Why isn't there more poetry on the Op Ed and opinion pages of this country's newspapers? The answer to this question might seem obvious. Poetry isn't viewed by newspaper editors (nor by most American poets) as a primary medium of popular political and economic expression. It's seen as a way to express personal feelings, and best-suited for the pages of small literary … [Read more...] about Putting Political Poetry On America’s Op Ed Pages
Geraldo Rivera Jumps Shark: Suggests Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie Contributed to Death
I'm mostly offline today but I went online enough to see this mind-boggling assertion by Fox News' Geraldo Rivera. I've often defended Rivera, noting that he was an excellent reporter in his earlier years before me became more celebrity than working journalist. But no more. My reaction is not "PC." It's to the logic and the fact that it sends out a VERY dangerous message to … [Read more...] about Geraldo Rivera Jumps Shark: Suggests Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie Contributed to Death
World Hopes U.S. Republican Spat Results in Better Policies (San-in Chuo Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
Will the most raucous Republican presidential primary race in living memory result in better policies on the Republican side? Given the shocking political bloodletting, this editorial from Japan's San-in Chuo Shimpo Shimbun expresses the hope that it won't all be for naught. The San-in Chuo Shimpo Shimbun editorial says in part: Previous victorious U.S. presidential … [Read more...] about World Hopes U.S. Republican Spat Results in Better Policies (San-in Chuo Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
How Many Romneys for Mt. Rushmore?
Mitt Romney’s hapless aide has found the perfect Etch-a-Sketch metaphor for a GOP campaign that keeps changing like scribbles on a childhood toy, erasing quick pictures of one frontrunner after another and now preparing to find the best face for a chameleon candidate who makes “Zelig” look like a figure on Mt. Rushmore. Which Romney will run against Obama? There are dozens … [Read more...] about How Many Romneys for Mt. Rushmore?
The Syrian Uprising’s Interested Onlookers
Guest post by Ali Ezzatyar The Arab Awakening has a common denominator: the people want the downfall of the regime. It is a pretty good one, too. While it ensures nothing, it is the first, and perhaps the most difficult, of many steps before democracy. It goes without saying that each Arab country, with all of its distinctions, will see its individual route meet special … [Read more...] about The Syrian Uprising’s Interested Onlookers
Resolving Broken Promises: A Recipe for Economic Recovery
The US economy is growing stronger every month. GDP, total employment, and the stock market index are all rising while the unemployment rate is finally coming down. Still, despite the good news, there seems to be a notable lack of excitement and exuberance. This good news has been too long coming and the pace of economic growth remains lackluster compared to previous … [Read more...] about Resolving Broken Promises: A Recipe for Economic Recovery
The Folly of the Carry Laws- When Will America Learn?
The tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case in Florida highlights the madness of the “carry laws” allowing citizens to carry guns on the street to “protect themselves.” This folly is compounded by Florida’s “stand-your-ground” statute that permits people who feel their lives or safety are threatened, to use deadly force against the individual or individuals they believe are … [Read more...] about The Folly of the Carry Laws- When Will America Learn?
A Couple First Amendment Stories
A couple of interesting First Amendment related stories in the news. For those who don't know I am pretty absolutist when it comes to free speech. I recognize that there are circumstances where you may have to impose limits, but when I read "Congress Shall Make No Law" it seems to me that the language is clear. In the first case the LA City Council passed a non binding … [Read more...] about A Couple First Amendment Stories
Gong, Gong, Gong! (Guest Voice)
This is a Guest Voice column by Michael Reagan. JG) Gong, Gong, Gong! I don't know about you, but watching the Republican primary season is making me feel like a judge on the "The Gong Show." I watched or listened to all three candidates after Tuesday night's Illinois primary. I'm still crying. If Mitt, Newt and Rick had given those uninspiring speeches on Chuck … [Read more...] about Gong, Gong, Gong! (Guest Voice)
A Sex Scandal: Right?
Right... Yep. Right.. … [Read more...] about A Sex Scandal: Right?
Trayvon Martin Killing Fallout: Florida Governor Appoints New Prosecutor and Two Sanford Officials Facing Recall (UPDATED)
Although the Trayvon Martin killing has sparked some partisan reactions, the killing of a 17 year African-American old teenage boy armed with an iced tea and some Skittles is becoming an issue that transcends party lines or ideology. The latest development: Florida's Governor has appointed a new prosecutor in the case -- suggesting that no matter what the final outcome in a … [Read more...] about Trayvon Martin Killing Fallout: Florida Governor Appoints New Prosecutor and Two Sanford Officials Facing Recall (UPDATED)
Nearly every major conservative blog ignoring the Trayvon Martin killing
There was a lot of buzz about Fox News initially ignoring the Trayvon Martin killing. What most people haven't noted is that nearly every major conservative blog is completely ignoring the story. If you search for the word "Trayvon" on Hot Air, Michelle Malkin, Power Line, and Instapundit, you come up with zilch. There's not a single mention on Drudge. The one article I found … [Read more...] about Nearly every major conservative blog ignoring the Trayvon Martin killing
CMT Bleeps The Word Gay From Movie
I was just watching one of my favorite movies, Groundhog Day, over on CMT. For those who have not seen it there is a scene where Bill Murray's character tries to prove to his colleague that he has been repeating the day over and over. He does so by showing he knows things about everyone in a diner, including the fact that one of the waiters is gay. Well CMT just bleeped … [Read more...] about CMT Bleeps The Word Gay From Movie
Armed and Mentally Off: The Public Dialogue Again Emphasizes the Weakest Point, Obfuscating Effective Change
We can speak of race. And yet, I can see assasinations by mentally ill and armed people... any armed person with an unbalanced mind, any person with poor judgment who is given a firearm ... that the issue of who is target is not toward one race. One would have to ignore even a year's or twenty years' history in the US alone to think a shooting of a person of any race has … [Read more...] about Armed and Mentally Off: The Public Dialogue Again Emphasizes the Weakest Point, Obfuscating Effective Change
Sometimes Blame the Rebel for the Rebellion, Not the Leader.
(This is from my Pastoral Leadership series. Enjoy!) Sometimes Blame the Rebel for the Rebellion, Not the Pastor. by Doug Bursch It's easy for pastors to fall into an irrational logic concerning their worth and role as a minister of the gospel. I've often joked with fellow ministers about the seemingly thankless role of the senior pastor. If the church grows, God … [Read more...] about Sometimes Blame the Rebel for the Rebellion, Not the Leader.
BREAKING: Sanford, Florida Police Chief “Temporarily” Steps Down Amid Trayvon Martin Murder Furor
More fallout from the killing of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old African-American teen armed with an iced tea and Skiittles who was killed by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, 28, who had a gun with bullets. The Chief Police under fire for mishandling or covering up (choose your characterization among the two now making the rounds in a case that is taking on social and … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Sanford, Florida Police Chief “Temporarily” Steps Down Amid Trayvon Martin Murder Furor
The Court Martial of Sgt. Robert Bales: Will it Be Lengthy and Complex? (UPDATED)
UPDATE II: Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales will be charged on Friday with 17 counts of murder and various other charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the March 11 shooting deaths of Afghan civilians, a senior United States official said on Thursday. Sergeant Bales, who is 38 years old and had been serving his fourth combat tour overseas, is expected to … [Read more...] about The Court Martial of Sgt. Robert Bales: Will it Be Lengthy and Complex? (UPDATED)
The Florida Special
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Florida Special
To Be Black in America
WASHINGTON -- For every black man in America, from the millionaire in the corner office to the mechanic in the local garage, the Trayvon Martin tragedy is personal. It could have been me or one of my sons. It could have been any of us. How many George Zimmermans are out there cruising the streets? How many guys with chips on their shoulders and itchy fingers on the … [Read more...] about To Be Black in America
Congress and Corruption- Hand in Hand
The number of cases of corruption and ethics transgression involving individual members of Congress over the years has helped contribute to the abysmal ratings of America’s national legislative bodies in the eyes of the public. However, the extent of self-dealing, along with personal and family enrichment by these elected representatives of the people is given transparency by … [Read more...] about Congress and Corruption- Hand in Hand