It's hard to believe but it's been a month today since Mom passed away. I have been confused by my emotions but I think I finally figured it out. As an engineer in the world of hi-tech for 35 years I have been downsized or layed off more than once. There is a void after that - you have to reinvent yourself. I was my Mothers caregiver for 10 years and the last couple of … [Read more...] about Post Hospice One Month
Money Gushes Towards Rubio: Marco Rubio Sold More Than 3100 Water Bottles, Raising $100,000
If you have a lemon, make lemonade. If you're mocked for glaringly grabbing a small bottle of Poland Springs water during a major televised speech and gulping a big gulp loud enough to raise images of you becoming a symbol of 7Eleven's Big Gulp, then graciously address the ongoing political and comedy cultures' narrative - and raise big bucks for your PAC with it. It can be … [Read more...] about Money Gushes Towards Rubio: Marco Rubio Sold More Than 3100 Water Bottles, Raising $100,000
Pope Benedict Says Farewell (Guest Cartoonist)
Of Related Interest: --Pope calls on faithful to 'renew themselves' at Angelus prayers --Pope, near abdication, says pray "for me and next pope" --Pope Benedict XVI’s leaked documents show fractured Vatican full of rivalries --Twittersphere, blessed by Benedict, loses its first pope --Black Pope Rising Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict Says Farewell (Guest Cartoonist)
Quote of the Day: The Republicans’ Ugly and Shameful Chuck Hagel Filibuster
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who writes about the Republican Party's effort to "get" former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel -- an effort which has presented the American public with a quintessential example of political hypocrisy and spin (i.e. lying). GOPers are insisting their unprecedented filibuster is really NOT a filibuster at … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The Republicans’ Ugly and Shameful Chuck Hagel Filibuster
The Drones Are Coming – Part II (UPDATED)
UPDATE: According to ABC News, the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) has announced that it is looking for six sites where unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) will be tested -- “a major step for integrating domestic drones into the U.S. airspace system.” The F.A.A. is requesting proposals from states, universities and other organizations and the agency has assured that … [Read more...] about The Drones Are Coming – Part II (UPDATED)
McCain Predicts Hagel Will be Confirmed as Secretary of Defense
Arizona Sen. John McCain, one of the Republican Senators leading the battle against former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel in Hagel's bid to become Secretary of Defense, now predicts that Hagel will be confirmed: One of the leading critics of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), President Obama's embattled nominee to become Defense secretary, told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday … [Read more...] about McCain Predicts Hagel Will be Confirmed as Secretary of Defense
Is Food Chemistry Poisoning America? (Guest Voice)
Is Food Chemistry Poisoning America? (via EcoLocalizer) Though I have been personally steering away from processed foods ever since my grandmother taught me to be wary of any food that required a hazmat suit and a beaker to produce, I recently viewed a report on food additives that stunned me. The authors claim that the US Food and Drug Administration… … [Read more...] about Is Food Chemistry Poisoning America? (Guest Voice)
Who Will the Sequester Hit First? And Worst?
Domestic Effects 2,100 fewer food safety inspections would be conducted at domestic and foreign plants. 4,000 workers would be furloughed every day at the F.A.A., causing flight backups. 70,000 children would lose Head Start; the cuts also jeopardize 14,000 teachers and other school employees. 125,000 families would be put at sudden risk of … [Read more...] about Who Will the Sequester Hit First? And Worst?
A Plan To Bring 21st Century Wrestling Into The Olympics
Wrestling has been dumped from the 2020 Olympics by the IOC (the International Olympic Committee). This seems a strange move inasmuch as wrestling was among the most important sports in the original Olympic Games in Greece, has been included since the modern Olympics were revived in 1896, and is a national favorite of literally scores of countries around the world. So why … [Read more...] about A Plan To Bring 21st Century Wrestling Into The Olympics
Emory University President James Wagner Counting Slaves as Three-Fifths of a Person, a Pragmatic Half-Victory
Emory president James Wagner, penned an eyebrow raising column, "Three-Fifths Compromise," in which he called the deal that counted slaves as three-fifths of a person, a constitutional compromise. James Wagner was referring to the fiscal cliff issue and the importance of keeping one’s mind open to other points of view. One instance of constitutional compromise was the … [Read more...] about Emory University President James Wagner Counting Slaves as Three-Fifths of a Person, a Pragmatic Half-Victory
Does Anyone Listen To Dick Cheney Anymore?
Speaking at a Republican dinner in Wyoming recently, Dick Cheney opined that President Obama's national security personnel choices were "dismal." He was particularly offended by Obama's choice of Chuck Hegal to run the defense department. That's Chuck Hegal, who was being wounded in Vietnam when Cheney was getting serial deferments -- because, in his own words, he had "other … [Read more...] about Does Anyone Listen To Dick Cheney Anymore?
The Red Rebs (Guest Voice)
The Red Rebs Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Relax. It's not necessarily the flu making you confused and feverish. Could be spatter from that big, thick, juicy, new, improved Civil War infecting the Republican Party. Yes, again. The Rebs inside the Reds are rebooting themselves for the umpteenth time over the past few election cycles. Have to assume these self-proclaimed … [Read more...] about The Red Rebs (Guest Voice)
Bloodied Cricket Bat found at Pistorius Home: Report
Bloodied cricket bat found at Pistorius home: report (via AFP) South African police have found a bloodied cricket bat at the home of Oscar Pistorius, a local newspaper reported Sunday, following the Valentine's Day killing of his model girlfriend. The star Olympian and Paralympian athlete was charged on Friday with the murder of 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp who… … [Read more...] about Bloodied Cricket Bat found at Pistorius Home: Report
SNL Spoofs Marco Rubio and the Famous Drink of Water (Video)
Saturday Night Live last night spoofed Florida Senator Marco Rubio's famous jolting drink of water during Rubio's State of the Union rebuttal speech, which reportedly generated more than 9,000 often hilarious Tweets per minute. Here's the segment: … [Read more...] about SNL Spoofs Marco Rubio and the Famous Drink of Water (Video)
NASA Schedules Google+ Hangout With Space Station
On Friday, February 22, NASA is hosting its first live Google+ Hangout with the International Space Station. Time? From 10:30 am to 11:30 am EST*. Astronauts Kevin Ford, Tom Marshburn (@AstroMarshburn) and Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) will answer questions and provide insights about life aboard the station. The hangout can be viewed live on NASA's Google+ page or on … [Read more...] about NASA Schedules Google+ Hangout With Space Station
Before Dubbing: A Laurel and Hardy Short Filmed In Spanish (Chickens Come Home 1931)
A treat for TMV readers -- particularly those who speak Spanish. This is an example of how before dubbing and subtitles Hal Roach filmed SEPARATE VERSIONS of some Laurel and Hardy shorts (expanded in the foreign language version to be close to an hour) in OTHER LANGUAGES. Here's one in Spanish. Native speakers taught L&H and cue cards were off camera. Roach added native … [Read more...] about Before Dubbing: A Laurel and Hardy Short Filmed In Spanish (Chickens Come Home 1931)
Crappy Cruise Ship: Too Much Coverage at CNN? (UPDATED)
Programming wizard Jeff Zucker has been quickly taking steps to make CNN more competitive as it gets caught in an ideological pincer wedging it between right wing Fox News and left wing MSNSBC -- with both of the other news operations going full dive into ideologically based newscasts. Zucker has made some impressive new hires and discreetly parted ways with some familiar CNN … [Read more...] about Crappy Cruise Ship: Too Much Coverage at CNN? (UPDATED)
White House Immigration Proposal Includes Pathway for Illegal Immigrants to Get Legal Permanent Status in 8 Years
White House Immigration Plan: President Obama's immigration proposal would include allowing "illegal immigrants to become legal permanent residents within eight years," USA Today reports. "The plan also would provide for more security funding and require business owners to check the immigration status of new hires within four years. In addition, the nation's 11 million … [Read more...] about White House Immigration Proposal Includes Pathway for Illegal Immigrants to Get Legal Permanent Status in 8 Years
‘Stench Cruise’ Fallout: Will it Create a Stink for Carnival and the Industry?
'Stench cruise' fallout: Will it create a stink for Carnival and the industry? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Five days adrift in the Gulf of Mexico without flushable toilets did little to please some 4,200 people aboard the Carnival Triumph. It’s also a blow to the cruise industry and especially to a major player in it, Carnival, even though the … [Read more...] about ‘Stench Cruise’ Fallout: Will it Create a Stink for Carnival and the Industry?
Seeing is Deceiving (Guest Voice)
Seeing Is Deceiving by Peter Funt President Obama has a long history as a smoker, yet he's spoken aggressively against the habit on numerous occasions. Presumably, the White House would never seek to appease the powerful tobacco lobby by releasing a photo of the president sneaking a smoke during a break at Camp David. Diehard smokers would correctly label the gesture … [Read more...] about Seeing is Deceiving (Guest Voice)