OH, FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS The rise of the Tea Party amidst the right-wing takeover of the Republican Party has merely exacerbated what some of us have known for many years: America is going to hell in a handbasket. If you, like me, are of the librul persuasion, it is tempting to lay America's sundry and growing woes -- so vividly shown in the chart below this post … [Read more...] about Income Inequality Is America’s Shame, Republicans & Democrats Share The Blame
America’s Shame Close Up & Personal
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE. Source: IMF via The New York Times … [Read more...] about America’s Shame Close Up & Personal
Society Is Doomed
I'm not sure if the Bible specifically mentioned this show as a sign of the Apocolypse but they should have. … [Read more...] about Society Is Doomed
Polls: Americans Back Public Unions as Wisconsin Gov. Walker’s Polling Nosedives
Will we start to see a bit of Republican pullback in light of two polls that suggest that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is at increasingly variance with the country's center over the issue of public unions -- and that he'd lose the election if it was held today amid his ongoing efforts to disembowel public union collective bargaining? That's the prevalent question in light … [Read more...] about Polls: Americans Back Public Unions as Wisconsin Gov. Walker’s Polling Nosedives
The Impossible Dream
Some more amazing music … [Read more...] about The Impossible Dream
Those Government ‘Benefits’ We Tend to Ignore
When discussing federal “benefits” to individuals one of the arguments that is made by those opposing such benefits is that it leads to a nanny state, that it increases the size of government and the size of its spending, deficit, debt, etc. I use the word “benefits” circumspectly because many of these so-called benefits have---to some extent---already been paid for with our … [Read more...] about Those Government ‘Benefits’ We Tend to Ignore
Iran Channels Charlie Sheen
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