IRS unit head refuses to testify about targeting (via AFP) The head of the IRS office that oversees non-profit groups refused to testify at a congressional panel probing abuse at the US tax agency, but defiantly declared she had done nothing wrong. Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations, invoked her Fifth Amendment constitutional rights against self… … [Read more...] about IRS unit head refuses to testify about targeting
How Far Should Government Go in Investigation of Leaks?
How Far Should Government Go in Investigation of Leaks? (via PBS News Hour) GWEN IFILL: Now to another story that has captured the attention of the news media and of Congress. After new revelations about extensive investigations involving the Associated Press and FOX News, three former Justice Department officials are defending the leak inquiries. Writing in The New York … [Read more...] about How Far Should Government Go in Investigation of Leaks?
Breaking: Obama Administration Admits Four Americans Killed in Drone Attacks
The Obama administration formally acknowledged today that the U.S. has killed four Americans in drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan In addition to Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical Muslim cleric who was killed in a drone strike in September 2011 in Yemen, the administration, in a letter to Congressional leaders, says three other Americans have been killed: “Samir Khan, who was … [Read more...] about Breaking: Obama Administration Admits Four Americans Killed in Drone Attacks
British Soldier Reportedly Beheaded In Probable Teror Attck
To say that this story is horrifying is an understatement … [Read more...] about British Soldier Reportedly Beheaded In Probable Teror Attck
Will Obama Take China’s President to Disneyland?
The President will be meeting China’s President Xi Jinping for a summit in southern California next month, raising hopes it will go better than a bizarre Cold War flap over barring a Soviet leader from visiting Disneyland. In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev came here in Eisenhower’s lame-duck days and, at his request, visited Hollywood where he happily mingled with Frank Sinatra, … [Read more...] about Will Obama Take China’s President to Disneyland?
Anthony Weiner Officially Enters NYC Mayoral Race Nearly Two Years After Sexting Scandal
He's baaaack! Anthony Weiner makes his New York City mayoral bid official: Nearly two years after he resigned from Congress because of a sexting scandal, Anthony Weiner is running for mayor. He formally announced his candidacy with a two-minute, 16-second video that he posted online at midnight Wednesday. “I made some big mistakes and I know I let a lot of people down, … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner Officially Enters NYC Mayoral Race Nearly Two Years After Sexting Scandal
Extreme Political Views Caused By The ‘Illusion of Understanding’
Extreme Political Views Caused By The ‘Illusion of Understanding’ (via Planetsave) Have you ever tried to engage in a balanced discussion or debate over, say, macro-economics or maybe foreign policy — subjects that are complex and contingent upon many factors — and found yourself frustrated in your attempts by an extreme/unyielding ideological viewpoint? Well, the … [Read more...] about Extreme Political Views Caused By The ‘Illusion of Understanding’
Watch the High Stakes Political and Media Credibility Game
Watch the High Stakes Political and Media Credibility Game Watch the High Stakes Political and Media Credibility Game Independent's Eye by Joe Gandelman Forget the political "blame game." The biggest game in town now is the credibility game -- a high -stakes exercise that will end with America's political middle deciding who is trustworthy and who isn't. Some key … [Read more...] about Watch the High Stakes Political and Media Credibility Game
It’s News Not Espionage
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has no business rummaging through journalists' phone records, perusing their emails and tracking their movements in an attempt to keep them from gathering news. This heavy-handed business isn't chilling, it's just plain cold. It also may well be unconstitutional. In my reading, the First Amendment prohibition against "abridging the … [Read more...] about It’s News Not Espionage
Ibragim Todashev, Who Has Possible Ties to Boston Bombing Suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Killed by FBI Agent
The FBI shot and killed Ibragim Todashev, 27, who may be connected to Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, WESH reported Wednesday morning. Ibragim Todashev, a Chechen, and Khusn Taramiv were being investigated as part of the Boston bombings. The men were MMA fighters. Taramiv claims he and Todashev were interviewed by the FBI for nearly three hours on … [Read more...] about Ibragim Todashev, Who Has Possible Ties to Boston Bombing Suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Killed by FBI Agent
Landmark immigration bill clears key Senate hurdle
Landmark US immigration bill clears key Senate hurdle (via AFP) A sweeping overhaul of the US immigration system took a major step toward viability when a Senate panel gave bipartisan approval to a landmark bill offering a path to citizenship for millions. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the contentious and potentially historic legislation by a 13-5 vote… … [Read more...] about Landmark immigration bill clears key Senate hurdle
Like the Brits and Americans, Europeans Must Re-Embrace Keynes (Die Welt, Germany)
Is the European Union nearing a break-up? An alarming Pew Center poll reveals that the French now support the 'European Project' less than the British - a trend repeated across the continent. According to Die Welt columnist Alan Posener, rejection of the ideas of British economist John Maynard Keynes in Europe, which have been re-embraced in the Anglo-Saxon world, explain the … [Read more...] about Like the Brits and Americans, Europeans Must Re-Embrace Keynes (Die Welt, Germany)
To Get Government Policies That Aid The Middle Class, We Need New Middle Class—Oriented Metrics
In business circles they know that what gets measured gets done. It's the numbers that accountants provide and managers use to set company policies that determine what these policies are, what gets priorities, what doesn't. The same is true, of course, when it comes to setting government economic policies and priorities. If the numbers used to shape this policy — the … [Read more...] about To Get Government Policies That Aid The Middle Class, We Need New Middle Class—Oriented Metrics
Military Assists in Oklahoma Tornado Search and Rescue Efforts
My last assignment before retiring from the U.S. Air Force was Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, just a few short miles from where the massive, destructive tornado hit yesterday afternoon leaving so many dead and injured, including children. We lived very close to Moore, the small city south of Tinker that was especially hard-hit. Our thoughts and prayers are with the … [Read more...] about Military Assists in Oklahoma Tornado Search and Rescue Efforts
US tornado victims recount race to survive
US tornado victims recount race to survive (via AFP) Residents who survived the massive tornado that barrelled through an Oklahoma City suburb described racing for shelter only to emerge scarred and bloodied on a moon-like landscape of debris. Alarms had sounded as the black funnel bore down on the suburb of Moore in the middle of the afternoon Monday… … [Read more...] about US tornado victims recount race to survive
Scandal Eyes
The "Whitewater" school of phony outrage has been turned all the way up to eleven on the media amplifiers. from "This is Spinal Tap" There is nothing surprising in this. What is surprising is that the same tired con works on the same tired brains with the same tired conclusions that it did back in the good 'ol Ken Starr daze: Obama's Counsel Told of IRS Audit Findings … [Read more...] about Scandal Eyes
House Fishing Expeditions- Hoping to Hook a Big One
The House GOP refuses to let up. As long as they can keep potential scandals in the public eye by going fishing, they will keep at it. They’re hoping this will energize their base for the 2014 elections and keep the general public from focusing on the fact that important legislating is not getting done. The questions are how long they will be able to keep these events at … [Read more...] about House Fishing Expeditions- Hoping to Hook a Big One
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) Holding Constituents Hostage by Seeking Budget Cuts for Tornado Aid
SHAMEFUL: Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) is willing to hold his constituents in the face of a major tornado disaster in Moore, Okla., hostage by saying he won't support disaster relief for his home state unless the budget is cut elsewhere. Given that he voted against Sandy relief aid for New York and New Jersey, I have to say he's consistent, if anything. To echo Americablog, Tom … [Read more...] about Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) Holding Constituents Hostage by Seeking Budget Cuts for Tornado Aid
Angelina Jolie’s ‘Breasts of Social Contention’ (News, Switzerland)
With her announcement of a double mastectomy, Angelina Jolie has created a social media tsunami. But according to columnist Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's News, she has unwittingly done something else: expose the ugly underbelly of misinformed new media opinion. For Switzerland's News, Patrik Etschmayer writes in part: Anyone who has actually read her statement … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie’s ‘Breasts of Social Contention’ (News, Switzerland)
More Guns Laws, Less Crime
Gun rights advocates are jumping at recent polls showing that gun violence has decreased and the public is unaware of this phenomenon. Rush Limbaugh argues that, “as America arms up, gun violence goes down,” parroting the infamous book by Dr. John Lott, More Guns, Less Crime. Emily Miller argues in the Washington Times that, liberals have been “muzzled” by the news. But, in … [Read more...] about More Guns Laws, Less Crime