Your Local Broadcast News is Making Us Stupid by Tina Dupuy "The media," as it's referred to, is not a monolith. We don't just have one channel, one paper or one Web site with one nefarious dude pulling levers. "The media" consists of books, newspapers, magazines, television, billboards, radio, blogs, vlogs, ebooks, webcasts, podcasts and movies etc. The media is a vast and … [Read more...] about Your Local Broadcast News is Making Us Stupid
Obama Sets Record: His Job Approval Now Below Jimmy Carter’s
We're getting the answer at least in terms of poll numbers fo the big question that was raised at the start of Barack Obama's Presidency: would he turn out to be another FDR, another JFK, another Reagan or another Carter? In terms of polling he is now officially "another Carter" -- and future Presidents may be get the label "another Obama" unless this changes: President … [Read more...] about Obama Sets Record: His Job Approval Now Below Jimmy Carter’s
The Wrath of Grover
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How to Make the Republican Debates Less Boring
The Republican Party’s stream of debates is coming under fire for being “increasingly intolerable,” hurting the Republicans’ brand — and becoming boring. Here are two suggestions on how to liven things up. Suggestion One: USE HUMOR: Jon Huntsman’s campaign has fizzled and many call him dull. Huntsman could gain traction by adding “switched” classic comedy club, Las Vegas … [Read more...] about How to Make the Republican Debates Less Boring
In China, Eyes Wide Open
BEIJING -- Even the briefest acquaintance with this smoggy, sprawling capital is basis enough to conclude that much of the campaign rhetoric we're hearing about China is unrealistic, dishonest or just dumb. This is my first visit to China, and I plan to spend the next few columns reporting what I see and learn. I spent enough years as a foreign correspondent to know how … [Read more...] about In China, Eyes Wide Open
New Slogan for Cain
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Cain Pain
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The Cain Train
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The End of Herman Cain
WASHINGTON - It's just another T.K.O. for Ego. If you want to know how these things happen, the story of Herman and Ginger is the most common. Having had the title of "relationship consultant" at the LA Weekly back in the mid-1990s, I know more than most about these things. The latest news was always inevitable, from the moment we saw Gloria Allred behind the microphone. … [Read more...] about The End of Herman Cain
CNN Reports Cain “Reassesing” Run For President
No confirmation yet (and no link on CNN.com) but the talking heads on CNN are reporting that he is "reassessing" his run for President. Given the less than organized nature of the Cain campaign this could be a false report, but it could be that he and his wife have had a "chat" about things. The Hill is also echoing this report. More details as they come in. … [Read more...] about CNN Reports Cain “Reassesing” Run For President
Happy Birthday or Leave Me Alone? The TSA at the Ten-Year Mark
Guest post by Justin Oberman Just over ten years ago, a far-reaching and convoluted bill was enacted. It created a new government agency that most Americans think is a big hassle, if not worse. The Transportation Security Administration, born in the wake of 9/11, enters its second decade with a list of successes and shortcomings that we should examine. As the agency's … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday or Leave Me Alone? The TSA at the Ten-Year Mark
The ‘Little Sparrow’ Has Passed
Lana Peters, the only daughter and surviving child of Josef Stalin, perhaps the greatest tyrant of the last century, has died impoverished and in obscurity 12 years into the new century in a nursing home in a quiet Wisconsin community. She was 86. The death of Peters, who was named Svetlana Stalina at birth, was like a barely audible echo from an explosion in a galaxy far, … [Read more...] about The ‘Little Sparrow’ Has Passed
Newt Gingrich Moves Into Attack Mode Against Mitt Romney
No one is suggesting anymore that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is running for Presidents strictly to sell books or to increase his speaking fees. As he watches his poll numbers zoom and sees himself attaining front-runner status in some key polls, he now looks like he's seriously going for it. For instance, note these recent attack comments against former Massachusetts … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Moves Into Attack Mode Against Mitt Romney
African Nations Play Greater Role in the War against Terror
Africa has become a focal point in the war against terror. Away from the West and the battle fields of Iraq and Afganistahan Africa's vast open and wild territory has become a playing ground for various terror groups over the last few years. The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army), and Al Shabaab, two of the major terror groups operating in Africa, are now commonly known names in … [Read more...] about African Nations Play Greater Role in the War against Terror
‘The Age of Innocence’ To ‘Empire Of The Summer Moon’: 35 Influential Books
The end of another new year and there are another 30 or so books under this bibliophile's belt, an inordinate number of them Scandinavian murder mysteries (I inhale them like popcorn) but a fair number of them heavy duty (like eating one's way through a five-course meal). A year ago I published a list of my 30 most influential books, which I expand to 35 here (actually 36 … [Read more...] about ‘The Age of Innocence’ To ‘Empire Of The Summer Moon’: 35 Influential Books
TIME Glosses Over Egyptian Unrest In U.S. Cover Choice
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? What do these covers say about American news consumers, compared with news consumers globally, and what do they say about the editorial policy of TIME Magazine? In the U.S., TIME tells consumers that "Anxiety Is Good For You" but in the rest of the world, TIME acknowledges the upheaval that has returned to Egypt and that is … [Read more...] about TIME Glosses Over Egyptian Unrest In U.S. Cover Choice
Four I’ll Miss
Four I'll Miss by Peter Funt Four top notch news guys died this fall. Their individual styles of journalism could not have been more different, and yet they were alike in their dedication to keeping audiences informed and entertained. They touched us all, but for me each had a special connection. Tom Wicker was more than a great reporter, he was a progressive thinker … [Read more...] about Four I’ll Miss
Draft Hillary
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Some Rich Get Richer (Updated: Or Not?)
Update: The Daily Mail headlines, No wonder they looked sheepish! Wealthy bankers who claimed record $254m jackpot accused of collecting fortune as a 'front' for mysterious client. Who says it's the poor who play the lottery? We all like the lottery. 3 Asset Managers Won $254 Million in Connecticut's Powerball Lottery: Timothy C. Davidson, Brandon E. Lacoff and Gregory … [Read more...] about Some Rich Get Richer (Updated: Or Not?)
Barney Frank Retiring
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