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)
Is This The Beginning Of A New Age In The Middle East?
Tunisia. Algeria. Egypt. Now Yemen. Soon Jordan? Is this a flash in the pan or the beginning of the end for the petro-dictatorships? Unfortunately I have been and will continue to be extremely preoccupied with some nascent personal life changes and haven't been able to keep up. If you have any insights then please comment. I do have these quick feelings: I am more … [Read more...] about Is This The Beginning Of A New Age In The Middle East?
Illinois Supreme Court *Hearts* Rahm
Chicago Tribune: The Illinois Supreme Court ruled today that Rahm Emanuel can stay on the ballot for mayor of Chicago. The decision comes without a moment to spare; early voting for the Feb. 22 city election begins Monday, Jan. 31. You can read the opinion by clicking here. A cheer went up at Emanuel's headquarters when the news came out. The candidate was preparing … [Read more...] about Illinois Supreme Court *Hearts* Rahm
A New Face at the White House
Washington Post: President Obama has chosen Jay Carney to serve as his new press secretary, replacing longtime loyalist Robert Gibbs who is leaving his post in mid February, according to a senior Administration official. [snip] Carney, who is currently communications director for Vice President Joe Biden, came to the White House in 2009 after a long career in … [Read more...] about A New Face at the White House
The Mosquito Birther Armada Keeps On Trucking
Like mosquitoes in a swampy summer heat, the birthers will not go away. You gotta read this update by World Net Daily. People can judge for themselves whether the birther movement is a wing-nut group whose chief propagandist is WND and read into it that the drive is based on resentment that Barack Obama is our first black president and cast aspersions that he is … [Read more...] about The Mosquito Birther Armada Keeps On Trucking