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)
Second “date” set for Obama and Republicans
Republicans and President Barack Obama have got to stop meeting like this (says Rush Limbaugh most likely): a second "date" has been set between Obama and Republican Senators: President Barack Obama will continue his congressional charm offensive at a second dinner with Senate Republicans next month. The April 10 dinner will include a dozen GOP members invited by Sen. … [Read more...] about Second “date” set for Obama and Republicans
George Bush Minimalist Painter (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 George Bush Minimalist Painter (Cartoon)
N. Korea cuts military hotline with South
N. Korea cuts military hotline with South (via AFP) North Korea severed its military hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, breaking the last direct communication link between the two countries at a time of heightened military tensions. The decision coincided with an announcement that the North's top political leadership would meet in the next few days… … [Read more...] about N. Korea cuts military hotline with South
Sample Some Popular Political Whines
The phone rings in a big warehouse in Oriskiny Falls, N.Y. "Is this Political Whines, Incorporated? " "Yep. Harry Schmidlap speaking. Welcome to the biggest collection of vintage whines anywhere. We have whines popular with Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, and independents." "I have no idea where to begin. Any suggestions? "Sure," Schmidlap says. … [Read more...] about Sample Some Popular Political Whines
A GREAT World Cruise: Diary Part I
Editor's Note: Cruises that go terribly or tragically wrong are always in the news, starting with the Titanic. But what about the many, many cruises that are sheer joy? Last year retired French professor Jeffry Foster went on a world voyage. We are presenting his diary in several parts. Here's Part I: World Voyage Part I by Jeffrey Foster Tuesday, January 3 : I arrived … [Read more...] about A GREAT World Cruise: Diary Part I
Can a Two-State Solution Actually Work? Science Says No.
The Economist is pressing for a two-state solution, arguing that the President should "strive to keep it alive." I agreed; from a purely rational, detached perspective, the two-state solution is great. But I have been reading Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature (I highly recommend it) and this jumped out at me: An ingenious rerouting of the psychology of taboo … [Read more...] about Can a Two-State Solution Actually Work? Science Says No.
After Same-Sex Marriage, a Fix for Divorce
Whatever the Supreme Court decides, acceptance of same-sex marriage is now a fact of life but, amid so much furor pro and con, a social change that deserves consideration in context of what has been happening to American families since World War II. If gay marriage is here, can gay divorce be far behind? Fifty years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead proposed that, with … [Read more...] about After Same-Sex Marriage, a Fix for Divorce
Johnson Retirement Creates Battle In The Badlands
By Scott Crass Democratic South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson's decision not to stand for re-election creates yet another Senate vacancy, and one that for both parties, creates a priority as high as Mount Rushmore. Unlike other states, Johnson's retirement won't create a donnybrook. Each side boasts of no more than two potential major candidates. But it also leave Democrats … [Read more...] about Johnson Retirement Creates Battle In The Badlands
Tim Johnson Retiring: A Career On The High Road
By Scott Crass Just before he died, the "Saturday Evening Post" published a piece about President Warren G. Harding entitled, "A Calm Review of A Calm Man." Tim Johnson, the erstwhile three term South Dakota Senator never had his integrity questioned, is healthy again, and isn't even a Republican. But like Harding, the erstwhile Democrat is a proud son of a small mid-western … [Read more...] about Tim Johnson Retiring: A Career On The High Road