History provides perspective but can also bring distortion as a Pulitzer-Prize journalist now decides that John F. Kennedy “probably was the worst American president of the previous century.” After studying the period, the respected Thomas E. Ricks concludes: “In retrospect, he spent his 35 months in the White House stumbling from crisis to fiasco. He came into office and … [Read more...] about A Twisted Case Against JFK
The Great Republican Retreat of 2011
The Republican congressional leadership, unable to keep a single promise of consequence, is bloodied and in retreat, and the imbroglio over the budget deficit is its Waterloo. The retreat is no surprise because Mitch McConnell and John Boehner find themselves between a very big rock and a very hard place. The rock is the reality that Republicans will be blamed if there is … [Read more...] about The Great Republican Retreat of 2011
Paying To Hush-Up Bad Behavior
Here's the tally on how much News Corp has paid to hush-up scandal, according to a NYT article by David Carr. (For the record, this may be the first time I have quoted Carr favorably.) 2009: $1.6 million to settle phone-hacking claims 2009: $29.5 million to NJ company Floorgraphics, which had sued News Corp for hacking into its computer system and “disseminat[ing] … [Read more...] about Paying To Hush-Up Bad Behavior
Murdoch’s Properties Go On The Offensive
News Corp. is embroiled in a legal and ethics scandal in the U.K., and closure of the newspaper at the heart of the mess, News of the World (NOTW), has done nothing to contain the damage. News Corp. reportedly generates about 75 percent of its revenue in the U.S, and its two flagship American properties, FOX News and the Wall Street Journal, have both gone on the … [Read more...] about Murdoch’s Properties Go On The Offensive
Pakistan’s “Islamic Bombs”: America Still Not Worried
Damning evidence has been surfacing during the past decades revealing how different US administrations have been looking the other way despite Pakistan military establishment's open role in supplying nuclear know-how to rogue regimes. Now A.Q. Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb program, asserts that the government of North Korea bribed top military officials in … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s “Islamic Bombs”: America Still Not Worried
Obama Picks Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
On Saturday, I wrote about this entity and former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray's role in it. Now we read, on Sunday, that he will head it instead of Elizabeth Warren. From Politico: President Obama has selected former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to lead the embattled Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Obama will make the announcement Monday from the … [Read more...] about Obama Picks Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?
WASHINGTON -- The House Republican strategy to link a normally routine increase in the nation's debt limit with a crusade to slash spending has already had a high cost, threatening the nation's credit rating and making the United States look dysfunctional and incompetent to the rest of the world. But that's not the most awful thing about it. What's even worse … [Read more...] about Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?
Sans Culottes
The sans culottes were the radical French militants of the lower classes, typically urban laborers. Though ill-clad and ill-equipped, they made up the bulk of the Revolutionary army during the early years of the French Revolutionary Wars. As more conservative elements took over after the over throw of the French Monarchy and Robespierre was executed they were forcibly and … [Read more...] about Sans Culottes
Of Rupert Murdoch, British Politicians, Police & Rotten Apples
The New Yorker sums up the murky media Mughal Murdoch scandal thus: "Rupert Murdoch and his people have claimed that the newspaper scandal in London was caused by a few rotten apples. Now that a very large apple, Rebekah Brooks, has been arrested, it is clear that it is the entire barrel that is rotten." Brooks is a former News International chief. Meanwhile London's police … [Read more...] about Of Rupert Murdoch, British Politicians, Police & Rotten Apples
Passenger Rebels Against TSA Pat Down
If this is true, some will say this would seem like a case of tit for tat. … [Read more...] about Passenger Rebels Against TSA Pat Down
Quote of the Day: What Next for Rupert Murdoch as Scotland Yard Chief Resigns?
The multi-front controversy surrounding global media baron Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp continues with breathtaking speed -- even posing a challenge too quickly to update blog. The latest: Scotland Yard's Chief has quit over the phone hacking scandal: The commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police Services, Sir Paul Stephenson, resigned his post on Sunday just hours … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: What Next for Rupert Murdoch as Scotland Yard Chief Resigns?
The Mahdi is Reappearing to Rid World of ‘Devils in Human Form’ (Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran)
It is time to celebrate - that is, unless you are the 'Great Satan' or any other devil in human form. Because today is the birthday of the Mahdi, also known as the Muslim Messiah. And according to Iran's state-run Kayhan, it's time to prepare ourselves for his return. Kayhan columnist Seyyed Ali Shahbaz informs us of the Mahdi's imminent arrival - along with Jesus Christ - … [Read more...] about The Mahdi is Reappearing to Rid World of ‘Devils in Human Form’ (Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Get Mad at Judges, Not Juries! (Guest Voice)
Get Mad at Judges, Not Juries! by Michael Winship Last week, an HBO film crew was in my Manhattan neighborhood shooting a movie about legendary record producer Phil Spector, now serving nineteen years to life for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson. The film, starring Al Pacino, already has stirred controversy because its writer-director, David Mamet, … [Read more...] about Get Mad at Judges, Not Juries! (Guest Voice)
Obama’s “Grand Bargain” is Back in Play
As part of the deal being discussed to raise the debt ceiling, leaders on Capitol Hill are forming an especially powerful congressional committee that would be charged with drawing up a new “grand bargain,” possibly by the end of the year. Key elements for a big deal remain in place. Obama has been clear that he wants one and has started making the case to skeptical factions … [Read more...] about Obama’s “Grand Bargain” is Back in Play
Citizen Rupert
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Citizen Rupert
U.S. Game of Chicken Threatens Creditors and Global Economy (The People’s Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Does the U.S. political crisis demonstrate what Beijing has been saying for years: that it is dangerous for U.S. creditors to allow the dollar to continue as the global currency of choice? According to this article by Li Xiangyang for the state-run People's Daily, until the dollar is dethroned, holders of U.S. sovereign debt 'must either endure the enormous immediate financial … [Read more...] about U.S. Game of Chicken Threatens Creditors and Global Economy (The People’s Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Tinkering With The Social Security Inflation Adjustment
Since 1975, benefits of Social Security recipients have been adjusted for inflation every year. Last year Washington found a cute way to stiff recipients out of this cost of living adjustment (COLA). Now both parties there are working on a plan to ensure that older Americans get a smaller adjustment every year into the future. The chosen mechanism to ensure this is something … [Read more...] about Tinkering With The Social Security Inflation Adjustment
Rupert’s Blues
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Rupert’s Blues
More Bad News For Rupert Murdoch: Rebekah Brooks Arrested Due to Phone Hacking Scandal (UPDATED)
Each day brings a new body blow to global press baron Rupert Murdoch and the latest is a huge one: Rebekah Brooks, the resigned News International chief executive who most accounts paint as a virtual member of Murdoch's family, has been arrested. The Huffington Post: Rebekah Brooks has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday. The former News … [Read more...] about More Bad News For Rupert Murdoch: Rebekah Brooks Arrested Due to Phone Hacking Scandal (UPDATED)
Crouching Lurkers (Guest Voice)
Crouching Lurkers by Will Durst Run for the hills, everybody! Armageddon is imminent! The sky is beyond falling; it's anvil-plummeting! Onto our heads so fast the clouds are whistling the love theme from the movie "2012." The U.S. economy is about to melt down like a Popsicle left on a Palm Springs picnic table, and it's only a matter of time before this country liquefies … [Read more...] about Crouching Lurkers (Guest Voice)