This is from not-for-attribution interviews with two Republican senators who attended the dinner with the president on Wednesday night at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington. One was heartened and impressed by the meeting while retaining his skepticism as to whether it might open the way to pronounced progress in pursuit of a so-called grand bargain. The other was more … [Read more...] about Moved Where?
Jeb Bush Ramps It Up (UPDATED)
For someone who is ostensibly just thinking it over about whether or not to run for President in 2016 former Texas Gov. Jeb Bush seems to be a frantic, busy little bee this morning. He's appearing on five Sunday morning political talk shows, Crooks and Liars' Nicole Belle reports. The likely reasons: 1.Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul -- the straw dog character of some of his claims … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Ramps It Up (UPDATED)
Get Ready for Ashley Judd Mitch McConnell Faceoff In Kentucky
Yes, it sounds like it's going to happen: a popular actress and social activist is almost certainly going to run for Senate against one of the most unpopular but politically canny and skillful politicians in the country. On your mark...get set....(almost there...Fox News and conservative talkers get ready to start defining her negatively...)..G (not QUITE there … [Read more...] about Get Ready for Ashley Judd Mitch McConnell Faceoff In Kentucky
Temperature History Proves Earth Is Hottest It’s Been In 11,300 Years (Guest Voice)
Temperature History Proves Earth Is Hottest Its Been In 11,300 Years (via Planetsave) More data is good data, and more data pertaining to the temperature-history of our planet is definitely good data. A recent study that took data from 73 sites around the world has allowed scientists to reconstruct Earth’s temperature back to the end of the last ice age, which climaxed 11,300 … [Read more...] about Temperature History Proves Earth Is Hottest It’s Been In 11,300 Years (Guest Voice)
What Rand Paul Won By Droning On
Before entering the family business, libertarian politics, Rand Paul was an eye doctor. After a 13-hour foray into urology this week, his career prognosis is a subject for psychiatry, subheading delusions. Topping the list is 2016 presidential ambition, closely followed by paranoid resentment of John McCain for dining with the President rather than supporting his … [Read more...] about What Rand Paul Won By Droning On
Obama at Gridiron Wows ‘Em With Jokes About Budget, Rubio, Kerry and More
Obama: budget cuts send joke-writers packing (via AFP) Mandel Ngan/AFP/FileUS President Barack Obama returns on March 5, 2013 to the White House. Obama took a satirical swipe at the political drama over an $85 billion austerity drive clutching at the US economy, at a cozy dinner for the Washington establishment on Saturday.US President Barack Obama took… … [Read more...] about Obama at Gridiron Wows ‘Em With Jokes About Budget, Rubio, Kerry and More
Rodman Summit (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Rodman Summit (Cartoon)
Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai Jumps the Shark: Accuses U.S. and Taliban of Collusion
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai jumped the shark with a new allegation that will be particularly shocking to American families who lost loved ones in Afghanistan: he's suggesting that the United States and the Taliban have been working in collusion. The AP lead is blunt: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday accused the Taliban and the U.S. of working in concert … [Read more...] about Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai Jumps the Shark: Accuses U.S. and Taliban of Collusion
Stock Market Illusion (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Stock Market Illusion (Cartoon)
Obama Moves from Confrontation to Wooing Republicans. Will it Work?
Obama moves from confrontation to wooing Republicans. Will it work? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View President Barack Obama speaks in Newport News, Va. Feb. 26. Turning from confrontation, Obama will meet this coming week with House and Senate Republicans.(Steve Helber/AP) President Obama’s charm offensive with congressional Republicans … [Read more...] about Obama Moves from Confrontation to Wooing Republicans. Will it Work?
The New York Times: ‘How a U.S. Citizen Came to Be in America’s Cross Hairs’
One morning in late September 2011, a group of American drones took off from an airstrip the C.I.A. had built in the remote southern expanse of Saudi Arabia. The drones crossed the border into Yemen, and were soon hovering over a group of trucks clustered in a desert patch of Jawf Province, a region of the impoverished country once renowned for breeding Arabian horses. A … [Read more...] about The New York Times: ‘How a U.S. Citizen Came to Be in America’s Cross Hairs’
Gun Legislation Getting Holstered on Capitol Hill
Gun legislation getting holstered on Capitol Hill (via AFP) Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP/FileSenate Judiciary Committee members (L-R) US Senators Orrin Hatch, ranking member Chuck Grassley, Chairman Patrick Leahy, Dianne Feinstein and Charles Schumer on Capitol Hill, January 30, 2013. The committee considered four pieces of gun control legislation on March… … [Read more...] about Gun Legislation Getting Holstered on Capitol Hill
‘Women’s History Month’: Women in the Air Force
I am sure readers have noticed the unusual number of stories about women during the past two weeks. One of the reasons -- in addition to women just meriting “equal coverage” -- is the fact that March is “Women’s History Month.” According to the Library of Congress: Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress...authorized … [Read more...] about ‘Women’s History Month’: Women in the Air Force
Why Not Arm The Students, Too?
South Dakota has just enacted a law that lets teachers carry guns in their classrooms. Not a bad idea. Sure, the chances of a crazed gunman coming to a school in the state and doing the horrible things done recently in Connecticut are...well...infinitesimal. And there are so many better and safer ways to protect students against such a happening than arming teachers. But … [Read more...] about Why Not Arm The Students, Too?
Paul Exploits Filibuster With Inaccurate Fund-raising Letter
Mother Jone's David Corn reports that Senator Rand Paul didn't waste one iota of time: he quickly exploited his political-star-turning use of the old time talking filibuster into a fundraising letter peppered with inaccuracies. Lest you have any doubt: Paul has his hat in the ring for 2016 -- and I'm betting he will find lots of response not just among libertarians others in … [Read more...] about Paul Exploits Filibuster With Inaccurate Fund-raising Letter
Ruthless Crime Gangs Global Wildlife Trade
Ruthless crime gangs driving global wildlife trade (via AFP) James Morgan/WWF/AFP/FileA veterinary team takes blood samples to trace the DNA of one of 16 tiger cubs seized from smugglers on October 26, 2012 in Thailand, in a photo obtained on December 12, 2012 from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).Ruthless and heavily armed "criminal syndicates" linked to drug… … [Read more...] about Ruthless Crime Gangs Global Wildlife Trade
(Update) Chuck Hagel in Afghanistan – Thanks Troops, ‘Assesses’ Operations
UPDATE: The American Forces Press Service reports that while Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was in a briefing at a NATO International Security Assistance Force facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the Afghan Defense Ministry killing nine and injuring 14. Later in the day during a visit to Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, … [Read more...] about (Update) Chuck Hagel in Afghanistan – Thanks Troops, ‘Assesses’ Operations
The Case Against “Inception”
Christopher Nolan – there isn’t a director out there that I'd single out for over hyped fan-boy praise more than this guy. I genuinely love him. He’s made films that I attribute to my raging love of cinema. The very first time I watched Memento, I was so shocked and inspired by what I had just seen that I instantly replayed the film. The Prestige, a criminally underrated … [Read more...] about The Case Against “Inception”
McCain Continues Blasting Conservative Tea Party Grassroots Favorites
The Huffington Post has a fascinating post about how Arizona Sen. John McCain seems now to be returning to his maverick roots. If you've been on Mars the past 15 years here's a quick primer: McCain once upon a time seemed a true "maverick," an independent thinker who'd veer towards both parties and be extremely critical of his own. He wasn't beloved by other GOPers when he … [Read more...] about McCain Continues Blasting Conservative Tea Party Grassroots Favorites
John Brennan Confirmed as CIA Director
John Brennan confirmed as CIA director (via AFP) Saul Loeb/AFP/FileJohn Brennan, US President Barack Obama's nominee to be director of the CIA, during his confirmation hearing on February 7, 2013 before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. The US Senate on Thursday confirmed counterterrorism expert Brennan to be the next… … [Read more...] about John Brennan Confirmed as CIA Director