Looking at the recent tragedies in New York, the murder of the firefighters, and Newtown, the murder of children and teachers, there is a common thread. That common thread expands beyond mass murder to the gun violence arenas of accidental shootings and criminal use of firearms. The common thread is that the weapons in New York and Connecticut were not legally purchased by … [Read more...] about Smart Gun Technology – Expanding The Gun Violence Discussion
Starbucks CEO: Let’s Come Together America
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is coming out strong for America to come together and pull back from the Fiscal Cliff. Here's his message as posted on his compay's website: There are moments in our lives when we have an opportunity to ignite tremendous positive change—not just in the lives of the customers and communities we serve every day, but in our country. This was … [Read more...] about Starbucks CEO: Let’s Come Together America
The Reality Of Modern Politics, We Go After Each Other
So, a White Plains newspaper, The Journal-News, published the names and addresses of every licensed pistol permit holder in three New York counties. Just unbelievable. It just proves the sanctimonious self righteous attitude of liberals like the publisher and reporters that see the ends justifying the means of their agenda, even if it invades the privacy of citizens. She … [Read more...] about The Reality Of Modern Politics, We Go After Each Other
Guns and Freedom (Works)
It's a little breath-taking to realize that Dick Armey tried to keep control of the tea party's money machine, Freedom Works, by marching into the office with a gun. But that's what happened. Richard K. Armey, the group’s chairman and a former House majority leader, walked into the group’s Capitol Hill offices with his wife, Susan, and an aide holstering a handgun at … [Read more...] about Guns and Freedom (Works)
The Day After Christmas — Let Us Still Remember
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Lyon reunites with his wife and children during a homecoming celebration in Virginia Beach, Va., Dec. 18, 2012. Lyon, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron 83, returned to Naval Air Station Oceana after a six-month deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. DoD) While I said that “tens of thousands” of our troops in Afghanistan would be … [Read more...] about The Day After Christmas — Let Us Still Remember
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Explores The Mysterious World Of Quantitative Easing
(The scene opens in the executive washroom of Goldman Sachs. Washroom attendant Selig Cartwright has just finished his morning chores as Mr. B. comes by for his usual 10 a.m. refresher.) You're looking chipper today, Mr. B. I thought all the layoffs on Wall Street would be getting you down. Layoffs? Oh those. They're only in The Street's retail businesses with small … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Explores The Mysterious World Of Quantitative Easing
Got Any Unused Gift Cards?
If you're like me, just one day after this Christmas, you may have realized that you still have holiday gift cards left over from last year that you haven't used fully. Holiday gift cards can be a sweet deal for retailers since, in some states, after the sale, recipients leave hundreds of redeemable dollars unclaimed and in the retailers' coffers. Other states however, … [Read more...] about Got Any Unused Gift Cards?
Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Reinforces Need For Centrist Third Party
The intraparty deadlock among House Republicans over compromises to resolve the fiscal cliff impasse, as well as the negotiations between President Obama and House Speaker Boehner, who always appear to be on different pages, is further evidence of the nation’s need for a centrist third party. Whether there are last minute concessions by the players that allow an agreement to be … [Read more...] about Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Reinforces Need For Centrist Third Party
Remembering Valley Forge
The Valley Forge National Park has a tremendous set of web posts delving into the history of the critical, life-threatening encampment of the fledgling United States Army under the command of George Washington during the Revolutionary War. You can read the first profile of the people involved in this encampment, which began on December 19, 1777 and continued through a bitterly … [Read more...] about Remembering Valley Forge
Happy Second Day of Christmas!
Happy second day of Christmas! Or, if you like, Happy Saint Stephen's Day. Each December, one of the most-played and sung tunes is The Twelve Days of Christmas. What exactly is that all about? Well, Christmas is actually not just one day for Christians, but a twelve day season, culminating in Epiphany, a day reserved for the remembrance of the coming of wise men … [Read more...] about Happy Second Day of Christmas!
Facebook Privacy So Complicated That Randi Zuckerberg Is A Victim
In an exchange captured by Buzzfeed, Mark Zuckerberg's sister and former marketing director Randi Zuckerberg posted a candid family photo on Facebook about "the family's reaction to the site's new 'Poke' app." Vox Media's Callie Schweitzer saw the photo in her Facebook newsfeed and tweeted it. Zuckerberg objected. @randizuckerberg I'm just your subscriber and this was top … [Read more...] about Facebook Privacy So Complicated That Randi Zuckerberg Is A Victim
Take Steroids out of College Football (Guest Voice)
Take steroids out of college football (via The Christian Science Monitor) Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma should be a highly entertaining college bowl matchup, featuring A&M’s Johnny Manziel, the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy that symbolizes college football’s top player. And that bowl game, one of a plethora, is just the warm-up act to the national championship … [Read more...] about Take Steroids out of College Football (Guest Voice)
Obama Cutting Short Hawaii Vacation to Seek Fiscal Cliff Deal
President Barack Obama is cutting short his vacation in Hawaii to try and get a fiscal cliff deal. The lingering question is: can he do anything to budge the Republican House? The New York Times: President Obama is planning to cut his Christmas vacation short and return to Washington to make a last-ditch push for a compromise on a tax and spending dispute that remains … [Read more...] about Obama Cutting Short Hawaii Vacation to Seek Fiscal Cliff Deal
NY Shooter: Killing People is ‘What I Like Doing Best’
NY shooter: killing people is 'what I like doing best' (via AFP) A convicted felon who committed suicide after shooting dead two firefighters he lured into an inferno wrote in a note that killing people was his favorite pastime, police said Tuesday. Authorities also said they found human remains in the charred skeleton of his house that likely belonged to the … [Read more...] about NY Shooter: Killing People is ‘What I Like Doing Best’
Egypt Adopts New Constitution as Opposition Cries Foul
Egypt adopts new constitution as opposition cries foul (via AFP) Egypt's electoral commission confirmed on Tuesday that a controversial, Islamist-backed constitution was passed by 64 percent of voters, rejecting opposition allegations of polling fraud. Those official results tallied with figures given by President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood immediately … [Read more...] about Egypt Adopts New Constitution as Opposition Cries Foul
Ghosts Of Christmas Past
It was a different Christmas - no tree or presents and other that my sister who came up from Houston not much family. Mom is transitioning as the hospice people describe it. Of course that means she is dying. Christmas started early for my sister and I as we had to deal with a couple of events in the early hours of Christmas day that included a call to hospice. It was good … [Read more...] about Ghosts Of Christmas Past
Reverse Brain Drain: Thais Ditch the American Rat Race (Guest Voice)
Reverse brain drain: Thais ditch the American rat race (via GlobalPost) Bangkok flavors, brought to you by US-schooled techies. Patrick Winn BANGKOK, Thailand â?? Chinawut Chinaprayoon and his Thai pals have nearly enough diplomas between them to wallpaper a living room. His resume is worthy of Silicon Valley: a masterâ??s in science and technology from Georgia … [Read more...] about Reverse Brain Drain: Thais Ditch the American Rat Race (Guest Voice)
Russia’s Image Smeared By Law Punishing Orphans (Kommersant, Russia)
From the look of it, things are not going as planned in the Kremlin. Russia's parliament, the Duma, with the instigation of Russia President Vladimir Putin, has passed a bill in retaliation for an American law that targets Russian officials involved with human rights abuse. The trouble is, according to Kommersant columnist Konstantin Eggert, the Duma bill, by prohibiting the … [Read more...] about Russia’s Image Smeared By Law Punishing Orphans (Kommersant, Russia)
The Fruitcake Chronicles (A Re-Gifted Christmas Story)
(The Following is a re-post of The Fruitcake Chronicles. I first published this six installment short story in the Auburn Reporter Newspaper. Like a good fruitcake, I regift it every year. Merry Christmas!) The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Old Fashioned Christmas (Part 1 of 6) “Sir, I’m not going to ask you again. Put the fruitcake down and step away from the Santa.” The … [Read more...] about The Fruitcake Chronicles (A Re-Gifted Christmas Story)
Quote of the Day: An African Christmas
Our Quote of the Day actually is a post by Greg Gross, from his award-winning blog "I'm Black and I Travel." Here's a small part of it: The true meaning of Christmas can reveal itself anywhere — including a pair of predominantly Muslim countries in West Africa. At some point before the end of this Christmas Day, after you’ve opened all the presents, stolen your … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: An African Christmas