Our political Quote of the Day comes from First Read which notes how news that people connected to the liberal group Progressive Kentucky were behind the secret audio taping of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's strategy session have helped the country's most unpopular Senator enormously and damaged the group -- which some say has pretty much self destructed. *** … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: How Progress Kentucky Helped McConnell and Self-Destructed
Signs Republican House Will Kill, Dismember, or Delay Any Senate Gun Control Measure
No matter what happens in the Senate on gun control -- now being called "gun safety" since the old phrase is considered too potent -- don't expect it to a)emerge from the House intact, or, b) even come up for a vote. The Hill: Growing momentum in the Senate for new gun-control legislation has failed to flow down to the House, where just a handful of House Republicans … [Read more...] about Signs Republican House Will Kill, Dismember, or Delay Any Senate Gun Control Measure
Mattel’s Mexico Barbie slammed as stereotypical (Guest Voice)
Mattel's Mexico Barbie slammed as stereotypical (via GlobalPost) Mexico Barbie, which is part of Mattel's Barbie Dolls of the World series, has been criticized as being stereotypical and culturally insensitive. Allison Jackson Mattel’s Mexico Barbie Doll has been slammed as stereotypical and culturally insensitive. Dressed in a pink ruffled dress, Mexico Barbie… … [Read more...] about Mattel’s Mexico Barbie slammed as stereotypical (Guest Voice)
The NRA and Gun Safety (Guest Cartoonist)
The NRA and Gun Safety by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --The Crack in the NRA's Facacde --21 NRA ‘A’-Rated Senators Part Of 68-31 Vote To Defeat Filibuster Of Background Check Bill --NRA Looking Increasingly Impotent As Gun-Control Bill Overcomes Filibuster --The NRA’s Slippery Slope Strategy To Fight Background Checks --Mitch McConnell NRA’s Puppet Mike … [Read more...] about The NRA and Gun Safety (Guest Cartoonist)
Save Our Schools From Creationism (Guest Voice)
Save Our Schools From Creationism by Tina Dupuy I was raised as a creationist. I'd come home from school with a brain full of evolution and an enthusiasm for T-Rex and my mother saw it as her mission to put an end to it. To counter my indoctrination she'd say, "Dinosaurs and people were alive at the same time." The world, she explained, was created in six days. All the … [Read more...] about Save Our Schools From Creationism (Guest Voice)
Opponents of Medicaid expansion put politics over people (Guest Voice)
Opponents of Medicaid expansion put politics over people (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Members of Texas Organizing Project yell chants to ask for Medicaid expansion outside Gov. Rick Perry's office in Austin, Texas, April 1. Op-ed contributor Kate Holder writes: It seems that [Mr. Perry] would rather deny Medicaid coverage to 2 million Texans … [Read more...] about Opponents of Medicaid expansion put politics over people (Guest Voice)
Report: Progressive Group Behind McConnell Audio Tape
It now turns out that the secret audio of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and advisors discussing how to in effect smear potential Democratic opponent Ashley Judd was not like the (in)famous audio of Mitt Romney. In the case of the Romney video, it was recorded by a bystander who was not associated with a political group. According to reports, the McConnell recording was recorded … [Read more...] about Report: Progressive Group Behind McConnell Audio Tape
Maggie and Scoop Partnership Meant The Best For Washington State
Historic Tidbit: One day, as Scoop Jackson was campaigning for President, the floor caved in. Jackson quipped that he was "standing on one of the planks of the Republican platform." By Scott Crass In the Senate, many states have had colleagues that have served together for decades. In fact, in a chamber where 75 is considered young, it's almost assured. But perhaps the … [Read more...] about Maggie and Scoop Partnership Meant The Best For Washington State
US Senate agrees to debate gun bill
US Senate agrees to debate gun bill (via AFP) The US Senate voted Thursday to debate the nation's most ambitious gun safety legislation in almost two decades, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed on expanding background checks. With relatives of the 20 children killed in the Newtown massacre watching from the visitors' galleries, years… … [Read more...] about US Senate agrees to debate gun bill
Pakistan teeters as extremists covet elections
The assassination by Islamist Taliban zealots of a leading candidate today for Pakistan’s May 11 elections is a foretaste of how the extremists plan to make the polls safe for their sympathizers and partners while terrorizing the moderate political parties. It is like a pilot run of how their Afghan allies might deal with elections in Afghanistan after US withdrawal in 2014. … [Read more...] about Pakistan teeters as extremists covet elections
Obama Must Face Up to Post-Assad Syria Now! (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Saudi Arabia)
Has American non-intervention in Syria reached the point of diminishing returns? For Saudi Arabia's Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, columnist Tariq Alhomayed expresses extreme disappointment with the Obama Administration, which he contends is jeopardizing global economic stability and physical security across the Middle East by not stepping to help the Syrian rebels before Bashar al-Assad … [Read more...] about Obama Must Face Up to Post-Assad Syria Now! (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Saudi Arabia)
A Review of the Musical Jersey Boys (Touring Company)
Last night I experienced the touring production of the Tony lauded musical Jersey Boys at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. The show hunkers down in Seattle until May 4th, after that, it’s back on the road for the world’s best Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons cover band. If you enjoy catchy tunes sung really well, then you’ll love Jersey Boys. If you desire an engaging plot with … [Read more...] about A Review of the Musical Jersey Boys (Touring Company)
A Vast Majority of Veterans Support Firearms Background Checks
A vast majority of men (and women) -- 91 percent -- who know most about guns, who are best with guns, who have used guns in the line of duty, support requiring “a criminal background check of every person who wants to buy a firearm, including 74 [percent] who strongly support it,” according to Politico.com. In addition, 61 percent of these military veterans surveyed “back … [Read more...] about A Vast Majority of Veterans Support Firearms Background Checks
Jay-Z Releases New Track “Open Letter” Mocking Republicans Outrage Over Cuba Trip
Jay-Z is hitting back at the critics, specifically the Republicans, who questioned his and Beyonce's trip to Cuba, in a new rap track, mocking their anger. Florida Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, as well as Sen. Marco Rubio, have been attacking the couple and the Obama Administration over the trip, claiming it violated U.S. sanctions against Cuba. The new … [Read more...] about Jay-Z Releases New Track “Open Letter” Mocking Republicans Outrage Over Cuba Trip
Always for Mother
Always for Mother by Doug Bursch She would direct the blade through each apple slice, Towards her calloused thumb. I admired her peace with the blade. My earliest memory of Mom is contrast; Me sitting on the counter, ready to sift the flour, gazing at apple, blade, and calloused thumb. When I was young, I didn’t realize the gift of her grace and care. I assumed … [Read more...] about Always for Mother
In Afghanistan, NATO Now Committing Bald-Faced ‘Murder’ (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Is the war in Afghanistan now a pointless exercise that entails murdering people until the time for withdrawal arrives next year? For Germany's Der Spiegel, Jakob Augstein expresses consternation about how this war is ending, and wonders if Germany might have been better off before its military, the Bundeswehr, was talked into once again becoming 'accustomed to war.' For Der … [Read more...] about In Afghanistan, NATO Now Committing Bald-Faced ‘Murder’ (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Zuckerberg launches lobby, urges immigration reform
Zuckerberg launches lobby, urges immigration reform (via AFP) Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a new political action group he is spearheading Thursday to press for reforms in areas including immigration and education. "To lead the world in this new economy, we need the most talented and hardest-working people. We need to train and attract the best.… … [Read more...] about Zuckerberg launches lobby, urges immigration reform
‘Cubans Want to Fly’: Dissident Reflects on Freedom and Oppression
'Cubans Want to Fly': Dissident Reflects on Freedom and Oppression (via PBS News Hour) GWEN IFILL: Finally tonight, a conversation with a Cuban dissident. Blogger Yoani Sanchez has been called the most famous living Cuban not named Castro. For six years, her online posts about life in Cuba have attracted millions of readers around the world. In 2002, Sanchez fled … [Read more...] about ‘Cubans Want to Fly’: Dissident Reflects on Freedom and Oppression
Obama Has Another Dinner with GOP Senators: Another “Meal Deal?”
Are some politicians now doing the 21st century unthinkable -- and slowly, gradually, tentatively, reaching across the aisle and talking with those on the other side rather than just demonizing them and keeping a distance from them? For the second time President Barack Obama (who conservatives insist is hyper partisan) and Republicans in the Senate (members of a party that a … [Read more...] about Obama Has Another Dinner with GOP Senators: Another “Meal Deal?”
The Political Economy of Tool
When I, on rare occasions, make it to the gym for a work-out, my playlist generally includes industrial, metal and rock. I find that bands like Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Rise Against and Marilyn Manson satiate both my desire for energy and food for thought. Recently, I was struck by the lyrics of Tool’s song “Hooker with a Penis,” off the album Ænima … [Read more...] about The Political Economy of Tool