The French military strikes against Islamic rebels in Mali brought a first riposte earlier today when other Islamist fighters took about 40 foreigners hostage in Algeria, at a remote natural gas complex near the Libyan border. Algerian soldiers are currently trying to dislodge the al Qaeda-linked terrorists but face a hard slog since they are heavily armed and … [Read more...] about Algeria Hostages Raise Stakes of UN-Backed French Strikes in Mali
Full Video: Obama Announces Sweeping Gun Control Proposals
Here's the full video of President Barack Obama announcing his gun control proposals -- so you can see if he was as wise as some said or a seeming threat to the American way of life as some conservatives and the NRA suggest. WE EMBED, YOU DECIDE: … [Read more...] about Full Video: Obama Announces Sweeping Gun Control Proposals
Dennis Kucinich’s Next Media Gig Will Be on Fox News for $$$
Some of former Rep. Dennis Kucinich's strongest supporters would call any other former Democratic Congressman who decided to be a Fox News contributor a sellout -- some on the Democratic left have urged Democratic leaders not to appear on Fox at all. But how much do you want to bet Kucinich will be given a pass on this one: his next gig is as a paid contributor on Fox … [Read more...] about Dennis Kucinich’s Next Media Gig Will Be on Fox News for $$$
Obama Takes on Extremism on Guns
WASHINGTON -- President Obama went big in offering a remarkably comprehensive plan to curb gun violence, and good for him. But his announcement Wednesday is only the beginning of a protracted struggle for national sanity on firearms. Extremists have controlled the debate on guns for many years. They will do all they can to preserve a bloody status quo. The irrationality of … [Read more...] about Obama Takes on Extremism on Guns
Need a car with a good Wop Engine?
Apparently, Chrysler will provide you with one. I had to read that headline a few times to believe it. But then I just laughed and thought, "I bet day go fast." … [Read more...] about Need a car with a good Wop Engine?
Surprising Consensus on Gun Control
Even though we all knew there has been movement towards more stringent gun control since Sandy Hook (and Webster, and Aurora), the latest figures are really surprising. They come from Pew Research. Going down the list -- there's widespread approval for background checks for private and gunshow sales. Republicans make up a large part of that widespread approval. The … [Read more...] about Surprising Consensus on Gun Control
Obama Unveils Sweeping Gun Violence Proposals
Obama unveils sweeping gun violence proposals (via AFP) President Barack Obama Wednesday demanded an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for gun buyers, stoking a generational clash with the firearms lobby after the Newtown school massacre. "We can't put this off any longer. I will put everything I've got into this," Obama said, laying out… … [Read more...] about Obama Unveils Sweeping Gun Violence Proposals
White House Slams NRA Ad Targeting Obama Daughters
White House slams NRA ad targeting Obama daughters (via AFP) The White House on Wednesday slammed a gun lobby advertisement accusing President Barack Obama of hypocrisy over Secret Service protection offered to his daughters as "repugnant and cowardly." "Most Americans agree that a president's children should not be used as pawns in a political fight," … [Read more...] about White House Slams NRA Ad Targeting Obama Daughters
Moderate Christian Radio Host View on Gun Control Debate
We dealt with gun control on my radio show yesterday. Thought some of you might want to hear a moderate Christian perspective on the gun debate..... Click the link and enjoy. Listen here to Live from Seattle with Doug Bursch on 820 AM KGNW … [Read more...] about Moderate Christian Radio Host View on Gun Control Debate
Washington Knows Your Pain But Never Feels It
Economically speaking, Washington pols have nothing in common with middle class Americans. NOTHING. They are all, every one, in a different economic class. Here's the numbers: The President has a salary of $400,000 a year and every member of his cabinet $200,000 a year. Every senator and House rep has a salary of $174,000 a year, except for the Speaker whose salary is … [Read more...] about Washington Knows Your Pain But Never Feels It
Hello? Mali Calling…(Breaking Updates)
UPDATE: In what could be one of the first (unintended) consequences of the French military intervention in Mali, the Washington Post reports: An unspecified number of Americans were taken hostage by Islamist guerrillas early Wednesday in a brazen attack on a remote gas-production facility in Algeria, the U.S. State Department said. The attack -- which reportedly … [Read more...] about Hello? Mali Calling…(Breaking Updates)
End this debt ceiling nonsense forever
The following was written by my friend Ed Pliml, but I liked it so I'm reprinting it here. --DE When Congress votes on a proposed budget, they are deciding on what and how much to spend money on. The debt ceiling is paying the bill for what they already spent. They can fight over the budget every year until their dysfunctional debutant ignorant politician ears bleed. But … [Read more...] about End this debt ceiling nonsense forever
Matt Drudge Tweets Rain in D.C. ‘Tears From Founders’ Over Obama’s Proposed Gun Control Measures
SMH: More right wing BS. Matt Drudge, founder of the Drudge Report, tweeted that the cold rain in Washington D.C. was "tears from Founders above" as President Obama is set to unveil proposals to reduce gun violence. What a load of crap. Cold rain in DC, tears from Founders above. 'America' has run its course. Bill of Rights evolving and dissolving... … [Read more...] about Matt Drudge Tweets Rain in D.C. ‘Tears From Founders’ Over Obama’s Proposed Gun Control Measures
The NRA’s Jump-the-Shark Ad Using Obama’s Daughters and Attacking Him as “Elitist Hypocrite” Could Backfire
Actually, you can't say jump the shark because it goes beyond that: the NRA has an ad calling President Barack Obama a hypocrite for allowing his daughters to be protected by the Secret Service but balking at armed guards at schools. And you could say it's jumping the shark. This will likely continue the current course where the NRA is shifting in the way the general public … [Read more...] about The NRA’s Jump-the-Shark Ad Using Obama’s Daughters and Attacking Him as “Elitist Hypocrite” Could Backfire
America’s Health Care System- Profits Drive Costs
With Congress stalemated over raising the debt ceiling and controlling spending, health care costs could be reduced significantly to lower Medicare expenditures. However, this would require reducing profits in the equation and for Congress to battle the stakeholders (insurance companies, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and so forth). Unfortunately, conservative … [Read more...] about America’s Health Care System- Profits Drive Costs
Democracy in Decline Around the World: US Study
Democracy in decline around the world: US study (via AFP) Democracy around the world was in decline in 2012 for the seventh year in a row as the Arab Spring led nervous autocratic leaders to clamp down on any stirrings of dissent, a study said Wednesday. The annual report by the Freedom House non-governmental organization found 90 countries now enjoyed … [Read more...] about Democracy in Decline Around the World: US Study
Internet’s Child Aaron Swartz Becomes Collateral Damage
FONTANA, Ca. -- It was April 9, 2005 when I met the young person who impressed me so much I'd talk about him for 7 years. I was moderating a panel discussion of bloggers at Stanford University on "eDemocracy: The Role of blogs and Online Activists in 2004" The young person: 19-year-old Aaron Swartz. I've often told people how I was blown away by Swartz's eloquence, passion, … [Read more...] about Internet’s Child Aaron Swartz Becomes Collateral Damage
Our Dysfunctional Quagmire
WASHINGTON -- President Obama is set to begin his second term at a moment when the question is not what great things our nation can achieve but whether our government, in Obama's words, can "stop lurching from crisis to crisis to crisis." The jury is out, but continued dysfunction seems the most likely scenario. Obama's news conference on Monday -- his last scheduled … [Read more...] about Our Dysfunctional Quagmire
Redistricting Gone Haywire:Independent Panels Necessary To Preserving Representative Government
By Scott Crass To the victors go the spoils. Politically, that saying has persevered through the ages. And few quarrel with the legitimacy of the concept: stretching partisan fruits as far as the eye could see. But when does it become excessive? When does converting a victory far beyond a party or a single individual usurp the population from a true choice at choosing … [Read more...] about Redistricting Gone Haywire:Independent Panels Necessary To Preserving Representative Government
Don’t get me wrong, I like crazy people, except…
...when they inflict their crazy on the real world. I mean, holy crap. That poor guy! (By the way, I categorically deny that my Lizard People CIA Bilderberger Rothschild Zionist Masters in the Vatican instructed me to say this.) … [Read more...] about Don’t get me wrong, I like crazy people, except…