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
Two Conservative Lives
WASHINGTON -- Two important conservatives departed this life within days of each other. One was a world-historical figure with extravagant political gifts, and she rarely harbored any doubts about the way forward. The other's misgivings about politics led him to counsel Christians to undertake a political "fast" and "flock to soup kitchens, battered women's shelters, prison … [Read more...] about Two Conservative Lives
Northern hemisphere summers warmest in 600 years
Northern hemisphere summers warmest in 600 years (via AFP) Summers in the northern hemisphere are now warmer than at any period in six centuries, according to climate research published on Wednesday in the science journal Nature. Harvard University researchers analysing evidence from Arctic tree rings, ice cores, lake sediments and thermometer records said… … [Read more...] about Northern hemisphere summers warmest in 600 years
Rift widens over Syria while UN warns of breaking point over refugees
Bringing Syria’s Bashar Assad to the negotiating table has become harder following a widened rift between Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting in London today. Kerry is moving towards providing military aid to the Syrian opposition, including body armor and night vision gear but excluding weapons, while Russia adamantly … [Read more...] about Rift widens over Syria while UN warns of breaking point over refugees
When Conscience Trumps Party:Sherman-Cooper&Kerr
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky because it is 20 years behind the rest of the world." Mark Twain By Scott Crass Early in his Senate career, Senate Majority Leader Robert Taft presented his fellow Republican from Kentucky, John Sherman Cooper with a question? "Are you a Republican," Taft asked, "or a Democrat? When are you going to start voting … [Read more...] about When Conscience Trumps Party:Sherman-Cooper&Kerr
Send a Message of Support to Our Troops in South Korea
As tensions on the Korean peninsula rise, with the next “milestone” and possibly key event being the imminent launch of a medium range (2,100 miles) missile -- possibly multiple missiles is now being reported -- by North Korea, and while we are hoping for the best, we should not forget the more than 28,000 US troops based throughout South Korea. We should also keep in our … [Read more...] about Send a Message of Support to Our Troops in South Korea
The White House Looks for Serious Cuts
The White House released the full budget about 30 minutes ago. Obviously, it will take a few days for a full processing of the nitty gritty, but here's a conversation starting point. I compare the CBO current law debt projections from February to the projections in the White House's FY 2014 budget. We can see that the President is certainly making headway on cutting the debt. … [Read more...] about The White House Looks for Serious Cuts
Michele Bachmann Runs Away From Press Again
The REAL question of the hour is: is Rep. Michele Bachmann trying to make physically running away from reporters an Olympic sport? The latest 100 yard dash: At a joint press conference Tuesday with a Republican state senator from Minnesota, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) was rushed out of the room by aides and shielded from reporters as soon as she was questioned about … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann Runs Away From Press Again
FiliBLUSTER McConnell (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized use of this cartoon without licensing from Cagle Cartoon is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about FiliBLUSTER McConnell (Cartoon)
Report: Bipartisan Deal Reached on Background Checks
CNN reports that a bipartisan deal has been reached on background checks: - Sens. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, and Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, plan to announce a bipartisan deal on background checks for gun shows and Internet sales at an 11 a.m. press conference today, CNN's Dana Bash has learned. A Democratic leadership source says the compromise will … [Read more...] about Report: Bipartisan Deal Reached on Background Checks
Keep Porn Legal!
The European Union recently voted down an ill-advised ban on pornography (but maintained the rest of the bill (to improve the portrayal of women in media); here in the United States, the question has been raised quite a few times, most recently by Rick Santorum. Banning pornography is popular with some feminists on the left and fringe fundamentalists on the right, but it would … [Read more...] about Keep Porn Legal!
Why Mike Rice Had to Go
Retired professional basketball coach and former basketball player Phil Jackson once said: "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball." Someone should have told that to Mike Rice, Rutgers's retired-by-being-fired former basketball coach. Rice was fired after ESPN aired video showing him yelling at players on his … [Read more...] about Why Mike Rice Had to Go