“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is back. At least until Monday: Less than 24 hours after a federal judge refused to block an injunction against "don't ask, don't tell," the U.S. court of appeals for the ninth circuit has done so — at least temporarily. A three-judge panel ordered a stay requested by the Justice Department "temporarily in order to provide this court with an … [Read more...] about DADT Reinstated
Amazing Bit Of History
This is both fascinating and frightening. For some time archivists have had a film made in San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake. Most experts had dated the film to September or October 1905. But a film historian did a little more checking. He noticed rain puddles on the ground but the fall of 1905 was dry. He also checked the license plates on some of the cars in the … [Read more...] about Amazing Bit Of History
I’m Not Ashamed of My Dyslexia
I don’t enjoy reading. I’ve been told this is the definition of dyslexia. Or at least part of the definition. Dyslexics lose their desire to read, or they never gain a desire, or they can’t seem to maintain a desire to continue along the written page. It seems dyslexia is more than the reversal of letters and words. It’s more than a punch line about atheists who don’t … [Read more...] about I’m Not Ashamed of My Dyslexia
“New Americans” and Baltimore Unemployment
Last week, when I appeared on the Marc Steiner show after the first Ehrlich – O’Malley debate, I commented on the use of the term “New Americans” by O’Malley. I know that illegal immigration in Baltimore has helped to increase unemployment rates among African-Americans. In 2007, according to the American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau, black unemployment in … [Read more...] about “New Americans” and Baltimore Unemployment
Over-the-Hill Revival
Justice Clarence Thomas hardly ever speaks in Supreme Court sessions (281 words in three years by one count), but his wife has reached across almost two decades to revive his most painful public moment--the sexual harassment accusations at his confirmation hearing in 1991. In a voice mail message, Virginia Thomas asks accuser Anita Hill "to consider an apology sometime and … [Read more...] about Over-the-Hill Revival
What the Tea Party is Really All About
Contra Frank Rich (in an otherwise good column) and others, FDL's Blue Texan makes a great point about the Teabaggers (one that many of us have made but that the media are generally ignoring, as it contradicts their narrative). It's not all about the economy, stupid: Anyone who thinks the Teabaggers' unhinged "anger and bitterness" will subside in the face of an improving … [Read more...] about What the Tea Party is Really All About
Dummies Guide to Gender-Neutral Political Punching
Seriously. If you're not following these incredibly simple rules, as outlined in this Washington Post op-ed, then you're intentionally using gender stereotypes to inflict damage (aka being sexist): Don’t equate typically female characteristics or activities (baking, wearing high heels) with weakness. Don’t — even, or maybe especially, if you’re a woman — equate toughness … [Read more...] about Dummies Guide to Gender-Neutral Political Punching
Mid-terms 2010 Will Likely Symbolize the Political Depreciation of Barack Obama
As election day shapes up as a probable day of infamy for the Democratic Party and Barack Obama one thing is clear: historians will point to Obama as the quintessential example of someone who ran a good Presidential election campaign, made great speeches, organized and mobilized voters and convinced his party to put its fate in his hands – and who didn’t live up to advance … [Read more...] about Mid-terms 2010 Will Likely Symbolize the Political Depreciation of Barack Obama
“Back to the Mac” Rumor Round-Up
LATER: Exactly as expected. Maybe the most noteworthy element... Facetime for the Mac. How so? Apple has flipped the playbook putting mobile tech in PCs...... Let's start with the facts. Apple announced last week a special "Back to the Mac" media event for today at 1 PM ET at their Cupertino headquarters. In it they promised "a sneak peek of the next major version of Mac OS … [Read more...] about “Back to the Mac” Rumor Round-Up
Whitman Campaign Inadvertently Introduces Levity Via Tweet
The California gubernatorial race took a humorous turn on Monday when a retweet was a missing letter from the URL it was promoting. Sarah Pompei, a Meg Whitman spokeswoman, had intended to retweet a post from Whitman adviser Mike Murphy. Murphy's tweet proclaimed: But when Pompei copied and pasted the tweet, so that she could add an editorial tidbit, she left out … [Read more...] about Whitman Campaign Inadvertently Introduces Levity Via Tweet
Debunking the Tall Tales of the Great War, Now that it’s ‘Over’!: Diario Economico, Portugal
In addition to World War I history buffs, this article is for people who detest John Maynard Keynes and the stimulus packages his theories justified - and which are still in use today - most notably by President Obama and most of the developed world last year. As was reported in September, World War I is officially over, now that Germany has delivered its last chunk of … [Read more...] about Debunking the Tall Tales of the Great War, Now that it’s ‘Over’!: Diario Economico, Portugal
God Blessamundo Mr. C
Last week it was Mrs. Cleaver and today it is Mr. C. Tom Bosley has died at the age of 83 … [Read more...] about God Blessamundo Mr. C
UPDATE: DADT Stay Denied; Dan Choi Reenlists
UPDATE: Federal District Judge Virginia Phillips has rejected the government's request for a stay on the injunction she issued barring enforcement of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a six-page-order. SCOTUSblog's Lyle Denniston: The judge ruled one day after holding a hearing on the government request for delay. She had telegraphed at that hearing her leaning … [Read more...] about UPDATE: DADT Stay Denied; Dan Choi Reenlists
Jerry Brown’s Devastating Ad Showing Whitman Echoes Schwarzenegger
This ad by Jerry Brown has to be one of the most devastating -- and potentially effective -- political ads ever made: an ad that seemingly shows GOP candidate for Governor Meg Whitman literally echoing the words uttered by one of California's most unpopular politicians, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: … [Read more...] about Jerry Brown’s Devastating Ad Showing Whitman Echoes Schwarzenegger
China Halts Rare Earth Shipments To US/Europe
A month and a half ago China halted most rare earth shipments to Japan; today the NYT reports they have done the same to US and Europe. As I noted, all the major technological industries rely on these materials and the move is intended largely to force production to move to China/protect their burgeoning industry. If shipments are not continued you can basically kiss the bulk … [Read more...] about China Halts Rare Earth Shipments To US/Europe
Big Banks Accused Of Buying Tax Liens Through Secretive Front Companies In Order To Foreclose
The Huffington Post Investigative Fund website (the first I've heard of it) has a lengthy article on a new way that big banks are driving foreclosures. Apparently local governments do not have the resources to pursue property tax collection themselves so they bundle up past due liens and sell them off to investors that can then collect or foreclose. I hadn't heard of this … [Read more...] about Big Banks Accused Of Buying Tax Liens Through Secretive Front Companies In Order To Foreclose
Reflections On Shaun Mullen’s Thoughts On The Nov. 2 Midterms
My colleague columnist Shaun Mullen at The Moderate Voice reflects that voters will be the losers in the Nov. 2 midterm elections because too many winning Republican candidates are not serious about governing. Wrong. That would be the fallacy of a political scientist or a pundit sitting in the center or left on the political pendulum. It is easy to take potshots and ridicule … [Read more...] about Reflections On Shaun Mullen’s Thoughts On The Nov. 2 Midterms
Corporate Persons Have Privacy Rights, Too
Not really so surprising, I suppose, but Dahlia Lithwick points out those corporate privacy rights are expanding even as our individual privacy rights are shrinking: The Supreme Court has now agreed to hear a case in which AT&T prevailed in its efforts to evade a Freedom of Information Act request because Exemption 7(C) of FOIA, protecting "personal privacy," also now … [Read more...] about Corporate Persons Have Privacy Rights, Too
Sharron Angle Blames Canada
Angle continues to outdo herself. The Las Vegas Sun's Jon Ralston has the latest -- and it's a doozy of a whopper: If this isn't Sharron Angle, the great revisionist historian, in a nutshell, I'm not sure what is. In the video clip at right [ed. note: click on the link above to see the clip], you not only can see the GOP U.S. Senate nominee telling a group of Hispanic … [Read more...] about Sharron Angle Blames Canada
A Weird Year for Women in Politics
Since Hillary Clinton came thisclose to winning the White House, the gender wars have taken a right turn and gone internecine, but could all the conflict energize a huge traditional Democratic base--women? Not likely, but still possible. The latest all-female mud fight has Bush spokesperson Dana Perino taking on Maureen Dowd for a "stereotypical and uncalled for" attack on … [Read more...] about A Weird Year for Women in Politics