Will Durst's 2013 Political Animal Awards Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Hey! You! Yes, you. Sorry. Just trying to get your attention to impart an important warning here. For the next couple weeks, it's imperative all you good folks out there stay alert and keep your wits about you. Remove the earbuds, no texting while walking, and you'd be well-advised to brandish a … [Read more...] about Will Durst’s 2013 Political Animal Awards
Peacemaking On Contraception
Peacemaking on contraception by E.J. Dionne, Jr. WASHINGTON -- America's Big Religious War ended on Friday. Or at least it ought to. A little more than a year ago, the Obama administration set off a bitter and unnecessary clash with the Roman Catholic Church over rules mandating broad contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Department of Health … [Read more...] about Peacemaking On Contraception
The Only Changes That Would Really Help The Middle Class
The American middle class isn't disappearing. The middle class way of life is just being redefined. Downward. Being middle class on these shores no longer means that in return for a reasonable amount of work one receives a reasonable return in salary and benefits that allows a family to enjoy reasonable comforts and security. In recent years the bar on all these … [Read more...] about The Only Changes That Would Really Help The Middle Class
Hacking Incidents Ignite Fears Over China
Hacking incidents ignite fears over China (via AFP) A series of brazen cyberattacks on America's most high-profile media outlets has revived concerns over Chinese hackers, who analysts say are likely linked to the secretive Beijing government. The attacks, part of a string of incidents traced back to Chinese servers associated with previous intrusions… … [Read more...] about Hacking Incidents Ignite Fears Over China
Meet George Jetson
Twelve concept devices we can only wish were for real. Very cool! … [Read more...] about Meet George Jetson
Long-Time Users of Violent Video Games More Aggressive
Previous research has shown a link between extended use of violent video games and increased aggression and anger by players. But now a new study conducted at The Ohio State University confirms it: [Read the rest of the post here.] … [Read more...] about Long-Time Users of Violent Video Games More Aggressive
Did You Hear the One About the Angry Pastor and the Restaurant Server Who Went Viral?
My buddy, Steve Sjogren, first alerted me to the image of a receipt on which a pastor refused to leave a tip because she already gave 10% to God. He suggested I might want to blog on the story. Since then, I've learned more of the details: A Friday night meal at Applebee’s resulted in more than either the customer or a waitress working that night bargained for after a … [Read more...] about Did You Hear the One About the Angry Pastor and the Restaurant Server Who Went Viral?
Super Bowl XLVII: Too Much Patriotism?
Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) practice for the San Diego Padres opening day flag ceremony in April, 2011. Approximately 300 volunteers unfurled an 800-pound flag that covered the entire field.(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane) As must be evident from my writings, I believe that a little patriotism, a … [Read more...] about Super Bowl XLVII: Too Much Patriotism?
John McCain: Time to Retire When You Badly Copy Perry Mason
Three strikes you're out. Border, Palin, Hagel. John McCain allows and may even encourage unauthorized 'militia' to patrol Arizona's border with Mexico, even though many have been alarmed about McCain's seeming unconcern about illegal seizures and abuses of human beings there, and the actions 'self-designated "militia"' personally decide to take --out of sight and under no … [Read more...] about John McCain: Time to Retire When You Badly Copy Perry Mason
Turkey Suicide Bomber Hits US Embassy, Guard Killed
Turkey suicide bomber hits US embassy, guard killed (via AFP) A suicide bomber suspected to be a militant from an outlawed leftwing group blew himself up at the US embassy in Ankara on Friday, killing a Turkish security guard and wounding several other people, officials said. The bombing at a security roadblock near the entrance to the highly-fortified … [Read more...] about Turkey Suicide Bomber Hits US Embassy, Guard Killed
Is Hagel Smart Enough for the Job?
The vexing question about Obama’s nominee for Defense Secretary is one that dares not speak its name directly: Does he have the intellect to manage a complex, critical enterprise in a time of change? As John McCain and others attack while bipartisan figures from the past endorse him, Chuck Hagel calls to mind JFK’s dictum, “You can’t beat brains,” along with David … [Read more...] about Is Hagel Smart Enough for the Job?
The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Evidently, the NRA needs to let people know who their enemies are. Paranoid NRA Releases Enemy List - Are YOU On It? McAllister / Addicting Info Enemy lists...They go back as far as politics have been a part of our culture. Nixon, Joseph McCarthy, Pol Pot, Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Generalissimo Francisco Franco, who is, we believe, still dead... The … [Read more...] about The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Death of an Original: Former New York Mayor Ed Koch 1924-2013
America has lost an original, a politician who was one-of-a-kind with a personality and political assertiveness that came flying right out at you. Ed Koch has passed away after a recent illness: Ed Koch, the three-term mayor whose irascible exuberance and "How'm I doin'?" tagline made him synonymous with New York chutzpah, has died. He was 88. Koch had been in and out … [Read more...] about Death of an Original: Former New York Mayor Ed Koch 1924-2013
Spain’s Scandal-Hit Royals Pin Hopes on Prince
Spain's scandal-hit royals pin hopes on prince (via AFP) Losing popularity and besieged by a corruption scandal that has reached an official in the palace itself, Spain's royals are looking to the dashing heir to the throne, Prince Felipe, to save their image. At 75, King Juan Carlos shows no sign of abdicating as his contemporary Queen Beatrix of the … [Read more...] about Spain’s Scandal-Hit Royals Pin Hopes on Prince
Is Burger King Horsing Around in Europe?
Is Burger King horsing around in Europe? The fast-food chain is insisting its meat is fine, even though meat from an Irish plant that supplies the fast-food giant in Europe with meat has shown traces of horse DNA: Burger King has found traces of horse DNA at a plant that supplied its U.K. beef patties, the restaurant chain has said. In a Thursday statement, Burger King said … [Read more...] about Is Burger King Horsing Around in Europe?
OMG
OMG.. … [Read more...] about OMG
In Istanbul, Tourists Seek Their Dream Moustache
In Istanbul, tourists seek their dream moustache (via AFP) Already known the world over for its baths, coffee and sweet Turkish delights, Turkey is on the road to adding another item to its roster of specialities: the moustache. Lip whiskers remain a highly sought-after mark of manliness in Turkey and the Middle East to the point that the naturally less … [Read more...] about In Istanbul, Tourists Seek Their Dream Moustache
A Solvable Problem
WASHINGTON -- It was always clear that the 11 million people in this country without papers were not going to be rounded up and deported. The question was when our leaders would officially recognize this fact -- which could only happen if Republicans decided that demonizing illegal immigrants was bad politics. The November election answered that question. Mitt Romney … [Read more...] about A Solvable Problem
Briton Finds ‘Rare Whale Vomit’ Worth 50,000 euros
Briton finds 'rare whale vomit' worth 50,000 euros (via AFP) A British man has been offered 50,000 euros for a strange-smelling rock his dog found on a beach, which is likely a rare form of whale vomit used in perfumes, the BBC reported Thursday. Ken Wilman was walking his dog Madge in the coastal town of Morecambe in northwest England when she began … [Read more...] about Briton Finds ‘Rare Whale Vomit’ Worth 50,000 euros
Hagel Nomination in Trouble? (UPDATED)
Is former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel's bid to become Barack Obama's Secretary of Defense in trouble? There are a couple of givens: 1. It is a given the media will cover it like a horse race and keep the suspense going...not because of any conspiracy or attempt to hype the story but because it ain't over until it's over. And after today it most assuredly doesn't look like … [Read more...] about Hagel Nomination in Trouble? (UPDATED)