Could this be an example of an idea whose time has not come -- or may never come the way our political system and the thirst for politics that also doubles as anger-funneling entertainment is set up? American's Elect has, in effect, thrown in the election towel. From an email (also is on this URL). Statement by Americans Elect May 17, 2012 There is a desire among … [Read more...] about Americans Elect Throws in the Election Towel
Uganda Re-Introduces Draconian Gay Law as Answer to Obama (Modern Ghana, Ghana)
In all of the content we have posted since President Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage, it is the content from Africa that has proven the most disturbing. In this 3,000 word investigative report by Modern Ghana correspondent Stephanie J. Wearne, we are offered a glimpse at the bizarre and frightening reality for homosexuals in the nation of Uganda. For Modern … [Read more...] about Uganda Re-Introduces Draconian Gay Law as Answer to Obama (Modern Ghana, Ghana)
Arby’s Reportedly Gives Teenager the Finger
I travel a lot and I know that Arby's has upgraded its menu with some great sandwiches. But maybe their finger food is going too far: A Michigan teen ordered a junior roast beef sandwich at a local Arby’s restaurant, only to make a gruesome discovery halfway through the meal. Ryan Hart, 14, of Blackman Township, said he had nearly polished off his sandwich last Friday … [Read more...] about Arby’s Reportedly Gives Teenager the Finger
Facebook’s Public Offering
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Public Offering
Quote of the Century? Romney On What He Once He (Thinks He) Said
Our political Quote -- it must be -- of the Century was created today by presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who again shows what happens when he talks seriously off script. When asked about his past statements on Fox News he said this: ROMNEY: I’m actually gonna — I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Century? Romney On What He Once He (Thinks He) Said
Trayvon Martin Versus George Zimmerman, Defense Versus Prosecution
WASHINGTON - It's only the beginning, with defense hacks making a lot of noise, writing the Trayvon Martin autopsy "showed bloody knuckles," while burying or ignoring the lede offered by NBC's report that this wasn't the case after their review of the actual autopsy report. This reveals the problem with being for one side without at least making a good faith attempt at putting … [Read more...] about Trayvon Martin Versus George Zimmerman, Defense Versus Prosecution
Disco Queen and Go-Go King
WASHINGTON -- The soundtrack of my youth is fading. That's hardly an original observation, I realize, but self-indulgence is a columnist's inalienable right and music has unique power to summon unbidden waves of nostalgia. I'll spend the rest of the day listening to the "Queen of Disco" and the "Godfather of Go-Go," and saying goodbye. Donna Summer, who died Thursday, … [Read more...] about Disco Queen and Go-Go King
Occupy Wall Street, RIP?
While it may be that the Fat Lady has not yet sung--we do have an entire Summer and Fall to get through after all--it does look like the "Occupy" movement is sputtering badly and may soon be completely extinguished, having done little of significance except add a few barely-coherent ideas into our political discourse. I find this both a bit of a relief and disappointing at the … [Read more...] about Occupy Wall Street, RIP?
Quote of the Day: Why Romney Is Favored to Win the Election
Amid a report by the New York Times that a Republican Super PAC is considering in essence playing the race card (even to the extent of thinking about hiring an African-American as a kind of front-man to combat allegations of race baiting) and planning a $10 million attack on Barack Obama by dredging up all the Reverend Wright mantras, Andrew Sullivan gives us our political … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Romney Is Favored to Win the Election
Obama-Clinton ’12?
Carol Marin brings up a perennial favorite in Democratic circles: that Obama should ask Hillary Clinton to be his running-mate, and offer Joe Biden the Secretary of State position. The main problem with this being, Clinton has repeatedly said she doesn't want the job, and not in particularly coy terms either. This begins to remind me of the Bush years wherein so many people … [Read more...] about Obama-Clinton ’12?
With Friends Like John Boehner, America Doesn’t Need Enemies
Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing, and sometimes it’s politically difficult to do the right thing. ~ JOHN BOEHNER Will the House Republican leadership ever learn? Probably not. In a dizzying week of developments, House Speaker John Boehner again threatened to shut down the federal government by not agreeing to raise the debt ceiling (something that the great … [Read more...] about With Friends Like John Boehner, America Doesn’t Need Enemies
Donna Summer Dies At 63
News just breaking that Disco queen Donna Summers has died at the age of 63. Some reports say she had been battling cancer. Summer won five Grammy awards during her career, which peaked during the 1970's Disco era. For those who grew up in the 70's and 80's the Summer's hit Last Dance either brings back treasured memories of a magic moment at a school dance, or more likely … [Read more...] about Donna Summer Dies At 63
Brandon Darby, Leftwing Anarchist To Conservative Activist
Brandon Darby 2012 Brandon Darby is probably not a name you are familiar with. After you read this you will wonder why you aren't familiar with him. His story, to say the least, is fascinating. I met Brandon when he spoke at BlogCon a few weeks ago. The short version is this. Darby was approached by the FBI in late 2007 and asked to infiltrate a group of Leftwing anarchists … [Read more...] about Brandon Darby, Leftwing Anarchist To Conservative Activist
The Big Political Story: Romney Nearly Matches Obama in April Fundraising
The big political story is that presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney has nearly matched Barack Obama in fund raising for April. Coming on the heels of some polls that suggest Barack Obama's campaign faces an ever tougher fight than some Democrats had predicted, and the belief that PACS supporting Romney and the Republicans can dwarf Democratic PACs, it adds … [Read more...] about The Big Political Story: Romney Nearly Matches Obama in April Fundraising
What Were They Thinking? – A Department of Justice Misstep
The Department of Justice’s anti-trust action against Apple and five publishing houses was a serious misstep. The action was pursued because of apparent collusion by the defendants in setting the prices for digital books. However, it appears that the DOJ did not carefully consider all the ramifications before instituting this suit. Lower e-book prices for consumers are not the … [Read more...] about What Were They Thinking? – A Department of Justice Misstep
Best President Money and Media Can Buy
Six months from now, the most highly educated Americans in history will have chosen someone to lead them through hard times. In my lifetime, that process has advanced from control by political bosses in smoke-filled rooms to one dominated by media and money across the spectrum. Tammany Hall is gone, but now thanks to Citizens United, we are in the hands of the Koch brothers … [Read more...] about Best President Money and Media Can Buy
No Sense Of Humor About Voter IDs
A couple of days ago a piece of mine ran in The Philadelphia Inquirer. It was a satirical one that looked at new voter ID laws from a personal vanity perspective. A fair number of people emailed me about it — almost all of them angry Obama-haters. It's hard to be funny these days when the subject has any sort of political edge. Here's a link to my Inquirer piece: … [Read more...] about No Sense Of Humor About Voter IDs
Why Americans Are Fat
Isn't it obvious? This study finds 96% of restaurant entrees exceed USDA limits: [R]esearchers looked at the nutritional content of 30,923 menu items, including those from children’s menus, from 245 brands of restaurants. They found that 96% of them failed to meet recommendations for the combination of calories, sodium, fat and saturated fat set by the U.S. Department of … [Read more...] about Why Americans Are Fat
Romney’s Clintonesque Moment
WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney was against Bill Clinton before he was for him. There was Romney, campaigning Tuesday in Iowa, praising the nation's last Democratic president and casting him as far superior to the current incumbent. "Almost a generation ago, Bill Clinton announced that the era of big government was over," Romney declared. "Clinton was signaling to … [Read more...] about Romney’s Clintonesque Moment
U.S. Should Keep its Nuclear Weapons Away from Koreas (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
U.S. Congress members appear to be considering redeploying American nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula. Would such a decision make matters there go from bad to worse? This editorial from China’s state-run Huanqiu warns of the unintended consequences of pointing nuclear weapons in North Korea’s general direction. The Huanqiu editorial says in small part: Right now, the … [Read more...] about U.S. Should Keep its Nuclear Weapons Away from Koreas (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)