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
Beaten Press Jerk (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on TMV. Authorized reproduction is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Beaten Press Jerk (Cartoon)
Suspicious letters sent to White House, NY mayor
Suspicious letters sent to White House, NY mayor (via AFP) A suspicious letter addressed to the White House and "similar" to an apparently poison-laced letter sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been intercepted, the Secret Service said Thursday. "The White House mail screening facility intercepted a letter addressed to the White House that was similar… … [Read more...] about Suspicious letters sent to White House, NY mayor
Obama approval ratings down amid political flaps
Obama approval ratings down amid political flaps (via AFP) President Barack Obama's approval ratings took a hit over the past month as he wrestled with controversies over the IRS, Benghazi and the seizure of journalists' phone records, a poll showed Thursday. The Quinnipiac poll found that 49 percent of those surveyed had a negative opinion of Obama's job… … [Read more...] about Obama approval ratings down amid political flaps
The Superself: Genome, Menome, and Wenome
[This is the fourth post in the series Why Everything You Know about Your "Self" Is Wrong. The series explores how our understanding of selfhood affects our sense of individuality, our interpersonal relationships, and our politics.] Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 percent Of everything you think, And of everything you do, Is for yourself — And there isn’t one. — Wei Wu … [Read more...] about The Superself: Genome, Menome, and Wenome
John F. Kennedy: ‘Fascinated’ … and Puzzled, by Hitler’s Germany (Der Spiegel, Germany)
As is often the case, the English-language write-thrus of this review of a new book about John F. Kennedy's time in Germany left out some important details by playing up the 20-year-old JFK's 'fascination' with Hitler's regime, without mentioning the misgivings the future president expressed. This this is the entire German-language review of the book, the title of which … [Read more...] about John F. Kennedy: ‘Fascinated’ … and Puzzled, by Hitler’s Germany (Der Spiegel, Germany)
REVEALED: Fearing Extradition, FARC Guerillas Reach Out to U.S. Authorities (El Espectador, Colombia)
With the Colombian government and FARC rebels nearing the end game for the rebel group's 50-year insurgency, Colombia's El Espectador is reporting that the guerrillas are nervous. According to this article by reporters María del Rosario Arrazola and Juan David Laverde Palma, before laying down their arms, FARC commanders want assurances from Washington that they will not be … [Read more...] about REVEALED: Fearing Extradition, FARC Guerillas Reach Out to U.S. Authorities (El Espectador, Colombia)
Fox News’ Erick Erickson: Anti-Science to Reject That Men Should Dominate Women
With Rep. Michele Bachmann's announcement that she won't seek reelection in 2014, we shouldn't be gung-ho that one nut has left the national political stage and we can exhale. There are more Haterade drinking conservative wingnuts left. Enter Fox News' Erick Erickson, who recently asserted that liberals who reject that men should dominate women are anti-science and the female … [Read more...] about Fox News’ Erick Erickson: Anti-Science to Reject That Men Should Dominate Women
Poll: Public Sentiment Grows for Special Prosecutor in IRS Scandal
A new Quinnipiac University poll find sentiment is growing and that the public four to one wants to see a Special Prosecutor to too look into the IRS scandal - but believes the economy is more important: American voters say 76 - 17 percent, including 63 - 30 percent among Democrats, that a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate charges the Internal Revenue … [Read more...] about Poll: Public Sentiment Grows for Special Prosecutor in IRS Scandal
Poll: Weiner Rising
Yes, there may be a second act in political history for Anthony Weiner, whose political prospects seemed limp after resigning from Congress after a sexting scandal. Weiner is rising in the polls: Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has asked for a second chance in politics and, already, he is in second place. A poll released yesterday found that not only is Weiner moving … [Read more...] about Poll: Weiner Rising
Artist’s Rendering of an Asteroid Capture
Fascinating. Via NASA: Artist's Rendering of an Asteroid Capture This artist's rendering shows what capturing an asteroid could look like. NASA's FY2014 budget proposal includes a plan to robotically capture a small near-Earth asteroid and redirect it safely to a stable orbit in the Earth-moon system where astronauts can visit and explore it. Performing these … [Read more...] about Artist’s Rendering of an Asteroid Capture