The caption to a photo at the The Globe and Mail the other day explained what was going on: "Supporters of deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hold up cannisters filled with human blood as they gather outside Government House in Bangkok, Thailand. Protesters donated blood with the intention of collecting one million cubic centimeters to be used in demonstrations … [Read more...] about Thai Protesters Take to the Streets With Blood
Of Great Men And Small Potatoes
I've been reading Paul Johnson's excellent biography of Winston Churchill. Yesterday I came upon a quote in the book that blew me away. It did so because it was so revealing about the current state of American politics and the behavior of members of one of our national parties. Some background. Churchill, though enormously admired by his people during the 1939-1945 war years, … [Read more...] about Of Great Men And Small Potatoes
An Affront to Humanity
Those who know me, even just through blogging, know what I think of organized religion, and of Christianity in particular. Well, let me be blunt. If, as Glenn Beck suggested, taking the baton from Rep. Steve King, one of the more extremist Republicans on Capitol Hill, voting for health-care reform on a Sunday, perhaps this Sunday, is "an affront to God," then Beck's "God" … [Read more...] about An Affront to Humanity
Apple A Potent Patent Bully
The Apple patent infringement suit against HTC, the Taiwan-based manufacturer of smartphones including the Eris and Nexus One, is widely seen as an escalation of the gritty battle royale over the future of mobile computing. In that battle, Silicon Alley's Business Insider reports, Apple Is Armed To The Teeth With Patents: Apple is suing HTC for violating some 20 patents -- … [Read more...] about Apple A Potent Patent Bully
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: 21st Century Team of Rivals Effectively at Work
The New York Times provides a fascinating update on the relationship between those onetime bitter foes for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination (now President) Barack Obama and (now Secretary of State) Hillary Clinton -- a fascinating portrait of a 21st century "team of rivals" at work. Key passages: Sixteen months after Mr. Obama surprised nearly everyone by … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: 21st Century Team of Rivals Effectively at Work
Jon Stewart’s Extended Parody of Fox News’ Glenn Beck (Video)
Comedy Central's Jon Stewart did an extended parody of Fox News' mega-ratings powerhouse, conservative host Glenn Beck (warning some adult content): … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart’s Extended Parody of Fox News’ Glenn Beck (Video)
The Party of Tradition
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about The Party of Tradition
Health Care Voting: All Eyes On Nancy Pelosi
America's attention is rivetted to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, described as the most powerful woman in American history. As the date for voting on health care reform in House of Representatives approaches fast, can Mrs Pelosi, the House speaker, hold her party together? Is she up to the job? Lexington presents in The Economist an interesting profile of Mrs Pelosi and describes the … [Read more...] about Health Care Voting: All Eyes On Nancy Pelosi
The Spy Who Loved Me
"Like heaven above me, the spy who loved me is keeping all my secrets safe tonight." … [Read more...] about The Spy Who Loved Me
Congress Deem and Pass Health Care
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Congress Deem and Pass Health Care
Talk Radio Attacks an 11 Year Old
Why bother to even rant about there being "limits" to partisan demonization anymore? THIS is now becoming no news and American politics is becoming about trying to destroy or discredit those who dare state a view with which you disagree or one that you feel undermines your own argument. But there are some Americans who are getting sick of it. In my own case it's why when I … [Read more...] about Talk Radio Attacks an 11 Year Old
EDITORIAL: U.S. Consulate Deaths are No More Tragic than Our Own (La Jornada, Mexico)
With Mexico's cataclysmic drug war rapidly bleeding into the United States, this editorial from Mexico's La Jornada warns people to prepare for extensive U.S. meddling in their nation's internal affairs. According to the newspaper, Mexico's government is deteriorating at such an alarming rate, that it is incapable of exercising control over 'huge swaths' of the country. The … [Read more...] about EDITORIAL: U.S. Consulate Deaths are No More Tragic than Our Own (La Jornada, Mexico)
Israeli Newspaper Poll: Most Israelis Consider Obama Fair and Friendly
It seems as if the war of words and accusations between the Obama administration and the Israeli administration, accusations that President Barack Obama is anti-semitic (from a relative of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- an accusation contained in several emails and referral links now being emailed), charges from some Republicans that the Obama administration is … [Read more...] about Israeli Newspaper Poll: Most Israelis Consider Obama Fair and Friendly
The Paranoid Guide to the 2010 Census
Uncle Sam left something lurking in your mailbox. Dare you open it? … [Read more...] about The Paranoid Guide to the 2010 Census
Deem and pass, health care, and the failure of leadership
With the release of the CBO's preliminary report, the stage is set for the House to move on its health care reform bill by Sunday. The failure of a Republican resolution to block the Slaughter Strategy means that the "deem and pass" method of enacting legislation remains strongly on the table. And some early "yes" vote announcements have many giddily predicting victory this … [Read more...] about Deem and pass, health care, and the failure of leadership
U.S. Marine General: Dutch Troops Failed Partly Because of Gays (UPDATED)
A retired Marine general, John J. Sheehan, told senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Dutch Army failed to protect the city of Srebrenica during the Bosnian war ”partly because of the presence of gay soldiers in its armed forces,” according to the Washington Post. Sheehan, a NATO commander who retired in 1997, made these comments during hearings on “don't … [Read more...] about U.S. Marine General: Dutch Troops Failed Partly Because of Gays (UPDATED)
Bart Stupak and the Nuns
That Bart Stupak, he's a real respectful guy, isn't he? Especially to those, um, female caregivers in those Catholic hospitals that he and the bishops are so concerned about (emphasis is in original): … [Read more...] about Bart Stupak and the Nuns
California Proposition 14: Rights of People vs. Rights of Parties
We just might be witnessing the Second American Revolution. The fight for process is gaining some traction. And wasn't process a founding value for us? IndependentVoting.org attorney Harry Kresky's piece today on HuffPo Words Matter: Voters to Get Fair Wording of California Open Primary Initiative is a gem. The assertion of such a right by the parties raises a … [Read more...] about California Proposition 14: Rights of People vs. Rights of Parties
Senator John Ensign Subpoenaed
Last night Senator Ensign arranged for phone calls about health insurance reform to constituents in the Congressional District of Dina Titus (D). While at least one political scientist called this move "clumsy," today that is the least of the Senator's problems. It seems that Sen. Ensign and 6 local businesses got subpoenas today regarding his now-ended affair with Cynthia … [Read more...] about Senator John Ensign Subpoenaed
Women’s Reservation Bill In India Designates 33% of National and State Legislatures for Women
The Women's Reservation Bill, introduced in 1996, was passed in India's upper house of parliament last Wednesday, March 10, 2010. That was the first of four steps the bill must go through, and it needs the ceremonial president's signature. The NYTimes reports today on the Uproar in India Over Female Lawmaker Quota: The upper house of India’s Parliament passed a bill Tuesday … [Read more...] about Women’s Reservation Bill In India Designates 33% of National and State Legislatures for Women