After months of trying to ameliorate a disease ravaging the GOP, Jon Huntsman Jr. has moved into fighting cancers that afflict human beings rather than the body politic by taking over as chairman of a foundation that funds his family’s Institute, a research, education and treatment center with a full-time faculty and staff of 1300. In his political hiatus, Huntsman worked … [Read more...] about Cancers of the Body Politic
Psilocybin A Treatment for Depression?
Maybe: Academy of Sciences published a study purporting to show how psilocybin, the active ingredient in what are known as "magic mushrooms" is helpful in the treatment of depression, PTSD and anxiety. Another study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found similar results. Meantime, researchers around the world have been experimenting with Ecstasy, whose … [Read more...] about Psilocybin A Treatment for Depression?
NBC/Marist Poll: Romney Up 15 Points Over Gingrich
Each new poll that coming out of Florida has worse news for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. I guess this one suggests voters didn't suddenly run to him following Sarah Palin's defense of him: Mitt Romney may be on his way to a decisive victory in the Florida GOP primary Tuesday, according to a new NBC/Marist poll. Romney leads Newt Gingrich by 15 points, 42 percent … [Read more...] about NBC/Marist Poll: Romney Up 15 Points Over Gingrich
Consensus of Polls: It’s Romney in Tuesday’s Florida Republican Primary
Nate Silver looks at a variety of polls and gives us the bottom line: unless there is some huge shift, a consensus of polls indicates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will beat former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday: You can find pretty much every species of poll in Florida right now. There are traditional polls and … [Read more...] about Consensus of Polls: It’s Romney in Tuesday’s Florida Republican Primary
Why Are Republicans So Worried About Debating Obama?
It's not as though Obama is a particularly adept debater. But the subject comes up constantly on the Republican side, or so Maureen Dowd believes. They seem to have forgotten that, while Obama has had dazzling moments of strength in executing Osama and in swashbuckling derring-do against Somali pirates — if not in dealing with Congress — he was no Abe Lincoln in … [Read more...] about Why Are Republicans So Worried About Debating Obama?
Gingrich, Romney Fely on Eurobashing to "Define Their America"
Four years ago, Obama campaigned with hope and change. He ran against George W. Bush's track record, even though Bush was not running again. Today, Republicans campaign with fear and "against Europe", although Europe won't be on the ballot box in November. For Obama, Bush was "the other" against which he defined himself. For Republicans that … [Read more...] about Gingrich, Romney Fely on Eurobashing to "Define Their America"
The Washington-Wall Street Revolving Door Just Keeps Spinning Along (Guest Voice)
The Washington-Wall Street Revolving Door Just Keeps Spinning Along by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We’ve already made our choice for the best headline of the year, so far: "Citigroup Replaces JPMorgan as White House Chief of Staff." When we saw it on the website Gawker.com we had to smile -- but the smile didn’t last long. There’s simply too much … [Read more...] about The Washington-Wall Street Revolving Door Just Keeps Spinning Along (Guest Voice)
Mom, Dad: The “Choking Game” Must Be Stopped (Guest Voice)
Mom, Dad: The "Choking Game" Must Be Stopped by Danny Tyree Columnist's note: Let's get the "But seriously folks..." disclaimer out of the way first. This column's satirical tone is an exercise in "whistling past the graveyard." Asphyxiation "games" are deadly serious. Parents must be watchful. The DB Foundation has posted warning signs online at … [Read more...] about Mom, Dad: The “Choking Game” Must Be Stopped (Guest Voice)
The New Egypt
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The New Egypt
I’m Turning Forty. . . Half Way to the Grave?
I'm turning forty years old this Sunday. Which means if I'm lucky I'm at the half way point. Although I think eighty might be wishful thinking if I don't start increasing my daily mobility. Sitting on my butt for prolonged increments of time is one of the shared job descriptions that unites my roles as pastor, writer, and radio host. Some days I feel like a stalagmite. … [Read more...] about I’m Turning Forty. . . Half Way to the Grave?
Mexico Drug Violence – ‘Business is Business’ (La Jornada, Mexico)
Why is Mexico's 'war on drugs' proving to be the longest and most deadly battle in the nation's history? Columnist Luis Javier Garrido of Mexico's La Jornada outlines in great detail how the companies and government agencies which are supposed to battle narco-trafficking are proving so profitable, neither governments nor the companies they pay wish it to end. For La Jornada, … [Read more...] about Mexico Drug Violence – ‘Business is Business’ (La Jornada, Mexico)
Poll: Romney Now Has 11 Point Lead Over Gingrich In Florida (UPDATED 2)
A new Reuters/Ipsos online poll mirrors what most polls are finding: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seems to have Big Mo in Florida while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's poll numbers are going anywhere but in the direction of the moon: White House hopeful Mitt Romney widened his lead over rival Newt Gingrich to 11 percentage points in Florida, according to … [Read more...] about Poll: Romney Now Has 11 Point Lead Over Gingrich In Florida (UPDATED 2)
Will No One Free Us From The Washington-Wall Street Embrace?
Today's New York Times features an article headlined "Goldman Ties Enrich Public and Private Life for Romney." It details how the likely Republican candidate for president not only keeps his family money tucked away with the corporate face of Wall Street, Goldman Sachs, but is getting much of his campaign money channeled from this same outfit. My, my. Stories such as … [Read more...] about Will No One Free Us From The Washington-Wall Street Embrace?
I Told You So Post: Palin Reportedly Scares Some GOPers Away From Gingrich
LAPLACE, Louisiana --How could I resist? Here I am at Laplace, Louisiana, en route to another city in Louisiana, on a quick stop. I check the Internet and there it is: a post that says some of what I suggested in an earlier post. So I want to say what I always wanted to say: As I've noted before, no, Sarah Palin lovers and admirers, your heroine is NOT universally loved, … [Read more...] about I Told You So Post: Palin Reportedly Scares Some GOPers Away From Gingrich
Newt to the Moon
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Newt to the Moon
Newt Gingrich’s Two New, High Profile Defenders
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is continuing in his evolution as a conservative candidate most appealing to those who idolize conservative talk shows and as a candidate who most reflects those in the GOP who seemingly seek a smaller tentby making it clear those who don't fit a rigid ideological profile need not attempt entry. His two latest endorsements are sure to be … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich’s Two New, High Profile Defenders
Dimensions of Our Lives
For a while the other day, my life turned upside down—-literally. My computer screen inverted itself and would not return to normal no what matter what I did. After numerous shutdowns, I adjusted to a world in which the cursor moved in the opposite direction from the mouse, managed to find a “restore point” and, clicking on it, brought the screen back to normal. Curious … [Read more...] about Dimensions of Our Lives
GOP Faces The Odds (Guest Voice)
GOP Faces the Odds by Peter Funt It's a two-man race now, Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney. Here's the betting line on key categories that seem to matter most in debates and on the stump. In the category of Falsely Characterizing Obama, Romney uses "European Socialist," which is powerful and connects well with xenophobic voters. Gingrich relies on "Saul Alinsky Radical." … [Read more...] about GOP Faces The Odds (Guest Voice)
What’s the Definition of a “Sour Loser”?
What's the definition of a "sour loser?" THIS. … [Read more...] about What’s the Definition of a “Sour Loser”?
Ganging Up on Gingrich
Ghosts of GOP past are rising from political tombs to sound alarms about Newt in the White House even as the last Florida debate has him on the defensive about the past and future. Gingrich fails in his attempt to use Wolf Blitzer as the kind of tackle dummy he made out of CNN colleague John King in South Carolina, while 1996 candidate Bob Dole is joined by Tom Delay, Ann … [Read more...] about Ganging Up on Gingrich