With federal budget deficits and the national debt as major problems for the country going forward, why have Republicans been unwilling to fund more I.R.S. agents to pursue tax cheats and increase federal revenue? The 2012 Obama budget asked for an increase in funding for the agency, much of which would have been dedicated to hiring more agents and enforcement initiatives. … [Read more...] about Bolstering the I.R.S.
Romney Campaign Intends to Avoid 2008 McCain Campaign’s Mistakes
Attention Team Obama and Democrats: make sure you take Democratic strategist James Carville's tough love warning to wake up and not smugly think you're going to win. Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign has a smart strategy: avoid all of the (many) mistakes Senator Arizona John McCain made when he ran for President in 2008. Mitt Romney and his … [Read more...] about Romney Campaign Intends to Avoid 2008 McCain Campaign’s Mistakes
Gay Marriage: Obama Puts His Finger to the Wind (Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, France)
Will gay marriage be just the first of a series of societal issues that the Obama campaign will use to win in November? In this interview with Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, French author, historian and America watcher François Durpaire asserts that Obama's embrace of the issue of gay marriage betrays a carefully-calculated strategy by a political master to take advantage … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage: Obama Puts His Finger to the Wind (Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, France)
Newsweek: Terrorist Implanted Body Bombs Are Looming Threat of the Future
Underwear bombs may have gotten the most publicity of new, unusual terrorist techniques and provided comedy writers with tons of material, but get ready for a newer threat that may make for a great punch line but could post an even graver security threat: terrorist body bombs implanted in passengers. Newsweek reports: Worse still, intelligence is mounting that new … [Read more...] about Newsweek: Terrorist Implanted Body Bombs Are Looming Threat of the Future
I’m Not Quitting the Church
WASHINGTON -- Recently, a group called the Freedom from Religion Foundation ran a full-page ad in The Washington Post cast as an "open letter to 'liberal' and 'nominal' Catholics." Its headline commanded: "It's Time to Quit the Catholic Church." The ad included the usual criticism of Catholicism, but I was most struck by this paragraph: "If you think you can change the … [Read more...] about I’m Not Quitting the Church
Morgan Chase Self Destructs
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Morgan Chase Self Destructs
The Moral High Ground Gets A Vigorous Workout: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
The moral high ground is getting a vigorous workout in the wake of President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage, but what exactly is the moral high ground? In ethical and political parlance, the moral high ground refers to having the status of being respected for being moral and adhering to and upholding universally recognized standards of justice and goodness. … [Read more...] about The Moral High Ground Gets A Vigorous Workout: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Magic Ponies and Unicorns
We have known for decades that there is lots of kerogen - pre oil - in the Green River formation in the western US. There have been attempts to convert the kerogen into a usable/affordable energy source and they all have failed. Over at the Agonist Steve Hynd reports that magic ponies and unicorns never die. Quite a few rightwing commentators are making … [Read more...] about Magic Ponies and Unicorns
Republican Support of the Troops: Up to a Point
Almost immediately after President Obama finally “concluded” what millions of Americans have already concluded for years -- the right of a man or a woman to marry the person he or she loves -- Republican lawmakers "concluded" that, after all, the military they so fiercely support do not deserve the same rights all Americans have. Republicans on the House Armed Services … [Read more...] about Republican Support of the Troops: Up to a Point
49 Decapitated Bodies: Mexico’s Drug War and P.R. Nightmares Continue
The news that 49 decapitated bodies were found dumped near highway in Mexico continues Mexico's double-pronged nightmare. One is a law and order nightmare: the war raging between drug cartels themselves and with law enforcement continues unabated. The other is a p.r. nightmare: news of a large number of headless bodies isn't the kind of publicity that attracts tourists -- or … [Read more...] about 49 Decapitated Bodies: Mexico’s Drug War and P.R. Nightmares Continue
Obama’s Gas-Powered War on Coal (Guest Voice)
Obama's Gas-Powered War on Coal by Phil Kerpen With the increasingly likelihood that Obama's health care law will be struck down in court or repealed next Congress, the administration has been working hard to cement another dubious legacy: the destruction of the coal industry. Obama's war on coal is stirring a lot of anger in parts of the country like West Virginia, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Gas-Powered War on Coal (Guest Voice)
What a Top GOP Pollster is Telling Republicans About Gay Marriage As An Issue
What's a top GOP pollster telling Republicans about gay marriage as an issue? Andrew Sullivan tells it so much better than Ic an so GO HERE to find out. … [Read more...] about What a Top GOP Pollster is Telling Republicans About Gay Marriage As An Issue
Newsweek Cover: Obama “The First Gay President”
' No one can accuse the (barely) surviving news-magazines of rolling over and playing dead in this day when print media audience share is shrinking. First we had Time magazine's provocative breast feeding cover. Now Newsweek has this cover proclaiming President Barack Obama "The First Gay President," as it touts a piece by the always-must-read-in-full Andrew Sullivan … [Read more...] about Newsweek Cover: Obama “The First Gay President”
Is Barack Obama Using Republican Political Techniques to Run Against Romney?
Is Barack Obama using the "Republican playbook" to run against Mitt Romney? The Huffington Post's Howard Fineman thinks he is and outlines why in fascinating piece. I agree with him but have two other thoughts as well as we head into Election 2012. Here are some chunks from Fineman's post, but it needs to be read in full. His intro: As he tries to become only the … [Read more...] about Is Barack Obama Using Republican Political Techniques to Run Against Romney?
Saturday Night Live: Joe Biden Talks to His Imaginary Friend (VIDEO)
SNL on Vice President Joe Biden frustrated over President Barack Obama. So he talks to a "friend": … [Read more...] about Saturday Night Live: Joe Biden Talks to His Imaginary Friend (VIDEO)
Political Meltdown in Greece: New Elections Increasingly Likely (UPDATED)
First Greece had its economic meltdown. And now it seems as if its heading towards a political melt down that will culminate in new elections: Greek politicians traded insults and accusations Sunday following an effort by President Karolos Papoulias to broker a coalition government, increasing the possibility of new elections in the debt-stricken country. Papoulias … [Read more...] about Political Meltdown in Greece: New Elections Increasingly Likely (UPDATED)
Songs Honoring Mothers
On Mother's Day, if you have a mother it's time to think about her and honor her. If yours is no longer with you, it's time to reflect on what you owe her and the times when you felt unconditional love. I'm fortunate: my mother is 90 and (God willing) will turn 91 after Memorial Day. She's in a very nice seniors facility and when I called the other day she said, "Joey, I have … [Read more...] about Songs Honoring Mothers
Mother’s Day Feeding Frenzy
What would the founding father of Time have made of the magazine’s breast-feeding Mother’s Day cover? The model for it, a 26-year-old woman, reacts to the uproar about the photo with her three-year-old son to observe that breast-feeding advocates “are actually upset” because it doesn’t “show the nurturing side to attachment parenting. This isn’t how we breastfeed at … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day Feeding Frenzy
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mothers Day to mothers everywhere. And, while we're at it, Happy Mothers Day for all those who've been called a" mother." … [Read more...] about Happy Mother’s Day
Blissfully Childfree
WASHINGTON - I'm so glad I didn't have children. Every Mother's Day affirms it. I've never understood the desperate fertility treatment dance so many women go through in order to have children that they can't conceive naturally. It's a miracle it's an option, but the torture of it all. But when I found out my niece and her husband finally conceived we cracked a bottle … [Read more...] about Blissfully Childfree