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
Proposition 8 Ruling To Be Issued Tuesday
Word just issued this morning that the 9th Circuit US Court Of Appeals will issue their ruling on Proposition 8 at 10am on Tuesday February 7th. This ruling will cover the issues of the Constitutionality of Proposition 8 as well as review the lower court opinion, the issues of standing and alleged bias on the part of Judge Walker. Whatever the ruling is it will be … [Read more...] about Proposition 8 Ruling To Be Issued Tuesday
The Problem With Economists
Have you ever wondered why economists get it wrong so often when it comes to predicting the direction of the economy, the stock market, and so many other matters economic and financial? Here's the reason... The Problem With Economists An economist is a brilliant chap Who studies the markets hard and long, Which raises this question in many minds: Why is he much of the … [Read more...] about The Problem With Economists
GOP In Decline? Someone Had Better Tell The Voters.
I've been hearing lately that the Republican Party (note: I am not a Republican) is "in decline" because of this, that, or the other thing. The funny thing about that decline being that according to Gallup, the American populace has been trending away from Democrats and toward Republicans the last few years, and both parties are pretty much at parity. Which looks suspiciously … [Read more...] about GOP In Decline? Someone Had Better Tell The Voters.
Mitt, Gore, Kerry: Hail to the Stiff?
As Mitt Romney takes another step to the nomination and gains momentum, the question of personal chemistry comes to the fore. Would Americans elect a president they viscerally dislike? In a Slate piece titled “Romney is Kerry. Maybe Gore,” Jacob Weisberg argues: “Romney strongly resembles two similarly unloved Democratic nominees from the recent past, Al Gore and John … [Read more...] about Mitt, Gore, Kerry: Hail to the Stiff?
Multi Billion Dollar Election Sinkhole
As I was pondering the elections this weekend I could not help but reflect that the Presidential race alone is expected to spend upwards of a one or two billion dollars. Add in the Congressional races and you get to perhaps three billion or more. And what will the result of all that spending be ? The most likely outcome is pretty much status quo. President Obama is … [Read more...] about Multi Billion Dollar Election Sinkhole
Romney’s Gaffe About The Poor Masks Unpleasant Realities About America
Mitt Romney's gaffe about poor people has triggered an overdue if likely short-lived debate about America's underclass. Speaking to CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien after his victory in the Florida Republican primary, Romney blurted out, "I’m not concerned about the very poor." Taken in context, the remark wasn't quite what it seemed to be because the candidate, in another of … [Read more...] about Romney’s Gaffe About The Poor Masks Unpleasant Realities About America
America’s Young People Turn Against ‘Patriotic Bravado’ (Gazeta, Russia)
Are young people in America less stridently nationalistic than their predecessors? Columnist Fyodor Lukyanov of Russia's Gazeta, citing recent Pew Research Center polling data, asserts in this detailed evaluation of U.S. public attitudes, that there is a declining tendency on the part of the U.S. population to believe in American exceptionalism, and concludes that U.S. foreign … [Read more...] about America’s Young People Turn Against ‘Patriotic Bravado’ (Gazeta, Russia)
New Legendary 2012 Super Bowl Commercial Ad: Honda’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Updated as “Matthews Day Off”
One of the most anticipated and commented upon 2012 Super Bowl commercials was Honda's which kind of updated "Ferris Beuller's Day Off". Here's the Honda explanation on You Tube: To celebrate the launch of the all-new 2012 CR-V, Honda brought Ferris Bueller's Day Off back in a big game commercial. We cast Matthew Broderick as himself, skipping out on a day of acting work … [Read more...] about New Legendary 2012 Super Bowl Commercial Ad: Honda’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Updated as “Matthews Day Off”
The Citizens United Catastrophe
WASHINGTON -- We have seen the world created by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, and it doesn't work. Oh, yes, it works nicely for the wealthiest and most powerful people in the country, especially if they want to shroud their efforts to influence politics behind shell corporations. It just doesn't happen to work if you think we are a democracy and not a … [Read more...] about The Citizens United Catastrophe
Take Back the Republican Party (Guest Voice)
Take Back the Republican Party by Linda Gibson It’s time for the grownups among us to quit indulging the tantrums of the political 2-year-olds in the Republican Party hollering “No!” unless they get their way. One way to accomplish this would be for Democrats, Independents, Greens, Libertarians and moderates of all kinds to join the Republican Party. Take it back from … [Read more...] about Take Back the Republican Party (Guest Voice)
TIPS Is Alive and Well In The Obama Administration, Just Under A New Name
Update: The material appears to have been developed with grants from DOJ, not directly by DOJ. Ten years ago, the Bush Administration pushed a new program, Terrorism Information and Prevention System (Operation TIPS), designed to entice Americans to snitch on their neighbors. From Reason magazine: TIPS in essence deputizes 1 million Americans in 10 cities as … [Read more...] about TIPS Is Alive and Well In The Obama Administration, Just Under A New Name