It is obvious that Republicans, Democrats, and independents, have differing views of the characteristics and values of the two political parties. This was reinforced by a recent Gallop Poll (http://goo.gl/aYs4c) that surveyed citizens about what they liked and disliked about the Republican and Democratic Parties. In addition to overall answers, the replies were broken down by … [Read more...] about Perceptions of America’s Political Parties
Jim Carrey is Funny, But That Doesn’t Mean He’s Always Right
For those living in the caves of Waziristan, Jim Carrey’s video, “Cold Dead Hand,” is not only breaking Funny or Die records for viewership, it is also driving the Fox News correspondents into a frenzy. It’s catchy, funny and fierce, I confess that I burst out laughing at work, something I can usually avoid. But while the song itself is funny and poignant, when Carrey shifts to … [Read more...] about Jim Carrey is Funny, But That Doesn’t Mean He’s Always Right
Sequester Cuts: Not In My Backyard! (Guest Voice)
Sequester Cuts: Not In My Backyard! by Dick Polman Back in the winter, Republicans were perfectly happy to let the sequester happen. They hewed to their math-challenged belief that Washington could slash the budget deficit by taking an axe to entitlement programs, preserving or hiking defense spending, lowering tax rates, and foregoing any new revenue. And if the Obama … [Read more...] about Sequester Cuts: Not In My Backyard! (Guest Voice)
(UPDATE) Surgical Paralysis as Punishment? In 2013?
UPDATE: The BBC, one of the first to report on the story, now reports that a Saudi justice minister has “tweeted” that the judge in the case has decided to dismiss demands for the surgical paralysis of the man accused of causing paralysis of a friend. Earlier, Princess Basmah Bint Saud, of the Saudi royal family, condemned the sentence in an interview with Jeremy Paxman … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Surgical Paralysis as Punishment? In 2013?
Newspaper revenue down 6%, but display ad revenue trumps Google
According to the Newspaper Association of America, advertising revenue dropped 6% in 2012. Total revenue was down 2% to an estimated $38.6 billion.* That's the doom-and-gloom story. The one that's not making any waves that I can see is this: the $3.4 billion in digital ads reported by NAA is more than the $2.6 billion in display ad revenue reported by Google last … [Read more...] about Newspaper revenue down 6%, but display ad revenue trumps Google
Honest Assessments of Thatcher’s Demise
Glenn Greenwald makes an important point: Margaret Thatcher and misapplied death etiquette Glenn Greenwald / Guardian The dictate that one ‘not speak ill of the dead’ is (at best) appropriate for private individuals, not influential public figures — News of Margaret Thatcher's death this morning instantly and predictably gave rise to righteous sermons on the evils of … [Read more...] about Honest Assessments of Thatcher’s Demise
A GREAT World Cruise: Diary Part 2
Editor's Note: Cruises that go terribly or tragically wrong are always in the news, starting with the Titanic. But what about the many, many cruises that are sheer joy? Last year retired French professor Jeffry Foster went on a world voyage. We are presenting his diary in several parts. Here's Part 2: World Voyage Part 2 by Jeffrey Foster Monday, January 9: The show last … [Read more...] about A GREAT World Cruise: Diary Part 2
Republican Filibuster of Gun Control Now Official? McConnell Joins Filibuster
You can now bet the bank on it: if attempts at even the tepid parts of barely-surviving gun control proposals that proponents are now trying to get through the Senate die because of a Republican filibuster, the party won't escape blame for refusing to let it come to a vote because it's now all but an official act: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it known he's on … [Read more...] about Republican Filibuster of Gun Control Now Official? McConnell Joins Filibuster
Zack Kopplin on Real Time with Bill Maher
Texas college student and staunch science advocate Zack Kopplin has done some Guest Voices on TMV (go HERE for his take on Bobby Jindal and creationism, and HERE for his call to stop funding creationism in schools in his home state of Louisiana). Here's his recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher: As I've said before, it's reassuring to see someone dedicated to … [Read more...] about Zack Kopplin on Real Time with Bill Maher
April is ‘National Child Abuse Prevention Month.’
'It shouldn't hurt to be a child' image, courtesy U.S. Air Force Each month of the year has been, nationally or by organizations, declared the “Month of xxxx” to commemorate certain important events or to promote, create awareness or draw attention to certain causes or special interests. About.com says, “April is one of the few months that does not contain a long … [Read more...] about April is ‘National Child Abuse Prevention Month.’
Swashbuckler on the grandest stage
WASHINGTON -- When I met Margaret Thatcher she was out of office, watching with more than a touch of amusement as her successor, John Major, meandered from crisis to disappointment to sticky wicket. Major seemed in thrall to events, not in command of them. Thatcher, who had been ousted by her own Conservative Party, was feeling vindicated. She leaned close to deliver a … [Read more...] about Swashbuckler on the grandest stage
Climate Change Could Lead to More Turbulent Flights
Climate Change Could Lead to More Turbulent Flights (via Climate Central) By Michael D. Lemonick Follow @MLemonick It may be time to add another item to the growing list of problems likely to worsen with climate change. A new paper in the journal Nature Climate Change argues that thanks to projected changes in the jet stream, one form of air turbulence will likely … [Read more...] about Climate Change Could Lead to More Turbulent Flights
Is the National Republican Congressional Committee Ashamed of the Word “Republican?”
Some years ago there was a lot of buzz when as fried foods came into disfavor in various media stories and then Kentucky Fried Chicken became known as "KFC." Other saw a similar intent to make a more appealing brand when the International House of Pancakes became known far and wide as "IHOP" (which sounds like a frog explaining his daily things-to-do list). But now we have a … [Read more...] about Is the National Republican Congressional Committee Ashamed of the Word “Republican?”
Would the Republican Party Accept Thatcher?
Mr. Gandelman asks American conservatives to cover their ears because Thatcher raised the alarm about climate change. That's not all! ThinkProgress notes that Thatcher supported the NHS ("It delivered a high quality of care — especially when it came to acute illnesses — and at a reasonably modest unit cost, at least compared with some insurance-based systems"), increased … [Read more...] about Would the Republican Party Accept Thatcher?
Quick: American Conservatives Cover Your Ears
Quick! American conservatives cover your ears: the late Margaret Thatcher sounded the alarm on climate change, David Frum reminds us. … [Read more...] about Quick: American Conservatives Cover Your Ears
George Galloway’s Partisan Hack Tweet on Margaret Thatcher
Lest you think that only American partisans are capable of over-the-top, name calling political hackery which reflects on them when they go over the top, just look at this controversy swirling around Great Britain's Tweet about former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher leftist George Galloway has provoked criticism after writing a 'distasteful' comment following the death of … [Read more...] about George Galloway’s Partisan Hack Tweet on Margaret Thatcher
A Gay Student at Liberty University Develops Stockholm Syndrome
The Atlantic recently published an article written by a gay man named Brandon Ambrosino who went to school at Liberty and believes the university is unfairly pilloried. Having gone to a rather conservative university myself, I found much of his essay familiar. He writes that: For every few really cool students on campus, there's always that one jerk who regularly posts … [Read more...] about A Gay Student at Liberty University Develops Stockholm Syndrome
Margaret Thatcher Dies of Stroke at 87
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, considered one of the giants of the late 20th century, has died of a stroke at age 87 -- and the news stories and tributes are flowing as strong and steady as the kind of leadership she provided that made her a legend, even among those who disagreed with her: Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died "peacefully" at … [Read more...] about Margaret Thatcher Dies of Stroke at 87
RIP: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dies at Age 87
RIP: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies at age 87. The Iron Lady, as she was dubbed, shook up politics and left an indelible mark on the world. She was tough as nails and didn't back away from a fight. Her legacy is still felt today in Great Britain in so many ways, not just on social issues, but in the political parties as well. Margaret Thatcher will … [Read more...] about RIP: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dies at Age 87
Will the GOP block background checks?
WASHINGTON -- Is Congress on the verge of turning away from the lessons of the slaughter in Newtown even as Connecticut enacts sweeping laws to curb gun violence? Is the gun lobby hell-bent on aligning our country with such great friends of liberty as Iran, North Korea and Syria by opposing efforts to condition international gun sales on the human rights records of buyers? … [Read more...] about Will the GOP block background checks?