World’s Polar Ice Sheets Are Melting Faster And Faster, Research Confirms (via Planetsave) The two most massive ice sheets in the world have been losing ice faster and faster over the past ten years, leaving some uncertainty about how quickly they will melt in the future. And now, new research is providing a more clarity about the state of continental ice … [Read more...] about World’s Polar Ice Sheets Are Melting Faster And Faster, Research Confirms (Guest Voice)
US criticizes Israeli plans to build new settler homes
US criticizes Israeli plans to build new settler homes (via AFP) The United States denounced Israeli plans for new settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the wake of a historic UN vote to upgrade Palestine's diplomatic status, calling them a setback to peace. On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution … [Read more...] about US criticizes Israeli plans to build new settler homes
Defense Update: The Greatest Sailors in the Greatest Navy
Readers have previously viewed in similar columns the glorious images of those awesome U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers sailing the seven seas. We read and hear about those magnificent fleet admirals, ship captains and carrier fighter pilots performing their important duties and missions. But supporting those officers and launching and recovering those … [Read more...] about Defense Update: The Greatest Sailors in the Greatest Navy
Hospice Tales
Hospice is a bitch but it's better than the alternative. Being the primary home hospice caregiver is the hardest job I have ever had but I wouldn't have it any other way. Each day presents a new problem as systems shut down. Today Mom was more lethargic than she has been although she is eating well and appears to be comfortable. A new drug today and it's a large pill. The … [Read more...] about Hospice Tales
On the Tenth Anniversary of His Passing: Some George Harrison Posts
Today brings the tenth anniversary of George Harrison's death. Here are links to a few of my George Harrison-themed or -tinged blog posts from over the years: He Wanted to Be Successful without Being Famous Sippican Quotes Me Of Lennon, McCartney, Feuds, and Grudges Warning: The last post is overtly Christian. … [Read more...] about On the Tenth Anniversary of His Passing: Some George Harrison Posts
People! If it sounds too good to be true …
.... more than likely, it isn't! Today's installment is from Powerball and Facebook. Two friends (both in my motorcycle circle, hmmm) shared this photo and pledge: Looks like I won't be going to work EVER!!!! Share this photo and I will give a random person 1 million dollars! From the Powerball FAQ: The tickets print the white ball numbers (the first five … [Read more...] about People! If it sounds too good to be true …
Mitt Romney and Republican Unbranding (Guest Cartoonist)
Mitt Romney and Republican Unbranding by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: Romney adviser hits back at candidate's critics Trump hammers Romney's 'crazy' immigration suggestion Romney Strategist Stevens Slammed by the Right Republican pantheon casts Romney adrift Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney and Republican Unbranding (Guest Cartoonist)
Obama Hits Out at ‘Scrooge’ Republicans on Tax
Obama hits out at 'Scrooge' Republicans on tax (via AFP) President Barack Obama warned Friday that Republicans would present Americans with a lump of coal for Christmas if they kill his plan to raise $1.6 trillion from higher taxes on the wealthy. Obama traveled to a toy factory in Pennsylvania to press his case for a plan to stop the US economy tipping… … [Read more...] about Obama Hits Out at ‘Scrooge’ Republicans on Tax
A Prayer To Pay Higher Taxes
A piece of mine ran on the Op Ed Page of today's Philadelphia Inquirer. It makes a point that seems so obvious so me I'm astonished it is so rarely noted. To wit: When you have a progressive tax system, any sensible person should want to pay a higher tax rate on some income because that means he or she has earned enough to qualify to pay the higher rate. Here's the link … [Read more...] about A Prayer To Pay Higher Taxes
Finally: Leadership
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