Gabby Giffords to Senate: 'You must act' on gun violence (via AFP) Ex-lawmaker and shooting victim Gabrielle Giffords made a brief but impassioned appeal in Congress Wednesday, telling lawmakers "you must act" to find ways to reduce gun violence. "Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying," Giffords, a former congresswoman who was shot in the head … [Read more...] about Gabby Giffords to Senate: ‘You Must Act’ on Gun Violence
A Harbinger or Not? U.S. Economy Contracts
A seeming setback for the recovery: the U.S economy has contracted: U.S. economic momentum screeched to a halt in the final months of 2012, as businesses pared back inventories and government spending fell sharply, while lawmakers struggled to reach a deal on tax increases and budget cuts. The nation's gross domestic product shrank for the first time in three and a … [Read more...] about A Harbinger or Not? U.S. Economy Contracts
Water Bubble in Space
Via NASA: NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, Expedition 34 commander, watches a water bubble float freely between him and the camera, showing his image refracted, in the Unity node of the International Space Station. … [Read more...] about Water Bubble in Space
Immigration Offers Republicans an Opportunity (Guest Voice)
Immigration Offers Republicans an Opportunity by Matt Mackowiak For too long, the only Republican plan to deal with immigration reform was to tighten border security. This tact was a helpful dodge, not requiring a politician to detail what we would do with the 11-12 million illegal immigrants already here. But in winning about 30 percent of Hispanic votes in 2012, the … [Read more...] about Immigration Offers Republicans an Opportunity (Guest Voice)
Can the Republican Party Rebrand Itself?
Can the Republican Party rebrand itself after its big 2012 national election defeat, loss of growing demographic groups, and polls indicating many perceive it as out of touch and too extreme? The answer is yes. Will it? That answer is more iffy. There are signs of movement. Senate Republicans in the "Gang of 8" reached a deal with Democrats on immigration reform. But … [Read more...] about Can the Republican Party Rebrand Itself?
What Does the World Expect from Newly Confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry?
What does the world expect from newly confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Hillary Rodham Clinton has been one of the US’s most popular and peripatetic secretaries of state – logging nearly 1 million miles in four years and becoming a household name from Panama to Pakistan. Her successor, John Kerry, who was approved … [Read more...] about What Does the World Expect from Newly Confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry?
Fading Palin (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 Fading Palin (Cartoon)
Kerry Approved by Senate as Secretary of State: Now Massachusetts’ Political Scramble Begins
Senator John Kerry has been green-stamped by the Senate to be the new Secretary of State to replace Hillary Clinton -- setting in motion a big political scramble in Massachussetts for a special election. The questions now become: (1) Will former Rep. Barney Frank return One More Time to Congress to get his wish to fill Kerry's seat until the special election is held? … [Read more...] about Kerry Approved by Senate as Secretary of State: Now Massachusetts’ Political Scramble Begins
Obama: Immigration Reform Within US Grasp
Obama: immigration reform within US grasp (via AFP) President Barack Obama said Tuesday that comprehensive immigration reform was finally within America's grasp, announcing a plan to usher 11 million illegal immigrants towards citizenship within stronger US borders. "The question now is simple. Do we have the resolve as a people, as a country, as a… … [Read more...] about Obama: Immigration Reform Within US Grasp
GOP (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 (Cartoon)
Aide to Egyptian President Morsi is Holocaust Denier
This unfortunately says a lot about Egyptian President Morsi and the people who he has picked to work with: A key figure in Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's government called the Holocaust a hoax cooked up by U.S. intelligence operatives and claimed the 6 million Jews who were killed by Nazis simply moved to the U.S. The outrageous claims, by Fathi Shihab-Eddim, a … [Read more...] about Aide to Egyptian President Morsi is Holocaust Denier
Changes at CNN
It's no secret that CNN under its new boss Jeff Zucker (an executive with a long history of success) the network will undergo some changes. And some have surfaced today: Pundit power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin will not be continuing their contracts with CNN, according to FishbowlDC sources. In addition, Bill Bennett and Maria Cardona are also parting ways with … [Read more...] about Changes at CNN
Report: Obama Will Include Same-Sex Couples In Immigration Plan
And now a new twist in immigration reform: Same-sex couples will be a part of the proposal for addressing immigration reform that President Obama is scheduled to unveil Tuesday in Las Vegas, BuzzFeed has confirmed with multiple sources familiar with the White House plan. A Democratic source said: "Same-sex couples will be part of his proposal." A second source confirmed that, … [Read more...] about Report: Obama Will Include Same-Sex Couples In Immigration Plan
“No Labels” Caucus Aims to Stifle the Crippling Bickering in DC
A new caucus is taking hold in Washington. It is the “Problem Solvers” caucus, an expansion of the “No-Labels” group that came to inception two years ago, and it encompasses a mix of politicians from all across the spectrum with one goal: to end what I refer to as the "crippling bickering" that has, for far too long, enveloped Washington DC. And for that, gridlock is too … [Read more...] about “No Labels” Caucus Aims to Stifle the Crippling Bickering in DC
At Least 65 Bodies Found ‘Executed’ in Syria River
At least 65 bodies found 'executed' in Syria river (via AFP) The bodies of at least 65 young men, all executed with a single gunshot to the head or neck, were found on Tuesday in a river in Aleppo city, adding to the grim list of massacres committed during Syria's 22-month conflict. The gruesome discovery came as international envoy to Syria Lakhdar … [Read more...] about At Least 65 Bodies Found ‘Executed’ in Syria River
Banks and Government Agencies Still Can’t Get It Right
Five years after the financial meltdown and nearly three years after the enactment of Dodd-Frank, the big banks and government agencies still can’t get it right. (Agencies include the Securities and Exchange Commission- SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission- CFTC, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau- CFPB) While these agencies try to formulate the rules and regulations … [Read more...] about Banks and Government Agencies Still Can’t Get It Right
American Idol Contestants Claim Racial Discrimination. Does Their Case have Merit?
American Idol contestants claim racial discrimination. Does their case have merit? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Nine former "American Idol" contestants have filed a claim of racial discrimination against the popular reality TV show "American Idol," stating that they were they were publicly disqualified based on their race. But what does a legal expert – and … [Read more...] about American Idol Contestants Claim Racial Discrimination. Does Their Case have Merit?
Silverstein Announces He Won’t Be Running For Congress in 2014
The rumors are true. I, Michael Silverstein, will not be running for Congress in 2014. I will also not be running for Mayor of Philadelphia nor Governor of Pennsylvania. In addition, I'm formally putting the kibosh on talk of raising money for an exploratory committee to test the waters for a run at the presidency in 2016. And I will not accept an appointment to the Supreme … [Read more...] about Silverstein Announces He Won’t Be Running For Congress in 2014
Egypt Military Chief Warns of Collapse of State
Egypt military chief warns of collapse of state (via AFP) Egypt's military chief warned on Tuesday that the political crisis sweeping the country could lead to the collapse of the state, as thousands defied curfews and the death toll from days of rioting rose to 52. "The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the … [Read more...] about Egypt Military Chief Warns of Collapse of State
How Liberal Can Obama’s Second Term Be?
Barack Obama’s second term begins with a dirty word. The New York Times reports his Inaugural Speech with a banner headline, “Obama Offers Liberal Vision,” and a new generation encounters the adjective for the first time without a pejorative like “elite” attached. GOP wannabes get into the act. Bobby Jindal blurts, “We must not be the party that simply protects the well … [Read more...] about How Liberal Can Obama’s Second Term Be?