With Sunnis and Shiites arrayed for a battle to the death in Syria, clerics on both sides are only making matters worse. Columnist Hazem Mubaidin of Iraq's Al Mada warns that rival shiekhs - Hezbullah's Hassan Nasrallah and Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi - are issuing religious fatwas for reasons having nothing to do with religion, and are leading their respective sides to … [Read more...] about Nasrallah vs. Qaradawi: Battling Sheikhs Turning Syria into Repeat of Iraq (Al Mada, Iraq)
Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
In this superb self-satire video, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie loses his famous fleece -- a video that pokes fun at his 2016 possible career hopes and features some well known music and political celebrities. Created for the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents' Dinner Tuesday night.' Christie is QUITE good on camera: … [Read more...] about Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up
If there's a consensus that seemed to be emerging from the Republican-hyped House hearings on the tragedy in Benghazi hears today it seems to be this: the hearings are revealing incompetence, but no cover- up. This is, of course, cutting out Fox News and conservative talkers but by most accounts (news coverage, news accounts, and the opinions of people not associated with … [Read more...] about Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up
Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs
Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs (via PBS News Hour) RAY SUAREZ: Now an update on the impact of federal spending cuts known as the sequester. The government must reduce spending in most programs across the board by $85 billion dollars this year -- the latest fallout, federal officials announced today they're postponing auctions for new oil … [Read more...] about Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs
Sanford and Son (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized use of cartoons without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sanford and Son (Cartoon)
Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder
Arizona jury finds Jodi Arias guilty of first-degree murder (via The Repository) PHOENIX ? Jodi Arias was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend in Arizona after a four-month trial that captured headlines with lurid tales of sex, lies, religion and a salacious relationship that ended in a blood bath. Arias was charged with … [Read more...] about Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder
Conservative Group Floats Obama Impeachment for Wrecking Stock Market, Really?
Right wing groups will stop at nothing to blast President Obama for just about anything, even the most preposterous. Conservative Capital Hill Daily sent the Citizen United’s listserv a query Tuesday, floating the idea of impeaching President Obama because he wrecked the stock market. Um, that was the very day the stock market hit 15,056 in a historic high. When Obama took … [Read more...] about Conservative Group Floats Obama Impeachment for Wrecking Stock Market, Really?
Watch Live: House Hearing on Benghazi Attack 11:30 a.m. ET (Live Video)
Watch Live: Hearing on Benghazi Attack on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET (via PBS News Hour) By: News Desk Gregory Hicks, deputy chief of mission in Tripoli, Libya, during the time of the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, reportedly told House investigators that U.S. officials in Libya knew the assault on the compound was a premeditated terrorist attack from the … [Read more...] about Watch Live: House Hearing on Benghazi Attack 11:30 a.m. ET (Live Video)
From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety
From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety (via AFP) Bangladesh's massive building collapse has horrified Western nations that buy its garments, but industry players expect incremental progress at best in encouraging better factory conditions. Initiatives by governments, corporations and unions to impose more stringent safety rules in Bangladesh have… … [Read more...] about From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety
The Continued Political Ascent of Chris Christie
Poll numbers continue to show New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie one of the most popular Repoublican governors in the nation. NBC's First Read notes his ascent, how he's on the same wavenlength as voters in his state -- but also how voters in his state don't want him to run for President: *** In New Jersey, Christie is crushing his Dem opponent: In this year’s other … [Read more...] about The Continued Political Ascent of Chris Christie
Is Right-Wing Conservative Talk Radio Dying?
Is conservative talk radio dying? In many of my posts here and in my Cagle and The Week columns, I've noted that conservative talk seems largerly rooted in the ingrained 1960s polarization fixations of Baby Boomer talk show hosts. Younger people often shake their heads with dismay at the talk show rage, yelling, demonization of someone or a different party, and the often … [Read more...] about Is Right-Wing Conservative Talk Radio Dying?
Obama on Sexual Assault in the Military: “I Don’t Want Just More Speeches…”
Stung by a spate of sexual misconduct incidents in the military and probably quite embarrassed by the allegations of sexual misconduct against the Air Force officer in charge of the service’s sexual assault prevention and response effort, the President and the Pentagon have come out swinging on this important matter. On the day after the Chief of the U.S. Air Force’s Sexual … [Read more...] about Obama on Sexual Assault in the Military: “I Don’t Want Just More Speeches…”
Comeback: Mark Sanford Wins House Seat in South Carolina Race
Sanford wins House seat (via The Augusta Chronicle) Sanford defeated Elizabeth Colbert Busch Tuesday in the state's 1st Congressional District. Colbert Busch is the sister of political satirist Stephen Colbert. With 71 percent of precincts reporting, Sanford has 54 percent of the vote. At one time, Sanford was mentioned as a possible GOP presidential… … [Read more...] about Comeback: Mark Sanford Wins House Seat in South Carolina Race
Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dies at 92 (VIDEO)
Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dies at 92 (VIDEO) (via GlobalPost) From 'Mighty Joe Young' to 'Clash of the Titans,' Ray Harryhausen influenced a generation of movie makers. David Trifunov Ray Harryhausen, the man who brought dinosaurs back to life and Sinbad’s great adventures to the big screen, died Tuesday in London, his foundation said. He was 92. … [Read more...] about Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dies at 92 (VIDEO)
Will South Carolina finally achieve respectability today?
Sanford and his ex-wife are due in court on Thursday. A judge rejected Jenny Sanford’s request to ban television cameras and recording devices in the courtroom, raising the possibility of an embarrassing public spectacle for the former governor just two days after the election. ...The Hill It's been a long haul -- like forever! Will the state finally show its political … [Read more...] about Will South Carolina finally achieve respectability today?
Quote of the Day: Lawrence O’Donnell on NRA President Wayne LaPierre Exploiting Boston Marathon Bombing
We've known for years that politics has no shame, but never as much in recent days where NRA gigwig Wayne LaPierre has been trying to use the Boston Marathon bombing as an argument for having guns. It's a "high concept" idea that at first glance makes sense to some (NRA members and conservative Republicans in particular) but doesn't stand up if put in the real context of what … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Lawrence O’Donnell on NRA President Wayne LaPierre Exploiting Boston Marathon Bombing
Could NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Lap-Band Stomach Surgery Signal Possible 2016 Presidential Run?
Report: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie "secretly underwent lap-band stomach surgery to aggressively slim down for the sake of his wife and kids," the New York Post reports. Gov. Chris Christie: "I've struggled with this issue for 20 years. For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them." "He declined to say how much he lost, … [Read more...] about Could NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Lap-Band Stomach Surgery Signal Possible 2016 Presidential Run?
Christie underwent weight-loss surgery in February
Christie underwent weight-loss surgery in February (via NJ.com) TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie — whose weight has long been the subject of public worry and late-night talk show jokes — secretly underwent lap-band stomach surgery in February in an effort to shed pounds, his office confirmed today. The New York Post reported this morning that Christie said family… … [Read more...] about Christie underwent weight-loss surgery in February
Another Washington Joke- Corporate Taxes
Corporate taxes in the United States are supposedly the highest in the world, nominally at 35 percent, which should be a major financial disincentive to economic growth and corporate investment in this country. However, no major corporation pays its federal obligation at this rate, finding ways to lower its taxes, or avoid them completely. In this day and age, only an … [Read more...] about Another Washington Joke- Corporate Taxes
States “Race to the Bottom” on Drone Privacy
States are currently in a race to the bottom, sacrificing privacy concerns for the sake of economic growth. The FAA is in the process of selecting six test sites for unmanned aerial drones and states are in a vicious competition for the accompanying jobs. Some states, like Washington and North Dakota, have a natural advantage, due to their already well-established drone … [Read more...] about States “Race to the Bottom” on Drone Privacy