I receive several opportunities a month to do book reviews. I turn most of them down in spite of the fact it means I won't get a free book. I almost decided against reviewing We Heard the Heavens Then: A Memoir of Iran but eventually agreed. After reading the first few pages I knew I had made the right decision. We Heard The Heavens Then by Aria Minu-Sepher is the story … [Read more...] about Book Review – We Heard the Heavens Then: A Memoir of Iran
The Swing Vote
The Swing Vote is the title of a recent book by Linda Killian that laments the lack of power independents have in Washington and their impotence in determining government policy. It is a strong affirmation of the need for independents to get involved in politics to bring about change. The percentage of Americans who self-label themselves as independents already constitutes the … [Read more...] about The Swing Vote
Time To Put Another Herbert Hoover In The White House?
Mitt Romney claims his business background qualifies him for the presidency. Well, I don't know. "Business background" is a broad descriptive brush. I'm in the poetry business, for example. Does that qualify me for the Oval Office? Many people (perhaps most) would say it doesn't. Romney's own "business background," his claimed primary qualifier for this country's top elected … [Read more...] about Time To Put Another Herbert Hoover In The White House?
Shining A Light On ALEC
Paul Krugman writes that one of the consequences of the Trayvon Martin shooting is that people are beginning to focus on so called Stand Your Ground Laws and the people behind them. What we're discovering is that the people behind these laws have gathered under the acronym ALEC. And the truth is they are "the usual suspects:" What is ALEC? Despite claims that it’s … [Read more...] about Shining A Light On ALEC
GOP Presidential Primaries: The Spark Is Gone (UPDATED)
UPDATE II: See the New York Times version of the sparks flying here UPDATE I: Apparently the spark is not gone -- at least not with Santorum. Santorum generated quite a few sparks on Sunday in a mini-confrontation with New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleni. When asked by Zeleni, "You said Mitt Romney is the worst Republican in the country. Is that true?" a sparkly … [Read more...] about GOP Presidential Primaries: The Spark Is Gone (UPDATED)
If Supreme Court Nixes Health Care Reform Will It Doom Obama’s Re-election?
Today the focus turns to the Supreme Court as it begins a challenge to President Barack Obama's signature health care reform act. Few pundits are willing to predict what will happen but it's clear some Supreme Court members will not be fans of the act. The question then becomes: if the court nixes health care reform how will it impact Obama's re-election? CNN's Jeffrey Tobin … [Read more...] about If Supreme Court Nixes Health Care Reform Will It Doom Obama’s Re-election?
The Right’s Etch a Sketch Imperative
WASHINGTON -- Clarifying moments are rare in politics. They are the times when previously muddled issues are suddenly cast into sharp relief and citizens are given a look behind the curtains of spin and obfuscation. Over the last week, Americans were blessed with three separate clarifying moments. Rep. Paul Ryan made absolutely clear that he is not now and … [Read more...] about The Right’s Etch a Sketch Imperative
Job Description of a 911 Dispatcher: A Complicated Job, Far More than Answering Phone
I think well trained Dispatchers are in fact, multi-talented people who know about de-escalating situations when possible, and getting the stock rolling to help whenever possible. I just bolded aspects of the job I found interesting, or hadnt known about or understood before. Yours might be similar or different... The Job The Emergency Dispatcher receives complaints … [Read more...] about Job Description of a 911 Dispatcher: A Complicated Job, Far More than Answering Phone
Love vs. Hate in America, 2012
I paid a posthumous visit last week to the world I once lived in—-a Manhattan gathering of privileged people giving money and time to a cause of caring and concern. Nothing has changed. The well-to-do and a few celebrities mingle at a reception and then sit in an auditorium to applaud expressions of social and political decency. The faces are new, but they belong to people … [Read more...] about Love vs. Hate in America, 2012
A current Want Ad for a 911 Emergency Communications Specialist, Orlando FL.
I've been self employed for 42 years. When I see 3 weeks paid vacation... it is slightly tempting ... but in a whole other way, I sense three weeks' vacation per year for a Emergency Communications Specialist is gratefully embraced and perhaps ought, just for rest and restoration's sake, to be three weeks vacation TWICE a year. Orlando Police Department Communications … [Read more...] about A current Want Ad for a 911 Emergency Communications Specialist, Orlando FL.
What it Takes to Be a 911 Emergency Dispatcher: Education, Record, Coursework, Apprenticeship, Continuing Ed
Citizens experiencing a true emergency phone 911 to talk to a dispatcher. By quickly determining the situation and location, a 911 dispatcher is able to communicate the necessary information to fire fighters, police officers or other emergency response technicians. Becoming a 911 dispatcher involves a lengthy application process followed by a three to six month training … [Read more...] about What it Takes to Be a 911 Emergency Dispatcher: Education, Record, Coursework, Apprenticeship, Continuing Ed
Paul Ryan’s Study In Political Cruelty: This Week’s Report From 20 Paws Ranch
There is much to like in the Republican budget plan rolled out by Representative Paul Ryan last week. That is if you are a millionaire, a Wall Street fat cat or and don't have to worry about what happens if you become ill. But if you are like the many Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, wondering how they can afford to send their kids to college and whether the … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan’s Study In Political Cruelty: This Week’s Report From 20 Paws Ranch
New Trayvon Martin Case Witness Claims Zimmerman Held Down Trayvon After Shooting Him and Did Nothing to Help Him
Now another witness has come foward in the Trayvon Martin killing case -- and what she has to say on NBC's Dateline is likely to increase the clamor for gun-toting neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman's arrest. The Daily Mail: A woman has stepped forward, saying she witnessed the final moments of Trayvon Martin’s life. In an interview set to air on Dateline … [Read more...] about New Trayvon Martin Case Witness Claims Zimmerman Held Down Trayvon After Shooting Him and Did Nothing to Help Him
Nuclear Summit in Seoul Must Resist ‘Nuclear Power Mafia’ (The Hankyoreh, South Korea)
Is the Nuclear Security Summit about to begin in Seoul a way for those who profit from nuclear power to sweep the concerns of the world's people under the rug? This editorial from South Korea's The Hankyoreh warns that the summit - the first nuclear summit to be held since Fukushima - is in danger of being hijacked by a 'nuclear power mafia' comprised of the major nuclear … [Read more...] about Nuclear Summit in Seoul Must Resist ‘Nuclear Power Mafia’ (The Hankyoreh, South Korea)
Rush Limbaugh Damage Control?
Rush Limbaugh has done some damage control. From talk show consultant Holland Cooke's blog: “You have no idea…” …how Rush gaffe has mucked-up radio, a longtime network exec tells me. Dallaswatch: MORE NEWS LESS TALK on sister station of Cumulus-owned WBAP, the Limbaugh Dallas affiliate. So where’s Huckabee go? All ears will be on this week’s conference call with … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh Damage Control?
U.S. Pays Restitution to Victims of Afghanistan Massacre
The U.S. has paid some restitution to victims of the Afghanistan massacre. Newsy.com has this good summary: … [Read more...] about U.S. Pays Restitution to Victims of Afghanistan Massacre
AJC Coast-to-Coast Analysis Finds Suspicious Test Scores In 200 Districts
Outstanding investigation: Suspicious test scores in roughly 200 school districts resemble those that entangled Atlanta in the biggest cheating scandal in American history, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows. The newspaper analyzed test results for 69,000 public schools and found high concentrations of suspect math or reading scores in school systems … [Read more...] about AJC Coast-to-Coast Analysis Finds Suspicious Test Scores In 200 Districts
A Collection of Editorial Cartoons on the Trayvon Martin Shooting
GO HERE to see the collection. … [Read more...] about A Collection of Editorial Cartoons on the Trayvon Martin Shooting
Hate Crime in California? Muslim Women Beaten to Death in El Cajon Hate Note Left
A sad, troubling ending from story from El Cajon, CA (near where I live). A Muslim woman found beatened nearly to death drowned in her own blood with a note saying: "Go back to your own country." Read the details via AP and then watch the wrenching video of her daughter's message -- which is worth a "ditto." The sad ending: A woman from Iraq who was found beaten next … [Read more...] about Hate Crime in California? Muslim Women Beaten to Death in El Cajon Hate Note Left
More Better Wisdom
One of the crazy things about Romney is that there's really so little to say about him. It looks as though we're stuck with the guy for at least another seven-eight months. Geez. This blogger, absent the revelation that Mitt Romney wasn't born in America or even on this planet!, anticipates at least half a year of unrelieved Free Cell games. Are the rest of you opinionated … [Read more...] about More Better Wisdom