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Why Those Damned Liberals Have Distorted The History & Meaning Of Thanksgiving
This marvelous essay was published on November 27, 2008 by the late great blogger Jon Swift. This year as President Bush pardoned two turkeys, who surprisingly had nothing to do with the Savings and Loan scandals of the 1980s, he remarked that it was his "last Thanksgiving as President." But it might be the last Thanksgiving any of us celebrate since there is a good chance … [Read more...] about Why Those Damned Liberals Have Distorted The History & Meaning Of Thanksgiving
Herman Cain: Those Pesky Mountains in Iran
During World War II, between 1942 and 1945, or approximately 70 years ago, brave Allied aviators flew numerous transport missions over and across the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains -- they called it the “Hump” -- to resupply units of the U.S. Army Air Forces based in China. These pilots had to wind their way between, around and sometimes over mountains as high as … [Read more...] about Herman Cain: Those Pesky Mountains in Iran
True North
In the Globe and Mail, Robert Redford -- who lately has spent a lot of time in Vancouver -- offers another take on the Canadian-American partnership, which Stephen Harper trumpets so loudly: I want to be very clear that I’m not pointing a finger at the people of Canada; neither is any American I know. We’re all in this together, and that’s the only way we’ll turn it … [Read more...] about True North
Pondering the Outcome of the 2012 Republican Presidential Hopefuls’ Foreign Policy Debate
The big debate is over and the key consensus that's emerging is: a)Newt Gingrich is turning into a formidable anti-Romney, indeed, and b) helped himself except at the end when he expressed compassion (end of his GOP hopes?) or illegal immigrants who've been here for a long time. Also: various analysts note that Gingrich seemed to scale some of his polemics back. Will Gingrich … [Read more...] about Pondering the Outcome of the 2012 Republican Presidential Hopefuls’ Foreign Policy Debate
The Pepper Spray Myth
Jennifer Fox a 19 year old Seattle woman had a miscarriage after she claims the police hit her in the stomach and gave her a shot of pepper spray. “I was standing in the middle of the crowd when the police started moving in,” Fox recalled. “I was screaming, ‘I am pregnant, I am pregnant. Let me through. I am trying to get out.’” She claimed that police hit her in the … [Read more...] about The Pepper Spray Myth
Eurozone and IMF: Tortoise with a Hare in the Hat?
The euro currency crisis is sliding from bad to worse. The gloom is likely to deepen on Wednesday when Europe’s executive body has its say on the feasibility of issuing special bonds to refinance government debt. European failure to restore confidence in its economic soundness and solvability will have unpredictable negative consequences for the US and other major countries … [Read more...] about Eurozone and IMF: Tortoise with a Hare in the Hat?
Live Blogging Republican Presidential Hopeful Foreign Policy Debate (UPDATED)
The second GOP Presidential debate is on. Will former House Speaker Newt Gingrich keep his Big Mo that has propelled him in several polls now to become the new Republican front-runner for the 2012 nomination? Will former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remain unable to expand his base -- a supposed front-runner who is not just unloved but loathed by some conservatives? Will … [Read more...] about Live Blogging Republican Presidential Hopeful Foreign Policy Debate (UPDATED)
Who’s Afraid of Grover Norquist?
How did a stubble-faced lobbyist with minimal name recognition beyond the Beltway become the godfather of the American Right, the scourge of RINOs, the maker and destroyer of political careers? Why did Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming call Grover Norquist the most powerful man in America? Who IS this guy, and why is everyone afraid of him? When you see him interviewed on … [Read more...] about Who’s Afraid of Grover Norquist?
Breaking: Oregon Governor Orders Death Penalty Moratorium
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber has just concluded a press conference* announcing that he was putting the execution of double-murderer Gary Haugen on hold, and a moratorium on all executions through the remainder of his term. [* radio story .mp3 is here. Press conference link as soon as I get it. Got it: Video link is here.] Kitzhaber (the most neutral photo I … [Read more...] about Breaking: Oregon Governor Orders Death Penalty Moratorium
Surviving Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving thoughts inspired by the fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians. "Rejoice in the Lord always!" Not in the Seahawks. . . definitely not always in the Seahawks. Infrequently, maybe? But "always" is the Lord's. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." But again, not in the Seahawks. Not always, nor again in the Seahawks. "Let … [Read more...] about Surviving Thanksgiving
I am Mitt Romney, and I Approve this Deceitful Message (UPDATED)
In his first TV ad of the 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romney inserts a voice clip of Obama mocking his 2008 presidential campaign opponent, John McCain, for not wanting to talk about the economy. What Obama said during an Oct. 16, 2008 speech at a Londonderry, N.H., campaign stop, was this: "Senator McCain's campaign actually said, and I quote, 'If we keep talking about … [Read more...] about I am Mitt Romney, and I Approve this Deceitful Message (UPDATED)
JFK Day
He has been gone now longer than he lived—-48 years to 46--and, in these days of Washington impotence, must seem unreal to generations of American born after his time. A few years after the assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy wistfully told me that her husband was being remembered too much for how he died rather than what he had lived for. She was right. It was too soon then … [Read more...] about JFK Day
Egypt in turmoil before first free elections
As Egypt approaches its first post revolution elections on November 28th, violent riots set Tahrir Square on fire again. Violent clashes erupted as protesters demand the Military Council step down and hand over authority to a civilian body. Feeling the revolution has gone sour protestors want to see some change. Arab Spring revolutions have already granted power to … [Read more...] about Egypt in turmoil before first free elections
Sarah Palin Reportedly Upsets Her Boss Roger Ailes
Resigned Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's political star ain't what it used to be -- particularly once she announced that despite a loooooooooooooooong political tease she wasn't going to run for President. And particularly since she didn't announce it on Fox. Which upset Fox News maven Roger Ailes. Why did she go to talker Mark Levin instead? For the same reason she often … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Reportedly Upsets Her Boss Roger Ailes
Ron Paul Underfoot
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November 22, 1963: Living The Comfortable Illusion That It Couldn’t Happen Again
If you are of a certain age, the events of November 22, 1963 and the following days are deeply seared in your mind, but as yet another anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy comes and goes, those memories do not automatically our minds as they did in earlier years. Part of this, of course, is the passage of time, but it also is the fact that with the exception of … [Read more...] about November 22, 1963: Living The Comfortable Illusion That It Couldn’t Happen Again
Corny Joke Contest
While there were many things I didn't like about Dr. Laura I did always enjoy the fact that every Thanksgiving she would have her corny joke episode. The last day before Thanksgiving was dedicated to everyone calling in with their corniest jokes. Since things on the net sometimes take longer to filter I thought I'd start us out earlier. So chime in with those corny jokes … [Read more...] about Corny Joke Contest
Forget the Political Song and Dance
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