So. One year ago today I made some predictions for 2012. All in fun of course. You can look at the list and decide how I did. Not half bad if I say so myself. Given that these things are only done in fun, here are my predictions for 2014. Feel free to make your own: In 2013: 1) Republicans lick wounds, look around, figure out that they really are going to have to retool … [Read more...] about Predictions for 2013
Purchase, Then Liquidate, Gun Makers
Now here's a creative idea. It seems that the world's largest collection of gun manufacturers, Freedom Group, is up for sale. Freedom Group is a conglomerate that has been purchasing gun makers for some time. Among its acquisitions are Bushmaster and Remington Arms. Bushmaster is the company that manufactures the AR-15, the type of gun used in the Sandy Hook massacre. See the … [Read more...] about Purchase, Then Liquidate, Gun Makers
India Gang-Rape Victim’s Family Want Killers Hanged
India gang-rape victim's family want killers hanged (via AFP) The family of an Indian gang-rape victim said Monday they would not rest until her killers are hanged as police finalised their investigation before charges are laid against suspects this week. As the ruling Congress party reportedly pushed for tougher punishments for sex crimes, including … [Read more...] about India Gang-Rape Victim’s Family Want Killers Hanged
Tribune Co. Exits Bankruptcy
Tribune Co. exits bankruptcy (via AFP) US media conglomerate Tribune Co. exited bankruptcy Monday after four years of court supervision, with the future of its assets including The Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times uncertain. The Chicago-based company said it emerged from bankruptcy protection "with a portfolio of profitable assets,… … [Read more...] about Tribune Co. Exits Bankruptcy
Fiscal Cliff: Signs of Progress — or Not?
I've been hoping that THIS POST I did would be proven wrong so I could say at the outset of a post: "I was wrong." Reports now suggest that it may be prove to be a wrong conclusion -- but others suggest the new reports might prove misleading. The Politico reports progress: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Vice President Joe Biden engaged in furious … [Read more...] about Fiscal Cliff: Signs of Progress — or Not?
Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part III)
Along with my best wishes for a Safe New Year to our troops in harm’s way and a Happy New Year to all our readers this is the final “installment” of the best photographs taken in 2012 by U.S. military photographers “of troops as they conduct operations around the world, compete in athletic events such as the Olympics, and reunite with their families.” You can view the first … [Read more...] about Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part III)
From Now On Consider the Source: 8 People Who Thought Hillary Clinton Faked Concussion
From now on be sure to consider the source: Buzzfeed lists 8 people who thought Hillary Clinton was faking her concussion. I always wonder why people would bother to pay attention to people who peddle paranoid tripe to try and bolster their political positions. My conclusion is those new and old media people and outlets that do so appeal to those who need to have their own … [Read more...] about From Now On Consider the Source: 8 People Who Thought Hillary Clinton Faked Concussion
Hope Ahead After a Year of Wretched Excess
At the Cliff, it’s hard to separate perspective from wishful thinking, but is there no way left to go but down? The President is optimistic, but then again he usually is. Where we are now recalls a three-pound doorstop from my brief career as a book publisher in the early 1970s when I oversaw “Smiling Through the Apocalypse: Esquire’s History of the Sixties,” edited by my … [Read more...] about Hope Ahead After a Year of Wretched Excess
The Department of Oops
File this in your Department of Oops file. A story a bit premature... … [Read more...] about The Department of Oops
Fiscal Cliff: Senate Negotiations Slow to a Crawl Amid New Guarded Hope
Fiscal cliff: 48 hours to go and Senate negotiations slow to a crawl (via The Christian Science Monitor) UPDATE: Senate majority leader Harry Reid told the Senate at 5:48 p.m. Sunday that Senate Republicans have dropped their call for Social Security benefit cuts, or “chain” CPI, as part of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. There is still “significant distance” … [Read more...] about Fiscal Cliff: Senate Negotiations Slow to a Crawl Amid New Guarded Hope
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hospitalized With Blood Clot
The New York Times reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized today with a blood clot stemming from a concussion she suffered earlier this month, according to a State Department spokesman. The Times: Mrs. Clinton, who canceled most of her public events in recent weeks because of her concussion, was at a follow-up exam Sunday when doctors … [Read more...] about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hospitalized With Blood Clot
BREAKING: Hillary Clinton Hospitalized After Doctors Find Concussion-Related Blood Clot
So Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was faking medical problems so she didn't have to testify on Benghazi. Yeah, RIGHT: (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized Sunday after doctors discovered a blood clot during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered this month, her spokesman said. She is expected to remain at New York Presbyterian … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Hillary Clinton Hospitalized After Doctors Find Concussion-Related Blood Clot
Astonishing Level Of Public Support For Congress
One of the polls that appeared on today's Rasmussen Reports website found that five percent of American voters still think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Five percent! How is this possible? Who are these 5 percenters? What could possibly be animating their thinking? This is an important question. I mean, there are more than 300 million people in this country. … [Read more...] about Astonishing Level Of Public Support For Congress
Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part II)
This is the second “installment” of the best photographs taken in 2012 by U.S. military photographers “of troops as they conduct operations around the world, compete in athletic events such as the Olympics, and reunite with their families.” You can view the first set of photographs here and the entire American Forces Press Service set of photographs here. (All photos and … [Read more...] about Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part II)
Quote of the Day: Our Pathetic Hyperpartisan Congress Helps U.S Commit Economic Suicide
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who looks at "Our Pathetic Congress" and how it's poised to help the United States commit economic suicide. It's worth looking at key chunks of his column: The fiscal cliff is, of course, the world’s most predictable crisis. Congress set this time bomb themselves—and now they can’t agree on how to … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Our Pathetic Hyperpartisan Congress Helps U.S Commit Economic Suicide
Bringing Hope to Prison Rape Survivors
Here's an easy way to do it. Refreshingly, they're one of the few groups who gives equal time and compassion to male victims. Hats off to them for that. I sent a note of encouragement and I hope you do as well. May 2013 be the year when we start to treat all victims of sexual violence and abuse with equal recognition and empathy. … [Read more...] about Bringing Hope to Prison Rape Survivors
Indian Gang-Rape Victim Cremated, Was Due to Marry
Indian gang-rape victim cremated, was due to marry (via AFP) The victim of a gang-rape and murder which triggered an outpouring of grief and revulsion across India was cremated at a private ceremony on Sunday as it emerged she was planning to marry in February. The unidentified 23-year-old, the focus of nationwide protests since she was attacked on a bus … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim Cremated, Was Due to Marry
On Thailand
The amazing Michael Yon has some thoughts, and an upcoming interview. To quote: On Christmas Eve, ThaiPBS television interviewed me in Bangkok. The interview is scheduled to air on 31 December at 9:40PM Thailand time. Our interview will be online here. Ms. Nattha Komolvadhin of ThaiPBS requested this interview after I made a statement on Facebook saying that murder … [Read more...] about On Thailand
Obama on Meet The Press: GOP’s Insistence On Nixing Tax Hikes for Wealthy is Preventing Fiscal Cliff Deal (VIDEO)
In an exclusive interview with NBC's David Gregory, President Barack Obama said the GOP's insistence on preventing tax hikes for the wealthiest Americans is what's preventing a bipartisan deal on the fiscal cliff. The video: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy The full transcript is HERE. … [Read more...] about Obama on Meet The Press: GOP’s Insistence On Nixing Tax Hikes for Wealthy is Preventing Fiscal Cliff Deal (VIDEO)
Not The First Cliff
Except for those of us who understand that the really important thing happening in Washington today is the Redskins-Cowboys game, most eyes are on the fiscal cliff negotiations. Calamity awaits, we're told, and if nothing gets settled, and we just keep watching the news, they'll tell us when the calamity has occurred - because otherwise we wouldn't actually notice much of … [Read more...] about Not The First Cliff