You really could see this coming: in May, Howard Kurtz and The Daily Beast parted company after Kurtz made a major error in a story and apparently raised eyebrows at The Daily Beast for an outside writing project that was taking up chunks of his time. This sparked some speculation about whether CNN and Kurtz would end their relationship once his contract had run out. The … [Read more...] about Howard Kurtz and CNN Party Company: Kurtz Goes to Fox News
NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government (Guest Vocie)
NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government by Jan Ting Since its earliest days, the United States has been a great experiment testing whether a free people are capable of governing themselves through law, without the need of a king or dictator. King George III of England was the first of a long line of skeptics extending to this day, a line which includes the … [Read more...] about NSA Leaks Threaten Constitutional Self-Government (Guest Vocie)
Taliban Demands Prisoner Swap
For the last few weeks there is been increasing speculation about possible talks between the Taliban and the United States. It now appears however that there may be preconditions on the part of the Taliban. This week they are proposing to exchange a US soldier they have held captive since 2009 for five prisoners held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay. The five prisoners … [Read more...] about Taliban Demands Prisoner Swap
Breaththrough in Senate Immigration Plan?
Has there there been a big breakthrough in the Senate's immigration reform plan? It sounds that way: Senators seeking a solution to a deadlock over border security have reached a tentative agreement they believe could win the votes of a significant number of Republican lawmakers for the Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill. Republican Sens. John Hoeven … [Read more...] about Breaththrough in Senate Immigration Plan?
Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (Guest Voice)
Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (via NewsWorks) National Interest June 19, 2013 By Dick Polman Please make them stop. Yet again, a member of the House Republicans' loony wing has taken it upon himself to school us in the particulars of female biology. Last year, Todd Akin said that the gals have the gift for identifying rapist sperm and thus preventing… … [Read more...] about Abortion, the GOP, and the pleasures of the womb (Guest Voice)
Is It A Police State Yet?
Driving the three miles to the office this morning, I passed through a school zone. School is out for the summer and the School Zone signs were off. When school is in session those signs, solar powered, flash yellow lights and tell you to the mph how fast your vehicle is travelling. And they could be easily modified to take photos and issue citations electronically. The … [Read more...] about Is It A Police State Yet?
The BEST Tribute to James Gandolfini
There are many tributes and articles pouring in on actor James Gandolfini. But the best one -- the one that captures his art, his impact and a bit about him as a person -- is HERE. … [Read more...] about The BEST Tribute to James Gandolfini
No Big Rulings Today, Next Week To Be Epic
A few rulings out from the US Supreme Court this morning (look for a post on those later) but no big name rulings. So next week looks to be epic with rulings on marriage equality (Prop 8), DOMA, race based college admissions and the Voting Rights Act. And given the way those cases seem to be heading it is likely that both the left and the right will find something to … [Read more...] about No Big Rulings Today, Next Week To Be Epic
Immigration: Time to choose sides
WASHINGTON -- The future of immigration reform is, for now at least, not up to House Speaker John Boehner. It is in the hands of a group of moderately conservative Republican senators who have to decide whether their desire to solve a decades-old problem outweighs their fears of retaliation from the party's right wing. These senators are clearly looking for a way to … [Read more...] about Immigration: Time to choose sides
Gandolfini’s Teenage Son Found Stricken Actor in Hotel Room in Italy
A sad detail about the sudden death of James Gandolfini, the 51 year old actor who many considered one of the best actors of his generation. He died yesterday in Italy while on vacation and news reports now say he was on vacation with his 13-year-old son Michael who had graduated 8th grade -- and it was his son who found the stricken actor: James Gandolfini’s teenage son … [Read more...] about Gandolfini’s Teenage Son Found Stricken Actor in Hotel Room in Italy
Goombahs and goodbyes – R.I.P. James Gandolfini June 20, 2013
Goombahs and goodbyes - R.I.P. James Gandolfini (via NewsWorks) June 20, 2013 By Rob Tornoe for NewsWorks I was shocked to hear the news that James Gandolfini, best known for his role as North Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, died Wednesday of an apparent heart attack while on holiday in Rome. There is a great divide among editorial cartoonists about drawing cartoons… … [Read more...] about Goombahs and goodbyes – R.I.P. James Gandolfini June 20, 2013
Illinois GOP Official Jim Allen Pens Ugly Email About GOP Congressional Candidate Erika Harold
Illinois Republican county chairman Jim Allen called black congressional candidate Erika Harold the "love child" of the Democratic party; a "street walker" whose "pimps" are party leaders. He even suggested that after the election, Harold, who is a former Miss America and a Harvard Law School graduate, will be "working for some law firm that needs to meet their quota for … [Read more...] about Illinois GOP Official Jim Allen Pens Ugly Email About GOP Congressional Candidate Erika Harold
Sopranos’ Star Dies Young, Real Mafia Live Long
James Gandolfini, the brilliant actor who embodied Tony Soprano, has died at 51 Grief at his passing is compounded by awareness that the lowlifes who inspired his performance have outlived him by decades and are now flashing their aged selves on cable news as well as HBO. Eventually they will be deservedly forgotten, while Gandolfini will live on in one of TV’s most … [Read more...] about Sopranos’ Star Dies Young, Real Mafia Live Long
Concert Review: Mahavishnu John McLaughlin: Back & Better Than Ever
When the history of the jazz guitar is written, Mahavishnu John McLaughlin is sure to have a chapter of his own, and a deservedly large one. It was McLaughlin who changed the direction of the instrument from the smooth sound of Charlie Christian, Les Paul and Wes Montgomery, imbuing it with a technical precision and harmonic sophistication paired with aggressive speed, exotic … [Read more...] about Concert Review: Mahavishnu John McLaughlin: Back & Better Than Ever
There Is No Air In The Windmill Of Their Minds
It seems like every time I turn on the news I find evidence that many of our political leaders are what might charitably be called dim bulbs, one taco short of a combo plate, etc. I’m not talking about the people you simply disagree with. During the last campaign I had plenty of disagreements with both President Obama and Mitt Romney and from my perspective some of the … [Read more...] about There Is No Air In The Windmill Of Their Minds
James Joseph Gandolfini Jr., What Many Do Not Know About Him
He was a "joisey boy" born in New Jersey 1961 the midst of Vietnam War. When James Gandolfini was three years old, JFK was assassinated, many believing that loss of that President prolonged the war and its carnage beyond the beyond. James would have grown up seeing television and newsreels of the napalm and deforestations and war protests re the Vietnam of his time, one of the … [Read more...] about James Joseph Gandolfini Jr., What Many Do Not Know About Him
NASA Releases Billion Pixel Photo Of Mars
You can zoom in and out and explore in amazing detail. To be fair there are 50 gigapixel (that's a billion pixels) photos of places on Earth but having one of Mars is really impressive too. … [Read more...] about NASA Releases Billion Pixel Photo Of Mars
A Special Word about James Gandolfini (R.I.P.)
It's worth putting in a special word here about James Gandolfini, who died today at 51 while on vacation in Italy. I'm a news junkie, especially entertainment news about shows and performers, and I've long followed press coverage about Gandolfini. There is and will be a LOT written about him. But here are a few things to recap: He created one of the best characters in … [Read more...] about A Special Word about James Gandolfini (R.I.P.)
Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini
Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini (via NJ News Commons) The news of the death of 51-year-old James Gandolfini, who created the iconic character of Tony Soprano for HBO, spread like wildfire across the internet this evening. On Twitter, New Jerseyans wondered if Gov. Christie would order flags lowered, and Rutgers alum proudly claimed him as one of … [Read more...] about Fade to Black: Reaction to the Death of James Gandolfini
BREAKING: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies in Italy at Age 51
REPORT: 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies suddenly in Rome at age 51. HBO confirms the actor's death. James Gandolfini won three Emmy awards for his portrayal of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos." ABC is reporting he may have suffered a heart attack while vacationing in Rome. Developing. Stay tuned for updates. HBO issued the following statement: ”We’re all in shock and … [Read more...] about BREAKING: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies in Italy at Age 51