That First Amendment can be Soooooo Annoying by Daryl Cagle I syndicate the cartoons of Rick McKee, the brilliant, conservative cartoonist from The Augusta Chronicle, to newspapers around the world. Today Rick sent in a cartoon about a local Georgia legislator that was so nutty, I asked him to explain. Rick writes: "Sticks and stones may break my bones" and apparently, … [Read more...] about The First Amendment can be Sooooo Annoying (Guest Voice)
The Shooter Who Got Osama bin Laden’s Benefits Problems Self Inflicted?
Like a lot of websites, The Moderate Voice ran a post reporting on an Esquire piece about the plight of the shooter who got Osama bin Laden who according to the piece left the service and found himself without benefits, despite serving his country, let along closing the chapter on bin Laden. AFter the Esquire article came out, on Facebook and elsewhere some began to raise … [Read more...] about The Shooter Who Got Osama bin Laden’s Benefits Problems Self Inflicted?
Meteor Strike in Russia Hurts Almost 1,000
Meteor strike in Russia injures over 950 (via AFP) A plunging meteor exploded with a blinding flash above central Russia on Friday, setting off a shockwave that shattered windows and hurt over 950 people in an event unprecedented in modern times. The extraordinary event brought morning traffic to a sudden halt in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk as shocked… … [Read more...] about Meteor Strike in Russia Hurts Almost 1,000
HuffPost Lawsuit: “Fraud and Unjust Enrichment” Added
In a major development in the bitter court fight over the founding of the Huffington Post, a New York judge has for the second time refused the request of media moguls Arianna Huffington and Ken Lerer to dismiss the case. The new ruling also expands the scope of the case to include claims of fraud and unjust enrichment. - Judge allows case over HuffPo ownership to go forward, … [Read more...] about HuffPost Lawsuit: “Fraud and Unjust Enrichment” Added
Not The World I Want
From morning TV news coverage of Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee Olympic runner accused of shooting and killing his supermodel girlfriend with four shots through the bathroom door: ...The secure gated compound where Pistorius lives is one of the ways South Africans protect themselves from South Africa's extreme crime rates, the other is guns... Wayne … [Read more...] about Not The World I Want
New Republic Challenges View On Redistricting And GOP
An interesting article in New Republic (hardly a right wing rag) challenges the view that GOP redistricting is responsible for their retaining control of the House. The basic thrust of the article is that Democratic voters tend to be concentrated in urban areas while Republicans are more spread out in rural areas. The result is 85% D districts in the cities and 55% R … [Read more...] about New Republic Challenges View On Redistricting And GOP
Congressional Frosh and Maiden Speeches: Take Heed From H.R. Gross
Historic Quote:"I have learned the difference between a cactus and a caucus is that with a caucus, the pricks are on the inside." Ex-Arizona Congressman Mo Udall. By Scott Crass With the 113th Congress well under way, a number of freshmen lawmakers in both chambers are preparing to deliver their maiden speeches on the floor. For some, (Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton), … [Read more...] about Congressional Frosh and Maiden Speeches: Take Heed From H.R. Gross
Okinawans Will No Longer be ‘Pawned Away’ to Curry American Favor (Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
Do the democratically-expressed wishes of the people of Okinawa count for anything? That is the question posed by this editorial from Japan's Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun, which accuses newly-reminted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of planning to ignore their demands for closure of America's bases there to satisfy the United States. One of the most strongly-worded editorials you are … [Read more...] about Okinawans Will No Longer be ‘Pawned Away’ to Curry American Favor (Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
Reducing ruin from disasters: the next big thing
A small piece of good news has emerged from Ethiopia, one of the world’s poorest countries per capita and probably the oldest location of human existence known to scientists. It came at a meeting today in Arusha, Kenya, organized by a United Nations agency specialized in reducing risks from disasters (UNISDR). Ethiopia is becoming a leader in compiling data to handle … [Read more...] about Reducing ruin from disasters: the next big thing
Fillibuster Hisssy Fit: Repubs Block Hagel Nom
WaPo reports Senate Republicans blocked a vote on Chuck Hagel’s nomination as secretary of defense today, Thursday, launching an unprecedented filibuster... It also appears to be a noodle slap at the White House and other colleagues Dem and not so Dem. The vote needed was 60 to move forward on the nomination. Received 58 votes. The filibuster which had little to do with … [Read more...] about Fillibuster Hisssy Fit: Repubs Block Hagel Nom
Georgia State Legislator Wants To Ban Lewd Photoshopping
It seems a member of the Georgia legislator needs a lesson in the First Amendment. From Fox News A Georgia state lawmaker with an unconventional grasp of the First Amendment is backing a bill that would make lewd photoshopping a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine. Rep. Earnest Smith pointed, as proof of the problem, to a picture of his head that was recently edited onto a … [Read more...] about Georgia State Legislator Wants To Ban Lewd Photoshopping
Warmest Decade on Record Brings Record Temperatures and Weather Extremes
Warmest Decade on Record Brings Record Temperatures and Weather Extremes (via sustainablog) By Janet Larsen In recent years weather events have whiplashed between the extremes of heat and cold, flooding and drought. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases—largely from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas—have loaded up in the atmosphere, heating the planet … [Read more...] about Warmest Decade on Record Brings Record Temperatures and Weather Extremes
Leon Panetta Honors and Thanks His ‘Dear Friend,’ Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton accepts the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Feb. 14, 2013. (Photo DOD) During his last days in office, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has made a flurry of policy decisions, announcements and presentations -- a couple of the policy decisions considered … [Read more...] about Leon Panetta Honors and Thanks His ‘Dear Friend,’ Hillary Clinton
Celebrating Valentine’s Day Thousands of Miles Apart
"Could not Resist" Addition: Rosalyn Cisneros gives her father, Army Spc. Jose Cisneros, a hug inside Freedom Hall on Fort Benning, Ga., Feb. 14, 2013. Cisneros and fellow service members assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division returned from a nine-month deployment in time to celebrate Valentine's Day with their families and loved ones. … [Read more...] about Celebrating Valentine’s Day Thousands of Miles Apart
Beware! Facebook Can Kill Romance
WASHINGTON - It's Valentine's Day. A day filled with fun and sexpectations, but also opportunities, which in the instant gratification social media era also includes doing things you'll regret the day after. It's also a day for the 1 Billion Rising campaign, where people stand up, speak out, dance and come out against violence against women and girls. As we learn of Oscar … [Read more...] about Beware! Facebook Can Kill Romance
Pistorius Charged with Girlfriend’s Murder
Pistorius charged with girlfriend's murder (via AFP) South African police on Thursday charged Olympic amputee sprint star Oscar Pistorius with the Valentine's Day murder of his glamorous model girlfriend, but played down reports she was mistaken for a burglar. "I can confirm that a suspect has been charged, he has been charged with murder," lieutenant… … [Read more...] about Pistorius Charged with Girlfriend’s Murder
TV Shootouts: Obama, Rubio and Dorner
As cops close in on the fiery last stand of a mass murderer, a continent away Barack Obama tries to smoke out those who have been holding America hostage with lethal ideology. The Christopher Dorner story may be over, but the President’s State of the Union assault on Tea Party barricades is just the start of a long siege. For over an hour last night he fired off a … [Read more...] about TV Shootouts: Obama, Rubio and Dorner
Bangladesh War-Crimes Trials Reopen old Wounds
Bangladesh war-crimes trials reopen old wounds (via AFP) When Ranajit Rinku heard the "Butcher of Mirpur" had been jailed for life for mass murder during Bangladesh's liberation war, he couldn't believe a man with so much blood on his hands could escape the gallows. Like most Bangladeshis, Rinku had been taught that the nine-month conflict was one of the… … [Read more...] about Bangladesh War-Crimes Trials Reopen old Wounds
I Wanted to Write About Django, But I Ended Up Writing About a Pimp
So, once upon a time I used to write for this fantastic site. Then I went away, did a Masters degree and had a kid - but I missed writing. I recently started my own blog, which you can find here, about films - yes, it's that general. I'm going to share some of my content with TMV from time to time, so below is a piece I did about Django Unchained. Ok, I lied, it's about the … [Read more...] about I Wanted to Write About Django, But I Ended Up Writing About a Pimp
Horsing Around with Europe’s Beef Supply
Beef contaminated with horsemeat has sparked a multi-nation controversy in Europe. It's no secret that the French have long been galloping gourmets. Gobbling horsemeat there dates back to the country's 18th century revolution, when rich folks' horses began to fill food supply gaps. Today horsemeat is still found in many stores there. The French's appetite for it has … [Read more...] about Horsing Around with Europe’s Beef Supply