If only Jeffrey Goldberg et al. became this exercised when major U.S. news organizations refer to the C.I.A.'s torture program as "what some call torture." … [Read more...] about Phraseology, Politics, and History
Report: Charlie Sheen Won’t Be Returning to Two and a Half Men Because Warner Bros. Doesn’t Want Him Back
If Charlie Sheen's camp is behind the reports that CBS wants him back on the smash comedy "Two and a Half Men" then he isn't really "Winning. Duh." because Warner Bros. sources are shooting that prospect down in no uncertain terms: There is "no chance" of Charlie Sheen coming back to "Two and a Half Men" -- this according to sources connected to the production of the … [Read more...] about Report: Charlie Sheen Won’t Be Returning to Two and a Half Men Because Warner Bros. Doesn’t Want Him Back
Independent Voters Appeal U.S. District Court Decision Ruling Idaho’s Open Primary System Unconstitutional
Independents take independent steps to defend Idaho open primaries New York, NY—Independents have taken an appeal from the decision of U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruling Idaho’s open primary system unconstitutional. In August of 2008, a group of 11 independent Idaho voters and two organizations representing independents—the American Independent Movement of Idaho … [Read more...] about Independent Voters Appeal U.S. District Court Decision Ruling Idaho’s Open Primary System Unconstitutional
Libya: Not So Much a Question of “If” as of “When”
Libya: Not so much a question of "if" as of "when" by Prairie Weather True: "Qaddafi poses no threat to America." Well, except for an airliner full of people brought down by Qaddafi or the recent killings of Americans in Berlin. Even leaving aside those incidents, D.B. Grady, writing in The Atlantic, is right about what Obama has managed to do. Here is the rare … [Read more...] about Libya: Not So Much a Question of “If” as of “When”
Why the GOP Is Obsessed With “Leadership”
WASHINGTON -- Leaders do not operate in a vacuum. When they make strategic adjustments, their opponents do too. President Obama has prompted just such a pivot by Republicans. They're criticizing him not for the decisions he's made but for the ones he hasn't, and the ones he delayed. They are attacking him not as a liberal ideologue but as a man in full flight from any … [Read more...] about Why the GOP Is Obsessed With “Leadership”
Clean Coal and the Price of Eggs in Japan (Guest Voice)
Clean Coal and the Price of Eggs in Japan By D. R. Welch As many environmentalist dance around the grave of nuclear power, Japanese farmers are busy trying to allay fears of radioactive produce. Ok, maybe not the fear of eggs but, the fear of radioactive spinach and milk. As all six reactors have had power reestablished, workers, engineers and scientists will begin trying … [Read more...] about Clean Coal and the Price of Eggs in Japan (Guest Voice)
Newt Gingrich’s Truly Amazing Flip Flop on Libya (UPDATED)
(NOTE: This post is being moved up due to an extensive update). And they talk about Mitt Romney being a flip flopper? With THIS flip flop (within the space of less than two weeks) Newt Gingrich has supersized it. The sad thing is: people who do such a craven flip flop even this age of Googling and Yahoo tend to get away with it. UPDATE: This story has taken on some … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich’s Truly Amazing Flip Flop on Libya (UPDATED)
Twittering Around
All of the articles I've linked to below came to me via my Twitter feed. … [Read more...] about Twittering Around
Elizabeth Taylor: Movie Legend, Sexual Force
Elizabeth Taylor was the corporeal Venus. Lust in human form. A voracious devourer of life itself. She was known as "the most beautiful woman in the world," famous for her violet eyes. She was Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation after watching her dear … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor: Movie Legend, Sexual Force
Nothing To See Here
The troubles at the Fukishima nuclear facility have all but disappeared from the US media and I believe it's intentional. Public opinion in the US is already turning against nuclear power and the corporate media doesn't want to do anything to encourage that trend. I'm sure that the situation in Japan is much worse than the Japanese are saying but even what they are saying is … [Read more...] about Nothing To See Here
Libya Demonstrates Fiction of the ‘International Community’: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France
What is the 'international community.' Does it represent nations working things out in concert, or is it closer to pure fiction? Columnist Olivier Picard of France's Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace laments that the events of the past few days reflect the sad truth of the politics of our fast-globalizing world. For the Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, Olivier Picard writes … [Read more...] about Libya Demonstrates Fiction of the ‘International Community’: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France
Get-Well Card for Health Care
As the new law turns one, the occasion recalls a greeting purportedly sent to a company president after surgery, "The Board of Directors wishes you a speedy recovery by a vote of six to five." A year later, the public is still confused, Republicans swear to kill the law and the White House is sending out explainers to sing its praises. It's like combining a wake with a … [Read more...] about Get-Well Card for Health Care
Poll: Obama in Good Position For 2012 Presidential Re-Election Bid
A new Pew Research Center poll articulates what many pundits have been saying: despite the daily crises, denunciations from some on the right and left, charges that he has been too soft, too war-like, dithering, jumping into a policy without thinking, President Barack Obama seems positioned well for 2012 at this early stage in the game. Barack Obama currently fares as … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama in Good Position For 2012 Presidential Re-Election Bid
American Enough?
Guest post by Hamid M. Khan Hamid M. Khan is a Rule of Law Adviser with the U.S. Institute of Peace in Kabul, Afghanistan, and a fellow with the Truman National Security Project in Washington D.C. Recently, Rep. Peter King, with much fanfare and consternation, launched the House Committee on Homeland Security's hearings regarding "The Extent of Radicalization in the … [Read more...] about American Enough?
Detroit Loses 25% Of Population In 10 Years
One of the more stunning statistics out of the census. Certainly we knew Detroit had been on a long term decline but I'm not sure it was expected that they would have such a huge drop. The state of Michigan also saw a drop in population and it appears to be the only state to have actually lost people. … [Read more...] about Detroit Loses 25% Of Population In 10 Years
Libya: It’s Time For The Arab League To Step Up
EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE FIGHTER JETS To paraphrase the great military blogger Tom Ricks, the only people not freaking over Libya are those who didn't like the idea of a no-fly zone in the first place. That noted, the U.S.-led NATO air forces have accomplished what they set out to do in a mere three days. Radar and anti-aircraft missile sites are in ruins and Moammar el-Qaddafi's … [Read more...] about Libya: It’s Time For The Arab League To Step Up
Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
Iconic multiple-Oscar-winning actress and mega-celebrity Elizabeth Taylor, once called "the most beautiful woman in the world" and an ongoing subject in tabloids due to her many marriages and late-in-life-illnesses, is dead at 79. But make no mistake about it: Taylor will also be remembered as a top-flight actress. She was pitchforked into the headlines in the mainstream and … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
Libya, Obama, and Rachel Maddow
WASHINGTON -- News from people on the ground, including experts, reveal there really isn't a strategic reason for Pres. Obama to have engaged the U.S. in the Libya no-fly zone. Now that Pres. Obama finally admits Gadhafi could stay, which could be seen in the tea leaves from the start, the perils of the President's war of choice are coming home. Rachel Maddow, working … [Read more...] about Libya, Obama, and Rachel Maddow
UPDATE: Jerusalem Bus Bombing: The 3rd Intifada Begins?
UPDATE: According to the blog Israel Matzav there has been one death. Carl live-blogged, the newest updates are at the bottom of the post. ================================= MSNBC just reported that a bus blew up in Jerusalem and there are many casualties. This may signal a new reign of terror by Palestinians. A bus explosion in Jerusalem has caused dozens of … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Jerusalem Bus Bombing: The 3rd Intifada Begins?
Selective Memory and Cynical “Humanitarianism”
The selective memory is John McCain's: … [Read more...] about Selective Memory and Cynical “Humanitarianism”