As it turns out, it would seem the conservative members of the court, making a calculation that their chances of winning would not improve with time, were behind the decision to take up the volatile subject. ...NYT Apparently it was a gaggle of conservatives on the Court who decided to take the gay marriage cases and would seem to regret their decision. Justice … [Read more...] about Supreme Court conservatives may have set themselves up for a fall
Today is Vietnam Veterans Day
Did you know that today and this weekend, communities across the country commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day? Did you remember that today we mark “forty years since the end of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam. On March 29, 1973, the last of our combat forces departed the country and the final release of American prisoners of war drew to a close.” Most of us remember, … [Read more...] about Today is Vietnam Veterans Day
Good Friday (Guest Cartoonist)
Good Friday by Mike Daniels OF RELATED INTEREST: --Today in Pictures: Good Friday, Good Times, Good Grief! --Catholics nailed to crosses in Philippines for Good Friday --Pope Francis leads Good Friday worship, Via Crucis ceremony Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic … [Read more...] about Good Friday (Guest Cartoonist)
The Price We Will Pay For Bush’s Folly
On the same day that the totally bonkers Liz Cheney pens an op-ed in the WSJ where she says this: The president has so effectively diminished American strength abroad that there is no longer a question of whether this was his intent. He is working to pre-emptively disarm the United States. He advocates slashing our nuclear arsenal even as the North Koreans threaten us and the … [Read more...] about The Price We Will Pay For Bush’s Folly
Women in Combat: ‘He Can Kiss My Combat Action Badge’
This story, both touching and convincing, needs no introduction. Enjoy! By Capt. Belena S. Marquez, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Hulburt Field, Fla. Courtesy U.S. Air Force News Service _._ I'm one of the thousands of women who have gone to war. I'm neither unique nor exceptional. If you ask around, you'll hear stories similar to … [Read more...] about Women in Combat: ‘He Can Kiss My Combat Action Badge’
Quote of the Day: Anti-Consultant Palin a Santa Claus to Consultants
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon (who is increasingly doing more solid, investigative reporting) who comes up numbers to indicate that anti-consultant Sarah Palin is a virtual Santa Claus to consultants, who get big bucks from here (so I guess consultants aren't that awful after all): Sarah Palin attempted to relaunch her political … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Anti-Consultant Palin a Santa Claus to Consultants
One of the stupidest things ever written about gay marriage, by Megan McArdle
There's a lot to read about the Prop 8 oral argument before the Supreme Court, and this includes a lot of the usual bigotry from the right, but I have a candidate for the stupidest article yet to appear on the matter and it comes from the remarkably stupid Megan McArdle. In "Why Gay Marriage Will Win, and Sexual Freedom Will Lose" -- yes, that's the real title -- McArdle … [Read more...] about One of the stupidest things ever written about gay marriage, by Megan McArdle
Limbaugh on marriage
FACT: Rush Limbaugh tied the marriage knot for the fourth time in June 2010. His previous three marriages all ended in divorce. OPINION: Rush Limbaugh said those who oppose same-sex marriage must accept that they've "lost the issue." Said Limbaugh: "This issue is lost. I don't care what the Supreme Court does, this is now inevitable -- and it's … [Read more...] about Limbaugh on marriage
Republican Rep. Don Young Apologizes for Using “Wetback” Term
(The following sentence is copied and pasted from an earlier post) So much for Republican Party “rebranding.” Alaska Rep. Don Young has quickly apologized for using the phrase "wetback" to decribe Latino migrant workers. Yes, definitely, no doubt about it, you can go to the bank on it: Republican establishment types including House Speaker John Boehner and other top GOPers … [Read more...] about Republican Rep. Don Young Apologizes for Using “Wetback” Term
Is global warming causing harsher winters?
Is global warming causing harsher winters? (via AFP) Millions of people in northern Europe are still battling snow and ice, wondering why they are being punished with bitter cold when -- officially -- spring has arrived and Earth is in the grip of global warming. Yet some scientists, eyeing the fourth year in a row of exceptionally harsh late-winter… … [Read more...] about Is global warming causing harsher winters?
Republican Rebranding Reshmanding: Many GOPers Reject RNC Autopsy Suggestions
Why don't I just copy this sentence and paste it into posts each day: So much for Republican Party "rebranding." Rebranding, reshmanding. Talking Points Memo details just SOME of the bumps along the way that suggest that what we may be seeing is a new sign on the Republican Party pup tent because many in the party don't want it bigger and want to keep a bouncer at the door … [Read more...] about Republican Rebranding Reshmanding: Many GOPers Reject RNC Autopsy Suggestions
After Mexico court ruling, gay couple weds in Oaxaca
After Mexico court ruling, gay couple weds in Oaxaca (via AFP) Two women became the first same-sex couple to marry in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca after the Supreme Court found the state's definition of marriage unconstitutional, a gay rights group said. Mexico City is the only jurisdiction in the deeply Catholic country that has authorized same-sex marriage… … [Read more...] about After Mexico court ruling, gay couple weds in Oaxaca
Maximum Mayhem on His Mind
WASHINGTON -- The gunman in the Newtown massacre fired 154 bullets from his Bushmaster military-style rifle in less than five minutes, killing 20 first-graders and six adults. He brought with him 10 large-capacity magazines, each holding up to 30 rounds, which allowed him to reload quickly. He also carried two semiautomatic handguns, one of which he used to take his own … [Read more...] about Maximum Mayhem on His Mind
Does the Bully Pulpit Work Anymore?
Does the "bully pulpit" work anymore? Can Barack Obama by taking to the hustings save sagging gun control legislation? Here's a roundup. … [Read more...] about Does the Bully Pulpit Work Anymore?
US warns ready for ‘any eventuality’ on N.Korea
US warns ready for 'any eventuality' on N.Korea (via AFP) The United States warned Thursday that the danger from North Korea was rising and that Washington was ready for "any eventuality" after flying two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over ally South Korea. With tensions soaring on the divided peninsula, the United States defied North Korean threats… … [Read more...] about US warns ready for ‘any eventuality’ on N.Korea
N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike
N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike (via AFP) North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Friday ordered preparations for strategic rocket strikes on the US mainland and military bases in the Pacific and South Korea. The order, issued at an overnight emergency meeting with top army commanders, was a direct response to the use of nuclear-capable US B-2… … [Read more...] about N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike
John Boehner Censors Abraham Lincoln
House Speaker John Boehner issued a memo quoting Abraham Lincoln on the dangers of debt. But he somehow left out Lincoln's call for higher taxes. Even an apricot sitting on a shelf at Sprouts Farmers' Market in Rancho Penasquitos will look at this and say, "Not a coincidence." But, hey, if the name of the game is to misrepresent the other party, why not misrepresent Honest … [Read more...] about John Boehner Censors Abraham Lincoln
The banns of marriage and the law of the land (Guest Voice)
The banns of marriage and the law of the land by The Reverend James Richardson As the Supreme Court concluded hearing oral arguments about marriage equality, I've been asked to offer comments by a number of people. Allow me to step back a few paces and point out that marriage licenses began at the behest of the Church of England, which was having a whale of a time … [Read more...] about The banns of marriage and the law of the land (Guest Voice)
Man stuck on Disneyland ‘It’s A Small World’ ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO)
Man stuck on Disneyland 'It's A Small World' ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO) (via GlobalPost) A disabled man who was stuck on Disneyland's 'It's A Small World' ride for 30 minutes - while the theme song played on - has won a lawsuit against the Anaheim theme park. Freya Petersen A disabled man who was stuck on Disneyland's "It's A Small World" ride … [Read more...] about Man stuck on Disneyland ‘It’s A Small World’ ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO)
Using (and Reforming) the System
WASHINGTON -- If you are tired of seeing the debate on guns dominated by the National Rifle Association and yearn for sensible weapons laws, you have to love New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. When most politicians were caving in or falling silent, there was Bloomberg, wielding his fortune to keep hope alive that we could move against the violence that blights our nation. … [Read more...] about Using (and Reforming) the System