We've often noted here that the University of Virginia's Larry Sabato and his ace team of political analysts and contributors are not just the most perceptive group of analysts on the American scene, but among the most accurate when it comes to forecasting elections. They're the anti-Dick-Morris. And the latest edition of Sabato's Crystal Ball has a warning: the GOP's plans to … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Republican Electoral College Plan Would Undermine Democracy
Report: New Mexico Bill Would Criminalize Abortions After Rape As ‘Tampering With Evidence’
So how is that Republican outreach to women voters going? I think it isn't going too well: A Republican lawmaker in New Mexico introduced a bill on Wednesday that would legally require victims of rape to carry their pregnancies to term in order to use the fetus as evidence for a sexual assault trial. House Bill 206, introduced by state Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R), would … [Read more...] about Report: New Mexico Bill Would Criminalize Abortions After Rape As ‘Tampering With Evidence’
Reid and McConnell Reach Filibuster Deal: Far Less Than Many Democrats Sought
A photo of a smiling Mitch McConnell from Google Images is suitable to use on the news that Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have reached a deal on filibuster reform: many of the photos now on websites announcing the news show a smiling McConnell. Which is why many Democrats and progressives are gloomy, particularly when they hear … [Read more...] about Reid and McConnell Reach Filibuster Deal: Far Less Than Many Democrats Sought
Waiter Refuses To Serve Customer Who Insults Downs Syndrome Child
Once in a while the customer is not right From Yahoo News Usually, when a waiter refuses to serve someone at a restaurant, customers complain. In this case, customers cheered. The waiter in question, Michael Garcia, has been receiving goodwill and friend requests on the restaurant’s Facebook page since word spread that he stood up for a child with special needs. Garcia, … [Read more...] about Waiter Refuses To Serve Customer Who Insults Downs Syndrome Child
North Korea Plans Nuclear Test Aimed at US
North Korea plans nuclear test aimed at US (via AFP) North Korea said Thursday it planned to carry out a third nuclear test aimed at its "arch-enemy" the United States in response to tightened UN sanctions, in a statement condemned by Washington as "needlessly provocative". The announcement also prompted a call for restraint from the North's sole major… … [Read more...] about North Korea Plans Nuclear Test Aimed at US
Two Baby Boomers, A Parrot, And A French Bulldog Save The World
The Big Belch Project On Kickstarter Will a major oil company's greed and foolishness spawn an environmental disaster so serious it could threaten the earth itself? And can this horror be foiled by a most unusual team: two baby boomers, a parrot and a French bulldog, who take on this oil company to save the world? That's the plot of a new graphic novel on Kickstarter, The … [Read more...] about Two Baby Boomers, A Parrot, And A French Bulldog Save The World
Hillary Roast Scorches Tea Party Pygmies
On a day that Congressional Democrats pushed to expand legal protections for women against violence, Tea Party members were abusing the most admired woman in America. Hillary Clinton’s day-long grilling on Benghazi was a weird composite of farewell testimonials by her own party members and hostile Comedy Central roast by Republican pygmies. After blocking the nomination … [Read more...] about Hillary Roast Scorches Tea Party Pygmies
Do You Get Facebook Envy?
Have you ever trolled through your news feed on Facebook, observed the seemingly perfect lives of your "friends" and felt that your own life wasn't as fulfilling as theirs? If you've had such feelings, it appears you're not alone. A study conducted jointly by two German universities found rampant envy on Facebook, the world's largest social network that now has over … [Read more...] about Do You Get Facebook Envy?
Congressional Republicans’ Message to Hillary Clinton: It’s Back to Political Reality
What was most notable about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony to Congress yesterday was this fact: if you didn't look at the TV or if you listened to it on the radio you KNEW which party many lawmakers belonged to without hearing them identify themselves. Democrats praised her profusely. And many of the GOPers sounded less like members of Congress and more like … [Read more...] about Congressional Republicans’ Message to Hillary Clinton: It’s Back to Political Reality
Britain Warns of ‘Specific’ Threat in Benghazi
Britain warns of 'specific' threat in Benghazi (via AFP) Britain's Foreign Office on Thursday urged its nationals to leave the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi immediately, saying it had become aware of a "specific and imminent threat to Westerners" there. "We are now aware of a specific and imminent threat to Westerners in Benghazi, and urge any British… … [Read more...] about Britain Warns of ‘Specific’ Threat in Benghazi
Bipartisan Hypocrisy- “Corporate Welfare” and Lowering the National Debt
Enacting the law that kept the nation from going over the fiscal cliff, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle gave a $500 million gift to Amigen and other drug companies, by inserting an unrelated provision into the bill. They delayed by two years Medicare price restraints on certain oral drugs utilized by kidney dialysis patients that will wind up costing the government … [Read more...] about Bipartisan Hypocrisy- “Corporate Welfare” and Lowering the National Debt
Reagan Is Obama’s Touchstone
WASHINGTON -- To understand how Barack Obama sees himself and his presidency, don't look to Franklin Roosevelt or Abraham Lincoln. Obama's role model is Ronald Reagan -- and that is just what Obama told us before he was first elected. Like Reagan, Obama hopes to usher in a long-term electoral realignment -- in Obama's case toward the moderate left, thereby reversing the … [Read more...] about Reagan Is Obama’s Touchstone
Reigniting Exceptionalism in American Governance (Guest Voice)
Reigniting Exceptionalism in American Governance by Jed James There once was a time when Washington, DC, represented a sort of promised land. The essence of government at its best, a government “of the people, for the people, by the people.” Government worked for us, creating a highway system, a social security system, and public works programs. Government fought the tough … [Read more...] about Reigniting Exceptionalism in American Governance (Guest Voice)
Clinton’s Back, and Fighting Fit
Clinton's back, and fighting fit (via AFP) It was vintage Hillary Clinton. For those who may have thought that prolonged illness might have taken a toll, the feisty secretary of state proved once again why she's a force to be reckoned with. She may have disappeared off the radar for several weeks -- felled by flu and later a blood clot caused… … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Back, and Fighting Fit
Human rights: Harsh Penalty from a Bygone Age
Incredibly, a Thai magazine editor was sentenced to 11 years in prison today for the crime of lese-majesty against the king. In an unusual reaction for an international diplomat, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay called the sentence “extremely harsh” and a setback for human rights in Thailand. Earlier, a UN Group branded the detention as arbitrary and asked the Thai … [Read more...] about Human rights: Harsh Penalty from a Bygone Age
Gary The Goat Acquitted
This just in from half way around the globe. Gary the Goat has been cleared of all felony and misdemeanor charges following an August rampage outside a government facility. After months of facing an angry constabulary, the mostly white/gray goat got a reprieve as the judge dropped all charges against the ovine malfeasor. I think goats are ovine, but I'm certain someone will … [Read more...] about Gary The Goat Acquitted
Breaking News: Pentagon to Lift Rule Excluding Women From Combat (Updates)
UPDATE II: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will conduct a news conference on "defense-related topics” starting at 1:30 p.m. EST.on the Pentagon Channel. UPDATE I: While details on this groundbreaking decision are not yet available from the Pentagon, the New York Times provides the … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Pentagon to Lift Rule Excluding Women From Combat (Updates)
Senate Benghazi Theatrics — Part of It
I am sure thousands of Americans watched the entire, long-awaited appearance and testimony of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I watched -- some of it. I watched and listened carefully to the Secretary’s opening statement. A statement wherein the Secretary: • Provided the “sobering facts” that since 1988, there have … [Read more...] about Senate Benghazi Theatrics — Part of It
Hillary Clinton Squelches Republican Sen. Ron Johnson Over Benghazi Attack (Video)
The tone of some of the Republicans questioning Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Seante on Benghazi today unofficially gave the hearing the title: "Bitter Partisan Questioning on Parade." The highlight came when Clinton squelched Republican Sen. Ron Johnson when he attacked the Obama administration over its truthfulness on Benghazi, a favorite issue that Fox News, … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Squelches Republican Sen. Ron Johnson Over Benghazi Attack (Video)
NRA Thinks Shark Jumping Is An Olympic Sport
The National Rifle Association is at it again. This time in the form of a rebuttal to the president's inauguration speech. Some may recall that the president said we cannot mistake absolutism for principal. The NRA apparently disagrees. Executive vice president Wayne LaPierre took the occasion yesterday to set out the NRA's position. Among other things, LaPierre insisted … [Read more...] about NRA Thinks Shark Jumping Is An Olympic Sport