Learn From Our Past by Martha Randolph Carr Recently I wrote a column about tolerance toward those of different beliefs whether it’s at Ground Zero in New York City or in our own hometowns. In the column I also made the statement that we didn’t deport Germans during WWII. Thanks to two readers, Art Jacobs in Tempe, AZ and Eberhard Fuhr in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, who … [Read more...] about Learn From Our Past (Guest Voice)
GOP Jobs, Energy, Education
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False Confessions Occur On A Regular Basis
The NYTimes reports on the latest research: Experts have long known that some kinds of people — including the mentally impaired, the mentally ill, the young and the easily led — are the likeliest to be induced to confess. There are also people like Mr. Lowery, who says he was just pressed beyond endurance by persistent interrogators. New research shows how people who were … [Read more...] about False Confessions Occur On A Regular Basis
The Muslim Prayer Room In The WTC
I have only one question: why did it take the New York Times two months to write about this? Opponents of the Park51 project say the presence of a Muslim center dishonors the victims of the Islamic extremists who flew two jets into the towers. Yet not only were Muslims peacefully worshiping in the twin towers long before the attacks, but even after the 1993 bombing of one … [Read more...] about The Muslim Prayer Room In The WTC
Politicos Remember this Song: Good Advice
As mid-term elections approach, politicos are going to get advice. But what is advice? Well, there is good advice and bad advice. Politicos (and those not participating in the silly season) might well ponder the lyrics of this song...from beginning to end: … [Read more...] about Politicos Remember this Song: Good Advice
‘Tis Better to Have Lost and Lost than Never to Have Won At All
I didn't think it possible to cheer up those gloomy Gus Democrats about their election chances in November but by God, leave it to the the true conservatives out there to accomplish the damn near impossible; they may guarantee Democrats remain in control of the senate next year. If Sharon Angle, Rand Paul, Christine O'Donnell (who may upset Mike Castle in Delaware and win … [Read more...] about ‘Tis Better to Have Lost and Lost than Never to Have Won At All
The Laugh-A-Minute Tax Debate
I don't agree with the Republicans in Congress who want to extend tax breaks for the richest two percent of Americans as well as the other 98 percent. But let's be honest here. The reasons these worthies give to support their point of view are sometimes entertaining. Indeed, on occasion, they're a real hoot. Take the Republican congressman from Georgia interviewed on Public … [Read more...] about The Laugh-A-Minute Tax Debate
AARP’s Partisan Liberal Agenda
With 39 million members, an operating budget of $1 billion a year and annual lobbying expenditures of $21 million (2% of operating), AARP consistently ranks as one of America’s most powerful interest groups. That seniors vote in greater proportion than most other demographic segments of society adds to AARP’s clout. Founded in 1958 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization, … [Read more...] about AARP’s Partisan Liberal Agenda
California’s Newest Anti-Paparazzi Laws: First Amendment v. Privacy Rights
In late August, the California legislature overwhelmingly passed amendments to stiffen penalties connected to its current anti-stalking law. You can read the bill here. The objects of the amendments’ affection? Paparrazzi who get too close. Lawmakers had sympathy for the idea that there is such a thing as paparazzi being too close, even to celebrities whom we might think don’t … [Read more...] about California’s Newest Anti-Paparazzi Laws: First Amendment v. Privacy Rights
Melting Pot Meltdown
With anti-Muslim sentiment joining anti-Mexican immigrant bias and undisguised racism against the first black President, the American dream of assimilation seems to be falling apart. Why is all this happening now when an even worse Depression and a wider war in the past century brought the country together, leading to the breakdown of discriminatory barriers in the decades … [Read more...] about Melting Pot Meltdown
Trying To Make the World A More Open Place
That's Mark Zuckerberg's personal philosophy from his Facebook profile as reported by Jose Antonio Vargas in his 6,000 word New Yorker piece, The Face of Facebook -- Mark Zuckerberg Opens Up. A snippet: He walked into the house, which is painted in various shades of blue and beige, except for the kitchen, which is a vibrant yellow. Colors don’t matter much to Zuckerberg; a few … [Read more...] about Trying To Make the World A More Open Place
Now Is The Time
Last week, in Cleveland, Barack Obama took inspiration from a former Republican president. "In the words of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln," Obama said, "I also believe that government should do for the people what they cannot do better for themselves." The Republicans have travelled a long way since Lincoln's election. The Party of the Little Man still … [Read more...] about Now Is The Time
The Price of Independence
WASHINGTON -- Imagine that your neighbors started getting letters describing all sorts of horrific deeds you had allegedly performed. Wouldn't you feel you had the right to know who was spreading this sleaze -- especially if the charges were untrue? Now imagine a member of Congress telling a lobbyist from Consolidated Megacorp Inc. that she would do all she could to … [Read more...] about The Price of Independence
To Doom or Not To Doom? (Guest Voice)
To Doom or not to Doom Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Doom. Impending doom. Deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom. Losing one if not both houses of Congress – deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom. Deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom of Biblical proportions destined to make 1994 seem like walk in the park with a loved one down a sun-kissed lane strewn … [Read more...] about To Doom or Not To Doom? (Guest Voice)
Come on baby, light my fire
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Muslim Clerics Must ‘Render Unto Caesar What is Caesar’s’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Are political clerics destroying the image of Islam? According to columnist Saad Al-Ramla of Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper, clerics with outdated interpretations of Islam should keep out of politics and the law, because they are ruining the lives of ordinary Muslims trying to live in the modern world. Directing his invective toward today's politically-active imams, columnist … [Read more...] about Muslim Clerics Must ‘Render Unto Caesar What is Caesar’s’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Another Tea Party Upset in Delaware?
It's looks like the "lifestyle conservatives" might win yet again. According to Public Policy Polling, the Senate GOP Primary in Delaware is too close to call. The race pits moderate Republican Congressman Mike Castle again the Tea Party-backed Christine O'Donnell. It wasn't that long ago that Castle was considered a lock for that Senate seat which is key to the GOP taking … [Read more...] about Another Tea Party Upset in Delaware?
Rope Enough: Just “Child Soldiers” Playing, Right? Double-Plus Bloody Wrong.
Yes, and the actual term is kidnapped children, not 'child soldiers'... it's kidnapped children forced by gunpoint from their families and forced to serve evil or else die if they try to run away. Hanging, and skinning the children who try to flee, burning them and hanging their remains to terrify human beings, is the favored act. It's everywhere, Taliban, Somalia, Kenya, … [Read more...] about Rope Enough: Just “Child Soldiers” Playing, Right? Double-Plus Bloody Wrong.
World War III Postponed: But for How Long? – Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
Is growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States, highlighted by Quran-burning Paster Terry Jones, evidence that we are quickly headed toward World War III? According to columnist Yevgeniy Shestakov of Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 'American dogmatism' will mitigate against compromise with Muslims over issues like First Amendment rights, and may well lead to the fulfillment … [Read more...] about World War III Postponed: But for How Long? – Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
10-Minute Music Video Made Entirely of GIFs
Alexia Tsotsis says that if you were an Internet hipster you'd have seen this three days ago: French designer Evan Roth has made a ten minute music video consisting of popular gifs vs. the typical fragmented Girl Talk tomfoolery (from the 2006 album Night Ripper). While Roth’s cleverly titled “Cache Rules Everything Around Me” is absolutely not the first … [Read more...] about 10-Minute Music Video Made Entirely of GIFs