Our political Quote of the Day comes from President Barack Obama who reportedly said this at the contentious debt ceiling reduction talks that have failed so far: If Moody's, the credit rating agency that announced a review of U.S. credit, downgrades the United States, President Obama said, "it will be a tax increase on every American." There needs to be a long-term … [Read more...] about Political Quote of the Day: Obama on the Debt Ceiling and His Presidency
Banning Circumcision is Simply Banning Judaism (Guest Voice)
Banning Circumcision is Simply Banning Judaism by Yaakov Kirschen A bill to ban circumcision of all males under the age of 18 will be on the ballot in San Francisco this November. This is alarming because circumcision of all males is the single most basic ritual of Judaism. Banning circumcision is a direct attack on the practice of Judaism, even if it is presented as … [Read more...] about Banning Circumcision is Simply Banning Judaism (Guest Voice)
Debt Limit Talks: Feeding Off Anger
The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, warned on Wednesday of a “huge financial calamity” if President Obama and the Republicans cannot agree on a budget deal that allows the federal debt ceiling to be increased. Moody’s, the ratings agency, threatened a credit downgrade, citing a “rising possibility” that no deal would be reached before the government’s borrowing … [Read more...] about Debt Limit Talks: Feeding Off Anger
Debt Limit for Dummies
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Debt Limit for Dummies
U.S. Risks ‘Plunging World’ Into New Financial Crisis (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is there any truth to the notion that it would be no big deal if the U.S. Congress failed to lift the debt ceiling? According to Die Zeit columnist Christoph von Marschall, the world is cowering in fear over the fact that there are some U.S. lawmakers who fail to acknowledge the catastrophe of such an unprecedented event. For Die Zeit, Christoph von Marschall writes in … [Read more...] about U.S. Risks ‘Plunging World’ Into New Financial Crisis (Die Zeit, Germany)
Obama Can’t Celebrate Yet
WASHINGTON -- The wounded are especially dangerous fighters. President Obama now occupies the high ground in the debt-ceiling debate, having called the Republicans' bluff on the debt. He showed that deficit reduction is not now, and never has been, the GOP's priority. He dare not get overconfident. After thwarting the deal that House Speaker John Boehner was cooking up … [Read more...] about Obama Can’t Celebrate Yet
Peak Everything
Default on debt - that's the latest conversation but it's silly. The conversation recently has been all about a bail out of Greece. But who's getting bailed out? It's not the people of Greece but the banksters that loaned them money. In reality the citizens of Greece would be better off if the country defaulted. Ireland, Portugal, Spain and now … [Read more...] about Peak Everything
Global Economy Hangs on ‘Mood’ of U.S. Voters (O Globo, Brazil)
When it comes to the question of the U.S. defaulting on its debt, it seems that the old adage 'when the U.S. coughs, the world catches cold' isn't completely outdated. According to this editorial from Brazil's O Globo, the fortunes of billions may depend of the vicissitudes of America's cartoonish yet deadly serious political debate. The O Globo editorial says in … [Read more...] about Global Economy Hangs on ‘Mood’ of U.S. Voters (O Globo, Brazil)
Blue Republicans: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
My article of a few days ago -- If You Love Peace, Become a "Blue Republican" (Just for a Year) -- seems to have caused a stir. Many people of independent, liberal or Democratic sensibilities voted for Obama in 2008 in the hope of jolting America toward civil liberties and away from war, only to find themselves in 2011 disappointed that we are still starting wars and doing … [Read more...] about Blue Republicans: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
It’s Cocktail Hour in Washington, Meanwhile Minnesota is Going Dry
WASHINGTON - Oh, the horror! Miller time is just about over in Minnesota. Can you imagine a summer evening without cocktails? I'm sure many of you can, of course, but it's a tough road for the hospitality industry. This is what a shutdown looks like. From the Star Tribune: Hundreds of bars, restaurants and stores across Minnesota are running out of beer and alcohol … [Read more...] about It’s Cocktail Hour in Washington, Meanwhile Minnesota is Going Dry
A Black World War I Hero May Finally Receive the Medal of Honor
CODA: Commenting on “Today, a Grateful Nation Presents Its Highest Military Honor,” Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés reminded us about a black regiment during the Civil War. This is the story of a member of New York City's all-black 369th Infantry Regiment -- the famous "Harlem Blackcats"---who distinguished himself through combat heroism during World War I on a French … [Read more...] about A Black World War I Hero May Finally Receive the Medal of Honor
UPDATED: Deadly Blasts in Mumbai Kill 21 (VIDEOS)
UPDATE (BBC): Twenty-one people were killed and 113 injured, said Maharashtra state's Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan. ================================== Blasts in Mumbai have left 17 dead. Three improvised explosive devices were used. The blasts occured in three crowded locations so getting a body count was clearly the motive. CNN on the blast when they were still … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Deadly Blasts in Mumbai Kill 21 (VIDEOS)
Another Sign of America’s Partisan Boorishness
I've often talked about the vulgarization of America, how polarized our politics have become, and what I call the talk radio political culture's influence in undermining civility and compromise. But who ever thought we would seriously see a statement for a political party if their candidate loses such as this one after GOPers lost the CA-36 special election? No, what you are … [Read more...] about Another Sign of America’s Partisan Boorishness
Come, Let Us Reason Together
I have always thought that Churchill was right when he said that, "the United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative" I was a graduate student in the United States during the Watergate Crisis; and, for me, the long and circuitous climax to that challenge proved the truth of Churchill's observation. But, these days, those of … [Read more...] about Come, Let Us Reason Together
Murdoch Drops Bid for British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB)
It's getting worse for global media and political influence maven Rupert Murdoch. One sign: he has now dropped his long-sought bid to buy British Sky Broadcasting -- a bid that in recent days seemed destined for massive roadblocks following outrage in Great Britain over the phone hacking scandal: Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate -- ended its bid to purchase British Sky … [Read more...] about Murdoch Drops Bid for British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB)
Quote of the Day: Advice to Republicans and Tea Party
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Atlantic's Conor Friedersdorf, writing about the victory of a Democrat in the special election to fill the seat in California's 36th congressional district. It was widely believed that this race had become competitive but in the end L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn defeated Republican challenger Craig Huey 54.6 percent to 45.4 … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Advice to Republicans and Tea Party
Lorena Bobbitt Again?
Some legacies never die. This sounds like the case of Lorena Bobbitt again no matter how you slice it. Or even worse. h/T: The Daily Beast … [Read more...] about Lorena Bobbitt Again?
Rupert Murdoch, Demise Of Newspapers & The Great Republican Rabbit Hole
For students of schadenfreude and cheerleaders for the demise of the newspaper, what's not to like about the stream of revelations that Rupert Murdoch's Fleet Street empire is a criminal enterprise? That a man who got filthy rich and amassed enormous political power in Britain, the U.S. and Australia that would have made even Citizen Kane blush is revealed to be a godfather … [Read more...] about Rupert Murdoch, Demise Of Newspapers & The Great Republican Rabbit Hole
We Need Congressional Hearings on the Second Class Status of Independent Voters
In such a heavily controlled political environment we have where the two entrenched parties have their way with the America people, lots of voters are declaring their independence. One Florida partisan answers his own question in his letter below (and those are some pretty good reasons he gives as to why independents are not claiming partisanship!), and Paul Krugman insults the … [Read more...] about We Need Congressional Hearings on the Second Class Status of Independent Voters
IF WE FAIL TO AID SMALL BUSINESS, WE IMPERIL OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH
INTRODUCTION Charles Hugh Smith put up another two-part analysis on his website “Of Two Minds” (http://www.oftwominds.com/blog.html) concerning why U.S. Small businesses are not hiring and will likely not be hiring in the future. The phrase “structural unemployment” is sometimes used in misleading ways in many opinion pieces around the Media. Some writers use … [Read more...] about IF WE FAIL TO AID SMALL BUSINESS, WE IMPERIL OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH