Just when you thought Charlie Sheen was the king of stupid statements. Iran is calling the logo for the 2012 London Olympics racist because they say it resembles the word Zion and thus is offensive to Muslims. I don't see it but some have said if you read vertical rather than horizontal and if you really squint you might be able to make it out. Then again for Iran to … [Read more...] about Iran Channels Charlie Sheen
Egypt’s Imaginary Revolution: Semana, Colombia
Has there been, as we have all been told, a 'revolution' in Egypt? For Semana of Colombia, columnist Antonio Caballero writes that the only thing which has changed is the person leading Egypt's 60-year-old military government, and he cites as evidence the apparent satisfaction of President Barack Obama. For Semana, columnist Antonio Caballero writes in … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Imaginary Revolution: Semana, Colombia
WISCONSIN IN PERSPECTIVE
Both the left and right consider current events in Wisconsin as singularly defining to their respective causes. Our shallow 24/7 info-entertainment news media enjoys whipping up more excitement and exaggerated controversy. It is wholly uninterested in providing the public with most of the unbiased facts that surround the situation. Both Republicans and Democrats narrowly … [Read more...] about WISCONSIN IN PERSPECTIVE
Muslim Uprisings Spell End of Winston Churchill Calling Dictators ‘Our Sons of Bitches’: Vedomosti, Russia
Is this a seminal moment in human history - beyond which the major powers no longer pay lip service to freedom and human rights, while simultaneously backing friendly dictators? According to this editorial from Russia's Vedomosti, diplomats will from now on have to recognize that the use of 'our son's of bitches' - as Franklin D. Roosevelt is rumored to have called them - has … [Read more...] about Muslim Uprisings Spell End of Winston Churchill Calling Dictators ‘Our Sons of Bitches’: Vedomosti, Russia
Last Living US WW1 Vet Dies at 110
The last living US veteran of World War One has died at the age of 110. Frank Buckles was born in February 1901 and dropped out of high school to join the military during World War One. He served as an ambulance driver and while he was not in direct combat he was often subjected to dangerous conditions. Somewhat ironically, the man who fought in 'the war to end all wars' … [Read more...] about Last Living US WW1 Vet Dies at 110
Age-Before-Beauty Weekend
As 94-year-old Kirk Douglas upstages the upstarts at the Oscars comes word that the oldest living veteran of World War I has died at 110. Kirk teases the supporting actresses by dawdling with the envelope, pinches winner Melissa Leo at her request and, after she drops an F-bomb, lets her grab his cane as they exit, she looking less steady than he. Meanwhile, Frank … [Read more...] about Age-Before-Beauty Weekend
Who Delivers On Promises, Who Doesn’t
Republicans are funny folks, They practice what they preach; They don't win then convince themselves Their goals are out of reach. No matter how unpopular The measures they enact, They've made a true bond with their own, And honor this true pact. Democrats don't act like this, They're of another order; They, too, make lots of promises, But honor them? Well, … [Read more...] about Who Delivers On Promises, Who Doesn’t
Poll: Palin’s Favorability Rating Dips Among Iowa Republicans
Yet another sign that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin a)may not be wearing well b)has her work cut out for her if she wants to be President because now she is showing signs of poll erosion in her Republican ranks in Iowa: Sarah Palin's popularity has declined among the very voters the former Alaska governor would need to impress first were she to seek the 2012 Republican … [Read more...] about Poll: Palin’s Favorability Rating Dips Among Iowa Republicans
Why the Wisconsin Fight Matters
WASHINGTON -- This is not the first time that Wisconsin has been at the center of national agitation over the role of unions. The earlier battle was staged in Sheboygan at Kohler, the legendary manufacturer of kitchen, bath and furniture products. The employees at Kohler had voted to join the United Auto Workers union, and a strike that began in April 1954 was not … [Read more...] about Why the Wisconsin Fight Matters
The Consequences of Being Too Civilized
We are rightly proud of the accomplishments of western civilization over the past 500 years. We have not been perfect - not by a long shot. But gradually, western values and attitudes have permeated the planet, softening the rough edges of civilization, and providing a framework of law where the strong do not always ride roughshod over the weak. Imperfect, but viable. … [Read more...] about The Consequences of Being Too Civilized
Sheen and Galliano: The Arrogance and Bigotry of the Rich and Famous (UPDATED)
Right now the media is crammed with stories involving two well-off celebrities who have become poster guys for young people on how not to behave and for parents on how they don't want their kids to turn out. First, there's Charlie Sheen, the enormously talented actor, who has seemingly canceled his own CBS show "Two and a Half Men" by his radio and Internet website … [Read more...] about Sheen and Galliano: The Arrogance and Bigotry of the Rich and Famous (UPDATED)
Online Revenue Cannot Rescue Newspaper Biz Model
Over the last seven years, for each dollar added to online revenue, the WaPo lost five dollars on print. During that time, the Post has lost $88m of print ad revenue and it improved its online business by only $18m. This leads us to a key realization, a sobering one: there is no hope current online revenue stream will someday offset the past decade’s tremendous losses. - Monday … [Read more...] about Online Revenue Cannot Rescue Newspaper Biz Model
Gadaffi Future Career in Music? Muammar Gaddafi – Zenga Zenga Song – Noy Alooshe Remix
Will there be Gadaffi music groupies soon? It COULD happen. Watch this: h//T Newser … [Read more...] about Gadaffi Future Career in Music? Muammar Gaddafi – Zenga Zenga Song – Noy Alooshe Remix
Arabs Pay Homage to Facebook and Twitter!: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia
Whether fundamentalist or not - how grateful are young Arabs for the emergence of Facebook and Twitter - which are, after all, the inventions of America's open society? Dar al-Hayat columnist Jameel Theyabi writes of the new lease on life social networks have provided young Arabs and their elders, and expresses his deep thanks for these powerful tools that have enabled people … [Read more...] about Arabs Pay Homage to Facebook and Twitter!: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia
And the Birther Tune Goes on—Now with a Texas Twang
Now a Texas State representative, Leo Berman, R-Tyler, has joined the “birthers’ movement” and other states by saying that his proposed bill to require presidential candidates to present their birth certificates to the Texas secretary of state is necessary “because we have a president whom the American people don’t know whether he was born in Kenya or some other place.” In … [Read more...] about And the Birther Tune Goes on—Now with a Texas Twang
Andrew Sullivan Leaving Atlantic
And going to Tina Brown's Newsbeast in April. Writes Andrew: For me, it's a strange mixture of excitement and sadness. Sadness because the Atlantic has been a very special home for me and all the interns and staffers who have worked at the Dish. The more than four years that I've worked here have been the most rewarding, exhilarating and challenging of my career. I cherish my … [Read more...] about Andrew Sullivan Leaving Atlantic
Gates Warns Against More Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan
“In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should ‘have his head examined,’ as General MacArthur so delicately put it,” Mr. Gates told an assembly of Army cadets here.via nytimes.com That's a wow. But it's a far cry from the resulting talking points sweeping the … [Read more...] about Gates Warns Against More Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan
Climate Change: Why We (Dont’t) Believe
From a fascinating email exchange between Independent science editor Steve Connor and Princeton scholar and climate change skeptic Professor Freeman Dyson: From: Steve Connor To: Freeman Dyson ...You have written eloquently about the need for heretics in science who question the accepted dogma. There are a number of notable instances in science where heretics have indeed … [Read more...] about Climate Change: Why We (Dont’t) Believe
America The Beautiful
From 1986 celebrations for the Statue of Liberty... Wow... I hope we can all enjoy this celebration of liberty :) … [Read more...] about America The Beautiful
Lieberman and McCain Want To Arm Libyan Rebels
From TheHill.com: … [Read more...] about Lieberman and McCain Want To Arm Libyan Rebels