Forget the political song and dance. Just for a moment. Take a break. And enjoy a classic and soothing one: … [Read more...] about Forget the Political Song and Dance
A Different Kind Of Anti War Movie
Today President Obama signed a bill giving tax credits to employers hiring veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. A worthy cause and similar to efforts that I was part of during the Vietnam war. Even those soldiers who are not physically injured are mentally injured and employers know this. Vietnam was bad, Iraq was worse. I was a member of the military during the … [Read more...] about A Different Kind Of Anti War Movie
If You Want to Be On Fox News Network Thou Shalt Not Take Lord Limbaugh’s Name In Vain
If you want to be invited onto Fox News Network you better not be a high profile Republican critic of Republican Party Higher Power, talk show titan and seeming key party strategist Rush Limbaugh. Or so suggests David Frum... Photo via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about If You Want to Be On Fox News Network Thou Shalt Not Take Lord Limbaugh’s Name In Vain
Obama Veto Threat After Supercommittee Failure: ‘We’ll trim deficit one way or another” (VIDEO)
President Barack Obama, reacting to the spectacular political belly-flop by the Supercommittee (which proved to be anything but) has announced that he will veto an attempt to remove the automatic domestic and defense spending cuts that will kick in now that Congress has failed to deliver with the Supercommittee. Here's his full statement so you can analyze it for … [Read more...] about Obama Veto Threat After Supercommittee Failure: ‘We’ll trim deficit one way or another” (VIDEO)
The VAT Song (Sung To The Tune Of “Home On The Range”
When markets force Congress to finally get serious about reducing deficits, you’ll start hearing a lot about a Value Added Tax. Long popular in Europe, VATs raise huge amounts of money for a government while falling most heavily on the poor. And what Republican congressman could object to that? The VAT Song Oh, give me a home, Like in Stuttgart or Rome, Where you’re … [Read more...] about The VAT Song (Sung To The Tune Of “Home On The Range”
The Breakthrough Still Needed
WASHINGTON -- No, the sun didn't rise in the west this morning. No, Republicans on the congressional supercommittee didn't offer meaningful concessions on raising new tax revenue. And no, "both sides" are not equally responsible for the failure to compromise. As usual, the two parties began with vastly different ideas of what it means to negotiate. Democrats … [Read more...] about The Breakthrough Still Needed
Not Disappointed by Obama
WASHINGTON - The Obama supporter in this video is "not disappointed by Pres. Obama." I'm not either. The difference is that I'm not as exhausted as this particular Obama supporter seems to be, because I don't feel the need to defend him or attempt a pitch on his presidency that comes with no enthusiasm and gives lesser of two evils as the foundation. Watching the video … [Read more...] about Not Disappointed by Obama
Bullied Alleged Penn State Sex Abuse Victim Quits High School: Paterno Speaks Out
ZELIENOPLE, Pa. --The virtual epidemic of bullying that has led to a host of tightening of state regulations, special programs in schools and numerous suicides by bullied students has now come front and center in the ongoing Penn State child sexual abuse story: Victim #1 has resigned from high school after being bullied by classmates and fired football coach Joe Paterno has … [Read more...] about Bullied Alleged Penn State Sex Abuse Victim Quits High School: Paterno Speaks Out
There Was Nothing Super About This Committee
The failure of the deficit reduction supercommittee -- so fundamental that the panel could not even agree on what should be in play let alone why it failed -- was foretold. It was a bi-partisan failure in every sense, although much of the blame goes to Republicans, five of six whom would not consider tax hikes for the wealthiest Americans and instead demanded tax cuts for … [Read more...] about There Was Nothing Super About This Committee
Newt Gingrich Don’t Get No Respect (Yet)
Despite polls showing him either tied with or totally eclipsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the GOP Republican Presidential nomination battle, despite former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain steadily sinking in the polls, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has yet to shift the view of some informed Republicans and change some of the negative conventional wisdom -- … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Don’t Get No Respect (Yet)
Not-So-Moderate Memory of Europe in Crisis
British and German heads of state met this week to bridge the gap between them and “tried to paper over divergent views on European policy that have sparked a war of words between politicians and media in both countries.” For someone who lived through World War II, the picture of David Cameron entreating Angela Merkel conjures up Neville Chamberlain trying to appease … [Read more...] about Not-So-Moderate Memory of Europe in Crisis
Rick Santorum Should Just Go To Hell
The juxtaposition on The New York Times homepage of a shocking story that the Census Bureau has found that 51 million Americans have incomes less than 50 percent above the poverty line and the latest frothings from Little Ricky Santorum was in all likelihood unintentional, but made a big point. Two, in fact. Point One is that the number of new near poor in the U.S. as the … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Should Just Go To Hell
Gallup Poll: Romney and Gingrich Lead in Republican Nomination Battle
A new Gallup Poll now confirms other polls that have been trickling out this week: the race for the Republican nomination now has two front runners, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry still looking liked a super-hyped candidate who fizzed and former Godfather's Pizza CEO losing appeal like a cooled … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Romney and Gingrich Lead in Republican Nomination Battle
Spain Conservatives Get Huge Win: Rajoy Warns “No Miracles”
Faced with a recession that has largely undone decades of Franco-era and post-Franco era prosperity, angry Spaniards booted out the Socialists and gave conservatives one of the biggest election victories in Spain in 30 years -- raising expectations and bringing a warning from the man who'll be sworn in as Prime Minister next month that miracles won't occur … [Read more...] about Spain Conservatives Get Huge Win: Rajoy Warns “No Miracles”
Political Pipe Dreams
There are political pipe dreams. Like this. yeah, right. Not gonna happen. Especially when you have this. … [Read more...] about Political Pipe Dreams
30 Years On, The Question Remains: Was Natalie Wood Murdered By Robert Wagner?
It was November 29, 1981 and Hollywood star Natalie Wood had a few days off over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from shooting Brainstorm. She and actor-husband Robert Wagner were doing what they often did on weekends, spending some time on their yacht Splendor, which was docked at Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island, drinking and drugging. Christopher Walken , who also was … [Read more...] about 30 Years On, The Question Remains: Was Natalie Wood Murdered By Robert Wagner?
Oh, And Jane Austen Was Poisoned. Maybe.
Jane Austen's untimely end at the age of 41 has long been a cause for speculation among historians. Austen, the author of classics including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, may have died of arsenic poisoning, according to a crime writer who has reviewed the last letters of the British novelist. The crucial clue lies in a line written by Austen a few … [Read more...] about Oh, And Jane Austen Was Poisoned. Maybe.
John Boehner and the Lobbying Firm Planning to Undermine Occupy Wall Street
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy WASHINGTON - This story puts the 1% in perspective, but also how dangerous the national Occupy movement is seen to be to insiders and establishment players. The plans by a connected lobbying firm to undermine the power building in Occupy is the latest example of how uncomfortable the protesters are … [Read more...] about John Boehner and the Lobbying Firm Planning to Undermine Occupy Wall Street
If They Enforced Bank Regulation Like They Do Park Rules …
We Wouldn't Be In This Mess In The First Place! This meme -- as a tweet and photo of an unidentified protester holding a sign -- has been making the rounds of the interwebs. Wed 16 Nov : @estellevw "If only they enforced bank regulations like they do park rules, we wouldn’t be in this mess." #OWS Early Sun 20 Nov : Cory @doctorow "If Only They Enforced Bank … [Read more...] about If They Enforced Bank Regulation Like They Do Park Rules …
Occupy the Majority
BOSTON -- Everyone on the left side of American politics, from the near end to the far end, has advice for Occupy Wall Street. I'm no exception. But it's useful to acknowledge first that this movement has accomplished things that the more established left didn't. The problems of growing economic inequality and abuses by the masters of the financial world have been in … [Read more...] about Occupy the Majority