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)
5 Year Old, Hostage of Killer of School Bus Driver
These are the facts as we know them, about the gunman from Alabama having kidnapped and still holding a young kindergardener boy, against his will. The impasse continues into second day Jan 31, 2013 Police have surrounded the underground bunker where retired trucker Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65 has holed up with the kidnapped child. Police, fire, bomb squad, helicopter, … [Read more...] about 5 Year Old, Hostage of Killer of School Bus Driver
Today We Remember ‘Spirit 03’ (Updated)
Members of the 1st Special Operations Wing and family of the Spirit 03 crew attend a wreath-laying ceremony Jan. 31, 2011, at the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Julianne M. Showalter) Note: This post has been updated at the bottom to provide more information on the AC-130H Whether one agrees with … [Read more...] about Today We Remember ‘Spirit 03’ (Updated)
Super Bowl XLVII: U.S. Air Force – In the Skies, in the Stands and on the Field (Update)
Air Force wide receiver Chad Hall during the Falcons-Black Knights game at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium, Nov. 3, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan) Somewhat Related Update: There were rumors earlier this week that chicken wings were flying out of supermarkets -- not literally. I rushed to our local supermarket to stock up on some for our … [Read more...] about Super Bowl XLVII: U.S. Air Force – In the Skies, in the Stands and on the Field (Update)
A Flagrantly Overbought Stock Market — Time For The Small Investor to Play Chump Again
Some things are totally predictable. The sun will rise in the east and set in the west. The tides will go out after coming in. The Yankees will always have more to spend on talent that their rivals. Something else is totally predicable. After Wall Street sharpies have rigged the stock market to rise in ways that generate undeserved profits for themselves for a long enough … [Read more...] about A Flagrantly Overbought Stock Market — Time For The Small Investor to Play Chump Again
Why Chuck Hagel Is Being Attacked
I just watched a bit of Chuck Hagel's confirmation hearings on TV and saw Senator John McCain in full, aggressive tone, attack mode. Why? John Avlon nails it in a CNN post offering reality checks for Hagel's critics: The final reality check relates to the conservative senators who have criticized their former colleague. In 2006, John McCain said he'd be "honored to have … [Read more...] about Why Chuck Hagel Is Being Attacked
Obama’s Pentagon Pick Chuck Hagel Faces Critics at Senate Hearing
Obama's Pentagon pick faces critics at Senate hearing (via AFP) The Vietnam War veteran picked to lead the Pentagon, Chuck Hagel, sought to reassure lawmakers Thursday that he was ready to back military action if necessary against Iran or other adversaries. Facing tough questions from some senators at his confirmation hearing, Hagel said in his opening … [Read more...] about Obama’s Pentagon Pick Chuck Hagel Faces Critics at Senate Hearing
New York Times Attacked by Chinese Hackers (Guest Voice)
New York Times attacked by Chinese hackers (via The Inquirer) NEW YORK NEWSPAPER OF RECORD the New York Times reports that it has been the victim of a prolonged cyber attack by Chinese hackers. The company has been under attack for four months, but so far it is winning the battle. According to a report published yesterday on the New York Times website the … [Read more...] about New York Times Attacked by Chinese Hackers (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: the Contrast Between John Kerry and Al Gore
NBC's First Read gives us our political Quote of the Day with this contrast between to men who ran for President and lost, John Kerry and Al Gore: *** John Kerry and Al Gore -- two different paths: In the past week, we’ve seen a confluence of events surrounding the last two defeated Democratic presidential nominees. John Kerry, who lost the 2004 election, overwhelmingly … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: the Contrast Between John Kerry and Al Gore
Hats off to Algeria for Rejecting U.S. Meddling in Hostage Crisis (Echorouk al-Yawm, Algeria)
Why is it that Algeria didn't avail itself of help from the U.S. secret services in dealing with and tracking down terrorists who raided an Algerian gas facility, took 600 hostages, and left scores dead? Listening to FOX News, one might have thought this was due a desire by the Obama Administration to remain aloof. Not so, according to columnist Saleh Awad of Algeria's Echorouk … [Read more...] about Hats off to Algeria for Rejecting U.S. Meddling in Hostage Crisis (Echorouk al-Yawm, Algeria)
Lost in Their Own Wilderness
WASHINGTON -- Republicans shouldn't worry that President Obama is trying to destroy the GOP. Why would he bother? The party's leaders are doing a pretty good job of it themselves. As they try to understand why the party lost an election it was confident of winning -- and why it keeps losing budget showdowns in Congress -- Republican grandees are asking the wrong … [Read more...] about Lost in Their Own Wilderness
Republicans and Immigration Pinata (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 Republicans and Immigration Pinata (Cartoon)
Israel strike on Syria ‘unacceptable’: Russia
Israel strike on Syria 'unacceptable': Russia (via AFP) Russia warned on Thursday that any air strike against its ally Syria would be "unacceptable," as Israel maintained a strict silence on claims it had bombed Syrian targets. Russia's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned" after Damascus claimed a military research centre had come under Israeli… … [Read more...] about Israel strike on Syria ‘unacceptable’: Russia