WASHINGTON -- The test of President Obama's seriousness about addressing climate change is not his pending decision on the much-debated Keystone XL pipeline. It's whether he effectively consigns coal-fired power plants -- one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions -- to the ashcan of history. Since his re-election, Obama has signaled a new focus on climate change. … [Read more...] about A Power to Act on Warming
Sequester (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized use of this Cagle cartoon without licensing is STRICTLY prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sequester (Cartoon)
Conservative Group Pointedly Doesn’t Invite Christie to Its Big Event (Updated 2)
Another emerging attempted purge of someone labelled a "RINO" for not towing the conservative line? Revenge because a GOPer dared to say something nice about President Barack Obama? It certainly sounds that way - and this very pointed, clearly intentional, most assuredly let's-send-'em-a-message snub of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also suggests what could be in store if … [Read more...] about Conservative Group Pointedly Doesn’t Invite Christie to Its Big Event (Updated 2)
White House: Cuts Mean ‘Perfect Storm’ of Air Delays
White House: cuts mean 'perfect storm' of air delays (via AFP) The Obama administration warned Monday of a "perfect storm" of airport delays and less secure US borders when huge spending cuts hit this week, as a top Republican slammed White House "scare" tactics. Political acrimony escalated another notch ahead of $85 billion of cuts, known as the sequester, due… … [Read more...] about White House: Cuts Mean ‘Perfect Storm’ of Air Delays
Ikea Says no Horsemeat in US Meatballs
Ikea says no horsemeat in US meatballs (via AFP) Ikea said Monday there was no horsemeat in its popular meatballs sold in the United States, after the Swedish furniture giant withdrew possibly horsemeat-tainted meatballs from stores in Europe. "All meatballs sold in our Ikea US stores are sourced from a US supplier," the company said in a statement… … [Read more...] about Ikea Says no Horsemeat in US Meatballs
NY Times to Rebrand Herald Tribune in its Own Image
NY Times to rebrand Herald Tribune in its own image (via AFP) For a decade the International Herald Tribune has been the global edition of the New York Times in all but name. On Monday, the parent company made it official. In a statement, the New York Times Company said the 125-year-old offshoot of the defunct New York Herald Tribune will be rechristened sometime… … [Read more...] about NY Times to Rebrand Herald Tribune in its Own Image
Census Drops the Term ‘Negro’
AP Reports. The director's blog explained the use in 2010: The category “Black, African Am., or Negro” was used in Census 2000, based on research in the late 1990’s that showed there was an older cohort of African-Americans who self-identified as “Negro.” Surprisingly, about 56,000 persons took the time to write in under the “some other race” category the word “Negro.” Above … [Read more...] about Census Drops the Term ‘Negro’
The Onion Apologizes for Despicable Tweet Calling 9 YO Actress Quvenzhané Wallis The C-Word
Seth MacFarlane wasn't the only one who said some really ugly things Oscar night. Satirical news site The Onion did too. They picked on a nine year old child with a despicable tweet calling her the c-word. They may not have thought the backlash would be so swift and so strong. They finally issued an apology on their Facebook page: Feb. 25, 2013 Dear Readers, On behalf … [Read more...] about The Onion Apologizes for Despicable Tweet Calling 9 YO Actress Quvenzhané Wallis The C-Word
Forty Years Ago: Vietnam War POWs Come Home
I do not remember the exact date -- I believe that it was late February or early March -- but I do remember that it was a pleasant, sunny spring-like day on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It may have even been a weekend because my wife and I had both our children with us, one of school-going age. But then again, the occasion was so joyous that we may have kept our … [Read more...] about Forty Years Ago: Vietnam War POWs Come Home
Raul Castro to Retire
...in 2018? Well Reuters and others report so anyway. One has to wonder at Raul's motivation in making this announcement. It's pretty clear he's got a hand-picked successor, for now. But what will that island really be like in 5 years? Will either of the Castro brothers even still be alive? If either brother predeceases the other, will there be upheaval? I guess only time … [Read more...] about Raul Castro to Retire
Ted Cruz: Will He Damage GOP Rebranding?
There's a lot of talk in many informed political circles about the Republican Party's "rebranding" effort -- a way to recreate its "high concept" image among the non-choir members who voted against it. But Steve Kronacki argues that Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is increasingly being liked to the late and unlamented (among the majority of Americans) Sen. Joseph McCarthy and who … [Read more...] about Ted Cruz: Will He Damage GOP Rebranding?
The Real Drone Horror — Revenue Enhancement
It's now estimated that by the end of this decade, 60,000 - 70,000 drones operated by various federal and local governments will be flying over the United States on a regular basis. The opposition to this technological revolution fears these devices will invade citizen privacy, and that they might even be used for government assassinations the way they are used in some foreign … [Read more...] about The Real Drone Horror — Revenue Enhancement
The Politics Of Rape
Last week you probably heard about Democratic Colorado state Rep. Joe Salazar controversial remarks during a debate on the House floor over a concealed-weapons ban on college campuses. He argued that women do not need guns. He said that women fearing rape may accidentally shoot that gun at others. He said, “It’s why we have call boxes; it’s why we have safe zones; it’s why we … [Read more...] about The Politics Of Rape
Was Seth MacFarlane a Horrible Oscars Host? (Roundup)
Was multi-talented Seth MacFarlane the worst Oscars host? The worst ever? Or only second worst? Or was he edgy, being just what the Oscars needed to finally discard the staid traditions of the 20th century and appeal to younger audiences who generally love his cartoon Family Guy, which he produces and voices in several roles? If there's a buzz beyond the Oscar winners today, … [Read more...] about Was Seth MacFarlane a Horrible Oscars Host? (Roundup)
BP goes to trial today
BP goes to trial today to determine responsibility for the horrifying 2010 Deepwater Horizon debacle in the Gulf of Mexico. They’ve been found criminally liable already. Now to be determined, was BP just negligent or grossly negligent. The later carries much stiffer penalties. It’s clear to me that gross negligence happened. BP’s certainly. But who else’s exactly. From what … [Read more...] about BP goes to trial today
Quote of the Day: If Spending is Cut, GOP will Get Blame (UPDATED)
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and the author of "Jimmy Carter" and "Governing America." He says that if spending cuts go through as expected a little more than a week from now, Republicans will get the blame -- and it could cost them seats in Congress: Until now "sequestration" has … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: If Spending is Cut, GOP will Get Blame (UPDATED)
A Gallery of Horsemeat Cartoons
The scandal over horsemeat slipped into beef supplies continues to rage in Europe. Here's a great gallery of horsemeat cartoons. … [Read more...] about A Gallery of Horsemeat Cartoons
The Miracle on Guns
WASHINGTON -- A not-so-small miracle is unfolding before our eyes. After nearly two decades in which established opinion insisted that it would never again be possible to pass sensible regulations of firearms, the unthinkable is on the verge of happening. This week, Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is expected to announce plans to … [Read more...] about The Miracle on Guns
Sequestration (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is STRICTLY prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sequestration (Cartoon)
‘Argo’ Wins Best Picture on Shared Oscars Night
Hollywood stars take seats for unpredictable Oscars (via AFP) Oscars host Seth MacFarlane kicked off an unpredictable 85th Academy Awards show, with Iran hostage drama "Argo" vying to beat Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" on Hollywood's biggest night. The star-studded and heavily musical show was preceded by a two-hour A-list fashion parade on the red carpet, with… … [Read more...] about ‘Argo’ Wins Best Picture on Shared Oscars Night