Washington Post Writers Group Resolute, but with an asterisk by Eugene Robinson Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- The nation demonstrated again last week how resolute it can be when threatened by murderous terrorists -- and how helpless when ordered to heel by smug lobbyists for the gun industry. Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's deadly rampage … [Read more...] about Resolute, but with an asterisk
After Baucus, Will Schweitzer Pick Up The Reins?
Tweet of the Day: "Can we please get back to the important business of finding out whether Scott Brown is ruling out running for US Senate in Montana?" Veteran Boston political reporter David Bernstein (twitter.com/dbernstein) By Scott Crass Now that Max Baucus is departing, what's next? Montana is the "Land of Gold and Silver," but for Democrats, it could only go so … [Read more...] about After Baucus, Will Schweitzer Pick Up The Reins?
What the Tsarnaev brothers have done to immigration reform
We badly want an outside cause -- some foreign malevolence -- to have been responsible for what happens to America. Some of us still look at the two Boston bombing suspects and see American. But a lot of us apparently see "foreign." We see "Muslim." Now, having learned the geography a bit, we latch onto "Chechnya." Even President Obama, when he addressed the nation … [Read more...] about What the Tsarnaev brothers have done to immigration reform
Baucus Longest Serving Montanan In DC
Historic Tidbit:Max Baucus served Montana in Washington longer than anyone from the state. He surpassed Mike Mansfield, the beloved Majority Leader in 2009, after the completion of his 34th year in Congress. Mansfield had served in the House for ten years and the Senate for 24. By Scott Crass The winds of change are upon Montana. In major jolt to the political scene, Max … [Read more...] about Baucus Longest Serving Montanan In DC
4 lessons from the Boston Marathon bombings
What are some of the lessons from the Boston Marathon bombing? I listed four in this column on The Week online: 1. Al Qaeda is not the only threat James R. Clapper, the director of national intelligence, told the House Intelligence Committee the week before the Boston bombings: "The threat from al Qaeda and the potential for a massive coordinated attack on the United … [Read more...] about 4 lessons from the Boston Marathon bombings
New poison-laced letter found as US suspect released
New poison-laced letter found as US suspect released (via AFP) A letter possibly laced with the deadly poison ricin was found at a US airbase Tuesday as a man charged with sending a similar letter to the White House was released on bond, officials said. The letter discovered at Bolling Air Force Base outside of Washington comes a week after three others were … [Read more...] about New poison-laced letter found as US suspect released
That KKK Scene: Django.
I remember coming out of the cinema after just watching Django Unchained spoiling for a fight; so naturally I logged onto Twitter and quickly found one. To be fair the following debate was heated but respectful. He had one point that I found difficult to accept and it’s a point that I’ve heard repeatedly elsewhere. As a black man, I should be offended/ disrespected by … [Read more...] about That KKK Scene: Django.
George W. Bush’s Legacy: The Debate Continues
In a Washington Post article last week, Stephen F. Knott lamented that George W. Bush is not getting a fair shake by those partisan, biased, fear-mongering academics, scholars, and historians who have “rushed to judgment” by declaring Bush’s presidency “a failure.” In all fairness, Knott does mention another group of folks -- those partisan, biased, rush-to-judgment, regular … [Read more...] about George W. Bush’s Legacy: The Debate Continues
Sen. Max Baucus Chooses Retirement Over Reelection in 2014
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) who dissed President Obama by voting against gun control amendments last week, has announced he won't seek reelection. Um, good riddance. One down, two to go -- Mark Pryor and Mark Begich. A February survey from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling found that Baucus was polling in the mid-40s and trailing both GOP Rep. Steve Daines and former … [Read more...] about Sen. Max Baucus Chooses Retirement Over Reelection in 2014
People Who Love the Second Amendment Hate the Constitution
It's almost axiomatic at this point that those who most loudly decry violations of the second amendment will gladly sacrifice nearly any other amendment for the sake of national security. The most recent example of this principle is the flurry of Republican congressman who have argued that Tsarnaev should be denied his Miranda rights. Now there are certain instances in which … [Read more...] about People Who Love the Second Amendment Hate the Constitution
Saudi Arabia: Coddled Terrorist State or Victim of Libel?
Is Saudi Arabia somehow or another behind the terrorist attack on Boston? Much of the world, despite the conclusions of U.S. investigators that the culprits were ethnic Chechens who acted independently, believe that like 9-11, behind the Marathon attack is Saudi Wahhabism. Two articles we posted yesterday address these continuing suspicions. One from from Iraq's Sotal Iraq … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia: Coddled Terrorist State or Victim of Libel?
A Week of Insane Fame, with More to Come
At 2:50 Boston fell briefly silent after seven days of shocked babble over madness that erupted from two young minds and brought America back to 9/11 and the vulnerability with which we live today. Then, on TV screens an industry of terrorism “experts,” lawyers and politicians resumes billions-of-word explanations for the inexplicable, to create an illusion of making sense … [Read more...] about A Week of Insane Fame, with More to Come
Richie Havens, who headlined at Woodstock, dies suddenly aged 72
Richie Havens, who headlined at Woodstock, dies suddenly aged 72 (via GlobalPost) Richie Havens, the opening act at Woodstock in 1969, has died suddenly of a heart attack aged 72. Freya Petersen Richie Havens, the opening act at Woodstock in 1969, has died suddenly of a heart attack aged 72. The veteran US musician, known for his covers of pop and folk songs, died at his home … [Read more...] about Richie Havens, who headlined at Woodstock, dies suddenly aged 72
The Way Foward on Guns
The way forward on guns By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Victories often contain the seeds of future defeats. So it is -- or at least should be -- with the Senate's morally reprehensible rejection of expanded background checks for gun buyers. The outcome is a test of both an invigorated gun safety movement and a gun lobby that decided to go for … [Read more...] about The Way Foward on Guns
Shields and Brooks on Resilience During National Trauma, Failure of the Gun Bill
Shields and Brooks on Resilience During National Trauma, Failure of the Gun Bill (via PBS News Hour) JEFFREY BROWN:And we close the week and this most unusual day of news with the analysis of Shields and Brooks, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks. Mark, I used the word extraordinary at the top of the program, a major American city in … [Read more...] about Shields and Brooks on Resilience During National Trauma, Failure of the Gun Bill
NBC: Bombing Suspect Tsarnaev says he and brother acted alone, motivated by religion
Seriously wounded Boston Marathon bomber suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is communicating with investigators in writing and by nodding his head now -- and he has told them he and his killed bomber brother acted for religious motives, and acted alone. NBC (which is the news organization coming out of this crisis with the best reputation) broke the story: The hospitalized Boston … [Read more...] about NBC: Bombing Suspect Tsarnaev says he and brother acted alone, motivated by religion
BREAKING: Terror Plot on Canadian Train Thwarted
Yet another sign that if people living in North America thought terrorism had receeded as an immediate issue in their countries, they were mistaken: a terror plot on a Canadia to U.S train has been thwarted, Canadian police announced. And police say they were getting guidance from Al Qaeda elements in Iran: Canadian police say they have arrested two men and thwarted a … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Terror Plot on Canadian Train Thwarted
A News Anchor’s Short Job
Quite sad. He made his debut, said a no-no and that was it. … [Read more...] about A News Anchor’s Short Job
Tsarnaev Charged: Will Not Be Tried as Enemy Combatant
Boston Marathon bombing suspect is charged (via The Repository) Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged by federal prosecutors in his hospital room Monday with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction — a crime that carries a possible death sentence. Officials have said Tsarnaev, 19, and his older brother set off the twin explosions… … [Read more...] about Tsarnaev Charged: Will Not Be Tried as Enemy Combatant
Murder At Bernstein’s
I've written hundreds of pieces for The Moderate Voice over the years, many with a quirky, humorous edge. Here's a brief description of my latest comic novel, Murder At Bernstein's, featuring the same sort of edge. You might like to check it out on Amazon: Best, Mike The billionaire creator of a financial news empire wants to be elected Mayor of Philadelphia. He looks … [Read more...] about Murder At Bernstein’s