In politics as well as culture, geography is becoming destiny. This month’s election, a study finds, brings New York and California Democrats the highest percentage ever of seats in the House despite continued Tea Party domination of the body. Blue opposition to John Boehner’s control will be bi-coastal, leaving huge red swaths inland. University of Minnesota analysts … [Read more...] about Blue/Red Divide: Coastal Flooding in Congress
My Answer to Homelessness in Seattle
I host a daily radio broadcast from the 15th floor of Blanchard Plaza in downtown Seattle. My commute to and from Seattle is about an hour and twenty minutes, give or take a rainy day or a carpool lane fender bender. I usually enter the heart of Seattle through the North I-5 Seneca exit. It's one of those left lane exits that confuses tourists and creates a fair amount of … [Read more...] about My Answer to Homelessness in Seattle
What Thanksgiving Is All About
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin Phebus, 83rd Network Operations Squadron first sergeant, stacks boxes of donated food at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Nov. 17, 2012. Phebus, as part of the Langley First Sergeants Council, is supporting Operation Warmheart which helps Langley Airmen during the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kimberly Nagle) First, a Happy … [Read more...] about What Thanksgiving Is All About
Fukushima lives: Today is the day
While the world stumbles towards longer wars in the Middle East, emerged from millennia-old enmities, a Japanese-born artist living in New York and a few friends are working to start a new foundation in the present moment to express the nurturing unity of human bonds. The accent, through artistic portrayals that break out and go beyond cultural boundaries, is on an … [Read more...] about Fukushima lives: Today is the day
Breaking Update: McCain’s Call for a Benghazi Select Committee
UPDATE IV: Read “McCain Backs Away From Benghazi Conspiracies” here. But is the bomb-bomb-bomb-Iran-man really backing away? Of course not. He'll find some other angle to continue to spout his bitterness and sour grapes. UPDATE III: CBS News Reports: CBS News has learned that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) cut specific … [Read more...] about Breaking Update: McCain’s Call for a Benghazi Select Committee
Longtime Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash Resigns As Second Accuser Files Lawsuit
BREAKING: Long time Elmo puppeteer, Kevin Clash, resigns from "Sesame Street" after a second accuser has come forward. This also comes as Sheldon Stephens, the young man he reportedly had a sexual relationship with, now says he wants to undo his recantation of their encounter occurring when he was underage. Kevin Clash had paid him $125,000 to settle the matter and to say the … [Read more...] about Longtime Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash Resigns As Second Accuser Files Lawsuit
Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in Gaza (Guest Voice)
Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in Gaza (via The Christian Science Monitor) Since Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006 and subsequently took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel has dealt with the "Islamic Resistance" through a policy of non-recognition, political isolation, and military containment. The recent … [Read more...] about Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in Gaza (Guest Voice)
Shameless Israel (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 Shameless Israel (Cartoon)
Is this the Next British Invasion? British Television Takes the States
Is this the Next British Invasion? British Television Takes the States (via Nvate) by Janet Martin There seems to be a certain trend in television these days. British-period drama “Downton Abbey” has won countless awards, including Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie at the 2011 Emmys. Three of the top ten television series on TV.com have roots in … [Read more...] about Is this the Next British Invasion? British Television Takes the States
Israel PM says Hand Held Out in Peace, Other Holds Sword
Israel PM says hand held out in peace, other holds sword (via AFP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Gaza's Hamas leaders to choose between peace and "the sword" on Tuesday as a diplomatic push intensified to end a week of violence in and around the strip. "Our hand is outstretched in peace to those of our neighbours who want to make peace with us," … [Read more...] about Israel PM says Hand Held Out in Peace, Other Holds Sword
Rep. Allen West (R-FL) Finally Concedes to Construction Executive Patrick Murphy
Tea Party darling Rep. Allen West concedes to Patrick Murphy after acting as though he was entitled to the seat. It was abundantly clear on Election night, November 6, 2012, that he had lost, but no, like the bully that he is, he demanded a recount. “For two weeks since Election Day, we have been working to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly. We have made … [Read more...] about Rep. Allen West (R-FL) Finally Concedes to Construction Executive Patrick Murphy
GOP Holiday Table: Lame Duck or Fresh Fowl?
Dispossession must be good for the soul. In final Senate days, Joe Lieberman adioses the Three Amigos on the McCain-Graham call for a special committee to investigate Benghazi attacks, as do other GOP colleagues. Meanwhile, McCain himself jumps for another spotlight by urging that the President send Bill Clinton to oversee cease fire talks between Israelis and Palestinians … [Read more...] about GOP Holiday Table: Lame Duck or Fresh Fowl?
“Companies that fail to fully fund their pension plans aren’t punished…”
I've been poking around the web, trying to figure out why news reports are ignoring that eight of the top 10 creditors in the Hostess case are pension funds. I've also been trying to figure out which government agency has oversight and why the company has been allowed to ignore its contractual obligation to its employees. Then I found this piece from McClatchy, March … [Read more...] about “Companies that fail to fully fund their pension plans aren’t punished…”
Clear Channel And Bain Capitol
Portland's only progressive talk radio station just went silent and guess who is responsible? If you guessed Bain Capitol you would be correct. Clear Channel quietly pruning scores of staff Owner of Toledo’s WSPD owes billions to Bain Capital Clear Channel, the largest radio station operator in the country, is partially owned by Bain Capital, which is the company founded … [Read more...] about Clear Channel And Bain Capitol
Christie Versus Rubio, Battle of the Un-Romney
WASHINGTON - In case you don't get what's going on here, there's a small 2012 post election window for all Republicans to take advantage of the I AM NOT MITT ROMNEY moment before 2016 pitches become unforgivably premature. In other similar news, Marco Rubio hits Iowa. Yes. Already. GQ has an interview with Senator Rubio for their December issue, which is online … [Read more...] about Christie Versus Rubio, Battle of the Un-Romney
Deforestation Risks Turning Somalia to Desert
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