ROBERT HUNTER AND JERRY GARCIA One of the things that make the great classic songs so special is that when they are interpreted by great contemporary artists they can become greater still. The works of Cole Porter, Hoagie Carmichael and Ellie Greenwich as covered by artists ranging from Linda Ronstadt to Willie Nelson to Elvis Costello come to mind, but this … [Read more...] about ‘Check It Out. What Are You Saying? What Are You Playing?’: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Book Review: “Dog on the Roof: On the Road with Mitt and Mutt”
It's election year and get ready for the stream of political satire and partisan humor books. And what better -- and more fun and funny -- example can you point to than "Dog on the Roof On the Road with Mitt and Mutt" by satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin with wonderful illustrations by Colleen Clapp? Life may be a bitch (and political life a lot bitchier) but this book … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Dog on the Roof: On the Road with Mitt and Mutt”
Obama Meets With Colorado Theater Shooting Victims’ Families (VIDEO)
President Barack Obama met with the families of victims of the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shootings. Here are his comments -- it's not a speech but some heartfelt words -- after he visited with the famlies and the wounded in the hospital. NBC News video: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Obama Meets With Colorado Theater Shooting Victims’ Families (VIDEO)
LIVE VIDEO FEED: Colorado Grieves in Vigil for Aurora Movie Theater Killings
Here's a live video feed of the public vigil grieiving who were murdered while in a movie theater watching the latest installment of "Batman": Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about LIVE VIDEO FEED: Colorado Grieves in Vigil for Aurora Movie Theater Killings
The Consquences of Political Hack Hate: Anthony Weiner’s Wife Placed Under Guard
When public officials decide to hit the hot buttons and play Joseph McCarthy there can be uninteinded consequences. And if they also decide to throw racial or religious bigotry red meat out there it could be even more perilous for their targets. To wit, the New York Post (hardly considered a liberal mouthpiece) reports: Police and federal officials have placed security … [Read more...] about The Consquences of Political Hack Hate: Anthony Weiner’s Wife Placed Under Guard
Some Sunday Afternoon Wisdom From Mr. Rogers
A bit of wisdom from Mr. Rogers for this quiet, reflective Sunday afternoon "If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." Wise words worth heeding, for if we do leave something of … [Read more...] about Some Sunday Afternoon Wisdom From Mr. Rogers
Peace Dividend: A Model of Morality
[This is the 15th in the series Religion and Science: A Beautiful Friendship.] Somebodies and Nobodies Bullying has always bothered me. Not just being bullied, though that too of course. I mean the phenomenon of bullying, in all its forms. I think bullying troubles everyone, even the bullies themselves. No one wants to be pushed around, to be forced to act against one’s … [Read more...] about Peace Dividend: A Model of Morality
The Aurora Shootings
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 The Aurora Shootings
Good Advice
Always remember to listen to good advice. Here's one of the late Allan Sherman's BEST and least known songs on the issue of advice: … [Read more...] about Good Advice
Rupert Murdoch Tweets Support for Gun Control
Conservative media baron Rupert Murdoch has Tweeted his support for gun control: Rupert Murdoch ?@rupertmurdoch We have to do something about gun controls. Police license okay for hunting rifle or pistol for anyone without crim or pscho record. No more I guess this makes him a short-sighted, liberal, tree hugger. Or are some things too important to remain in the … [Read more...] about Rupert Murdoch Tweets Support for Gun Control
Should Government Sources Be Given the Right to Clear or Alter Quotes as an Interview Condition?
And so it looks like a bar is being lowered again. Should government sources be given the right to clear and alter quotes as a CONDITION for being interviewed? Once upon a time an editor would reply to such a suggestion by saying, "Yeah, right: in your dreams!" But that isn't what is being said all the time now. And McClatchy Newspaper's Washington bureau has drawn a line in … [Read more...] about Should Government Sources Be Given the Right to Clear or Alter Quotes as an Interview Condition?
Rupert Murdoch is Letting Go
According to Daily Intel, Rupert Murdoch letting go of his positions on boards and separating his publishing business in the UK from his "lucrative, U.S.-based entertainment ventures" from his "scandal-ridden and money-losing publishing operations" in Britain. ... Things don't look good for the Rupert and his beloved U.K. rags — or Rupert's general presence in the U.K., … [Read more...] about Rupert Murdoch is Letting Go
Colorado Rose Coloured Glasses
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 Colorado Rose Coloured Glasses
‘Violence and Barbarism’ in Retrograde United States (La Jornada, Mexico)
Has what looks to the rest of the world like a fanatical gun culture diminished the United States as a beacon of civilization? This editorial from Mexico's La Jornada asserts that thanks to special interests like the gun lobby, 'the ominous inertia so prevalent in the politics, economy and culture of that country' is making the U.S. more dangerous to itself and other nations - … [Read more...] about ‘Violence and Barbarism’ in Retrograde United States (La Jornada, Mexico)
The Weaponry James Holmes Used: AR15, GLock 40 Cal, Remington 870
I am amazed at how many online and MSmedia journos and pundits, bloggers and facebook and twitter folks... have no idea about caliber nor shooting power of firearms, automatic, semi-automatic. Nor about the horror of devastating bodily destruction from bullets. Many appear to have no horrific images/memories in their minds, no gun oil on their hands, but plenty of dry dust … [Read more...] about The Weaponry James Holmes Used: AR15, GLock 40 Cal, Remington 870
Quote Of The Day
The quote of the day comes from former Reagan cabinet member and former Republican Bruce Bartlett. It stands to reason that if cuts in defense spending cost jobs, then cuts in nondefense spending also cost jobs. And if spending cuts cost jobs, then spending increases must be able to create them. Go to the link and read the entire thing. … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day
Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office Releases Names of Victims in Aurora Shooting Rampage
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office has released the names of victims killed in Friday's shooting at an Aurora theater during the premiere of "Dark Knight Rises." Gun advocate and enthusiast actor Stephen Baldwin told CNN's Don Lemon a red flag should have gone up when James Holmes purchased 6,000 rounds and equipment in such a short period of time. He said the Patriot Act put … [Read more...] about Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office Releases Names of Victims in Aurora Shooting Rampage
Defense Update: Military Casualties in the Aurora Tragedy (Updates)
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Jajuan Mangual adjusts the national ensign on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to half-mast in remembrance of the victims and families impacted by the July 20 shooting at the Century 16 theatre in Aurora, Colo. President Obama ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff Friday to honor victims … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Military Casualties in the Aurora Tragedy (Updates)
Shots in the American Dark
Once again psychotic rage rises up to preempt our attention. Real blood splatters innocents enjoying movie mayhem and sets off another round of parsing a twisted soul’s life and motives. In coming days, curiosity about the “Batman” killer will sweep aside everyday anxieties to swamp us with unanswerable questions about mental illness, popular culture, gun control and the … [Read more...] about Shots in the American Dark
Randomness and Human Events: Reflecting on Aurora
I teach a Modern Western Civilization course a few times every year at my small liberal arts college in Tennessee and have been doing that this summer as well. Though I'm an American historian by training, I always enjoy the chance to pull the lens back and examine the larger forces at work that shape both American and global (not exclusively Western) history. It offers a … [Read more...] about Randomness and Human Events: Reflecting on Aurora