On the eve of talks with with President Obama, Speaker John Boehner is pulling out of negotiations for a large-scale deficit reduction plan. His statement: “I believe the best approach may be to focus on producing a smaller measure, based on the cuts identified in the Biden-led negotiations, that still meets our call for spending reforms and cuts greater than the amount of any … [Read more...] about Boehner Bolts “Big” Debt Deal
Letter from North Korean to A.Q. Khan Resembles CIA Iraq War Forgery (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Could it be that after years of protecting Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, also known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, Islamabad may be preparing to prosecute him for providing nuclear technology to rogue states? According to this editorial from Pakistan's Frontier Post, a letter allegedly passed on by Dr. Khan to a British researcher may be a CIA forgery. If … [Read more...] about Letter from North Korean to A.Q. Khan Resembles CIA Iraq War Forgery (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Truth In Architecture (Cartoon)
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Remembering Betty Ford (VIDEOS)
A lot of often touching video tributes to former First Lady Better Ford are pouring in upon news of her death. She was someone admired in life -- and in death. Here's a cross section: --Larry King and historian Doug Brinkley remember the life and legacy of Betty Ford. --Larry King interviews the Fords: --Euronews report: --CBS: The Life of Betty Ford --Historian … [Read more...] about Remembering Betty Ford (VIDEOS)
Former BP CEO Tony Hayward’s Memory Loss
Quick! Send former BP CEO Tony Hayward some Ginkgo Biloba. He can't remember the names of those who died on Deepwater Horizon. That's surprising: they kept him from getting his life back for a while. Hey, it's all a matter of circumstance. He probably would have remembered their names if they had attended the yacht races. … [Read more...] about Former BP CEO Tony Hayward’s Memory Loss
Quote of the Day: The Nation South Sudan is Born
Our Quote of the Day is actually an entire post by The Daily Beast's John Avlon who notes the birth of a nation: South Sudan: A new nation was born today, as the Republic of South Sudan officially became the 193rd country on earth. But the joyous celebration in the new capital city of Juba should not cause observers to think that the struggle for sovereignty is finally … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The Nation South Sudan is Born
A Message for Flotilla and Pro-Gaza Activists
What is a refugee camp? GO HERE. … [Read more...] about A Message for Flotilla and Pro-Gaza Activists
Canada: Student Debt and Myopic Public Policy
Gary Mason began his column in Thursday's Globe and Mail by reminiscing about the good old days: Once upon a time, getting money to attend university in Canada was easy. There were non-repayable grants available from the government, and there were lots of good paying summer jobs. But times have changed. The governments which nurtured the baby boomers now insists that the … [Read more...] about Canada: Student Debt and Myopic Public Policy
Is the U.S. Close to Defeating Al Qaeda? Panetta Says Yes
Has the moment arrived? Is the United States close to defeating Al Qaeda two months after the death of its leader and symbol Osama bin Laden? Saying that Al Qaeda's end is near is the kind of rhetoric officials have studiously tried to avoid. And many who are pros in intelligence, anti-terrorism and the military weigh their words carefully. But the words of the Obama … [Read more...] about Is the U.S. Close to Defeating Al Qaeda? Panetta Says Yes
Republican Deals With Obama Are Killing Us (Guest Voice)
Republican Deals with Obama are Killing Us by Floyd and Mary Beth Brown Writing a syndicated column in 2011 is night and day different from when we started writing for publication in the 1990's. The overriding change is the volume and immediacy of feedback. In the 1990's we would receive the occasional letter applauding or challenging our thesis, facts and motives. Today we … [Read more...] about Republican Deals With Obama Are Killing Us (Guest Voice)
News of The World (Cartoon)
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Paul Ryan: Let Them Drink Gallo (His $350 Bottle of Wine Moment)
My, oh, my. And here I was yesterday agonizing over whether I should get a special occasion bottle of wine that sold for $18 because I always buy wines on sale (like three for $10 at Sprouts). Rep. Paul Ryan -- you know, the one who wants to slash the budget and redo Medicare in a way that in its totality will negatively impact seniors and poor people - was spotted drinking a … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan: Let Them Drink Gallo (His $350 Bottle of Wine Moment)
Eat the Poor (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Eat the Poor (Cartoon)
Prediction: Casey Anthony Will Wind Up Wealthy Due to Media Bucks
Here's a prediction and you don't have to be psychic to make it: now that she is basically acquitted in a controversial jury decision of killing her 2 year old daughter, Casey Anthony is going to be a very very wealthy woman -- and in quick time. I've said as much to friends as soon as the jury verdict came out. And here is the first sign: "The Jerry Springer Show" has … [Read more...] about Prediction: Casey Anthony Will Wind Up Wealthy Due to Media Bucks
The Betty Ford I Knew
She came to the White House unexpectedly and never stopped being herself, unlike those before her who could have passed for inflatable life-sized dolls permanently positioned to stare adoringly at their husbands. Betty Ford spoke openly about everything, from equal rights for women to abortion to what she would do if her 18-year-old daughter were sexually active. Even more, … [Read more...] about The Betty Ford I Knew
RIP Betty Ford
The former First Lady has died at age 93. In addition to being one of the most down to earth and kind people to serve as First Lady she also made news herself on several occassions. Her openess with her battle with breast cancer helped bring a formerly taboo subject into the light and is credited with saving thousands of lives. Women who would not have otherwise asked … [Read more...] about RIP Betty Ford
The British are Coming! Oh, wait.
While we're debating what to cut and why, here's a little bit of privatization that seems to have been overlooked in the ongoing gush of patriotism and the fact-checking of Founding Fathers and British warning riders and suchlike. Once upon a time, I went to Philadelphia, and I couldn’t sleep. I took a walk, and, blogging from the “guest” computer by the check-in desk in the … [Read more...] about The British are Coming! Oh, wait.
Commenting Problem Fixed
We have found the problem with some of you being blocked in comments. It was due to an out-of-control spam filter. After a configuration change, those with incorrectly blocked accounts are now fine. Please try logging into your old account (if you created a new one) and try things out. You may have to refresh your browser after logging in if you still can't … [Read more...] about Commenting Problem Fixed
‘Guilty Excitement’ in French Media Over Turn in DSK Affair (Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France)
With the release of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn from house arrest in New York, it seems that the soul-searching that had descended on French media over giving the influential a pass on their personal behavior has almost completely reversed itself. For Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, columnist Olivier Picard laments that when it comes to being neutral observers of … [Read more...] about ‘Guilty Excitement’ in French Media Over Turn in DSK Affair (Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France)
Seven Bad Things About the Latest Grim Jobs Report
The news isn't good -- and neither are the implications. But could this just be a hiccup? Could this just be the recovery hitting a soft patch? President Barack Obama issued this statement. A debate will ensue about whether the recovery is truly a recovery or whether the economy is now completely stagnant or backtracking. Partisan positions (and political hopes) will … [Read more...] about Seven Bad Things About the Latest Grim Jobs Report