Here is the shocking story I hope you didn't miss. CNN’s Anderson Cooper reported on Wednesday night that U.S. Ambassador Stevens, who was killed in the 9-11 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, had been worried about the security threats, the ever growing Islamic extremism, and al-Qaeda's presence in Libya. Anderson reported that Stevens thought he might be on a hit list. Finally on … [Read more...] about CNN Finally Does The Right Thing With The Story Of Ambassador Stevens and His Diary (Update!)
Was True In Election 2008 and It Is Still True, I Am Sorry To Say
If they'd lived to see the GOP trainwreck in election 2008 and 2012, the Old School Conservatives would be twirling in their coffins. My dad, who passed about 15 years ago, was born in 1910 in Hungary and lived through the early 20th century world war and it's aftermath before he was able to struggle to come to Ah-meer-eekah. He was a conservative Independent all his life, … [Read more...] about Was True In Election 2008 and It Is Still True, I Am Sorry To Say
GOP Commits Voter Fraud to Block “Voter Fraud”
To win reelection, Barack Obama will have to overcome “the worst thing that has happened to our democratic election system since the late nineteenth century, when legislatures in southern states systematically negated the voting rights blacks had won in the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution.” That’s the considered opinion of Elizabeth Drew, whose award-winning … [Read more...] about GOP Commits Voter Fraud to Block “Voter Fraud”
Thriller ‘Homeland’ Dethrones ‘Mad Men’ at Emmys
Thriller 'Homeland' dethrones 'Mad Men' at Emmys (via AFP) Spy thriller "Homeland" won best TV drama at the Emmy awards, ending a four-year unbroken run for retro cult show "Mad Men", while "Modern Family" was named best comedy for the third straight year. Election campaign film "Game Change", about John McCain's Republican running mate Sarah Palin's … [Read more...] about Thriller ‘Homeland’ Dethrones ‘Mad Men’ at Emmys
Lesson Unlearned: The Prophet Transcends All Films or Cartoons (Le Monde, France)
Why are so many people across the Muslim world behaving violently, when The Prophet Muhammad, who they claim to revere, would condemn the murder and destruction being committed in his name? For France's Le Monde, author Tahar Ben Jelloun writes that most Muslims have come of age under regimes that have found it in their interests to paint individual liberty as a violation of … [Read more...] about Lesson Unlearned: The Prophet Transcends All Films or Cartoons (Le Monde, France)
Random Musings On The Autumnal Equinox & The Hapless Mitt Romney: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Sandy Hook is the most unusual of New Jersey's many fine beaches. This is because the Staten Island skyline is a mere 20 miles away and behind it loom lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Then there is the experience of floating in the ocean on one's back beyond the breakers while taking in the Statue of Liberty and looking skyward at a Lufthansa Airbus making its approach … [Read more...] about Random Musings On The Autumnal Equinox & The Hapless Mitt Romney: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Book Review: The Candidate: What it Takes to Win – and Hold – the White House by Samuel L. Popkin
There's a new political Bible out -- a political book that like the religious Bible is crammed with wisdom and rules that if followed offer a better (political) life. And you can bet your Granny's seat at a slot machine that both Camp Obama and Camp Romney are studying it. But are they following it? What more can you say about the credibility, solidness and critical … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Candidate: What it Takes to Win – and Hold – the White House by Samuel L. Popkin
Can This Election Settle Anything?
WASHINGTON -- The most important issue in the 2012 campaign barely gets discussed: How will we govern ourselves after the election is over? Elections are supposed to decide things. The voters render a verdict on what direction they want the country to take and set the framework within which both parties work. President Obama's time in office, however, has … [Read more...] about Can This Election Settle Anything?
Politicians While Eating Photos: NEVER a Pretty Sight (Photo Gallery)
I don't care who it is. Photos over the years of political candidates eating never shows their best side. They're all over the media -- and they're seldom lovely. To wit: This new AP photo of Obama inhaling a sausage: Vice President Joe Biden eating: OOPS! Wrong photo: Mitt Romney eats pork on a stick: An image that has been widely used on the … [Read more...] about Politicians While Eating Photos: NEVER a Pretty Sight (Photo Gallery)
Obama Brushes Off Israeli Pressure Over Iran
Obama brushes off Israeli pressure over Iran (via AFP) President Barack Obama likened Israeli pressure on him to draw a line in the sand over Iran's nuclear ambitions as noise he tries to ignore, according to remarks aired Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently urged the United States to establish what he called a "red line" regarding… … [Read more...] about Obama Brushes Off Israeli Pressure Over Iran
Five Ways Mitt Romney Can Still Win As Conservative Unease Grows
Is the growing conventional wisdom correct? Is Republican nominee Mitt Romney fated to be mentioned with tepidly received candidates doomed to defeat such as former Sen. Bob Dole (R) and former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis (D)? One of my favorite, most-solid political analysts is Marc Ambinder, who now writes an excellent blog on the equally excellent news magazine … [Read more...] about Five Ways Mitt Romney Can Still Win As Conservative Unease Grows
What Changed?
Over at The American Conservative Noah Millman has some observations on the swing to the Democrats the last two weeks. I have only become more convinced that what has changed the dynamics of this election has been a fundamental reevaluation not merely – or even primarily – of the two candidates, but of the two parties. This election is becoming nationalized, and it is becoming … [Read more...] about What Changed?
Will a Soldier’s Letter Change the Course of the Afghanistan War?
After being stung by criticism over their presidential nominee’s and their National Convention speakers’ lack of mention of the Afghanistan War and of the U.S. military, GOP hawks are now “urging Mitt Romney to separate himself from President Obama on Afghanistan and back an extended presence for U.S. troops in the country.” While president Obama continues to … [Read more...] about Will a Soldier’s Letter Change the Course of the Afghanistan War?
Pakistan Rejects Filmmaker Bounty as Muslims Keep Up Protest
Pakistan rejects filmmaker bounty as Muslims keep up protest (via AFP) Pakistan distanced itself Sunday from a cabinet minister's bounty for killing the maker of anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims", as protests against the movie continued from Turkey to Hong Kong. A spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf rejected the $100,000 (75,000-euro) … [Read more...] about Pakistan Rejects Filmmaker Bounty as Muslims Keep Up Protest
Comment Problems Identified
A large amount of legitimate comments have been blocked from being posted. This is due to recent site attacks and our security getting over-aggressive. This also caused our Comment Editing function to go completely AWOL as well. We are working with our website security partner Cloudflare to to resolve this. Please limit all comment tests to this post only. Thank … [Read more...] about Comment Problems Identified
‘Made in America’: More Attractive to Manufacturers
'Made in America' more attractive to manufacturers (via AFP) Watch out China and Canada, "Made in America" has an attractive ring to it these days. Four years after the height of the financial crisis, marked by a drastic drop in salaries, the United States is again finding favor among manufacturers. Out on the campaign trail ahead of the November 6 … [Read more...] about ‘Made in America’: More Attractive to Manufacturers
(Video) SNL Satirizes Ann Romney
SNL has a new political character who had a long bit on the show: Ann Romney: As usual, it'll mostly shake down where those who like Romney think this is unfunny, or out of line, and Democrats will think it's great. Independents may be more inclined to just look at it and judge it by its comedy value. But Michelle Obama is now making herself easy pickings for SNL now that … [Read more...] about (Video) SNL Satirizes Ann Romney
(Infographic) Has the War on Drugs Failed? (Guest Voice)
Has the war on drugs failed? Is it worth pursuing? This Guest Voice infographic argues it has been a failure: … [Read more...] about (Infographic) Has the War on Drugs Failed? (Guest Voice)
GOP Hawks Wants Romney to Take Tougher Line on Afghanistan: Extended Presence of U.S. Troops
President Barack Obama has long had a problem with his Democratic Party base because rather than immediately start pulling out of Afghanistan when he came into office he continued the American commitment to ending the conflict in what he argued was a more orderly way. Now, The Hill reports, some in the GOP are pressing for Republican nominee Mitt Romney to take a more hawkish … [Read more...] about GOP Hawks Wants Romney to Take Tougher Line on Afghanistan: Extended Presence of U.S. Troops
How Mitt Romney Is Raining on the Tea Party’s Parade
In the wake of the 47 percent quake, the ground is moving under Republican Senate and House candidates who only days ago seemed to have a lock on controlling Congress. The patter of feet scrambling away can be heard in Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut all the way to Nevada as GOP Senate seekers distance themselves from Romney world. Says Tommy Thompson, who … [Read more...] about How Mitt Romney Is Raining on the Tea Party’s Parade