TUCSON, Arizona -- An old vaudeville joke went like this: "Do I look like an idiot? Do I look like a jerk who doesn't know what's going on? Do you think I'm dumb? Don't answer that!" The sequester, with its draconian cuts, was an idea both sides considered so bad, so awful, so incredibly dumb that SURELY no responsible politician, political leader or party would let it … [Read more...] about Sequestration Shows Failure of America’s Political Class
Administration Endorses Cell Phone Unlocking Petition
Starting January 26, new cellphones sold in the U.S. can be unlocked only if the carrier says OK. Even if the contract is up. The arbiter? The Library of Congress. This week the Obama Administration endorsed a petition rejecting that decision. In a response entitled "It's Time to Legalize Cell Phone Unlocking," the White House wrote: The White House agrees with the … [Read more...] about Administration Endorses Cell Phone Unlocking Petition
Arm the Rebels (Guest Voice)
Arm the Rebels by Sean McElwee The past four decades are littered with genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, famine and rape. Juxtaposed with each terrifying tale, from Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cyprus, Rwanda, Srebrenica, Kosovo, Haiti and Darfur are stories of American ignorance, apathy and intransigence. Cambodia came too close to … [Read more...] about Arm the Rebels (Guest Voice)
“Lost” Comedy Gem: The Three Stooges (LIVE) on the Steve Allen Show (1959)
A RARITY: The final incarnation of The Three Stooges with the underrated Joe DeRitsa as Curley...live on TV in their 1959 "comeback." DeRita was with the trio in the final years of their act when the Stooges played clubs, Vegas and did feature films with the violence toned down. You can now buy a set that has ALL of the Stooges' iconic Columbia shorts (made in the 30s … [Read more...] about “Lost” Comedy Gem: The Three Stooges (LIVE) on the Steve Allen Show (1959)
Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. (Guest Voice)
Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. by Jared Milne Right-wing Conservatives and Republicans are hardworking entrepreneurs who stop at Tim Horton’s for a double-double on their way to work, get up early on Saturday to take their kids to hockey practice, and maintain their homes and their cars themselves. Either that, or they’re greedy corporate monsters who … [Read more...] about Political Stereotypes in Canada and the U.S. (Guest Voice)
Pope Benedict Leaves the Vatican Building (Guest Cartoonist)
Two cartoons about Pope Benedict leaving the Vatican Building: Of Related Interest: --Catholics’ Views on Pope Benedict XVI and the Church --Victims raise questions about retired Pope Benedict's legal immunity --Poll: Pope Benedict's legacy not as positive as John Paul's --Pope Benedict’s politics defied ideological categories --Pope Benedict's Sex Scandal … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict Leaves the Vatican Building (Guest Cartoonist)
Obama: US Supports Venezuelan People after Chavez Death
Obama: US supports Venezuelan people after Chavez death (via AFP) President Barack Obama said within hours of the death of American foe President Hugo Chavez Tuesday that the United States was interested in a "constructive" future relationship with Venezuela. Antipathy in the US Congress towards the leftist champion Chavez, who died after a long battle with cancer… … [Read more...] about Obama: US Supports Venezuelan People after Chavez Death
Hating Hugo
Hugo Chavez is dead. The poor of Venezuela loved him. The rich of Venezuela despised him. Modern American media (after Chavez visited the UN and told some unc0mfortable truths about Bush the Dumber and the smell of sulfur) got the message and put the "Full Castro" treatment on him. Chavez and his "judges" - guess which one did MORE for their fellow citizens, by several … [Read more...] about Hating Hugo
The Endlessly Quotable Hugo Chavez (Guest Voice)
The endlessly quotable Hugo Chavez (via GlobalPost) Here's a look back at some of the Venezuelan president's strangest remarks. News Desk For those who associate diplomacy with tact, Hugo Chavez must have come as a rude awakening. Since his election to the presidency of Venezuela in 1999, Chavez earned a reputation for brash, often confounding remarks… … [Read more...] about The Endlessly Quotable Hugo Chavez (Guest Voice)
Do Not Resuscitate (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Do Not Resuscitate (Cartoon)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Dead at 58
Venezuela's controversial and colorful President Hugo Chavez is now dead: Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's fiery and controversial socialist president who came to power on wave of popular sentiment and befriended some of the world's most nefarious dictators, has died at the age of 58, Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro said today. Chavev had been fighting cancer, recently … [Read more...] about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Dead at 58
Secretary of State John Kerry: Busy in Doha (Updates)
UPDATE II: During the joint news conference with Secretary of State John Kerr and the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani in Doha, Qatar, yesterday, the prime minister made the following remarks on providing weapons to the Syrian rebels: As for the Syrian crisis, I think Mr. John Kerry has answered part of the question when he … [Read more...] about Secretary of State John Kerry: Busy in Doha (Updates)
Chinese Officials Seize IKEA Chocolate Cakes Due to Fecal Matter Bacteria
When I was a kid Hostess Cupcakes used to be advertised as the cupcake with a "surprise inside." IKEA is getting the reputation of offering foods that have surprises, too, but not yummy whipped cream. First, a few weeks ago, there was an uproar over horsemeat in its meatballs sold in Europe so the company assured Americans there was no filet of filly in the meatballs … [Read more...] about Chinese Officials Seize IKEA Chocolate Cakes Due to Fecal Matter Bacteria
On Prosecutors, Power and Vague Law
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act was written in response to 1983's War Games, according to EFF attorney Marcia Hofmann. Not only is it stone age in origin, much of its sweeping power rests in one ill-defined phrase -- unauthorized access -- and one contract clause -- terms of service. Yes, this is a law that is both civil and criminal in nature. Those nuggets came from a … [Read more...] about On Prosecutors, Power and Vague Law
Stepping Up On Voting Rights: Rutherford B.Hayes
Historic Tidbit: The campaign of Martin Van Buren's use of the term"okay" (simply "O.K" in those days) made the word part of the everyday America lexicon And Teddy Roosevelt's use of the phrase "good to the last drop" upon trying Maxwell House Coffee became an enduring term still used today? See. For everything, there is a story. By Scott Crass Following the election, … [Read more...] about Stepping Up On Voting Rights: Rutherford B.Hayes
Sequester, Held in Contempt
WASHINGTON -- I hate the sequester, beginning with its name. "Sequester" is a verb, not a noun. This ridiculous exercise is not just unwise and unproductive, but ungrammatical as well. I hate the way the sequester diverts attention from issues that actually matter, like unemployment, gun violence, climate change, failing schools and the need to spur economic growth. I … [Read more...] about Sequester, Held in Contempt
Jeb Bush Flip Flops Twice On Immigration (UPDATED)
Hey, it's not even 2016 yet and we're already able to watch Olympics level flip flops from an Oval Office hopeful: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) told MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Tuesday that he would support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants “if you can craft that in law where you can have a path to citizenship where there isn’t an incentive for people to … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Flip Flops Twice On Immigration (UPDATED)
House Divided (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Use of this copyrighted Cagle Cartoon without licensing is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about House Divided (Cartoon)
CBS Poll: Americans Feel Sequester Will Impact Them As Partisans Blame Other Party (UPDATED)
A new CBS poll finds most Americans believe they will feel the sequester and both sides will get blamed for the situation but Republicans are being blamed more -- as partisans reliably blame the other party: A CBS News Poll conducted as the sequester cuts were about to begin finds that most (53 percent) percent say they personally will be affected by the cuts in the … [Read more...] about CBS Poll: Americans Feel Sequester Will Impact Them As Partisans Blame Other Party (UPDATED)
N. Korea Threatens to Scrap Armistice Accord
N. Korea threatens to scrap armistice accord (via AFP) North Korea threatened Tuesday to scrap the armistice which ended the Korean War in 1953, citing US moves to impose sanctions for its nuclear test and tensions over South Korean-US exercises. The threat came amid reports from the United Nations that China and the United States have reached agreement… … [Read more...] about N. Korea Threatens to Scrap Armistice Accord