The sound you hear may be of a)independents distancing themselves from the GOP due to the debt ceiling crisis at the same time that you see b)a mobilization of the Democratic party base even though they are not happy with President Barack Obama. On (b) here's an example of something that will mobilize Democrats in 2012: in Wisconsin there was controversy over a voter ID law … [Read more...] about Voter Suppression in Wisconsin
The Norway Tragedy: “We cannot focus on a single ideology.”
As we have seen occur repeatedly over the weekend, the tragedy in Norway sparked a deluge of premature accusations, finger pointing and instant analyses---sometimes followed by retractions and apologies, sometimes not---as journalists and bloggers blamed Islamic militants, religious groups and even "leftist" political thought, movements and parties for the carnage in … [Read more...] about The Norway Tragedy: “We cannot focus on a single ideology.”
Department of “Oh Yeah?”
From Talking Points Memo: But there remains a general sense -- one the markets seem to share -- that Washington really can't be so dumb as to let default actually happen. File that in your "Oh Yeah?" file. … [Read more...] about Department of “Oh Yeah?”
Quote of the Day: Republicans Poised for Victory and/or Disaster on Debt Ceiling Crisis (UPDATE 2)
Our political Quote of the Day is actually several Quotes of the Day that underscore a growing consensus that the Republicans are poised for victory on the Debt Ceiling Limit by getting far more than the Democrats sought to give - but risk political disaster by not accepting their victory and pushing the United States either over the brink to default or negatively impacting the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Republicans Poised for Victory and/or Disaster on Debt Ceiling Crisis (UPDATE 2)
The Real Reason MSNBC Replaced Cenk Uygur With Al Sharpton?
So what was the real reason MSNBC replaced Cenk Uygur with Al Sharpton? THIS most assuredly makes sense. Key quotes (read it all): For many, to know him is to loathe him. He's enraging, he's nutty -- and worse, he's blow-dried, dandified and politicized. He's also very funny. In other words he is all the things that make the right-wing phenoms of talk TV so … [Read more...] about The Real Reason MSNBC Replaced Cenk Uygur With Al Sharpton?
Sarah Palin Documentary Fizzles: Going To Pay Per View
Despite some proclamations that the documentary about Sarah Palin was really a huge success in the face of some early reports that it was not pulling in a huge audience, it now turns out that it has fizzled rather than sizzled and is going to Pay Per View. Another Harry Potter or Captain America it wasn't. With its Sarah Palin documentary "The Undefeated" increasing its … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Documentary Fizzles: Going To Pay Per View
Dear Speaker Boehner: An Open Letter on the Debt and Budget
As signs continue that the debt ceiling crisis is now going to negatively impact the United States and world economy -- even if there is some eleventh hour solution -- here's a must-read: an open letter to House Speaker John Boehner. The author: Michael Stafford, a 2003 graduate of Duke University School of Law and a former Republican Party office who works as an attorney in … [Read more...] about Dear Speaker Boehner: An Open Letter on the Debt and Budget
Billions In U.S. Taxpayer Money Shuffled To Taliban
And what, pray tell, might the debt ceiling hawks have to say about this? A year-long military-led investigation has concluded that U.S. taxpayer money has been indirectly funneled to the Taliban under a $2.16 billion transportation contract that the United States has funded in part to promote Afghan businesses... all eight of the trucking firms involved in the work remain … [Read more...] about Billions In U.S. Taxpayer Money Shuffled To Taliban
After the Debt Ceiling Fiasco
WASHINGTON -- Hours before the negotiations on the debt limit between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner collapsed, political reporters received a missive from Mitt Romney's presidential campaign that served as a reminder of how irrelevant this kerfuffle might feel next year. The headline read, "Romney for President Launches New Web Video: Obama Isn't … [Read more...] about After the Debt Ceiling Fiasco
Twin Volunteer Flower Girls For Brooklyn Same-Sex Marriages
Talk about smiling at something sweet! This Steven Thrasher photo comes from the Village Voice: Steve Landis and Julie Irwin...brought their 4-year-old twins Emily and Sophie to Brooklyn Borough Hall this morning to be flower girls for whoever might need them. They don't even know anyone getting married today! Aw. Via. … [Read more...] about Twin Volunteer Flower Girls For Brooklyn Same-Sex Marriages
GOP and/or DEMS: Thriving not just Surviving: It does not have to be Le Jeaux son Fait/ The play has been made.
As the Asian stock market is about to open and our elected Feds on all sides have not come to final terms about an USA budget plan/deficit reduction/credit extension, et al, that is either stepped or aboslute, it may be that damage comes to other nations, not only our own. The deadline-darers seem to have set aside that there is far more at stake than they themselves and their … [Read more...] about GOP and/or DEMS: Thriving not just Surviving: It does not have to be Le Jeaux son Fait/ The play has been made.
Clock Ticking for US on Debt Ceiling Limit On Two Fronts
As America's partisanship-obsessed political class -- Republicans and Democrats -- provide full, unquestionable evidence of why they can never be called "The Greatest Generation II," the clock is now ticking for the United States (and some say the global economy) on two fronts. The Christian Science Monitor reports: The political turmoil over raising the nation’s debt … [Read more...] about Clock Ticking for US on Debt Ceiling Limit On Two Fronts
Lorena Bobbitworld 2011: Tainted Soup and Cold Cuts
File this one in your Lorena Bobbit related file. This one gets curiouser and curiouser. It's a case of tainted soup and cold cuts: A Garden Grove woman charged with cutting off her husband's penis served him a strange-tasting tofu soup that police believe was poisoned, according to a law enforcement source. Detectives have sent evidence to a laboratory to try to … [Read more...] about Lorena Bobbitworld 2011: Tainted Soup and Cold Cuts
General ‘Shali,’ the Noble General, Dies
Polish-born, four-star general Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, the first immigrant to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs, died yesterday at age 75 in Tacoma, Washington, of complications from a stroke. I always liked the general---the Noble General---with the “unpronounceable” name who Mindful of his history of living through World War II in Poland… was particularly … [Read more...] about General ‘Shali,’ the Noble General, Dies
Despite Law Repeal, Same-Sex Military Couples Will Receive Few Benefits
When New York’s law allowing same sex marriages goes into effect this weekend, a host of civil benefits and legal protection will become available to the newly married couples---except for members of the U.S. military. Why? Well, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) “prohibits military officials from granting medical coverage, housing allowances and a host of other … [Read more...] about Despite Law Repeal, Same-Sex Military Couples Will Receive Few Benefits
President Boehner Turns His Back on Obama
Tomorrow’s headline, as written by the Tea Party, would be, “Congress Saves Economy; President Signs On.” As their bunch crowds the White House out of the driver’s seat on debt-ceiling negotiations, the Sunday talk shows are dominated by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Chief of Staff William Daley insisting that Barack Obama is still in the game, not only standing by to … [Read more...] about President Boehner Turns His Back on Obama
Meme Correction: Norwegians Can Be Incarcerated For More Than 21 Years For Murder
Updated: 1.12 pm Pacific Many folks on Twitter, Facebook, GooglePlus and various online forums in the English-speaking world are outraged that, as @PiersMorgan (who has a million followers) tweeted, "this inhuman psychotic killer can only be jailed for a maximum of 21 years" [1]. Although it's a great soundbite that is guaranteed to generate teeth gnashing (and retweets, 100+ … [Read more...] about Meme Correction: Norwegians Can Be Incarcerated For More Than 21 Years For Murder
My Favorite Comedian: John Pinette
As someone who dabbles in show biz at an admittedly different level, I have had a lifelong passion for comedy. And I mean comedy dating back to the silents, to the great comedy teams, vaudeville comedy, burlesque, early TV comedy and stand up. But there is one comedian today who I increasingly feel is not fully appreciated for the genius he is and his ability to keep getting … [Read more...] about My Favorite Comedian: John Pinette
Marriages In New York
I cannot imagine anyone not smiling at something as sweet as this … [Read more...] about Marriages In New York
A True Hero
For many of us Sunday is supposed to be a day of humility. Well this story certainly humbles me, for here is a truly great human being. … [Read more...] about A True Hero