As supporters try to put Orrin Hatch, 78, out to pasture and literally dislodge Dick Lugar, 79, zealots in the Senate now are showing their hand against all older Americans by trying to end Medicare for current retirees and enrolling them in a health insurance plan now offered to federal employees by the year after next. A proposal by Sens. Rand Paul, Jim DeMint, Lindsey … [Read more...] about The Tea Party’s War on Age
A Pox on Both Your Houses- A Sudden Burst of Bipartisanship
With public approval of Congress at 10% or below in a number of polls, and with voter wrath directed at incumbents, members of Congress and Senators are starting to realize they have to do something to improve their status in the eyes of the electorate. They are even considering (gasp!) passing two bills on a bipartisan basis and approving stalled judicial nominations. This is … [Read more...] about A Pox on Both Your Houses- A Sudden Burst of Bipartisanship
A Day in the Internet (Infographic)
Here's a great infographic from MBA Online on A Day in the Internet: Created by: MBA Online … [Read more...] about A Day in the Internet (Infographic)
Can Europe’s Left Rebound?
WASHINGTON -- A crisis of capitalism is supposed to create an opening for the political left. But in Europe, the place where the concept of left and right was born, political conservatives have won the bulk of the elections held since economic catastrophe struck in 2008. Is this about to change? The conservative victory most noted in the U.S. was the rise to power … [Read more...] about Can Europe’s Left Rebound?
Bert Parks Miss America 1976: Sped Up (UPDATED)
Some things are better art when they're not shown as they were performed. For instance, speeding up the tape enhances Bert Park's performance here (and it is then INTENTIONALLY funny): PERSONAL NOTE: I have a story about Bert Parks. When I was in high school I spent several summers in the Amity (High School) Theater Music Workshop. We put on musicals and the most talented … [Read more...] about Bert Parks Miss America 1976: Sped Up (UPDATED)
Anger Over Killing of Florida Teen Grows
Once in a while there is a story that so upsets me that I find it hard to write about it but it's a breaking story. So I take the easy way out. I post an embed. And here is CNN's Don Lemon's report on a sad, tragic story of an African-American Florida teen who went out to buy candy for his brother -- and was shot dead by a neighborhood watch volunteer. GO HERE to read news … [Read more...] about Anger Over Killing of Florida Teen Grows
The Difference Between Limbaugh’s Absurdity and Politicians’ Absurdities
On Day 1, Rush Limbaugh called Georgetown student Sandra Fluke a “slut" and a “prostitute.” “She’s having so much sex she can’t afford the contraception,” he said. On Day 2, Limbaugh doubled down and demanded that women post sex videos on line if they use insurance-covered birth control. “So Miss Fluke, and the rest of you Feminazis, here’s the deal. If we are going to pay … [Read more...] about The Difference Between Limbaugh’s Absurdity and Politicians’ Absurdities
Robert Bales and Big Pharma
I did an update on the Robert Bales post below to link to this post at Cannonfire on the malaria drug Lariam but I think it deserves a little more attention. The first link was to this article in Counterpunch: Was Staff Sergeant Shooter On Dangerous Malaria Drug? Few remember the grisly summer of 2002 when four Fort Bragg soldiers’ wives were murdered within six weeks of … [Read more...] about Robert Bales and Big Pharma
BREAKING: Mitt Romney Wins Puerto Rico Primary (UPDATED)
UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal reports that, in addition to winning the Puerto Rico Republican presidential primary contest, Mitt Romney wins “all of the island's 20 delegates at stake because he took more than half of the votes.” === With 11 percent of the vote tallied, CNN is projecting Mitt Romney to be the winner of the Puerto Rico GOP primaries. At this … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Mitt Romney Wins Puerto Rico Primary (UPDATED)
Wanted: An Ecumenical ‘Truce Of God’
I'm not in favor of present-day efforts by religious groups to meddle in matters such as personal reproductive decisions. This is not to say, however, that religious organizations have no good ideas that would improve life on this planet dramatically if proposed on an ecumenical basis. One such idea came to mind the other day while I was reading (re-reading actually) David … [Read more...] about Wanted: An Ecumenical ‘Truce Of God’
Santorum: Obama Putting Kids at Risk For Not Cracking Down on Pornography
Get ready to hear the talking heads (rightfully) say it again. There does not seem to be a learning curve with former Republican Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum who squandered a lead due to getting off message in the past. Pundits in both parties agree that he has an incredible narrative out his blue-collar background and he gains support when he talks movingly about … [Read more...] about Santorum: Obama Putting Kids at Risk For Not Cracking Down on Pornography
This Army Ranger Knows His Way Around the Kitchen
The former Army Ranger is pretty good at cutting green beans to a precise length. He can whip up everything from fish tacos to southwestern coleslaw to pork tenderloins glazed with molasses and sherry -- and he makes sure the presentation is just right. Big deal, you may say. And, yes, it is a big deal for Jeremy Feldbusch. You see, Feldbusch — a former sergeant -- … [Read more...] about This Army Ranger Knows His Way Around the Kitchen
Book Review: “Suicide of a Superpower” by Pat Buchanan
I don't agree with Pat Buchanan says. But I also don't agree with the way critics of his book "Suicide of a Superpower" has been characterized after having listened to every single word of the audio book version. Pat Buchanan's book created quite a stir when it first came out. I turned on a liberal talk show on XM radio to hear a host say the book was proof Buchanan … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Suicide of a Superpower” by Pat Buchanan
Mitt And the Common Man
Maureen Dowd has a column in this morning's New York Times about the problems Mitt Romney has admitting publicly to the tenets of his faith. I have never been too concerned with Romney's faith. That is between him and his God. But I am troubled by something else Dowd mentions. The Wall Street Journal reports that Romney has applied for a permit "to replace his single-story … [Read more...] about Mitt And the Common Man
Candidates won’t Answer Mexicans; Perhaps they will Respond to Mr. Biden (Excelsior, Mexico)
Vice President Joe Biden recently traveled to Mexico, which is another country in the midst of a heated presidential campaign. In an effort not to show favoritism toward the ruling party candidate, Mr. Biden met briefly with each of the candidates. In the event, political analyst Víctor Beltri, in this article from Mexico's Excelsior, which amounts to a direct appeal to the … [Read more...] about Candidates won’t Answer Mexicans; Perhaps they will Respond to Mr. Biden (Excelsior, Mexico)
You Will Never Win! So Give it Away to a Better Cause.
Unfortunately, neither you nor I won the last big mega-millions jackpot. Since misery loves company, let’s see what we’ve learned. First, we are once again reminded, “You can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket.” More importantly, we’ve learned you won’t win if you do buy a ticket. You say, wait a minute, people win all the time. You’re missing the point here. Other people … [Read more...] about You Will Never Win! So Give it Away to a Better Cause.
John Demjanjuk, Convicted Nazi Death Camp Guard, Dies at Age 91
A little less than a year ago, I explained why I did not shed a tear, why I did not feel any pity and why I experienced some closure when I heard that Ukraine-born John Demjanjuk, a guard at Sobibor, was found guilty by a German court of taking part in the murder of more than 28,000 Jews, including my relatives, at a death camp in World War II and was sentenced to five years … [Read more...] about John Demjanjuk, Convicted Nazi Death Camp Guard, Dies at Age 91
Robert Bales and Joint Base Lewis-McChord
U.S. Identifies Army Sergeant in Killing of 16 in Afghanistan The military on Friday identified the soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers earlier this week as Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, a 38-year-old father of two who had been injured twice in combat over the course of four deployments and had, his lawyer said, an exemplary military record. ........ Pentagon … [Read more...] about Robert Bales and Joint Base Lewis-McChord
The Theatrics of Announcements: re Announcement Osama Targeted Obama
if one were to read von Clausewitz, Lao Tzu, Machiavelli, or even the I Ching, the timing of announcements is high craft. I cant image any WHouse singing 'Dum de tee dum, Oh yes, let's just choose any old day to tell the subjects the king was in a cross hairs.' Just my .02. I find much similarity between the inkspot country Vatican and most every regime in terms of much … [Read more...] about The Theatrics of Announcements: re Announcement Osama Targeted Obama
Rush Limbaugh, Heal Thyself
We have all had enough of the Rush Limbaugh - Sandra Fluke episode. However, we just cannot help -- or restrain -- ourselves and just keep writing about it, making political hay, scoring points, moralizing, pontificating, sermonizing (well, you have a thesaurus, too) about it -- including yours truly. One of our contributors, after clenching his teeth, “chomping and … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh, Heal Thyself