Just hours after Washington recognized the government of Somalia after nearly 22 years, a prominent radio broadcaster was shot dead by unidentified gunmen as he left home on his way to work today. This first murder of a Somali journalist in 2013 follows 18 others in 2012. Abdihared Osman Adan was a newscaster at Radio Shabelle, which has lost nine other journalists to … [Read more...] about Journalist Shot Dead as US Recognizes Somalia
Algeria Goal to Crush Islamists: Experts
Algeria goal to crush Islamists: experts (via AFP) Hardened by its decades-old struggle with Islamists, Algeria's paramount concern in launching its deadly mission against Al Qaeda-linked hostage-takers was to crush them, not to save lives, analysts said. The aim of the Algerian military is "above all to neutralise terrorists, while for us the priority… … [Read more...] about Algeria Goal to Crush Islamists: Experts
Joe Scarborough Blasts NRA’s ‘Disgusting’ New Ad Referring to Obama’s Daughters: ‘What’s Wrong with these People?” (Video)
There has been a lot of controversy over the NRA's jump the shark ocean ad which dragged President Barack Obama's two daughters into the gun control controversy. The White House blasted it -- and so did many others, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who called it "reprehensible." And now so has the "Morning Joe" crew, including host Joe Scarborough, who reacted with … [Read more...] about Joe Scarborough Blasts NRA’s ‘Disgusting’ New Ad Referring to Obama’s Daughters: ‘What’s Wrong with these People?” (Video)
House Republicans Back 3-month Debt Limit Increase
US House Republicans back 3-month debt limit increase (via AFP) The House of Representatives will vote next week to temporarily raise the US debt limit for three months, the chamber's leadership said Friday as Republicans leaned toward resolving a protracted fiscal impasse. The move would help defuse a time bomb that Congress and the White House face in late … [Read more...] about House Republicans Back 3-month Debt Limit Increase
Republicans Sending Signals Won’t Force U.S. Into Default on Debt Limit
Its sounds like Congressional Republicans are manning the lifeboats to flee the sinking "Good Ship Default Deschmault Do What We Say Or We Don't Raise the Debt Limit." The ship is sinking -- not because of it's long name, but because political pros on both sides think it would be disastrous for the GOP if House Republicans triggered a national and perhaps international … [Read more...] about Republicans Sending Signals Won’t Force U.S. Into Default on Debt Limit
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll: Obama Popular, GOP Plummetting, Congress Disdained
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has a big, fat, warning for Republicans -- particularly if they follow the wishes of House Republicans and shut down the government or force a debt ceiling default: President Barack Obama remains at about 50% in popularity, the GOP continues to tumble in terms of popularity, and Congess is as disdained as ever. The best summary comes … [Read more...] about NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll: Obama Popular, GOP Plummetting, Congress Disdained
Gene Study Settles Debate Over Origin of European Jews
Gene study settles debate over origin of European Jews (via AFP) Jews of European origin are a mix of ancestries, with many hailing from tribes in the Caucasus who converted to Judaism and created an empire that lasted half a millennium, according to a gene study. The investigation, its author says, should settle a debate that has been roiling for more than … [Read more...] about Gene Study Settles Debate Over Origin of European Jews
Obama and NRA (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 and NRA (Cartoon)
Peak Oil – Yes it’s Real
Chris Martenson, creator of the Crash Course reminds us that the good old days are not going to return. The really, really big picture: There isn't going to be enough net energy for the economic growth we want You really should go to the link and read the entire thing but here is a sample and a graph. The really big picture goes like this: Humans discovered about … [Read more...] about Peak Oil – Yes it’s Real
No Impossible Dream
WASHINGTON -- Don't listen to those who say President Obama's bold plan to reduce gun violence -- including an assault weapons ban -- has no chance in Congress. I seem to recall that health care reform was deemed impossible, too. Until it happened. I also recall that the health care fight cost Democrats dearly in the 2010 midterm election. But the White House seems to … [Read more...] about No Impossible Dream
The Geometry of Gun Murder
John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy, John Lennon. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Newtown. From the past century to this, the geometry of killing strangers in public places has morphed from victimizing famous individuals to unknown crowds as the technology for wanton murder has proliferated. This week, the sight of a president pleading for small … [Read more...] about The Geometry of Gun Murder
Air Conditioning
Fuzzy thinking will be the death of civilization. Listen: GOP pollster: Stop talking about rape Politico WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — It's way past time: House Republicans need to stop talking about rape. — That's the message GOP lawmakers got here Wednesday evening from Kellyanne Conway, a top GOP pollster. — Conway dispensed the stern advice as part of a polling … [Read more...] about Air Conditioning
Big Sister’s Memorial: the Legacy of Germaine Greer
Editor's note: What follows is an article written by British journalist and writer Neil Lyndon. Neil Lyndon was a close witness at the birth and growth of modern or “second wave” British feminism, having been active in the radical student movement at Cambridge in the 1960s and, then, in underground newspapers in London in the early 1970s. As a highly successful columnist for … [Read more...] about Big Sister’s Memorial: the Legacy of Germaine Greer
Facebook Graph Search: You can run but you can’t hide
Facebook users "can no longer opt out of search results entirely." Earlier this week, Facebook announced “Graph Search,” which "allows users to enter a query on Facebook and get answers based on cross-sections of information within their social network." Zuckerberg described “people, photos, places, and interests” as four potential search dimensions for graph search. … [Read more...] about Facebook Graph Search: You can run but you can’t hide
Proof of Partisan Hackery
Do you want to see proof of partisan hackery? GO HERE. … [Read more...] about Proof of Partisan Hackery
Great Performances: 5 Year Old Lip Syncing Dean Martin
Here's a five year old lip syncing Dean Martin: … [Read more...] about Great Performances: 5 Year Old Lip Syncing Dean Martin
VIDEO: Chris Christie Blasts “Reprehensible” NRA Ad That Dragged Obama’s Children into Debate
Once again New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is separating himself from the Republican Party's talk radio and blog "troll" political culture: he has blasted the NRA for its ad dragging President Barack Obama's two daughters into the debate. The question: is he too reasonable for today's red-meat GOP? Talking Points Memo: Christie, who saw many Republicans turn on … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Chris Christie Blasts “Reprehensible” NRA Ad That Dragged Obama’s Children into Debate
Democrats May Well Take the House
"Democrats are promising an all-out blitz to win the House in 2014. There's just one lingering question: Which Republicans can really be unseated? The problem: Republicans used the once-a-decade redistricting process to shore up many of their members, leaving Democrats with few ripe GOP targets. Only four Republican incumbents are in seats that tilt toward Democrats -- a … [Read more...] about Democrats May Well Take the House
Alarm Mounts Over Deadly Algerian Hostage Operation
Alarm mounts over deadly Algerian hostage operation (via AFP) Foreign governments voiced alarm over the fate of their citizens seized by Islamists at a gas plant in the Algerian desert, where a dramatic rescue operation left several hostages dead. As relatives endured a tense wait for news from the raid on the plant, officials said Algerian special forces … [Read more...] about Alarm Mounts Over Deadly Algerian Hostage Operation
Christie Announces Task Force to Reduce Volence in N.J.; Calls NRA Commercial ‘Reprehensible
Christie announces task force to reduce violence in N.J.; calls NRA commercial 'reprehensible' (via NJ.com) TRENTON — A day after President Obama called for new gun control measures, Gov. Chris Christie today said he would create a task force to study ways to reduce violence in New Jersey and called a National Rifle Association advertisement about the … [Read more...] about Christie Announces Task Force to Reduce Volence in N.J.; Calls NRA Commercial ‘Reprehensible