This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Supreme Court and California Prisons (Cartoon)
Beating Bushes for a President
Even as GOP hopefuls make pilgrimages for a blessing by President 41, the sound of a distant groundswell can be heard for a possible Bush 45. “His credentials,” says a throbbing pundit about the failure of Jeb Bush to step up, “are so good and his political abilities so acute compared to the others that his decision may well result in four more years of President … [Read more...] about Beating Bushes for a President
Theme Song for Message from Voters In NY-26 to GOP?
A lot will be written today and in coming days about how the Republican Party could possibly lose a special election in a sure thing Republican district -- losing in a way that cannot be accurately blamed on a former Democrat running as a Tea Party candidate but more accurately due a huge defection in Republican votes and votes from seniors which led to a Republican loss … [Read more...] about Theme Song for Message from Voters In NY-26 to GOP?
(UPDATED) Medicare Death Panel Claims Its First Victim. Could Republican House Bigs Be Next?
KATHY HOCHUL While Paul Ryan's radical deficit-reduction plan has predictably died in its crib, the Republican Party's mission to destroy Medicare has not been forgotten by voters, who claimed their first but not last electoral victim of the year: State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, who was expected to cakewalk to victory in a special election in New York state's 26th … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Medicare Death Panel Claims Its First Victim. Could Republican House Bigs Be Next?
Live-Blogging NY-26
If you're interested, I've been live-blogging the NY-26 special election this evening. Check it out. About a third of precincts have reported. Still a long way to go. … [Read more...] about Live-Blogging NY-26
Georgia Supreme Court Cites White Supremacist Document to Declare 16 Charter Schools Illegal
Douglas Blackmon: In the first sentences of an opinion issued last week by the state Supreme Court, Chief Justice Carol Hunstein declared without qualification that the Georgia Charter School Commission was illegal because of an “unbroken ... constitutional authority” existing since the adoption of the 1877 Constitution giving only “local boards of education” the power to … [Read more...] about Georgia Supreme Court Cites White Supremacist Document to Declare 16 Charter Schools Illegal
VIDEOS: Killer Tornadoes Rip Through Oklahoma
Killer tornadoes struck Oklahoma earlier today and the troubling drama was carried live on most American cable news networks. CNN has this summary: A deadly string of tornadoes and thunderstorms rampaged Tuesday through central Oklahoma, killing at least two people, injuring many others and destroying homes and vehicles, officials said. Canadian County Sheriff Randall … [Read more...] about VIDEOS: Killer Tornadoes Rip Through Oklahoma
Testosterone Twins: Schwarzenegger and Strauss-Kahn
It’s getting harder to coopt reality for entertainment. Columnist Ross Douthat proposes a Dominique Strauss-Kahn epic—“one of those sprawling, complex, kaleidoscope-of-globalization movies that aspire to Oscar glory. Think ‘Traffic’ or ‘Syriana,’ ‘Crash’ or ‘Babel’”—but he has the wrong genre. The boffo box office gold may be in a remake of low comedy. Imagine the poster … [Read more...] about Testosterone Twins: Schwarzenegger and Strauss-Kahn
NY-26: Lead Candidates (Both Women, Both Moms) Run on Issues, Not Image
And I breathe a sigh of relief. Because seriously, I hate when it gets all "I'm better because I'm a mom and she was never a mom" or "I bake cookies better than she does" (even though that's the spouses). From the looks of it, the media has stuck to the issues in how its covered the race between Republican State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin and Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul … [Read more...] about NY-26: Lead Candidates (Both Women, Both Moms) Run on Issues, Not Image
Start Your Memorial Day Weekend Early and Fittingly
As we approach Memorial Day 2011, we will be remembering and honoring all our fallen warriors, with those who have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars fresh on our minds. But we will be equally remembering our fallen military from every other war and, also, veterans from the “old wars” who are still with us. Especially those from World War II who are passing away at a rate … [Read more...] about Start Your Memorial Day Weekend Early and Fittingly
Will Biden Run in 2016?
You never know. It hardly seems likely, but the veep's not ruling himself out... yet. And, you know, it's never too early to start thinking about future presidential elections. Well, sure, it can be, but what's interesting is how many top-name Republicans seem to be staying out of the race for 2012 while keeping their options open for 2016. Think about it. Obama looks … [Read more...] about Will Biden Run in 2016?
The Debacles of Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Terminator’s credibility is now totally terminated. Not since the execrable John Edwards have we seen a politician leave the public scene in such disgrace amid revelations that he betrayed supporters and his trusting family. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fall is a multiple-fronted debacle, including a lashing Supreme Court decision this week ordering mass releases from the … [Read more...] about The Debacles of Arnold Schwarzenegger
Holding Israel Accountable
And the volcanic lava flow that erupted in response to Pres. Obama's outrageous assertion that Israel does not have the right to permanently annex the Palestinian land that it has illegally occupied since seizing it in the 1967 Six-Day War, continues, via the Wall Street Journal (emphasis is mine): Mr. Obama got some applause Sunday by calling for a "non-militarized" … [Read more...] about Holding Israel Accountable
Voters Head to the Polls in NY-26 Special Election
Yes, it's today, at long last, the special election in New York's 26th Congressional District to replace Republican Chris Lee, who resigned earlier this year. I wrote about the election here and here, but let me explain again what's going on here: In a heavily Republican district in Western New York, the combination of a Tea Party challenger (Jack Davis) and a Republican … [Read more...] about Voters Head to the Polls in NY-26 Special Election
The State Secrets Privilege – Time For Reform
If you asked most Americans what the State Secrets Privilege was they either wouldn’t know or, if they did, might believe it was enacted as part of the Patriot Act or some other post-9/11 national security legislation. It is not. In fact, it’s not legislative at all. The State Secrets Privilege is a court made rule, and its use and impact are both expanding. The State … [Read more...] about The State Secrets Privilege – Time For Reform
Photoshopping: Hey, They’ve Only Just Begun
This photo of President Obama and his national security staff hunkered down in the White House Situation Room as the Navy SEAL team raid on Osama bin Laden's compound unfolded has a lock on 2011 Picture of the Year. Well, at least for non-meteorological events. That in turn has triggered an orgy of Photoshopped versions. Kill a few brain cells feasting on the … [Read more...] about Photoshopping: Hey, They’ve Only Just Begun
Further Proof that Not All Nuts are in Stores or on the Right
Here's further proof that not all nuts are sold in Sprouts Markets stores or on the right. File this for sure in your Twilight Zone extremist file and also the file where you save stories on people who talk violence and should be shunned by all sides in America: Lars von Trier, who was banned from Cannes for praising Hitler, was not the only one making unsavoury comments … [Read more...] about Further Proof that Not All Nuts are in Stores or on the Right
All Eyes on NY-26 Tonight **UPDATED – HOCHUL WINS**
WASHINGTON - The talk today started with the stunning possibility that Democrats could actually squeak through on this one. That we're even talking about the possibility proves how dangerously toxic Rep. Paul Ryan's budget scheme is. If you don't know the details of NY-26, Politico provides a primer on what to keep your eyes on tonight. The election is today, with Democrats … [Read more...] about All Eyes on NY-26 Tonight **UPDATED – HOCHUL WINS**
Where Are The Woodwards and Bernsteins?
Lawrence Martin has a timely column this morning on the the state of Canadian journalism. Martin writes of the late James Thomson, who warned that the biggest occupational hazard for journalists is being co-opted by the powerful. Martin then turns to the press in Canada: Much wonderment has been expressed recently on why stories of abuse of power don’t seem to hurt … [Read more...] about Where Are The Woodwards and Bernsteins?
“Idiot Alert!”
Not much is more repulsive to this Texan than that border fence. I went to a meeting about it four years ago almost to the day down in Laredo, along the border. The meeting was sponsored by the south Texas district's member of Congress. It became blazingly clear that corporate interests (along with a batch of racists) were The Wall's chief supporters. Local sheriffs, not … [Read more...] about “Idiot Alert!”