Finally, leadership. Well, the Republicans are "startled," according to the Washington Post. After three weeks of mucking around, making derogatory statements, and cursing their bad "luck," they're finally having to face a shift in power. Two things stand out in the media's commentaries: "exit polls" (showing a daunting degree of disapproval of Republicans on most … [Read more...] about Finally: Leadership
Female Sexual Predators
I will be appearing today on this segment on female sex predators on Huffington Post Live at 5pm Eastern on Mike Sacks' show. Feel free to tune in. If you miss it live I am given to understand that the link will still work to see the recorded session afterward. *Update*: Some links people may find useful: Cenk Uygur & The Young Turks pat a victim on the back, says the … [Read more...] about Female Sexual Predators
Susan Rice, Top Secretary Of State Candidate, Owns $300,000–600,000 Of Transcanada Stock ($1.25 Million in Canadian Oil Companies)
Susan Rice, Top Secretary Of State Candidate, Owns $300,000–600,000 Of Transcanada Stock ($1.25 Million in Canadian Oil Companies) (via Clean Technica) This articles has been reposted from Climate Progress with permission. According to a report from OnEarth Magazine, Rice has millions of dollars tied up in top Canadian energy companies — including … [Read more...] about Susan Rice, Top Secretary Of State Candidate, Owns $300,000–600,000 Of Transcanada Stock ($1.25 Million in Canadian Oil Companies)
GOP Gauntlet: Rice’s Practice Run With Tyrants
To succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, the current UN ambassador must overcome a diplomatic challenge as formidable as any that might face her on the world stage: winning over paranoid antagonists with hostile intentions—-members of the US Senate. Even before being nominated, she is trying to do just that in a process usually followed by those who have already … [Read more...] about GOP Gauntlet: Rice’s Practice Run With Tyrants
Reducing Tension in the Middle East (Guest Voice)
Reducing Tension in the Middle East By Dr. David Orme-Johnson and Dr. David Leffler A statement released by the Jewish-American group J Street says: "Military force alone is inadequate as a response to the broader strategic challenge Israel faces." ("For Israel, it's different this time" November 19, 2012). History shows that political resolutions cannot be achieved … [Read more...] about Reducing Tension in the Middle East (Guest Voice)
Are Democratic Moles Still at Work in the GOP?
This is happening as you read it: To: Bob Shrum, James Carville, Ed Schultz and Democratic National Committee Staff From: Howard Schmidlap, President Political Sandbaggers Corp, Oriskiny Falls, N.Y. RE: We may face bigger challenges from GOP now (but probably not). First, kudos again to all of you for being such great "moles" and embedding yourselves in the GOP … [Read more...] about Are Democratic Moles Still at Work in the GOP?
A Legacy We Dare Not Leave
WASHINGTON -- You might not have noticed that another round of U.N. climate talks is under way, this time in Doha, Qatar. You also might not have noticed that we're barreling toward a "world ... of unprecedented heat waves, severe drought, and major floods in many regions." Here in Washington, we're too busy to pay attention to such trifles. We're too busy arguing about … [Read more...] about A Legacy We Dare Not Leave
‘Fiscal cliff’ talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing?
'Fiscal cliff' talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Meetings between Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and congressional leaders on Thursday marked the first post-election acrimony between the parties in their pursuit of a solution to the “fiscal cliff.” Republicans stewed over the fact the White House has … [Read more...] about ‘Fiscal cliff’ talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing?
Two Nations, Indivisible
Maybe it is 1860 all over again. Within days after President Obama's re-election, disgruntled red-state Republicans (and even some terminally alienated blue-state GOP diehards) were petitioning their states to secede from the Union. Granted, these latter-day rebels were scanty in number and could easily be dismissed as cranks. Secession has been a touchy issue on these … [Read more...] about Two Nations, Indivisible
What’s Going to Happen to John Boehner?
John Nichols was saying just now in an extended interview that John Boehner isn't leading his caucus. And that's one of the reasons (there are several more) that he's confusing and ...confused. He's been babbling on about deficit-cutting options but making no sense. Part of the problem, says Nichols, is that Paul Ryan believes his, um, service as vice-presidential … [Read more...] about What’s Going to Happen to John Boehner?
New Election Results: Obama’s Victory Over Romney Bigger than Bush Over Kerry
As the Nov. 2012 election results continue to trickle in, it's now clear that President Barack Obama's victory over GOPer Mitt Romney is bigger than President George Bush's victory of Senator John Kerry in 2004. First Read: ** Obama’s victory was more decisive than Bush’s in ’04: And here’s one final observation about the 2012 race. Per the excellent work by the Cook … [Read more...] about New Election Results: Obama’s Victory Over Romney Bigger than Bush Over Kerry
Abbas wins UN ‘birth certificate’ for Palestine state
Abbas wins UN 'birth certificate' for Palestine state (via AFP) The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine as a non-member state, triggering scenes of joy on the streets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In a major defeat for the United States and Israel, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas won what he called a "birth … [Read more...] about Abbas wins UN ‘birth certificate’ for Palestine state
“Hazing?” The Proper Word is “Rape”
Another story where the victim isn't called a rape victim because he's got a penis. We really do live in a rape culture. It's where we ignore, dismiss, and/or laugh at the rape of men and boys. Of course, it's true that these are merely allegations. Perhaps those accused are innocent, although from what I've seen much "hazing" culture is very much like what is described … [Read more...] about “Hazing?” The Proper Word is “Rape”
US Fiscal Cliff Talks Stall as Both Sides Dig In
US fiscal cliff talks stall as both sides dig in (via AFP) US Democrats and Republicans bickered on Thursday over whether to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans, as crunch negotiations on avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff stalled. Republican speaker John Boehner met Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, after a Wednesday phone call with President … [Read more...] about US Fiscal Cliff Talks Stall as Both Sides Dig In
India to change hate speech law after Facebook row
India to change hate speech law after Facebook row (via AFP) India is set to amend its hate speech laws following a public outcry over two women arrested for posting comments on Facebook after the death of hardline politician Bal Thackeray. The new guidelines by the communications and information technology ministry will make it harder for police to arrest … [Read more...] about India to change hate speech law after Facebook row
Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln (Guest Cartoonist)
Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: Obama and Boehner in the news: Boehner sees no fiscal cliff progress after Geithner meeting Debt Ceiling Showdown: Obama, Boehner Diverge On Demands A ‘Curt’ Call Between Obama and Boehner Boehner wants ‘specific plan’ after fiscal cliff meeting with Geithner Boehner Crafts Compromiser Image … [Read more...] about Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln (Guest Cartoonist)
Five Predictions About What Will Happen at the Obama – Romney Lunch
Here are my predictions on today's Obama-Romney lunch. I may not be a psychic but, hey, my predictions are better than Dick Morris'. Prediction: 1. Romney will say 47% of the lunch was bad. 2. Romney will make a sundae at the sundae bar, point to it and tell Obama: "I built that." Obama will point around the White House room and tell Romney: "I won this." 3. Romney … [Read more...] about Five Predictions About What Will Happen at the Obama – Romney Lunch
Washington’s Norquist Affliction — LBS (Lazy Brain Syndrome)
If policies about complex issues with far-reaching consequences could wisely be based on two, three or four word slogans, Congress could be replaced with a cage full of parrots who cast their votes by squawking "Government is the problem," "No taxes," "Starve the Beast." This, however, is not a very good mode of governance, the views of Grover Norquist on the matter … [Read more...] about Washington’s Norquist Affliction — LBS (Lazy Brain Syndrome)
Hiding the Church’s Treasure
WASHINGTON -- To say that the Belle Harbor neighborhood on New York City's Rockaway Peninsula was slammed by Hurricane Sandy understates the case. Like many other parts of the region, it has suffered the kind of devastation we usually associate with wars. In these circumstances, people turn to government, yes, but they look first to trusted friends and to neighborhood … [Read more...] about Hiding the Church’s Treasure
Republican Denial
"Denial," Mark Twain wrote, "ain't just a river in Egypt." And so, as John Boehner insists that raising taxes on the rich is off the table -- and Obamacare must be on the table -- Republicans continue to live, Frank Rich writes, in Fantasyland: As GOP politicians and pundits pile on Romney in defeat, they often argue that he was done in by not being severely … [Read more...] about Republican Denial