Having run out of zingers like "what are they smoking?" and "it must be something in the water," I am left speechless if not wordless that the Republicans once again seem ready to embrace Representative Paul Ryan's Reverse Robin Hood plan. Should you not recall, this was a deficit reduction plan that would given even more tax breaks to the rich while phasing out Medicare and … [Read more...] about House Republicans Walking Back Into The Political Buzzsaw
Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute
If Charles Dickens had lived until 1888, he might have been among the select group of British eminentoes who recorded their voices for Thomas Edison's newfangled phonograph. Robert Browning did it, though the aged poet forgot his own verses in mid-recitation. Alfred Lord Tennyson, even older at the time, recorded "The Charge of the Light Brigade" for posterity in a wrinkled … [Read more...] about Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute
John Avlon: Three Things You Need to Know About Today’s GOP Contests
Independent CNN commentator John Avlon gives these tips on three things you need to know about today's GOP contests: FOOTNOTE: It's already looking as if this could be a good night for former Senator Rick Santorum, a wash-out for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and night present front-runner former Gov. Mitt Romney might want to forget. Photo via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about John Avlon: Three Things You Need to Know About Today’s GOP Contests
Some Meaningless Voting Tonight
Republicans are holding a primary in Missouri and cauci in Minnesota and Colorado. Total number of delegates at stake.... zero Importance of tonights vote... well it gives Wolf and Rachel something to do... … [Read more...] about Some Meaningless Voting Tonight
Poll: Mitt Romney is Not Closing the Deal
A Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Mitt Romney is not closing the deal with conservative Republicans. In fact, he has lost a bit of support: Despite his strong showing in early state contests in the race for the Republican U.S. presidential nomination, Mitt Romney's support nationwide has dipped slightly during the past month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on … [Read more...] about Poll: Mitt Romney is Not Closing the Deal
Don’t Let The Door Hit You In The Ass On The Way Out
Karen Handel, a senior vice president for public policy at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and the woman widely viewed as having pressured Komen to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood, has resigned. The only question is why it took so long. In a whiny, self-serving letter, the woman who engineered this public relations disaster says that she is declining … [Read more...] about Don’t Let The Door Hit You In The Ass On The Way Out
9th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules Proposition 8 Is Unconstitutional
Moments ago a 3 judge panel of the United States 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection provisions of the US Constitution. The 2-1 ruling was made by a 3 judge panel and at first glance it appears it applies only to California. Because the ruling was tailored to apply only to Caifornia and the process of the California Supreme … [Read more...] about 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules Proposition 8 Is Unconstitutional
An Air Force Woman Four-Star General
Way back in 1971 when I was a young Air Force captain I clearly remember a woman in my Service totally outranking me -- receiving her first star. The woman was Brigadier General Jeanne M. Holm and I remember it clearly because Holm was the first female general in the Air Force -- a thing unheard of in those days. She would make history again a couple of years later when, in … [Read more...] about An Air Force Woman Four-Star General
Still Kicking, Santorum Keeps Hammering Away at Romney
Ever so slowly, and ever so reluctantly, Republicans are lining up in typical jackbooted fashion behind Mitt Romney. The still-feisty Gingrich is an exception, of course, and he's been hammering Romney for some time now as a "Massachusetts moderate," but so too is Santorum, who is hoping for a comeback, post-Iowa, with strong showings in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri today, … [Read more...] about Still Kicking, Santorum Keeps Hammering Away at Romney
Conservatives Aren’t Conservative Anymore
WASHINGTON - Some new polling today reveals that Rick Santorum could be in for a very good day. Contemplate that for a moment. Rick Santorum, a perfect example of religious conservatism or fundamentalist Republicanism, take your pick, but he's certainly not conservative in the actual meaning of the word. That Rick Santorum also believes abortion is done cavalierly and is … [Read more...] about Conservatives Aren’t Conservative Anymore
Yet Again, The GOP Makes A Little Controversy Even Worse
You have to hand it to the Republican Party: It not only seems incapable of turning the other cheek, but habitually makes matters worse when a little controversy crosses its path. The latest little controversy is a Chrysler Corporation ad titled "It's Halftime in America" aired during Super Bowl on Sunday evening. The ad, rather drearily uninventive as were most this year, … [Read more...] about Yet Again, The GOP Makes A Little Controversy Even Worse
The Scourge of the SuperPACs
In this era of unconstrained attack ads and extreme partisan politics, a plague has visited America that increases divisiveness and negativity, generated not by the hand of the Almighty, but through the pockets of the most affluent. This scourge of the SuperPACs has put democracy at risk. A small number of extremely wealthy individuals and corporations, as well as unions and … [Read more...] about The Scourge of the SuperPACs
Obama Approves Super PAC
What's good for the goose ? … [Read more...] about Obama Approves Super PAC
Details of What Son Murderer Josh Powell Get Even Worse
It's a story so painful I can't write about it. Josh Powell, husband of two-years-missing Utah woman Susan, not only blew up the house with him and his two sons. Details coming out are even more horrific -- if that's possible. And the photo of him with his two trusting young sons sparks a heartbreak that will last my lifetime. Details here. … [Read more...] about Details of What Son Murderer Josh Powell Get Even Worse
The Uninspired GOP Electorate
WASHINGTON -- OK, now it's settled, right? I mean, it must be settled by now. Mitt Romney is going to be the nominee. Eat your peas, Republicans, and then fall in line, because Romney's the guy. Right? Probably. Even at this point, after Romney trounced Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary and the Nevada caucuses, there are some fairly compelling reasons for … [Read more...] about The Uninspired GOP Electorate
Los Angeles School To Replace Entire Staff
Officials of the Los Angeles School District have announced that they will replace the entire staff of a troubled school where two teachers were arrested on charges of lewd conduct. It is not yet clear if this move will be permanent or temporary. I do understand the need to protect children from potential predators as well as those who ignore the conduct. At the same time … [Read more...] about Los Angeles School To Replace Entire Staff
Those skilled low skilled workers!
I have a great deal of respect for James Joyner and his does a good job of critiquing the really offensive book by Charles Murray, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010. But in the comments section he goes too far: As a matter of sheer economics, the gravy train in which low skill laborers could make fantastic livings in manufacturing was unsustainable. But … [Read more...] about Those skilled low skilled workers!
Powell Tragedy
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Powell Tragedy
Chrysler’s Popular and Controversial Super Bowl Commercial: Clint Eastwood in It’s Halftime in America (UPDATED)
The Super Bowl commercial that is getting the most welcome and unwelcome buzz is Chrysler's moving "It's Halftime in America" commercial featuring the great Clint Eastwood, who praises American's tradition of coming together and acting as one in times of adversity. He points to how Detroit was written off but survived. Who could argue that was some kind of manipulative … [Read more...] about Chrysler’s Popular and Controversial Super Bowl Commercial: Clint Eastwood in It’s Halftime in America (UPDATED)
Komen-Planned Parenthood Kerfuffle Exposes Something You Probably Didn’t Know
News flash: if you give money to that group that does the "pink ribbon" campaign for breast cancer, some of that money you give might go to an organization that performs hundreds of thousands of abortions every year. That organization also gives out birth control and referrals to other agencies that provide free or low-cost mammograms and other women's health stuff that are … [Read more...] about Komen-Planned Parenthood Kerfuffle Exposes Something You Probably Didn’t Know