SMH: More right wing BS. Matt Drudge, founder of the Drudge Report, tweeted that the cold rain in Washington D.C. was "tears from Founders above" as President Obama is set to unveil proposals to reduce gun violence. What a load of crap. Cold rain in DC, tears from Founders above. 'America' has run its course. Bill of Rights evolving and dissolving... … [Read more...] about Matt Drudge Tweets Rain in D.C. ‘Tears From Founders’ Over Obama’s Proposed Gun Control Measures
The NRA’s Jump-the-Shark Ad Using Obama’s Daughters and Attacking Him as “Elitist Hypocrite” Could Backfire
Actually, you can't say jump the shark because it goes beyond that: the NRA has an ad calling President Barack Obama a hypocrite for allowing his daughters to be protected by the Secret Service but balking at armed guards at schools. And you could say it's jumping the shark. This will likely continue the current course where the NRA is shifting in the way the general public … [Read more...] about The NRA’s Jump-the-Shark Ad Using Obama’s Daughters and Attacking Him as “Elitist Hypocrite” Could Backfire
America’s Health Care System- Profits Drive Costs
With Congress stalemated over raising the debt ceiling and controlling spending, health care costs could be reduced significantly to lower Medicare expenditures. However, this would require reducing profits in the equation and for Congress to battle the stakeholders (insurance companies, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and so forth). Unfortunately, conservative … [Read more...] about America’s Health Care System- Profits Drive Costs
Democracy in Decline Around the World: US Study
Democracy in decline around the world: US study (via AFP) Democracy around the world was in decline in 2012 for the seventh year in a row as the Arab Spring led nervous autocratic leaders to clamp down on any stirrings of dissent, a study said Wednesday. The annual report by the Freedom House non-governmental organization found 90 countries now enjoyed … [Read more...] about Democracy in Decline Around the World: US Study
Internet’s Child Aaron Swartz Becomes Collateral Damage
FONTANA, Ca. -- It was April 9, 2005 when I met the young person who impressed me so much I'd talk about him for 7 years. I was moderating a panel discussion of bloggers at Stanford University on "eDemocracy: The Role of blogs and Online Activists in 2004" The young person: 19-year-old Aaron Swartz. I've often told people how I was blown away by Swartz's eloquence, passion, … [Read more...] about Internet’s Child Aaron Swartz Becomes Collateral Damage
Our Dysfunctional Quagmire
WASHINGTON -- President Obama is set to begin his second term at a moment when the question is not what great things our nation can achieve but whether our government, in Obama's words, can "stop lurching from crisis to crisis to crisis." The jury is out, but continued dysfunction seems the most likely scenario. Obama's news conference on Monday -- his last scheduled … [Read more...] about Our Dysfunctional Quagmire
Redistricting Gone Haywire:Independent Panels Necessary To Preserving Representative Government
By Scott Crass To the victors go the spoils. Politically, that saying has persevered through the ages. And few quarrel with the legitimacy of the concept: stretching partisan fruits as far as the eye could see. But when does it become excessive? When does converting a victory far beyond a party or a single individual usurp the population from a true choice at choosing … [Read more...] about Redistricting Gone Haywire:Independent Panels Necessary To Preserving Representative Government
Don’t get me wrong, I like crazy people, except…
...when they inflict their crazy on the real world. I mean, holy crap. That poor guy! (By the way, I categorically deny that my Lizard People CIA Bilderberger Rothschild Zionist Masters in the Vatican instructed me to say this.) … [Read more...] about Don’t get me wrong, I like crazy people, except…
Introducing: ‘Military Intervention’ – in Mali (Updated)
UPDATE: The Hill: In the highly partisan environment of Capitol Hill, there's nothing like a little counterterrorism operation to bring Republicans and Democrats together. On Monday, a number of top GOP lawmakers expressed their support for the White House's decision to provide support for French forces battling al Qaeda fighters in Africa. President Obama's … [Read more...] about Introducing: ‘Military Intervention’ – in Mali (Updated)
Pakistan Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister
Well I'm sure this won't be much of a problem. After all Pakistan is such a stable country and they have such peaceful relations with their neighbors. And it's not like they have nuclear weapons or anything. Um.. wait... maybe I got part of that wrong..... … [Read more...] about Pakistan Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister
Hurricane Sandy Aid: Some Worried South Carolina Rep. Fould Jeopardize Passage
Hurricane Sandy aid: Some worried South Carolina Rep. could jeopardize passage (via NJ.com) View full size U.S. Rep Mick Mulvaney (R-South Carolina). Courtesy of Mick Mulvaney's office WASHINGTON — One person standing between New Jersey and disaster relief is Rep. Mick Mulvaney, a South Carolina Republican who once benefited from aid for the same kind of loan he … [Read more...] about Hurricane Sandy Aid: Some Worried South Carolina Rep. Fould Jeopardize Passage
Do You Want to Get Ahead?
Do you want to get ahead? Go to the Chicago airport. … [Read more...] about Do You Want to Get Ahead?
“Zero Dark Thirty,” A Heroine’s Tale
WASHINGTON - It's the big story so many are missing in all the reviews tumbling out about Zero Dark Thirty. The hero in Zero Dark Thirty is "the girl." Played by Jessica Chastain, who won the Golden Globe Sunday night for Best Actress in a Drama, what plays out on the screen is being overshadowed by high pitched squeals from critics whose fervor misses the movie's genius and … [Read more...] about “Zero Dark Thirty,” A Heroine’s Tale
Chuck Hagel’s Military Service: Suddenly a Nonevent — or Worse (Breaking Update)
UPDATE: In what is an important breakthrough in the nomination of Chuck Hagel: Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced his support Tuesday for the nomination of former senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) as secretary of defense, delivering a key vote for Hagel's confirmation after weeks of voicing doubt about his positions on security issues related to Israel and … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel’s Military Service: Suddenly a Nonevent — or Worse (Breaking Update)
Fitch Warns It Might Downgrade US Rating Over Debt
Fitch warns it might downgrade US rating over debt (via AFP) The Fitch ratings agency warned Tuesday that it might revise downward its notation for the United States from its current top "AAA" level if Congress does not reach agreement on raising the ceiling for the national debt. Fitch said that failure to raise the limit in time would lead to a formal … [Read more...] about Fitch Warns It Might Downgrade US Rating Over Debt
Armstrong Admits Doping in Oprah Interview: Report
Armstrong admits doping in Oprah interview: report (via AFP) Shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong has admitted that he used performance-enhancing drugs, US media reported on Tuesday, as the sport braced for revelations in his first interview since being banned for life for doping. Armstrong, who has consistently denied drug-taking, on Monday recorded a … [Read more...] about Armstrong Admits Doping in Oprah Interview: Report
How Bad is Republican Congressional Partisanship When It Comes to Barack Obama? GOPers Nixed Invite to View “Lincoln” at White House
How bad is Republican partisanship when it comes to President Barack Obama? How about Congressional Republicans nixing an invite to come over and view "Lincoln" with Obama? President Obama says he’d like to socialize with Republicans, but they aren’t responding to his overtures. So which is it, a remote president or an opposition party that refuses to hang out with … [Read more...] about How Bad is Republican Congressional Partisanship When It Comes to Barack Obama? GOPers Nixed Invite to View “Lincoln” at White House
Round Up: Commentary on Aaron Swartz and Our Legal System
Updated. I am not alone in questioning the ham-handed behavior of the Department of (in)Justice in the Aaron Swartz case. This Storify is a collection of essays from around the web, all dealing with the government's case. [View the story "Commentary on Aaron Swartz and Our Legal System" on Storify] … [Read more...] about Round Up: Commentary on Aaron Swartz and Our Legal System
MIT Refused To Sign Off On Plea Bargain In Aaron Swartz Case, Attorney Says
According to one of the lawyers in the Aaron Swartz case, MIT refused to sign off on a plea bargain where Aaron would have served no prison time. JSTOR, on the other hand, agreed. As Lawrence Lessig wrote this weekend, JSTOR understands "proportionality." In addition, the DOJ was aware that Aaron was a suicide risk. Here's Kevin Cullen in The Boston Globe: Andy … [Read more...] about MIT Refused To Sign Off On Plea Bargain In Aaron Swartz Case, Attorney Says
BREAKING NEWS: Clarence Thomas Spoke During Supreme Court Oral Argument
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has not talked for nearly 7 years during Supreme Court oral arguments. But today he did. Let me guess what he said: "Rosebud." Well, not quite. But it could have been part of what he said: Justice Clarence Thomas broke his nearly seven-year silence at Supreme Court oral arguments Monday. But no one is sure … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Clarence Thomas Spoke During Supreme Court Oral Argument