Editor's Note: A Head's Up: I place inside this post the image of a real gunshot victim, as the intellectualized talk on the blogosphere takes over the grit of this situation that will remain 'a situation' for many months forward. The image is the ground zero, 'the point of entry' to this entire slaughter in Aurora Colorado, sister city to Denver. We who live here and those … [Read more...] about Bill Moyers: The NRA Has America Living under the Gun (Guest Voice)
San Diego UT: Arrested Colorado Shooter James Holmes Was Known as “Quiet Unassuming”
My journalistic alma mater the San Diego Union-Tribune has a fascinating article written by Peter Rowe and John Wilkens on accused Colorado theater murderer James Holmes, yet another example of a report that underscores how we may have walking-time-bomb people living among us. Here's the first part of it: He was as quiet and unassuming as the middle-class North County … [Read more...] about San Diego UT: Arrested Colorado Shooter James Holmes Was Known as “Quiet Unassuming”
The X-47B: Killing without ‘Scruple or Conscience’ (News, Switzerland)
Without getting into the politics, I want to express my personal solidarity with all of those, who through no fault of their own, have been affected by the massacre in Colorado yesterday. It is so frustrating to witness events like this and to have the unpleasant sense that nothing will be done beyond the expression of comforting words for the dead. I hope we can all come … [Read more...] about The X-47B: Killing without ‘Scruple or Conscience’ (News, Switzerland)
Iraqi Refugees: Will the Misery Ever End? (Update)
UPDATE: As has been reported, it is not only Iraqis who are fleeing Syria. The New York Times reports that between 8,500 and and 30,000 Syrians have fled to Lebanon in the last 48 hours alone, most of them coming from Damascus. This is on top of the 112,000 Syrians who have previously registered as refugees in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan and “ many thousands more … [Read more...] about Iraqi Refugees: Will the Misery Ever End? (Update)
Margin Call
I watched the movie Margin Call tonight. It is a fictional account of what went on at Lehman Brothers when it collapsed. A respected financial company is downsizing and one of the victims is the risk management division head, who was working on a major analysis just when he was let go. His protégé completes the study late into the night and then frantically calls his … [Read more...] about Margin Call
Toronto To Aurora, Close The Circle of Fire
Roger Ebert on the shootings in Aurora: Should this young man — whose nature was apparently so obvious to his mother that, when a ABC News reporter called, she said “You have the right person” — have been able to buy guns, ammunition and explosives? The gun lobby will say yes. And the endless gun control debate will begin again, and the lobbyists of the National Rifle … [Read more...] about Toronto To Aurora, Close The Circle of Fire
(Not So) Happy Moon Day 2012
Usually, this is an annual post I can kind of phone in. Naturally, the shootings last night upset that comforting assumption, as life has a disturbing tendency to do. Death stalks us at every moment, and tragedy is only a slip away. I will write about the horror of this day some other time. Not a very happy Moon Day, 2012. But Happy Moon Day, nonetheless... Perhaps the … [Read more...] about (Not So) Happy Moon Day 2012
A New Deal for Science and Religion
[This is the 14th in the series Religion and Science: A Beautiful Friendship.] Those who argue that religion should be counted out are overlooking the role that religious leaders played in overcoming segregation in America, repealing apartheid in South Africa, and ending the communist dictatorship in Poland and Central Europe. That religion has not always lived up to its own … [Read more...] about A New Deal for Science and Religion
Cartoonists React to Colorado Shooting (Cartoon Roundup)
Newspaper cartoonists are beginning to react to the Colorado shooting tragedy. Here is a cross section. NOTE: these cartoons CANNOT be reproduced on websites or weblogs without licensing. Colorado Batman Murderer: Colorado Theater Shootings: Aurora Theater Shooting: Massacres R Us: Aurora Theater Shooting: The Latest: LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: … [Read more...] about Cartoonists React to Colorado Shooting (Cartoon Roundup)
The Gag Rule on Guns
WASHINGTON -- For all the dysfunction in our political system, a healthy pattern usually takes hold when a terrible tragedy seizes the nation's attention. Normally, we engage in a searching conversation over what rational steps can be taken by individuals, communities and various levels of government to make the recurrence of a comparable tragedy less likely. Sometimes … [Read more...] about The Gag Rule on Guns
Live CBS Colorado Coverage of Colorado Shootings (Live Streaming VIDEO)
CBS News is offering this live coverage from its Colorado affiliate: … [Read more...] about Live CBS Colorado Coverage of Colorado Shootings (Live Streaming VIDEO)
‘I Say All The Time That Every Moment We Have To Live Our Life Is A Blessing’-A Tribute to Jessica Ghawi (Redfield)
It's not a day for politics. It is only a day for sorrow and prayer. My prayer goes out to all the families of the victims of the Aurora Colorado shooting. But I was especially touched my one young man on twitter who lost his sister, Jessica Ghawi (Redfield), in the shooting. His name is Jordan Ghawi, he is a firefighter/paramedic here in Texas. His blog is here. Today he … [Read more...] about ‘I Say All The Time That Every Moment We Have To Live Our Life Is A Blessing’-A Tribute to Jessica Ghawi (Redfield)
ALLEGED SHOOTER JAMES HOLMES HAS BOOBYTRAPPED HIS APARTMENT: 5 Buildings filled to overflowing with families evac’d
Skilled bomb teams pulled up various 'shield' vehicles to James Holmes apartment and through a window, threaded in cameras on long booms to skry the interior of the apartment. The Chief of police held an immediate news conference just now, and you can see he is fraying a bit in aggravation toward the aggressive news media. He said that he was only going to speak about very … [Read more...] about ALLEGED SHOOTER JAMES HOLMES HAS BOOBYTRAPPED HIS APARTMENT: 5 Buildings filled to overflowing with families evac’d
Romney Runs, But Can He Hide?
Even before his choice of VP, GOP strategists have their Great White Hope in modified crouch, a version of the 2008 Sarah Palin strategy: keeping him under cover while furors over Bain Capital and his tax returns have Mitt Romney reeling on the defensive. He surfaces this week only twice, in Ohio and New Hampshire, then goes into hiding before a trip to Israel, England and … [Read more...] about Romney Runs, But Can He Hide?
James Holmes in Police Custody After Shooting Rampage at “Dark Knight Rises’ Premiere in Aurora CO
NEWSFLASH: James Holmes is in police custody for the shooting rampage at showing of new Batman movie, "Dark Knight Rises." Twelve dead, scores injured, including three month old baby. The suspect's apartment building has been evacuated. James Holmes, 24, of Aurora, has been identified as a white male, whose only brush with the law was a traffic ticket in 2011. He was … [Read more...] about James Holmes in Police Custody After Shooting Rampage at “Dark Knight Rises’ Premiere in Aurora CO
Ann Romney Defines Herself
WASHINGTON - IT'S NOT REALLY what Ann Romney said, as much as how her interview came off, which is why "[you] people" went viral, like a political heat seeking missile ricocheting through the new media system at super sonic speed. For a lot of people now, Ann Romney has been defined. I can't serve you cake, but it's the dish of the day. By 54%-37%, they say Romney should … [Read more...] about Ann Romney Defines Herself
TIME-TESTED POST-TRAUMA RECOVERY PROTOCOL: For those affected by the massacre at the movie theatre: Here is how to take care of yourself.
I just saw a young soul, a beefy black man, on local network tv who was in the theatre and was trying to explain what had happened, and was shaking like a leaf, saying he had already called the help line set up for victims and survivors and they told him his symptoms were "normal" and it would take about a week to 'get over' those. If that's really what he was told, he ought to … [Read more...] about TIME-TESTED POST-TRAUMA RECOVERY PROTOCOL: For those affected by the massacre at the movie theatre: Here is how to take care of yourself.
(UPDATE II) Mitt’s Tax Return Problem: ‘I Love The Smell Of Republican Panic In The Morning’
The 2012 tilt will be the 11th (count 'em) presidential campaign that I have been involved with as a reporter, editor or blogger. That bit of lineage noted, I cannot recall anything remotely resembling the spitstorm -- in which powerful Republicans and now a majority of voter have joined the Obama campaign and news media -- in criticizing Mitt Romney over his continuing … [Read more...] about (UPDATE II) Mitt’s Tax Return Problem: ‘I Love The Smell Of Republican Panic In The Morning’
Dateline: Aurora Colorado just outside Denver: 12 murdered in midnight showing of Batman, The Dark Knight Rises, 50 additional people shot… injuries include children as young as 6 years old, and 3 months old (Afternoon UPDATES including VIDEOS)
[EDITOR's NOTE: See the bottom of this post for the latest updates. UPDATE: Among those shot are one Navy officer and two Reservists. UPDATE: People rose early to the news here, and have lined up at the Bonfils blood bank to donate blood. The call has been made for O negative and A negative and for platletts. They've used for the 50 victims nearly 300 pints of blood, … [Read more...] about Dateline: Aurora Colorado just outside Denver: 12 murdered in midnight showing of Batman, The Dark Knight Rises, 50 additional people shot… injuries include children as young as 6 years old, and 3 months old (Afternoon UPDATES including VIDEOS)
Romney Bashing at The American Conservative
What amazes me is some of the most effective Romney bashing is going on at The American Conservative magazine. Daniel Larison has been bashing his foreign policy with some help by social conservative Rod Dreher. And todayJames Pinkerton and Noah Millman are blasting his economic policy. … [Read more...] about Romney Bashing at The American Conservative