In response to my article "America's Not Faring Well on Welfare", a few commentators noted that I had identified a problem and not offered any solutions. I work within a word limit so I hope I'll be forgiven for not solving all of the problems of America's welfare system in a single article. In any case, this follow-up piece presents a few practical ideas for improving the … [Read more...] about From Welfare to Wellbeing?
Barack Obama’s Falling Political Star: His Polls Continue to Slide
Barack Obama's polls continue going south -- under 40 percent for the first time in the Gallup Daily Tracking poll. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s Falling Political Star: His Polls Continue to Slide
The Bite of Obama
President Obama has had an awful couple of months by all accounts. The economy is in the tank (again), there is growing evidence that his base is starting to lose patience with him and the debt-ceiling deal proved once and for all that the Tea Party have tangible power in Washington (did I miss anything). Since the debt-ceiling deal the media have been peddling the … [Read more...] about The Bite of Obama
Tim Pawlenty Quits Republican Presidential Nomination Race After Poor Iowa Straw Poll Showing
Well, that didn't take long: former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who had been involved in an increasingly feisty competition with Rep. Michele Bachmann for some of the same chunk of voters in the ongoing race for the 2012 Republican nomination is out -- a day after making a poor showing in Iowa's Ames straw poll. Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, dropped his … [Read more...] about Tim Pawlenty Quits Republican Presidential Nomination Race After Poor Iowa Straw Poll Showing
Dakota Meyer, Next Medal of Honor Recipient (UPDATED)
As reported here, Dakota Meyer, a former Marine Corps Sergeant, will be the first living Marine Corps recipient of our nation’s highest award for valor since the Vietnam War and the first living Marine to receive a Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. The Obama administration has now announced that Meyer will be honored with the award at a White House ceremony on Sept. … [Read more...] about Dakota Meyer, Next Medal of Honor Recipient (UPDATED)
VIDEO: Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair Killing Five
A terrifying moment at the Indiana State Fair yesterday: the Sugarland Concert stage collapses, killing five (so far). Here is that terrible moment via You Tube: Another fan video showing the collapse (fuzzy but you can see it): The scene moments after: FOOTNOTE: I have worked many fairs over the years in one of my non-blogging incarnations. There are times when … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair Killing Five
Bachmann and Paul Make Hay in Iowa Straw
A member of Congress who voted to send the U. S. into default is Iowa’s choice for the country’s next president as Michele Bachmann narrowly wins the state’s straw poll over Ron Paul, who would take the government out of everything, with Tim Pawlenty running a distant third. The non-binding nonsensical balloting will nonetheless be parsed for political meaning in the coming … [Read more...] about Bachmann and Paul Make Hay in Iowa Straw
The Berlin Wall—Its ‘Downfall’
Patrick Edaburn reminded us that 50 years ago today, on August 13, 1961, construction started on the Berlin Wall. I don’t remember much about the day or the event. I was too busy completing the last few weeks of Officer Candidate School, and the Berlin Wall itself did not start going up immediately, as I remember. However, barbed wire went up everywhere, streets were … [Read more...] about The Berlin Wall—Its ‘Downfall’
What Makes U.S. Great: Debt Crisis Edition
Say it with me, "We're a triple-A country. We're a triple-A country!" … [Read more...] about What Makes U.S. Great: Debt Crisis Edition
Facebook Adds eMail Addresses To “Download Your Info” — Default Is “Off”
Facebook has quietly implemented a new feature as part of its "download your information" tool. The company, which is notorious for introducing new features that force its customers to "turn off" default settings, has set up the "let my friends have my email" option ... in the "off" mode. Yep, this is a nod to personal privacy. But it's really an example of Facebook's desire … [Read more...] about Facebook Adds eMail Addresses To “Download Your Info” — Default Is “Off”
Allow Me A Bit of Gaucherie
Nothing sinister here. Oh, wait. Today is International Lefthanders Day, which I urge you happiness with. Vive la Gauche! It bespeaks the fundamental cussedness of lefties (and leftists and southpaws) that it was immediately spelt two different ways: 'Lefthanders' and 'Left-Handers.' This is innate in the leftie soul, since all of life is, to a lefthander (of … [Read more...] about Allow Me A Bit of Gaucherie
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: S & P Downgrades Iowa’s IQ Straw Poll ‘Alarms’ Ratings Agency AMES, IOWA (The Borowitz Report) – Calling the results of today’s Iowa straw poll “alarming,” Standard and Poor’s took the unprecedented action of downgrading Iowa’s IQ. While the effects of such an extraordinary measure are hard to predict, experts say … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Michele Bachmann Wins Iowa Ames Straw Poll
Get ready for a battle royal in the Republican Party. More than ever. On a day when Texas Gov. Rick Perry shook up the Republican 2012 nomination race landscape by the announcement that he's in and he'll run on the need to create more jobs, Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Ames straw poll in Iowa -- solidifying her position as a major player in a race where the big three are … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann Wins Iowa Ames Straw Poll
Iraqis Need a ‘Plan B’ for After America Withdraws (Kitabat, Iraq)
What will become of Iraq when U.S. forces leave at the end of this year? Is the current Iraqi government capable of dealing with life on its own? And if not, what should Iraqis do about it? Columnist Atheer Al Katib of Iraq's Kitabat newspaper admonishes his readers to begin a great debate about what kind of government - and what kind of country - they want. For Iraq's … [Read more...] about Iraqis Need a ‘Plan B’ for After America Withdraws (Kitabat, Iraq)
VIDEO: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Announces He’s Running for President
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has thown his big hat into the Republican Presidential nomination race. Here's his announcement -- no analysis. You watch. You decide. And you can leave your impressions in comments: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Announces He’s Running for President
Berlin Wall: 50 Years Later
I am sure we're all enjoying our weekends and there is no reason not to continue to do so. It is worth remembering that 50 years ago today was the start of the Berlin Wall. It is also worth celebrating that the wall no longer exists. I just finished reading an excellent book on the topic and suggest it to anyone interested in the topic. In Berlin 1961 we see how the … [Read more...] about Berlin Wall: 50 Years Later
Mediaite: CNN’s Don Lemon: Marcus Bachmann ‘Elbowed Me Into A Golf Cart’
One of the more disturbing trends we are seeing is the increasingly contemptuous way some politicians are starting to behave towards what is called the "mainstream media." First, we had some politicos deciding that only Fox News is where they will do interviews. Next, we see Newt Gingrich and in effect Sean Hannity saying that Chris Wallace is a lousy or ideological reporter … [Read more...] about Mediaite: CNN’s Don Lemon: Marcus Bachmann ‘Elbowed Me Into A Golf Cart’
Rick Perry’s Ketchup Campaign
In a popular 1960s movie, an aged President recalls the good old days when “we poured God over everything like ketchup.” That line elicited a laugh after John F. Kennedy moved a new generation into the White House and promised to send a man to the moon. Today, ketchup will be back on the American political menu as Texas Governor Rick Perry declares his presidential candidacy … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s Ketchup Campaign
“G.O.P. on Defensive” as the Mantra Becomes “It’s the Politics, Stupid!”
A weekend New York Times column on the depressing---and depressed--- fiscal condition our nation finds itself in begins as follows: The boasts of Congressional Republicans about their cost-cutting victories are ringing hollow to some well-known economists, financial analysts and corporate leaders, including some Republicans, who are expressing increasing alarm over … [Read more...] about “G.O.P. on Defensive” as the Mantra Becomes “It’s the Politics, Stupid!”
S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party (Guest Voice)
S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party by Steve Suranovic A Politco story released this week regarding comments by S&P senior director Joydeep Mukherji is being used to suggest that Tea party intransigence is the root cause of the debt downgrade. However, I think the finger is really pointing at the Administration instead. Joydeep Mukherji said the … [Read more...] about S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party (Guest Voice)