In the wake of a string of very public and very embarrassing sexual misconduct incidents in the military and after the release of damning statistics on the extent and pervasiveness of such misconduct, the President and the Pentagon announced a number of initiatives to eradicate sexual assault in the military. At a press conference three weeks ago, President Obama … [Read more...] about Sexual Abuse in the Military: Fresh Faces, Fresh Leadership – Hopefully a New Culture
Evangelical Lutheran Church Elects Openly Gay Bishop
Another sign that the times they are a changing. … [Read more...] about Evangelical Lutheran Church Elects Openly Gay Bishop
Too juvenile to govern
WASHINGTON -- With budgetary tantrums in the Senate and investigative play-acting in the House, the Republican Party is proving once again that it simply cannot be taken seriously. This is a shame. I don't share the GOP's philosophy, but I do believe that competition makes both of our major parties smarter. I also believe that a big, complicated country facing economic … [Read more...] about Too juvenile to govern
Quote of the Day: On Republicans Poised to Defeat Immigration Reform
Are Republicans poised to defeat immigration reform? I gave my take HERE on the dangers if they do. Our political Quote of the Day is the last part of New York Time's Charles Blow's column where he recounts President George W. Bush's thwarted attempt to enact comprehensive immigration reform: According to exit poll data, from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Republicans Poised to Defeat Immigration Reform
Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat
Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat (via PBS News Hour) JUDY WOODRUFF: Next: A Chinese company made the biggest play yet for a U.S. company in a bid for Virginia's Smithfield Foods. China's appetite for pork keeps growing and growing. It's now the largest market for pork products in the world. WOMAN: When I was young, my family could … [Read more...] about Satiating Chinese Appetite for Pork: China Looks to U.S. as New Source for Meat
News Brand to Watch: Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Obliterates Erickson and Dobbs on Remarks on Women
Fox News' Megyn Kelly had already started to carve out a refreshing news brand for herself. Tune in MSNBC and you almost know what many of the hosts and anchors will say before they say it. Tune in Fox News and you almost know what each of them will say or whether they'll let a guest who shares the Fox viewpoint make assertions that would be challenged elsewhere. This … [Read more...] about News Brand to Watch: Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Obliterates Erickson and Dobbs on Remarks on Women
A Celebrity Priest Who Fought for Victims
Andrew M. Greeley has died at the age of 85, described by the New York Times as “Priest, Author, Scholar, Scold,” writer of 120 books including steamy novels, one of which was a best-seller. Father Greeley was a combative polymath, often at odds with his Church’s hierarchy. A quarter of a century ago he denounced pedophile priests and later gave a million dollars from his … [Read more...] about A Celebrity Priest Who Fought for Victims
Immigration bomb about to explode?
Conservative talk-show hosts who stoked intense opposition to comprehensive immigration reform in 2007 have discussed it less this year. And conservatives have been focused on other issues, such as the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of Tea Party groups, and the administration’s handling of the attacks on Benghazi. “I think opposition is going to escalate dramatically … [Read more...] about Immigration bomb about to explode?
Never forget Cast Away
There are very good films that get forgotten, never to be thought of again until they reappear on television brutally ruined by adverts. Cast Away is such a film. It’s not only very good, but for me it changed my opinion about what films and great acting can achieve. I have always been in love with the movies but until I watched Cast Away they rarely moved me. They rarely … [Read more...] about Never forget Cast Away
US probes genetically modified wheat discovery
US probes genetically modified wheat discovery (via AFP) The US Department of Agriculture is investigating the discovery of genetically engineered wheat in an Oregon field, as outcry mounted Friday among consumer groups and Japan suspended some US imports. US regulators said the wheat carries no risks but the outcome of the probe -- namely finding out whether… … [Read more...] about US probes genetically modified wheat discovery
The peculiar death of Ibragim Todashev
Conor Friedersdorf walks us through the permutations of events leading up to the murder? slaughter? "justifiable homicide"? of Ibragim Todashev during his interrogation by the FBI. In the end, we are left with this ... so far... It is difficult to understand how, having shot the man dead, the multiple law enforcement personnel on scene could've gotten the details wrong. … [Read more...] about The peculiar death of Ibragim Todashev
Does This Photo Show Signs of Life on Mars?
Does This Photo Show Signs of Life on Mars? (via NewsLook) After combing through thousands of NASA photos, a science blogger claims to have found one showing a space rat on Mars. … [Read more...] about Does This Photo Show Signs of Life on Mars?
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a Threat to Democratic Japan (Rue 89, France)
Does the new government in Tokyo seek a right-wing revival of imperialist Japan? Or is Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe simply an opportunist playing on nationalist sentiment for political advantage? For France's Rue 89, Stephane Mot writes of the danger posed by a Japanese government that is unrepentant for some of the worst crimes ever committed by human beings, and holds … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a Threat to Democratic Japan (Rue 89, France)
18 Words We Ought To Bring Back
Don't get into a pussyvan when you read this story or your wonder-wench might consider you beefwitted. 18 forgotten words in the English language … [Read more...] about 18 Words We Ought To Bring Back
Erick Erickson Flunks Grade School Spelling: His “Science” is Science Fiction
Look, I am one of the world's worst spellers. Serious dyslexia [or lexdixia, as I call it.] Especially hard to spell are the words that have au instead of a as the word sounds [authority], and ieu [as in milieu] and so on. BUT, because I was raised by the 'madwomen in black' that is, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, I do most often know HOMONYMS, that is, words that somewhat … [Read more...] about Erick Erickson Flunks Grade School Spelling: His “Science” is Science Fiction
The Endlessly Rising Stock Market Explained
Many people are confused about why the stock market keeps rising. The economy, after all, is in lousy shape. So why does the stock market keep going up and up? A single headline that appeared the other day on the Yahoo Finance website helps explain the reason. Building on what that headline reveals allows a fuller explanation of this strange market phenomenon. Here's the … [Read more...] about The Endlessly Rising Stock Market Explained
Romney Plans to Campaign in 2014 for Republican Candidates
Soon he'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Former Republican Presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is planning to make his voice heard once again. Could it be because there is such a huge clamor to see him one again from the Republican Party's Romney wing? Or because he made such shrewd and successful political decisions in his campaign that he can sweep the party … [Read more...] about Romney Plans to Campaign in 2014 for Republican Candidates
It’s a Holiday in Denmark
Bernie Sanders has discovered utopia: Denmark. The small country has managed to provide universal health care, extensive parental leave, and generous vacation and unemployment benefits. The result: happiness, equality, and social mobility. This strikes at the core of the American fallacy: the idea that decadent wealth and abject poverty provide an incentive for the poor to … [Read more...] about It’s a Holiday in Denmark
Signs of Recovery, Home Sales Paint a Better Fiscal Picture in the U.S
Signs of Recovery, Home Sales Paint a Better Fiscal Picture in the U.S. (via PBS News Hour) GWEN IFILL: The U.S. economy is showing unexpected signs of strength this spring and prompting new optimism. The most significant development? The accelerating recovery in many regions of the housing market. Home prices in 20 cities rose by an average of nearly 11 percent in March … [Read more...] about Signs of Recovery, Home Sales Paint a Better Fiscal Picture in the U.S
Behind Michele Bachmann’s Vanishing Act
Her announced leave-taking from Congress brings a snarky rush over the Tea Party frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination only two years ago, but Michele Bachmann’s weird six years in the national spotlight deserve serious consideration as a symptom of the times. How did a mouthy back bencher parlay ignorance that made Sarah Palin look like Winston Churchill into such … [Read more...] about Behind Michele Bachmann’s Vanishing Act