Jonathan Chait writing in New York Magazine about Senator Marco Rubio's "dodges" on the budget deficit and incrementalism as it relates to immigration reform: On the budget, Rubio delivered the Republican weekly radio address, and his message was more of the old-timey religion: We must get the national debt under control. Tax increases will not solve our $16 trillion … [Read more...] about In Defense of Incrementalism
Medal of Honor for Marine Sgt. Peralta: Decision May Be Near (Updated)
Some very disappointing breaking news: UT San Diego reports that a posthumous Medal of Honor will not be issued to San Diego Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta. More from UT San Diego: Hunter spokesman Joe Kasper said Hunter was told Tuesday that after several months of reviewing newly submitted evidence that the congressman maintained shows Peralta consciously pulled a … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor for Marine Sgt. Peralta: Decision May Be Near (Updated)
John Kerry, Not Susan Rice, for Top Diplomat
WASHINGTON - This should be an easy choice for liberals. Not only does Senator John Kerry have a deep resume on foreign affairs, but we've seen his ability to change and grow through learning the hard way. His ability to take on the military industrial complex and the Pentagon is one of his stronger assets. Of course, my reasons for believing he's a better choice is because … [Read more...] about John Kerry, Not Susan Rice, for Top Diplomat
What Happened To Common Sense ?
It seems that every winter we start to hear stories about people getting stuck in the snow and suffering a tragedy. Certainly I feel a great empathy for those who have suffered these losses but at the same time I have to wonder what happened to common sense. In almost every case the story is that the people drove around a closed gate covered in warning signs saying "DANGER … [Read more...] about What Happened To Common Sense ?
Talented Young Performers: A Children’s Theater Groups Sings “You’ve Gotta Have Heart”
I'm always touched by young, talented performers. And here's the Children's Musical Theater group of San Jose singing "You've Gotta Have Heart," the quintessential song about having spirit in baseball -- which can be applied to so many things. Watch these kids with incredible pizazz: … [Read more...] about Talented Young Performers: A Children’s Theater Groups Sings “You’ve Gotta Have Heart”
Dec 21: End of Mayan Calendar, or End of the World?
Dec 21: End of Mayan calendar, or end of the world? (via AFP) Gonzalo Alvarez, who had just arrived in Cancun for two weeks of revelry linked to a major milestone in the Mayan calendar, seemed reasonably cheerful for a man about to swallowed up by the Apocalypse. "We came to party and to get ready for the beginning of a new era," said the 39-year old … [Read more...] about Dec 21: End of Mayan Calendar, or End of the World?
Indian Sitar Legend Ravi Shankar Dies, Aged 92
Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar dies, aged 92 (via AFP) Legendary Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar, a major influence on Western musicians ranging from The Beatles to Yehudi Menuhin, has died at the age of 92, according to officials. Shankar, who was the father of the American singer-songwriter Norah Jones, died in a hospital in San Diego where he was … [Read more...] about Indian Sitar Legend Ravi Shankar Dies, Aged 92
Michigan Workers Protesting “right to work” Law – Remember Italian Hall !
As a longtime member of sublocal AFL CIO National Writers Union, as we say in Indiana, 'Hell yes! Hail Mary! Push em back, push em back, wayyyyy back.' Solidarity mis amigos. Siempre. "Right to work" in this sense as proposed in Michigan, means right to kill the middle class. Again. Here is the story of the Italian Hall massacre I wrote two years ago remembering the … [Read more...] about Michigan Workers Protesting “right to work” Law – Remember Italian Hall !
A Guide for Champagne and Sparkling Wine Lovers
WASHINGTON - Christmas season is always a new opportunity for adventure, which includes food and drink, but especially sparkling wines and Champagnes, new and rediscovered. Consider this a polite nudge to encourage you to sample some bubbly. Robert Parker, I am not, but I have proven to have an accurately savvy palate that has confounded several sommeliers in my time. It … [Read more...] about A Guide for Champagne and Sparkling Wine Lovers
North Korea Launches Rocket, Outcome Unclear
The good old DPRK has launched a rocket in defiance of the international community. It is unclear at this point if the launch succeeded, a similar launch in April failed. … [Read more...] about North Korea Launches Rocket, Outcome Unclear
Another Shooter, This Time Portland – 3 Dead Including Shooter – Updated
It has happened again. Another shooter has taken the lives - and innocence - of the unsuspecting. The scene this time is the Clackamas Town Center Mall in suburban Portland, Oregon. The weapon? Reportedly an assault rifle. The victims? Unknown to the shooter. Two believed dead. Where in the mall did it happen? Somewhere near Macy's according to a live witness who … [Read more...] about Another Shooter, This Time Portland – 3 Dead Including Shooter – Updated
Cut But Don’t Cut My Stuff
Nothing new here but... There's Not A Single Spending Cut That Republican Voters Support We have seen this in every poll - Republicans say they want to cut government spending but there isn't anything they actually want to cut. A look at what Republicans oppose: By 47-37, letting the Obama payroll tax cut expire. By 68-26, cutting spending for Medicare. By … [Read more...] about Cut But Don’t Cut My Stuff
Republicans and Obama Clash Bigtime Over Financial Cliff Spending Cuts
Republicans open spending front in 'cliff' row (via AFP) US President Barack Obama and Republicans waged a new spat over spending cuts Tuesday, as time ran short and little progress was evident towards ending a vexing year-end austerity and tax crisis. After days dueling over Obama's demand for higher taxes on the rich, each side accused the other of … [Read more...] about Republicans and Obama Clash Bigtime Over Financial Cliff Spending Cuts
Mass Protest as Michigan Curbs Union Rights
Mass protest as Michigan curbs union rights (via AFP) Thousands of protesters descended on Michigan's legislature Tuesday as Republican lawmakers passed union-curbing "right-to-work" bills in a state seen as the heart of the labor movement. Once signed into law by Republican Governor Rick Snyder, the two measures will weaken unions by allowing public… … [Read more...] about Mass Protest as Michigan Curbs Union Rights
Right-To-Work Laws And Job Creation — The Truth, By The Numbers
The Governor of Michigan is set to sign a new Right-To-Work law making Michigan the 24th state to have such a law on its books,. Proponents of these laws say they increase employment within a state by attracting businesses there. True or false? To check this out, I simply went on line and got a list of the 23 states that already have such laws on their books and compared … [Read more...] about Right-To-Work Laws And Job Creation — The Truth, By The Numbers
Progress on Judicial Nominees But Grassley Still Being Iowa Stubborn
By Scott Crass When I first contemplated writing this piece last week, my tone was going to be one of amazement, befuddlement, and even anger. The fact that Senate Republicans were still hell bent on preventing President Obama's non-controversial Judicial nominees from reaching a vote even after the President won re-election was something I had neither envisioned, nor seen … [Read more...] about Progress on Judicial Nominees But Grassley Still Being Iowa Stubborn
Blaming DJ’s Prank Call for Nurse’s Suicide is Wrong
WASHINGTON - Has the world gone mad? Saldhana took the two radio presenters’ call to King Edward VII Hospital last Tuesday and, believing them to be the British monarch and her son, patched the pair through to another nurse, who revealed details of Middleton’s condition. On Friday, Saldhana was found unconscious and then declared dead at her apartment around the corner … [Read more...] about Blaming DJ’s Prank Call for Nurse’s Suicide is Wrong
The Enduring Myth of American Exceptionalism
A belief in American exceptionalism has been in the nation’s DNA since its birth, fostered by the Founding Fathers and foreign visitors like de Toqueville. Indeed, the reality of a republican form of government, with free men able to elect their own leaders, was alien to the rest of the world when the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written and America … [Read more...] about The Enduring Myth of American Exceptionalism
Dave Brubeck: A love affair
Editor's Note: We had trouble getting up the proper byline so this was very briefly on the site with two other bylines. We regret the glitch. WASHINGTON -- It was a conversation representative of the era: Somewhere around 1969 or 1970, my dear, conservative Uncle Ray asked his son and me why we liked music by Jimi Hendrix and the Doors but we never listened to Dave … [Read more...] about Dave Brubeck: A love affair
US Report Faults Pakistan Over Afghan War
US report faults Pakistan over Afghan war (via AFP) Despite an easing of tensions with the United States, Pakistan is persistently undermining security in Afghanistan by permitting safe havens for insurgents, a Pentagon report said. In a biannual war assessment mandated by Congress, the Defense Department said that the 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan… … [Read more...] about US Report Faults Pakistan Over Afghan War