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
No Joke, Not Kidding, Not Joshing Ya, Not the Onion: Sarah Palin for GOP Nominee in 2016?
No, this is jot a joke. Not kidding, not joshing ya, not The Onion. Esto no es un chiste y yo se que Vd. no puede creerlo. As the GOP is now reeling from an election campaign where it's clear failed Presidential candidate and increasingly self-discredited-by-mouth Mitt Romney ignored, turned off, or neglected to woo key growing groups the GOP needs to survive....as the GOP is … [Read more...] about No Joke, Not Kidding, Not Joshing Ya, Not the Onion: Sarah Palin for GOP Nominee in 2016?
Learning the Art of Giving, Japanese-style
Learning the art of giving, Japanese-style (via AFP) What matters at Christmas time is the spirit, right? For those yet to be convinced, a tiny Japanese pavilion in Paris offers to initiate Westerners to a 700-year-old gift-giving ritual known as Origata. You could hardly be further from the push and shove of the holiday shopping season: the tiny wood… … [Read more...] about Learning the Art of Giving, Japanese-style
Eight Journalists Wounded After Israeli Missile Strikes Gaza Media Center
Gaza media center hit by Israeli missile strike: Reuters: Israeli aircraft hit two Gaza media buildings on Sunday, wounding eight journalists and drawing concern from press covering the fighting between Palestinian militants and the Jewish state. The Israeli military said the attacks were pinpoint strikes on Hamas communication devices located on the buildings' roofs, and … [Read more...] about Eight Journalists Wounded After Israeli Missile Strikes Gaza Media Center
Millie Dalrymple: Her Final Flight
An article I wrote about “WASP” Millie Dalrymple a year ago concluded with the following “CODA”: I mentioned that America loses approximately 1,000 World War II Veterans every day. There are approximately two million of these brave men still alive today. There are less than 300 WASP still with us today. Too many of them on their "final approach" We must cherish each one … [Read more...] about Millie Dalrymple: Her Final Flight
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday Night Live (VIDEO)
Here's the video of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday Night Live: … [Read more...] about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday Night Live (VIDEO)
Rupert Murdoch Blasts the “Jewish Owned Press” for Not Being Pro-Israel Enough (UPDATED: Apologizes)
Our political Quote of the Day comes from media king Rupert Murdoch, who you can tell is a media King because unlike CNN's former anchor Rick Sanchez his career isn't in danger for taking a swipe at all those Jews he who he says owns the media and aren't giving the kind of coverage he would want or instruct on his holdings when it comes to coverage of Israel. His … [Read more...] about Rupert Murdoch Blasts the “Jewish Owned Press” for Not Being Pro-Israel Enough (UPDATED: Apologizes)
Twinkynomics: A Case Study In Romneynomics
Hostess Brands is out of business. It's in bankruptcy because its bakers union would not accept terms of a new contract which the company's hedge fund (a.k.a. vulture fund) debt holders demanded. These funds wanted as the price of keeping the company alive that its bakers accept an 8 percent pay cut and a 30 percent reduction in their benefits. The 18,000-member union stayed on … [Read more...] about Twinkynomics: A Case Study In Romneynomics