The exodus of civilians fleeing the terror and tyranny in Syria has been massive and relentless. An estimated 35,000 displaced Syrians have fled the fighting and the massacre in their country and have sought refuge in camps in Turkey along the border with Syria. But recently, more military, including high-ranking officers and pilots -- at least one with his fighter jet -- … [Read more...] about Syrian Military Defections Continue — and Grow
The Negro Motorist
More history from an all but forgotten era. I find it fascinating that it was inspired by similar publications for Jews, given the generations of sometimes friendly, sometimes strained relationships between those communities but their shared experience of routine discrimination in that era. (This item cross-posted to Dean's World.) … [Read more...] about The Negro Motorist
Political Positioning: Obama Obama Calls for Bush Tax Cut Extensions for Those Making Less Than $250,000
A lot of what is going on in Congress and the White House is political positioning. For instance, do House Republicans REALLY think they can repeal Obama care (as Dan Quayle would say "No. N-o-e: No."). And does President Barack Obama REALLY think GOPers will go along with extend tax cuts to those making less than $250,000 but not to those making more money? President … [Read more...] about Political Positioning: Obama Obama Calls for Bush Tax Cut Extensions for Those Making Less Than $250,000
Obamacare And Republican Tax Ranting
Most Americans don't understand the tax aspects of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). And a good thing, too. At least from the Republican electioneering standpoint. If people understood that almost all the tax increases in this Act are targeted, that they take the form of a bigger Medicare tax (of less than one percent) that only applies to people making more than … [Read more...] about Obamacare And Republican Tax Ranting
The End of Democracy in a Democratic State
When did the Democratic Party stop believing in Democracy? The political party that is supposed to be for the common man, the political party who litigated the hand count in Florida during the 2000 presidential election cycle, has morphed into a Chesapeake Bay version of a Latin American dictatorship where having political self-determination lasts only as long as they allow … [Read more...] about The End of Democracy in a Democratic State
Will Pennsylvania go for Romney or Obama this fall?
Pennsylvania Republicans have plotted to turn PA totally red this November. One of the key steps in their scheme is the new Pennsylvania Voter ID law. There has been much fanfare from Republicans since the law was passed about how they were nobly protecting voters from fraud. That's been the usual public rap. One important Pennsylvania House Republican, however, gave away … [Read more...] about Will Pennsylvania go for Romney or Obama this fall?
Defense Update. Our Troops: They Fight, and Die, Too…
Previous Defense Updates have focused on the “gentle” side of our fighting men and women: Their love for family and children; their love and affinity for sports and athletics -- even after they have been badly injured in combat; their compassion for others during national disasters; their “human moments.” But lest we forget, our troops are first and foremost fighters who … [Read more...] about Defense Update. Our Troops: They Fight, and Die, Too…
Two Recent–and Related?–Internet Bullying Incidents
A storm started a few weeks ago in the video gaming community when a woman named Anita Sarkeesian posted this video: A virtual tidal wave ensued, with a bunch of trolls attacking her, most of it very angry, totally inappropriate and some downright sick. Now, having been the target of a lot of internet venom in my time, including out-of-context quotations of my work, … [Read more...] about Two Recent–and Related?–Internet Bullying Incidents
Here We Go Again
Could the recent revelation that Countrywide Financial bought influence in Washington by providing VIP loans to officials have surprised anyone? A report by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee last week described VIP loans to lawmakers, staffers and other powerful people in government given in the hope of blocking measures that would have curtailed … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again
GOP Vote on Obamacare Again
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP Vote on Obamacare Again
No-Charisma Contest for Mitt’s VP
Sarah Palin’s shadow is over Romney’s campaign in the final stages of selecting a running mate. Mindful of lessons from “Going Rogue” and “Game Change,” the search is producing a short list of those who won’t overshadow the nominee with their charisma. This tallest dwarf contest is said to be down to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. … [Read more...] about No-Charisma Contest for Mitt’s VP
A Great One
I have a hard time mourning when someone dies at 95. Ernest Borgnine died at 95 and had a long good life. I first remember him from McHale's Navy, a show I couldn't miss while I was in high school and college. It was latter I discovered his brilliant and Academy Award winning performance in Marty. Thank you Ernest Borgnine for the decades of great … [Read more...] about A Great One
When Bad Things Happen To Good Dogs. Yes, Yours Too: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
A photo montage of some of the Golden Retrievers in the author's life Some 71 million American households have at least one dog and the number is growing. We are increasingly making provisions for them in our wills, buying health insurance for them and pampering them with a dizzying array of special foods and nutritional supplements. Although all breeds of dogs, and … [Read more...] about When Bad Things Happen To Good Dogs. Yes, Yours Too: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
How Do You Lose Credibility?
How do you lose credibility? You lose it when you give awards like this one. … [Read more...] about How Do You Lose Credibility?
Bill Kristol Warns Romney Campaign Again: Offer Specifics
Presumptive Republican nominee is looking more presumptive every day -- even as leading conservatives and conservative news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal express concern to how he is running his campaign. Or not running it. The latest comes from The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, still a highly influential figure in top GOP circles. Kristol has offered warnings … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol Warns Romney Campaign Again: Offer Specifics
An Economics of National Pride
DENVER -- The path to the White House passes through the blue-collar communities in Ohio where President Obama campaigned last week -- and the middle-class suburbs of Colorado where he did well four years ago. The two states illustrate the imperative for both parties to assemble coalitions that cross class lines. Obama did precisely this in 2008. In Colorado, 58 … [Read more...] about An Economics of National Pride
Beyond Fundamentalism and Relativism
[This is the 8th in the series Religion and Science: A Beautiful Friendship.] The public…demands certainties… But there are no certainties. – H. L. Mencken, American journalist When we hear the word fundamentalist, images of fanatical proselytizers, religious extremists, and suicide bombers leap to mind. But I shall use the word more broadly to refer to any true … [Read more...] about Beyond Fundamentalism and Relativism
Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnine Dies At 95
Veteran actor Ernest "Ernie" Borgnine has died at the age of 95. Borgnine had one of the longest careers in Hollywood, from his first credited role in 1951 (playing a merchant marine/nightclub owner named Hu Chang) to a yet to be released role in the 2012 film The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (in which he plays Rex Page, a man bitter that he never became … [Read more...] about Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnine Dies At 95
Police State Chronicles
What would we say if these things happened in another country? Arrested for dancing in a subway station: “We were doing the Charleston,” Stern said. That’s when two police officers approached and pulled a “Footloose.” “They said, ‘What are you doing?’ and we said, ‘We’re dancing,’ ” she recalled. “And they said, ‘You can’t do that on the platform.’ ” The cops asked … [Read more...] about Police State Chronicles
So, Was Morgan Freeman ‘Wright’?
Evidently, in the post-racial America of President Barack Obama, only a black man can be a racist. Faux-KKK's greatest hit of 2008 We've see that too many times to count, and recounting here would be pointless. I'm going to reprint some clueless comments, but first I want to ask you: WHY were these picked up with such relish by the Rightie Blogosmear (understandable) and … [Read more...] about So, Was Morgan Freeman ‘Wright’?