Imagine a math problem that asked if there were 20 jews and 10 of them were gassed, how many jews were left ? Well in Georgia there was a math worksheet not far off that mark. In an attempt to mix math and history the teacher chose one of the most offensive possible ways to do it, using questions like "If 8 slaves picked 56 oranges, how many oranges did each one … [Read more...] about If Ten Jews Were Gassed….
Live Blogging the ABC News Republicans’ Debate Tonight
I've been offline most of the day but I will live blogging the remainder of the ABC News Republican Presidential debate. As usual, many of my comments should be taken as the impressions of an independent voter about how the candidates are coming across. END OF DEBATE: Sort of considered a blah debate. Mitt Romney came out unscathed. Look for the band wagon to begin. 6:48: … [Read more...] about Live Blogging the ABC News Republicans’ Debate Tonight
New Hampshire is the First
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about New Hampshire is the First
Some Good News for a Change: Afghanistan’s Pop Idol
The Taliban had banned music and 99% of everything else that is fun. Now, an Afghan version of the "American Idol" called "Afghan Star" has been broadcasted for seven seasons. Millions are watching and voting for their favorite singers by mobile phone. For many this is their first encounter with democracy. A documentary from 2009 follows "the dramatic stories of four … [Read more...] about Some Good News for a Change: Afghanistan’s Pop Idol
Pundits Learning to Love Santorum
Three moderate GOP weathervanes—-George Will, Peggy Noonan and David Brooks—-are being blown by Iowa winds in Rick Santorum’s direction, but in a wobbly way. The usually dour Will starts out almost giddy, claiming Republicans “crave fun. Supporting Mitt Romney still seems to many like a duty...Suddenly, supporting Santorum seems like a lark, partly because a week or so ago … [Read more...] about Pundits Learning to Love Santorum
Squealing Partisans
WASHINGTON - It's as if Democratic and Republican partisans think our country is made of feathers. What’s most important has been left largely unexamined: if one of these candidates actually becomes president and advances his or her policies, what would be the consequences for the nation? - What If Obama Loses? Every election season we hear about the dire consequences … [Read more...] about Squealing Partisans
Bringing Poetry Back Into Politics
Why is poetry no longer one of the primary forms of political analysis and commentary in this country? The answer to this question might seem obvious. Most media, at least the high profile print, broadcast and online media accessed by most people on a regular basis, no longer view poetry as an appropriate means of political analysis and commentary — a view largely shared by … [Read more...] about Bringing Poetry Back Into Politics
Why Obama Will Win Re-Election
As we move into the primary season I thought I would repost my earlier musings on why President Obama is likely to retain his title for another four years. The most basic reason for this conclusion is the simple fact that most Presidents win re-election. If you look over the last 100 years or so, there are only a few examples of Presidents losing. In 1912 President Taft … [Read more...] about Why Obama Will Win Re-Election
The Progress of Technology
I haven't been posting much recently, in part because my primary computer had a mild meltdown and I went ahead and replaced it. In doing so I could not help reflecting on the advances in technology. The laptop I replaced was 5 years old and cost me around $ 1,500 when purchased. The new unit I am now using cost less than half of that and is many times faster with many … [Read more...] about The Progress of Technology
Koch Dominionists for Santorum
Return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear, where, astride his faithful steed Hedgefund, the fake cowboy/real gazillionaire from Wyoming spurred into the sunset and rode valiantly to Salt Lake City, Utah. The Salt Lake City Tribune takes up the tale [emphasis added]: V.P. talks Iraq, borders in SLC BY ROBERT GEHRKE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 29, … [Read more...] about Koch Dominionists for Santorum
Good News: Unemployment is Down: Bad New: Santorum Reacts with Hackery
Independent voters no longer need to watch TV, go to the movies, attend comedy clubs or listen to Donald Trump insist he is really considering a third party run for amusement. We can just watch the dance of the partisans. Many of us independent voters are not just turned off to political polemics but we have to turn off the increasingly predictable (and often execrable) … [Read more...] about Good News: Unemployment is Down: Bad New: Santorum Reacts with Hackery
‘Nuzuko’s Story’: The Final Chapter Is Written
Back in October, I reviewed Susan Winters Cook's newly published Nozuko's Story: The Story of an African Family. The final chapter has now been written. Photograph copyright Susan Winters Cook … [Read more...] about ‘Nuzuko’s Story’: The Final Chapter Is Written
(UPDATED) Bad News For the Romney & GOP: Economy Shows Signs Of A Sustained Recovery
Barack Obama's Achilles heel has been the recession he inherited from George Bush, and without the economy showing real signs of growth -- as in new jobs being created -- the president will remain vulnerable. But there is (fingers crossed) at long last good news. The December job report released this morning by the Labor Department shows that non-farm employment rose by a … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Bad News For the Romney & GOP: Economy Shows Signs Of A Sustained Recovery
What The Frack Is Happening In Youngstown?
A FRACKING-RELATED OPERATION IN DOWNTOWN YOUNGSTOWN To say that fracking has had unintended consequences would be a misnomer. There have been warnings from the outset of the scramble to extract natural gas from shale formations using environmentally unsafe methods, but the case of Youngstown, Ohio is special. On New Years Eve, the central Ohio city had its 11th … [Read more...] about What The Frack Is Happening In Youngstown?
After the Iowa Caucuses
This copyrighted cartoon by Daryl Cagle is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about After the Iowa Caucuses
South Carolina Poll: Romney Leads But Santorum Comes Up Close Behind
It's clear more than ever that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is going to have to make a major effort as it successfully did with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to take apart former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorm. The latest big reason: a new South Carolina prim poll shows Santorum is quickly picking up steam there: What a difference a caucus makes. Rick … [Read more...] about South Carolina Poll: Romney Leads But Santorum Comes Up Close Behind
Experienced War Vets To Decide Fate Of Haditha Massacre Ringleader
Experienced Iraq war veterans will decide the fate of Marine Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, who is charged with voluntary manslaughter and related charges in the massacre of two dozen civilians in the Iraqi village of Haditha in November 2005. The pool of potential jurors being questioned today at Camp Pendleton, California include a colonel, two lieutenant colonels, a … [Read more...] about Experienced War Vets To Decide Fate Of Haditha Massacre Ringleader
Another Regulation for Republicans to Hate
I had never been hospitalized before. I was in my forties, and, save for a long, sadistic episode in which they WOULDN'T let me sleep, after ten hours in a steel mill in Kansas, having hit my head on pavement and requiring five or six stitches and the creepy claustrophobia of a CAT scan and nothing to eat (which I do not consider hospitalization, but, rather, the eight-hour … [Read more...] about Another Regulation for Republicans to Hate
If Washington Makes War on Iran, it will be America’s Last (Samidoon, Palestinian Territories)
Is the United States a war-happy nation? With the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz escalating, columnist Abd Al Bari Atwan of Samidoon in the Palestinian Territories writes that American embargoes invariably lead to war, and with the U.S. economy in crisis, a war with Iran that would boost weapons sales may be precisely what Washington wants. For Samidoon, Abd Al … [Read more...] about If Washington Makes War on Iran, it will be America’s Last (Samidoon, Palestinian Territories)
2012: Start of an Historic Realignment in the Mideast
Terrorist bombs killed another 72 people in Iraq today, on a day considered holy by the Islamic Shia religion. This is a further sign of bloody sectarian strife boiling over after the withdrawal of US troops last December. It also presages a more significant trend that could make 2012 go down in history as the start of a seismic shift in the political makeup of the wider … [Read more...] about 2012: Start of an Historic Realignment in the Mideast