Is this the Next British Invasion? British Television Takes the States (via Nvate) by Janet Martin There seems to be a certain trend in television these days. British-period drama “Downton Abbey” has won countless awards, including Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie at the 2011 Emmys. Three of the top ten television series on TV.com have roots in … [Read more...] about Is this the Next British Invasion? British Television Takes the States
Israel PM says Hand Held Out in Peace, Other Holds Sword
Israel PM says hand held out in peace, other holds sword (via AFP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Gaza's Hamas leaders to choose between peace and "the sword" on Tuesday as a diplomatic push intensified to end a week of violence in and around the strip. "Our hand is outstretched in peace to those of our neighbours who want to make peace with us," … [Read more...] about Israel PM says Hand Held Out in Peace, Other Holds Sword
Rep. Allen West (R-FL) Finally Concedes to Construction Executive Patrick Murphy
Tea Party darling Rep. Allen West concedes to Patrick Murphy after acting as though he was entitled to the seat. It was abundantly clear on Election night, November 6, 2012, that he had lost, but no, like the bully that he is, he demanded a recount. “For two weeks since Election Day, we have been working to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly. We have made … [Read more...] about Rep. Allen West (R-FL) Finally Concedes to Construction Executive Patrick Murphy
GOP Holiday Table: Lame Duck or Fresh Fowl?
Dispossession must be good for the soul. In final Senate days, Joe Lieberman adioses the Three Amigos on the McCain-Graham call for a special committee to investigate Benghazi attacks, as do other GOP colleagues. Meanwhile, McCain himself jumps for another spotlight by urging that the President send Bill Clinton to oversee cease fire talks between Israelis and Palestinians … [Read more...] about GOP Holiday Table: Lame Duck or Fresh Fowl?
“Companies that fail to fully fund their pension plans aren’t punished…”
I've been poking around the web, trying to figure out why news reports are ignoring that eight of the top 10 creditors in the Hostess case are pension funds. I've also been trying to figure out which government agency has oversight and why the company has been allowed to ignore its contractual obligation to its employees. Then I found this piece from McClatchy, March … [Read more...] about “Companies that fail to fully fund their pension plans aren’t punished…”
Clear Channel And Bain Capitol
Portland's only progressive talk radio station just went silent and guess who is responsible? If you guessed Bain Capitol you would be correct. Clear Channel quietly pruning scores of staff Owner of Toledo’s WSPD owes billions to Bain Capital Clear Channel, the largest radio station operator in the country, is partially owned by Bain Capital, which is the company founded … [Read more...] about Clear Channel And Bain Capitol
Christie Versus Rubio, Battle of the Un-Romney
WASHINGTON - In case you don't get what's going on here, there's a small 2012 post election window for all Republicans to take advantage of the I AM NOT MITT ROMNEY moment before 2016 pitches become unforgivably premature. In other similar news, Marco Rubio hits Iowa. Yes. Already. GQ has an interview with Senator Rubio for their December issue, which is online … [Read more...] about Christie Versus Rubio, Battle of the Un-Romney
Deforestation Risks Turning Somalia to Desert
Deforestation risks turning Somalia to desert (via AFP) Hassan Hussein cuts down 40 trees every month to fuel his charcoal business, fully aware of the impact his action has on the environment. But for the livestock keeper, the forests are the last remaining resource. And he is not alone. Hundreds of thousands of Somalia's traditional pastoralist herders… … [Read more...] about Deforestation Risks Turning Somalia to Desert
The Film Masterpiece, ‘LINCOLN’
WASHINGTON - The words that make up the script that tell the story of the 16th president's efforts to get the 13th Amendment through the House evolve into a densely rich historical drama. The process at the heart of how history happened and the path provided to make it possible are subsequently spun into a riveting story brimming with pain and humor. Through the congressional … [Read more...] about The Film Masterpiece, ‘LINCOLN’
Gaza Death Toll passes 100 as Truce Efforts Build
Gaza death toll passes 100 as truce efforts build (via AFP) Israeli strikes killed 24 Palestinians on Monday, taking the Gaza death toll past 100 as UN chief Ban Ki-moon joined efforts to broker a truce to end the worst violence in four years. As the violence raged for a sixth day, an Israeli missile killed a senior Islamic Jihad militant in a Gaza City … [Read more...] about Gaza Death Toll passes 100 as Truce Efforts Build
Tragedy in Midland, Texas (Updates)
UPDATE V: “Two veterans who lost their lives in a tragic train accident in Texas have been hailed as heroes after they pushed their wives to safety just moments before they were hit,” according to the Huffington Post. Read how combat and survival instincts of many of the veterans kicked in as they pushed others off the trailer, jumped themselves off and tended to the … [Read more...] about Tragedy in Midland, Texas (Updates)
Republican Power is White Power
Jon Chait wrote an excellent post the other day on the emerging (or emerged, if you want to be more optimistic about it) Democratic majority. I recommend the whole thing, but this in particular stuck out to me: What is going on is a change, rooted mainly in demographics, that is making the traditional conservative formula obsolete. The New Deal established a positive role … [Read more...] about Republican Power is White Power
Twinkie Nostalgia
The demise of the Twinkie, Paul Krugman writes, has unleashed a wave of nostalgia for the 1950's -- a world many conservatives think of as a Golden Age. But, Krugman writes, the economic policies of the '50's were a lot different than the conservative prescriptions for our time: Yet in the 1950s incomes in the top bracket faced a marginal tax rate of 91, that’s … [Read more...] about Twinkie Nostalgia
Groucho Marx Lesson for Lusty Generals
For those of a certain age, everything new recalls that fount of all wisdom, Groucho Marx. The current tragic comedy surrounding our military leaders is no exception. It brings back a story Groucho relished telling Dick Cavett about the aphrodesiac rewards and risks of fame in the Marx brothers’ vaudeville days. Back then, Groucho and Chico were visited backstage in Iowa … [Read more...] about Groucho Marx Lesson for Lusty Generals
First-Of-Its-Kind Wireless Electric Bus Of The Future Debuts In Utah (Guest Voice)
First-Of-Its-Kind Wireless Electric Bus Of The Future Debuts In Utah (via Clean Technica) The great state of Utah can now lay claim to the first and only wirelessly charged electric bus designed and developed exclusively by a North American research organization, namely Utah State University. Under the somewhat pedestrian monicker Aggie Bus (we prefer Shazam!, … [Read more...] about First-Of-Its-Kind Wireless Electric Bus Of The Future Debuts In Utah (Guest Voice)
15 Big Takeaways From The Election Of The Century (So Far, Anyway): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Republicans need to stop, take a deep breath and learn. ~ NEWT GINGRICH Nearly two weeks after the most important presidential election since 1932, my big takeaway is that Barack Obama's re-election was even more historic than his victory in 2008. That is, despite continuing economic ills and a Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan campaign deft at tailoring its message to what … [Read more...] about 15 Big Takeaways From The Election Of The Century (So Far, Anyway): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Seceding From The Union 2012 Style
Seceding From The Union, 2012 Style Tyrades! By Danny Tyree According to the New York Daily News, the government-initiated website "We The People" has been bombarded by petitions since the election. More than 100,000 disgruntled citizens (representing more than 20 states) have petitioned President Obama to grant their states permission to secede from the Union. The … [Read more...] about Seceding From The Union 2012 Style
Obama and the End of Decline
WASHINGTON -- What is the point of Barack Obama's second term? A president who has been pondering that question for a while might find the best answers by consulting what just went on in the campaign. He should not be afraid to consider the hopes and expectations of the people who voted for him since he offered his supporters both explicit and implicit … [Read more...] about Obama and the End of Decline
Whole Party Erases Mitt
Republican governors are taking their party in hand. Removing Romney from memory is at the top of the agenda. A telling sign of their determination to change course was their swift denunciation of the latest tone-deaf comments by Mitt Romney, who little more than a week ago they were all trying to help elect president. In a conference call with campaign donors on … [Read more...] about Whole Party Erases Mitt
Pelosi confident US will avert fiscal cliff
Pelosi confident US will avert fiscal cliff (via AFP) The top Democrat in the House of Representatives expressed hope Sunday that US lawmakers will reach a deal by mid-December to avoid the fiscal cliff but stood firm on tax rises for the rich. In an interview with ABC television's "This Week," Nancy Pelosi said she would not accept an agreement that… … [Read more...] about Pelosi confident US will avert fiscal cliff