Only months after making history by leading his New Democratic Party from fourth place to second, Canadian politician Jack Layton has died. His death comes a month after he announced his cancer had returned, and is a major shock to the Canadian political system Our deepest sympathies to his family and to all of our Canadian friends. … [Read more...] about Jack Layton Dies
Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Statement on Libya
Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's statement on Libya from Martha's Vineyard. We're giving it to you in full text (White House issued) so you can read it and analyze it yourself: 2:20 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I just completed a call with my National Security Council on the situation in Libya. And earlier today I spoke … [Read more...] about Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Statement on Libya
Paul Ryan Nixes Run for 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination
He's thinking of running (the headline last week). He's not anymore (the headline today). So much for baited-breath speculation -- and probably prayers -- in some GOP quarters that Rep. Paul Ryan would jump into the 2012 Republican nomination race and enter into a field that some GOPers feel is week and even alarming. Rule Ryan out: After much speculation and some … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan Nixes Run for 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination
More Foreign Policy Hypocrisy From Partisan Democrats
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article at TMV noting that the size and fervor of the anti-war movement has been significantly smaller since Obama entered the White House despite the fact that Obama has stepped up our presence in Afghanistan and intervened in Libya without a congressional declaration of war. I pointed out that while the libertarian wing of the anti-war … [Read more...] about More Foreign Policy Hypocrisy From Partisan Democrats
Justice, New York Style (A Perp’s View)
Ze women zey simply luv me, Zey can’t get enough of my stuff, Though I’m fat and I’m old and I’m ugly, And ze sex that I like, it is ruff. Ze ones zat I most like to favor, Ze ones for me most preferential, Are ze poor ones I peg as defenseless, Who can’t prove our sex ain’t consensual. And if zez ingrates still complain, Understand not ze honor bestowed, I got … [Read more...] about Justice, New York Style (A Perp’s View)
Game Up for Gaddafi? (Video animation)
Game up for Gaddafi? Another video animation from Taiwan's Next Media Animation: … [Read more...] about Game Up for Gaddafi? (Video animation)
Around the Sphere (Blog Roundup)
Our linkfest offering you a buffet of different takes on issues by a variety of websites. The Dictator is Falling in Libya and some folks can't say "I told you so" and in fact will want people to forget their words. And the question Republicans face now is how to respond: to cheer or not to cheer. I predict talk show hosts will not cheer and find some negatives and … [Read more...] about Around the Sphere (Blog Roundup)
Libyan People Win, Qaddafi & Bachmann Lose
It is gratifying that another Middle Eastern henchman appears about to get his just desserts, and that despite extensive U.S. involvement in the NATO mission not a single American life has been lost in the civil war. (How about them apples, Michele Bachmann? Time to retract your statement that President Obama "is not on our side" because the U.S. intervened? Of course you … [Read more...] about Libyan People Win, Qaddafi & Bachmann Lose
Too-Tired Terrorists and Other Mental Health Hazards
Half a century ago, there was a jokey bumper sticker: “Support Mental Health or I’ll Kill You.” Now British researchers into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are under physical attack and death threats for suggesting the disorder has psychological origins. Aside from the question of where victims find the energy for such violence, this fatigue-afflicted terrorism reflects nagging … [Read more...] about Too-Tired Terrorists and Other Mental Health Hazards
Quote of the Day: Libya: Huge Win for Libyans, A Win for Obama, but New Challenges Begin
Our Quote of the Day comes from Steve Clemons, Washington editor at large for The Atlantic and editor in chief of Atlantic LIVE, on the meaning of Libya if -- as expected -- Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and his regime are toppled. Here's a chunk of the must-read-in-full post: I was skeptical of the Libyan intervention by the US and the rest -- but the Tuesday night … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Libya: Huge Win for Libyans, A Win for Obama, but New Challenges Begin
America’s Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas (Guest Voice)
America's Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas by Susan Stamper Brown The hysterical reaction to Republican presidential hopeful Governor Rick Perry's faith is about as overblown as his home state of Texas is big. Perry is facing a federal lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) — purportedly because Perry prayed publicly for our … [Read more...] about America’s Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas (Guest Voice)
Fracking: A Tale Of Two States
A NATURAL GAS WELL NEAR DIMOCK, PENNSYLVANIA The states of Pennsylvania and New York share more than a common border. Areas of both lie atop an immense shale formation and energy companies are hard at work extracting natural gas from the formation through the use of a controversial method known as fracking, which is an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Yet … [Read more...] about Fracking: A Tale Of Two States
Does this mean I’ve been on The Daily Show?
It’s August and we’re into reruns. Two, in fact. Thursday's last Daily Show before a two-week hiatus featured a familiar graph: Recognize it? Yup, you saw it here first, on April 16, 2010 Why I even showed this chart on the overhead projector at Steve Candy's Political Science Class where I got to debate an actual Tea-Partier last year. But it's from "Let Them Eat … [Read more...] about Does this mean I’ve been on The Daily Show?
Start Over (Guest Voice)
Start Over by Craig Barnes On a Monday in early August, 2011, AIG (American International Group) filed claims in federal court against Bank of America alleging losses of $10 billion. The insurance giant claimed that the bank had intentionally disguised the risks of products to be insured. At the same time, Bank of America was already being sued for $82 billion in a … [Read more...] about Start Over (Guest Voice)
Obama: Go Big, Long and Global
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has only one option as he ponders a world economy teetering on the edge: He needs to go big, go long and go global. Obama should not be constrained by what the tea party might allow subservient Republican leaders in Congress to do. He should state plainly, eloquently and in detail what he thinks needs to be happen. Neither history nor the … [Read more...] about Obama: Go Big, Long and Global
The Glories of Old Live Television: Live Bloopers
Someone sent me a link to a hilarious You Tube of bloopers this week. I also have a DVD of bloopers mostly from British television. However, some of these bloopers are outtakes. Back in the 50s when TV was live, bloopers were more common -- from performers entering improperly, to unexpectedly frisky animal acts, to ward robe malfunctions....all done totally live with no … [Read more...] about The Glories of Old Live Television: Live Bloopers
Coot Avengers On Oprah
Along with two partners, Doris Grey and Mike Silverstein, I've been working on a comic project built around four characters known as The Coot Avengers. These older Americans, on the leading edge of the baby boom generation, are fighters for their own and their generation's rights and respect. We seem to have touched a nerve with this project. It's been featured on Public … [Read more...] about Coot Avengers On Oprah
China Should Link Taiwan Arms Sales to Purchases of U.S. Debt (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
As a major holder of U.S. debt, Beijing is frustrated over its lack of leverage over U.S. monetary policy, since as the dollar depreciates, China's dollar holdings lose value. But according to this editorial from China's state-controlled Global Times, Beijing still has a card to play. This editorial suggests that unless the U.S. halts arms sales to democratic Taiwan, another … [Read more...] about China Should Link Taiwan Arms Sales to Purchases of U.S. Debt (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
BREAKING: Qaddafi’s Days, Perhaps Hours, “Numbered” (UPDATES)
UPDATE, 21:30 CST, Aug. 23 The BBC reports that Col Muammar Gaddafi has vowed death or victory in the fight against "aggression.” Some excerpts from the report: Pro-Gaddafi al-Urubah TV said the colonel - whose whereabouts remain unknown - made an audio speech, saying the retreat from the Bab al-Aziziya compound was a "tactical move". The compound was one of … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Qaddafi’s Days, Perhaps Hours, “Numbered” (UPDATES)
Ben Stein offers Rick Perry an Economics Lesson
Republican Ben Stein offers Texas Gov. Rick Perry an economics lesson. A MUST READ IN FULL so we are giving you the link rather than excerpt it. (I'll quote it in the Cagle Cartoons column I'll write for Tuesday). … [Read more...] about Ben Stein offers Rick Perry an Economics Lesson