It seems that mild-mannered, coach-class flying U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke is making life uncomfortable for Beijing's coddled, cloistered senior officials. In this thin-skinned editorial from the state-controlled Global Times, the Beijing regime criticizes Chinese media fawning over the new U.S. envoy, thereby exposing its own discomfort over the more extravagant … [Read more...] about Chinese Media Should ‘Calm Down’ Over U.S. Ambassador Locke (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Making Book on Palin
As deadlines near for filing to get on the ballot, the most peculiar Republican candidate of them all is running (or not) true to form-—in all directions. The chief of Sarah Palin’s PAC is panhandling supporters by telling them time is “running out,” that “someone must save our nation from this road to European socialism” and she is “on the verge of making her decision of … [Read more...] about Making Book on Palin
Calling Chris Christie
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Calling Chris Christie
It’s Past Time for the L.A. Times to fire Andrew Malcolm
Seriously. Having somewhat rescaled the credibility cliff back to some degree of better journalism, the struggling LA Times was once more embarrassed by its most partisan hack, over the most trivial of issues, broadly hinting at anti-Semitism. Seriously. Malcolm in the muddle Here's that "cut to the chase" moment: … [Read more...] about It’s Past Time for the L.A. Times to fire Andrew Malcolm
They’re For Life Except When They’re Against It: Observations On Today’s GOP
I am still having a difficult time getting my head around this, but it appears that today's Republican Party is adamantly against abortions for the unborn, adamantly against health care for the newborn if their mother chooses not to have an abortion and lacks insurance, adamantly for letting an adult with serious health issues die if they lack insurance, and adamantly for … [Read more...] about They’re For Life Except When They’re Against It: Observations On Today’s GOP
Heat Increases On Chris Christie To Enter GOP Race
In yet another sign of the deep dissatisfaction with the Republican presidential field, a group of wealthy New York area donors is leaning hard on Chris Christie to throw his hat into the ring. The New Jersey governor has repeatedly said he is not interested in seeking the nomination and would have until the end of October to join the race, but the pressure on him was ramped … [Read more...] about Heat Increases On Chris Christie To Enter GOP Race
Stop E-Mail Overload: Send Less, Say Less
Chris Anderson's take on the cause of email overload: E-mail is easier to create than to respond to. This seems counterintuitive — after all, it’s quicker to read than to write. But reading a message is just the start. It may contain a hard-to-answer question, such as “What are your thoughts on this?” Or a link to a Web page. Or an attachment. And it may be copied to a dozen … [Read more...] about Stop E-Mail Overload: Send Less, Say Less
The King of the Ancient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Decrees That Modern Veiled Women Will Be Allowed to Vote
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