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”
Obama hits out at claims of scandal in tax, Benghazi dramas
Obama hits out at claims of scandal in tax, Benghazi dramas (via AFP) Seeking to quell a growing scandal, President Barack Obama said Monday it would be "outrageous" if US tax authorities targeted conservative groups fiercely opposed to his White House. As he battled growing political woes, Obama also denied his White House had engaged in a cover-up to downplay the … [Read more...] about Obama hits out at claims of scandal in tax, Benghazi dramas
Is Justice Ginsburg Tipping Her Hand
One of the stories making the rounds over the weekend was about a statement by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that was critical of the landmark court ruling in Roe vs. Wade. Most of the coverage focused on the seemingly shocking statement by a liberal who would be expected to defend the case. However the truth is that Ginsburg, a strong supporter of abortion rights, has also … [Read more...] about Is Justice Ginsburg Tipping Her Hand
IRS Scandal Unifies GOP, Could Come Back to Haunt Democratic Party in 2014 Mid-Term Elections
The Obama Administration and Democrats could have an enormous problem on its hands with recent revelation that the Internal Revenue Service targeted Tea Party, Jewish groups and any group that "criticized the government or sought to educate the people about the Constitution." As much as the majority of Americans despise the U.S. Congress, including the Republicans, the White … [Read more...] about IRS Scandal Unifies GOP, Could Come Back to Haunt Democratic Party in 2014 Mid-Term Elections
‘Slow-motion mass murders’
MILWAUKEE -- Public officials are very selective about when violence and death matter. Massacres and terrorist incidents cannot be ignored, but the day-to-day toll from gun violence is often swept aside. Politicians who tout themselves as advocates of law and order don't want to be unmasked as caring even more about their ratings from gun lobbyists. And … [Read more...] about ‘Slow-motion mass murders’
IRS tea party scandal unlikely to fade as Congress plans investigations
IRS tea party scandal unlikely to fade as Congress plans investigations (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View The Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. The agency has apologized for targeting tea party groups for special scrutiny of their tax status. Lawmakers promise investigative hearings.(Susan Walsh/AP) Conspiracy theories aside, … [Read more...] about IRS tea party scandal unlikely to fade as Congress plans investigations
Stiglitz On Higher Education
Joseph Stiglitz writes in this morning's New York Times that, just as America is beginning to recover from the crisis which rocked the world financial system, another storm is about to hit: The crisis that is about to break out involves student debt and how we finance higher education. Like the housing crisis that preceded it, this crisis is intimately connected to … [Read more...] about Stiglitz On Higher Education
Ohio kidnap suspect’s brothers hope he ‘rots’ in jail
Ohio kidnap suspect's brothers hope he 'rots' in jail (via AFP) The brothers of the US man charged with kidnapping and raping three women, locking them in his home for a decade, said they hope he "rots" in jail, in an interview aired on Monday. He's a "monster. Hateful. I hope he rots in that jail," Onil Castro, 50, told CNN. "I don't even want them to take his… … [Read more...] about Ohio kidnap suspect’s brothers hope he ‘rots’ in jail
Secretary Gates on Benghazi Critics’ ‘Cartoonish’ View of Military Capability
One Republican whom I have always admired -- there are others -- is Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Even on issues that I disagreed with him -- such as his refusal to approve the Medal of Honor for Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta -- I have continued to respect him. Today, among the cabal that is Benghazi, there rose one Republican voice that has steadfastly refused … [Read more...] about Secretary Gates on Benghazi Critics’ ‘Cartoonish’ View of Military Capability
Classic Mother Song: M-o-t-h-e-r A Word That Means the World to Me (1916)
A classic mother song: recorded 1916. M-o-t-h-e-r: … [Read more...] about Classic Mother Song: M-o-t-h-e-r A Word That Means the World to Me (1916)
For Mother’s Day: My Mother’s Eyes
Sometimes a moldy, oldy song has lyrics that do say it all. AFitting for Mother's Day: A moldie oldie but the lyrics are poignant for all of us who loved or love our mothers. Listen to the lyrics from this 1929 recording of "My Mother's Eyes" sung by George Jessle. Footnote: Roy Shields who wrote most of the early music for The Little Rascals and Laurel & Hardy at Hal Roach … [Read more...] about For Mother’s Day: My Mother’s Eyes
The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann’s ‘9-11’ Pray Day and Mor
The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann's '9-11' Pray Day and More: From Michele Bachmann's '9-11 Pray' Day to the Texas 'Birther Ballot' bill, here's The Daily Beast's weekly rundown of American politics at its wackiest. tin foil hat graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about The Week in Wingnuts: Michele Bachmann’s ‘9-11’ Pray Day and Mor
Best-selling novel ‘Room’ bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter
Best-selling novel 'Room' bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter (via Cleveland.com) Last September, novelist Emma Donoghue sold out the Ohio Theatre in downtown Cleveland to an audience eager to hear the author of "Room," a tense best seller about a young woman locked in a shed with the child fathered by her captor. … [Read more...] about Best-selling novel ‘Room’ bears chilling parallels to Cleveland abduction ordeal of Amanda Berry and her daughter
Spain’s star ham fights for greater prestige
Spain's star ham fights for greater prestige (via AFP) The exquisite cured ham called Jamon Iberico made from distinctive Iberian black pigs, is the star of Spanish cuisine, but the economic downturn gripping Spain has hurt domestic sales and producers are looking to boost their fortunes abroad. To help market the product overseas, they want to tighten… … [Read more...] about Spain’s star ham fights for greater prestige
US military involvement in Syria a ‘mistake’: Gates
US military involvement in Syria a 'mistake': Gates (via AFP) Former US defense secretary Robert Gates warned Sunday that deepening US military involvement in Syria's civil war would be a "mistake," warning the outcome would be unpredictable and messy. In an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation," Gates also said he saw "no good outcomes" in dealing with Iran… … [Read more...] about US military involvement in Syria a ‘mistake’: Gates
Will Obama suffer the ‘second-term curse’? (Yes)
< On Friday I noted that the "second term curse" has now sprung into effect for President Barack Obama. And I would not be surprise if soon voices on the right accelerate a demand for Obama's impeachment and if at some point Republicans in Congress feel they must (as usual) respond to their base -- with all the implications that will have for the Republican Party (and … [Read more...] about Will Obama suffer the ‘second-term curse’? (Yes)
Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22)
Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22) 11. The integrity of our communication is often rooted not in what we say, but in why and how we say it. 12. Individuality is a mirage. We understand our humanness in relationship to other humans. When we love more, we become more human. 13. Wayward eyebrows are the reward of longevity. 14. If our first goal is to win the … [Read more...] about Daily Proverbs (Possible Tweets 11-22)
Mother’s Day – by a Mother
On this Mother’s Day weekend I have already posted two articles in honor of that very special day and of those very special ladies. As a retired military I naturally gravitate to “all things military,” thus both articles are about “military Moms.” Yesterday, however, I read a touching article about Mothers, period. Moreover, it is written by a mother who has … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day – by a Mother