After Mexico court ruling, gay couple weds in Oaxaca (via AFP) Two women became the first same-sex couple to marry in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca after the Supreme Court found the state's definition of marriage unconstitutional, a gay rights group said. Mexico City is the only jurisdiction in the deeply Catholic country that has authorized same-sex marriage… … [Read more...] about After Mexico court ruling, gay couple weds in Oaxaca
Maximum Mayhem on His Mind
WASHINGTON -- The gunman in the Newtown massacre fired 154 bullets from his Bushmaster military-style rifle in less than five minutes, killing 20 first-graders and six adults. He brought with him 10 large-capacity magazines, each holding up to 30 rounds, which allowed him to reload quickly. He also carried two semiautomatic handguns, one of which he used to take his own … [Read more...] about Maximum Mayhem on His Mind
Does the Bully Pulpit Work Anymore?
Does the "bully pulpit" work anymore? Can Barack Obama by taking to the hustings save sagging gun control legislation? Here's a roundup. … [Read more...] about Does the Bully Pulpit Work Anymore?
US warns ready for ‘any eventuality’ on N.Korea
US warns ready for 'any eventuality' on N.Korea (via AFP) The United States warned Thursday that the danger from North Korea was rising and that Washington was ready for "any eventuality" after flying two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over ally South Korea. With tensions soaring on the divided peninsula, the United States defied North Korean threats… … [Read more...] about US warns ready for ‘any eventuality’ on N.Korea
N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike
N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike (via AFP) North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Friday ordered preparations for strategic rocket strikes on the US mainland and military bases in the Pacific and South Korea. The order, issued at an overnight emergency meeting with top army commanders, was a direct response to the use of nuclear-capable US B-2… … [Read more...] about N. Korea puts rockets on standby for US strike
John Boehner Censors Abraham Lincoln
House Speaker John Boehner issued a memo quoting Abraham Lincoln on the dangers of debt. But he somehow left out Lincoln's call for higher taxes. Even an apricot sitting on a shelf at Sprouts Farmers' Market in Rancho Penasquitos will look at this and say, "Not a coincidence." But, hey, if the name of the game is to misrepresent the other party, why not misrepresent Honest … [Read more...] about John Boehner Censors Abraham Lincoln
The banns of marriage and the law of the land (Guest Voice)
The banns of marriage and the law of the land by The Reverend James Richardson As the Supreme Court concluded hearing oral arguments about marriage equality, I've been asked to offer comments by a number of people. Allow me to step back a few paces and point out that marriage licenses began at the behest of the Church of England, which was having a whale of a time … [Read more...] about The banns of marriage and the law of the land (Guest Voice)
Man stuck on Disneyland ‘It’s A Small World’ ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO)
Man stuck on Disneyland 'It's A Small World' ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO) (via GlobalPost) A disabled man who was stuck on Disneyland's 'It's A Small World' ride for 30 minutes - while the theme song played on - has won a lawsuit against the Anaheim theme park. Freya Petersen A disabled man who was stuck on Disneyland's "It's A Small World" ride … [Read more...] about Man stuck on Disneyland ‘It’s A Small World’ ride listening to theme song awarded $8,000 damages (VIDEO)
Using (and Reforming) the System
WASHINGTON -- If you are tired of seeing the debate on guns dominated by the National Rifle Association and yearn for sensible weapons laws, you have to love New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. When most politicians were caving in or falling silent, there was Bloomberg, wielding his fortune to keep hope alive that we could move against the violence that blights our nation. … [Read more...] about Using (and Reforming) the System
Red-State Democrats: Profiles in Cowardice (Guest Voice)
Red-State Democrats: Profiles in Cowardice by Dick Polman If the gun reform movement sparked by Newtown ultimately comes to naught, rest assured that the top prize for spinelessness will be awarded to as many as eight quaking Senate Democrats. We all know that the Republicans prefer to do nothing to curb gun violence; their instransigence is to be expected. But they have … [Read more...] about Red-State Democrats: Profiles in Cowardice (Guest Voice)
Newtown Massacre Took ‘Less than Five Minutes’
Newtown massacre took 'less than five minutes' (via AFP) The massacre of 20 children and six staff at a US school took barely five minutes, investigators said Thursday, as they revealed details of the extent of the shooter and his mother's gun obsession. "It is currently estimated that the time from when the shooter shot his way into the school until he… … [Read more...] about Newtown Massacre Took ‘Less than Five Minutes’
Elite- A Dirty Word in American Politics
In the United States, the terms elite or elitist are used by politicians to attack opposition candidates during election campaigns, or opposition members of Congress or Senators during legislative debates. It is also used to disparage the president or members of the executive branch by politicians of the opposing political party. Though adherents of both political parties … [Read more...] about Elite- A Dirty Word in American Politics
America’s Iraq Legacy: Rambo Today, the Terminator Tomorrow? (Le Monde, France)
With America turning away from its own forces, leaving them like the movie character Rambo to languish after a decade of war, Le Monde columnist Marc-Olivier Bherer writes that the future will increasingly look like a scene from the film Terminator, in which unmanned and autonomous drones hunt their prey - and they won't all be controlled by Americans in the White House. For … [Read more...] about America’s Iraq Legacy: Rambo Today, the Terminator Tomorrow? (Le Monde, France)
Iraq Autopsy: Lessons in Groupthink
I work in both Bridgeport and New York City. When I go to work in Bridgeport I stay for a few nights with some family friends in Riverside to make the trip more bearable. This means that I take a train from Riverside toward New Haven - a rather untravelled journey. I normally get to the stop about five minutes early and stand on NH-bound platform and then watch the businessman … [Read more...] about Iraq Autopsy: Lessons in Groupthink
North Dakota Governor Signs Restrictive Abortion Bills
While much of the country was focused on the U.S. Supreme Court turning its attention to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, the governor of North Dakota signed a restrictive abortion law that bans abortions "at the point of embryonic heartbeat." According to the WaPo, a fetal heartbeat can be present as early as … [Read more...] about North Dakota Governor Signs Restrictive Abortion Bills
Political Leadership….I Knew I Forgot Something (Guest Voice)
Political Leadership….I Knew I Forgot Something. (Let us give our American History meaning) by Dale Dale Schlundt Why is it difficult to lead in the 21st century? America is growing; there are many more potential leaders in our communities, but none that truly stand out as those who have come before. Where is the Lincoln of today? Of course, historians argue that … [Read more...] about Political Leadership….I Knew I Forgot Something (Guest Voice)
Supreme Court Signals it Could Nix Gay Marriage Law
US top court signals it could nix gay marriage law (via AFP) The Supreme Court signalled Wednesday it could throw out a US law that defines marriage as strictly between a man and a woman, in a second day of hearings on the thorny issue of same-sex marriage. For nearly two hours, the nine justices who make up the nation's highest court grilled lawyers on the… … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Signals it Could Nix Gay Marriage Law
Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
Historic Tidbit: A young boy intrigued Herbert Hoover, by then an ex-President, with a request for three autographs. Hoover inquired as to why, to which the boy replied, "it takes two of your autographs to get one of Babe Ruth's." Though it is currently an off-year for most elections (New Jersey and Virginia exempt), developments in the many races for 2014 don't seem to take … [Read more...] about Poli-Takes: The Rattling of the Cages
Ashley Judd Won’t Run Against Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell must be breathing a sigh of relief. And so, if you believe the reports, are some Democrats. Actress, and Democratic activist Ashley Judd has decided not to run against McConnell. Some reports suggested she'd be a real threat -- and from the actions of Republicans it sure seemed that way. And other reports suggested Democrats didn't want … [Read more...] about Ashley Judd Won’t Run Against Mitch McConnell
GOP Gay Marriage Whipping Boy (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 GOP Gay Marriage Whipping Boy (Cartoon)