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
Secretary Clinton Speaks on the Algerian Attack and, “More Broadly,” on Mali and North Africa
While Defense has been somewhat definitive on the Algerian hostage-taking situation, State has been more muted and cautious. Yesterday, a “senior State Department Official” said: The Algeria question is evolving. Information is still coming in on that. That is an issue that is largely in the hands of our Middle East bureau. We are following it from a southern angle, … [Read more...] about Secretary Clinton Speaks on the Algerian Attack and, “More Broadly,” on Mali and North Africa
Bullying: Is The Armstrong Case Different? by Dr. Kevin Purcell, D.C., Sports Doctor
Oprah will be well armed with plenty of direct questions when her interview with Lance Armstrong airs. There are no shortages of people to aid her choice of topics. As well, there is a 1000 page report from the USADA (US Anti- Doping Agency) that lays out their case against him relative to doping. Doping in sport is probably the result of a numerous temptations and … [Read more...] about Bullying: Is The Armstrong Case Different? by Dr. Kevin Purcell, D.C., Sports Doctor
Is ‘Mr. Marlboro’ Behind the ‘Act of Terror’ in Algeria?
UPDATE: CNN has more on “the man claiming responsibility for the operation [who] is a veteran jihadist who is also renowned for hostage-taking and smuggling anything from cigarettes to refugees." Read it here Original Post: Still reeling from partisan Republican accusations that the Obama administration waited too long to call the Benghazi tragedy a terrorist … [Read more...] about Is ‘Mr. Marlboro’ Behind the ‘Act of Terror’ in Algeria?
(Breaking Updates) Panetta Calls Algeria Hostage Taking “a Terrorist Attack”
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta meets with British Prime Minister, David Cameron, at 10 Downing Street in London, England, Jan. 18, 2013. Panetta is on a six day trip to Europe to visit with foreign counterparts and troops in the area. (DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo) Excerpts from a CNN update at 6:50 PM EST, Jan. 17: British Prime Minister David Cameron … [Read more...] about (Breaking Updates) Panetta Calls Algeria Hostage Taking “a Terrorist Attack”
Demand Progress Asks Followers to“Demand justice for Aaron Swartz (Guest Voice)
Just received in email: Demand Progress Asks Followers to“Demand justice for Aaron Swartz” Grassroots Organization, Founded by the Late Internet Activist, Asks Congress to End Prosecutorial Abuses, Amend Computer Fraud Law Washington, D.C. In a letter to their army of supporters Demand Progress and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig expressed anger and … [Read more...] about Demand Progress Asks Followers to“Demand justice for Aaron Swartz (Guest Voice)
Gun Control Debate: American Gun Lobby is Full of Contradictions (Guest Voice)
Gun Control Debate: American Gun Lobby is Full of Contradictions by Michael Youhana NRA president David Keene and Gun Owners of America executive director Larry Pratt did their rounds on last Sunday's talk shows as part of an ongoing, high-intensity effort by the broader American "gun lobby" to stifle recent moves towards passing gun control legislation in Washington. It … [Read more...] about Gun Control Debate: American Gun Lobby is Full of Contradictions (Guest Voice)
What the Oscars missed: That Other Foreign Film (Guest Voice)
What the Oscars missed: That other foreign film (via GlobalPost) GlobalPost correspondents chime in with their overlooked picks for this year's Best Foreign Film. News Desk Editor's note: This year's Oscars foreign film nominees include: Austria's "Amour," Norway's "Kon-Tiki," Chile's "No," Denmark's "A Royal Affair," and Canada's "War Witch."Â What about … [Read more...] about What the Oscars missed: That Other Foreign Film (Guest Voice)
NRA Child Safety (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 NRA Child Safety (Cartoon)
DOJ calls prosecution of Aaron Swartz “fair” and “reasonable”
No it wasn't. The Massachusetts office of the DOJ issued a public statement Wednesday night in response to criticism of its prosecution of Aaron Swartz. “I know that there is little I can say to abate the anger felt by those who believe that this office’s prosecution of Mr. Swartz was unwarranted and somehow led to the tragic result of him taking his own life,” … [Read more...] about DOJ calls prosecution of Aaron Swartz “fair” and “reasonable”