With the Obama campaign just now starting to get into full swing, and starting to define its opponent (a key task of any presidential campaign), Mitt Romney has taken a lot of heat lately over his work at Bain Capital. It started during the Republican primaries, if you recall, when his Republican opponents, desperate to find something to bring him down, used Bain to brand … [Read more...] about Romney at Bain is Fair Game
Take A Peek: TPM’s 2012 Polltracker
Political junkies, partisans, journalists and involved voters take note: you now have a new webpage that you'll be checking over and over. Take a Peek at Talking Points Memo's new "Polltracker"-- and you will become addicted. Josh Marshall announces: Today we’re announcing the official release of the 2012 edition of PollTracker.com, TPM Media’s proprietary poll … [Read more...] about Take A Peek: TPM’s 2012 Polltracker
The Cowardly Lions of “Free Speech” (Guest Voice)
The Cowardly Lions of “Free Speech” by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship In all the hullabaloo over the Supreme Court's decision on health care, another of its rulings quickly fell off the public radar. Before deciding the fate of the Affordable Care Act, the Court announced it would not reconsider Citizens United, the odious 5-4 decision two years ago that opened our … [Read more...] about The Cowardly Lions of “Free Speech” (Guest Voice)
Of the Fires in the West, of Brave Men and Women, and of Fairness for Thousands (UPDATE)
(Update at end) Here is one instance where I totally do not mind that a story I have been working on has been overtaken by events. First the “events”: The Denver Post has just reported that President Barack Obama has directed federal officials to offer seasonal firefighters the option of purchasing federal health insurance coverage. The Denver Post: On a … [Read more...] about Of the Fires in the West, of Brave Men and Women, and of Fairness for Thousands (UPDATE)
Bring Back the 40 Hour Workweek (Infographic)
Source: OnlineMBA.com … [Read more...] about Bring Back the 40 Hour Workweek (Infographic)
Schools Grappling with Growing Bullying Problem
The bullying epidemic continues, even as a multi-pronged crackdown by states and educators gathers steam. For nine months, I dealt first-hand with the bullying issue almost every school day. The problem most assuredly is out there, and across the nation steps are being taken to focus on it. I virtually "lived" the bullying issue— and its tragic impact — from September 2011 … [Read more...] about Schools Grappling with Growing Bullying Problem
Mexico’s Forgotten Frontier (La Jornada, Mexico)
Mexican history is inextricably tied to our own, along with Russia's, Spain's and Britain's. For La Jornada, Hermann Bellinghausen writes that as far as the American west is concerned, it was not long ago that other powers thought they had it all sewed up, only to be swept away in the historical blink of an eye. For La Jornada, offering some exotic American history, Hermann … [Read more...] about Mexico’s Forgotten Frontier (La Jornada, Mexico)
Partisanship on Parade: Graham Says It’s “Really American” To Avoid Paying Taxes Like Romnye
I know it's really, really, REALLY trite to ask this but let's do it anyway: Just suppose Barack Obama or Joe Biden or a Democrat in a tight Congressional race had stashed lots of money offshore and didn't have to pay American taxes. Would Republican partisans look the other way? And -- a bigger question -- would Republican partisans argue, why, it's as American as apple … [Read more...] about Partisanship on Parade: Graham Says It’s “Really American” To Avoid Paying Taxes Like Romnye
Major Split In Catholic Church ?
That is what one major church historian believes. … [Read more...] about Major Split In Catholic Church ?
Calls Start in Egypt to Destroy the Great Pyramids (UPDATE: Report is a HOAX)
UPDATE: The report we linked to and quote from below turns out to be from a website that fell victim to a hoax. And since we linked to the report about the report we did, too. First read our UPDATE HERE. Now read our original post which quotes the report: Some in Egypt are calling to destroy one of that country's most enduring symbols -- and tourist … [Read more...] about Calls Start in Egypt to Destroy the Great Pyramids (UPDATE: Report is a HOAX)
Repeal and Replace
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Repeal and Replace
The Untouchable, Unscrupulous ‘LIBOR Cartel’ (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Despite the mind-boggling scale of corruption at the heart of global LIBOR scandal, will the perpetrators once again get away with little more the ill-repute? Der Tagesspiegel columnist Harald Schumann writes that those responsible for manipulating the LIBOR interest rate, on which upwards of $400 trillion in loans are hinged, are more than likely to escape justice … [Read more...] about The Untouchable, Unscrupulous ‘LIBOR Cartel’ (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
To Use Beliefs or Be Used by Them: THAT Is the Question
[This is the 9th in the series Religion and Science: A Beautiful Friendship.] Not infrequently we sense our own mistakes at about the same time others do. Why is it so difficult to acknowledge errors publicly? It’s because we fear that admitting to imperfection will expose us to indignity, if not outright rejection. But, the most successful modelers have usually found … [Read more...] about To Use Beliefs or Be Used by Them: THAT Is the Question
Obama Email Warns Donors He Could Be Seriously Outspent
First there was Vice President Joe Biden in an email to supporters urging them to donate because of a fear that Team Obama would be upset. He even promised a lucky donor a cup of coffee and a flight out to Washington to enjoy the coffee with him. Now President Barack Obama has issued a wake up call to Democrats. Here's the email in full: Friend -- We're getting … [Read more...] about Obama Email Warns Donors He Could Be Seriously Outspent
How The Law Is Supposed To Work
With the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on Arizona’s SB 1070 and the ACA, the Montana case challenging Citizens United got little coverage. The Montana Supreme Court decided 5-2 to ignore Citizens United and uphold a Montana statute restricting corporate expenditures in elections. Accusing the Montana Supreme Court of ignoring Citizens United may be hyperbole, but that’s … [Read more...] about How The Law Is Supposed To Work
Liberalism, Marriage Equality and Barney Frank
WASHINGTON - Liberalism made Barney Frank's marriage to Jim Ready possible, because the politics of conservatism turned nature into something other. Mr. Frank, famous for his tirades, appeared close to tears as his sister, Ann Lewis, walked him down the aisle. He was trailed by a few hired photographers and by Ms. Kucinich, who leapt with joy as the bridegrooms appeared and … [Read more...] about Liberalism, Marriage Equality and Barney Frank
Afghanistan: Atrocity ‘Right Under Our Noses’
It is the kind of occurrence that is absolutely exasperating about Afghanistan and our continued presence there. According to Ben Arnoldy of the Christian Science Monitor, an Afghan woman accused of adultery was publicly executed -- by shooting her nine times -- in Parwan Province “directly under the noses of the Afghan government and the international community,” and just … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Atrocity ‘Right Under Our Noses’
Obama Campaign Aims to Swift Boat Mitt Romney Over Offshore Bank Accounts & Tax Returns
The Democrats are on a mission to "swift boat" GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, in similar fashion as the Republicans did to John Kerry. The Obama campaign continues to pound away at Romney's "secret" investments in a newly released video. There's nothing wrong with being wealthy, but when you are running for the highest office in the country, then it looks pretty bad … [Read more...] about Obama Campaign Aims to Swift Boat Mitt Romney Over Offshore Bank Accounts & Tax Returns
Perry Fires Off ‘Gun to the Head’ Letter to Sebelius (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Not surprising, Texas Democratic and community health care organizations expressed outrage at Perry’s decision. Among these, according to the New York Times: The Texas Medical Association: Twenty five percent of the state’s population lacks health insurance — 6.2 million people, including 1.2 million children — the highest rate of any state. In Houston, … [Read more...] about Perry Fires Off ‘Gun to the Head’ Letter to Sebelius (UPDATED)
How Much More Perverted Can Pennsylvania Get?
GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT IS A VERY BAD MAN The Keystone State is out as a motto for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A suitable replacement would be the Perverted State given the serial raping of the state's young and vulnerable at the hands of members of supposedly hallowed institutions who believe themselves to be above the law, as well as the environment and now … [Read more...] about How Much More Perverted Can Pennsylvania Get?