The Australian radio DJs have been weeping on TV all day long. Some of the video is included along with this article: Royal Hoax Tragedy: Australian Radio Station Has a History of Pranks Gone Wrong By JENNIFER ABBEY and CECILIA VEGADec. 10, 2012 The Australian radio station 2Day FM that pulled the prank call on Kate Middleton's hospital last week has come under fire before … [Read more...] about The Responsibility of Speech
Corrupt Prosecutor Mary Kellett Going Down?
A prosecutor who appears to have made her career pursuing false rape and domestic violence charges in order to make money for her office is in serious trouble, reports Maine Public Broadcasting Network on Mary Kellett. Those of us who support equal rights under the law have reason to rejoice tonight. … [Read more...] about Corrupt Prosecutor Mary Kellett Going Down?
Obama Stands Firm on Tax after Boehner Talks
Obama stands firm on tax after Boehner talks (via AFP) US President Barack Obama said Monday he was ready to compromise "a little bit" to head off a tax and austerity crisis, but warned he would not budge on making the rich pay more. Obama took his campaign to hike rates on the wealthy to a factory floor in Michigan, a day after he met House Speaker John… … [Read more...] about Obama Stands Firm on Tax after Boehner Talks
Homelessness Among Veterans Falling
Our minds have always been “aware” of the homelessness “problem” in America. Many of us become more “aware” of it during the Christmas season as our hearts, too, become “aware” of the true spirit of the holiday season. I became especially “aware” of homelessness in America when my wife and I, one Saturday morning in May 2011, volunteered at a local church to serve … [Read more...] about Homelessness Among Veterans Falling
Breaking: Member of Special Operations Forces Killed in Rescue of American in Afghanistan (Updated)
Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque in an undated family photo. (U.S. Navy photo) Update: In a short release the U.S. Navy announced its latest casualty in the Afghanistan War: WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced Nov. 10 the death of a Sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, … [Read more...] about Breaking: Member of Special Operations Forces Killed in Rescue of American in Afghanistan (Updated)
The Perils for Latin America of Obama’s Fear-Inspired Re-Election (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Before this first Worldmeets.US post since Hurricane Sandy struck our offices in Rockaway Park, I want to thank everyone who sent words of support and expressed concern after the disaster, not only for us, but for people across the region who have been impacted by the most powerful storm in our lifetimes. Since then, we have been working diligently to get back up and running, … [Read more...] about The Perils for Latin America of Obama’s Fear-Inspired Re-Election (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Obama Uses Campaign Apparatus to Press Congress for Higher Taxes on Rich
There had been some doubt among many whether -- despite their assures they would not -- Team Obama was going to make the same mistake it made after the 2008 elections and not use its impressive campaign apparatus linked up via email with millions of supporters to clamor and fight for Obama's positions. Now there is no doubt they won't make the same mistake: Stephanie Cutter, … [Read more...] about Obama Uses Campaign Apparatus to Press Congress for Higher Taxes on Rich
Egypt’s Morsi Overplayed His Hand: Analysts
Egypt's Morsi overplayed his hand: analysts (via AFP) Egypt's Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, overreached by giving himself broad powers and trying to ram through a new constitution without sufficient consultation, analysts say. His abrupt annulment on the weekend of a November decree putting himself above judicial review -- after weeks of sometimes… … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Morsi Overplayed His Hand: Analysts
New Battleground Poll: Yes..Hike Taxes on the Rich
The bottom line of a new Battleground Poll is this: it shows strong support for raising taxes on the rich and will be one more component strengthening the political hand of President Barack Obama on this issue -- an issue on which some key Republicans are quite systematically moving towards making it clear that they feel this will happen and that the Republican Party>needs to … [Read more...] about New Battleground Poll: Yes..Hike Taxes on the Rich
Scarborough on Talk Radio ‘Bullies’: Republicans Should ‘Punch Them in the Face’ (Guest Voice)
Scarborough on talk radio ‘bullies’: Republicans should ‘punch them in the face’ (via Raw Story ) MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is calling on Republicans to push back against talk radio “bullies” like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh by punching them “in the face.” The conservative host on Monday noted that some on the “far right” had realized … [Read more...] about Scarborough on Talk Radio ‘Bullies’: Republicans Should ‘Punch Them in the Face’ (Guest Voice)
Mexican-American Star Singer Killed in Plane Crash
Mexican-American star singer killed in plane crash (via AFP) A small plane carrying Mexican-American star singer Jenni Rivera crashed in northern Mexico on Sunday, leaving no survivors and sparking an outpouring of grief among fans and fellow celebrities. The wreckage of the Lear Jet, which was carrying six other people, was found by farmers in the state … [Read more...] about Mexican-American Star Singer Killed in Plane Crash
The Extraordinary Hail Mary Play To Persuade Petraeus To Run Against Obama: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
It was obvious long before the presidential primary season got underway that many Republicans thought they could take back the White House, but didn't believe they had a winning candidate in a field of wannabes long on wingnuttery and short on competence. And so in the most extraordinary attempted Hail Mary play in modern American political history, as well as a betrayal of … [Read more...] about The Extraordinary Hail Mary Play To Persuade Petraeus To Run Against Obama: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
The Footprint We Can’t Afford
"There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." ~ William Kristol, April 4th, 2003 Joe Covered William Kristol's comments below but I had a little more … [Read more...] about The Footprint We Can’t Afford
Morsi Fails to Silence Opposition
To my non-surprise, Egypt's current President is not able to silence his critics. I didn't think he'd be able to. Let's hope I stay right about that, but I'm pretty optimistic. *Update*: Apologies for the subscription-only link. Good updates on this story here and here. … [Read more...] about Morsi Fails to Silence Opposition
Birth of a Political Cartoon
I am the world's biggest fan of cartoonists, the cartoon industry and cartoons. I just got my most recent issue of Mad -- which I've read each month (only missing it during the five years where I wrote for newspapers from India and Spain) since I was 6. I had my birthday on November 30 and I won't say how old I am but let's just say that when I was a kid McDonald's had signs … [Read more...] about Birth of a Political Cartoon
Tea Party Flag (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 Tea Party Flag (Cartoon)
Biased About Bias (Guest Voice)
Biased About Bias by Peter Funt Mainstream media, or "lame stream" as Sarah Palin prefers it, came under increased attack during the presidential campaign, mostly among conservatives who railed against a perceived liberal tilt. "It goes without saying that there is definitely media bias," said Paul Ryan on the stump, claiming that most people in media "want a … [Read more...] about Biased About Bias (Guest Voice)
Pakistan Leader Visits Shot Girl in British Hospital
Pakistan leader visits shot girl in British hospital (via AFP) Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday visited the Pakistani schoolgirl recovering in a British hospital after she was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education. Zardari also met 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai's family at the specialist Queen Elizabeth Hospital in … [Read more...] about Pakistan Leader Visits Shot Girl in British Hospital
Mursi Course of Action (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 Mursi Course of Action (Cartoon)
Rocky Road Ahead for Implementation of Obamacare
Rocky road ahead for implementation of Obamacare (via AFP) President Barack Obama may have defeated opponents of his landmark health care law in the courts and at the ballot box, but the sweeping reforms still face a rocky road ahead. Advocates are concerned that the funding needed to help expand coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans could take a hit… … [Read more...] about Rocky Road Ahead for Implementation of Obamacare