WASHINGTON -- If a president finds himself in the role of a political scientist, he has a problem -- even when his political science lesson is 100 percent accurate. When President Obama was asked by Jonathan Karl of ABC News at his Tuesday news conference whether he still had "the juice" to get his agenda through Congress, I wish he had replied, "Lighten up. This is the … [Read more...] about Obama needs to hope again
UN groups censure US over Gitmo hunger strike
Even as the Obama administration presses Russia and China to end human rights violations, it received a broadside from several United Nations human rights bodies about its treatment of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners currently on hunger strike. In an opinion published today, six UN groups said detaining people beyond a reasonable period of time even in extraordinary … [Read more...] about UN groups censure US over Gitmo hunger strike
Toomey Confirms It: GOP Anti-Obama Hate Sunk Background Checks
Now we have confirmation of what many analysts and President Barack Obama have long contended: Republicans will vote against something simply because Obama wants it. And in this case it was background checks -- the one part of gun control that SEEMED as if it was a slam-dunk after Newtown. But in the end, Obama' hatred (plus not wanting to lose the NRA campaign cash cow) … [Read more...] about Toomey Confirms It: GOP Anti-Obama Hate Sunk Background Checks
Business is Booming in Perry’s Potemkin Village (Guest Voice)
Business is Booming in Perry's Potemkin Village By Jason Stanford You can't change the facts of an explosion. A large fertilizer factory operated next to homes, a middle school and a nursing home. The factory blew, and 14 people died. We can't change those facts, but it's up to us to decide what they mean. Gov. Rick Perry disagrees with those who see the fatal explosion … [Read more...] about Business is Booming in Perry’s Potemkin Village (Guest Voice)
550 feared dead in Bangladesh as pope slams ‘slave labour’
550 feared dead in Bangladesh as pope slams 'slave labour' (via AFP) Bangladesh rescuers said Wednesday at least 550 people likely died in the collapse of a garment factory complex last week as the pope condemned the use of "slave labour" in the local clothing industry. As bulldozers and cranes worked to remove the rubble of the eight-storey building on the outskirts… … [Read more...] about 550 feared dead in Bangladesh as pope slams ‘slave labour’
A New Orleans Robbery Victim Fights Back (Video)
Yes, there are indeed times when life imitates art. Not all of the people you see in movies who fight back even though they're at risk and turn the tables on the bad guys are the stuff of fiction. Sometimes criminals do pick on the wrong person who won't be physically or even psychologically intimidated. Look what happens when a robber with a rifle picks on the wrong … [Read more...] about A New Orleans Robbery Victim Fights Back (Video)
US police arrest three suspects in Boston bombing
US police arrest three suspects in Boston bombing (via AFP) US police announced on Wednesday that they had arrested three more suspects as part of their investigation into a bomb attack on the Boston marathon that left three dead and more than 260 wounded. "Three additional suspects taken into custody in Marathon bombing case. Details to follow," the Boston… … [Read more...] about US police arrest three suspects in Boston bombing
Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
Last night’s primary in Massachusetts set the stage for Ed Markey to face Gabriel Gomez for the seat vacated by John Kerry. My accompanying post later today will dissect that. My latest installment of Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages focuses on recent developments in upcoming races, one of which is fast upon us, though not fast enough for state and local Republicans. … [Read more...] about Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
It’s May Day. Time To Take Another Look At Socialism?
Socialism had some serious failings as an economic system. It politicized economic decisions, often allocating capital in ways that were unproductive and even counter-productive. It didn't allow enough outlets for entrepreneurship. In its more extreme forms, it devolved into tyranny. However... It did provide a great mechanism for protest, and was a proven means of … [Read more...] about It’s May Day. Time To Take Another Look At Socialism?
Report: Sen. Ted Cruz Considering Possible 2016 Presidential Run
The usual assortment of Republican presidential wingnuts are lining up to toss their hats in the ring for 2016. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is said to be "considering a presidential run, according to his friends," the National Review reports. I guess someone has a really big ego. Can you say "Oh Canada!" Of course, that won't be a problem with the Tea Party since he's no Barack … [Read more...] about Report: Sen. Ted Cruz Considering Possible 2016 Presidential Run
The Dumbest Thing I’ve Read This Week
Because I still have Facebook friends who post dumb things, I find myself accidentally reading dumb things, like this post by Rakhi Kumar, “An Open Letter to Michelle Obama: BTW Beyonce No Longer A 'Role Model.'” Why was I not instantly stopped by the use of “BTW” (or the words “open letter”) in the title? The basic premise of the article is: Variations of Beyonce's … [Read more...] about The Dumbest Thing I’ve Read This Week
Boston Marathon Survivors: The Marines Have Arrived!
Watch the little short film. Marines who have lost legs visit mother who lost her legs in Boston Marathon bombing. God bless the Holy Helping Spirit. Truly. All praise, to All and to all. … [Read more...] about Boston Marathon Survivors: The Marines Have Arrived!
Will George W. Bush and AJ Clemente Get Mulligans?
When should you give someone a mulligan? Should you give a former President a mulligan for a good chunk of his 8 years in office? Should you give a young broadcaster a mulligan when he doesn't realize his mike is on and he says words more suitable for a Chris Rock routine? This is the subtext issue in two recent media extravaganzas. First, there was the opening of the … [Read more...] about Will George W. Bush and AJ Clemente Get Mulligans?
How to Chase Independent Voters Away
Utterly contemptible -- no, beneath contempt. And not terrific "rebranding." … [Read more...] about How to Chase Independent Voters Away
Getting between Sanford and a political future? His staggering ego.
The Hill has a report today on five recent moves on the part of former South Carolina's governor, Mark Sanford, that are poisoning his efforts to be elected to the House. The guy uses people and does so quite openly. Among the five no-no's is this: Sanford asks his ex-wife Jenny Sanford to be his campaign manager Jenny Sanford was her husband’s campaign manager … [Read more...] about Getting between Sanford and a political future? His staggering ego.
Syria is still not our fight
WASHINGTON -- President Obama is right to resist the mounting pressure for military intervention in Syria. Action by U.S. forces may or may not make the situation better -- but certainly could make things worse. This assessment could change, of course. It would be reasonable to consider intervention if such action were necessary to protect U.S. national security … [Read more...] about Syria is still not our fight
Offensive Charm (Cartoon)
' This copyrighted Cagle Cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Use of this cartoon without licensing is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Offensive Charm (Cartoon)
Climate Change Is In The Air
Climate Change Is In The Air (via Clean Technica) This article originally appeared on the Mosaic website. By Rosana FrancescatoLast year climate change became reality for the United States. New York City flooded, a historic drought blanketed the Midwest, and we saw one of the worst fire seasons ever recorded. By July, the US had shattered over… … [Read more...] about Climate Change Is In The Air
How a Bogus Tweet Can Wreak Financial Havoc
How a Bogus Tweet Can Wreak Financial Havoc (via PBS News Hour) JUDY WOODRUFF: Now our look at how social media affects and infects the world we live in. NewsHour political editor Christina Bellantoni is here with the Daily Download team. CHRISTINA BELLANTONI: We learned last week that a tweet can send markets crashing in a matter of minutes. How can news outlets… … [Read more...] about How a Bogus Tweet Can Wreak Financial Havoc
(UPDATES) Four Airmen Killed in Aircraft Crash in Afghanistan
An MC-12 Liberty lands after a surveillance mission April 6, 2010 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross) UPDATE III: The Stars and Stripes provides information on the seven American civilians killed when their National Air Cargo plane crashed Monday near Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. Six of the victims were from Michigan … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) Four Airmen Killed in Aircraft Crash in Afghanistan