One may hate Michael Jackson, or love him madly, or remain totally indifferent to him, but one just can't ignore this musical phenomenon and his mass appeal. Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles is expected to be an even bigger global internet video-viewing event than the inauguration of US President Barack Obama, reports ANI. A Michael Jackson … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson & Barack Obama: Who Wins?
Senator Al Franken (D-MN)
Moments ago they officially swore in Senator Franken so the party now has it's 60th vote. The crowd in the chamber seemed to be mostly Democrats though that is not surprising since the Congress is just getting back from it's break and so members are presumably settling in to start the new session. So time to see what the Democratic majority can do. … [Read more...] about Senator Al Franken (D-MN)
How Sarah Palin’s Right-Wing Admirers Are Falling All Over Themselves Trying to Love Her Up
Whether we like it or not, we're being bombarded with all things Sarah Palin, more so now pre-resignation than at any time since last year's campaign. And, honestly, it was driving me nuts over the weekend. But the right loves her, and continues not just to apologize for her, not just to cheerlead for her, but to pump her up out of all justifiable proportion. Which is fine, … [Read more...] about How Sarah Palin’s Right-Wing Admirers Are Falling All Over Themselves Trying to Love Her Up
Live Video Stream Feeds Of Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service
Several news organizations and outlets are offering embeds that allow sites to offer live video of the highly-touted -- and likely to be heavily attended -- memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in L.A. Live streaming starts at at 12:55pm ET / 9:55am PT. Here are two: HULU KTLA If you want to visit other sites that offer live streaming … [Read more...] about Live Video Stream Feeds Of Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service
Americans Find Wearing Fur More Morally Objectionable Than The Death Penalty
US News: 35: Percentage who consider buying and wearing fur wrong 30: Percentage who consider the death penalty wrong 30: Percentage who consider divorce wrong 36: Percentage who consider medical testing on animals wrong 36: Percentage who consider human embryonic stem cell research wrong 36: Percentage who consider gambling wrong Data drawn from Gallup: … [Read more...] about Americans Find Wearing Fur More Morally Objectionable Than The Death Penalty
You Tube: Jackson Death And Palin Resignation Freak Out You Know Who
You Tube has spawned a virtual cottage industry in an host of screamingly funny, often profane, and almost always politically incorrect series of spoofs using from the footage from the superb German, award winning film "Downfall" in which German dictator Adolph Hitler goes bananas after getting bad news in his bunker. You guessed it: the real subtitles are omitted and new ones … [Read more...] about You Tube: Jackson Death And Palin Resignation Freak Out You Know Who
Honduras and the Rule of Law
The "rule of law" is, when you stop to think about it, one of the most lofty, powerful concepts we have. Particularly in America, it embodies a meaning which goes beyond the generalized legal maxim that all decisions should be made by applying and respecting known, accepted principles from your body of laws. It's really something more than that. It's the idea that the body of … [Read more...] about Honduras and the Rule of Law
“Policing” One’s Thoughts
Patrick Edaburn's interesting post yesterday, in which he examined his mental reactions to a slow driver, set off a whole slew of thoughts for me regarding stereotypes, prejudices, bigotry, and racism. For instance: Let's say you attended a neighborhood social function, and your Republican neighbor talks at length about his son, of whom he's extremely proud. This beloved … [Read more...] about “Policing” One’s Thoughts
Romanian Teenager’s Virgin Offering
In Renaissance Europe, and in the ancient and medieval Hindu and Mughal societies, the young courtesans were much in news and played a vital role. Even in this computer age the tradition continues as exemplified by a Romanian teenager who auctioned off her virginity for $20,000. Alina Percea, 18, has spoken for the first time about her night with the highest bidder, reports … [Read more...] about Romanian Teenager’s Virgin Offering
The ‘Good Fable’ of Lance Armstrong: Liberation, France
Could it be that Lance Armstrong, the American that continues, year after year, to win France's most renowned sporting event, has been using banned substances all along? Is this a legitimate gripe or just sour grapes? This article by Fabrice Rousselot of France's Liberation would lead one to believe that after all these years, Armstrong has lost none of his capacity to raise … [Read more...] about The ‘Good Fable’ of Lance Armstrong: Liberation, France
China’s “Bloodiest Clashes” In 20 Years
Tibet and Xianjiang provinces in China have remained turbulent spots often plagued with ethnic violence. Last weekend 156 persons were killed and hundreds injured in Urumqi, the capital city of the Xianjiang province, in what is being described as" bloodiest clashes in the country since the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989." The details remain murky, but the real figure … [Read more...] about China’s “Bloodiest Clashes” In 20 Years
Pop Killed the King of Pop
Watching the coverage of the death of Michael Jackson has disgusted me. It wasn’t the horrific OK! Magazine front page, or the so called ‘Friends of Michael’ speaking to anyone who wants to listen or a US congressman’s comments that engulfed me with the deepest sense of green vomitry but its the way the coverage has been conducted– with the disrespectful tone in which they have … [Read more...] about Pop Killed the King of Pop
Death of the Best and Brightest
Robert S. McNamara, who died today at 93, was the exemplar of American know-how gone awry in a world too complicated for the practical mindset that built the most powerful nation on earth in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As one of JFK's "whiz kids" who went on to become LBJ's architect of the disastrous war in Vietnam, McNamara exemplified the limits of … [Read more...] about Death of the Best and Brightest
Pete King Attacks the King of Pop
David Neiwert has a really, really good response at Crooks and Liars to Rep. Peter King's unhinged rant against Michael Jackson. … [Read more...] about Pete King Attacks the King of Pop
On the Heroism of Cassie Wallender
Republicans historically have been known as the Party of Lincoln, the party that freed the slaves. Of course, in recent history that legacy has been tarnished by a long string of politicians and GOP leaders that have said things that can only be seen as bigoted. The recent story of Young Republican candidate Audra Shay responding to a racist comment on Facebook is but the … [Read more...] about On the Heroism of Cassie Wallender
Environmentalism Trumps Jobs
Being a resident of California almost requires you to be some form of environmentalist and I certainly am one who is concerned about the environment and making sure we do what we can to protect it. But I also believe we need a level of realism in balancing the environment with the economy. Unless we plan to move into caves again we need to recognize that work and environment … [Read more...] about Environmentalism Trumps Jobs
Religion and Politics in Iran
This is kind of a wow. … [Read more...] about Religion and Politics in Iran
Cartoonists React To Sarah Palin Resignation
As expected, cartoonists are having a field day with the news that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is resigning. Here are a few of the most recent cartoons. Sarah Palin Quits Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner Sarah Palin's Mainstream Media Player RJ Matson, Roll Call Bailin' Palin Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons These cartoons are copyrighted and licensed to run on … [Read more...] about Cartoonists React To Sarah Palin Resignation
Big Banks Will Turn Down California IOUs
"No!" That's the message some big banks will reportedly start giving on Friday when they are presented with California IOUs, the Wall Street Journal reports -- in yet another sign of how far California's financial clout and status have fallen: A group of the biggest U.S. banks said they would stop accepting California's IOUs on Friday, adding pressure on the state to … [Read more...] about Big Banks Will Turn Down California IOUs
Regulation Spurs Innovation: The Energy-Efficient Incandescent Light Bulb
The big three lighting companies — General Electric, Sylvania and Philips — are all working on energy efficient incandescent bulbs, as is Auer Lighting of Germany and Toshiba of Japan. The NYTimes: Indeed, the incandescent bulb is turning into a case study of the way government mandates can spur innovation. “There’s a massive misperception that incandescents are going … [Read more...] about Regulation Spurs Innovation: The Energy-Efficient Incandescent Light Bulb