When, if ever, is it acceptable for religious leaders, who reject violence as a matter of religious conviction, to embrace it? In this article about a new documentary entitled CIA in Tibet from Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, columnist Christian Geyer, highlights the parallels between the Dalai Lama and another man of the cloth that embraced CIA assistance to battle … [Read more...] about Dalai Lama ‘Rambo’ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
Skilled Former Clinton Advisors Warn Democrats Strategy Shift Is Vital (or Face Big Defeat)
I've noted in several posts and in my Cagle column that I've concluded that Team Obama cannot be compared in political skill to the teams that elected FDR, JFK and Bill Clinton. And in the past James Carville has offered sharp warnings to the Democrats and the Obama team. Now here comes another warning from Clintonistas -- part of it echoing what I've written in the past. To … [Read more...] about Skilled Former Clinton Advisors Warn Democrats Strategy Shift Is Vital (or Face Big Defeat)
Defense Update: Way Down, Deep in the Trenches
Today, as part of keeping up with what is going on in our Defense Department, I could post some dazzling photos of U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta visiting with Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz as he arrives to attend the 31st Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkish Relations dinner in Washington, D.C., or of the Secretary welcoming Israeli President Shimon Peres to the … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Way Down, Deep in the Trenches
Politicians Acting Like Politicians- The Public Pension Mess
With states, municipalities and counties across the U.S. faced with yawning deficits and public pension obligations ballooning, these have been seen as areas ripe for reduction. Pensions and benefits of public employees are certainly out of whack with workers in the private sector, but the question is how did they get that way? It was simply politicians being politicians. To … [Read more...] about Politicians Acting Like Politicians- The Public Pension Mess
Misandry Doesn’t Exist
I was really glad to know that. (The video is a great example of Poe's Law. I really can't tell if it's serious or not.) This item cross-posted to Dean's World. … [Read more...] about Misandry Doesn’t Exist
Jeb Bush’s Political Malatov Targets Pres. Obama
WASHINGTON - Evidently, nobody is paying attention, because through all of Jeb Bush's bluster about Republicans not being what they supposedly used to be, he's thrown his weight against the right's nemesis. You see, dear reader, by the time Mr. Bush gets done, it's all about Pres. Obama for him, too. Mind you, I hold no water for the President, but in separating the gnat crap … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush’s Political Malatov Targets Pres. Obama
Senator John Cornyn Calls On Eric Holder To Resign
This is going to leave a mark. Sen Cornyn called on Holder to resign at this morning's hearing on Fast and Furious(video at the link). Sen. Cornyn is highly respected on both sides of the aisle, and is known for his calm rational manner. He did not come to this lightly. He said in part: “You violated the public trust in my view, by failing and refusing to perform the duties … [Read more...] about Senator John Cornyn Calls On Eric Holder To Resign
Jeb Bush Is Not The Future Of The Republican Party
In an early scene of the movie The Contender, President Jackson Evans (played by Jeff Bridges) tells Virginia Governor Jack Hathaway (played by William Petersen) that he, the governor, is the future of the Democratic Party... and always will be. (It's one of my favorite movie lines ever, one that has broad application: "You're the future of [insert organization name]. And … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Is Not The Future Of The Republican Party
Quote of the Day: The Feeling Grows That Obama May be One Term President
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza who notes that the perception has started to grow that Barack Obama may be a one-term President: It has been a Junius Horribilis for President Obama. Job growth has stalled, the Democrats have been humiliated in Wisconsin, the attorney general is facing a contempt-of-Congress citation, talks … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The Feeling Grows That Obama May be One Term President
Defense Update: George H. W. Bush/ USS George H.W. Bush (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Happy 88th birthday, Mr. President. Original Post: Whatever one may think politically of George H. W. Bush -- or for that matter of the Bush dynasty in general -- kudos to Bush 41 who, at almost 90, continues to celebrate life with gusto and tenaciousness. As Robert Stein notes, “George H. W. Bush turns 88 this week with a family clambake in Kennebunkport, … [Read more...] about Defense Update: George H. W. Bush/ USS George H.W. Bush (UPDATE)
Jeb Bush Off Message? Says Neither Reagan or George H. W. Bush Could Be Nominated by Republicans Today
Was former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush off message for presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, or was he indicating he knows he will never get the nomination so he let it all hang out -- or was the laying the groundwork for picking up the pieces if Romney loses and the Tea Party movement and the party's talk radio political culture are blamed for chasing away independent voters, … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Off Message? Says Neither Reagan or George H. W. Bush Could Be Nominated by Republicans Today
Guerilla Files Exposed: ‘CIA Funding for the Dalai Lama’ (La Repubblica, Italy)
How much did the Dalai Lama know about CIA funding of the Tibetan resistance to Chinese occupation of Tibet? The question is not new, but according to this account from Italy's La Repubblica, German investigative reporters have uncovered a 'secret dossier' which confirms that the Dalai Lama was intimately involved with these plans - and that the level of funding for the Tibetan … [Read more...] about Guerilla Files Exposed: ‘CIA Funding for the Dalai Lama’ (La Repubblica, Italy)
Frank “Sam Drucker” Cady Dies
Another veteran character actor has passed away. If you grew up watching reruns of Green Acres or Beverly Hillbillies, Sam Drucker was a familiar face and one that will be missed … [Read more...] about Frank “Sam Drucker” Cady Dies
A Progressive’s Complaint
An angry group of oldsters, who were furious about Wall Street and a big government in cahoots with The Street, made themselves known as the Tea Party. Right-wing money came forth, the oldsters accepted it happily, they changed their tune to exclude Wall Street from their anger, and now they pretty much run the Republican Party. An angry group of young people, who were … [Read more...] about A Progressive’s Complaint
Bush 41 in the Age of Anxiety
George H. W. Bush turns 88 this week with a family clambake in Kennebunkport, an HBO special and, despite Parkinson ravages, plans to skydive again at 90. His biographer calls him “a lion...he embodies the story of postwar American power.” A contemporary can only wish him well while marveling at what has happened to America and its people during our lifetimes since World War … [Read more...] about Bush 41 in the Age of Anxiety
Ex-Governor Calls Charges He Worked with Drug Cartels a ‘Desperate’ Campaign Stunt (El Universal, Mexico)
The Mexico presidential campaign is heating up - and the U.S., one way or another, is a central focus of attention. According to this news item from Mexico's El Universal, Tomás Yarrington, the former governor of Tamaulipas, a state that abuts Texas, is being accused of protecting the notorious Gulf Cartel, taking millions in bribes, laundering his ill-gotten gain in both … [Read more...] about Ex-Governor Calls Charges He Worked with Drug Cartels a ‘Desperate’ Campaign Stunt (El Universal, Mexico)
Bashar Assad Paints Syria
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bashar Assad Paints Syria
Commerce Secretary John Bryson Investigated in California Hit and Run: UPDATED Is Said to Have Had Seizure
[NOTE: Due to being offline all day, this is being dated late.] There's now an explanation for why Commerce Secretary John Bryson got into several accidents in California, in one of the more bizarre stories of the year involving a political figure: he apparently had a seizure: It began Saturday afternoon at a railroad crossing in a run-down commercial neighborhood in … [Read more...] about Commerce Secretary John Bryson Investigated in California Hit and Run: UPDATED Is Said to Have Had Seizure
‘Report From 20 Paws Ranch’ Back Next Week
Lots going on, but you won't read or hear about it in The New York Times or on CNN. Nesting season is nearly over at the mountain retreat, aka 20 Paws Ranch, and we have a slew of goldfinch, bluebird, catbird, robin and crow fledglings. And the hummingbirds are back with a vengeance, going through a pint of sugar water every couple of days. All the bird activity means … [Read more...] about ‘Report From 20 Paws Ranch’ Back Next Week
Government Is the Solution
WASHINGTON -- Why don't Democrats just say it? They really believe in active government and think it does good and valuable things. One of those valuable things is that government creates jobs -- yes, really -- and also the conditions under which more jobs can be created. You probably read that and thought: But don't Democrats and liberals say this all the time? … [Read more...] about Government Is the Solution