"Why," she asked me in 1955, "do they print things about me that aren't true?" Marilyn Monroe was only a superstar then, not yet a legend who, almost half a century after death, is now on the cover of Vanity Fair. Three films about her are in the works, and a journalist just came from France to interview me about the week I spent reporting on her in New York. Back then, I … [Read more...] about Marilyn Monroe: A User’s Manual
The Right’s Uninformed Position on Church-State Separation
Steve Benen takes up the subject of the hostility displayed by numerous Republican candidates -- and on the right generally -- toward the constitutional principle of church-state separation, and he asks perhaps the central question: … [Read more...] about The Right’s Uninformed Position on Church-State Separation
Homophobia Reaches New Heights
I thought that after seeing it for most of my life that I was largely immune to being shocked by the things that people out there say, but this one takes the cake. Posting on his Facebook page, Arkansas school board member Clint McCance said "Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers committed suicide. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit … [Read more...] about Homophobia Reaches New Heights
Now We KNOW Why the Rand Paul Supporter Stomped On the MoveOn.Org Woman’s Head
THIS JUST IN!!! Now we know why that Rand Paul supporter Tim Profitt stomped on 23-year-old MoveOn.org member Lauren Valle's head. He has explained it all: 1. He felt she was a security threat (although no evidence has surfaced to confirm that). and.... 2. He had to stomp on her head since he had back problems. (Oh.) … [Read more...] about Now We KNOW Why the Rand Paul Supporter Stomped On the MoveOn.Org Woman’s Head
How Spain Can Build its Own ‘Tea Party’: Copy Sarah Palin – Hispanidad, Spain
To those who thought the Tea Party was just an odd American preoccupation, it may be time to think again. According to this article from Spain's Hispanidad, not only aren't Sarah Palin and company 'wing nuts,' their ideas should be embraced and pursued by Spaniards. After going into significant detail about what a Spanish Tea Party would stand for and pointing out that Spain's … [Read more...] about How Spain Can Build its Own ‘Tea Party’: Copy Sarah Palin – Hispanidad, Spain
An Old Lie Makes a Comeback
You remember that lie the right spread during the health care reform debate that the mandate to buy health insurance included jail time for Americans who refused to do so? … [Read more...] about An Old Lie Makes a Comeback
Juan Williams, Fox News, NPR and the Never Ending Ideological War
When NPR shocked many by axing commentator Juan Williams for comments he made on Fox News about fearing Muslims on planes it sparked a battle to define exactly what his firing meant… Was it smothering free speech? Zero tolerance political correctness gone mad? A consequence for bigoted comments that if uttered by a Pat Buchanan about African Americans would have sparked a … [Read more...] about Juan Williams, Fox News, NPR and the Never Ending Ideological War
Rand Paul Supporter Who Stomped On Woman’s Head Is Identified: Served With Criminal Summons (UPDATED)
What a difference a few hours makes. I took a few spare moments in a busy day in Pennsylvania amid tasks in my nonblogging incarnation to do THIS POST about a MoveOn.Org protester whose head was stomped by an apparent Rand Paul supporter. (Also see Logan Penza's post HERE on the subject of political violence). And now it comes out: yes, he has reportedly been identified and … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Supporter Who Stomped On Woman’s Head Is Identified: Served With Criminal Summons (UPDATED)
It’s The Fraud Stupid II
As my partner at Newhoggers, Steve, noted the US has slipped outside the top 20 of least corrupt nations. This should come as no surprise to anyone following the mortgage crisis. In his book The Monster Michael Hudson documents how many of the original mortgages were fraudulent. It appears that the electronic mortgage tracking system used by the Wall Street banks, … [Read more...] about It’s The Fraud Stupid II
MediCal Is My New Fountain Of Youth
Flushed with a resolve to write a pertinent, precise and profane column this morning, I ran into what we in the wordsmith profession call writers cramp. Brain lock. Thing is, I been there. Done that. It is one of those days you see crystal clear and when fingers trip the light fantastic across your computer keyboard, it comes out mush. Garbage. In the old days, it would … [Read more...] about MediCal Is My New Fountain Of Youth
America Gets Porked: Have We Made Bacon Our Idol?
Bacon has become ubiquitous. But has it caused us to stumble? Or is it our food salvation? … [Read more...] about America Gets Porked: Have We Made Bacon Our Idol?
Three Cheers For Hamid Karzai
There are those who seem disturbed, indeed disgusted, that Hamid Karzai, the current head of what passes for a government in Afghanistan, declared publicly that he has accepted bagfuls of cash from both Iran and the U.S. These critics even point to the what-are-you-gonna-about-it smirk he wore when announcing this cash gobbling. Fie! on such critics, I say, Fie! It's … [Read more...] about Three Cheers For Hamid Karzai
Apparent Rand Paul Supporter Stomps on MoveOn.Org Member’s Head (Video)
Isn't it time to ask whether some people are going totally bonkers as their passions -- and politically-based hatreds -- are aroused by America's iincreasingly mega partisan and mega ideological wars? The latest exhibit suggesting the answer is yes is this piece of disturbing video flashing across the Internet and cable news of a Rand Paul supporter literally stomping on the … [Read more...] about Apparent Rand Paul Supporter Stomps on MoveOn.Org Member’s Head (Video)
Join Now! The Pols Are Too Damn Male Party
That in 2010, seven days before election day, an all-male revue of four gubernatorial candidates sign a pledge to appoint more women to positions is just so sad. So I'm taking a hint from the The Rent is Too Damn High party and starting, The Pols are Too Damn Male party. Read more here. … [Read more...] about Join Now! The Pols Are Too Damn Male Party
Global Corruption Report Shows Corrupting Effects of War
It should not come as no surprise that war and corruption go together. … [Read more...] about Global Corruption Report Shows Corrupting Effects of War
Want to Watch, Rate and Compare Political Campaign Ads?
Are you the ultimate political junkie? Do you dream of watching, rating and comparing political ads? If you do then GO HERE where Emometer lets you watch ads in real time, rate them and compare them. … [Read more...] about Want to Watch, Rate and Compare Political Campaign Ads?
Google, Netflix, Internet Growing Fast
Google Now Accounts for 6.4% of Internet Traffic: Netflix Accounts For 20% Of Peak U.S. Internet Bandwidth (subscriptions jump in third quarter): Internet traffic has grown 62 percent in 2010 (it was up 74 percent in 2009): … [Read more...] about Google, Netflix, Internet Growing Fast
Newtonian Principles
Newt Gingrich will be speaking at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University on Wednesday, on the subject of "Rediscovering God in America." Digby quotes from a statement Gingrich gave about the upcoming speech to a local Lynchburg, Virginia, paper: … [Read more...] about Newtonian Principles
Are Democrats Taking A Dive ?
As we draw closer to election day it looks increasingly likely that the Democrats will lose control of the House (Nate Silver on 538.com gives the GOP 4-1 odds in favor of such an outcome). They are also likely to lose at least 3-5 Senate seats and could lose control there (Silver does not predict that but does call for a 7-8 seat GOP gain). Unlike 1994 this is not something … [Read more...] about Are Democrats Taking A Dive ?
They’re Not Just Islamophobic; They’re Stupid, Too
Tea Party Nation wants to get Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) because he is, according to a flyer they put out to their fan base, "the only Muslim in Congress." Except, he isn't. … [Read more...] about They’re Not Just Islamophobic; They’re Stupid, Too