If Republican Sen. Rand Paul's loooooooooong filibuster over drones exposed a partisan rift, it also highlighted a rift within the Republican Party -- one that 2016 Presidential nomnination hopefuls will have to grapple with. And a rift it most assuredly is: U.S. Sen. John McCain blasted fellow Republican Rand Paul on the Senate floor this morning for his 13-hour … [Read more...] about Paul Filibuster Over Drones Exposed Republican Division
Rand Paul Ends Senate Filibuster Over Drones After 12 Hours
Rand Paul filibuster on drones gains support in Senate (via AFP) Republican Rand Paul stiff-armed President Barack Obama's CIA nomination Wednesday, drawing support from fellow senators concerned about the administration's refusal to rule out drone strikes on US soil. With the blocking tactic stretching into it's sixth hour, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried… … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Ends Senate Filibuster Over Drones After 12 Hours
GOP Votes: Filet Mignon Over Filibuster
Republican Senators had a choice last night of breaking bread with the President or breaking wind with Ron Paul. Refuting suspicions that politicians would rather talk than eat, diners outnumbered gasbags by 12 to 6. It may not have been a definitive display of cooperation over obstruction but a hopeful sign no less that GOP legislators emerged from the two-hour Obama dinner … [Read more...] about GOP Votes: Filet Mignon Over Filibuster
For Past Blood Shed,Change Name of Senate Russell Building
Historic Tidbit: When Ron Dellums, an African-American and Pat Schroeder,a female,were appointed to the Armed Services Committee in 1973, Chairman Ed Hebert only provided one chair. Rather than make a fuss, they decided to share it. They joked they sat "cheek-to-cheek." Barney Frank said it was"the only half-assed thing Ron&Pat ever did." The anecdote goes hand in hand with my … [Read more...] about For Past Blood Shed,Change Name of Senate Russell Building
Guess Who’s Coming to Obama’s Lunch? Paul Ryan
Obama invites Republican budget hawk Ryan to lunch (via AFP) President Barack Obama will take his charm offensive with Republicans up a notch on Thursday, having lunch with budget hawk and former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan at the White House. Hours after supping with a dozen Republican senators to start a dialogue aimed at reviving a stalled "grand… … [Read more...] about Guess Who’s Coming to Obama’s Lunch? Paul Ryan
Kim Threatens Nuclear Strike on United States
Umm. OK. It's also threatening to scrap the cease-fire accord from the Korean War. Is there any point at which we take this regime as not just one of the most monstrous and murderous slave states in the world, but an outright danger to the rest of the world, and do something to take that regime out? Let me guess: any such talk will be viewed as "neocon warmongering." … [Read more...] about Kim Threatens Nuclear Strike on United States
Report: Republicans Emerge from Dinner With Obama Optimistic About Deficit Deal
Is this a sign of the world coming to an end? Did President Barack Obama slip something into their drinks? Did Obama win them over them by putting a pillow in his shirt and filling his mouth with lobster Thermidor and doing a Michael Moore impression? And what will Rush Limbaugh say? According to The Hill, GOPers who had dinner with President Barack Obama at a posh … [Read more...] about Report: Republicans Emerge from Dinner With Obama Optimistic About Deficit Deal
Hugo Chavez’ Death: A View from Americans in Venezuela (Updated)
UPDATE: In their report from Venezuela (below), Shayne Cokerdem and Diane DePriest mention the claims made by Venezuela’s Vice President Nicolás Maduro regarding the circumstances of Hugo Chávez’s death. Naturally, the United States is anxious to find out whether Mr. Maduro “might provide an opening for closer ties between the two nations,” and in which direction he will … [Read more...] about Hugo Chavez’ Death: A View from Americans in Venezuela (Updated)
Rand Paul Filibuster on Drones Gains Support in Senate
Rand Paul filibuster on drones gains support in Senate (via AFP) Republican Rand Paul stiff-armed President Barack Obama's CIA nomination Wednesday, drawing support from fellow senators concerned about the administration's refusal to rule out drone strikes on US soil. With the blocking tactic stretching into it's sixth hour, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried… … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Filibuster on Drones Gains Support in Senate
Quotations from Chairman Roger
Fox News' maven Roger Ailes blunt comments on political figures are going boffo on the Internet, cable news and blogosophere. He's the Fox News bigwig, so his attitudes (the theory goes) reveal the assumptions behind Fox News analysis and attitudes. The source for the golden quotes: a Vanity Fair piece that offers a special adaptation of the upcoming book Roger Ailes: Off … [Read more...] about Quotations from Chairman Roger
Discovering Your Spiritual House
Once you open yourself to the possibility of being created, life becomes a very different journey. The concept of creator influences questions of present purpose and future destiny. If life has an origin from a meaningful originator, then we've got a very different journey on our hands. In my life journey, I've met very few authentic atheists. When you dig deeper into the … [Read more...] about Discovering Your Spiritual House
A World War II Veteran’s Lost Diary Finally Comes Home
I knew we had something in common. The way Henry penned neat, short but meticulous notes of important events during his tour of duty -- including how much money his buddies owed him. Like me, during my young military days, Henry must have apparently been a small payday loans store for his military buddies who were not as frugal as he was. And just as I was in my early … [Read more...] about A World War II Veteran’s Lost Diary Finally Comes Home
Rand Paul Filibuster Poses Awkward Questions For Many
Rand Paul (R-KY) is currently filibustering the nomination of John Brennan to be CIA director. He began his effort about 11:45 EST and has promised to speak as long as he can, though he concedes that he will eventually lose a cloture vote. Many on the left are snapping to the knee jerk reaction of attacking Paul and the GOP for this effort but the things Paul is saying are … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Filibuster Poses Awkward Questions For Many
Obama’s Poll Numbers Returning to Earth: 43% Approval Says Reuters/IPSOS Poll
The bump has been dumped: as voters conclude that the U.S. is back to the same old gridlock, manufactured crises and partisanship, and amid news of sequester budget cuts, President Barack Obama's polling numbers are tumbling back to earth, according to the latest Reuters/IPSOS Poll: Less than two months into his second term, President Barack Obama's approval rating has … [Read more...] about Obama’s Poll Numbers Returning to Earth: 43% Approval Says Reuters/IPSOS Poll
Sequestration Shows Failure of America’s Political Class
TUCSON, Arizona -- An old vaudeville joke went like this: "Do I look like an idiot? Do I look like a jerk who doesn't know what's going on? Do you think I'm dumb? Don't answer that!" The sequester, with its draconian cuts, was an idea both sides considered so bad, so awful, so incredibly dumb that SURELY no responsible politician, political leader or party would let it … [Read more...] about Sequestration Shows Failure of America’s Political Class
Administration Endorses Cell Phone Unlocking Petition
Starting January 26, new cellphones sold in the U.S. can be unlocked only if the carrier says OK. Even if the contract is up. The arbiter? The Library of Congress. This week the Obama Administration endorsed a petition rejecting that decision. In a response entitled "It's Time to Legalize Cell Phone Unlocking," the White House wrote: The White House agrees with the … [Read more...] about Administration Endorses Cell Phone Unlocking Petition
Arm the Rebels (Guest Voice)
Arm the Rebels by Sean McElwee The past four decades are littered with genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, famine and rape. Juxtaposed with each terrifying tale, from Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cyprus, Rwanda, Srebrenica, Kosovo, Haiti and Darfur are stories of American ignorance, apathy and intransigence. Cambodia came too close to … [Read more...] about Arm the Rebels (Guest Voice)
“Lost” Comedy Gem: The Three Stooges (LIVE) on the Steve Allen Show (1959)
A RARITY: The final incarnation of The Three Stooges with the underrated Joe DeRitsa as Curley...live on TV in their 1959 "comeback." DeRita was with the trio in the final years of their act when the Stooges played clubs, Vegas and did feature films with the violence toned down. You can now buy a set that has ALL of the Stooges' iconic Columbia shorts (made in the 30s … [Read more...] about “Lost” Comedy Gem: The Three Stooges (LIVE) on the Steve Allen Show (1959)
Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. (Guest Voice)
Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. by Jared Milne Right-wing Conservatives and Republicans are hardworking entrepreneurs who stop at Tim Horton’s for a double-double on their way to work, get up early on Saturday to take their kids to hockey practice, and maintain their homes and their cars themselves. Either that, or they’re greedy corporate monsters who … [Read more...] about Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. (Guest Voice)
Pope Benedict Leaves the Vatican Building (Guest Cartoonist)
Two cartoons about Pope Benedict leaving the Vatican Building: Of Related Interest: --Catholics’ Views on Pope Benedict XVI and the Church --Victims raise questions about retired Pope Benedict's legal immunity --Poll: Pope Benedict's legacy not as positive as John Paul's --Pope Benedict’s politics defied ideological categories --Pope Benedict's Sex Scandal … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict Leaves the Vatican Building (Guest Cartoonist)