In 1994, someone who looked and sounded like Mitt Romney declared, “I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate.” Today, apparently the same person writes: “I am pro-life and believe that abortion should be limited to only instances of rape, incest, or … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Moves Far Right to Life
Olberphobia Grips Gray Lady
I'm going to take one last riff at the Old Media -- why, perhaps they are so suplinely [sic] compliant. The Snarkosphere loved targeting Keith Olbermann It would be easy to lay the blame at the New York Times’ magazine writer, who begins this snarky “personality piece” with the narrative he’s bound and determined to push, the PeeCee narrative of spineless “liberalism” -- at … [Read more...] about Olberphobia Grips Gray Lady
As Most Americans Suffer Rich Get Richer and the Middle Class Falls Lower
These may be nightmarish times for many Americans -- particularly many middle-class Americans -- but one segment of America is doing better and better: the rich, in particular executives, the Washington Post reports: It was the 1970s, and the chief executive of a leading U.S. dairy company, Kenneth J. Douglas, lived the good life. He earned the equivalent of about $1 … [Read more...] about As Most Americans Suffer Rich Get Richer and the Middle Class Falls Lower
Utopian Dreams, Hired Money, Political Extremism
Though every crisis is different, they often progress in similar ways. This seems to be the case with the present debt-related financial crisis rippling through western economies. It's present causes are unique, but it seems to be meandering down an all-too familiar and frightening path. During much of the 1920s in Europe there were deep recessions linked to debt. A fair … [Read more...] about Utopian Dreams, Hired Money, Political Extremism
AP Reports: Pakistan Tips off Militants AGAIN
It's pretty clear that the word "ally" will need to be redefined if it is applied to Pakistan. The AP reports that Pakistan has tipped off militants again: U.S. officials say Pakistan has apparently tipped off militants at two more bomb-building factories in its tribal areas, giving the terror suspects time to flee, after U.S. intelligence shared the locations with the … [Read more...] about AP Reports: Pakistan Tips off Militants AGAIN
Rick Perry: Not Precisely Uppity
Not precisely uppity Rick Perry doesn't like the leftward tilt of this country and he's here to change things. There are no specifics in what he wants -- unless you call this specific. His campaign pitch, should he decide to run, would be rooted in an equal measure of inspiring economic growth and preserving social values. He did not mention that Texas ranks near the … [Read more...] about Rick Perry: Not Precisely Uppity
Clarence Clemons (1942-2011)
When the change was made uptown / And the big man joined the band / From the coastline to the city / All the little pretties raise their hands. -- "10th AVENUE FREEZE OUT" I am old enough and fortunate enough to have seen Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band early on, including two shows at a small club in 1973. While Bruce was the main attraction, Clarence Clemons … [Read more...] about Clarence Clemons (1942-2011)
Obama Impersonator Reggie Brown Pulled from Republican Leadership Conference After Jokes Cross the Line (Video)
As anyone who has every done comedy can tell you, customized comedy can be tricky -- particularly if a client asks for edgy comedy. Because sometimes edgy can go over the edge. And so it was for Obama impersonator Reggie Brown, whose set at the Republican Leadership Conference was cut short as he was all but given the famous vaudeville hook as his jokes veered into what some … [Read more...] about Obama Impersonator Reggie Brown Pulled from Republican Leadership Conference After Jokes Cross the Line (Video)
Failings of a National Father
In his Weekly Address, the President talks personally, but his musings about fatherhood have political resonance. “I grew up without my father around,” he says. “He left when I was two years old, and even though my sister and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful mother and caring grandparents to raise us, I felt his absence. And I wonder what my life would have been like … [Read more...] about Failings of a National Father
Happy Fathers’ Day (Guest Voice)
Happy Father's Day by Martha Randolph Carr A child needs two parents who care about them and show up for them in all aspects of their lives. When we do that we let the small fry know that the world's a safe place in the small moments of sitting next to them in church, cheering them on from a variety of sidelines or holding our children close when they're not feeling well, … [Read more...] about Happy Fathers’ Day (Guest Voice)
The 11th Commandment is Alive and Well (Guest Voice)
The 11th Commandment is Alive and Well by Michael Reagan They stood up there on the stage, shoulder to shoulder, and voiced their opinions freely, often disagreeing with each other over the various details, but they did it like the gentlemen and lady that they are; attacking positions on the issues without attacking each other. My dad, Ronald Reagan, would have been … [Read more...] about The 11th Commandment is Alive and Well (Guest Voice)
Ban Ki-moon and the indispensable United Nations
The United Nations, which seems to be emerging as the indispensable partner in global affairs even for the United States, will be led for a second five-year term by South Koreas's Ban Ki-moon who took over as Secretary General in 2007. The 15-nation UN Security Council decided unanimously today to recommend him to the 192-nation UN General Assembly for confirmation through … [Read more...] about Ban Ki-moon and the indispensable United Nations
US Mayors – It’s Time to abandon the Empire
Robert Greenwald and Derrick Crowe: The Afghanistan War costs American taxpayers more than $2 billion a week at a time when communities are falling apart, and our mayors are fed up. On Monday, the United States Conference of Mayors is expected to pass a resolution calling for a speedy end of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars so we can use those funds here at home. The mayors … [Read more...] about US Mayors – It’s Time to abandon the Empire
Iraqis Mustn’t Be Cowed Into Allowing U.S. Troops to Remain! (Kitabat, Iraq)
Is the United States behind the recent uptick of violent attacks in Iraq? According to columnist Tamam Abdulhamid of Iraq's Kitabat, this appears to be part of U.S. a strategy to convince Iraqi lawmakers and military officials that American forces are still needed in the country. For Iraq's Kitabat, Tamam Abdulhamid writes in part: What do the increasing frequency of such … [Read more...] about Iraqis Mustn’t Be Cowed Into Allowing U.S. Troops to Remain! (Kitabat, Iraq)
Sleaze Olympics: And the Winner Is…
On the first day of the rest of his life, Anthony Weiner may take some comfort from the latest news about his role model in sexual misadventure. John Edwards has now been caught soliciting get-out-of-jail money from the 100-year-old heiress who bankrolled his original walk on the wild side. (Is that why he was smiling in his mug shot?) As Republicans open a wide lead in the … [Read more...] about Sleaze Olympics: And the Winner Is…
The End of Joe Lieberman
We can but hope. WaPo's columnist Dana Milbank, a friend of Joe's, reacts in horror at Lieberman's latest foray into Beck-land. The Israeli tabloid Yedioth Ahronoth came out on Wednesday with a shocking report: Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann would join Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) at Glenn Beck’s rally in Israel in … [Read more...] about The End of Joe Lieberman
The Vancouver Riot: Passion Over Reason
Rick Salutin -- who fortunately has landed at the Toronto Star, after being dumped by the Globe and Mail -- has an interesting take on the Vancouver riot: Humans are emotional beings, but you can also think of us as symbolic. We invest our lives with meanings beyond the immediate. Sports is part of that. Feelings about teams often reflect stuff like the state of the … [Read more...] about The Vancouver Riot: Passion Over Reason
Attention Michele Bachmann: If You’re Pro-Life, Explain Desire for People-Killing Abolition of EPA
It's hard to know where to start, as a mother of three kids under 18, one of whom has a recurring respiratory problem whenever he gets a cold, and living in a state that gets an overall F in clean air, when it comes to how universally savage the Republican presidential hopefuls are toward the Environmental Protection Agency. If you missed the news, here's a breakdown of how … [Read more...] about Attention Michele Bachmann: If You’re Pro-Life, Explain Desire for People-Killing Abolition of EPA
Fighting Against Those Who Rape (Guest Voice)
Fighting Against Those Who Rape by Michael Winship Devoted fans of the popular cop show can probably recite it in their sleep: "In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These … [Read more...] about Fighting Against Those Who Rape (Guest Voice)
United Nations Passes First Ever LGBT Rights Resolution
Slowly but surely our governmental bodies are moving towards acceptance of what has already been culturally recognized: It's okay to be gay. New York is one vote away from legally recognizing same sex marriage. There are widespread expectations that the legislation will pass next week. Last week a federal judge upheld the ruling striking down California's Proposition 8 and … [Read more...] about United Nations Passes First Ever LGBT Rights Resolution