The Russian print media continues to show some impressive independence, as a bill that threatens to halt the adoption of Russian children by Americans winds its way through Russia's legislature. According to reporter Mikhail Zubov of Russia's Moskovskij Komsomolets, Russian journalists were deceived into leaving the room before Federation Council [Senate] talks on the proposed … [Read more...] about Russian Press ‘Duped’, Ejected, as Bill Halting U.S. Adoptions Goes Ahead (Moskovskij Komsomolets, Russia)
Pakistan to Mark Five Years Since Bhutto Murder
Pakistan to mark five years since Bhutto murder (via AFP) Pakistan Thursday marks the fifth anniversary of the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, with her son expected to launch his political career with a speech in the family's ancestral home town. Bhutto, twice elected prime minister, was killed in a gun and suicide attack after an … [Read more...] about Pakistan to Mark Five Years Since Bhutto Murder
Republican Pollster Luntz: NRA Not Listening to Public
Republican pollster Frank Luntz says the NRA isn't listening to the public. But if the NRA isn't listening to the public and many Republican conservatives (and some Democrats) are listening to the NRA, then guess who also isn't listening to the public? Pollster Frank Luntz, who has studied attitudes about gun control, said on Wednesday that he doesn’t “think the NRA is … [Read more...] about Republican Pollster Luntz: NRA Not Listening to Public
A Cost Savings Everyone Should Endorse (Guest Voice)
A Cost Savings Everyone Should Endorse by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- The cliff talks have disintegrated, victim of the Crazy Caucus also known as the Republican House. But eventually they will resume, and with them discussion of a way to raise billions in tax revenue -- an approach on which House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama … [Read more...] about A Cost Savings Everyone Should Endorse (Guest Voice)
The Best, Worst and Most of 2012
Here's my annual list looking at 2012: Worst Political Primary Performance of the Year: Texas Gov. Rick Perry's run for president. It wasn't just his lackluster performance, forgetting his own program during a debate, or that video suggesting he had either an attack of giddiness or more than a few drinks. Perry never lived up to his advance mainstream and conservative media … [Read more...] about The Best, Worst and Most of 2012
Smart Gun Technology – Expanding The Gun Violence Discussion
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