The California Commission on Judicial Performance has given the wackiest San Diego Superior Court judge in modern times five days to resign. The last caper for Judge DeAnn M. Salcido was filming a TV reality show in her El Cajon branch courtroom. In May she sued her boss, the presiding judge, for not enforcing domestic law the way she preferred. The suit was … [Read more...] about Judge Sacked For Her Courtroom Reality Show
Non Shocking News Story of the Year
Lou Dobbs lands at Fox. … [Read more...] about Non Shocking News Story of the Year
Supreme Court Hard(ly) At Work
Looking for an update on the U. S. Supreme Court? Here it is. Since returning to session on the first Monday in October, the Court has decided…wait for it…one case, Wilson v. Corcoran. That case was decided two days ago. The Court devoted seven pages of a per curiam opinion to let the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals know that the Supreme Court meant what it said 20 years … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Hard(ly) At Work
Attention Congress: Fix the Potholes (Guest Voice)
Attention Congress: Fix the Potholes by Tina Dupuy It’s an odd Americanism to elect someone to be in government who freely admits they don’t like government. As if reluctance translates into competence. “Oh he’ll be a great husband, especially since he doesn’t believe in marriage.” For some reason, we buy the premise of politicians begging to be a part of the thing they … [Read more...] about Attention Congress: Fix the Potholes (Guest Voice)
Stay Nancy Stay
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Stay Nancy Stay
Do Nothing Party Prophecy
I wrote this column for a small Seattle area paper (The Auburn Reporter) in March of 2007. When I reread it today, I was struck by my unintentional prophecy. It’s Time To Do Nothing! by Doug Bursch I’ve decided to form a new political party. We’ll call ourselves the “do-nothings”. Our goal will be to complain about everything while we do absolutely nothing to change … [Read more...] about Do Nothing Party Prophecy
Peyote In Short Supply
For most Americans peyote is an illegal drug, outlawed both by federal and state law. But, for the 500,000 members of the Native American Church, peyote can be legally purchased and used for religious and ceremonial purposes. As an hallucinogenic substance that can invoke a dreamlike state for up to twelve hours, the naturally occurring substance also has a following in the … [Read more...] about Peyote In Short Supply
The Democratic Party’s Last Chance?
One definition of a lousy poker player is someone who throws away a winning hand, someone who loses with two pair to the guy across the table who's sitting with eight high and bluffs a win. That's also a pretty good definition of a lousy politician. Or a political party whose time has passed. The big issue before the coming lame duck session of Congress, an issue that will … [Read more...] about The Democratic Party’s Last Chance?
To Voters Who Wanted & Like 2010 Election Results: Tell Me Why I Should Not Feel Scared
Tell me why I should not be scared. Tell me why I should not worry. Tell me why I should not get a little nauseous every time I read a new sound bite or idea promoted by the newly elected public servants. Because when I open the paper, I find a lot about these folks that scares me – and they scared me before. Specifically, I feel the need for a very honest and thoughtful … [Read more...] about To Voters Who Wanted & Like 2010 Election Results: Tell Me Why I Should Not Feel Scared
Perspective
It's possible that we are all aliens from outer space. … [Read more...] about Perspective
Worth the Wait
Engineers began testing the Ground Zero memorial waterfall yesterday. The 30-foot black granite fountains, "Reflecting Absence," will be the largest man-made waterfalls on the continent. They are set to open next year in time for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack. National 9/11 Memorial website. AP video: Flickr Photo via Flatbush Gardner. … [Read more...] about Worth the Wait
A Veteran’s Story Made for the Movies
One meets some of the most interesting, some of the most endearing people sometimes by pure chance. So it happened that I met an unassuming young lady, a veteran, about two years ago. She had been an Air Force medic during Operation Southern Watch in 1999. She is a hero who was awarded the Airman’s Medal, one of the highest military decorations for heroism involving risk of … [Read more...] about A Veteran’s Story Made for the Movies
Kristallnacht, and the Lessons of History
Yesterday, 72 years ago, the Holocaust was ushered in by the two nights of organized rioting against Jews called Kristallnacht (night of broken glass). One of Michael Stickings' co-bloggers at The Reaction reminds us that the significance of Kristallnacht was that it moved Hitler's Germany from the first stage of the Holocaust -- legislated disenfranchisement and persecution of … [Read more...] about Kristallnacht, and the Lessons of History
Keith Is Back, And How
Here is Keith Olbermann commenting, at the end of his first show back from suspension last night. Perhaps most of you have already seen this, but I hadn't, since I don't get cable and I just now spotted this video at Talking Points Memo. … [Read more...] about Keith Is Back, And How
Waterboarding and Fetuses
That title is actually relevant because this post is about George W. Bush's new memoir, Decision Points. Gen. J.C. Christian, Patriot, was not impressed: … [Read more...] about Waterboarding and Fetuses
Corruption is taking a heavy toll in India
Even as India basks in the respect showered on it as a player on the global stage by President Barack Obama, a wave of despondency is rising among almost all sections of the people at the rampant corruption corroding its politicians, bureaucrats and media. Recent revelations indicate misappropriation of nearly $900 million in various scams orchestrated by senior politicians, … [Read more...] about Corruption is taking a heavy toll in India
George Bush’s Choice for President in 2008
Let's just say it now has come out that he was not exactly...ahem...enthusiastic about Senator John McCain. … [Read more...] about George Bush’s Choice for President in 2008
The not so flat earth
One of my first blog posts was Oil, Half Way To Empty. When I wrote that post over six years ago there was very little Peak Oil discussion in the media or the blogosphere. In that post I quoted James Howard Kunstler: "The whole Archer Daniels Midland model of turning oil into corn into Taco Bell—that whole complex, that system, is really going to be over," says Kuntsler. … [Read more...] about The not so flat earth
Grand Old Punishers: Republicans Divide and Conquer
The party of punishment pushes the Daisy Dems out... until they screw things up again. … [Read more...] about Grand Old Punishers: Republicans Divide and Conquer
Barack Obama: Can “Dude” do it or is “Dude” Done?
Two American cultural phrases seem to embody the current plight of Barack Obama. The first is via Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart, the early 21st century’s Will Rogers. When Obama appeared on his show and used a phrase made (in)famous by former President George W. Bush, Stewart said: “You don’t want to use that phrase, dude.” “Dude,” indeed. When some politicians become … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: Can “Dude” do it or is “Dude” Done?