For House Republicans determined to coddle the rich and kneecap the middle class and the poor, it's a new week but the same old spit. In conceding that the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits be extended for another year, the GOP's latest spending bill would cut social spending more deeply than is already anticipated under current budget caps and basically put the … [Read more...] about This Just In: GOP Would Deny Food Stamps & Jobless Benefits . . . To Millionaires
(Breaking News) Sandusky Waives Preliminary Hearing On Sex Abuse Charges
Jerry Sandusky leaving the Centre County Courthouse this morning. The disgraced former assistant football coach at Penn State charged with 52 counts of sexually molesting 10 boys he met through a charity he ran, waived his right to a preliminary hearing this morning. As the proceedings began in a Bellefonte, Pennsylvania courtroom, Jerry Sandusky's lawyer approached the … [Read more...] about (Breaking News) Sandusky Waives Preliminary Hearing On Sex Abuse Charges
The Weirdest Republican Story That You’ll Read Until The Next One
These smiling folks are Kathy and Bill Johnson. Bill is a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arkansas. Kathy is the freaked out wife of a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arkansas. Kathy is freaked out because she learned over the weekend that Bill, who as a Christian conservative had campaigned against same sex marriage, has donated sperm to … [Read more...] about The Weirdest Republican Story That You’ll Read Until The Next One
Why Isn’t Obama Doing Better?
Watching the President on 60 Minutes raises wonder at why more Americans aren’t rallying around this highly intelligent, energetic, fair-minded man. The answer may be in the question itself. Contrasting Barack Obama’s demeanor with the rage and unearned self-regard of his would-be successors, Congressional critics and Murdoch media attack dogs—-and his low-key response to … [Read more...] about Why Isn’t Obama Doing Better?
A Mild Victory in Durban
WASHINGTON -- I'm inclined to believe that the apparent result of the climate change summit in Durban, South Africa, might turn out to be a very big deal. Someday. Maybe. That's my view, but it's hardly universal. After the meeting ended Sunday, initial reaction basically ranged from "Historic Breakthrough: The Planet Is Saved" to "Tragic Failure: The Planet Is … [Read more...] about A Mild Victory in Durban
Quote of the Day: Newt Gingrich’s Political Attraction
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Pajamas Media's Roger L. Simon, who explains why he finds former House Speaker Newt Gingrich so politically attractive as potential head of the GOP ticket in 2012: Now I am not a Beltway person. I am something even worse — a Hollywood & Vine person — so everything I say is suspect and should be. But allow me to chime in on why Newt … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Newt Gingrich’s Political Attraction
Gone In 2011: A Hundred People, A Dog & A Cat Who Touched Lives
Maria Altman: Pursuer of looted paintings. Sai Baba: Whose guru are you? Swami Bahktipada: Naughy swami. Joe Bageant: His last deer hunt. George Ballas: Mr. Weed Whacker. Billy Bang: Viet vet jazz violinist. Daniel Bell: Engaged intellectual. Barry Blumberg: He defeated Hepatitis C. Fred Buckles: Last American WWI vet. Mike Campbell: He stood his … [Read more...] about Gone In 2011: A Hundred People, A Dog & A Cat Who Touched Lives
Pro-U.S. Credit Rating Agencies Have Declared War on European Union (Magyar Nemzet, Hungary)
Are the American-based credit rating agencies in cahootz with the U.S. government? Columnist Anna Szabó of Hungary's Magyar Nemzet Konyvek sees a war on Europe and specifically Hungary in the latest credit rating downgrades by Standard & Poor's and Moody's, and exorts Europeans to create their own credit rating agency that would be independent of U.S. influence and offer more … [Read more...] about Pro-U.S. Credit Rating Agencies Have Declared War on European Union (Magyar Nemzet, Hungary)
Conservative Talker Michael Savage Offers Gingrich $1 Million to Drop Out of Race
It is getting heated out there in the battle for the 2012 Republican nomination -- with signs of if not a party split, then high passions. The latest instance: conservative talker Michael Savage has offered former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the party's current front-runner, $1 million to drop out of the race. Savage writes this kind of the way he speaks on his show IN UPPER … [Read more...] about Conservative Talker Michael Savage Offers Gingrich $1 Million to Drop Out of Race
‘Are All Bloggers Journalists?’
As a blogger -- not a journalist -- a “debate” in the New York Times caught my interest. The lead article asks the question, “Are All Bloggers Journalists?” The question and the ensuing debate are prompted by an Oregon federal judge’s ruling that “Crystal Cox, a blogger who was sued for defamation after she accused the founder of an investment group of acting illegally … [Read more...] about ‘Are All Bloggers Journalists?’
Betting on Mitt Romney
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Betting on Mitt Romney
The Honest Politician: A Fable
An idealistic lawyer was about to turn forty. He said to himself, “I make a good living at what I do, but at this point in my life I’d rather make a difference. Our country’s a mess right now, and I want to help put it back on the right course.” So he decided to run for Congress. The lawyer was well-liked in his community. He looked good, sounded even better and radiated an … [Read more...] about The Honest Politician: A Fable
Storm Clouds Over Europe
Paul Krugman reminds his readers today that tough economic times can sow the seeds of authoritarianism. He then offers an analysis of what is happening in Europe. The economic crisis there, he writes, is killing the European Dream: Specifically, demands for ever-harsher austerity, with no offsetting effort to foster growth, have done double damage. They have failed as … [Read more...] about Storm Clouds Over Europe
Rand Paul Slams Newt, Says He’s “Not Even a Conservative”
Writing last Friday at The Des Moines Register, extreme Tea Partying Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, son of renegade libertarian Republican Ron Paul, pulled no punches in going after GOP presidential frontrunners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich: Unfortunately, while all Republican candidates would be an improvement over the present administration, two of the current frontrunners … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Slams Newt, Says He’s “Not Even a Conservative”
It’s MSNBC’s Al Sharpton (Or Rather a SNL Parody of Him and His Show)
SNL had a satire of MSNBC's Al Sharpton and his show. The video: … [Read more...] about It’s MSNBC’s Al Sharpton (Or Rather a SNL Parody of Him and His Show)
Gingrich Romney Battle Really Heats Up
It's getting hot now in the battle between the former presumptive front-runner for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and the current front-runner who shows signs of not going anywhere and quite possibily going all the way to the Republican nomination, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Today they engaged in an exchange that … [Read more...] about Gingrich Romney Battle Really Heats Up
Obama Makes Case on ’60 Minutes’ Day Before Challenger from Left Announces
WASHINGTON - The CBS News poll released this past weekend shows Pres. Obama's approval higher, mid-40s, than the last daily Gallup, which had him at 41%. But 54% in the CBS News poll say he doesn't deserve reelection is a problem. It's part of what Pres. Obama talked about on "60 Minutes" last night. ...And meanwhile, they know that corporate profits are at a record level, … [Read more...] about Obama Makes Case on ’60 Minutes’ Day Before Challenger from Left Announces
Conservatives Should Take a Second Look at GOP Presidential Hopeful Jon Huntsman
Conservatives should take a second look at GOP presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman, who is by far the most conservative candidate of the slate of presidential candidates and has the most foreign policy experience. Conservatives should take a second look at GOP presidential hopeful former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. After all, he is far more conservative than cheating Newt … [Read more...] about Conservatives Should Take a Second Look at GOP Presidential Hopeful Jon Huntsman
Presidential Fidelity: Mixed History
The least passionate segment of Saturday night’s debate was a brief round on personal family values. Without glancing at Gingrich, his adversaries gave toneless answers, citing their own long marriages and “character” as an issue, with only Rick Perry, suave as always, expanding on the subject: “Not only did I make a vow to my wife, but I made a vow to God. That’s pretty … [Read more...] about Presidential Fidelity: Mixed History
Democracy Crippled: Economics Replaces the Separation of Powers (Liberation, France)
Has the very foundation of modern democracy been superseded without anyone noticing? Columnist Nicolas Demorand of France's Liberation warns that democratic politicians have a new master - and it isn't the constitution or the voter. For Liberation, Nicolas Demorand starts out this way: Executive, legislative, judiciary: political philosophy teaches that a democratic state … [Read more...] about Democracy Crippled: Economics Replaces the Separation of Powers (Liberation, France)