This is an issue that has troubled and raged in newsrooms for many years -- and now the AP has taken a (partial) stand on it. For years many Americans (and certainly partisans who are against immigration reform) have used the phrase "illegal immigrants" or, earlier, "illegal aliens." Each word is hotly debated so the AP has taken some action: The Associated Press on … [Read more...] about The AP drops ‘illegal immigrant’
This Week In Republicanland: Must Own a Gun In Georgia Town (Guest Voice)
This Week In Republicanland: Must Own a Gun In Georgia Town (via BlareShare) The extreme right-wing culture in America has more in common with the average North Korean than they do the average American. Sadly, the very thing that makes them similar to the North Korean culture of extreme fear and hatred is the very thing that makes them blind to the truth of similarity. … [Read more...] about This Week In Republicanland: Must Own a Gun In Georgia Town (Guest Voice)
Gun control? Nah. Probably not (UPDATED)
The Washington Post sums it up. First, a graphic showing NRA $influence$: Like, you need to know more than that? Well, okay. .. There has been virtually no progress since senators left Washington on March 23 for a two-week spring recess. And now, back home, senators are assessing the raw politics of their constituencies to determine which could cost them more in … [Read more...] about Gun control? Nah. Probably not (UPDATED)
Pat Robertson: “Simple and Humble” Foreigners More Ready to Accept Miracles Than “Too Educated” Americans
More right wing evangelical hogwash -- Pat Robertson was asked why miracles occur in Africa and not in the United States. His response was basically because we are overly educated. Um, really? “Well, we are so sophisticated, we think we’ve got everything figured out, we know about evolution, we know about Darwin, we know about all these things that says God isn’t real, we know … [Read more...] about Pat Robertson: “Simple and Humble” Foreigners More Ready to Accept Miracles Than “Too Educated” Americans
Mark Kirk Backs Marriage Equality
Another senator heard from … [Read more...] about Mark Kirk Backs Marriage Equality
Big Bill Taft An Underrated and Underappreciated President
Historic Tidbit: William Howard Taft was a compassionate man. When one of his chief aides, Archibald Butt, was despondent over breaking-up with his girlfriend, Taft encouraged him to take a vacation to Europe, which he did. How did he proceed to return home: on the Titanic. Butt was not among the survivors. One of my favorite Presidents, not in the area of accomplishments … [Read more...] about Big Bill Taft An Underrated and Underappreciated President
The War on Victoria’s Secret, A Rejoinder
My post yesterday received some constructive responses. I feel the need to clarify my position and crystallize my rebuttal of what I will call the "traditionalist" view of sexuality. To begin, I am no defender of Victoria's Secret; I don't hide my disdain for corporate advertising. Corporations aren't concerned with what's right, they want to make profits and therefore appeal … [Read more...] about The War on Victoria’s Secret, A Rejoinder
North Korea: US signals strength, but speaks softly
North Korea: US signals strength, but speaks softly (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (c.) uses binoculars to look at the South's territory from an observation post at the military unit on Jangjae islet, located in the southernmost part of the southwestern sector of North Korea's border with South Korea, last … [Read more...] about North Korea: US signals strength, but speaks softly
Hey, Is That Butterfly Spying On You? (Guest Voice)
Hey, Is That Butterfly Spying On You? Tyrades! By Danny Tyree Salon.com recently ran excerpts of Emily Anthes's book "Frankenstein's Cat: Cuddling Up To Biotech's Brave New Beasts," and I may never look at national security the same way again. Emboldened by breakthroughs in genetic engineering and advances in the miniaturization of microprocessors, receivers and … [Read more...] about Hey, Is That Butterfly Spying On You? (Guest Voice)
How the Chicago Cubs could surprise everyone this season
Here's how the Chicago Cubs could surprise everyone this season. … [Read more...] about How the Chicago Cubs could surprise everyone this season
3000 Gun Deaths Since New Town (Guest Cartoonist)
3000 Gun Deaths Since New Town by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Connecticut lawmakers agree on tough gun control bill --Firearms advocates target gun-control measures --Many American White Men Worship Guns Because of Sexual Insecurity, Entitlement, and Profit --The NRA's Next Assault on Gun Control --Brazil Govt: Homicide Rate Dips After Gun Control Mike … [Read more...] about 3000 Gun Deaths Since New Town (Guest Cartoonist)
Caroline Kennedy to be US ambassador to Japan? Why it makes sense now.
Caroline Kennedy to be US ambassador to Japan? Why it makes sense now. (via The Christian Science Monitor) Caroline Kennedy, seen here promoting her new poetry anthology, "Poems to Learn by Heart," in Brookline, Mass., is reportedly being vetted as potential ambassador to Japan. (Joanne Ciccarello/Staff) Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President Kennedy, may be on her … [Read more...] about Caroline Kennedy to be US ambassador to Japan? Why it makes sense now.
April Fools (Guest Voice)
April Fools by Peter Funt The calendar says Monday is April first, but lately it seems that foolishness occurs year-round. As one who devoted much of his life to the family business of pranking people, I'm often asked if folks are more difficult to trick today than six decades ago when my dad, Allen Funt, invented "Candid Camera." After all, we're now so dialed in and … [Read more...] about April Fools (Guest Voice)
US sends destroyer off Korea coast: official
US sends destroyer off Korea coast: official (via AFP) The United States has positioned near North Korea a destroyer capable of shooting down missiles in the latest military move amid a showdown with the communist state, an official said Monday. The USS Fitzgerald, which had sailed to South Korea as part of recent exercises, has been sent off the southwestern… … [Read more...] about US sends destroyer off Korea coast: official
Stockton Wins Round One Of Bankruptcy Battle, Dozens To Go
A federal judge has ruled in favor of the city of Stockton, California allowing the city to enter bankruptcy. This is pretty much round one of dozens though. The city's creditors were asking the judge to throw the case out on the grounds that the city was either not bankrupt or had failed to negotiate in good faith with creditors in trying to avoid bankruptcy. It is quite … [Read more...] about Stockton Wins Round One Of Bankruptcy Battle, Dozens To Go
Entire Cast of Downton Abbey Killed Off in Season 4
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes confirmed today that the entire cast of Downton Abbey will be killed off in Season 4. Fellowes stated, “It’s something we do really well, we feel like it’s our niche. You know...creating a character you grow to love, respect and trust and then killing ‘em off. It’s like our thing.” Fellowes added, “You know how the Fonz said ‘Hey’ a lot, … [Read more...] about Entire Cast of Downton Abbey Killed Off in Season 4
GA Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart Says Legalizing Same Sex Marriage Could Lead to Fraud
The Republican Party is still deaf when it comes to what the public wants. They haven't noticed that gay marriage is more widely accepted than before. Here's what Georgia Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart had to say about same sex marriage: “Lord, I’m going to get in trouble over this, but it is not natural for two women or two men to be married,” Everhart said. “If it … [Read more...] about GA Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart Says Legalizing Same Sex Marriage Could Lead to Fraud
Michele Bachmann’s sideshow is hurting the GOP
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is a monkey wrench thrown into the GOP's rebranding efforts. I explain why in my column for The Week Online: Attention, GOP: Your rebranding attempts are being undercut by a segment of your party getting big headlines and lots of airtime — a segment symbolized by the Minnesota quote-machine, Rep. Michele Bachmann. Due to a series of … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann’s sideshow is hurting the GOP
Disrespect for Mao Exposes Truth about U.S. ‘Free Speech’ (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Beijing is angry today with the U.S. Department of Education. The Department's infraction?: Removing a quote of China's late leader Mao Zedung from its Web site. According to this editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu, the knee-jerk removal of the quote, at the behest of Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, shows that far from being the world's leading advocate of free expression, … [Read more...] about Disrespect for Mao Exposes Truth about U.S. ‘Free Speech’ (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Rebranding Problems: Gallup Poll Finds Americans Believe GOP “Unwilling to Compromise”
Republican rebranding will not be easy. A new Gallup Poll finds a wide range of voters -- even rank-and-file Republicans -- believe Republicans are unwilling to compromise. The Democrats remain saddled with the longtime criticism, that they spend too much. But this suggests a rockier road ahead for GOPes then Dems: As Republican leaders openly scrutinize their party after … [Read more...] about Rebranding Problems: Gallup Poll Finds Americans Believe GOP “Unwilling to Compromise”