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
Proposition 8 Oral Arguments
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)