WASHINGTON -- I disagreed with former President George W. Bush on many things. But on one issue, I admired him greatly: He was wise enough to marry a teacher and a librarian. I'm unabashedly biased about this, since my late mom was also a teacher and a librarian. I have been thinking a good deal about her because she would have turned 100 on Friday. She died in 1995, … [Read more...] about Nothing Self-Made About Me
Just say no to Buzzfeed photo galleries
BuzzFeed is (in)famous for its photo gallery stories. A guaranteed click-through machine, but what about the ethics (and legality) of the practice? Last month, in an article about copyright and photos for PBS MediaShift, I wrote: In a sponsored post from 2010, BuzzFeed appropriated a copyrighted photo published first on The Daily Mail. The photo on BuzzFeed was cropped to … [Read more...] about Just say no to Buzzfeed photo galleries
Grammys: Live Report
Grammys: Live Report (via AFP) 0100: And the official 55th annual Grammy awards are off! The ceremony begins immediately with a mad hatter-inspired performance by Taylor Swift who is herself a six-time Grammy winner before tonight. She sings "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," for which she is nominated for record of the… … [Read more...] about Grammys: Live Report
Lindsey Graham, Devoted Friend of al Qaeda
Back when I was debating in Texas, I became aware of a fascinating aspect of Southern Culture, of which I had not yet been aware: the ability of a good Southern politician to speak the most monstrous, batcrap crazy lunacy in that sort of Foghorn Leghorn charming manner that makes the unthinkable seem almost thinkable: Ah say Ah say Ah say.... Which was the first thought I … [Read more...] about Lindsey Graham, Devoted Friend of al Qaeda
GOP Moderates Rap about GOP’s Political Failure
Via Cult Comedy Pictures, song parody video...a rap of GOP moderates concerned over the GOP's political failure. A political parody of Bell Biv Devoe's "Poison". Featuring (a fake) former RNC chairman Michael Steele: … [Read more...] about GOP Moderates Rap about GOP’s Political Failure
You REALLY Want To Help The Middle Class, Mr. Obama, Fight To Change Bankruptcy Laws
In his State of the Union address, President Obama is expected to focus on the middle class and how to improve its prospects. Alas, it's doubtful that he will suggest what would really improve the prospects of middle class Americans, or keep them from falling still further into more difficult economic straits. Here's what has to happen to give real help the middle class. … [Read more...] about You REALLY Want To Help The Middle Class, Mr. Obama, Fight To Change Bankruptcy Laws
Partisans Can Be So Transparently Partisan and Tiresome
Partisans can be so transparently partisan and tiresome. Especially this guy.. … [Read more...] about Partisans Can Be So Transparently Partisan and Tiresome
Those People You’ve Never Heard Of That Changed Your Life
We have all heard of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell but there are many people who changed our lives that we have never heard of. A few years ago I wrote about Hiro Moriyasu who developed the digital oscilloscope and the first desktop computer, the Tektronix 4051. He certainly changed our lives but few have heard of him. Today where hear about another such … [Read more...] about Those People You’ve Never Heard Of That Changed Your Life
Cheney Strikes Again: Cheney Says Obama Risking National Security by Nominating “Second-Rate” Cabinet Members
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who will likely be treated unkindly by history despite his 100 percent self confidence that he has always been and will be right (in more ways than one), is now providing a classic example of a pot calling a pot a pot: Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday night that President Barack Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security … [Read more...] about Cheney Strikes Again: Cheney Says Obama Risking National Security by Nominating “Second-Rate” Cabinet Members
Horsemeat Scandal Spreads as French Retailers Pull Foods
Horsemeat scandal spreads as French retailers pull foods (via AFP) The Europe-wide scandal over horsemeat sold as beef spread Sunday as six French retailers pulled products from their shelves and France promised to have the results of an urgent inquiry within days. A senior British lawmaker meanwhile upped the stakes by calling for a temporary ban on importing … [Read more...] about Horsemeat Scandal Spreads as French Retailers Pull Foods
The Latest Big Lie is Building in Momentum, Now has its Own Hashtag
Speaker Boehner has come up with a hashtag according to Jonathan Chait, writing yesterday in Daily Intel. This morning, John Boehner’s office sent around a Charles Krauthammer column arguing that Republicans should embrace the budget sequester. Also today, in an effort to make my head explode, Boehner’s office has created a new Twitter hashtag, #obamaquester, dedicated … [Read more...] about The Latest Big Lie is Building in Momentum, Now has its Own Hashtag
Comet Or Asteroid Almost Definitely Contributed To Dinosaur Extinction, Study Finds
Comet Or Asteroid Almost Definitely Contributed To Dinosaur Extinction, Study Finds (via Planetsave) The exact cause of the mass extinction 66 million years ago, that included the dinosaurs, has been a matter of considerable debate over the past three decades. There’s been a lot of evidence pointing towards asteroid or comet impacts, but also some towards the role … [Read more...] about Comet Or Asteroid Almost Definitely Contributed To Dinosaur Extinction, Study Finds
LA Police to Probe Firing of Fugitive ‘Cop Killer’
LA police to probe firing of fugitive 'cop killer' (via AFP) Los Angeles police said they would reopen a probe that led to the dismissal of a fugitive ex-policeman being sought in the killings of three people for what he believed was his unfair firing. Police are hunting the snow-blanketed California mountains for Christopher Dorner, a 33-year-old … [Read more...] about LA Police to Probe Firing of Fugitive ‘Cop Killer’
Politics of Christie’s Weight Likely to Dog Him in Potential 2016 Presidential Campaign
Politics of Christie's weight likely to dog him in potential 2016 presidential campaign (via NJ.com) TRENTON — In the week Hurricane Sandy hit, Gov. Chris Christie maintained a breakneck schedule of 11 news conferences, visits to 10 towns and at least seven national interviews — all on just hours of sleep. The Republican governor likes to say his ability to … [Read more...] about Politics of Christie’s Weight Likely to Dog Him in Potential 2016 Presidential Campaign
The Inspiring Story of ‘Curiosity’s Landing on Mars
NASA's compelling video about Curiosity's final seven minutes before landing on the surface of Mars is exciting to watch! Here's a Spencer Michels' report on the Mars lander as presented on this past Friday's PBS News Hour. Watch New Discoveries From NASA's 'Curiosity' Rover's Mars Mission on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour. [For the rest of my … [Read more...] about The Inspiring Story of ‘Curiosity’s Landing on Mars
Bill Maher Skewers Donald Trump Over Lawsuit (Video)
Bill Maher's response to Donald Trump's silly lawsuit -- no matter what you think of Maher -- is classic and devastating. Watch it and make your own decision (some adult language:) You can't say it this piece humiliates or shames Trump, since Trump is beyond shame or humiliation. … [Read more...] about Bill Maher Skewers Donald Trump Over Lawsuit (Video)
Massive Manhunt for ex-LAPD Cop: Trust and Respect at Stake for Police
Massive manhunt for ex-LAPD cop: Trust and respect at stake for police (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Southern California is under a blue alert, meaning an officer-related shooting. Law enforcement from all over the region has mobilized to find a former Los Angeles Police Department officer, 33-year-old Chris Dorner, now accused of killing three … [Read more...] about Massive Manhunt for ex-LAPD Cop: Trust and Respect at Stake for Police
The Controversy Over Drones (Guest Cartoonist)
Of Related Interest: --John Brennan Ducks Drones In Confirmation Hearing And We Stop Worrying About Extra-Judicial Killings --Drones: Tough talk, little scrutiny --US senators propose assassination court to screen drone targets --A Map Of Where Drones Are Allowed In The U.S. Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his … [Read more...] about The Controversy Over Drones (Guest Cartoonist)
The Young Woman, the Judge, Her F-Bomb, Contempt Citation and Apology (Videos)
What happens when a young woman apparently high on drugs and not taking things seriously loses it when she hits against a judge doing his job as a ... serious judge? The young woman confronts reality in the form of a higher bail bond -- and jail time-- has time to rethink. Attitude adjustment time. The young woman who has gone viral is Penelope Soto, who first took her … [Read more...] about The Young Woman, the Judge, Her F-Bomb, Contempt Citation and Apology (Videos)
Facebook (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 Facebook (Cartoon)