NRA’s Vision: A Nation Packing Heat by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We wrote and spoke about guns just a few days before Christmas, following the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. So did Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association. His now infamous, “no questions” press conference was the most stunning, cockeyed, one-man show since Clint Eastwood addressed … [Read more...] about “NRA’s Vision: A Nation Packing Heat,” Bill Moyers and Michael Winship, January 5, 2013, Moyers & Company
The Real Deficit Argument
WASHINGTON -- Should our politicians dedicate themselves to solving the problems we face now? Or should they spend their time constructing largely theoretical deficit solutions for years far in the future to satisfy certain ideological and aesthetic urges? This is one of the two central choices the country faces at the beginning of President Obama's second term. The … [Read more...] about The Real Deficit Argument
Obama to Name His Picks to Head CIA, Pentagon
Obama to name his picks to head CIA, Pentagon (via AFP) US President Barack Obama on Monday will announce his picks to head the CIA and Pentagon, as he assembles his national security team for his second term, officials said. Officials said Obama would nominate White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan as CIA director to replace David Petraeus and… … [Read more...] about Obama to Name His Picks to Head CIA, Pentagon
Upside-Down Government by Losers
Sunday morning TV is like looking through the wrong end of a telescope: Diminutive figures jockey for attention while bloviating about big issues. Mitch McConnell, with his thinned-out Senate minority, trumpets that raising taxes “is finished. Over. Completed. That’s behind us.” After demolishing Susan Rice, John McCain’s Amigo Lindsey Graham zeroes in on Chuck Hagel’s … [Read more...] about Upside-Down Government by Losers
Why Joe Biden Is The Most Influential Veep In History (Dick Cheney Doesn’t Count): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
In the Situation Room: Biden (right) was the only insider to oppose the raid on Osama bin Laden When Barack Hussein Obama takes the presidential oath of office on January 21, at his side will be Joseph Robinette Biden, without question the most influential vice president for good in American history. This by way of differentiating him, as if one needs to, from Richard Bruce … [Read more...] about Why Joe Biden Is The Most Influential Veep In History (Dick Cheney Doesn’t Count): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
William Hilton Paul, Son of Sen. Rand Paul, Arrested for Underage Drinking, Disorderly Conduct in NC Airport
William Hilton Paul, 19, the son of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was arrested at a North Carolina airport for disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges, Politico reports. The teen is charged with consuming alcohol underage, being intoxicated, and disruptive and disorderly conduct, The Charlotte Observer reports. William Hilton Paul was on an early Saturday flight from … [Read more...] about William Hilton Paul, Son of Sen. Rand Paul, Arrested for Underage Drinking, Disorderly Conduct in NC Airport
Perhaps Mr. Gohmert Can Have an Epiphany
Some Helpful Hints For the GOP to Get A Clue ... It's pointless to kick people when they're down, no matter HOW rewarding it might seem, nor how much kvelling it makes in the pupik. Listen: Republican Congressman Insults Nancy Pelosi's Appearance: 'There's No Facelift With John Boehner' Scott Keyes / ThinkProgress An outspoken Republican congressman castigated House … [Read more...] about Perhaps Mr. Gohmert Can Have an Epiphany
Assad’s Fantasies Fuel Syria’s Tragedy
The Syrian tragedy is on its way to becoming more heart-rending. Caught in his fantasies, President Bashar al-Assad today confirmed he is incapable of ending the bloodletting through rational negotiations. That will place new pressures on President Barack Obama to get rid of him before Syria descends into Hades. Mediation attempts by the United Nations hold little promise now. … [Read more...] about Assad’s Fantasies Fuel Syria’s Tragedy
First Current or Former C.I.A. Officer to Face Prison for a Classified Leak (Updated)
UPDATE: As stated in the original article (below), the conviction of former CIA officer John Kiriakou -- the first current or former officer from the agency to face prison for a classified leak -- was bound to generate controversy. In “The Only CIA Officer Scheduled to Go to Jail Over Torture Never Tortured Anybody,” Kevin Gosztola at firedoglake.com jumps right into the … [Read more...] about First Current or Former C.I.A. Officer to Face Prison for a Classified Leak (Updated)
Kentucky Fried What-the-Heck-Is-It?
I really relate to this story: A student who found what appeared to be a chicken brain in his KFC meal has vowed never to eat there again - despite being offered vouchers for free food as an apology. Ibrahim Langoo was left nauseated after spotting a 'wrinkled brain' inside a piece of chicken while tucking into a Gladiator box meal at a branch in Colchester, Essex. The … [Read more...] about Kentucky Fried What-the-Heck-Is-It?
McConnell Raises Using Debt Ceiling Issue
Republican challenges Obama on US debt ceiling (via AFP) The top Republican in the US Senate warned President Barack Obama on Sunday that he is willing to use the debt ceiling as "leverage" to end the administration's "massive spending addiction." Mitch McConnell's remarks set the stage for another round of high-stakes political brinksmanship over the US… … [Read more...] about McConnell Raises Using Debt Ceiling Issue
Not so Dead After All: Tea Party Is Planning More Damage on the Right
... Across the country, deeply conservative organizations angry about the concession on tax increases are pledging more, not fewer, primary challenges to Republicans they believe are straying too far from the party’s orthodoxy on taxes, guns, energy, immigration, spending and abortion. “The gloves are off,” said Everett Wilkinson, a founder of the Tea Party movement in … [Read more...] about Not so Dead After All: Tea Party Is Planning More Damage on the Right
War Memories Are Made of These
It has been almost 70 years since the end of World War II, a devastating, bloody war that claimed an estimated 45 - 60 million lives, including the lives of 400,000 Americans. Many of our troops kept notes, diaries -- some pithy, some very meticulous -- wrote letters, drew sketches and kept other accounts of their struggles, suffering and sacrifices, but also of their … [Read more...] about War Memories Are Made of These
John Boehner (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 John Boehner (Cartoon)
Waiting for the Sequel (Guest Voice)
Waiting for the Sequel by Michael Reagan The latest horror movie from Washington -- "The Fiscal Cliff" -- finally came to an exciting end in the early hours of 2013. But after two years did its climax -- more taxes, more spending and more chicken-livered can-kicking by our politicians -- really shock any of you over the age of six? Didn't think so. Spinning the … [Read more...] about Waiting for the Sequel (Guest Voice)
Nearly 9,000 Syrians Flee to Jordan in Six Days: Govt
Nearly 9,000 Syrians flee to Jordan in six days: govt (via AFP) Nearly 9,000 Syrians, mostly women and children, fled to Jordan over the past six days to escape the bloodshed in their homeland, a government spokesman told AFP on Sunday. "Some 8,835 Syrians fled to the kingdom since January 1 this year," said Anmar Hmud, a government spokesman for Syrian … [Read more...] about Nearly 9,000 Syrians Flee to Jordan in Six Days: Govt
Obama Considers Broad Arms Sales Restrictions: Report
Obama considers broad arms sales restrictions: report (via AFP) The administration of President Barack Obama is considering a broad array of measures to curb the nation's gun violence, including more than just a reinstatement of a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition, The Washington Post reported Sunday. Citing multiple people involved in the … [Read more...] about Obama Considers Broad Arms Sales Restrictions: Report
Contemptible Political Hack Quote of the Day
Increasingly, politicians and political hack types think that they can somehow win votes by making comments that are just pure, plain, boorish insults at someone in another party. And what's a better choice for a Republican when his party is under fire for not respecting women to insult Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with a sexist comment that will underscore Democrats' … [Read more...] about Contemptible Political Hack Quote of the Day
Is Hagel for Defense
Ever since the idea that Chuck Hagel would be nominated to take over at defense the neoconservatives and Likudniks have been up in arms and every attempt has been made to slime him. See: The Borking of Chuck Hagel Chuck Hagel and America First (Updated) Chuck Hagel - Not Crazy Enough Slimeing Hagel Well now it's being reported that Obama likely to nominate Chuck … [Read more...] about Is Hagel for Defense
Swonk Summarizes Latest Jobs Numbers
If you caught Diane Swonk's appearance on CNN earlier this afternoon, you caught most of this. But, here, on her company's blog site, she gives a good snapshot of the latest jobs numbers and their implications for the overall economy. She's very good at doing this. Her bottom line: The labor market continues to heal, but at too slow of a pace to reengage the long-term … [Read more...] about Swonk Summarizes Latest Jobs Numbers