The (Begruding) Re-Election of House Speaker John Boehner by Mike Peters Of Related Interest: Top Republican John Boehner clings to his job as House Speaker John Boehner tries to maintain order in U.S. House House Speaker John Boehner vows fight over debt ceiling Forget the GOP! Here’s John Boehner’s chance to do what’s best for the country Mike Peters is … [Read more...] about The (Begruding) Re-Election of House Speaker John Boehner (Guest Cartoonist)
The Assault Weapons Ban is a Red Herring (Guest Voice)
The Assault Weapons Ban is a Red Herring by Tina Dupuy The philosophy behind the quackery known as homeopathic medicine is that "like cures like." As in: have a burn, apply a hot compress. This widely-panned pseudoscience (oh man, am I going to get letters) in its 300 years of existence has a history of being debunked, going away and then popping up a few decades … [Read more...] about The Assault Weapons Ban is a Red Herring (Guest Voice)
In ‘Rape Capital’ Delhi, Women Turn to Self-Defence
In 'rape capital' Delhi, women turn to self-defence (via AFP) After nearly three weeks of lurid reporting on a horrifying gang-rape in New Delhi, women in the Indian capital say they are more anxious than ever, leading to a surge in interest in self-defence classes. New Delhi has long been known as the "rape capital of India", with more than twice as many … [Read more...] about In ‘Rape Capital’ Delhi, Women Turn to Self-Defence
Japan Scrambles Jets to Head Off China Plane
Japan scrambles jets to head off China plane (via AFP) Japan scrambled fighter jets Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, a Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman said. Japanese jets were mobilised after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured some 120 kilometres (74 miles… … [Read more...] about Japan Scrambles Jets to Head Off China Plane
Obama Warns Against ‘Dangerous Game’ with Debt Ceiling
Obama warns against 'dangerous game' with debt ceiling (via AFP) President Barack Obama warned Congressional Republicans on Saturday against playing a "dangerous game" with the economy as lawmakers prepared for a new battle over the national debt ceiling. But the Democratic president also congratulated lawmakers for passing an 11th-hour deal that avoided the … [Read more...] about Obama Warns Against ‘Dangerous Game’ with Debt Ceiling
“They could spend seven hours a day doing that?”
This video is from a few years back, but it's worth viewing again. McCullough's response to the last question is the clincher. By the way, The Greater Journey, the McCullough book which occupies most of the attention in this interview is fantastic! Thanks to my son for sending out the link to this video. [This has been cross-posted at my personal … [Read more...] about “They could spend seven hours a day doing that?”
Russell Crowe’s Epic Fail in “Les Misérables”
WASHINGTON - It's tremendous to read that "Les Misérables" is doing well at the box office. It's a good season for films, as Tarantino's "Django Unchained" proves, along with "Jack Reacher" and others. "Les Mis" is a tough musical in all respects, some say it's also great. To love another person is to see the face of God. [from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables"] Hugh … [Read more...] about Russell Crowe’s Epic Fail in “Les Misérables”
Washington Unites — To Screw The Middle Class
The big buzz words in the recent election were "middle class." Every pol in both political parties claimed to be fighting to save or protect the middle class. None were more emphatic about claiming to be a friend of the middle class, its protector, than Barack Obama. The election ended and we had a big debate about taxes. Mr. Obama, playing his usual fade and cave role, … [Read more...] about Washington Unites — To Screw The Middle Class
Barney Frank Wants to be Massachusetts’ Interim Senator
So much for talk that the person who fills in for the remaining months of Secretary State-to-be John Kerry's remaining Senate seat will likely be a caretaker. Former Rep. Barney Frank, one of the most outspoken Democrats, a politician who in many ways seems like the quintessentially "happy warrior" (even when he's angry) is making it clear he would like the position. And not … [Read more...] about Barney Frank Wants to be Massachusetts’ Interim Senator
Shot Pakistan Schoolgirl Malala Leaves UK Hospital
Shot Pakistan schoolgirl Malala leaves UK hospital (via AFP) The British hospital treating Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education, said Friday that she has been temporarily discharged ahead of surgery. Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, west-central England, said Malala would stay at her … [Read more...] about Shot Pakistan Schoolgirl Malala Leaves UK Hospital
“Titanic” Score: Boehner Outpolls Icebergs
John Boehner is reelected Speaker of the House, second in line of succession to the presidency, with only a ripple of disaffection from Tea Party Republicans, nine of whom voted against him in favor of Eric Cantor, Allen West and other loony tunes. The new Congress starts with confirmation of the Captain that almost sank the Ship of State last weekend, with a few members of … [Read more...] about “Titanic” Score: Boehner Outpolls Icebergs
Could It Be This Straightforward? Research Links Crime Rates With Environmental Lead
And no, I'm not talking about the kind that comes out of the end of a gun. Kevin Drum builds a compelling case for environmental lead -- primarily from leaded gasoline -- as being the driving factor behind rising and declining crime rates. In a 2000 paper, Rick Nevin "concluded that if you add a lag time of 23 years, lead emissions from automobiles explain 90 percent … [Read more...] about Could It Be This Straightforward? Research Links Crime Rates With Environmental Lead
New Congress Sworn In (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 New Congress Sworn In (Cartoon)
Fresh Start for Congress, But Fiscal Battles Loom
Fresh start for Congress, but fiscal battles loom (via AFP) With nearly 100 new members, the US Congress convened fresh from the year-end "fiscal cliff" fiasco, as lawmakers cast a wary eye towards the tough budget battles ahead. Twelve freshman senators and 82 newly-elected lawmakers in the House of Representatives took the oath of office, eager to make … [Read more...] about Fresh Start for Congress, But Fiscal Battles Loom
Our Clown-Around Congress
WASHINGTON -- To say that Congress looked like a clown show this week is an insult to self-respecting clowns. Painful though it may be, let's review what just happened. Our august legislators -- aided and abetted by President Obama -- manufactured a fake crisis. They then proceeded to handle it so incompetently that they turned it into a real one. The bogus … [Read more...] about Our Clown-Around Congress
Who Are These “Celebrities”?
Saw this magazine cover while shopping today at Costco. The cover says it has the scoop on, "What Tore Them Apart." My first thought? "Who are they?" I wasn't interested enough in learning who they are to do a Google search. It just struck me what our celebrity culture has come to. Once upon a time, there were a few people who were celebrities: leaders in … [Read more...] about Who Are These “Celebrities”?
Irish Newspaper Group New Synonym For Chutzpah; Demands Licensing Fees For Hyperlinks
This extraordinary story comes from an Irish solicitor that represents an organization on the receiving end of dunning "letters, emails and phone calls." Recap: The Newspapers’ agent demanded an annual payment from a women’s domestic violence charity because they said they owned copyright in a link to the newspapers’ public website. The definition of chutzpah: "insolence" … [Read more...] about Irish Newspaper Group New Synonym For Chutzpah; Demands Licensing Fees For Hyperlinks
113th Congress (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 113th Congress (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: the Political Courage of Boeher and McConnell
It won't make MSNBC fans happy, but Walter Shapiro (who I've long felt is one of the country's best columnists, back from the days when he wrote a superb column in USA Today) says the country needs to give credit where credit is due: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner showed quite courage in the passage of the fiscal cliff … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: the Political Courage of Boeher and McConnell
Doubling Down On Stupid
Well the 112th Congress is history and the 113th Congress is busy. What was the first bill offered up? If you guessed repeal of Obama Care you would be right. The 112th Congress gaveled to a close on Thursday afternoon without passing a relief package for victims of Hurricane Sandy or reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, but Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) isn’t too … [Read more...] about Doubling Down On Stupid