I thought I had a good idea. An obvious idea. An idea with a lot of natural and timely appeal. It involved too-big-to-fail banks. A couple of months back the Senate, in a highly unusual bipartisan move, unanimously passed a resolution. In vague and general terms this resolution called for the break up of too-big-to-fail banks. Being just a resolution, of course, it had no … [Read more...] about Notes From A Hate-Thy-Neighbor Political Culture
Having a Bad Day?
Having a Bad Day? The U.S. Military is certainly having one. It is reeling from a spate of very public and embarrassing sexual assault and harassment incidents -- the latest one today -- in addition to the thousands that apparently go unnoticed or unreported. Of course this is a shameful stain on our military. Of course this is deplorable and inexcusable and the … [Read more...] about Having a Bad Day?
‘Arrest of Timothy Hallet Tracy Infringes Free Expression in Venezuela’ (El Universal, Venezuela)
One month ago, Venezuelans authorities arrested U.S. filmmaker Timothy Hallet Tracy for 'fomenting post election violence' and charged him with being a spy. Last week, in this petition signed by Venezuela's leading filmmakers published in El Universal, the artists implore the government of Venezuela to quickly release Tracy, who they believe was arrested simply for pursuing … [Read more...] about ‘Arrest of Timothy Hallet Tracy Infringes Free Expression in Venezuela’ (El Universal, Venezuela)
O.J. Simpson’s 2013 Version Intrigues New York Tabloids
Tabloids often have catchy front pages -- and the New York tabloids had fun with OJ Simpson's recent appearance: … [Read more...] about O.J. Simpson’s 2013 Version Intrigues New York Tabloids
Suicide Forest in Japan (Video)
Yes, there is a "suicide forest" in Japan. The note on the You Tube: The Aokigahara Forest is the most popular site for suicides in Japan. After the novel Kuroi Jukai was published, in which a young lover commits suicide in the forest, people started taking their own lives there at a rate of 50 to 100 deaths a year. The site holds so many bodies that the Yakuza pays … [Read more...] about Suicide Forest in Japan (Video)
IRS Scandal is a Tale of Irony and Ineptitude (Guest Voice)
The Internal Revenue Service scandal is catnip for conservatives who claim that President Obama's leftish leviathan is out to get them. But the reality of what happened is far more nuanced and complicated. I'm well aware, in this era of ideological warfare, that nuance is the first casualty. But I'll give it a try anyway, because the IRS' targeting of small-fry conservative … [Read more...] about IRS Scandal is a Tale of Irony and Ineptitude (Guest Voice)
Invasion of the Cicadas (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 Invasion of the Cicadas (Cartoon)
The biggest Obama issue?
NOTE: Due to a technical glitch the wrong byline appeared on this post for several minutes. We regret the error and the glitch. The New York Times sorts through the distinctions. The Internal Revenue Service was absolutely correct to look into the abuse of the tax code by political organizations masquerading as “social welfare” groups over the last three years. The … [Read more...] about The biggest Obama issue?
Warming Could Slash Species’ Habitat Ranges in Half
Warming Could Slash Species’ Habitat Ranges in Half (via Climate Central) By Michael D. Lemonick Follow @MLemonick Vast numbers of plant and animal species could see their ranges slashed in half later this century as a result of climate change, according to a study in Nature Climate Change. The result, say the authors, could be serious ecosystem disruptions along with … [Read more...] about Warming Could Slash Species’ Habitat Ranges in Half
The Second Term Curse Crashes Down on Barack Obama
You might say that May 10, 2013 was when the "second term curse" officially struck President Barack Obama -- and that May 13 was when it flattened him. Obama's administration has been hit with a triple whammy blast from a massive political stun gun. May 10th was the day when ABC News provided virtual proof that the Benghazi talking points did not totally come from the … [Read more...] about The Second Term Curse Crashes Down on Barack Obama
Obama Administration: AP phone record seizure aimed to save lives
US says phone record seizure aimed to save lives (via AFP) The beleaguered US government claims it was only trying to protect American lives when it took the drastic step of seizing journalists' phone records in a probe of what it calls a major security breach. President Barack Obama's administration, embattled on several fronts, now faces a barrage of criticism… … [Read more...] about Obama Administration: AP phone record seizure aimed to save lives
Global brands commit to Bangladesh safety after collapse
Global brands commit to Bangladesh safety after collapse (via AFP) Global high street brands including Benetton, Carrefour and Marks & Spencer committed to abide by an agreement to improve working conditions in Bangladeshi factories after a plant there collapsed killing more than 1,100 people. Tuesday's announcements came a day after clothing giants Inditex of Spain… … [Read more...] about Global brands commit to Bangladesh safety after collapse
Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
This addition of the "Rattling of the Cages" focuses on new developments in major House, Senate, and Gubernatorial races. One bipartisan occurrence is past& current members of Congress ruling out Senate bids. In the past 10 days, five current or past House members, three Republicans and two Democrats, took their names out of races for the Senate. None were particular … [Read more...] about Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
Unmanned fighters in near future
The US Navy has launched the first full fighter-sized robot plane from an aircraft carrier. Those of us who think growth in technology is linear rather than exponential often make the mistake of thinking this is no big deal because it hasn't landed on a carrier yet. My prediction is they'll have planes like this landing on carriers in fairly short time... and that by the end of … [Read more...] about Unmanned fighters in near future
“Bombshell” Benghazi Emails Reportedly Appear Edited and Distorted (UPDATED)
A new twist in the "bombshell" Benghzai emails ABC News reported on last week, emails leaked that seemed to be at varience with the White House account of what occurred. This story now gets notably smellier: According to CNN, it now seems as if these emails were edited -- and the White House is pointing the finger at Republicans in Congress for not just leaking emails, but … [Read more...] about “Bombshell” Benghazi Emails Reportedly Appear Edited and Distorted (UPDATED)
Yes I Like Colorization: Laurel and Hardy’s “Blotto”
Colorization was once considered a potential gold mine: all of those classic black and white films could be turned into color and made more accessible to younger generations. But it didn't quite work out that way: it was a novelty that was tried, but didn't really turn great old films into new gold. But I LIKE colorization. Here's the full Laurel and Hardy short from the … [Read more...] about Yes I Like Colorization: Laurel and Hardy’s “Blotto”
Deputy US AG Jim Cole Made Decision to Subpoena AP Phone Records
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recused himself from Associated Press leak investigation. Attorney General Eric Holder has recused himself from the Associated Press leak investigation. He will officially announce his recusal at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Fox News is reporting his recusal comes partially because Holder has testified about potential … [Read more...] about Deputy US AG Jim Cole Made Decision to Subpoena AP Phone Records
Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy
Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy (via AFP) Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of breast cancer, encouraging other women to address threats to their health. The ultra-glamorous Jolie -- whose mother Marcheline Bertrand died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56 --… … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy
Dick Cheney Says Benghazi Attack ‘One of Worst Incidents I Can Recall in My Career’
Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared on Fox News saying the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi was “one of the worst incidences” he could recall. Um, let's see, September 11, 2001, didn't ring a bell for him. There's more -- he also attacked President Obama’s response, claiming that the Obama administration “lied” about Benghazi. Of course, … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney Says Benghazi Attack ‘One of Worst Incidents I Can Recall in My Career’
The Risks of Serving Our Country
The tragic events at our Benghazi consulate last fall underscore the risks that brave Americans who volunteer to serve their country in diplomatic, intelligence, military and other Services overseas knowingly and willingly accept. Of course, they -- and all Americans -- expect their government to take all necessary, reasonable and practical measures and precautions to make … [Read more...] about The Risks of Serving Our Country