Polls about the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case reveal the deep divide among Americans that many of us pretend does not exist. According to a Newsweek/Daily Beast poll, "just 19 percent of whites say that racism is a big problem in America, vs. 60 percent of blacks." For two weeks running, the Martin/Zimmerman case has been the most closely followed story in a weekly … [Read more...] about Trayvon Martin Case Divides Nation By Racial Identity, Politics, Age, Gender
Afghanistan: Is This Progress?
This is the kind of “thing” that makes me wonder why we are still in Afghanistan -- and makes me sick to my stomach. Apparently this despicable practice “is on the rise in post-Taliban Afghanistan…” According to Dee Brillenburg Wurth, a child-protection expert at the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, “Like it or not, there was better rule of law under the Taliban …They saw it … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Is This Progress?
A Salute to the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon and its Builder, Lockheed Martin (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: Lockheed Martin commemorated the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon delivery on 3 April 2012 with a ceremony in Fort Worth for employees, customers, former executives, and elected officials. Photo: Courtesy Lockheed Martin's "Code One Magazine" UPDATE I: A very nice video on the F-16 below. Original Post: I have written plenty about the sad demise … [Read more...] about A Salute to the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon and its Builder, Lockheed Martin (UPDATES)
How Do We Improve Public Schools? Take Away Their Funding, Terrorize Teachers, and Send Kids Somewhere Else (According to lawmakers) (Guest Voice)
By Elizabeth Walters How can we improve public education for our children? The answers to this question--and the perspectives on the current quality of public education in the United States--are as varied and individualized as the 55 million students who attend public school in this country. Recently, legislators in Louisiana, like their counterparts in many other … [Read more...] about How Do We Improve Public Schools? Take Away Their Funding, Terrorize Teachers, and Send Kids Somewhere Else (According to lawmakers) (Guest Voice)
More Caterpillars?
So it's as ridiculous as a war on caterpillars? Now this story has surfaced: Nebraska’s new abortion law forced one woman to give birth to her terminally ill, premature baby who she then helplessly held dying in her arms. Danielle Deaver gave birth to one pound, ten ounce Elizabeth last December and could do nothing but hold and comfort the baby with her husband, … [Read more...] about More Caterpillars?
Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Repeals Wisconsin Equal Pay Law
So let me get this straight again: all this talk about a Republican "War on Women" is ridiculous -- as ridiculous as talking about a Republican war on caterpillars? Oh, by the way, just saw this story: A Wisconsin law that made it easier for victims of wage discrimination to have their day in court was repealed on Thursday, after Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) quietly … [Read more...] about Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Repeals Wisconsin Equal Pay Law
Partisan Supreme Court
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Partisan Supreme Court
Washington Post: Romney Partially Protects from Disclosures Some Bain Holdings (UPDATED)
You can see a Democratic Party political ad on this development. Or several ads. It'll fit right into the narrative the Democrats are starting to weave about likely 2012 Republican Presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, whose wealth has become a central issue in the 2012 campaign, has taken advantage … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Romney Partially Protects from Disclosures Some Bain Holdings (UPDATED)
Republican Party Chief Compares “War on Women” Charge to “War on Caterpillars”
In a sign of how the general election campaign is now well underway, the big debate yesterday was over...caterpillars. Or, rather, "the War on Women." And whether it's real or not. And whether a key Republican official was somehow likening women to caterpillars. Welcome to American politics 21st century style where now more than ever the act of mouthing words is supposed to … [Read more...] about Republican Party Chief Compares “War on Women” Charge to “War on Caterpillars”
Mitt’s the One
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mitt’s the One
Handicapping the Republican Veep Stakes
WASHINGTON -- Playing second fiddle to Mitt Romney won't be easy, but somebody has to be his running mate. Let's handicap the field: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: The choice who offers the biggest potential reward -- for the biggest risk. The telegenic young Cuban-American could potentially shore up three of the Romney campaign's weaknesses: He is an unambiguous … [Read more...] about Handicapping the Republican Veep Stakes
Santorum Claims Delegate Count Wrong
Rick Santorum's campaign is claiming his delegate count is higher and Romney's lower than the media have reported, and that his campaign is working with Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich in various capacities to deny Romney the nomination. I don't know how much of this is realistic versus wishful thinking, but it's interesting. Information here. (This item cross-posted to Dean's … [Read more...] about Santorum Claims Delegate Count Wrong
Update 3: Will State Autonomy Be Another Casualty of Zimmerman’s Gun?
Stand Your Ground laws, which extend the "Castle doctrine" to areas outside the home, are under fresh scrutiny due to George Zimmerman's shooting and killing Trayvon Martin in February. Martin, a teen, was killed in a suburb of Orlando, FL. Florida Sen. Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale) opposed Florida's 2005 legislation and is leading an investigation into the statute. … [Read more...] about Update 3: Will State Autonomy Be Another Casualty of Zimmerman’s Gun?
Is Santorum History?
While campaigning in vain in Wisconsin last week, Rick Santorum claimed: I was just reading something last night from the state of California. And that the California universities – I think it’s seven or eight of the California system of universities don’t even teach an American history course. It’s not even available to be taught. Of course he was soon called on … [Read more...] about Is Santorum History?
First Date: A Review of the ACT Theatre and 5th Avenue Theatre Co-production
My wife and I finally found enough free time to see the new musical First Date, a co-production of ACT-A Contemporary Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre. As we settled into our seats and perused the program, my wife whispered, "I wonder if anyone on a first date is seeing this show? That sounds like something you would have done." I whispered back, "Well, if anyone is, it'll … [Read more...] about First Date: A Review of the ACT Theatre and 5th Avenue Theatre Co-production
For the Good of All, China Must ‘Join the Scrum’ Against North Korea (Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Japan)
Has the threat posed by North Korea become so great, that Beijing will fully join the rest of the world in bringing the maximum pressure to bear against Pyongyang? Expressing friendly skepticism about geopolitical naivete on the part of President Obama and issuing a plea to China to get off the stick, this editorial from Japan's Nishi Nippon Shimbun laments that the signs … [Read more...] about For the Good of All, China Must ‘Join the Scrum’ Against North Korea (Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Japan)
Romney Mocks Obama’s Harvard Ties Despite His Own (and His Sons)
The time has come to ask it: 1. Who is ADVISING former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney? Is it a mole from John Stewart's company or SNL? 2. If this is the indicative of the Romney Presidential campaign to come the Republicans have a huge political problem. The reason: Romney has mocked Barack Obama for his Harvard ties -- despite his own and his sons. NO JOKE: Mitt … [Read more...] about Romney Mocks Obama’s Harvard Ties Despite His Own (and His Sons)
The Terrible Burden on ‘American Black Boys’ (Le Monde, France)
To many people in the outside world, the killing of Trayvon Martin seems to be stretching the fabric of American society to the breaking point. For France's Le Monde, U.S. correspondent Corine Lesnes writes with surprise of how the events of the past month could have occurred three years after the election of America's first Black president. For Le Monde, Corine Lesnes … [Read more...] about The Terrible Burden on ‘American Black Boys’ (Le Monde, France)
Watching November Shape Up
Although there will always be much talk of national polls, the only real way to understand the upcoming Presidential election is to look at the state-by-state electoral map. Real Clear Politics has just such a map. At the moment, the President looks to have a significant advantage there, although hardly an insurmountable one. We can also look for that map to change somewhat … [Read more...] about Watching November Shape Up
A Poll Or Pundit For Every Perspective
Are President Barack Obama and the Democrats political toast? There are signs that could be the case. Even signs that Democrats could lose the Senate, not win back the House and lose the Oval Office. But...WAIT! Welcome to our manic depressant election year where you can choose the poll or argument of your partisan liking and the only certainty will be: predictions are … [Read more...] about A Poll Or Pundit For Every Perspective