As we watch the growing protests in the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian cities the question we have to ask is what direction the protests will take and where Egypt is headed in the coming years. I think we all would agree that any sort of Western-style democracy is not likely in the near future. Egypt literally has thousands of years of history with little or no … [Read more...] about Will Egypt Be Like Turkey Or Like Iran ?
Tom Campbell’s Plea to Pardon DeLay—For the Wrong Reasons.
I believe that Tom DeLay is a sleazebag. Tom Campbell believes that Tom DeLay “is not a bad man.” But hey, I am a nobody and Campbell is a famous Texas lawyer who was general counsel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the George H.W. Bush administration. However, what a nobody and what a famous lawyer think of Tom DeLay---whether he is a sleazebag or … [Read more...] about Tom Campbell’s Plea to Pardon DeLay—For the Wrong Reasons.
On the Communications Shutdown in Egypt
Jeff Ely on possible unintended consequences from Egypt cutting off communications networks: The decision to get out and protest is a strategic one. It’s privately costly and it pays off only if there is a critical mass of others who make the same commitment. It can be very costly if that critical mass doesn’t materialize. Communications networks affect … [Read more...] about On the Communications Shutdown in Egypt
How Wikileaks May Have Sparked a Popular Uprising in Tunisia That Now Threatens Dictatorships in the Entire Region
As Joe Gandelman reported earlier, the popular revolt in Tunisia against that country's corrupt and brutal leadership is credited with inspiring similar uprisings in other countries in the region, including Egypt, where the government headed for the last 30 years by Hosni Mubarak just took the unprecedented step of shutting off almost all Internet connection within the country. … [Read more...] about How Wikileaks May Have Sparked a Popular Uprising in Tunisia That Now Threatens Dictatorships in the Entire Region
Pence Passes on Presidential Pursuit
Right-wing Republican Rep. Mike Pence, trickle-down conservative, theocrat, Tea Party fave, and one of the GOP's most partisan leaders in the House, announced last night -- to the sort of triumphal fanfare usually reserved for ticker-taped astronauts (no, not really) -- that he will not (repeat: not) be running for president in 2012 and may instead run for governor of … [Read more...] about Pence Passes on Presidential Pursuit
UPDATE: CNN Live Video from Egypt
UPDATE: I've been watching CNN & MSNBC. The entire country is now under a curfew which no-one seems to be observing. Protests are not just in Cairo but also in Alexandria, Suez and several provinces. Reportedly the Muslim Brotherhood joined today's protests. A Cairo police station is under attack and the police are using live ammo. Lots of stuff is on fire. The military has not … [Read more...] about UPDATE: CNN Live Video from Egypt
A Human-Chilling Effect From Sen. Rand Paul’s Budget Ax
I suppressed a surge of panic upon reading Republican freshman Tea Party Sen. Rand Paul introduced a bill that would eliminate the Housing Urban Development agency. HUD's Section 8 housing rental assistance voucher program subsidizes about 75% of rental costs for 2.1 million Americans, mostly seniors, with incomes under $13,000, according to the agency's website. I'm one … [Read more...] about A Human-Chilling Effect From Sen. Rand Paul’s Budget Ax
“Teachers to sacrifice for pensions”
That's the headline of this Columbus Dispatch article on the decision of the State Teachers' Retirement System here in Ohio to make changes in order to ensure future solvency. Similar actions are being taken or contemplated by pension systems across the country. Fair-minded Republican and Democratic officeholders alike will, however quietly or off the record, agree that … [Read more...] about “Teachers to sacrifice for pensions”
Egypt Has Arrested ElBaradei
MSNBC: CAIRO — Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei was under house arrest Friday, Egyptian security officials said, after Cairo became a scene of violent chaos with tens of thousands of anti-government protesters clashing with police. The demonstrations were a major escalation in the ongoing rallies against President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. One of the … [Read more...] about Egypt Has Arrested ElBaradei
25 Years Ago Today: Remembering the Ill-Fated Challenger
It's time to take a moment and say a prayer of remembrance. 25 years ago today I was a reporter on the San Diego Union, sitting at a desk in the main office in Mission Valley in San Diego next to one of my favorite editors Steve Droessler (who is still there despite the paper having changed ownership). It was a big day because the Challenger was going to be launched with the … [Read more...] about 25 Years Ago Today: Remembering the Ill-Fated Challenger
Fiscal Bluffers (Guest Voice)
Simon Johnson is quite correct. There are no fiscal conservatives in America, least of all on the political right. Over there we have a colorful display of fiscal cowards, fiscal nellies, and fiscal deniers, but not fiscal conservatives. No way. They've demonstrated from Barry Goldwater right through to (but not necessarily including*) Barry Obama that actually dealing with … [Read more...] about Fiscal Bluffers (Guest Voice)
Washington Goes Literary
Authorship is the issue as the President is accused of State of the Union plagiarism, a McCain aide is unmasked for writing an anonymous novel about 2012, and Republican economists boycott a news conference on publication of their own 576-page volume about the financial meltdown. “Some on Wall Street and Washington with a stake in the status quo," the chairman of the … [Read more...] about Washington Goes Literary
Unprecedented Move: Egypt Shuts Down Internet As Yemen Also Simmers
As protests in Egypt that many believe were inspired by the upheaval in Tunisia continue to grow today, the government of Egypt has taken what some say is an unprecedented step:slicing off all International connections to the Internet. Meanwhile, protest fever has seemingly spread to Yemen. Confirming what a few have reported this evening: in an action unprecedented in … [Read more...] about Unprecedented Move: Egypt Shuts Down Internet As Yemen Also Simmers
State of the Union
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about State of the Union
They Were Flying For Us: Challenger Plus 25
Twenty five years ago today I was sitting in a physics class when I heard the devastating news of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. At 11:39 am (EST) they 'slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God'. With thanks to John Denver and a You Tube User I offer this post as a tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for us all. May … [Read more...] about They Were Flying For Us: Challenger Plus 25
A Biennial Federal Budget?
What do you think? … [Read more...] about A Biennial Federal Budget?
Federal Spudnuts
OK, we already know that Sarah Palin is a moron. But she just continues to reinforce the reality. Now what she fails to mention is that, if it were not for federal dollars, Richland, Washington would be a wide spot in the road, if that. Richland, Washington exists because of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation - without that, Richland, Washington and Sarah's spudnut shop … [Read more...] about Federal Spudnuts
Dick Cheney Has the Last Word
Former Vice President Dick Cheney -- noticeably leaner but otherwise looking quite well, considering he underwent major heart surgery only six months ago -- has been making the rounds once again after having been out of the spotlight for several months. While still criticizing the Obama administration, albeit with a weaker voice and without so much combativeness and … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney Has the Last Word
Rand Paul on Foreign Aid
Yesterday I noted that the only thing a majority of Americans want to cut is foreign aid and made this observation: Even foreign aid is a problem - Israel gets the lion's share. I wonder how cutting that will go over. Well Rand Paul has told us what he thinks. Rand Paul: End foreign aid, including Israel U.S. Sen. Rand Paul wants to end all foreign assistance, including … [Read more...] about Rand Paul on Foreign Aid
Things Overheard During The State of the Union Address (Guest Voice)
Top Ten Cloves: Things Overheard During The State of the Union Address by J. Thomas Duffy News Item: Obama’s Second State of the Union (Text) 10. "We should pass a bill that mandates the SOTU be like Twitter - 140 characters, or less ..." 9. "I see that Kucinich brought his own sandwich tonight ..." 8. "Being the Bears fan that he is, I heard he might give Jay … [Read more...] about Things Overheard During The State of the Union Address (Guest Voice)