I have been absent since my computer blew up on April 15. The problem is unresolved, and in synchronicity with the Boston Marathon Bombings, there has been no need to comment: I assure you, every single, solitary thought, conspiracy theory, paranoia, factoid and opinion -- informed and un -- have filled the airwaves and packet exchanges ever SINCE that date, so my absence has … [Read more...] about Fiction and Non-Fiction in Manhattan
A Monster of a movie, a Monster of a performance
My lady did an inventory of all our DVDs and Blu Rays and it turns out that I have a lot. I felt a stupid sense of pride, which followed a haunting realisation about how much those damn things have cost me over the years. The wife reckons we have between £2,000 to £3,000 worth of discs. I fear it’s more. In fact, I know it’s more because she didn’t take into account the films I … [Read more...] about A Monster of a movie, a Monster of a performance
Syria: Chuck Hagel’s First Test?
Our newest Secretary of Defense, a former grunt, a former sergeant who many claimed would not be able to stand up against generals or handle a security crisis, just completed a five-nation “inaugural” tour -- Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates -- where he met with royalty, heads of state, defense ministers and, yes, with many generals, but also … [Read more...] about Syria: Chuck Hagel’s First Test?
Hear Alexander Graham’s Voice 128 Year Later: New Technology Makes Unplayable Playable
An old supposedly unplayable wax recording from 1885 is now playable due to modern technology. The voice: telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell. And it was hiding in plain sight: at the Smithsonian Institution. You might want call him "Count Alexander Graham Bell" since he first counts, then rattles off some dollars and sense and then mentions his name> Listen, as you go … [Read more...] about Hear Alexander Graham’s Voice 128 Year Later: New Technology Makes Unplayable Playable
What About Joe? Examining Biden’s Options Post 2016
So what about Joe? Most people think the Vice-President's mind is already made up about seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2016. The belief is that only one woman can stop him, and it's not Hillary. That would be his wife Jill. Many rank and file Democrats, particularly those who encompass the core of chief Democratic constituencies, would rather not have to … [Read more...] about What About Joe? Examining Biden’s Options Post 2016
Boston suspects planned Times Square attack: NY mayor
Boston suspects planned Times Square attack: NY mayor (via AFP) The brothers accused of staging the Boston Marathon bombings planned a new attack in Times Square as they were being hunted by police, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev confessed the plan to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in his hospital bed, Bloomberg… … [Read more...] about Boston suspects planned Times Square attack: NY mayor
Freedom and Healthcare: Are Libertarians In Danger of Becoming Relevant?
You don't have to be a economist to understand why American healthcare has been such a disaster for so long -- and why Obamacare has spectacularly failed to do the one thing that would have solved most of its problems. Because of a near-evil system in which employers are subsidized to pay health insurance premiums that the consumers of healthcare never pay, the health … [Read more...] about Freedom and Healthcare: Are Libertarians In Danger of Becoming Relevant?
(UPDATES) Syrian Chemical Weapons: Enough of a ‘Red Line’ for Obama? What Next?
UPDATE II: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel comments on “The Red Line” during today’s Media Availability with Secretary Hagel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Q: Mr. Secretary, does this cross the red line? SEC. HAGEL: Well, first, I would answer your question this way. We need all the facts. We need all the information. What I've just … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) Syrian Chemical Weapons: Enough of a ‘Red Line’ for Obama? What Next?
Do “Reforms” Ever Hurt The Rich?
I'm a writer. Maybe that's why I have such a clear understanding of how words can be used to affect the way readers and listeners of words think. In the economic realm, over a period of decades, I've watched as some very important words have come to be used systematically, pervasively, and brilliantly to make certain conclusions that benefit the rich seem undeniable, and … [Read more...] about Do “Reforms” Ever Hurt The Rich?
Bush Presidential Library Dedicated
This morning ceremonies were held marking the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. I know that Bush remains a lighting rod for controversy but it was nice to see that today everyone put politics aside to celebrate this country and the institution of the Presidency. Five Presidents and First Ladies gathered together for the ceremonies, a historic moment … [Read more...] about Bush Presidential Library Dedicated
Hagel: Chemical Weapons Have Been Used in Syria
CNN has this: The United States has evidence that the chemical weapon sarin has been used in Syria on a small scale, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday. But numerous questions remain about the origins of the chemicals and what impact their apparent use could have on the ongoing Syrian civil war and international involvement in it. Sen. John McCain says, "It's … [Read more...] about Hagel: Chemical Weapons Have Been Used in Syria
People in Pakistan Live in Constant Fear of a Boston Bombing
The Boston Bombings left three dead and more than 100 injured and some have suggested circumventing the rule of law to prosecute the perpetrator. Yet, in Pakistan the unconstitutional drone war continues to kill innocents. On April 14, between 4 and 6 Pakistanis died in drone strike and numerous civilians were injured. Another strike three days later killed 5 more and injured … [Read more...] about People in Pakistan Live in Constant Fear of a Boston Bombing
Bush urges brother Jeb to run for White House
Bush urges brother Jeb to run for White House (via AFP) Former US president George W. Bush urged his younger brother Jeb to aim for the White House in a 2016 campaign that could enshrine his family as America's ultimate political dynasty. "He'd be a marvelous candidate if he chooses to do so," Bush said, when asked about Jeb's presidential prospects in… … [Read more...] about Bush urges brother Jeb to run for White House
Quote of the Day: the “Golden Age” of Crisis Coverage Never Existed
Our Quote of the Day comes from University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato, one of the country's most accurate political analysts (he's the flip side of Dick Morris) who notes the severe criticism the media is receiving for some of its Boston Marathon bombing coverage -- and notes that the golden age of crisis coverage never existed. He says the JFK assassination … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: the “Golden Age” of Crisis Coverage Never Existed
The culture of preconception
WASHINGTON -- The political response to the Boston Marathon bombings suggests that we live in an age of shrink-wrapped, prepackaged opinions. When something new comes along, we hasten to squeeze it into whatever frameworks we were carrying around with us a day, a month or a year before. When the ghastly news from Boylston Street first hit, there was an immediate … [Read more...] about The culture of preconception
Boston Bombing: A Lame Excuse to Halt Immigration Reform (Guest Voice)
Boston Bombing: A Lame Excuse to Halt Immigration Reform By Dick Polman Conservatives have been desperately trying to halt the bipartisan momentum for path-to-citizenship immigration reform, and, thanks to the Boston bombing, they think they've finally found the perfect (phony) argument: Fear of foreign terrorism. They contend that the bid to bring 11 million people out … [Read more...] about Boston Bombing: A Lame Excuse to Halt Immigration Reform (Guest Voice)
Major GOP Rebranding Setback for John Boehner
There are increasing signs that the goose is cooked on Republican rebranding. It ain't gonna happen. And the latest sign comes in a major setback for House Speaker John Boehner who earlier seemed poised to set a political trap for the White House -- enough of a trap that the White House had issued a statement about the plan. But the plan is now dead. And who killed it? Yes, … [Read more...] about Major GOP Rebranding Setback for John Boehner
CIA asked to add Boston suspect to terror list: official
CIA asked to add Boston suspect to terror list: official (via AFP) The CIA asked the top US counterterrorism agency to add the deceased Boston bombing suspect to a terror watchlist more than a year before the attacks, officials said Wednesday. The spy agency made the move after Russian officials contacted their CIA counterparts in September 2011 about concerns they… … [Read more...] about CIA asked to add Boston suspect to terror list: official
A Tale of Two Hickenloopers: Colorado Governor and ex-Iowa Senator Related
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper would be the first to concede that his name is unusual. In fact, quite unusual, and memorable for that reason. One might even say it brings some, jokeable moments. But there was another politician by the name of Hickenlooper back in the day, Bourke Blakemore Hickenlooper of Iowa. He was Iowa's governor in the 1940's, but was more prominent on … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Hickenloopers: Colorado Governor and ex-Iowa Senator Related
Quote of the Day: Political Trash Talk Back After Boston Marathon Bombing Cease Fire
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz who sadly details all too well the return of "trash talk" to our politics after a brief cease-fire of a week due to the Boston Marathon bombings. Actually, some trash talk returned sooner as detailed by columnist Dick Polman but the political septic tank has returned to its usual overflowing status in … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Political Trash Talk Back After Boston Marathon Bombing Cease Fire