Did you ever think there was a problem with the way men and women interact in geek and gaming culture? We think so too, and it's not what either the feminists or the conservative traditionalists think it is either. It's the way we demonize, marginalize, shame, and demean men and boys, and treat girls like dainty wilting flowers--and this mindset isn't just mainstream anymore, … [Read more...] about AVfM Radio: Tales from the Infrared debuts!
Is Your Re-Usable Bag Trying To Kill You ?
As someone who regularly uses the reusable grocery bags this study was not exactly encouraging. It seems they tested a bunch of bags and many of them were contaminated with all kinds of nasty bacteria up to and including E Coli. To be fair the study was sponsored by the 'American Chemistry Council' which presumably has an interest in continuing to sell plastic … [Read more...] about Is Your Re-Usable Bag Trying To Kill You ?
The David Petraeus Bimbo Eruption
WASHINGTON - As things stand right now, it's officially impossible to take the Petraeus - Broadwell - CIA - FBI - Eric Cantor heavy breathing over an alleged cyber threat seriously anymore. That it will be a major topic in President Obama's press conference today could prove a circus. Later, the agent became convinced — incorrectly, the official said — that the case had … [Read more...] about The David Petraeus Bimbo Eruption
Quote of the Day: “Americans Remain Moderate” Says Pew Research Center’s Kohut
Our political Quote of the Day comes from the Pew Research Center's Andrew Kohut, who notes that some of the poor election results for the Republican ticket was due to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney being an extremely weak candidate -- and the fact that Americans are basically moderate: Postelection talk of "lessons learned" is often exaggerated and misleading, and … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: “Americans Remain Moderate” Says Pew Research Center’s Kohut
68% Of US Voters See Global Warming As ‘Serious Problem’ (Guest Voice)
68% Of US Voters See Global Warming As ‘Serious Problem’ (via Clean Technica) This article was originally published on Climate Progress. It has been reposted with full permission (image added). Polls have consistently shown that Americans’ understanding of global warming grows with an increase in extreme weather events. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, that … [Read more...] about 68% Of US Voters See Global Warming As ‘Serious Problem’ (Guest Voice)
Clueless and Shirtless in the Sex Scandals
Petraeus revelations keep making a bad tale worse as Paula Broadwell’s ghost and Jill Kelley’s pet FBI agent trot onstage. If this be prurience, reader be patient, there is a larger point. Woman No. 1’s gush book was remarkable for its access to the CIA director, says her writing partner, a Washington Post editor who had no idea of how far it went. “I always wondered,” he … [Read more...] about Clueless and Shirtless in the Sex Scandals
Beltway Kabuki
With the election over we are now starting to focus on the fiscal cliff that we are supposed to fall over in December. We have people on both sides acting as if the world will end if their plans and proposals are not adopted. And it's all for show. At the risk of making a not very bold prediction I can give a pretty good idea of what will happen in the next couple of … [Read more...] about Beltway Kabuki
Secession Craziness (Really)
Updated: petitions from citizens in 49 states: 11:45 pm Pacific, 14 November It's the meme of week on Facebook: let's secede from the union! The Washington Times has reported that citizens have filed petitions on a White House website requesting that 23 states be allowed to secede. But the number is short. Almost every state has a petitioner. And news media: the states … [Read more...] about Secession Craziness (Really)
Voter Polarization? That’s For Ratings
Ever wonder why news organizations paint political contests as horse races? That's because it leads to prognostications (the more controversial the better) and that leads to eyeballs. But once again, Mark Newman, Department of Physics and Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan has created election maps that are not "winner take all" (zero-sum game) … [Read more...] about Voter Polarization? That’s For Ratings
On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking (Guest Voice)
On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking by Michael Winship Forty years ago, as a young, aspiring political operative, I was a staff member on Senator George McGovern’s presidential campaign. We thought we could beat Richard Nixon but famously lost every state in the union except Massachusetts (with the District of Columbia thrown in as a forlorn consolation … [Read more...] about On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking (Guest Voice)
Afghan Women Learn Literacy Through Mobile Phones
Afghan women learn literacy through mobile phones (via AFP) Afghanistan has launched a new literacy programme that enables Afghan women deprived of a basic education during decades of war to learn to read and write using a mobile phone. The phone is called Ustad Mobile (Mobile Teacher) and provides national curriculum courses in both national languages, … [Read more...] about Afghan Women Learn Literacy Through Mobile Phones
Conclusions from the 2012 Elections
The 2012 elections surprised both sides and hit a reset button on the Obama administration -- and American politics. Here are 10 conclusions: 1. So much for Citizens United destroying the fabric of America with big bucks automatically meaning victory. Billionaire Sheldon Adelson would have gotten more bang for his buck if he had visited The Chicken Ranch. 2. Republican … [Read more...] about Conclusions from the 2012 Elections
Looks Like the Election Effectively Threw Out Grover Norquist
Thank you for your sensible, pro-Obama vote and for the rescue of the Senate from the right. We have a number of nice prizes for you, voter. One of the prizes may well be the political death of Grover Norquist. ... The election was an overwhelming rejection of the the political philosophy advocated by Norquist and his allies. 24 Republican Senate incumbents and … [Read more...] about Looks Like the Election Effectively Threw Out Grover Norquist
Petraeus Scandal: Where Will Investigations Take Congress?
Petraeus scandal: Where will investigations take Congress? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Conspiracy theorists are offering all kinds of dark and convoluted guesses for why President Obama was not informed of the extramarital affair that brought down former CIA director David Petraeus until two days after the Nov. 6 elections. But in the end the explanation … [Read more...] about Petraeus Scandal: Where Will Investigations Take Congress?
As Rick Perry Said: “Oops…”
This is an x-rated "Oops." … [Read more...] about As Rick Perry Said: “Oops…”
Lame Ducks And Polar Bears
Congress returns to work today, and we'll once again be treated to a nearly endless series of "lame duck" proclamations. They have 16 days to accomplish something, or do nothing, or waddle somewhere in between. And despite what you've heard, it isn't all about the fiscal cliff (a term I already hate with something approaching a passion). Somewhere out there is a farm bill, … [Read more...] about Lame Ducks And Polar Bears
A Who’s Who of the Petraeus Military Sex Scandal
A Who's Who of the US military sex scandal (via AFP) The sex scandal that downed CIA chief David Petraeus has ensnared another top US general and is becoming ever more complex as it reverberates around the corridors of power in Washington. Here is a look at the main characters and the tangled web of intrigue that links them: GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS The… … [Read more...] about A Who’s Who of the Petraeus Military Sex Scandal
Petraeus Poor Judgement (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 Petraeus Poor Judgement (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: Bobby Jindal Joins Ranks of GOPers Edging and Urging Towards More Moderate
Republicans aren't shifting further to the center as fast as quickly or sharply as defeated Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney discarded past positions-- even NASCAR racers at the Daytona 500 can't move that fast -- but our Quote of the Day comes from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, whose comments to The Politico are indicative of an emerging parade of GOPers who are … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Bobby Jindal Joins Ranks of GOPers Edging and Urging Towards More Moderate
Israel Concerned about US Support Post-election (Guest Voice)
Israel concerned about US support post-election (via GlobalPost) Will there be a price for the perception that Netanyahu favored Romney? Abraham Rabinovich JERUSALEM — “Netanyahu gambled,” read a recent headline in the Tel Aviv daily Yediot Achronot. “We will pay.” The article by political commentator Sima Kadmon was referring to Prime Minister Benjamin… … [Read more...] about Israel Concerned about US Support Post-election (Guest Voice)