Like many others last night, we got snow here in southeastern Ohio, our first significant accumulation of the season. I took this video of the church garden at 7:30 this morning. To me, it's beautiful enough for you to ignore the creaking of the wood floor as I shift my weight around and the sound of my wife busily washing a pan in the kitchen downstairs. Enjoy! [My … [Read more...] about Snow in the Church Garden
With Boehner Out, President and Senate Leaders Step In
After weeks of fruitless negotiations between the president and Speaker John A. Boehner, Mr. Obama turned to Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader — two men who have been fighting for dominance of the Senate for years — to find a solution. The speaker, once seen as the linchpin for any agreement, essentially … [Read more...] about With Boehner Out, President and Senate Leaders Step In
The Gang-Rape on a Bus that Sickened India
The gang-rape on a bus that sickened India (via AFP) After spending her evening watching "Life of Pi" in a New Delhi mall, the 23-year-old student and her male companion were looking for a quick lift home when a bus with tinted windows pulled over. The pair were then subjected to a catalogue of violence and sexual depravity which has evoked comparisons… … [Read more...] about The Gang-Rape on a Bus that Sickened India
New Year Fiscal Cliff (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 New Year Fiscal Cliff (Cartoon)
Shame and Soul-Searching in India after Rape Death
Shame and soul-searching in India after rape death (via AFP) The death of a student in a foreign hospital after a gang-rape in Delhi has generated a deep sense of shame in India, the second country to elect a female premier and one of the world's emerging powers. "And SHE PASSES AWAY in S'pore RIP. Our impotence stares us in the face," tweeted the veteran … [Read more...] about Shame and Soul-Searching in India after Rape Death
Saturday Personal Note
SATURDAY PERSONAL NOTE: The story of the gang rape in India continues to be a huge one internationally -- one that touches on many issues and could have consequences for India -- the world's largest democracy -- as noted HERE. We'll be running many of the wire stories dealing with that this weekend. FOOTNOTE: I lived in India from January 1972 -May 1972 (I interned on The … [Read more...] about Saturday Personal Note
With A Bang or a Whimper?
The 112th Congress has been an embarrassment. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent (or whatever), the spectacle of a congress so ideologically conflicted that they haven't passed many more bills than their congressional number, and of THOSE, most are renaming public building bills. But they still talk about the "makers and the takers"? If these were … [Read more...] about With A Bang or a Whimper?
Do Tote Bags or Charitable Deductions Help Giving?
Here's yesterday's installment of The Daily Stat from the Harvard Business Review: DECEMBER 27, 2012 Why You Don't Like Donating to Charities That Offer Thank-You Gifts Research … [Read more...] about Do Tote Bags or Charitable Deductions Help Giving?
Afghanistan: First ‘Green on Blue,’ Now ‘Green on Green’ (Updated)
UPDATE: While the New York Times column quoted below reports that, at least in some "green-on-green" attacks, personal grievances may be involved, the Washington Post claims in an earlier (Dec. 18) report that in the case of "green on blue" attacks, “the largest percentage of such incidents probably stemmed from personal motives rather than enemy infiltration,” referring to … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: First ‘Green on Blue,’ Now ‘Green on Green’ (Updated)
Obama ‘Modestly Optimistic’ for Fiscal Deal
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal (via AFP) US President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a deal could be agreed with Republicans to head off a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could trigger a recession and rock global markets. Obama said after meeting top congressional leaders that Senate Democrats and Republicans would work… … [Read more...] about Obama ‘Modestly Optimistic’ for Fiscal Deal
Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part I)
As we approach the New Year, it is customary for individuals, organizations and of course the media to take a look at the “old year.” The American Forces Press Service is doing exactly that. In its "The Year in Photos 2012" the Press Service offers the best photographs taken in 2012 by U.S. military photographers: Photos “of troops as they conduct operations around the … [Read more...] about Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part I)
Indian Gang-Rape Victim Dies in Singapor
Indian gang-rape victim dies in Singapore: hospital (via AFP) An Indian gang-rape victim died Saturday in Singapore after suffering from severe organ failure, the hospital treating her said. "We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully at 4.45 am (local time) on 29 Dec 2012," Kelvin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth Hospital, … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim Dies in Singapor
Anger + Popcorn= A Mess…
Anger + Gun= A Tragedy. Rev. Dr. Dwight Moody, a Baptist pastor and a professor, wrote several years ago of how people taking guns into their misunderstandings and disagreements elevates the stakes in conflict situations. Here, anyway, Moody doesn't touch the subjects of gun control or people's Second Amendment rights. He objects to the "gun culture," which means, I take … [Read more...] about Anger + Popcorn= A Mess…
Music Industry Caught With Hand In Cookie Jar
The recording industry has been ripping off YouTube, at least according to Google. I don't know why I find this explosively funny, but I do. … [Read more...] about Music Industry Caught With Hand In Cookie Jar
Putin Signs Law Banning US Adoptions
Putin signs law banning US adoptions (via AFP) President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed into law a ban on the adoption of Russian children by American families that activists slammed for making orphans pawns in a diplomatic row between Moscow and Washington. The law -- retaliation for a US law punishing Russian officials implicated in the 2009… … [Read more...] about Putin Signs Law Banning US Adoptions
Gun Control: Is David Gregory’s On-Air Stunt Proof of Media Bias? (Guest Voice)
Gun control: Is David Gregory’s on-air stunt proof of media bias? (via The Christian Science Monitor) When NBC News reporter David Gregory held up a high-capacity rifle magazine during a “Meet the Press” interview with National Rifle Association chief lobbyist Wayne LaPierre on Sunday, he not only got himself in trouble with Washington, D.C., police, he … [Read more...] about Gun Control: Is David Gregory’s On-Air Stunt Proof of Media Bias? (Guest Voice)
Indian State Plans 65 All-Women Police Stations
Indian state plans 65 all-women police stations (via AFP) The woman chief minister of India's West Bengal state unveiled plans Friday for 65 all-female police stations, as authorities tried to assuage growing anger over a gang-rape in New Delhi. "Sixty-five all-women police stations will be set up across West Bengal to deal with crimes against women," … [Read more...] about Indian State Plans 65 All-Women Police Stations
Indian Gang-Rape Victim ‘Fighting for Her Life’
Indian gang-rape victim 'fighting for her life' (via AFP) An Indian gang-rape victim was "struggling against the odds" to survive on Friday after suffering a heart attack and brain injuries, as medics criticised a decision to fly her to Singapore. In a bulletin issued the day after her arrival in Singapore, doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital said the… … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim ‘Fighting for Her Life’
Happy Fiscal Cliff (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 Happy Fiscal Cliff (Cartoon)
Holding Their Breath
It's truly remarkable. The Republican Party will not move away from its one big idea: No new taxes. Ever. After losing in November, Republicans appear to have chosen David Farragut as their source of inspiration. "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead," they shout. Then, like children, they hold their breath until they turn blue -- or red. Public opinion isn't on their … [Read more...] about Holding Their Breath