Fantastic pictures, accompanied by a short essay on the immediate aftermath of the December 7, 1941 attack by the forces of Imperial Japan on US military installations at Pearl Harbor, can be found here on life.time.com. Worth the short time required to read the essay and go through the slide show composed of many pictures that never were used in Life magazine, the eminent … [Read more...] about The Home Front After Pearl Harbor
US Unemployment Rate Fell to 7.7% for November, 146,000 Jobs Added
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent in November and the economy added 146,000 new jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. The unemployment rate for whites is 6.8 percent; Hispanics 10.0 percent; Asians 6.4 percent and blacks, 13.2 percent, declining over the month. This comes as a Gallup poll found small business owners' hiring intentions plunge. This was … [Read more...] about US Unemployment Rate Fell to 7.7% for November, 146,000 Jobs Added
America: A Nation of Have-Starbucks’ and Have-Nots? (Updated)
At another blog where this piece appeared, a reader defended Starbucks’ success and employment record saying, “perhaps we need more successful companies like Starbucks to help reduce poverty in this country by creating jobs and helping people to better themselves through education,” and that “there are better examples of greed and excess in this country than the new Starbucks … [Read more...] about America: A Nation of Have-Starbucks’ and Have-Nots? (Updated)
Dave Brubeck (Guest Cartoonist)
Dave Brubeck by Mike Peters Of Related Interest: Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist and composer, dies one day before 92nd birthday The sacred ran through jazz legend Dave Brubeck’s music Dave Brubeck: Beyond 'Take Five Dave Brubeck: More Than A Musician Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a … [Read more...] about Dave Brubeck (Guest Cartoonist)
Why Did Sen. Jim DeMint Quit the Senate? (Guest Voice)
Why did Sen. Jim DeMint quit the Senate? (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Jim DeMint, one of the tea party’s founding fathers and leading intellectual lights, is leaving the US Senate for the presidency of the Heritage Foundation think tank – a move that some say may give him a greater clout as an arch-conservative voice uninhibited by party … [Read more...] about Why Did Sen. Jim DeMint Quit the Senate? (Guest Voice)
Mitch McConnell Makes Congressional History: He Filibusters Himself (No Joke)
Senate Minority Leader today took the phrase "self-defeating" to a new height. Or low. Literally. He felt he would embarrass the Democrats by putting them on the spot by demanding a vote -- but then Majority Leader Harry Reid, whose career was built on opponents underestimating him, decided to call his bluff and give the vote. So McConnell filibustered … [Read more...] about Mitch McConnell Makes Congressional History: He Filibusters Himself (No Joke)
McConnell’s End: Beauty and the Senate Beast
If Ashley Judd unseats the Senate Minority leader in 2014, could Ugly Americans sue for prejudice? Not if handsome is as handsome does. Addison Mitchell McConnell Jr., on government payrolls all his life, is now the tenth richest Senate member, with a reported fortune somewhere between $9,839,049 and $44,587,000 in 2010. In four years he has transformed the Upper House … [Read more...] about McConnell’s End: Beauty and the Senate Beast
Greek schools ‘fertile ground for neo-Nazis’
Greek schools 'fertile ground for neo-Nazis' (via AFP) Schools in crisis-hit Greece are proving fertile ground for Golden Dawn, the neo-Nazi group suspected of orchestrating attacks on migrants whose popularity is on the rise, anti-racism activists warn. Once a secretive group on the fringe of Greek politics, Golden Dawn picked up over 400,000 votes in… … [Read more...] about Greek schools ‘fertile ground for neo-Nazis’
Things To Come: France Will Soon Disappear
A study that tracked thousands of Frenchmen, aged 18 to 70, between 1989 and 2005, found that the average sperm count among this group of guys fell more than 32 percent in this period. This is still above the infertility level, but the trend is clear. France as we know it will soon empty out. The large unoccupied area this will leave between Germany and Spain is then likely … [Read more...] about Things To Come: France Will Soon Disappear
Conservative DeMint leaving US Senate to Run Heritage
Conservative DeMint leaving US Senate to run Heritage (via AFP) Diehard conservative US Senator Jim DeMint, a favorite of the Tea Party movement advocating small government and lower taxes, said Thursday he will retire in January to head the Heritage Foundation. "It's been an honor to serve the people of South Carolina in the United States Senate for the past … [Read more...] about Conservative DeMint leaving US Senate to Run Heritage
The Conservative Learning Curve
WASHINGTON -- Over the long run, the most important impact of an election is not on the winning party but on the loser. Winners feel confirmed in staying the course they're on. Losing parties -- or, at least, the ones intent on winning again someday -- are moved to figure out what they did wrong and how they must change. After losing throughout the 1930s and '40s, … [Read more...] about The Conservative Learning Curve
Celebrations as Pot Becomes Legal in Washington State
As someone who does not use marijuana (I've tried it, I seriously don't like it, stopped playing with it years ago, it makes me depressed and paranoid) I was thrilled recently when multiple states injected sanity into their marijuana laws, some at least legalizing it for medicinal use and some legalizing recreational use outright. There were celebrations as this new law went … [Read more...] about Celebrations as Pot Becomes Legal in Washington State
Poll Gives Obama Edge in Poll Over Republicans on ‘Good Faith’ Bargaining Efforts Amid Shifting Political Dynamics
A new poll again underscores the fact that in political terms President Barack Obama is probably at his political peak as he plays what Dean Esmay calls a high-stakes game of "chicken" with GOPers in Congress over the fiscal cliff. U.S. voters trust President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies more than congressional Republicans to make “good faith” efforts to deal … [Read more...] about Poll Gives Obama Edge in Poll Over Republicans on ‘Good Faith’ Bargaining Efforts Amid Shifting Political Dynamics
Ike’s Bluff (Book Review)
Ike's Bluff (via The Christian Science Monitor) Ike's Bluff By Evan Thomas Doubleday It’s been quite a year for the president. No, not Barack Obama. And not even Bill Clinton’s much-lauded speech at the Democratic National Convention. The president who has had, perhaps, the most surprising year is none other than No. 34, Dwight Eisenhower. Continuing… … [Read more...] about Ike’s Bluff (Book Review)
If Lincoln’s Time Was Like Today (Guest Cartoonist)
If Lincoln's Time Was Like Today by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: Watch: President Obama's Twitter Q&A on #My2k Obama hosts 'fiscal cliff' chat on Twitter Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression "WHAT A HOOT" certainly sums up … [Read more...] about If Lincoln’s Time Was Like Today (Guest Cartoonist)
Ryan Trails Rubio in Makeover for 2016
A month after Obamageddon, survivors of the ruins start makeovers for another presidential faceoff. The test runs suggest Paul Ryan will need more cosmetic help than Marco Rubio to play GOP champion of the middle class in 2016. Trading quips about “good diners” in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina, the young front runners address a tribute dinner to Jack Kemp, a former … [Read more...] about Ryan Trails Rubio in Makeover for 2016
The DVR Named HAL
This is more than a little disturbing. Verizon has applied for a patent on a DVR that would use video and sound monitors to observe you as you watch TV in order to target advertising. … [Read more...] about The DVR Named HAL
Congress & President Playing Chicken
Note about the fight between Congress and the President over tax hikes and spending cuts: While I am almost certainly going to be accused of "supporting Obama" on this, I would prefer people take my word because I have said this over and over and over again for more than 15 years including multiple times on my blog and about multiple Presidents and Congresses: When … [Read more...] about Congress & President Playing Chicken
Somewhere Out There
Walk outside some clear evening next summer, and look to the south (assuming you're in the Northern hemisphere!). You'll see a bright red star - Antares - and if you're familiar with the night sky, you'll recognize the constellation Scorpius. Look above Scorpius, into a fairly dark area without many bright stars. This is the constellation of Opiuchus (a bit of trivia here: … [Read more...] about Somewhere Out There
Obama Rules Out New Debt Ceiling Showdown
Obama rules out new debt ceiling showdown (via AFP) President Barack Obama warned Wednesday he would reject any deal to end a looming fiscal crisis that let Republicans wield new leverage next year over lifting the cap on government borrowing. Obama staked out his position after the New York Times reported that Republicans may bow to his demand to hike… … [Read more...] about Obama Rules Out New Debt Ceiling Showdown