As everyone probably knows the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in the case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, more commonly know as the Proposition 8 case. I was able to take some time this afternoon to listen to the oral arguments and review the transcripts to try and give myself an idea as to how the court might rule. A couple of caveats. First, the ruling won't come … [Read more...] about Proposition 8 Oral Arguments
Mexican forensic expert bathes bodies to solve crimes
Mexican forensic expert bathes bodies to solve crimes (via AFP) Mexican forensic expert Alejandro Hernandez dips dry, yellowish cadavers in a see-through bath, hoping his technique to rehydrate mummified bodies will solve murders in crime-infested Ciudad Juarez. The city bordering Texas has endured drug-related violence and a wave of murders of women in recent… … [Read more...] about Mexican forensic expert bathes bodies to solve crimes
Oral Arguments On Proposition 8
Of course I plan to post my own thoughts on today's oral arguments but for those who are interested the recordings and transcripts have been posted at the Supreme Court web site They are not in legalese but quite interesting for anyone interested in the topic to listen to or read. … [Read more...] about Oral Arguments On Proposition 8
Game of Thrones Most Pirated TV Series in the World
...and its creator doesn't much care, and has some thoughts on how the world's distribution networks are part of the problem. Which of course they are. The harder you make it for people to get your content, the more incentive you give them to pirate. Despite all the futile condemning and attempts at shaming, the fact is that this Cartoon by The Oatmeal still illustrates why … [Read more...] about Game of Thrones Most Pirated TV Series in the World
GLTB Persons: Not a Witch Hunt– A Treasure Hunt
It is not without much emotional and physical blood spilled that we come to this day when the highest court in our land has agreed to hear a case regarding overthrowing a wall barring fully equal rights for our gay, lesbian, trans-secual and bi-sexual brothers and sisters... and all the unnamed as well. The rainbow colors blend at their edges together too, often as much because … [Read more...] about GLTB Persons: Not a Witch Hunt– A Treasure Hunt
The Power of Symbols: Marriage Equality
You may have seen it cropping up in your Facebook news feed, an in-your-face fire-engine red block with two horizontal lines. Its the latest symbol of marriage equality, one launched by the Human Rights Campaign, "the nation's largest advocacy group for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities." They are asking for people to wear red and attend Tuesday's … [Read more...] about The Power of Symbols: Marriage Equality
Gay marriage at the Supreme Court: What are the pivot points? (Guest Voice)
Gay marriage at the Supreme Court: What are the pivot points? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Upper left: Paul Melchert (l.) is interrupted by his son as he and his partner James Zimerman support a bill to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota. Upper right: In early 2012, two men protest against a gay marriage bill then working its way through the … [Read more...] about Gay marriage at the Supreme Court: What are the pivot points? (Guest Voice)
There’s No Easy Way, But There’s a Clear Way To Health
by Dr. Kevin Purcell The picture above is part of a bike ride we did the length of New Zealand's south island. In my last article I shared my views about how each of us can improve our health, energy and well-being by focusing on some relatively simple steps. In this piece I will get more specific and share some of those steps relative to nutrition. Simple? Yes, they are … [Read more...] about There’s No Easy Way, But There’s a Clear Way To Health
Turbulent Waters for Supreme Court Overturning California Gay Marriage Ban?
Has the effort now going on at the Supreme Court to overturn California's Proposition 8 same-sex marriage run into turbulent waters? It certainly sounds that way: In a historic argument on a challenge to state laws that limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the Supreme Court indicated Tuesday that it might be hesitant to strike down such laws. Following the oral … [Read more...] about Turbulent Waters for Supreme Court Overturning California Gay Marriage Ban?
Citizen-Heroes Honored by Medal of Honor Recipients
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at an event at the Women in Service to America Memorial marking the 150th anniversary of the award of the first Medal of Honor and honoring citizen heroes, March 25, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by J.D. Leipold) As we know, the Congressional Medal of Honor … [Read more...] about Citizen-Heroes Honored by Medal of Honor Recipients
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
I previously wrote about the way our drone debate was happening in America: largely focused on the infinitesimal possibility of American deaths while ignoring the plight of the thousands of Pakistani civilians that have died in the strikes. Today I stumbled upon Out of Sight, Out of Mind, a stunning visualization of America's drone war in Pakistan. The Economist … [Read more...] about Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Who Killed the Republican “New Majority?”
The question is coming up: who killed the Republicans' highly touted "New Majority?" Conservative columnist and former Nixon administration member Pat Buchanan, who has been the source of intense controversy over the years, offers an interesting take. Buchanan has had a lower media profile since MSNBC dropped him in 2012 after his latest book was called racist by some, a … [Read more...] about Who Killed the Republican “New Majority?”
The Death Of Television News
The late Edward R. Murrow understood the great potential of television. He also understood that it could merely propagate ignorance. In 1958, he told the Radio and Television News Directors Association: This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. … [Read more...] about The Death Of Television News
‘Combat-ready’ N. Korea threatens US mainland, Hawaii
'Combat-ready' N. Korea threatens US mainland, Hawaii (via AFP) North Korea's military put its "strategic" rocket units on a war footing Tuesday, with a fresh threat to strike targets on the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam, as well as South Korea. The move came as South Korea marked the third anniversary of the sinking of its naval vessel "Cheonan" by what Seoul insists… … [Read more...] about ‘Combat-ready’ N. Korea threatens US mainland, Hawaii
President Obama Presides over Naturalization Ceremony that Includes Military
As a naturalized U.S. citizen and retired military, it always brings back fond memories when I see or read about our military taking the oath of U.S. citizenship. I took my oath in front of a judge in Houston, Texas, more than 50 years ago and the memory is still vivid. How about taking the oath to become a citizen of the greatest country in the world from the President … [Read more...] about President Obama Presides over Naturalization Ceremony that Includes Military
The Stakes Before the Court
WASHINGTON -- Don't take anything for granted. The conservative activists on the Supreme Court may not be able to halt the inexorable shift toward acceptance of gay marriage, but we probably should expect them to try. The two big cases being argued this week could turn out to be landmarks that confirm the nation's progress toward marriage equality -- or speed bumps that … [Read more...] about The Stakes Before the Court
Jim Carrey’s Pro-Gun Control Bit “Cold Dead Hand” Song (VIDEO)
Here's Jim Carrey's buzz-creating "Hee Haw" satire that includes him portraying the late NRA bigwig and actor Charlton Heston -- and a singer singing song that skewers the NRA and others opposing gun control." Lyrics equate a "cold dead hand" with a "cold dead heart" (some adult language): … [Read more...] about Jim Carrey’s Pro-Gun Control Bit “Cold Dead Hand” Song (VIDEO)
Cyprus Faces Years of Suffering: Analysts
Cyprus faces years of suffering: analysts (via AFP) Cypriots face years of economic hardship due to a harsh eurozone bailout deal, while the Mediterranean island's future in the single currency remains deeply uncertain, analysts said Monday. The fallout will begin immediately with food and medicine shortages likely in coming weeks as businesses struggle… … [Read more...] about Cyprus Faces Years of Suffering: Analysts
Because (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 Because (Cartoon)
University Hides Sexual Assaults from Campus Through Privacy Law
You would expect your child's university to notify the campus if one or more sexual assaults had been reported on campus. That's a dangerous assumption for anyone with a child at Oklahoma State University, which just "won" the Society of Professional Journalists' Black Hole Award. The Oklahoman reports: OSU received the award for officials' decision not to notify police or … [Read more...] about University Hides Sexual Assaults from Campus Through Privacy Law