Some might remember in my book, Women Who Run With the Wolves, I wrote about the veiled Muslim women transgressing the stringent rules of their religious and political land that forbades women to drive cars... that when the war broke out and people were imperiled, they ran and started up the engines of the family automobiles and drove all over hill and dale to warn people and … [Read more...] about The King of the Ancient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Decrees That Modern Veiled Women Will Be Allowed to Vote
Peak Oil – Geologists VS Economists
You may have noticed that I don't refer to Peak Oil but Peak Cheap Oil. Our economy is dependent on cheap oil for transportation. Eaun Mearns explains that Peak Oil is more about economics than geology but that the economists don't get it right either. For a number of years there has been an arid debate between economists and geologists about Peak Oil. The geologists … [Read more...] about Peak Oil – Geologists VS Economists
Pepper-Spray Cop Shows The Dark Side of NYPD
The video has been making its way around the internet and social networks. It was mentioned here this morning by Robert Stein. It's worth watching... James Fallows, usually a calm, cool observer, calls it Pepper-Spray by a Cruel and Cowardly NYC Cop: He walks up; unprovoked he shoots Mace or pepper spray straight into the eyes of women held inside a police enclosure; he … [Read more...] about Pepper-Spray Cop Shows The Dark Side of NYPD
Obama ‘Gaffe’ Shows Net Silliness
The reports of President Obama's 'gaffe' during a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus has sparked another round of silliness from some of the net pundits. For those who may have missed it, Obama was trying to say that he wanted millionaires to pay more taxes than janitors but he made a minor slip that seemed to come out 'jews' instead of janitors. This has led to all … [Read more...] about Obama ‘Gaffe’ Shows Net Silliness
Senate Passes Spending Bill
The Senate has reached a bipartisan compromise to pass the spending bill that will fund FEMA and avoid a government shutdown. The compromise bill will now go to the House for a vote later this week. The increased spending for FEMA applies only to the new fiscal year, not the current one. Since FEMA has indicated they do not need extra funding for this year it avoids a … [Read more...] about Senate Passes Spending Bill
President Obama Scolds the CBC & Black Community: “Stop Complaining, Stop Grumbling & Stop Crying”
President Obama scolds the Congressional Black Caucus & blacks saying "take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching boots and stop complaining, stop grumbling and stop crying and help get the jobs bill passed in Congress, but would have addressed the Jewish community, gays and Hispanics in a similar manner? President Barack Obama delivered a "fiery" sermon to his … [Read more...] about President Obama Scolds the CBC & Black Community: “Stop Complaining, Stop Grumbling & Stop Crying”
NPS Releases Earthquake Footage
The National Park Service has released security camera footage taken during the August 23, 2011 earthquake; the footage is from the 500 foot level of the Washington Monument. According to The Washington Post, "the Washington Monument will be closed indefinitely." Officials said a “debris field” had been found at the base of the monument made up mostly of mortar that … [Read more...] about NPS Releases Earthquake Footage
Pakistan Media’s Ferocious Reaction to Haqqani Charges By Mike Mullen
The very blunt comments of outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen that Pakistan intelligence has been actively assisting the Haqqani terrorist network has triggered another tremendous upwelling of anti-American sentiment in that nation. These three editorials from Pakistan's The Nation and The Frontier Post well illustrate the skyrocketing passion and anger toward America … [Read more...] about Pakistan Media’s Ferocious Reaction to Haqqani Charges By Mike Mullen
Where Are the Cockeyed Optimists?
A pitiful Wall Street parody of 1960s populist protests is a reminder of what has changed in American life over half a century. The hippie trappings are there, but the joyous anarchy and hope back then are nowhere to be seen in today’s crybaby culture. More real passion was generated by a recent increase in Netflix prices than “Occupy Wall Street,” a diffuse demonstration … [Read more...] about Where Are the Cockeyed Optimists?
Life Itself: Ebert Memoir Reaps Raves For Roger
Are we surprised? NPR.org | Time Out Chicago | New York Times | The Atlantic Reviews of Roger Ebert’s memoir, Life Itself, are pouring in — Maureen Dowd’s was just posted — and the critics love it. “The book charms and entertains, but it also teaches,” Spencer Kornhaber writes in the Atlantic. Robert Feder, who worked with Ebert at the … [Read more...] about Life Itself: Ebert Memoir Reaps Raves For Roger
Random Musings On The Autumnal Equinox
AT THE MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY -- And so we bid a not so fond adieu to the hottest and wettest summer since record keeping began in the late 19th century. But don't go blaming global warning, oh no! How hot and wet was it? Too hot or too wet on most weekends that for the first time since forever we did not make a single trek to the Delaware shore, making this the second … [Read more...] about Random Musings On The Autumnal Equinox
The Bachmannization of the GOP (Guest Voice)
The Bachmannization of the GOP by Cliff Schecter To fully comprehend the sad spectacle that has become American politics since the 1980s, you need not peruse the politics section of major periodicals. Or the opinion, news or business pages of illustrious publications. No, lately you'd be best served by heading on over to the obituary section. For example, this past … [Read more...] about The Bachmannization of the GOP (Guest Voice)
Pakistan Refuses to take Military Action Against Haqqani Network
Here's yet another entry in the seeming stream of news stories suggesting that if Pakistan is defined as a loyal U.S. ally, then t may be time time to redfine the word "ally." The latest: Pakistan has refused to crack down on the Haqqani network, which is believed to have taken action against the United States in Afghanistan. This is similar to the way Pakistan seemingly … [Read more...] about Pakistan Refuses to take Military Action Against Haqqani Network
Only Conservatives Can End the Death Penalthy
WASHINGTON -- How can we end the death penalty in the United States? Every so often, one capital case receives wide attention and makes a public spectacle of the American machinery of death. Last week, it was the controversy over Troy Davis, who was executed in Georgia after years of impassioned argument, organizing and litigation. I honor those who worked so … [Read more...] about Only Conservatives Can End the Death Penalthy
Putin Stops Pretending
With his announcement that he will run for President, Russian 'Prime Minister' Putin has ended the pretense that he hasn't been running the show the whole time via his puppet Medvedev. Assuming, as is likely, he wins then Putin will be able to serve two 6 year terms. Adding this to his two prior terms as President (2000-2008) and his service as 'Prime Minister' from … [Read more...] about Putin Stops Pretending
Watch and Interact: – “Putting America Back to Work” LIVE Town Hall on UStream – Mon. 9/26, 9am PT / 12pm ET
You can watch President Barack Obama's townhall and interact. In partnership LinkedIn, Ustream is providing exclusive live coverage of "Putting America Back to Work: LinkedIn Presents a Town Hall with President Obama". Today, September 26th, at 9am PT / 12pm ET. The press release notes that Obama will address an audience of LinkedIn members and employees to answer questions … [Read more...] about Watch and Interact: – “Putting America Back to Work” LIVE Town Hall on UStream – Mon. 9/26, 9am PT / 12pm ET
Monopoly Theater: Google’s Size Doesn’t Matter
Me in March 2010: The truth is, when it comes to revenue, Google is a one trick pony. Online advertising is it. (Google captures 70 percent share of search ad revenue and about 30 percent all online advertising.) For all the cool projects coming out of Google Labs, none makes money. Google makes it easy for customers to switch to competitor’s products and, unlike other … [Read more...] about Monopoly Theater: Google’s Size Doesn’t Matter
Another Blow to Perry: Romney Trounces Perry in Michigan Straw Poll
Another political body blow to Texas Gov. Rick Perry who in terms of votes, at least, is shaping up to be the Fred Thompson of the race for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. A big loss in Michigan -- not surprising since it's a friendly state to Romney. But the size of Perry's loss will raise eyebrows. In a rout, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney … [Read more...] about Another Blow to Perry: Romney Trounces Perry in Michigan Straw Poll
The Misbegotten Right And Left Populist Approaches To “Crony Capitalism” On Wall Street
Whenever Sarah Palin or another Tea Party favorite rails against "crony capitalism" and its Wall Street incarnation, there's always wild applause. The right wingers in attendance may not have any real idea of how this crony capitalism works on The Street, but they have a visceral understanding that it's a major cause of our present economic malaise. Since the Tea Party is … [Read more...] about The Misbegotten Right And Left Populist Approaches To “Crony Capitalism” On Wall Street
GOP’s Kleenex Candidates
Trump, Bachmann, Perry...and, on the horizon, Chris Christie. Republicans are using up frontrunners like disposable tissues, evoking a personal memory. FDR was inaugurated on March 4, 1933, my ninth birthday. In 1945 I was a 21-year-old foot soldier sleeping on the floor of a German farmhouse shaken awake to hear that the only president I could remember was dead. Our … [Read more...] about GOP’s Kleenex Candidates