Republicans spent their time on the Sunday news shows saying they were the only serious deficit reducers in town. If we didn’t support the Ryan budget plan, we apparently enjoyed watching our country circle the bowl. Since they had the corner on seriousness, they told us the special election in New York was lost because the Democrats demagogued the Medicare issue. GOP … [Read more...] about Right-Wing Social Engineering
Pap the Republican
The news that forty Republican senators have announced their support for Paul Ryan's budget plan is not surprising. But, when you review what passes for the usual Republican boilerplate these days, what is surprising is how much the Republicans sound like Pap Finn. Pap only puts in a quick appearance at he the beginning of Twain's novel, where he goes on at some length about … [Read more...] about Pap the Republican
Degrading Democracy: Count the Ways
Republicans are doing more than try to win elections next year. In both presidential primaries and Congress, they are undermining the kind of American government that people are literally dying to emulate in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. The Presidency is in its second round of insult to injury as Sarah Palin follows Donald Trump into making a circus of the … [Read more...] about Degrading Democracy: Count the Ways
Memorial Day (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Memorial Day (Cartoon)
Some Progress, This Memorial Day
Last Memorial Day our nation was in the midst of a bitter debate over the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT); over whether women should serve aboard our nuclear submarines and in combat; over immigration, in particularly whether to provide a path to citizenship to certain undocumented immigrants who have come to our country as children and who go on to serve honorably … [Read more...] about Some Progress, This Memorial Day
Our Imagination Deficit (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- While the United States remains utterly frozen in a debate about budget deficits and all the things that government shouldn't do, other countries are marrying public and private resources to make themselves stronger and more competitive. While the United States is not even sure we should have gone halfway toward providing health insurance to all of our … [Read more...] about Our Imagination Deficit (Guest Voice)
What Gives Blogging a Bad Name?
What gives blogging a bad name? This does. … [Read more...] about What Gives Blogging a Bad Name?
The Difference
Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.James A. Froude English historian (1818 - 1894) … [Read more...] about The Difference
And So It’s Apparently Another Ideologically Driven Bogus Story
As I said earlier, here we go again: A college student who received an obscene photo from Rep. Anthony Weiner's Twitter account says she's never met the married Queens politico - and backed his contention they're both victims of online pranksters. "I have never met Congressman Weiner, though I am a fan," Gennette Cordova, 21, of Seattle, Wash., told The Daily News … [Read more...] about And So It’s Apparently Another Ideologically Driven Bogus Story
The U.S. Economy — In Lousy Shape And Getting Worse
How could anyone (even an economist) think the prospects for a moribund U.S. economy will improve in months and probably years to come? It's time to stop all the "experts see hope" and "certain indicators suggest" nonsense. Time to just plain look at what's happening and what's almost certainly going to happen. Housing is the traditional leader in U.S. economic recoveries. … [Read more...] about The U.S. Economy — In Lousy Shape And Getting Worse
Budget Bandidos (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Budget Bandidos (Cartoon)
Fourteen Afghan Civilians Killed in NATO Strike
All or most of them were women and children. The lethal strikes took place in Helmand province. Local Afghan authorities are apparently saying that 12 of the deaths are children, two are women, and six others were injured. Hamid Karzai, in condemning the killings, gave a different breakdown: 10 children, two women, and two men. … [Read more...] about Fourteen Afghan Civilians Killed in NATO Strike
With Scarcity, Food Is Becoming The New Oil
China's desire to buy up farmland makes Brazil uneasy: China has become Brazil’s biggest trading partner, buying ever increasing volumes of soybeans and iron ore, while investing billions in Brazil’s energy sector. The demand has helped fuel an economic boom here that has lifted more than 20 million Brazilians from extreme poverty and brought economic stability to a country … [Read more...] about With Scarcity, Food Is Becoming The New Oil
The Unemployed: Kick ‘Em While They’re Down? (Guest Voice)
The Unemployed: Kick 'Em While They're Down? Tyrades! By Danny Tyree Your momma probably gave you inadequate advice about seeking a job. She likely told you that poor posture, low grades, a police record, body piercings and tattoos could all prejudice a potential employer against you. She probably FAILED to warn you, “Don’t go to work for a company that will someday in … [Read more...] about The Unemployed: Kick ‘Em While They’re Down? (Guest Voice)
Here We Go Again
Sigh. Another sigh. Double sigh. And a good summary HERE. UPDATE: And some friendly eyebrows are being raised on this one.. … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again
Mubarak, Other Regime Officials Fined $90 Million for Blocking Telecommunicatios
An Egyptian court has fined jailed former President Hosni Mubarak and two others from his discredited regime $90 million for slicing off telecommunications at the height of the demonstrations that ultimately toppled him. It may seem like a staggering amount of money but if other reports are believed it'll be a drop in the bucket to Mubarak, if he has even some of the money … [Read more...] about Mubarak, Other Regime Officials Fined $90 Million for Blocking Telecommunicatios
Homeland Security Confirms Lockheed Martin Was Hit By Cyber Attack
Last week the largest defense contractor in the world and the United States government's top technology information provider battled off a "significant and tenacious" cyber attack, Lockheed Martin Corp announced Saturday. And, the Huffington Post Reports, the Department of Homeland Security has now confirmed it: Hackers launched a "significant and tenacious" cyber attack … [Read more...] about Homeland Security Confirms Lockheed Martin Was Hit By Cyber Attack
British Councilman Waives Protest Rights, Says Twitter Released Personal Data
Update of Saturday story: Twitter, Gag Orders and The British Press : See Related Storify The Sunday London Telegraph has a screaming headline: Twitter reveals secrets: Details of British users handed over in landmark case that could help Ryan Giggs The problem is this: nothing in the story supports the assertion. The Telegraph listed five Twitter accounts as … [Read more...] about British Councilman Waives Protest Rights, Says Twitter Released Personal Data
Homeless in America — on Memorial Day
Some spent the night outside, in sleeping bags or just under the Texas stars. Many more showed up just after dawn. Close to opening time there were more than 200 people waiting and more were arriving. It might have been my imagination, but as we stepped through the crowd I thought I heard some piano music coming from inside the building. Also, I caught a whiff of food … [Read more...] about Homeless in America — on Memorial Day
Gil Scott-Heron: A Roundup
From NPR: "Gil Scott-Heron, Poet and Musician, Has Died." … [Read more...] about Gil Scott-Heron: A Roundup