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
USA Today/Gallup Poll:: Most Want Romney to Release Additional Tax Returns
Running against a growing public opinion tide? It sure seems that way. A new USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that most Americans want Mitt Romney to release more tax returns: A majority of Americans, including almost a third of Republicans, say GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney should release more tax returns than the two years he has promised to disclose, a USA … [Read more...] about USA Today/Gallup Poll:: Most Want Romney to Release Additional Tax Returns
What You Are If You’re Interested in Mitt Romney’s Afghanistan Policy
QUESTION: What are you if you are interested in knowing presumptive Republican Mitt Romney's policy on Afghanistan policy? ANSWER (according to a Romney advisor): Then you're not a "real American." Another question: By this time is over, will the GOP tent be a pup tent (with the pup tied on the roof of a car going off a political cliff?). Yet another question: Who's … [Read more...] about What You Are If You’re Interested in Mitt Romney’s Afghanistan Policy
Problematic Libertarian Thinking
It's nice to see Libertarians regularly getting their message out in the marketplace of ideas. I often agree with libertarians, I have learned from libertarians, and I think they're an important voice. I respect libertarians. But I no longer consider myself a libertarian, in anything other I suppose than the small "l" sense. This video helps to display why: While I … [Read more...] about Problematic Libertarian Thinking
Ann Romney Says No More Tax Returns ‘We Have Given All You People Need To Know’
Ann Romney, wife of presumptive GOP presidential nominee, says they have given the public all they need to know about their finances. Um, really Ann? I didn't realize you were running for the White House. "You know, you should really look at where Mitt has led his life, and where he’s been financially," she said. "He’s a very generous person. We give 10 percent of our income … [Read more...] about Ann Romney Says No More Tax Returns ‘We Have Given All You People Need To Know’
Growing Reasoned Criticism of Anita Sarkeesian
The amount of rational, reasoned responses to Anita Sarkeesian's brand of feminism is growing. This is probably the most detailed and specific and biting so far: I have some friends contemplating doing a Kickstarter project on toxic and dishonest forms of feminism that infantalize women and demonize men. It should be interesting to see if that comes to life. One … [Read more...] about Growing Reasoned Criticism of Anita Sarkeesian
Will Pennsylvania go for Romney or Obama this fall? #2
From today's Philadelphia Inquirer - a quote from the ACLU about PA Voter ID: "The best antidote to voter suspicion would be for the commonwealth to publicly acknowledge what it has confessed . . . namely, that in-person voter fraud is nonexistent in Pennsylvania," wrote lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union's state branch along with... ... The groups noted that … [Read more...] about Will Pennsylvania go for Romney or Obama this fall? #2