President Barack Obama got heckled in Israel over the ongoing case of Jonathan Pollard. He handled it well -- but the issue lingers. Here's how he handled it: Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. Watch More News Videos at ABC | Technology News | Celebrity News ABC News gives this recap of the Pollard case: During the president’s … [Read more...] about Obama Gets Heckled in Israel (Video)
Congress Tells Postal Service To Keep Saturday Delivery
Well there is one idea that won't be going anywhere soon. I do understand the arguments on both sides of the issue and certainly there is a lot behind the USPS having financial trouble. But the fact remains that as snail mail becomes less and less common things are going to have to change. You can't just blame it on this or that partisan action and pretend that there is … [Read more...] about Congress Tells Postal Service To Keep Saturday Delivery
Georgia Senate Primary A Race of Many Rifts
Historic Tidbit via Paul Boller’s "Congressional Anecdotes." One day as a junior member of the House, Gerald Ford gave a somewhat elongated speech. After, a colleague from Texas came up to him and said, “Jerry, that was the best longhorne speech I ever heard.” Ford stared quizzically. The man explained that a longhorne speech is one that has "two points, far, far apart with … [Read more...] about Georgia Senate Primary A Race of Many Rifts
At the Edge of My Joy
At the Edge of My Joy by Doug Bursch At the edge of my joy stands my sorrow waiting for the laughter to wane quiet in the shadows at the edge of light and fellowship. I turn my back to sorrow, but it encircles every room. I place myself in the center of the movement but it will be quiet soon. Soon it will be quiet and the room will empty and I will look down and … [Read more...] about At the Edge of My Joy
Some Words From History (Or Are They) ?
“Oh, Muslims, know that our Empire is at war with the mortal enemies of Islam . . . the governments of Moscow, Britain and France. The Commander of the faithful summons you to the Jihad” Is the above a quote from Al Qaeda ? Iran ? Syria ? Nope…. it’s a quote from the Sultan of the Ottaman Empire…… in 1914…. at the start of WW1 Boy things sure have changed since … [Read more...] about Some Words From History (Or Are They) ?
Why Palestinian ‘Naysayers’ Protest Obama’s Visit (Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories)
People in the Palestinian Territories have held a number of demonstrations against President Obama's visit today. For Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah in the Territories, columnist Bahaa Rahhal explains why they have good reason to be disappointed with Barack Obama, who from their point of view sides with Israel no matter what insult or act of violence Israelis commit against … [Read more...] about Why Palestinian ‘Naysayers’ Protest Obama’s Visit (Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories)
Iraq Plus Ten: Why We Fought an Avoidable War
“Ten years after it began,” says a New York Times editorial, “the Iraq war still haunts the United States in the nearly 4,500 troops who died there; the more than 30,000 American wounded who have come home; the more than $2 trillion spent on combat operations and reconstruction, which inflated the deficit; and in the lessons learned about the limits of American leadership and … [Read more...] about Iraq Plus Ten: Why We Fought an Avoidable War
Can Obama Save the Two-State Solution?
WASHINGTON -- The administration has set expectations for President Obama's trip to Israel so low you'd think he was making another visit to Ohio. Yet this is a very consequential journey because it comes at a moment when hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are fading away. In setting foot on Israeli soil for the first time since he became … [Read more...] about Can Obama Save the Two-State Solution?
Rape in Steubenville and Delhi: Where is the Difference? (Guest Voice)
Rape in Steubenville and Delhi: Where is the difference? (via GlobalPost) Analysis: When it comes to sex crimes, the United States has little room to preach to other countries. Jean MacKenzie BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — The bad news just keeps coming: the gang rape of a medical student in India resulting in her death; the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in Pakistan; a … [Read more...] about Rape in Steubenville and Delhi: Where is the Difference? (Guest Voice)
One Reader Writes
Ezra Klein writes a mea culpa. To be fair, at least, unlike most others, he has the intellectual honesty to admit that he was wrong. This is a rare quality nowadays, and ought not be dismissed. Mistakes, Excuses and Painful Lessons From the Iraq War Ezra Klein / Bloomberg I supported the Iraq War, and I'm sorry. — I have my excuses, of course. I was a college … [Read more...] about One Reader Writes
Republican Rebranding (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized use on any site without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Republican Rebranding (Cartoon)
Michelle Bachmann Gets Caught In ANOTHER Major Political Mistatement
For one brief (and to her) shining moment in campaign 2012, it seemed like Rep. Michelle Bachmann was a real (Republican political) contender. And then it was over. The reason: her penchant for making broad, attack-mode statements that when actually vetted prove out to be to accuracy what Donald Trump's speeches are to thoughtful political discussion. In a word: bilge. And … [Read more...] about Michelle Bachmann Gets Caught In ANOTHER Major Political Mistatement
Exec Dir of Colo Prisons Murdered Last Night
A truly visionary man, Tom Clements, is dead. Tom was known for many things, including his anti death penalty/anti solitary confinement stances. No one knows yet who murdered him at his own front door. A gunman shot and killed Tom Clements, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, at his home in Monument, Colorado last night. Police said the … [Read more...] about Exec Dir of Colo Prisons Murdered Last Night
Book Review – Climate Myths
We are seeing the impact of global climate change almost daily. There is of course the drought in the Midwest of the United States as well as part of the Russia, two the the largest grain producing regions in the World. The East Coast of the United States was hit by Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012 and then a nor'easter in February of 2013 resulting in millions of dollars … [Read more...] about Book Review – Climate Myths
In The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. And the Earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And Satan said, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit,” and God saw … [Read more...] about In The Beginning
Obama Vows ‘Eternal’ Defense of Israel
Obama in Israel on first trip as US president (via AFP) Barack Obama landed in Israel on Wednesday for the first time as US president, on a mission to ease past tensions with his hosts but facing scepticism about his plans to thwart Iran's nuclear threat. Air Force One landed at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv to kick off a three-day trip on which Obama… … [Read more...] about Obama Vows ‘Eternal’ Defense of Israel
Dying Iraq War Veteran’s Letter to Bush and Cheney
Much has been written, is being written and will be written on this tenth anniversary of the beginning of an unnecessary war that left more than 4,000 of our troops dead, a war that physically and mentally injured tens of thousands more of our troops and killed more than 100,000 Iraqis. The Huffington Post has an entire section dedicated to this somber … [Read more...] about Dying Iraq War Veteran’s Letter to Bush and Cheney
Like Atlas In An Ayn Rand Novel, Stock Markets Shrug
What's going on in the world these days that one might think would affect stock markets? Let's see. Italy's recent election shows a fast growing opposition to German-foisted austerity measures within the EU, and suggests that this Union might very soon have to choose between overt and flagrant bank rule and democracy. And world stock markets shrug. The sequester fiasco in … [Read more...] about Like Atlas In An Ayn Rand Novel, Stock Markets Shrug
What We’ve Learned So Far in 2013 Politics
What We've Learned So Far in 2013 Politics Independent's Eye by Joe Gandelman Let's see: So far we've witnessed hyper-partisanship, President Barack Obama's poll numbers plunge eight points, less than three in 10 saying they view Republicans favorably, Republicans showing barely disguised contempt towards Obama, Democratic liberals worrying Obama will "cave," former Vice … [Read more...] about What We’ve Learned So Far in 2013 Politics
New York Cigarette Ban: Can it Succeed Where Soda Ban Failed?
New York cigarette ban: Can it succeed where soda ban failed? (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Cigarette packs are displayed at a convenience store in New York Monday. A new antismoking proposal would make New York the first city in the nation to keep tobacco products out of sight in retail stores. (Mark Lennihan/AP) His soda ban … [Read more...] about New York Cigarette Ban: Can it Succeed Where Soda Ban Failed?