Judge Oscar Magi: Repercussions over his decision to convict 23 CIA agents of kidnapping on Italian soil are already being felt. Italians today may be proud that their system of justice hasn't spared intelligence agents of the world's mightiest power, but the children of ancient Rome are well-acquainted with the consequences that are sure to follow. In regard to … [Read more...] about Now, Italy Must Gird for the Repercussions Over CIA Convictions: La Stampa of Italy
High IQ versus rational decison making, it doesn’t necessarily correlate
In light of the not so recent end of the George W. Bush administration, it is worth evaluating the value of a high IQ versus the ability to make rational, fact-based decisions. I found this article very enlightening: Clever fools: Why a high IQ doesn't mean you're smart It is something worth thinking about. --- Cross-posted between Random Fate and The Moderate Voice. --- … [Read more...] about High IQ versus rational decison making, it doesn’t necessarily correlate
The Other Shooter: The Banality of Terror
As the nation was reeling from the Ft. Hood horror yesterday, a pathetic loner killed one man and wounded five other people in an Orlando office building shootout. Compared to the complexity of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, Jason Rodriguez looks like a run-of-the-mill loser with a failed marriage and the inability to hold a job after being fired two years ago from the … [Read more...] about The Other Shooter: The Banality of Terror
House Passes Health Care Bill But Future Unclear
The House has just passed the Health Care Reform bill by a vote of 220-215. Democrats voted 219-39 in favor Republicans voted 176-1 against. Lots of cheering on the Democratic side. However I wouldn't get so excited yet. Assuming for the sake of argument the same proportions held up in the Senate then the vote on cloture would be: Democrats 50-10 in … [Read more...] about House Passes Health Care Bill But Future Unclear
Should Kids Get Life Without Parole?
My answer is NO! The Supreme Court will hear appeals from two juvenile offenders on Monday arguing the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment forbids life in prison for crimes other than homicide. (The court ruled in the 2005 Roper v. Simmons decision that it was unconstitutional to impose the death penalty for any minor who committed murder.) SCOTUSblog has … [Read more...] about Should Kids Get Life Without Parole?
The Price for Health Care Reform: Poor Women’s Health
Religious zealots succeed in making low-income women the sacrificial lamb for health care reform: … [Read more...] about The Price for Health Care Reform: Poor Women’s Health
Jayson Blair’s Mindset (UPDATED)
You can listen to the speech here. The Roanoke Times covers it here. It will be televised by C-SPAN. I am persuaded my hope has been realized; this was not the typical celebrity journalist comeback it might have been. Instead, it sounds like Blair was a wise choice for the Journalism Ethics Institute keynote lecture. +++++++++++++++ Jayson Blair, who resigned from the New … [Read more...] about Jayson Blair’s Mindset (UPDATED)
Republicans Disrupt Debate on House Floor
This is a disgrace. Republicans in Congress have descended into a muck so deep I'm wondering if they can ever find their way out: … [Read more...] about Republicans Disrupt Debate on House Floor
Live Streaming Video of House Health Care Reform Vote and Debate
Watch the debate in the House and the vote live below: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy … [Read more...] about Live Streaming Video of House Health Care Reform Vote and Debate
Arab World ‘Impotent’ but to Witness Iran’s Ascent to Dominance: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
JUST WESTERN BLUSTER BEFORE THE INEVITABLE DEAL? Could it be that at the end of this tortuous process of negotiating with Iran, the United States and the West will arrive at some sort of entente with Tehran that leaves America's current Arab allies out in the cold? That is precisely the prediction of Le Quotidien d’Oran Kharroubi Habib, who sounds this clarion call to … [Read more...] about Arab World ‘Impotent’ but to Witness Iran’s Ascent to Dominance: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Forensics Key To Shootings
What bothers me is the time frame and number of shots fired from one if not two pistols by Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan in Thursday's shooting spree at Fort Hood, Tex. News reports and eye witnesses said the shootings lasted nearly 30 minutes. Army investigators said more than 100 shots were fired. Local police were quoted as saying all the shell casings were recovered from the … [Read more...] about Forensics Key To Shootings
Palin’s Speech
"My fellow Americans, tens of millions of you shared our convictions and gave us your votes. And I thank you for your confidence. For us, it was not our time . . . not our moment. But it is our country . . . the winner will be our president . . . and I wish Barack Obama well as the 44th president of the United States. If he governs America with the skill and grace we have often … [Read more...] about Palin’s Speech
Obama Appeals To House Democrats As Health Care Reform Approaches House Vote
President Barack Obama met with House Democrats to make a final appeal today -- a day when the epic health care reform battle is expected to come to a House vote. It's a vote that promises to be historic in terms of social programs -- and how it defines both parties. One one side, the Democrats, whose votes could determine how members do when they're up for re-election … [Read more...] about Obama Appeals To House Democrats As Health Care Reform Approaches House Vote
What Does the Lord Require of Republicans?
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does … [Read more...] about What Does the Lord Require of Republicans?
Fort Hood
Mike Keefe, Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Fort Hood
Saturday Radio: Health Care as it Happens
On Mid Stream Radio today, coming to you one hour earlier than normal at noon eastern, eleven central and 9 am on the left coast, Cindy and I will welcome Ed Morrissey of Hot Air (who it feels like I've been talking to all week, but it's been fun!) to cover the health care bill push as it happens, as well as future birds closing down CERN, more on the Ft. Hood shooting spree, … [Read more...] about Saturday Radio: Health Care as it Happens
Texas Politics: The Letters Have It…Again
You know my penchant for using regular Americans' letters to the editors of their hometown newspapers to make a point or to support a position or issue. Of course, such is not an entirely objective method, but what is, and who is.... Anyway, here are two gems from today's Austin American-Statesman: Re: Oct. 29 article "Cheney will back Hutchison." Former … [Read more...] about Texas Politics: The Letters Have It…Again
Too Good to Check: Baguette Shuts Down CERN
The world's largest particle accelerator / collider (The Large Hadron Collider, for those of you keeping score) has run into yet another setback. After being plagued by coolant leaks, faulty magnets and a host of other technical difficulties, operations have again ground to a halt. The culprit? A bird smuggling a baguette over their air space. The bird dropped some bread on … [Read more...] about Too Good to Check: Baguette Shuts Down CERN
Policewoman and Mother Kimberly Munley, Engaged Major Hassan, Shot Him Four Times, Returning Fire Even After He Shot Her in Both Legs
Miss Kimberly Munley, the mother of a three-year-old daughter, and a civie policewoman, is in stable condition, with injuries to the upper leg and thigh. General Cone said her fearless response to gunman at Fort Hood, had saved countless lives. Trained in active-response tactics, she rushed into the building where Major Nidal Malik Hasan began firing on comrades as they … [Read more...] about Policewoman and Mother Kimberly Munley, Engaged Major Hassan, Shot Him Four Times, Returning Fire Even After He Shot Her in Both Legs
Love Is Free
I am longing for the rational, the creative, the imaginative, and the loving. Can't find it in the news right now, but I can always find it in music. Here is Sheryl Crow, singing "Love Is Free" with The Malloys: … [Read more...] about Love Is Free