This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Tea Party Wisdom
China Blames Pakistan Trained Muslim Extremists for Attacks
Now it isn't only the United States that is angry at Pakistan for terrorists trained there that go elsewhere and go on the attack. Now China is as well: China pointed a finger at Pakistan, one of its closest foreign partners, as it blamed one of two deadly attacks over the weekend in the northwestern Xinjiang region on Muslim extremists trained across the Pakistani … [Read more...] about China Blames Pakistan Trained Muslim Extremists for Attacks
Voter Suppression in Wisconsin?
Is there voter suppression underway in the recall elections in Wisconsin? Sounds that way. … [Read more...] about Voter Suppression in Wisconsin?
Conservative Still The Leading U.S. Political Ideology
Huh? Americans' political ideology at the midyear point of 2011 looks similar to 2009 and 2010, with 41% self-identifying as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 21% as liberal. I'll make you a bet: Political identification will swing in this country between 2015 and 2020 at about the same rate as we've seen the swing on same-sex marriage. I've got no data to back that … [Read more...] about Conservative Still The Leading U.S. Political Ideology
Will the Debt Ceiling Limit Deal Actually Hurt the U.S. Economy?
Will the debt ceiling limit deal actually hurt the U.S. Economy? Here's a good roundup. … [Read more...] about Will the Debt Ceiling Limit Deal Actually Hurt the U.S. Economy?
Deficit Talks Upshot: Neither Party Won & Americans Lost
Although the links between the excruciatingly slow recovery from the Bush Recession and the record-high federal budget deficit are to an extent incidental, it is sadly ironic that an upshot of the deficit cap compromise hammered out on Sunday is that less money will be invested in the economy, which is to say the nation's future prosperity, and the recovery could bog down even … [Read more...] about Deficit Talks Upshot: Neither Party Won & Americans Lost
Kicking The Can Under The Debt Ceiling
After weeks and weeks of mind-numbing talk from both sides, a compromise solution was finally reached on the debt ceiling crisis yesterday. Pundits are now trying to figure out who won and who lost in the skirmish. From my perspective, the status quo is maintained. President Obama, while disappointing some of the far left, compromised enough to move towards the political … [Read more...] about Kicking The Can Under The Debt Ceiling
TAIWANESE ANIMATION: Debt Ceiling Deal
Taiwanese animation from Next Media Animation on the debt ceiling limit deal: … [Read more...] about TAIWANESE ANIMATION: Debt Ceiling Deal
No Winners in Latest Debt Ceiling Limit Deal
While analysts, advisors and columnists disagree about who won and who lost the most -- Republicans or Democrats, the president or Congress -- the real losers are the American people who wanted signs that we have a responsible government (we don't) and who want their cake-and-eat-it-too (and got neither). The economy ...The deal itself, given the available … [Read more...] about No Winners in Latest Debt Ceiling Limit Deal
Barack Obama, Lacking the Leadership Character for the Job
WASHINGTON - It's a very bad day for Obama loyalists, who are tripping over themselves at the debacle left at the feet of the Democratic party, whose leader has revealed once and for all he simply doesn't have the leadership character for the job. “I would say … that symbolically, that agreement is moving us to the point where we are having the final interment of John … [Read more...] about Barack Obama, Lacking the Leadership Character for the Job
Why We Need Al-Jazeera English
Today Al Jazeera English will be carried on cable systems in New York City for the first time. In good NYC tradition, only by subletting space from another channel owner. That's how the network got carriage in DC, too. In the U.S. we get our censorship by other means; public interest be damned: Al Jazeera English was lauded by the United States government and even by a few … [Read more...] about Why We Need Al-Jazeera English
From Ireland To U.S., The Roman Catholic Child Sex Abuse Scandal Seems Endless
Those solemn men in robes who tell women what to do with their wombs but have proven beyond a doubt that they are incapable of telling their priests what they can't do with their willies, are still at it. I speak, of course, of that bastion of hypocrisy and perversion -- the Roman Catholic Church. Herewith a round-up: VATICAN URGED IRISH CHURCH TO LAY OFF My late … [Read more...] about From Ireland To U.S., The Roman Catholic Child Sex Abuse Scandal Seems Endless
Playing Chicken is the World’s Newest Sport (El Pais, Spain)
Delegitimizing those who win elections is not strictly an American preoccupation. According to this article by Louis Bassets of Spain's El Pais, the struggle over the debt ceiling that is apparently winding down in Washington has analogues in other venues and countries, and is a trend that is pushing the world toward anarchy. For El Pais, Louis Bassets writes in … [Read more...] about Playing Chicken is the World’s Newest Sport (El Pais, Spain)
Marx Brothers Debt-Ceiling Deal
You have to bring back Groucho to explain this one. In a classic scene, he and Chico negotiate a contract by tearing off items from long sheets of paper until they are down to a sliver each. “If any of the parties to this agreement,” Groucho reads, “have been shown not to be in their right mind, this contract is automatically nullified. That’s in every contract—-it’s called … [Read more...] about Marx Brothers Debt-Ceiling Deal
THIS JUST IN!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andrew Borowitz: Debt Ceiling is Raised Before Tea Party Understands What It Is GOP Begins Hard Work of Creating Next Crisis WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – In an historic eleventh-hour bipartisan accord, the United States’ debt ceiling was raised Sunday night before the Tea Party understood what it was. In an effort … [Read more...] about THIS JUST IN!
Who Were the Debt Ceiling Limit Deal’s Winners and Losers?
So who were the debt ceiling limit deal's winners and losers (realizing it could still be derailed)? The Washington Post's astute Chris Cillizza offers this well-reasoned list. This list isn't your typical list done by an ideological blogger but a stand back and analyze piece. You may not agree with it, but it is analysis, not political bile or high fivesmanship. … [Read more...] about Who Were the Debt Ceiling Limit Deal’s Winners and Losers?
U.S. Must Choose Practical Patriotism Over Party Tactics (Upsala Nya Tidning, Sweden)
Have U.S. lawmakers lost the plot over the last few weeks? This editorial from Sweden's Upsala Nya Tidning offers members of the U.S. Congress some practical advice about what to do about the U.S. debt ceiling, and some comparative politics just to remind them that America isn't the only developed country struggling with debt and social safety net reform. The Upsala Nya … [Read more...] about U.S. Must Choose Practical Patriotism Over Party Tactics (Upsala Nya Tidning, Sweden)
What a Waste Edition: Network and Cable filled with Representatives and Senators Now, Gorilla Chest-Flashing Some More.
The Bus is hanging over the edge of the ravine. The Bus is crammed with human beings. The driver behind the wheel, steps away from the crisis, leaving others hanging... At the moment, on cable and network tv, many reps and senators are hedging now about how they will vote on the agreement just announced to not default et al. They are right now, to a person, saying, "I havent … [Read more...] about What a Waste Edition: Network and Cable filled with Representatives and Senators Now, Gorilla Chest-Flashing Some More.
Another Botched Drug Raid
Another innocent family is terrorized courtesy of the War on Drugs. More details here. Thanks goes to Radley Balko for bringing this story to my attention. … [Read more...] about Another Botched Drug Raid
When Momma Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: Nancy Pelosi
It will be interesting to see what Nancy Pelosi decides to say and do. Apparently she has been missing from the cameras and airwaves since Obama announced a compromise had, in plan, been reached just an hour ago. She could come out slugging, or in Throw Mama From the Train persona. Reasoned hope says for many of us, let the posturing be over now, there's been so much of … [Read more...] about When Momma Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: Nancy Pelosi