North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meets 'The Worm' (via AFP) Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman has become the most high-profile American to meet the new leader of North Korea, vowing eternal friendship with Kim Jong-Un at a basketball game in Pyongyang. At a time of heightened US-North Korean tensions following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test, the man… … [Read more...] about Rodman Lauds N. Korea’s ‘Awesome’ Kim Jong-Un
The USO at Work, in the Air, on the Ground and at Sea
Those readers who are approaching my age probably have very fond memories of the United Service Organizations -- USO for short. The USO has been around since World War II, with a short absence between 1947 and 1950. Its mission, “Support America’s troops.” It has done so admirably well, whether by providing comfort with a simple cup of coffee and a doughnut at some lonely … [Read more...] about The USO at Work, in the Air, on the Ground and at Sea
Obama Blames Republicans for ‘Dumb’ Cuts
US braced for savage budget cuts on doomsday Friday (via AFP) The United States was braced for $85 billion in budget cuts due to hit Friday in a self-inflicted wound brought on by deep ideological antipathy between President Barack Obama and Republicans. The cuts, which could cost a million jobs, will slice public services and threaten an economy that is already… … [Read more...] about Obama Blames Republicans for ‘Dumb’ Cuts
Sequestration-Day One
The sequestration is here. It's going to be painful and yes, as Obama says it is a stupid way to do things. But it better than any alternative we are likely to get? Matt Yglesias thinks it is. But on the merits it seems to me that while sequestration is hardly optimal budget policy, it really isn't all that bad in the scheme of things, and really going through … [Read more...] about Sequestration-Day One
Rumors On Chavez Health Continue
There is increasing speculation in the news regarding the health of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. Many reports suggest that he may be dying and at least one report claims he may already be dead. The death of Chavez would likely cause turmoil in his nation, though given his increasing trend towards suppressing the opposition it might be the best thing in the long run. … [Read more...] about Rumors On Chavez Health Continue
Following Hillary, from “Field-Clearing” to Gossip
WASHINGTON - We just can't leave it alone. Writing about Hillary Clinton and her prospects for 2016 is just too delectable, too enticing, too historically epic in proportions that keeping it all alive until Mrs. Clinton decides is what any political writer worth his or her salt will do. You're going to have to decide what's worth reading, because right now it's a crap storm … [Read more...] about Following Hillary, from “Field-Clearing” to Gossip
Cardinals Look to Conclave After Pope’s Resignation
Cardinals look to conclave after pope's resignation (via AFP) Catholic cardinals from around the world were summoned Friday to meetings that will set a date for a conclave to elect a new pope, the day after Benedict XVI's historic resignation. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, sent out formal invitations to the "pre-conclave general congregations… … [Read more...] about Cardinals Look to Conclave After Pope’s Resignation
Happy Sequester Day!
Sequester. Automatic draconian cuts. It 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 stand. Welllllll... Happy Sequester Day, America! Nineteen months after it was put into place, the sequester has arrived. Barring unexpected developments, President Obama will … [Read more...] about Happy Sequester Day!
John Kerry: Hope for Recasting Europe’s Image in American Eyes (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Is Secretary of State John Kerry uniquely qualified for steering America's Asia pivot back toward the Old Continent? For Der Tagesspiegel, Christoph von Marschall writes that Kerry's life history and familiarity with Europe makes him the E.U.'s 's best bet for reminding Americans where most of their bread is buttered. For Der Tagesspiegel, Christoph von Marschall, lays out … [Read more...] about John Kerry: Hope for Recasting Europe’s Image in American Eyes (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Bond, Black Bond
Hi all. Before I kick things off, I'd like to invite you to my film blog over at chocolateteddyfilms. If you're into the tweeting thing, follow me @ChocoTeddyFilms. Now begins the post. ... I wanted to find an excuse to write about the best television series of all time, The Wire, but I couldn’t find one. This is the next best thing. Whatever the case, if you … [Read more...] about Bond, Black Bond
Bob Woodward’s Weird War on Obama
In four decades, he has gone from journalistically exposing widespread White House criminality that forced a presidential resignation to elder-statesman pique that places himself at the center of a false balance between Barack Obama and the GOP pygmies threatening the economy. Summoning up the days of Deep Throat, Bob Woodward complains publicly about being pressured by “a … [Read more...] about Bob Woodward’s Weird War on Obama
Kansas Sen Roberts’ Pragmatic Demeanor Getting Out of Dodge
Historic Quote:“Balancing the budget is like going to heaven. Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.” Missouri Congressman Jack Buechner(R)in the 1980's. Given what's about to happen, it's sure timely. By Scott Crass Standing Pat? Philosophically speaking, maybe not. For Pat Roberts, the senior Republican Senator from Kansas who calls Dodge City home, … [Read more...] about Kansas Sen Roberts’ Pragmatic Demeanor Getting Out of Dodge
Kim Jong-Un and Dennis Rodman ‘Sit Together, Talk and Laugh’ (Xinhua, People’s Republic of China)
It may be the most unlikely pairing in the history of sports or diplomacy. According to this news item from China's state-run Xinhua, witnesses report seeing former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman taking in a basketball game with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. And according to the report, the two communicated jovially without an interpreter. The Xinhua news report … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-Un and Dennis Rodman ‘Sit Together, Talk and Laugh’ (Xinhua, People’s Republic of China)
VAWA Passes Despite Majority Republican Opposition
With only 87 Republican House members voting in favor, and 138 voting against, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act. Democrats, without a single no vote, joined a minority of Republicans to send the legislation to the President's desk by a final vote of 286 to 138. Before the Senate version came to a vote, a … [Read more...] about VAWA Passes Despite Majority Republican Opposition
Pope Benedict XVI’s Final Day: Live Report
Pope Benedict XVI's final day: Live Report (via AFP) 1845 GMT: In Castel Gandolfo, young pilgrims have taken up position, some carrying a banner reading: "Benedict, we'll be with you to the very end." People have gathered to pray in the local parish church on the square. Cries of "long live the pope" burst spontaneously around the square. .1830 GMT:… … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict XVI’s Final Day: Live Report
Democracy on the brink in Romania
Although many people are cynical about it, an enormous amount of political science data shows that it's in the US and the rest of the world's best interests to see more democracies around the globe. Democracies tend to be more stable, less warlike, less violent, and more economically stable (yes, believe it or not, even what Greece has been through recently to pales compared to … [Read more...] about Democracy on the brink in Romania
Earth To Stock Market. Earth To Stock Market. Are You There Stock Market?
Yesterday the Dow hit a five-year high. Today it opened just 89 ticks below its all-time high. What could cause such optimism? The sequester that takes effect Friday, which besides guaranteeing many thousand layoffs and reduction in some critical public health and research spending, illustrates in an undeniable fashion that our national government is dysfunctional. Could … [Read more...] about Earth To Stock Market. Earth To Stock Market. Are You There Stock Market?
Ending the permanent crisis
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune[/caption WASHINGTON -- This has to stop. Ever since they took control of the House of Representatives in 2011, Republicans have made journeys to the fiscal brink as commonplace as summertime visits to the beach or the ballpark. The country has been put through a series of destructive showdowns over budget issues we once resolved … [Read more...] about Ending the permanent crisis
How About A New American Dream Instead ?
As we continue with back and forth bickering in Washington with the left playing fear games and the right stubbornly digging in with an unreasonable agenda I can't help but reflect on a discussion we had last year, which I'd like to renew. When President Kennedy made the proposal that we land a man on the moon it was less than two months after the first man had gone into … [Read more...] about How About A New American Dream Instead ?
Woodward Says White House Threatened Him: Will Appear on Sean Hannity’s Fox Show
In 24 hours the Washington Post's Bob Woodward has become the focus of a major media and political story. He charged that a senior White House official threatened him. GO here for details. This then became a major story on weblogs and on ideological talk shows -- with often predictable reactions depending on the writer or talker's political party. GO here for details and to … [Read more...] about Woodward Says White House Threatened Him: Will Appear on Sean Hannity’s Fox Show