Homicides Los Angeles: Jan. 1, 2007 to April 30, 2012 about 25% our very young... age 17-23 are part of this stat of nearly 4000 murders over 5.5 years' time. By cause Blunt force 234 Gunshot 3,013 Other 180 Stabbing 412 Strangled 42 Unspecified 93 By race or ethnicity Latino 2,027 Black 1,273 White 475 Asian 128 Other 40 … [Read more...] about Just saying… about loss of the young
Afghanistan, For the Long Haul?
WASHINGTON -- Show of hands: Does anybody really understand the U.S. policy in Afghanistan? Can anyone figure out how we're supposed to stay the course and bring home the troops at the same time? I'm at a loss, even after President Obama's surprise trip to the war zone. The president's televised address from Bagram air base raised more questions than it answered. Let's … [Read more...] about Afghanistan, For the Long Haul?
China, Obama y Chen Guangchen
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about China, Obama y Chen Guangchen
Obama Campaign’s Attack on Romney over Bin Laden: An Ad too Far?
Even liberal Arianna Huffington objected to a recent Obama campaign ad suggesting that Mitt Romney might not have issued the order to send in the Navy SEALs to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. She called the ad "despicable.” Standing with 9/11 mayor Rudy Giuliani by his side at a New York firehouse that lost 11 men on Sept. 11, Mitt Romney, who has attacked Obama for … [Read more...] about Obama Campaign’s Attack on Romney over Bin Laden: An Ad too Far?
Future President
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Future President
Suggested Campaign Slogans for the Romney Campaign
As I noted here before, the Obama campaign has apparently decided on "Forward" as its campaign slogan -- settling on half the MSNBC slogan. So before you assume that means Romney will decide then that his campaign should be "We Report" (half the Fox News slogan), here's Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball coming to the rescue with this list HERE of suggested slogans for the Romney … [Read more...] about Suggested Campaign Slogans for the Romney Campaign
Romney’s War on Words–and Meaning
So soon after eight years of W circumlocution ("Mistakes were made"), could Americans bear as president another aging frat boy who instinctively mangles language into meaninglessness? Mitt Romney provides a preview of his brand of highwire linguistics by torturing a five-year- old declaration by Obama that he would unilaterally pursue Osama bin Laden into Pakistan: "I … [Read more...] about Romney’s War on Words–and Meaning
What is the Border Wall Really For?
When I went down to the border for a meeting about building the wall between the US and Mexico -- this was about five years ago -- it became clear to most of us in the meeting, even many who had come to defend strong measures designed to keep immigrants out, that this wasn't about immigration. The proposed wall stretching from California to the Gulf Coast was about the wall … [Read more...] about What is the Border Wall Really For?
Poll: Romney Leads Obama in Two Key Swing States
This is going to be a swing state and partisans in each party who are suggesting that in the end it'll be easy their party's candidate are increasingly faced with evidence that they're deluding themselves. Like this: Mitt Romney now runs neck-and-neck with President Obama in electoral-vote-rich Ohio and Florida, according to the latest installment of the Quinnipiac … [Read more...] about Poll: Romney Leads Obama in Two Key Swing States
Dysfunctional Washington- What Does the Future Hold?
With the vast majority of Americans disgusted with Washington and polls showing that Congressional approval rates are in the toilet, can we anticipate that the discourse might improve in the future? Can we expect that politicians will take citizens’ displeasure to heart with positive steps to improve the atmosphere in Washington, so that the important business of the nation can … [Read more...] about Dysfunctional Washington- What Does the Future Hold?
What Happened This Week on HBO’s Smash Hit ‘GIRLS’?
WASHINGTON - Having begun my life as a performer, by way of decades of study and Broadway, it's something that never leaves you. When the next half of your life is dedicated to the politics of sex and powerful girls, my preferred word for women regardless of age, and a breakout hit blasts into the entertainment stratosphere smashing the "Sex and the City" barrier, it's going to … [Read more...] about What Happened This Week on HBO’s Smash Hit ‘GIRLS’?
Chen Guangcheng is West’s Latest ‘Tool’ to Undermine China’s Political System (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Based on this column from China’s state mouthpiece, the Global Times, Beijing seems oblivious to how heroes are made. Why is it that Chen Guangcheng, who began as a local activist battling forced abortion and sterilization, has become a worldwide concern? Whether Beijing is willfully ignoring the obvious, or just seeking to discredit a brave man standing up for his principles, … [Read more...] about Chen Guangcheng is West’s Latest ‘Tool’ to Undermine China’s Political System (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Deceit and Betrayal
From the John Edwards trial: GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- A former adviser to John Edwards recounted Wednesday how the former presidential candidate's now-deceased wife indignantly confronted her husband, baring her chest in front of staff members the day after a tabloid reported that he was cheating on her. .................. "'You don't see me anymore,'" Reynolds quoted … [Read more...] about Deceit and Betrayal
Missouri Republican Comes Out, Opposes Don’t Say Gay Bill
Agree with him or not it is a bold move in a state not known for being gay friendly. And everyone should oppose the bill as an attack on free speech and intrusion of state government into local affairs … [Read more...] about Missouri Republican Comes Out, Opposes Don’t Say Gay Bill
It’s More Than Bin Laden
WASHINGTON -- We expect some hypocrisy in politics, but it was still jaw-dropping to behold Republicans accusing President Obama of politicizing the anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Wasn't it just eight years ago that the GOP organized an entire presidential campaign -- including the choreography of its 2004 national convention -- around the attacks of Sept. 11, … [Read more...] about It’s More Than Bin Laden
Men of the People
Men of the people. Until the photo op is over. … [Read more...] about Men of the People
Take A Billionaire Out To Dinner — It’s The Least You Can Do
The New York Times today reported that a former associate of Mitt Romney at Bain Capital is writing a book that purports to show why greater income inequality is good for the economy, and also benefits the 99 percent-plus who haven't been cunning or well connected enough to become super-rich. His argument, in brief, is this: most of the money garnered by these super rich … [Read more...] about Take A Billionaire Out To Dinner — It’s The Least You Can Do
Marriage and the State: It’s Time For a Divorce
After a lifetime of fighting debilitating shyness and social anxiety I have found a life that permits me to avoid human contact except on the rare occasions when I initiate it. Modern technology is perfect for people like me. I can be social without actually being social, leaving me to focus on what people are doing or saying without worrying or thinking about myself. Facebook … [Read more...] about Marriage and the State: It’s Time For a Divorce
New Obama Anti-Romney Ad Is All Newt Gingrich
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is poised to (belatedly...frustratingly for many Republicans) endorse presumptive Republican nominee Mitte Romney so his words will be in the news. In more ways than one. The Obama campaign has put out a web ad (which I'm sure will be recycled as a TV ad in the post-conventions general election campaign later in the year) comprised … [Read more...] about New Obama Anti-Romney Ad Is All Newt Gingrich
Obama’s Afghanistan Visit, Speech and Agreement: U.S. Winding Down or Digging In?
President Barack Obama's lightning trip to Afghanistan to address the nation about ending a war that has lasted longer than Veitnam, sign a long-term partnership pact with the Afghanistan government, and mark the the anniversary of Al Qaeda terrorism chief Osama bin Laden's death with American troops could re-ignite Afghanistan as an issue on several fronts. The trip and news … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Visit, Speech and Agreement: U.S. Winding Down or Digging In?