Regardless of the political battles our politicians and the voters are engaged in during this elections season, our men and women in uniform continue to serve us and continue to do what they have been trained to do in near and far-away places, day and night and sometimes under fire. I found the following images -- starting with 24 young Marines taking the oath of enlistment … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Images of Our Military
The Magic of “Through The Wormhole”
I'm a complete and utter fan of The Science Channel's series Through The Wormhole hosted by Morgan Freeman. The entire way they present their material is completely engrossing to me and Morgan Freeman is the perfect host. The same way that Jack Palance (Ripley's Believe It Or Not), Carl Sagan (Cosmos), and Leonard Nimoy (In Search Of) completely became their shows, is how … [Read more...] about The Magic of “Through The Wormhole”
‘We Germans Have a Hard Time Understanding Why Americans would Vote for Romney’ (Financial Times Deutschland, Germany)
Would it be possible for a candidate for public office to be any more self-destructive than Mitt Romney has been? This Financial Times Deutschland editorial examines the now infamous video in which Romney dismisses half the electorate, and, indicating a preference for Obama, says that the way his campaign appears to have collapsed is 'more or less what we had hoped … [Read more...] about ‘We Germans Have a Hard Time Understanding Why Americans would Vote for Romney’ (Financial Times Deutschland, Germany)
Mitt Tells the Truth (Guest Voice)
Mitt Tells the Truth by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship Like everyone else, we watched the movie of the week – that clandestine video from Mitt Romney’s fundraiser in Florida. Thanks to that anonymous cameraperson, we now have a record of what our modern day, wealthy gentry really thinks about the rest of us -- and it’s not pretty. On the other hand, it’s also not … [Read more...] about Mitt Tells the Truth (Guest Voice)
Three Clues That a Person Has Violent Tendencies (Guest Voice)
3 Clues That a Person Has Violent Tendencies (via 21C Woman) Domestic violence is a problem in many homes, as well as relationships. But it is a problem that’s not often talked about. There are several reasons why people don’t like to talk about domestic violence. For one, they don’t want to have controversies tainting their name. Secondly, the abuse is… … [Read more...] about Three Clues That a Person Has Violent Tendencies (Guest Voice)
Walmart Aims for First India Store in 12-18 Months
Walmart aims for first India store in 12-18 months (via AFP) US giant Walmart said on Friday it aims to launch its first retail store in India within the next 18 months after the government opened the vast consumer market to foreign chains. "That is the plan -- to open (stores) in 12 to 18 months," a spokesman for the world's largest retailer by sales told … [Read more...] about Walmart Aims for First India Store in 12-18 Months
New Film Protests in Pakistan as Death Toll Rises to 21
New film protests in Pakistan as death toll rises to 21 (via AFP) Thousands of Islamist activists in Pakistan staged new demonstrations Saturday against a US-made anti-Islam film, as the death toll from the previous day's violent protests rose to 21. More than 5,000 protesters marched towards the parliament in Islamabad, including hundreds of women, chanting … [Read more...] about New Film Protests in Pakistan as Death Toll Rises to 21
Foxy Grandpas for the Presidential Race
Send in the good ole boys: Bill Clinton regales Jon Stewart while the GOP longs for a Reagan octogenarian to rescue Romney after the Clint Eastwood debacle. The Comeback Kid, now 66, basks in Daily Show kudos for his killer convention standup as prelude to plugging Walmart and other friends of his Global Initiative. The antic mind tries to conjure a future white-haired … [Read more...] about Foxy Grandpas for the Presidential Race
‘Prophet Mohammad Endured Personal Insults without Retaliating’ (The Grand Mufti, Egypt)
Should Muslims follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad and react to insult without violence? After weeks of spiraling violent protest, Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa has castigated those who are inciting Muslims to anger, and has advised followers of the Holy Prophet to act as he acted - and peacefully endure the insults of the misguided. Grand Muftu Ali Gomaa writes in … [Read more...] about ‘Prophet Mohammad Endured Personal Insults without Retaliating’ (The Grand Mufti, Egypt)
Romney’s Lost 60 Minutes Opportunity? My Campaign Doesn’t Need a Turnaround
CBS 60 Minutes has been proven to be a potential game-changer. It has a monster audience (far bigger than a Fox News or MSNBC or CNN audience). It gets viewers of all -- or no -- political parties. An interview on the program can most assuredly influence perceptions, solidify or change existing ones. And, after viewing this snippet from the 60 Minutes interview with Republican … [Read more...] about Romney’s Lost 60 Minutes Opportunity? My Campaign Doesn’t Need a Turnaround
Greek State Tries to Stem Neo-Nazi Rise
Greek state tries to stem neo-Nazi rise (via AFP) Following its unprecedented election to parliament, Greece's neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn has been engaged in 'law and order' crackdowns and solidarity gestures that have boosted its popularity, alarming the state. In recent weeks the once-fringe group has organised Greeks-only food handouts and blood… … [Read more...] about Greek State Tries to Stem Neo-Nazi Rise
When Campaign Politics Turn Vicious, What Voters Can Do (Guest Voice)
When campaign politics turn vicious, what voters can do (via The Christian Science Monitor) For voters tempted to ignore the 2012 election because of too many passionate, personal attacks by candidates, here’s a bit of advice – and it comes from someone who saw it first in American politics: “In causes of passion, admit reason to govern,” wrote George Washington … [Read more...] about When Campaign Politics Turn Vicious, What Voters Can Do (Guest Voice)
Worst Campaign Ever? (Guest Voice)
Worst Campaign Ever? Raging Moderate, by Will Durst It's time to start worrying about Mitt Romney. Seriously. The guy may just be running the worst campaign ever. And yes, that includes the McDLT, print ads for organic hemp underwear and France in '39. Not to mention McCain/Palin in '08. Which currently holds the gold standard for lousy campaigns. Sure to be a Hall of Fame … [Read more...] about Worst Campaign Ever? (Guest Voice)
Monica Lewinsky Writing Tell-All Book: But Why?
Monica Lewisky -- the White House intern whose dalliance with then-President Bill Clinton led to his impeachment and to the transformation of Matt Drudge into an Internet powerhouse -- is now writing a tell-all book. Is it political -- or are there other reasons? Newsy.com looks at the story; … [Read more...] about Monica Lewinsky Writing Tell-All Book: But Why?
Missing But Not Forgotten
Today, September 21, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. It is a day to remember and honor the more than 83,000 missing service members from wars and conflicts as far back as World War II. As a result of resolutions passed in Congress, the first official commemoration of POW/MIAs was in 1979, when the first national ceremony was held. The observance is one of six … [Read more...] about Missing But Not Forgotten
Romney’s Release of 2011 Tax Returns Keeps Romney the Person Going as the Big Issue
Will the next week be a broken record? Will next week be yet another week when the main issue and news focus of Presidential campaign 2012 isn't really the economy, or jobs, or immigration reform, or Libya, or whether Barack Obama delivered on hope and change and why he didn't or didn't, or the national debt? Will it be yet another week with a debate -- or furor -- swirling … [Read more...] about Romney’s Release of 2011 Tax Returns Keeps Romney the Person Going as the Big Issue
Sen. Harry Reid Accuses Mitt Romney of Manipulating 2011 Tax Returns, Galled to See ‘Creative Accounting’
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is calling Mitt Romney out again, accusing him of manipulating his tax returns and those tax summaries he released today. Um, even Republican strategist Alex Castellanos was shocked about the summaries instead of tax returns, asking if it was an April Fool's prank. Romney released his 2011 tax return but released summaries for the other years, … [Read more...] about Sen. Harry Reid Accuses Mitt Romney of Manipulating 2011 Tax Returns, Galled to See ‘Creative Accounting’
Romney and the Republican’s Imagination
Joe Klein has a great piece up, The Imaginary Campaign On Aug. 31, the night after the Clint Eastwood empty-chair colloquy at the Republican Convention, Jon Stewart identified the radioactive ingredient that would provide the fuel for Mitt Romney's September meltdown. The Republicans, he noted on The Daily Show, were suffering from "cognitive dissonance." Like … [Read more...] about Romney and the Republican’s Imagination
Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan in 2005: Social Security is a Welfare Transfer System
"Social Security right now is a collectivist system, it's a welfare transfer system." -- Rep. Paul Ryan in a 2005 audio talking about privatizing the "socialist-based system" or social security, "personalizing" it. (From Buzz feed) That would be the same Social Security program his mother gets a monthly check from. Well, had he made that statement during his speech at … [Read more...] about Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan in 2005: Social Security is a Welfare Transfer System
Gallup Poll: U.S. Distrust in Media Hits New High
And so the trend of distrust of the media continues to grow. Gallup: Americans' distrust in the media hit a new high this year, with 60% saying they have little or no trust in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly. Distrust is up from the past few years, when Americans were already more negative about the media than they had been in years prior … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: U.S. Distrust in Media Hits New High