Too busy to follow economic news from around the world? Confused by all the differing views on whether things are getting better or worse? Brain wary trying to make sense of market analyst jabber and government spin doctor twaddle? Anguish no more. The truth about the world and U.S. economies, the job market in this country, the institutions that control all our economic … [Read more...] about One Minute World Economy Wrap-Up
If immigration reform fails, the GOP may be doomed
Immigration reform is now on the front-burner and the stakes are exceedingly high for the Republican Party. My take on The Week: There are already storm clouds gathering on the Republican Party's right-most political horizon. But if the GOP squelches comprehensive immigration reform, the party could face a devastating political hurricane in the near … [Read more...] about If immigration reform fails, the GOP may be doomed
DIY Drones: Is It Legal to Fly Your Own?
Call it trickle-down technology; a growing number of people are creating their own private drones. Building or buying a simple drone really isn't that tough: get a remote-controlled plane with an autopilot system and slap on a camera. One author notes for users to "Do not misuse a spy drone; they are for educational purposes only, not a tool for invading privacy!" This isn’t … [Read more...] about DIY Drones: Is It Legal to Fly Your Own?
The Hurt Locker: A Painful Watch
I often buy films that I never got to see in the cinema based on their hype alone. As I’ve said in recent posts, I used to rely on Rotten Tomatoes and the reviews listed on the site to help me chose my movies. However, as much as the site overlooks some gems, Rotten Tomatoes also over-praise some films. The Hurt Locker is such a film … The Hurt Locker feels like it was … [Read more...] about The Hurt Locker: A Painful Watch
Looks like a witch hunt
WASHINGTON -- Those who are trying to make the Benghazi tragedy into a scandal for the Obama administration really ought to decide what story line they want to sell. Actually, by "those" I mean Republicans and by "the Obama administration" I mean Hillary Clinton. The only coherent purpose I can discern in all of this is to sully Clinton's record as secretary of state in … [Read more...] about Looks like a witch hunt
Cleveland Police Clue (Guest Voice Cartoonist)
Cleveland Police Clue by Mike Peters Of Related Interest: --Did the Cleveland Cops Botch the Search for the Missing Women? --Cleveland police to 911 dispatcher: ‘This might be for real’ --Cleveland police reviewing handling of kidnap victim’s 911 call --Cleveland police did not ignore clues in Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry cases: Mark Naymik Mike Peters is … [Read more...] about Cleveland Police Clue (Guest Voice Cartoonist)
Cleveland’s Charles Ramsey: hero, or black stereotype? (Guest Voice)
Cleveland's Charles Ramsey: hero, or black stereotype? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Charles Ramsey speaks to media May 6 near the Cleveland home where three missing women were reportedly held for 10 years by Ariel Castro and rescued with help from Mr. Ramsey. Op-ed contributor Theodore R. Johnson writes: 'While there’s much of Ramsey’s … [Read more...] about Cleveland’s Charles Ramsey: hero, or black stereotype? (Guest Voice)
Starting to get real. Doing something about the rape.
This hellbent race to the bottom (“We’re Number 17! We’re Number 17!”) has been a group effort, but the three arms of government — the executive, legislative and judicial branches — that are supposed to be the custodians of our national interests must shoulder most of the blame. ...Shaun Mullen, The Moderate Voice Of course, we elected them. Of course, even that has to … [Read more...] about Starting to get real. Doing something about the rape.
Who Am I?
[This is the first post in the series Why Everything You Know about Your “Self” Is Wrong. This series explores how our understanding of selfhood affects our sense of individuality, our interpersonal relationships, and our politics.] Confusion about fundamental notions such as selfhood, identity, and consciousness distorts personal relationships, underlies ideological deadlock, … [Read more...] about Who Am I?
Nazi version of Wagner opera shut down in Germany
Nazi version of Wagner opera shut down in Germany (via AFP) A Nazi-themed production of Richard Wagner's "Tannhauser" opera has been cancelled in Duesseldorf after realistic death scenes distressed audience members, the opera house said Thursday. The Rheinoper said it was aware that the concept and its implementation would be "controversial". "But it was with… … [Read more...] about Nazi version of Wagner opera shut down in Germany
My Delusion or God’s Dream?
Lately I’ve been wrestling with a dream, a God-given dream I cannot shake. Or maybe it’s not a dream, maybe it’s an unrealistic expectation or an overactive imagination. Maybe it’s my dream, not God’s? No! It’s a God given dream! It must be His dream, the kind of dream that requires faith for outcomes not yet seen, and hope for doors not yet opened. Yes, it must be one of … [Read more...] about My Delusion or God’s Dream?
7 revelations from the Benghazi ‘whistle-blower’ hearing
As I noted here, the Benghazi "whistle blower" hearing yesterday did not produce proof of a cover up, although partisan websites and commentators are insisting it did. What it produced was some news that suggested at the least chaos in official decison making and at the worst incompetence. It also was clear that GOPers now view former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a … [Read more...] about 7 revelations from the Benghazi ‘whistle-blower’ hearing
Sanford’s Appalachian spring
WASHINGTON -- "I want to publicly acknowledge God's role in all of this," declared a victorious Mark Sanford as he celebrated an unlikely political rebirth Tuesday night with a sermon praising the Supreme Being and the many "angels" who helped the once-disgraced former governor along the way. Perhaps the Almighty did inspire those who drew the boundaries of South … [Read more...] about Sanford’s Appalachian spring
America Still Needs Affirmative Action
With the Supreme Court considering Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action and Fisher v. University of Texas, affirmative action has entered into the public eye again. Notably, The Economist’s cover story last week argues that its time for an end to affirmative action because, Before the 1960s, when the foundations of affirmative action were first laid … [Read more...] about America Still Needs Affirmative Action
Paranoid Politics: J. Edgar vs LaPierre
Seldom in history has file-keeping been a path to power, but last week’s NRA convention celebrated its chief clerk’s kind of national clout unseen since J. Edgar Hoover bullied the White House and Congress half a century ago. Hoover and Wayne La Pierre, two bombastic file-keepers who rose to control those elected by voters through fear and blackmail, seized and held on to … [Read more...] about Paranoid Politics: J. Edgar vs LaPierre
Limbaugh, Kurtz and the Bum’s Rush
Big news for those who think there aren't consequences in our media when professional talkers cross the line, or when famous reporters mess up and don't fix their mistakes without qualification, or do so begrudgingly. We now see proof of the law of consequences. Conservative talk show titan and de facto Republican Party strategist Rush Limbaugh is considering leaving his … [Read more...] about Limbaugh, Kurtz and the Bum’s Rush
In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness
In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Neighbor Charles Ramsey speaks to media near the home where three missing women were rescued in Cleveland May 6. Cheering crowds gathered on the street where police said Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were found. Ramsey helped one of … [Read more...] about In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness
Nasrallah vs. Qaradawi: Battling Sheikhs Turning Syria into Repeat of Iraq (Al Mada, Iraq)
With Sunnis and Shiites arrayed for a battle to the death in Syria, clerics on both sides are only making matters worse. Columnist Hazem Mubaidin of Iraq's Al Mada warns that rival shiekhs - Hezbullah's Hassan Nasrallah and Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi - are issuing religious fatwas for reasons having nothing to do with religion, and are leading their respective sides to … [Read more...] about Nasrallah vs. Qaradawi: Battling Sheikhs Turning Syria into Repeat of Iraq (Al Mada, Iraq)
Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
In this superb self-satire video, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie loses his famous fleece -- a video that pokes fun at his 2016 possible career hopes and features some well known music and political celebrities. Created for the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents' Dinner Tuesday night.' Christie is QUITE good on camera: … [Read more...] about Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up
If there's a consensus that seemed to be emerging from the Republican-hyped House hearings on the tragedy in Benghazi hears today it seems to be this: the hearings are revealing incompetence, but no cover- up. This is, of course, cutting out Fox News and conservative talkers but by most accounts (news coverage, news accounts, and the opinions of people not associated with … [Read more...] about Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up