Mexico drug war disappearances laid bare (via GlobalPost) Washington has sunk nearly $2 billion in aid and training for Mexico's security forces that are accused of "disappearing" civilians. Dudley Althaus MEXICO CITY, Mexico â?? A new Human Rights Watch report on Mexico cuts to the heart of the US-supported strategy for battling the country's powerful… … [Read more...] about Mexico Drug War Disappearances Laid Bare
Sequester 101: Is All this Fuss Really Necessary? (Guest Voice)
Sequester 101: Is all this fuss really necessary? (via The Christian Science Monitor) The federal government is about a week away from major spending cuts called the "sequester," which are poised to affect most federal programs in a sudden and significant way. But is this focus on fiscal discipline really necessary? Well, yes and no – and if that sounds wishy-washy, hang in … [Read more...] about Sequester 101: Is All this Fuss Really Necessary? (Guest Voice)
Vatican Hits Back at ‘Intrigue, Corruption’ Claims
Vatican condemns reports of intrigue and corruption (via AFP) The Vatican on Saturday condemned Italian media reports of intrigue, corruption and blackmail among senior prelates, saying these could be a form of pressure to sway voting in next month's conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi dismissed as "gossip, … [Read more...] about Vatican Hits Back at ‘Intrigue, Corruption’ Claims
Best Violence (Cartoon)
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 Best Violence (Cartoon)
“Market share” is not the way to measure success
Technology considered "obsolete" can be quite profitable. For example, mechanical wristwatches are by far the most profitable type of wristwatch to make and sell, according to the Wall Street Journal. I am often amused, after about 40 years of watching the tech industry, that anyone still thinks being most popular is the same thing as being most profitable, secure, or … [Read more...] about “Market share” is not the way to measure success
Tilting At Windmills
George W Bush speech writer Michael Gerson takes to the pages of the Washington Post to make his second attempt to explain to the Republican Party what they have to do to become relevant again. He thinks the Republican party is stuck in the 1980s: This stunning reversal of electoral fortunes has taken place for a variety of reasons: changing demographics; the end of a GOP … [Read more...] about Tilting At Windmills
China: A Paragon of Due Process, an Example for Observing International Law?
When the New York Times and others published the story that China had decided against using an armed drone over Myanmar’s territory to kill an infamous drug lord wanted in the horrific murders of 13 Chinese sailors, but instead captured the man alive and brought him to trial in China, it was acclaimed by some who oppose the use of drones by the U.S. to target terrorists as a … [Read more...] about China: A Paragon of Due Process, an Example for Observing International Law?
Germany’s Best
70 years ago today, three members of the White Rose resistance group were executed. From June 1942 until February 1943 they produced and distributed six flyers. Sophie and Hans Scholl were arrested, when they were caught in the act at the University of Munich. They were only 21 and 24 years old. Today, most of us live in peace and enjoy freedom. Every Blogger, Tweeter and … [Read more...] about Germany’s Best
A Step In The Right Direction: More Federally Funded Research To Be Made Freely Accessible
In response to a We The People petition,the Obama White House has taken another step in the journey to provide open access to publicly-funded research. Today the Office of Science and Technology directed all federal agencies that manage "more than $100 million in research and development expenditures to develop plans to make the results of federally-funded research … [Read more...] about A Step In The Right Direction: More Federally Funded Research To Be Made Freely Accessible
In North Korea and Middle East, US Should Rework Failed Policies (Guest Voice)
In North Korea and Middle East, US should rework failed policies (via GlobalPost) Commentary: New strategies are needed to counter a new and threatening reality. Mac Deford OWLS HEAD, Maine â?? This past weekend, on Fareed Zakaria's Sunday talk show, the suggestion was made to depart from the endless cycle of reacting to North Korea's provocative behavior with further … [Read more...] about In North Korea and Middle East, US Should Rework Failed Policies (Guest Voice)
Obama with Drones (Cartoon)
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 Obama with Drones (Cartoon)
EU Predicts Recession, Record Dole Lines in 2013
EU predicts recession, record dole queues in 2013 (via AFP) The eurozone is staring at another full year of recession in 2013 with unemployment likely to surge above the 20-million mark with France in particular overshooting fiscal targets, the EU warned on Friday. Economic output across the 17-state currency area -- home to about 340 million people and a global… … [Read more...] about EU Predicts Recession, Record Dole Lines in 2013
Is Obama Relying Too Much on the “Bully Pulpit?”
Is President Barack Obama relying too much on the bully pulpit in his speeches and interviews and not focusing enough on pulling out all stops to work with members of Congress to avert the draconian sequester cuts from going into effect? That's a new question being raised in some reporting and analysis -- seemingly given credibility by the White House's new effort to stress … [Read more...] about Is Obama Relying Too Much on the “Bully Pulpit?”
Is The Sequester Overhyped ?
Now let me be clear that I am not advocating going over the sequester cliff (how's that for mixing metaphors) nor do I think that we will. But in listening to the dire predictions in the media and among various politicos I have to wonder how bad it really would be, assuming that it was implemented in a sensible and prudent manner. The numbers vary depending on who you listen … [Read more...] about Is The Sequester Overhyped ?
China: ‘Leading Bad Actor in Cyberspace,’ Experts Say
China: 'leading bad actor in cyberspace,' experts say (via AFP) China's full-throated denials of hacking and counter-accusations of its own do nothing to allay growing concern over large-scale cyberspying alleged in a bombshell report this week, Western analysts said. Chinese officials and state-run media have lashed out after a report by a US firm laid out in… … [Read more...] about China: ‘Leading Bad Actor in Cyberspace,’ Experts Say
No Winners in This Game
WASHINGTON -- The standoff over the package of budget cuts known as "the sequester" is the dumbest, most self-defeating fight between President Obama and Republicans in Congress since ... let's see, since the last dumb, self-defeating fight less than two months ago. Obama is winning this showdown, but only in a relative sense. The truth is that everybody loses -- … [Read more...] about No Winners in This Game
Saddam is Responsible for Our Pain; Best Wishes to George H.W. Bush (Al Iraq News, Iraq)
Who should Iraqis hold most responsible for the suffering and pain they have been forced to endure these past decades? Should they blame George H.W. Bush and General Norman Schwarzkopf, who oversaw Desert Storm, which drove Saddam's Army from Kuwait in 1991? George W. Bush, who launched the ill-fated invasion of that country? Or Saddam Hussein, the man who ruled the country … [Read more...] about Saddam is Responsible for Our Pain; Best Wishes to George H.W. Bush (Al Iraq News, Iraq)
Part II:Almost Enough For A Minyan
Historic Tidbit: Congressman Frank Annunzio, an aging Chicago Democrat who chaired a banking subcommittee (and for a time the House Administration) was notorious for butchering colleague's names. One day, while introducing Wisconsin colleague Jerry Klezca, he did it again to which Klezca replied, "Thank you Chairman Annunciation." My series on the six Jewish House members … [Read more...] about Part II:Almost Enough For A Minyan
Almost Enough for A Minyan:6 of 22 Ds Elected in ’80 Jewish
Tidbit: Southern Ohio was once represented by a James G.Polk. A Democrat, he served 11 non-consecutive terms from 1931-59 before dying in office. There is no relation to the 11th President. By Scott Crass Some years ago, in my zeal of researching elections and Congressional characters, I came across a remarkable fact. Of 22 Democrats elected to the House in 1980, 6 … [Read more...] about Almost Enough for A Minyan:6 of 22 Ds Elected in ’80 Jewish
US, Iran Unite in Bid to Keep Wrestling in Olympics
US, Iran unite in bid to keep wrestling in Olympics (via AFP) The United States and Iran may be arch foes on the diplomatic front, but bosses from two of wrestling's power-houses have allied to fight a decision to drop the sport from the 2020 Olympic Games. Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling, is in Tehran, which is hosting the World Cup men's freestyle… … [Read more...] about US, Iran Unite in Bid to Keep Wrestling in Olympics