Election day may be marked, this time around, by legal skirmishes across the country -- on "last-minute legal battles over when and how ballots should be cast and counted," according to a report in the Times. In the last few weeks, nearly a dozen decisions in federal and state courts on early voting, provisional ballots and voter identification requirements have driven the … [Read more...] about Election May Be Decided in the End by the Courts
Romney’s Dream World
As he Meets the Press, sort of, the Republican standard bearer shows how much of a bubble he’s inhabiting. In a pre-taped travesty of being grilled by journalists, Mitt Romney burbles with admiration of Bill Clinton’s convention speech while taking digs at the President. “I don’t want to keep bringing it down as the president’s doing,” he says. “This sequestration idea … [Read more...] about Romney’s Dream World
Obama’s Advantage, Romney’s Openings
WASHINGTON -- Normally, a president presiding over 8 percent unemployment and a country that sees itself on the wrong track wouldn't stand a chance. But then a candidate with Mitt Romney's shortcomings, including his failure to ignite much enthusiasm within his own party, wouldn't stand a chance, either. The combination of the two explains why this election remains … [Read more...] about Obama’s Advantage, Romney’s Openings
Human Trafficking: A Misunderstood Global Scourge (Guest Voice)
Human trafficking: a misunderstood global scourge (via The Christian Science Monitor) During a diplomatic visit to Calcutta, India, in May, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stopped at a shelter for young women and girls. It was not an ordinary shelter, but one with a specific mission – a mission Ms. Clinton wanted reporters to broadcast to Americans … [Read more...] about Human Trafficking: A Misunderstood Global Scourge (Guest Voice)
Get Ready Here It Comes: Partisan Motif Over Biden and the Female Biker?
SIGH. I can just see what's coming without seeing the ideological talk shows...and I can hear what's coming without hearing the talk radio hosts...and I can just anticipate the partisan chest beating and (trumped up, excuse the expression) outrage over the saga of Joe Biden and the female biker. Why -- yep, you guessed it -- as the Newsy.com summary below notes -- some on … [Read more...] about Get Ready Here It Comes: Partisan Motif Over Biden and the Female Biker?
Why Republicans Are Shamelessly Playing The Race Card & Why That Will Backfire: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Time for a super-sized reality check, folks: It has been nearly 150 years since Abraham Lincoln, once but no longer the Republican Party's greatest hero, emancipated the slaves. Yet the inheritors of Lincoln's mantle have concluded that the only way to defeat Barack Obama in what is shaping up to be the most important election since 1932 in determining the future course of … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Are Shamelessly Playing The Race Card & Why That Will Backfire: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Attack Ad Mania: Comedy Central Launches Attack Ads Against Fox News and CNN (Video)
Hey, it's bound to happen, isn't it? What if a cable network launched attack ads on another cable network much as politicians -- who increasingly enrich consultants and ad mavens -- now do? Here's Comedy Central's attack ads against Fox News and CNN. Two things (1) WHAT? No MSNBC? and (2) Life could one day imitate art. I could forsee Fox News getting more aggressive with … [Read more...] about Attack Ad Mania: Comedy Central Launches Attack Ads Against Fox News and CNN (Video)
Don Lemon’s Lively Interview with Wasserman Schultz
I've long contended (in some posts and in many conversations with friends and my former newspaper coworkers) that legitimate follow up questions in interviews seem on the wane. Instead, we have ideological talk show hosts or ideological news talk shows anchors on networks who either act as p.r. guides to people of their own party and prosecuting attorneys to people of the … [Read more...] about Don Lemon’s Lively Interview with Wasserman Schultz
Scott Van Duzer, Owner of Big Apple Pizza in Ft. Pierce, Lifts President Obama Off Feet with Bear Hug
Scott Van Duzer, owner of the Big Apple Pizza & Pasta Restaurant in Ft. Pierce lifted President Obama off his feet with a bear hug when he stopped by his restaurant Sunday afternoon, the White House pool report said: "Scott, what's going on man," Potus shouted as he came through the door. "Scott, let me tell you, you are like the biggest pizza shop owner I've ever … [Read more...] about Scott Van Duzer, Owner of Big Apple Pizza in Ft. Pierce, Lifts President Obama Off Feet with Bear Hug
Will Defecting From the GOP Help Ron Paul’s Supporters Take It Over?
Over the last year, many of Paul's supporters have claimed that the GOP can't win without them. That's either a threat or a promise. As any parent knows, neither should be made emptily. Following all of the shenanigans against them throughout the primary season, and the RNC's decision in Tampa to alienate them completely, Paul's supporters have been considering how to vote … [Read more...] about Will Defecting From the GOP Help Ron Paul’s Supporters Take It Over?
U.S. Military Finish Proudly in the 2012 London Paralympics
Our 20 American active duty military and veterans have performed so magnificently at the London 2012 Paralympic Games that it has been difficult to keep up with the number of medals they have won. As of last count, and possibly subject to revision upwards, these 20 athletes have racked up at least 11 individual and team medals -- at least three of them gold. If one were … [Read more...] about U.S. Military Finish Proudly in the 2012 London Paralympics
Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (Guest Voice)
Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (via 21C Woman) Autistic spectrum disorders can be difficult for children to understand. An autistic child may look perfectly normal on the outside, but could behave in a way that seems aggressive, rude, unfriendly, or just plain odd to other children in the school yard. Adults, especially those trained in autism… … [Read more...] about Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (Guest Voice)
We’re In This Together (Guest Voice)
We're In This Together by Peter Funt The Democrats' convention in Charlotte tackled two key questions for undecided voters. Are we better off than we were four years ago? What can we expect in President Obama's second term? Central to both questions is the word "we." While individuals who have lost jobs or suffered serious personal setbacks are certainly worse off, … [Read more...] about We’re In This Together (Guest Voice)
The Manipulation of DNC Coverage by a Cabal of Bloggers
At Least One Other Journalist ‘Gets It.’ David Weigel is a self-described 'libertarian.' As such, media manipulation and blatant propaganda don't seem to bother him. He writes this reverential and even posterior-osculating piece that shows up on Memeorandum today: The Age of Trolling How a small band of conservatives generated half of the Democratic Convention’s … [Read more...] about The Manipulation of DNC Coverage by a Cabal of Bloggers
Why Have Millions of Americans Given Up Looking for Work?
Why have millions of Americans given up looking for work? (via The Christian Science Monitor) A day after Democrats finished their convention in Charlotte, “the hangover” began, quipped GOP nominee Mitt Romney. That would be the US jobs picture, which not only shows few signs of improving, but is starting to look to many economists like a new normal. New jobs … [Read more...] about Why Have Millions of Americans Given Up Looking for Work?
Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y’all? (Guest Voice)
Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y'all? by Danny Tyree According to the Associated Press, on November 6 Arkansas will become the first southern state to let voters decide whether they want to legalize medical uses for marijuana. Backers hope success in the Razorback State will lead to a domino effect of resistance fading in other parts of the old Confederacy. As a … [Read more...] about Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y’all? (Guest Voice)
In Looming Federalism Fight, Three States Say Feds Can’t ‘Unmarry’ Gay Couples (Guest Voice)
In looming federalism fight, three states say feds can't 'unmarry' gay couples (via The Christian Science Monitor) Three states where members of the clergy and justices of the peace today marry gay couples argued on Friday that it’s a violation of states’ rights for the federal government to then “unmarry” those people under the 1996 Defense of … [Read more...] about In Looming Federalism Fight, Three States Say Feds Can’t ‘Unmarry’ Gay Couples (Guest Voice)
Romney, Kennedy Dynasty Watch
A not very American idea comes up as Joe Kennedy III goes from a tribute to his great-uncle Ted at the Democratic convention to a primary victory for Barney Franks’ House seat days after Mitt Romney accepts a nomination his father had sought before him. Our culture accepts inherited wealth but has mixed feelings about passing down political power. Yet here we are, with not … [Read more...] about Romney, Kennedy Dynasty Watch
Romney Plays God Card in Swing State Struggle (Guest Voice)
Romney plays God card in swing state struggle (via AFP) Republican Mitt Romney thrust God to the center of the White House race, in a culture war strike that prompted Barack Obama's team to brand him extreme and divisive. Romney appeared Saturday with televangelist Pat Robertson in the key swing state of Virginia, and seized upon the row at last week's… … [Read more...] about Romney Plays God Card in Swing State Struggle (Guest Voice)
Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Obama widens lead over Romney despite jobs data
More signs of a bounce for President Barack Obama in the wake of the Democratic National Convention. The latest poll: President Barack Obama, picking up support following the Democratic National Convention, widened his narrow lead over Republican U.S. presidential challenger Mitt Romney in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Saturday. The latest daily tracking poll … [Read more...] about Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Obama widens lead over Romney despite jobs data