The implication is clear: civilizations are fragile, impermanent things. This is the review of a book most of you will not read, The Collapse of Complex Societies . The Author, Joseph Tainter, is an academic and writes like one and it's full of examples and histories of past societies. Anyone who has studied history knows that societies/civilizations are born and eventually … [Read more...] about Book Review – The Collapse of Complex Societies
The Power of Nature
I had a scary moment shortly after the New Year. I was with my family in Cancun, Mexico and got caught in a rip current in the Caribbean. My brother-in-law, an excellent swimmer (formerly in the Navy and a surfer in California) was with me. He was able to grab hold of my hand and we caught the next wave to shore. All things considered I probably wasn't in that much danger. … [Read more...] about The Power of Nature
U.S. Win Japan Leader And Okinawa’s Loss Over Marine Base Relocation
Desperate in its quest for any semblance of political and diplomatic victory, the Obama administration has notched one but you won't hear the president crowing about it. Here's why. The victory, if one might call it that, came far away on the island of Okinawa over the vociferous protests of local residents and a humiliating disgrace for Japanese Prime Minister Yukio … [Read more...] about U.S. Win Japan Leader And Okinawa’s Loss Over Marine Base Relocation
Chicken Suits Prohibited At Nevada Polling Places
Millionaire casino executive and former beauty queen Sue Lowden had been the leader in the 12-way primary to determine which Republican will run against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Then she said: I'm telling you that this works... Before we all started having health care, in the olden days our grandparents, they would bring a chicken to the doctor... that's the old days … [Read more...] about Chicken Suits Prohibited At Nevada Polling Places
That’s Why They Play The Game
I'm a sports fan as well as a political junkie. It not only amazes me but also amuses me how those who write about such polarized universes share the same tools to exploit their positions. I mean is a voter going to place a bet with those bookies in Ireland that candidate Joe Schmuck will win the 33rd Congressional seat in California because some political columnist of the … [Read more...] about That’s Why They Play The Game
InfoGraphic: Gulf Oil Explosion (Daily, 30 Days)
It's been more than 30 days since a BP explosion killed 11 employees and opened a pipe that is spewing vast quantities of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. On Thursday, BP acknowledged that the "leak" is greater than the official government estimate of 5,000 barrels (210,000 U.S. gallons) per day. Depending on which estimate you're using, over a 30-day period this … [Read more...] about InfoGraphic: Gulf Oil Explosion (Daily, 30 Days)
Senate Behaves Honorably And Sensibly — Then Prepares To Make Amends
Last week the Senate did something it hates to do. Something few people thought it ever would do. It included something in a financial reform bill that has the potential to really, really, cut into big Wall Street bank profits and really, really make our financial system safe from another 2008-style system-wide collapse. Disrespecting big bank lobbyists and ignoring pleas from … [Read more...] about Senate Behaves Honorably And Sensibly — Then Prepares To Make Amends
Tabloid Catches Video of Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson Allegedly Selling Access to Prince Andrew
There are destroyed public images, and then there are destroyed public images -- and now there is Great Britain's Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson. Her name will now forever be associated with getting caught on tape in a tabloid sting operation where she was allegedly trying to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew for $700,000, apparently seeking to make big bucks from her … [Read more...] about Tabloid Catches Video of Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson Allegedly Selling Access to Prince Andrew
Let’s Have A “Patriot Tax”
I'm not a big critic of BP. It's not that I like BP or hold them harmless. It sounds like the oil giant did some really bad things, cut corners, whatever. It's my assumption that BP did what ALL oil companies do; no more, no less. This kind of disaster could have been caused by any of them. It's the system that's broken. Like the financial crisis we are still living … [Read more...] about Let’s Have A “Patriot Tax”
What was all the fuss about Avatar?
If you haven't guessed previously, I am not a fiend for pop culture. It's not that it was any better 40 years ago either. For all the nostalgia that boomers have for the "good old days" when rock music was edgy with social commentary, and TV featured dramas and comedies that pricked the conscience of the nation, we tend to forget that about 99% of what was considered "pop … [Read more...] about What was all the fuss about Avatar?
GOP Wins “Obama’s” House Seat
Republicans have won a special election for the 1st Congressional District in Hawaii. Many have labeled this as President Obama's home district since this is the seat he grew up in. The victory gave the GOP 40% of the vote while the rest was split between 2 Democrats. Because the Democratic candidates won 60% of the total vote many consider the Djou victory a fluke but the … [Read more...] about GOP Wins “Obama’s” House Seat
Rand Paul, Civil Rights, and Libertarianism
Sometimes, a straight news story about some outrageous thing a politician said or did sparks a larger conversation about underlying issues. That is what is happening with the news item about a contentious interview Rand Paul had with Rachel Maddow, in which he refused to back down from previous statements he had made opposing Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans … [Read more...] about Rand Paul, Civil Rights, and Libertarianism
Fed Response To Spill Coated in Congressional Grease From 1989
This scene is etched forever in my mind. It was Labor Day 2005. Thousands of mostly black faces were in anguish, deprived for days of food and water. They were gathered at the entrance to the Superdome in New Orleans where they were taken and abandoned to escape the high waters created by Hurricane Katrina. On live television, a pleading Shepard Smith, the correspondent for … [Read more...] about Fed Response To Spill Coated in Congressional Grease From 1989
Rand Paul Is Not Racist
While I think he is an ideological fruit-bat in the same overall genus as his father (the "NAFTA superhighway" conspiracy theory weirdness is alone enough to disqualify both of them from elective office, as far as I am concerned), I agree with David Bernstein's analysis that Rand Paul is not a racist. Those progressives piling on to the current meme should consider the broader … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Is Not Racist
Paul and Palin, Poles Apart
The Tea Party's new hero has decided to emulate the 2008 Vice-Presidential candidate and avoid being grilled by annoying reporters, ducking his Meet the Press interview tomorrow. Pity, for unlike Sarah Palin, Rand Paul's problem is not that he is clueless about issues but quite the opposite--he clearly has strong views on every subject. His recent mots about the 1964 Civil … [Read more...] about Paul and Palin, Poles Apart
Quote of the Day: Explaining the Rand Paul National Rollout Disaster of the Fizzled National Symbol
So what happened to Kentucky's new GOP Senate candidate Rand Paul -- the darling and seeming new national symbol of the Tea Party movement -- once he beat the GOP establishment backed candidate and a chastened Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after running a campaign embracing the Tea Party's most cherished tenets? Was it the mean, bad, evil national media which is liberal … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Explaining the Rand Paul National Rollout Disaster of the Fizzled National Symbol
Governor To Be Cuomo Makes It Official
In one of the least surprising events of the year, New York AG Andrew Cuomo has announced he will accept his coronation as the next Governor of the Empire State. Polls have shown Cuomo with about 70-80% of the Democratic primary vote and 60-70% of the general election vote. Of course polls are just a snapshot and things could change between now and November but I think that … [Read more...] about Governor To Be Cuomo Makes It Official
Videos: Tragedy in India: Air India Plane in Mangalore Overshoots Runway Killing 159
Tragedy in India: an Air India plane overshot a runway in Mangalore -- killing 159 (this estimate may change). The story in videos... Indian News report on the accident showing the scene: Raw video of crash scene aftermath: CNN Breaking News report on crash: Experts ponder why the plane overshot the runway: The question becomes: who is to … [Read more...] about Videos: Tragedy in India: Air India Plane in Mangalore Overshoots Runway Killing 159
VIDEO: President Barack Obama’s Comments to West Point Graduates
President Barack Obama talked about national security strategy, the challenges ahead and his goal of creating a new "international order" ground in global institutions and America's promotion of democratic values in his comments to 2010 West Point graduates. Here is the video: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: President Barack Obama’s Comments to West Point Graduates
Legal Advisers for Military
Reacting to the same story about a veteran writing in support of Elena Kagan, a conservative commentator at Power Line adds an additional point: First, it's unfortunate that we've reached the point where the military feels constrained to have a legal adviser serving in a Marine infantry batallion. I hope that the actions of this batallion are based solely on military … [Read more...] about Legal Advisers for Military