Historic Tidbit: Edith Nourse Rogers was among the first women to serve in Congress (her 35 plus years have only been surpassed by Barbara Mikulski). And Rogers, who served Massachusetts from 1925 until her death learned the disadvantages to being outnumbered by gender. One day, Rogers asked a male colleague to yield during debate and he replied, "Not now. It's not very often … [Read more...] about Losing Congressional Seniority Hurts, But Not As Much As Bickering
Once ‘Just a Sergeant,’ Today Leader of the Mightiest Military
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call on Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Photo DOD Proud of what had been disparaged by politicians and pundits alike, the new Secretary of Defense spoke about his enlisted military service and took pride in being introduced to an all-hands meeting at the … [Read more...] about Once ‘Just a Sergeant,’ Today Leader of the Mightiest Military
Voting Rights Act: Poised to be Gutted by the Supreme Court?
Is the Voting Rights Act poised to be gutted by a Supreme Court where the conservatives still wield considerable clout? It sounds that way: Conservative justices on the Supreme Court expressed skepticism Wednesday about whether the federal government should still be requiring preclearance of voting system changes in certain places with a history of racial discrimination in … [Read more...] about Voting Rights Act: Poised to be Gutted by the Supreme Court?
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s First Day in Words and Images
Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, arrive for Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. After an unnecessarily bitter and partisan confirmation process, Chuck Hagel is now the 24th Secretary of Defense and the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Department of Defense. After his swearing-in ceremony, the new Secretary of Defense had the following message … [Read more...] about Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s First Day in Words and Images
6% Unemployment 3 years away?
Ben Bernanke thinks so, and that's if Congress makes sure not to cut spending. Or so CNBC reports anyway. … [Read more...] about 6% Unemployment 3 years away?
Boehner’s Anatomy Lesson in Anarchy
The Speaker shoots himself in the foot urging that “the Senate gets off their ass and begins to do something” about sequester cuts. The Upper House fails to agree, leaving John Boehner and his Tea Party captors stuck in the slow-motion anarchy they have unleashed. GOP politicians these days are racing through thick mud of their own making, gasping for TV air, feet churning, … [Read more...] about Boehner’s Anatomy Lesson in Anarchy
About the New Republican Party
I have been wanting to write about this. About the New Republican Party playing the victim game. About the New Republican Party’s “wimpiness” and “wussiness“ About the New Republican Party’s, “Look Mom, they are being mean to me.” About the New Republican Party’s, “We can’t take it anymore,” after all its dishing-out. About the New Republican Party saying … [Read more...] about About the New Republican Party
Margin Call: What the hell happened in 2008?
Please go and watch Margin Call. I just wanted that to be the first thing people read, just in case they don’t bother reading the whole post. … Margin Call is this gem of a film I found late last year, from a director (J.C. Chandor) I’ve never heard of and a cast which is nothing short of stellar. The film is about the early stages of the 2008 financial breakdown and … [Read more...] about Margin Call: What the hell happened in 2008?
Seth, Shirley, Barbra, and Jane
WASHINGTON - Never has there been more caterwauling. Never mind that it was pure nonsense, because the 85th Oscars was packed from start to finish with females shown in their best light, taking focus at every turn from the men who still run the town. It's so odd that so many people are obsessing over the hilarious "We Saw Your Boobs," which was meant to nab a younger … [Read more...] about Seth, Shirley, Barbra, and Jane
A Year after Trayvon Martin Shooting, is America Much Changed? (Guest Voice)
A year after Trayvon Martin shooting, is America much changed? (via The Christian Science Monitor) A year ago Trayvon Martin made a fateful decision: to take a break from the NBA all-star game on TV and kick down to the corner convenience mart, where he bought a Snapple and a bag of Skittles. The lanky 17-year-old never returned to the home where his dad was staying in … [Read more...] about A Year after Trayvon Martin Shooting, is America Much Changed? (Guest Voice)
Not the Onion (Guest Voice)
Not The Onion by Jason Stanford Separating satire from real news requires an advanced degree these days. When Jon Stewart becomes the most trusted newsman for millennials, the line between the evening news and The Onion gets blurry, so perhaps we shouldn't laugh so loudly at old Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Senator who's up for re-election next year. But given the … [Read more...] about Not the Onion (Guest Voice)
Liberal Group’s Racist Tweets About McConnell’s Chinese Wife Sparks Controversy
Attack on US senator's wife triggers China race row (via AFP) Aides to top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell voiced outrage Tuesday after a left-leaning group suggested that he supported China over the United States due to his Taiwan-born wife. McConnell, who faces re-election next year, is married to former labor secretary Elaine Chao. She was born in … [Read more...] about Liberal Group’s Racist Tweets About McConnell’s Chinese Wife Sparks Controversy
Scoops That’ll Bust This Town Wide Open
FORT STOCKTON, Texas -- The journalistic cliche is that someone comes running into a newsroom, shouting: "I've got a story that'll bust this town wide open!" So stop the presses; re-do the front page. But in these days of the Internet, you don't stop the presses. You merely write it ASAP and hit the "publish" button. A top conservative news blog and much of the conservative … [Read more...] about Scoops That’ll Bust This Town Wide Open
Lawsuit Claims ‘King of Beers’ is Watered Down
US lawsuit claims 'King of Beers' is watered down (via AFP) The makers of Budweiser faced accusations on Tuesday of watering down the popular American lager in search of higher profits, in a class action lawsuit flatly rejected by the brewery. The beer-drinking plaintiffs alleged that Anheuser-Busch is violating consumer protection laws in California and Missouri… … [Read more...] about Lawsuit Claims ‘King of Beers’ is Watered Down
Change of Command at the Pentagon (Updated)
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, second from right, tours the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial with Michael L. Rhodes, left, the Defense Department's director of administration and management, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser and Marcel J. Lettre II, right, the secretary's special assistant, Feb. 27, 2013.(DoD photo) Now that Chuck Hagel has finally been confirmed by the … [Read more...] about Change of Command at the Pentagon (Updated)
Chuck Hagel Confirmed for Secretary of Defense (Updated)
Update II: American Forces Press Service: President Barack Obama praised his choice to lead the Pentagon as “the defense secretary our nation needs and the leader our troops deserve.” “From the moment he volunteered for military service in Vietnam, Chuck has devoted his life to keeping America secure and our armed forces strong,” Obama said in a statement issued … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel Confirmed for Secretary of Defense (Updated)
Hagel Confirmed By Vote Of 58-41
Chuck Hagel has just been confirmed as Secretary of Defense by a vote of 58-41. The Senate had earlier voted 71-27 to have the vote proceed. I don't yet have a breakdown by party but most Democrats voted yes and most Republicans voted no. Shame on you Republicans. … [Read more...] about Hagel Confirmed By Vote Of 58-41
Texas More Tolerant Than New York ?
Now don't get me wrong, I am sure there are PLENTY of stories of intolerance in Texas and plenty of stories of support in New York But this video is instructive to those who try to paint with a broad brush. A hidden video where a gay couple is criticized by a waitress and told to leave the restaurant They did this in New York and then in Texas Care to guess where … [Read more...] about Texas More Tolerant Than New York ?
Battle of the Political Butts
The coarsening of American "political discussion" continues: A salty Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday told members of the Senate to “get off their ass” and pass a bill to replace $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts, setting off an exchange with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “We have moved a bill in the House twice. We should not have to … [Read more...] about Battle of the Political Butts
Dedicated Teen Gets More Than He Was Expecting
Sometimes you just see stories that restores your hope in people. The owner of an Indianapolis restaurant was out in front of his business one morning when a young man walked by and asked for directions. The man told the teen that it was quite a long walk and suggested he take the bus. The teen thanked the man and moved on (surprising the man who expected to be asked for bus … [Read more...] about Dedicated Teen Gets More Than He Was Expecting