So Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was faking medical problems so she didn't have to testify on Benghazi. Yeah, RIGHT: (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized Sunday after doctors discovered a blood clot during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered this month, her spokesman said. She is expected to remain at New York Presbyterian … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Hillary Clinton Hospitalized After Doctors Find Concussion-Related Blood Clot
Astonishing Level Of Public Support For Congress
One of the polls that appeared on today's Rasmussen Reports website found that five percent of American voters still think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Five percent! How is this possible? Who are these 5 percenters? What could possibly be animating their thinking? This is an important question. I mean, there are more than 300 million people in this country. … [Read more...] about Astonishing Level Of Public Support For Congress
Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part II)
This is the second “installment” of the best photographs taken in 2012 by U.S. military photographers “of troops as they conduct operations around the world, compete in athletic events such as the Olympics, and reunite with their families.” You can view the first set of photographs here and the entire American Forces Press Service set of photographs here. (All photos and … [Read more...] about Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part II)
Quote of the Day: Our Pathetic Hyperpartisan Congress Helps U.S Commit Economic Suicide
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who looks at "Our Pathetic Congress" and how it's poised to help the United States commit economic suicide. It's worth looking at key chunks of his column: The fiscal cliff is, of course, the world’s most predictable crisis. Congress set this time bomb themselves—and now they can’t agree on how to … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Our Pathetic Hyperpartisan Congress Helps U.S Commit Economic Suicide
Bringing Hope to Prison Rape Survivors
Here's an easy way to do it. Refreshingly, they're one of the few groups who gives equal time and compassion to male victims. Hats off to them for that. I sent a note of encouragement and I hope you do as well. May 2013 be the year when we start to treat all victims of sexual violence and abuse with equal recognition and empathy. … [Read more...] about Bringing Hope to Prison Rape Survivors
Indian Gang-Rape Victim Cremated, Was Due to Marry
Indian gang-rape victim cremated, was due to marry (via AFP) The victim of a gang-rape and murder which triggered an outpouring of grief and revulsion across India was cremated at a private ceremony on Sunday as it emerged she was planning to marry in February. The unidentified 23-year-old, the focus of nationwide protests since she was attacked on a bus … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim Cremated, Was Due to Marry
On Thailand
The amazing Michael Yon has some thoughts, and an upcoming interview. To quote: On Christmas Eve, ThaiPBS television interviewed me in Bangkok. The interview is scheduled to air on 31 December at 9:40PM Thailand time. Our interview will be online here. Ms. Nattha Komolvadhin of ThaiPBS requested this interview after I made a statement on Facebook saying that murder … [Read more...] about On Thailand
Obama on Meet The Press: GOP’s Insistence On Nixing Tax Hikes for Wealthy is Preventing Fiscal Cliff Deal (VIDEO)
In an exclusive interview with NBC's David Gregory, President Barack Obama said the GOP's insistence on preventing tax hikes for the wealthiest Americans is what's preventing a bipartisan deal on the fiscal cliff. The video: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy The full transcript is HERE. … [Read more...] about Obama on Meet The Press: GOP’s Insistence On Nixing Tax Hikes for Wealthy is Preventing Fiscal Cliff Deal (VIDEO)
Not The First Cliff
Except for those of us who understand that the really important thing happening in Washington today is the Redskins-Cowboys game, most eyes are on the fiscal cliff negotiations. Calamity awaits, we're told, and if nothing gets settled, and we just keep watching the news, they'll tell us when the calamity has occurred - because otherwise we wouldn't actually notice much of … [Read more...] about Not The First Cliff
Republican Infighting (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 Republican Infighting (Cartoon)
Woman Accused of NYC Subway Hate Crime Murder
Woman accused of NYC subway hate crime murder (via AFP) A 31-year-old New York woman was scheduled to appear before a judge Sunday after being charged with murder as a hate crime for shoving a Hindu man to his death in front of an oncoming subway train. Erika Menendez of the Bronx borough was motivated by hatred of Muslims and Hindus, according to the … [Read more...] about Woman Accused of NYC Subway Hate Crime Murder
Ode 2 2012 (Guest Voice)
Ode 2 2012 Raging Moderate, by Will Durst And so we bid a not-so-fond farewell to the bow of another large unwieldy year as it sinks slowly over the horizon wobbling unsteadily towards the graveyard of memory. And cheers erupt from we folks on shore waving the double-handed "L for loser" sign above our heads. "So long. See ya. Don't let the door slam you in the butt on the … [Read more...] about Ode 2 2012 (Guest Voice)
“Les Miserables” in DC: A Tacky Remake
Movieplexes are alive with crowds wallowing in the newest version of Victor Hugo’s old chestnut, sugar-coating human misery into simpering hope with sentiments like “There is nothing like a dream to create the future” and “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Meanwhile in DC a road company is still playing out the darkness of the dreary original. John … [Read more...] about “Les Miserables” in DC: A Tacky Remake
UN Envoy’s Vision of Hell in Syria
The Syrian civil war is unlikely to wind down soon as rebel leaders think time is on their side. They saw confirmation in the failed meeting today between United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss a peace plan. A few rebel commanders poured scorn on the plan and Brahimi’s warning that Syria will turn into hell if the … [Read more...] about UN Envoy’s Vision of Hell in Syria
Snow in the Church Garden
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