Updated In the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami, Japan has reported having problems with nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, located about 150 miles north of Tokyo. This explainer provides an overview of nuclear power generation, summarizes what has happened (effective Saturday March 12, 5 pm PST), and rebuts an Internet meme that Japan is on … [Read more...] about Explainer: Nuclear Power, Meltdowns and Why Japan Is Not Chernobyl
“English-Only” in Texas?
Texas State Representative Leo Berman, R-Tyler, has sponsored a bill “relating to the establishment of English as the official language of Texas" and the requirement that official acts of government be performed in English. The proposed legislation cites several reasons why such a bill is necessary, including: * the people of the United States have brought to this … [Read more...] about “English-Only” in Texas?
Read My Lips: We Need To Raise Some Taxes
It doesn't bother me that Republicans in Washington and around the country seek to meet the challenges of badly strained government budgets only with spending cuts while taking tax increases off the table. That's the Republican philosophy of government after all. What astounds me is that Democrats are letting them get away with this in so many places. Democrats seem totally … [Read more...] about Read My Lips: We Need To Raise Some Taxes
Making Women Slaves to their Dying Fetus
WASHINGTON -- There really is no way to soften the blow on this story. It's playing out across the country under the guidance of the Republican Right. I won't write "religious Right," because there is nothing remotely "Christian," spiritual or righteous about the war they're waging against women. Think Progress has the harrowing video of a couple who were forced to do … [Read more...] about Making Women Slaves to their Dying Fetus
Capitalism Really Is Heartless
One country's human devastation is another country's economic boon. And Larry Kudlow isn't reluctant to say so (emphasis in the quote within the quote is Booman's; emphasis in Booman's ending commentary is mine): … [Read more...] about Capitalism Really Is Heartless
Michele Bachmann and U.S. History
Losing! Duh! … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann and U.S. History
MICHELLE MALKIN APPEALS FOR HELP: Search On in Seattle Area for Marizela Perez; Help Needed
This is Michelle Malkin writing on her website; I am going to quote it in full: … [Read more...] about MICHELLE MALKIN APPEALS FOR HELP: Search On in Seattle Area for Marizela Perez; Help Needed
Shaking Our Confidence? Not Likely
The illusion of human control yields another metaphor as President Obama enters a press conference after learning about the disaster in Japan. "Today's events remind us of just how fragile life can be," he tells journalists before taking questions about budget battles and Libya, all framed in the certainty that there must be answers to everything. A day later, a faraway … [Read more...] about Shaking Our Confidence? Not Likely
Madness in Mad Town (Guest Voice)
Madness in Mad Town Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Best be vigilant for an inadvertent head butt as the eyes of the world recoil from that crazed leader, besieged in his own capital, defying reality while obstinately holding onto a tenuous power and attacking his citizenry through a conflicted security force. Of course, I’m talking about Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Think a … [Read more...] about Madness in Mad Town (Guest Voice)
Japan Quake
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Japan Quake
Is Sarah Palin the GOP’s Nancy Pelosi?
Has former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin become the GOP's Nancy Pelosi -- a political figure popular with partisans but scorned and reviled by many of those on the other side? Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza think so: Sarah Palin's unfavorable rating has spiked to a new high, adding further fuel to the argument that her presidential campaign may be doomed before it begins. A … [Read more...] about Is Sarah Palin the GOP’s Nancy Pelosi?
West Bank Terror Attack Kills 5 (Including 3 Children)
Jerusalem Post - Terror attack in Itamar: 5 family members murdered 03/12/2011 02:51 Police suspect armed terrorist entered house in West Bank and stabbed couple along with 3 children; 2 other children escape unharmed. Five family members were found murdered in their residence in the West Bank Itamar settlement Friday overnight, after a suspected terrorist broke and … [Read more...] about West Bank Terror Attack Kills 5 (Including 3 Children)
Meltdown
STRATFOR Red Alert: Nuclear Meltdown at Quake-Damaged Japanese Plant [March 12, 2011 | 0827 GMT] A March 12 explosion at the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Japan, appears to have caused a reactor meltdown..... MORE … [Read more...] about Meltdown
Honesty By Accident
Philippa Thomas is a reporter for BBC: … [Read more...] about Honesty By Accident
Relationship Japan and USA pre and post Earthquake/Tsunami: The Quality of Mercy Remains Ever Strong
Some have written today about a disgraced former counsel, named Kevin Maher, who is alleged to have made some beastly comments about Asians in Okinawa and Japan. Maher was then also removed from shuffling forward incoming stories for the Japan desk for the State Department, apparently. That this story runs today merits a response, I think. Just this: There is massive regard … [Read more...] about Relationship Japan and USA pre and post Earthquake/Tsunami: The Quality of Mercy Remains Ever Strong
NFL To Announce Lockout
ESPN is just now reporting that the NFL will announce a lockout tonight, possibly meaning that there will be no football for the 11-12 season. I'm not big fan nor do I really dislike football, but I have to say this prospect of billionaires and millionaires yelling at each other like little kids does not make me care for the lockout (other than for the many players who don't … [Read more...] about NFL To Announce Lockout
Japanese ‘Outraged’ By U.S. Diplomat’s ‘Unbelievable Act of Contempt’ (Nishinippon Shimbun, Japan)
Just before today's massive earthquake, U.S.-Japan relations were badly dented by comments made by Kevin Maher, a former U.S. consul to Japan who was, until yesterday, the head of the State Department's Japan desk. As is reflected in this editorial from Japan's Nishinippon Shimbun, Maher's comments, jotted down by U.S. students, triggered an uncharacteristically angry response … [Read more...] about Japanese ‘Outraged’ By U.S. Diplomat’s ‘Unbelievable Act of Contempt’ (Nishinippon Shimbun, Japan)
In the Wake of Japan’s Earthquake/Tsunami, Nuclear Power Plant Concerns (UPDATES)
UPDATE: Washington Post, 20:12 ET, March 15: New assessments of the explosion at Unit 2 of Japan’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant Tuesday heightened fears that it will begin spewing large amounts of radiation. The explosion probably damaged the main protective shield around the uranium-filled core inside one of the plant’s six reactors. Such a breach would be … [Read more...] about In the Wake of Japan’s Earthquake/Tsunami, Nuclear Power Plant Concerns (UPDATES)
Japan’s Earthquake: The Climate Change Connection
After my first initial reaction of pure horror, this was one of my first thoughts after hearing about the earthquake in Japan: … [Read more...] about Japan’s Earthquake: The Climate Change Connection
Earthquake in Japan: News Coverage and Online Resources
Raw footage -- photographs and video -- of the tsunami and its aftermath, and an extensive list of online resources for those who want to follow earthquake-related news and information. … [Read more...] about Earthquake in Japan: News Coverage and Online Resources