It's the ultimate stomach turner: how Carnival's 893-foot long cruise ship Triumph, along with its 4,200 passengers, was stranded due to a fuel engine leak for five days with no food, little water and few working bathrooms. Passenger cell phone photos showed slews of plastic bags brimming with human waste, and lumpy, raw sewage floating in big puddles. It gave a new meaning … [Read more...] about America’s Poop Deck Politics
GOP, Obama and the Sequester (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 GOP, Obama and the Sequester (Cartoon)
Hackers Hit Apple in Wake of Facebook Attack
Hackers hit Apple in wake of Facebook attack (via AFP) Apple on Tuesday said it suffered a cyber attack similar to the one recently carried out against Facebook, but that it repelled the invaders before its data was plundered. The maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macintosh computers said it is working with law enforcement officials to hunt down the… … [Read more...] about Hackers Hit Apple in Wake of Facebook Attack
A Sobering Look At Work-Life Balance In The U.S.
Ostensibly about gender roles and the 50th anniversary of The Feminine Mystique, this NYT essay is, at its core, an indictment of boomer leadership, political institutions and corporations in 21st century America. During the 1920s, hours worked (for pay) in the U.S. had "stabilized at about 49 hours a week." ]The "new economic gospel of consumption"] proclaimed that new … [Read more...] about A Sobering Look At Work-Life Balance In The U.S.
Johanns Departure A Cornhusker Shocker, But GOP Favored
Thought you were immune to shock? So did I. But the announcement by Nebraska Republican Senator Mike Johanns that he would not seek re-election came as a major surprise. Johnanns is an immensely popular Senator. While his voting record rarely departed from his Republican colleagues (he most recently joined 21 other Rs in opposing the Violence Against Women Act), Johanns … [Read more...] about Johanns Departure A Cornhusker Shocker, But GOP Favored
Maureen O’Connor, Gambling Self-Sabotage vs Personal Success
by Dr. Kevin Purcell There can be a fine line between self-sabotage and personal success. What comes to your mind when you hear Maureen O'Connor, the former Mayor of San Diego, admit that she gambled billions of dollars between 2000 and 2009? Is it disgust, sadness, jaw dropping or a bit of all three? What about alcoholism? How do you view Obsessive Compulsive … [Read more...] about Maureen O’Connor, Gambling Self-Sabotage vs Personal Success
Droning on About Drones
Drones, both the military kind and the “civilian” kind, have been a lot in the news lately, so much that one could say -- as one of our readers lamented -- that we are droning about drones. I have droned myself about this controversial subject, here and here, including droning about a new medal to be awarded to the pilots of these drones -- all with innumerable, droning … [Read more...] about Droning on About Drones
“Downton Abbey’s” Killer Season [Spoiler Alert]
The makers of Downton Abbey have already moved to console devastated viewers about the "untimely and tragic death" of character Matthew Crawley, after an outpouring of furious complaints about the Christmas special. Viewers complained it was "travasty", a "tragedy" and an "outrage", with some saying the ending had "ruined their Christmas". The makers of the programme yesterday … [Read more...] about “Downton Abbey’s” Killer Season [Spoiler Alert]
(UPDATES) DOD Announces the Distinguished Warfare Medal
Front of Distinguished Warfare Medal, designed to recognize service members directly affecting combat operations who may not even be on the same continent as the action. DOD graphic UPDATE VII: Notwithstanding the public outcry -- including from military and veterans organizations -- over the order of precedence of the new Distinguished Warfare Medal (DWM), the Pentagon … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) DOD Announces the Distinguished Warfare Medal
GOP Hope: Jeb Bush’s Great Society?
After Marco Rubio runs second to a Carnival cruise ship in last week’s watery mishaps, a fellow Floridian bobs to the surface hugging a fifty-year-old life preserver. In a speech, Jeb Bush asserts that a neo-Lyndon Johnson is the answer to refloating the sinking GOP: “He went and he cajoled, he begged, he threatened, he loved, he hugged, he did what leaders do, which is … [Read more...] about GOP Hope: Jeb Bush’s Great Society?
A Painless Tax to Cut the Budget Deficit
No tax can be completely painless, but there is one thatcomes pretty close. Income taxes, estate taxes, sales taxes all have a direct impact on citizens. However, if a tax does not obviously affect you from a financial standpoint, it may have an indirect impact that costs you money. As an example, if you do not drive, you don’t pay the gasoline tax. However, the vehicles that … [Read more...] about A Painless Tax to Cut the Budget Deficit
Beijing Must Punish Pyongyang, But Never Join Anti-North Alliance (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
With North Korea's third nuclear test, one of the world's most vexing problems has taken a turn that presents Chinese diplomacy with perhaps its greatest challenge in a generation. This editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu offers a glimpse into the debate in Beijing about how to 'penalize' Pyongyang, and whether now is the time to take part in sanctions being imposed on … [Read more...] about Beijing Must Punish Pyongyang, But Never Join Anti-North Alliance (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
This Decoy Could Deliver a Winner
WASHINGTON -- Republicans spent the weekend trumpeting shock and outrage over President Obama's leaked "backup plan" on immigration. In dysfunctional Washington, this means that prospects for comprehensive reform -- including what amounts to an amnesty for the undocumented -- are getting brighter. "Dead on arrival" was the verdict from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who has … [Read more...] about This Decoy Could Deliver a Winner
Nestle Finds Horsemeat in Pasta Dishes in Italy, Spain
Nestle finds horsemeat in pasta dishes in Italy, Spain (via AFP) Swiss food giant Nestle has become the latest retailer hit by Europe's horsemeat scandal, announcing it is removing pasta meals from supermarket shelves in Italy and Spain due to contamination. "Our tests have found traces of horse DNA in two products," the world's biggest food company said in its… … [Read more...] about Nestle Finds Horsemeat in Pasta Dishes in Italy, Spain
A “Motive” for Newtown Sandy Hook Elementary Murderer Found?
Are officials getting closer to a "motive" for the murderer who butchered school kids and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut? It sounds that way, according to CBS News: Law enforcement sources say Adam Lanza was motivated by violent video games and a strong desire to kill more people than another infamous mass murderer. Sources say Lanza saw himself … [Read more...] about A “Motive” for Newtown Sandy Hook Elementary Murderer Found?
‘He’s back!’ Chavez in Venezuela after Cancer Surgery
'He's back!' Chavez in Venezuela after cancer surgery (via AFP) President Hugo Chavez surprised and in many cases delighted Venezuelans by returning home Monday, albeit to an uncertain future, ending a more than two-month absence in Cuba for cancer treatment. Even as passionate Chavez supporters took to the streets in noisy celebration, and foreign dignitaries… … [Read more...] about ‘He’s back!’ Chavez in Venezuela after Cancer Surgery
More Signs Hagel Is Likely to be Confirmed
There are increasing signs former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel will be confirmed -- signals from (disgruntled) Republicans in the form of news stories quoting them individually and as a group. The latest via Rollcall: Republicans continued their attacks on Chuck Hagel on Sunday, but they also signaled that the former Republican senator from Nebraska will probably be … [Read more...] about More Signs Hagel Is Likely to be Confirmed
Hillary Clinton to Hit Speakers Tour
Talk about someone who'll be in big demand and get big bucks: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has signed with a speakers bureau, the same one her husband former President Bill Clinton uses. The Politico's exclusive report: EXCLUSIVE: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will hit the paid speaking circuit this spring (likely April or May) and has selected the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton to Hit Speakers Tour
The Best Choice for Pope? A Nun.
WASHINGTON -- In giving up the papacy, Pope Benedict XVI was brave and bold. He did the unexpected for the good of the Catholic Church. And when it selects a new pope next month, the College of Cardinals should be equally brave and bold. It is time to elect a nun as the next pontiff. Now, I know this hope of mine is the longest of long shots. I have great faith in the … [Read more...] about The Best Choice for Pope? A Nun.
Comcast Buys NBCUniversal (Guest Cartoonist)
Comcast buys NBCUniversal by Mike Peters Of Related Interest: --Comcast To Finish Buying NBCUniversal For $16.7 Billion --Comcast’s NBCUniversal Deal: As One Media Era Ends, Another Begins ---Comcast sees growth from NBCUniversal stronger than anticipated --Wall Street: Comcast got a steal on NBCUniversal Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most … [Read more...] about Comcast Buys NBCUniversal (Guest Cartoonist)