Famed 'American sniper' killed at Texas shooting range (via AFP) The man hailed as the deadliest military sniper in US history has been shot to death at a Texas firing range, allegedly by a former soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder. The death of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, 38, was confirmed Sunday by FITCO Cares, a foundation he helped start that … [Read more...] about Famed ‘American Sniper’ Killed at Texas Shooting Range
Will Harry Reid’s Filibuster Deal With McConnell Bite Him On the You-Know-What?
Will Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's compromise deal on the filibuster (which some critics say was no filibuster reform at all) with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell come back to bite Reid on the you-know-what? It sounds that way -- and the chomp may come in record time: Senate Republicans are renewing their vow to block any nominee to head the Consumer … [Read more...] about Will Harry Reid’s Filibuster Deal With McConnell Bite Him On the You-Know-What?
French Foreign Policy à la George W. Bush (Liberation, France)
Is France, now in Mali, behaving precisely the same way and with the same faulty pretexts U.S. neoconservatives used to justify invading Iraq, Afghanistan and many others? For Liberation, French-Bulgarian philosopher Tzvetan Todorov lays out how and why France has gotten itself into such an uncomfortably 'Bushian' situation. For Liberation, Tzvetan Todorov writes in … [Read more...] about French Foreign Policy à la George W. Bush (Liberation, France)
What a Difference 10 Years Can Make
I am surprised to read the headline "Can the E.U. become the world's policeman?" in the Washington Post. Anne Applebaum's op-ed last week about French policy in Mali concludes that Americans should "stop giggling about cheese-eating surrender monkeys and start offering logistical and moral support. Europe may not be the best superpower. But it's the only one we've got." … [Read more...] about What a Difference 10 Years Can Make
Republican Party’s More Reflective Right Forms Group to Protect Non-Tea Party Conservatives
Is this another sign of the center -- this time the center right -- showing that it ain't dead yet? According to the New York Times, what I call the GOP's reflective right -- thoughtful conservatives who don't think discussion is talking in talk show sound bites or kowtowing to the Tea Party -- is forming a group to bolster conservatives against challenges from Tea Party and … [Read more...] about Republican Party’s More Reflective Right Forms Group to Protect Non-Tea Party Conservatives
Super Bowl XLVII Super Stats: Chicken Wings, Avocados, and HDTVs
Super Bowl XLVII super stats: chicken wings, avocados, and HDTVs (via The Christian Science Monitor) Billions of chicken wings, millions of slices of pizza, and nearly 7 million pounds of avocados? Must be Super Bowl time. It’s no secret: Football is America’s most popular sport, and the NFL its most widely-watched, profitable league. The numbers back that up: The … [Read more...] about Super Bowl XLVII Super Stats: Chicken Wings, Avocados, and HDTVs
Guess who Texas wants in ’16?
You got it. Hillary. A political analyst reports that Texas Dems want Hillary. Independents are solid for Hillary. And 20% of Republicans (and more) would vote for her. That was on Texas local news and has been picked up by the Hill: To invert the words of a famous song: "Something is happening here, and what it is is exactly clear." What is happening is that Texas … [Read more...] about Guess who Texas wants in ’16?
Geraldo Rivera’s Senate Bid
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 Geraldo Rivera’s Senate Bid
Corruption Case Threatens Spain’s Ruling Party – and Its Economy
Corruption case threatens Spain's ruling party - and its economy (via The Christian Science Monitor) Corruption allegations of alleged off-the-books payments to high-ranking officials of Spain's governing Popular Party – including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy – are threatening to destabilize the government and damage its ability to steer the country through … [Read more...] about Corruption Case Threatens Spain’s Ruling Party – and Its Economy
Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy Resigns Over Late Night Phone Calls to 4 Women on State Issued-Cell Phone
Another politician bites the dust! Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy resigned Saturday after the Omaha World-Herald reported that he used his state-issued cell phone to place thousands of late night calls to women. The newspaper reported it had uncovered about 2,000 calls to four women, characterized as "long conversations held in the wee hours of the night." It should be noted … [Read more...] about Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy Resigns Over Late Night Phone Calls to 4 Women on State Issued-Cell Phone
White House Releases Obama Skeet-Shooting Photo
White House releases Obama skeet-shooting photo (via AFP) The White House on Saturday released a photo of President Barack Obama skeet-shooting, in an apparent bid to allay concerns among gun-owners that he is opposed to any and all firearms. Obama hits the road on Monday to push his plan to cut gun violence, which has become a centerpiece of his second … [Read more...] about White House Releases Obama Skeet-Shooting Photo
Dear GOP, Cubans Are Not Mexican (Guest Voice)
Dear GOP, Cubans Are Not Mexican by Tina Dupuy Due to an act of Congress, Cuban nationals who arrive in the U.S. after 1959 cannot be illegal immigrants. They're automatically refugees. It's amnesty! The federal government has spent billions to assist those who've fled Castro's regime. It was a Cold War policy, signed by President Johnson. If they can get to our shores … [Read more...] about Dear GOP, Cubans Are Not Mexican (Guest Voice)
Biden: Direct Talks With Iran Are Possible
At a time when many foreign policy mavens consider "what to do about Iran" and its nuclear ambitions one of the most vexing issues confronting the Obama administration, Vice President Joe Biden is now leaving the door ajar for direct talks with Tehran: The United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran in the standoff over its nuclear ambitions, Vice President … [Read more...] about Biden: Direct Talks With Iran Are Possible
Kidnapper Dug In: Kidnapped Child Cries for Parents
This is the fourth day of the kidnapped child's captivity. An Alabama man murdered a schoolbus driver, and dragged the five year old boy off the bus to the murderer's underground bunker. The murderer-kidnapper is still holding the child, without demands apparently. The child has Asberger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder. The police are dropping the … [Read more...] about Kidnapper Dug In: Kidnapped Child Cries for Parents
Will Durst’s 2013 Political Animal Awards
Will Durst's 2013 Political Animal Awards Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Hey! You! Yes, you. Sorry. Just trying to get your attention to impart an important warning here. For the next couple weeks, it's imperative all you good folks out there stay alert and keep your wits about you. Remove the earbuds, no texting while walking, and you'd be well-advised to brandish a … [Read more...] about Will Durst’s 2013 Political Animal Awards
Peacemaking On Contraception
Peacemaking on contraception by E.J. Dionne, Jr. WASHINGTON -- America's Big Religious War ended on Friday. Or at least it ought to. A little more than a year ago, the Obama administration set off a bitter and unnecessary clash with the Roman Catholic Church over rules mandating broad contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Department of Health … [Read more...] about Peacemaking On Contraception
The Only Changes That Would Really Help The Middle Class
The American middle class isn't disappearing. The middle class way of life is just being redefined. Downward. Being middle class on these shores no longer means that in return for a reasonable amount of work one receives a reasonable return in salary and benefits that allows a family to enjoy reasonable comforts and security. In recent years the bar on all these … [Read more...] about The Only Changes That Would Really Help The Middle Class
Hacking Incidents Ignite Fears Over China
Hacking incidents ignite fears over China (via AFP) A series of brazen cyberattacks on America's most high-profile media outlets has revived concerns over Chinese hackers, who analysts say are likely linked to the secretive Beijing government. The attacks, part of a string of incidents traced back to Chinese servers associated with previous intrusions… … [Read more...] about Hacking Incidents Ignite Fears Over China
Meet George Jetson
Twelve concept devices we can only wish were for real. Very cool! … [Read more...] about Meet George Jetson
Long-Time Users of Violent Video Games More Aggressive
Previous research has shown a link between extended use of violent video games and increased aggression and anger by players. But now a new study conducted at The Ohio State University confirms it: [Read the rest of the post here.] … [Read more...] about Long-Time Users of Violent Video Games More Aggressive