gabriel Gomez in the June 25 special election.(Charles … [Read more...] about Why US Senate race in Massachusetts is Ed Markey’s to lose
Olympics wrestling revamps rules in fight for survival
Wrestling revamps rules in fight for survival (via AFP) The ancient sport of wrestling on Saturday agreed a wholesale shake-up of its rules to make the sport more attractive for spectators, in a desperate last throw of the dice to stave off the threat of being axed from the Olympics in 2020. The decision of the International Olympic Committee's executive… … [Read more...] about Olympics wrestling revamps rules in fight for survival
Three Benghazi myths (Guest Voice)
Three Benghazi myths (via GlobalPost) Analysis: There are at least three myths that have grown up around the terrible events on Sept. 11 of last autumn. Nicholas Burns Editor's Note: Nicholas Burns is GlobalPost's senior foreign affairs columnist. He writes a bimonthly column on the international issues that shape our world. CAMBRIDGE,… … [Read more...] about Three Benghazi myths (Guest Voice)
Restaurant serves up threatened species
Restaurant serves up threatened species (via SFBay) Lions, peacocks and iguanas, oh my! Meat from all of the above — and other exotic choices such as swan — have been offered at Mokutanya Yakitori restaurant in Burlingame. For a limited time, the restaurant is now offering African lion, farm-raised in Illinois and shipped to the Bay Area. The… … [Read more...] about Restaurant serves up threatened species
Cabbie Gives Sweet Rides In Memory Of Lost Son
What a sweet story … [Read more...] about Cabbie Gives Sweet Rides In Memory Of Lost Son
Kay And Mike Beat Analyst Expectations Predicting Change In Leading Economic Indicators
I got up this morning and checked some financial news websites. A report on the economy's leading economic indicators (LEIs) was due out at 10 o'clock. I then got off-line and went to breakfast with Kay, my life associate. Over bowls of cereal and side orders of kiwi fruit, I asked Kay what she thought the LEI report would show, how much it would change. "Beats me. Eat … [Read more...] about Kay And Mike Beat Analyst Expectations Predicting Change In Leading Economic Indicators
Officials Argue Benghazi was Idiotic Mistake Versus Malicious Cover Up
CBS News reports that Obama administrations are issuing a qualified mea culpa -- more like a mea idiota -- over the controversy surrounding Benghazi: Obama administration officials who were in key positions on Sept. 11, 2012 acknowledge that a range of mistakes were made the night of the attacks on the U.S. missions in Benghazi, and in messaging to Congress and the public … [Read more...] about Officials Argue Benghazi was Idiotic Mistake Versus Malicious Cover Up
Keeping on Top of Priorities When White House Deals With Drama
Keeping on Top of Priorities When White House Deals With Drama (via PBS News Hour) JEFFREY BROWN: And we return to our look at the Obama administration under pressure. We get takes now from both parties. Democrat Tom Perriello is president of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He served as a member of Congress in Virginia, before losing his seat in the tea party … [Read more...] about Keeping on Top of Priorities When White House Deals With Drama