This Translates Well by Doug Bursch Sarcasm does not translate well. You can say that again. Sarcasm does not translate well... What do you mean by sarcasm? A mean the stuff I say that you don't understand. Well why say something that causes confusion? Because it's an achievable goal. Satire is difficult to understand. You can say that again. Satire is … [Read more...] about This Translates Well
Inauguration 2013: How Obama is Different from Four Years Ago
Inauguration 2013: How Obama is different from four years ago (via The Christian Science Monitor) The shadow of President Obama is cast on a wall as he leaves a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington after the Senate Finance Committee voted to approve his health-care bill in this file photo. Obama will look ot expand his legacy in his … [Read more...] about Inauguration 2013: How Obama is Different from Four Years Ago
The Problem with Free Days
The Problem with Free Days by Doug Bursch Take the day to dream and be free! However, bring back something when you're done... So everyone can rejoice in your freedom. Loose yourself from the deadlines and expectations of the daily grind. But if you don't mind, come back with a word or two About the wisdom you found on your detour. Oh don't worry, no one is asking … [Read more...] about The Problem with Free Days
Obama Sworn in for Second Term
Obama sworn in for second term (via AFP) US President Barack Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts for a second term in office Sunday in a brief, intimate private ceremony at the White House. "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve… … [Read more...] about Obama Sworn in for Second Term
Sickness: DC Elites Prosper Amid America’s Rising Income Inequality (Guest Voice)
Sickness: DC elites prosper amid America's rising income inequality (via GlobalPost) An unmistakable disparity in life expectancy and access to quality health care have become hallmarks of the Washington, DC area. Ben Schreckinger Comparing the Divide: Income dictates access to health care in the capital cities of Russia and the United States, where lawmakers … [Read more...] about Sickness: DC Elites Prosper Amid America’s Rising Income Inequality (Guest Voice)
A Sea Change in the Firearms Debate (Guest Voice)
A Sea Change in the Firearms Debate by Tina Dupuy In August 1925, The New York Times estimated 50,000 — 60,000 members of the Ku Klux Klan marched in a parade in our nation's capital. It was a huge public display of the once-secret group. H.L. Mencken called it "a full mile of Klansmen and their ladies." The man sitting in the White House, Calvin Coolidge, was a member of … [Read more...] about A Sea Change in the Firearms Debate (Guest Voice)
The Toll on Barack and Michelle Obama
It's a rotten job but somebody's gotta do it? Trouble is, that's true. When the president returned from consoling families of teachers and children killed in the Newtown, Conn., massacre — he wept as they handed him photos and told him stories of victim after victim — aides could see in his face the toll of absorbing the nation’s traumas. “This is what I do,” Mr. … [Read more...] about The Toll on Barack and Michelle Obama
VP Biden Sworn in for Second Term
VP Biden sworn in for second term (via AFP) US Vice President Joe Biden re-took the oath of office Sunday as Barack Obama officially begins his second term, a day ahead of public festivities planned for Monday. Biden placed his hand on a thick and weathered-looking bible held by his wife, Jill, and pledged to "support and defend the constitution… … [Read more...] about VP Biden Sworn in for Second Term
Lance Armstrong’s World of Color (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 Lance Armstrong’s World of Color (Cartoon)
Aaron Swartz: A week later and still more questions than answers
One of the questions raised by observers of the DOJ case against Aaron Swartz has centered around prosecutorial discretion. That is, prosecutors decide which cases to pursue and how large and heavy the book will be that they throw at the defendant. I was initially troubled by the case -- one where there was no harm -- and compared it with HSBC's nominal wrist slap. But there … [Read more...] about Aaron Swartz: A week later and still more questions than answers
Meme-Busting: What, Exactly, Did Obama Do This Week Regarding Gun Policy?
Hint: He didn't sign 23 executive orders Who got it wrong? According to Slate: CNN: Brooke Baldwin, Carl Azuz, Wolf Blitzer FOX News: Dana Perino, Neil Cavuto NPR: Neal Conan Slate: David Weigel But that list is incomplete. Here are more media outlets that either claimed President Obama had signed 23 executive orders or that referred to any signing action on … [Read more...] about Meme-Busting: What, Exactly, Did Obama Do This Week Regarding Gun Policy?
Historic mercury controls agreed in a new UN treaty
After a four-year slog, about 140 countries agreed on a new legally binding treaty on Saturday to control and reduce mercury use and emissions known for over a 100 years to seriously damage human health and the environment. The treaty called the Minamata Convention on Mercury is named after the Japanese city where mercury pollution caused severe poisoning and health … [Read more...] about Historic mercury controls agreed in a new UN treaty
Congressman Reportedly Threatened
It seems a freshman Congressman is getting threats serious enough to involve Capitol Hill Police. I am sure I disagree with him on a number of issues but am saddened by some of the comments from the left that seem to suggest they find violence fine as long as it's against someone they disagree with (and obviously the reverse is true and I am sure similar comments would be … [Read more...] about Congressman Reportedly Threatened
Private Gun Sales Halted at NC Gun Show After Patron’s Gun Accidentally Discharged Hitting Three
Three people were shot at a private gun sales event at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show Saturday when a gun belonging to Gary Lynn Wilson, which he intended to sell, accidentally discharged. A man identified as Gary Lynn Wilson, 36, of Wilmington, brought the 12-gauge shotgun to the show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and was attempting to remove it from its case when the … [Read more...] about Private Gun Sales Halted at NC Gun Show After Patron’s Gun Accidentally Discharged Hitting Three
Algeria Hostage Crisis Ends in Bloodbath
Algeria hostage crisis ends in bloodbath (via AFP) Algerian troops stormed a remote gas plant Saturday to end a hostage crisis that killed 23 foreigners and Algerians, seven of them executed by their Islamist captors in a final military assault. Twenty-one hostages died during the siege that began when the Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen attacked the In Amenas… … [Read more...] about Algeria Hostage Crisis Ends in Bloodbath
The NRA Stumbles But Gets Right Back Up Again (Updated)
UPDATE: The Washington Post in both “No, Sidwell Friends School has no armed guards,” and in its “Fact Checker” (See CODA, below) is debunking the NRA’s claim that says the private school that President Obama’s daughters attend, Sidwell Friends School, has 11 armed guards. “It doesn’t.” Read more here === Original Post Most of us have by now viewed the … [Read more...] about The NRA Stumbles But Gets Right Back Up Again (Updated)
Forgiveness: Should We Accept Lance Armstrong’s Apology?
The world is full of liars. However, not all liars are famous and there's only one Oprah. Consequently, most of us will not be able to display our contrition in a two day OWN Network exclusive. If you haven't heard yet, Lance Armstrong recently became the last person to admit to what everyone else on earth already believed. With the help of Oprah, cyclist legend Lance … [Read more...] about Forgiveness: Should We Accept Lance Armstrong’s Apology?
This Just In!
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: FOX NEWS TO SHUT DOWN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE MONDAY MORNING AT 11:30 Posted by Andy Borowitz NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—Fox News Channel announced today that it would shut down for what it called “routine maintenance” Monday morning at 11:30 E.T. Fox News president Roger Ailes explained the timing of the … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Video: Bulgarian Opposition Leader Survives Assassination Attempt When Gun Misfires
The Daily Mail has an incredible story plus a video (which you can watch BELOW). Bulgarian opposition leader Ahmed Dogan was onstage delivering a speech when a would-be assassin jumped up, aimed a gun at his head and fired -- but the gun didn't go off: A Bulgarian politician today survived an extraordinary assassination attempt when a man stormed the stage and held a gun … [Read more...] about Video: Bulgarian Opposition Leader Survives Assassination Attempt When Gun Misfires
Conspiracy Theorists (Guest Voice)
Conspiracy Theorists (via http://davidkflowers.com) And now a word from a mental health expert (me!) about conspiracy theorists. If you’ve ever met a paranoid schizophrenic, what stands out most about them is how sickly rational they are. They can tell you exactly why they believe someone is poisoning their food, listening to their phone calls, following… … [Read more...] about Conspiracy Theorists (Guest Voice)