This addition of the "Rattling of the Cages" focuses on new developments in major House, Senate, and Gubernatorial races. One bipartisan occurrence is past& current members of Congress ruling out Senate bids. In the past 10 days, five current or past House members, three Republicans and two Democrats, took their names out of races for the Senate. None were particular … [Read more...] about Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
Unmanned fighters in near future
The US Navy has launched the first full fighter-sized robot plane from an aircraft carrier. Those of us who think growth in technology is linear rather than exponential often make the mistake of thinking this is no big deal because it hasn't landed on a carrier yet. My prediction is they'll have planes like this landing on carriers in fairly short time... and that by the end of … [Read more...] about Unmanned fighters in near future
“Bombshell” Benghazi Emails Reportedly Appear Edited and Distorted (UPDATED)
A new twist in the "bombshell" Benghzai emails ABC News reported on last week, emails leaked that seemed to be at varience with the White House account of what occurred. This story now gets notably smellier: According to CNN, it now seems as if these emails were edited -- and the White House is pointing the finger at Republicans in Congress for not just leaking emails, but … [Read more...] about “Bombshell” Benghazi Emails Reportedly Appear Edited and Distorted (UPDATED)
Yes I Like Colorization: Laurel and Hardy’s “Blotto”
Colorization was once considered a potential gold mine: all of those classic black and white films could be turned into color and made more accessible to younger generations. But it didn't quite work out that way: it was a novelty that was tried, but didn't really turn great old films into new gold. But I LIKE colorization. Here's the full Laurel and Hardy short from the … [Read more...] about Yes I Like Colorization: Laurel and Hardy’s “Blotto”
Deputy US AG Jim Cole Made Decision to Subpoena AP Phone Records
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recused himself from Associated Press leak investigation. Attorney General Eric Holder has recused himself from the Associated Press leak investigation. He will officially announce his recusal at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Fox News is reporting his recusal comes partially because Holder has testified about potential … [Read more...] about Deputy US AG Jim Cole Made Decision to Subpoena AP Phone Records
Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy
Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy (via AFP) Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of breast cancer, encouraging other women to address threats to their health. The ultra-glamorous Jolie -- whose mother Marcheline Bertrand died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56 --… … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie: I had double mastectomy
Dick Cheney Says Benghazi Attack ‘One of Worst Incidents I Can Recall in My Career’
Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared on Fox News saying the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi was “one of the worst incidences” he could recall. Um, let's see, September 11, 2001, didn't ring a bell for him. There's more -- he also attacked President Obama’s response, claiming that the Obama administration “lied” about Benghazi. Of course, … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney Says Benghazi Attack ‘One of Worst Incidents I Can Recall in My Career’
The Risks of Serving Our Country
The tragic events at our Benghazi consulate last fall underscore the risks that brave Americans who volunteer to serve their country in diplomatic, intelligence, military and other Services overseas knowingly and willingly accept. Of course, they -- and all Americans -- expect their government to take all necessary, reasonable and practical measures and precautions to make … [Read more...] about The Risks of Serving Our Country
Nancy Pelosi on John Boehner: If He Were a Woman, They’d Call Him ‘Weakest Speaker in History’
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) ripped into House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) during an appearance on MSNBC, saying "if he were a woman, they'd call him the weakest speaker in history." She was specifically referencing his inability to get anything done in the Congress. "Well, because they don't get anything done. Where are the results? What are the results?" Pelosi … [Read more...] about Nancy Pelosi on John Boehner: If He Were a Woman, They’d Call Him ‘Weakest Speaker in History’
Is The I.R.S. Politicized?
The debacle recently uncovered at the I.R.S. reinforces Republican disdain for the organization and in general for the collection of government revenue. The targeting of Tea Party and conservative groups that claimed tax exemption because they were primarily “social welfare” organizations appears to be an abuse of power by the I.R.S. It is not yet clear at what level of the … [Read more...] about Is The I.R.S. Politicized?
Social Class: The Next Affirmative Action?
I've previously argued that America needs affirmative action. But what if the Supreme Court strikes it down? The Supreme Court is set to decide soon on Fischer v University of Texas. The court will likely focus on whether the university has reached a “critical mass” of minority students (enough that minority students no longer feel isolated), the test put forward in the … [Read more...] about Social Class: The Next Affirmative Action?
Russia Details Agent It Says is “CIA Agent”
Russia detains 'American CIA agent' in Moscow (via AFP) Russia on Tuesday said it had detained an alleged American CIA agent who was working undercover at the US embassy and was discovered with a large stash of money as he was trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB, ex-KGB) identified the man Ryan C. Fogle… … [Read more...] about Russia Details Agent It Says is “CIA Agent”
Twelve Obnoxious Political, Cultural and Media Phrases
You hear them repeatedly: words and phrases suddenly pitch-forked into our political, media and cultural conversation that become fashionable -- and are done to death. They're as grating as chalk slowly scraping on blackboard . Here's a list of the top 12 screamingly annoying phrases: 1. Grand Bargain. "Grand" is a word meaning great, magnificent and big that hardly … [Read more...] about Twelve Obnoxious Political, Cultural and Media Phrases
Karl Rove’s Speedy 2016 Anti-Hillary Ad
Let's face it: Warner Bros. iconic Speedy Gonzales would lose a race to Republican political maven Karl Rove, who has rebounded from his multi-fronted 2012 campaign failures to come out with what The Daily Beast's John Avlon says is one of the earliest campaign ads ever: an ad aimed at bringing up the negatives for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Less than … [Read more...] about Karl Rove’s Speedy 2016 Anti-Hillary Ad
‘Timelapse’ Project Offers 25 Years of Animated Earth Images From Space [GIFS]
‘Timelapse’ Project Offers 25 Years of Animated Earth Images From Space [GIFS] (via Planetsave) Ever wish you had a planetary time machine that allowed you to see the progression of geological or industrial changes leading up to our present time?…Ever wanted to see how much your city has grown over the past 25 + years…or view the dramatic loss of forest cover in … [Read more...] about ‘Timelapse’ Project Offers 25 Years of Animated Earth Images From Space [GIFS]
Obama Administration Actions Make Case For Federal Shield Law
By secretly seizing business and personal telephone records of Associated Press reporters and editors the Obama Administration has provided ammunition for advocates of a federal shield law. Society of Professional Journalists president Sonny Albarado called the act "shameful and outrageous." This incident proves once again the need for a federal Shield Law. Prosecutors, … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Actions Make Case For Federal Shield Law
Before Sanford,Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel Had wife — and Soulmate
Way back before Marvin Mandel campaigning for re-election (An Enterprise File Photo) Before Mark Sanford, Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel Had wife — And Soul mate Historic Tidbit: In the 1970's, New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne had a little tax problem. After raising them, chants of "One-term Byrne were held," and the Governor himself would later joke that "half … [Read more...] about Before Sanford,Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel Had wife — and Soulmate
(UPDATE) The 2013 Warrior Games: A Royal Touch
Britain's Prince Harry and Marine Staff Sgt. Joshua Miles, the master of ceremonies, salute during the playing of the national anthems at the opening of the 2013 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 11, 2013 [Update at bottom] The first Warrior Games took place in 2010. They are a joint endeavor between the U.S. Olympic … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) The 2013 Warrior Games: A Royal Touch
Justice Department Snooped on AP (More Second Term Curse)
The second term curse of President Barack Obama which has raged on two fronts (Benghazi and the IRS) now opens a third front: it turns out the Justice Department snooped on the Associated Press. Here's the beginning of the AP story: The Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of reporters and editors for The Associated Press in what the news … [Read more...] about Justice Department Snooped on AP (More Second Term Curse)
Quote of the Day: The White House’s “Terrible Week”
As I noted in earlier posts, I do think the Obama administration has reached a turning point and unless something almost earthshattering happens a)the "second term curse"is in place and b)the Republicans will have a chance of picking up both houses of Congress in 2014 because their base will be energized and Democrats as usual when it looks tough will be demoralized and stay … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The White House’s “Terrible Week”