Ok. The headline isn't true. But it may as well be. NIH Funds $423,500 Study of Why Men Don't Like to Use Condoms The federal government is spending $423,500 to find out why men don't like to wear condoms, a project government watchdogs say is a nearly-half-a-million-dollar waste of taxpayer money. Researchers at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, with funding from … [Read more...] about Govt. Study to Determine Why Dogs Scratch at Fleas
Iran: 1979 or 1989 Redux
As we look to the amazing scenes coming out of Iran the minds of many go back to the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and speculation as to whether history is repeating itself. Certainly almost every major event of today and tomorrow can be compared to an event from the past, but I am growing increasingly convinced we are looking not thirty years into the past but only twenty. For … [Read more...] about Iran: 1979 or 1989 Redux
‘Snub’ from Obama Reflects ‘Death of Nigerian Diplomacy’: Modern Ghana, Ghana
A newly-minted piece of commemorative cloth from Ghana, printed for President Obama's first visit to the heart of Africa since taking office. Ghana's gain is being seen as nearby Nigeria's loss. Nigerian soul-searching over why Obama is skipping the oil-rich country is reaching a fever pitch. For Modern Ghana, Nigerian columnist Sola Odunfa writes of an encounter he had … [Read more...] about ‘Snub’ from Obama Reflects ‘Death of Nigerian Diplomacy’: Modern Ghana, Ghana
Pixar Shows How To Have A Heart
I am not often moved to tears by a story in the news but this one comes pretty darn close to making even the most stoic of readers a little emotional. It seems a 10 year old girl was getting close to the end of her long battle with cancer. She had previously seen the Pixar film Monsters vs. Aliens and had enjoyed it but she was really looking forward to the new movie Up, … [Read more...] about Pixar Shows How To Have A Heart
Olbermann Complains About Bias ?
In the last few days Keith Olbermann over at MSNBC has been attacking Fox news for being biased against President Obama and his administration. Now I am not a big fan of Fox, and I certainly would agree they have a bias to the right when it comes to most issues. But if memory serves there was one network that was equally biased against the last administration (and equally … [Read more...] about Olbermann Complains About Bias ?
John Avlon’s Wingnuts Of The Week: Playboy’s GOP List And Racist Emails
Centrist writer John Avlon has awarded his highly coveted Wingnuts of the Week award on CNN to two examples of dehumanizing humor by people on the left and right (video below). The author and former Chief Speechwriter for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani begins his entry on the awards this way on his blog: If you debase or dehumanize people who disagree with you … [Read more...] about John Avlon’s Wingnuts Of The Week: Playboy’s GOP List And Racist Emails
Video: Barack Obama’s Address, Comedy Routine at RTCA Dinner
Here's the full video of President Barack Obama's address to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association' dinner. Can you spot any lines that will spark a new (what else?) firestorm of written and verbal chest beating and outrage? We embed, you decide: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy … [Read more...] about Video: Barack Obama’s Address, Comedy Routine at RTCA Dinner
The “Breathtaking Hypocrisy” of John Ensign (continued)
Following up on yesterday morning's post from Michael on the "breathtaking hypocrisy" of John Ensign things have heated up some today. ProPublica's Robin Fields, brings us up to date: The fallout from an extramarital affair between Ensign and Cindy Hampton, a campaign staffer, is threatening to ensnare other Republican leaders as they try to marshal opposition to the Obama … [Read more...] about The “Breathtaking Hypocrisy” of John Ensign (continued)
Jib Jab’s Latest: He’s Barack Obama (Obama As Superhero)
Here's Jib Jab's latest just-released online animated masterpiece which portrays President Barack Obama as a Spiderman-like superhero. MUST VIEWING: Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today! … [Read more...] about Jib Jab’s Latest: He’s Barack Obama (Obama As Superhero)
Elections Have Consequences, Part 278
I come before you today not to praise the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but to condemn him. I say this to you as one who defended the nomination of John Roberts by George W. Bush. While I fretted over the potential fallout, I maintained then, as I do now, that the president had the right to select his own nominee and that Roberts' qualifications far … [Read more...] about Elections Have Consequences, Part 278
Late But Not Too Late
Happy Juneteenth! It's nice that it falls on a Friday. Unfortunately, Chicago has been under a severe thunderstorm warning all day. … [Read more...] about Late But Not Too Late
Iran: As the ‘Breaking Point’ Looms
Andrew Sullivan's tireless efforts continue. This and this are perhaps the most chilling of his entries to date. If you're so inclined, say a prayer for the dissidents tonight. Some of them may no longer be here by the time the sun rises. God speed. … [Read more...] about Iran: As the ‘Breaking Point’ Looms
Strong Words for Brazil from a U.S. Congressman
This morning I wrote on the latest so-called "ruling" by a Brazilian judge on the five-year long battle by New Jersey dad David Goldman for custody of his son, Sean, who is being held in Brazil against every international rule and convention. In the "ruling," the Brazilian judge said that David Goldman should have custody of his son. However, there are some big, … [Read more...] about Strong Words for Brazil from a U.S. Congressman
Why The Economy Won’t Recover For A Long Time
People that have read my musings/alarms/rants over the last half year will know that I anticipated that the economy would pause in its downturn in the spring/summer (although in February I was starting to get doubtful it would) and then plunge far worse in the fall than it has thus far. My reasoning was simple and twofold. The first was that I thought there would be a very … [Read more...] about Why The Economy Won’t Recover For A Long Time
The Ayatollah Speaks; Game, Set, Match?
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spoken. Last Friday's national election results were not rigged because “the Islamic state would not cheat," he declared. He warned the opposition would be “responsible for bloodshed and chaos” if the protests continued. At least eight citizens have been killed in the demonstrations so far. The ayatollah is the hammer, the … [Read more...] about The Ayatollah Speaks; Game, Set, Match?
REVISED: House Resolution Tracks with Obama
Shame on me for overreacting (misreacting) earlier to the House vote based on one report. Per Andrew Sullivan, the actual wording of the House measure seems to be about where it should be and is largely consistent with Obama's stance earlier in the week: Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule … [Read more...] about REVISED: House Resolution Tracks with Obama
Ahmadinejad’s Closest Adviser: Undoing Election Results “Unthinkable”
The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad has snatched an unprecedented interview with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's right-hand man and head of Ahmadinejad's reelection committee, Mojataba Samareh Hashemi. According to the Handelsblad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Samareh Hashemi have been friends since childhood, and analysts say Samareh Hashemi has great influence on the … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad’s Closest Adviser: Undoing Election Results “Unthinkable”
The Right’s “Bull in the China Shop” Approach to Iran
One would think that one of the leading architects of the biggest policy failure for decades if not more would be reluctant to give Pres. Obama advice about how to handle the momentous events in Iran. But there Paul Wolfowitz is, mangling history and giving condescending suggestions to Obama on his options with regard to Iran -- and on the op-ed page of the same paper that … [Read more...] about The Right’s “Bull in the China Shop” Approach to Iran
Iranian Women, Ayatollah: A Genesis of the Iranian Demonstrators
My dear Iranian women students: It’s me, your teacher from long ago. I was still a struggling doctoral student back then when your fathers, wanting their beloved daughters to have an American education, sent you across the ocean to the small USA college where I had my very first job as a teacher. It was 1976. And there was tension between our countries. But education seemed … [Read more...] about Iranian Women, Ayatollah: A Genesis of the Iranian Demonstrators
Health Care Reform Heads to the I.C.U
Steve Benen has a great report and analysis on how substantive health care reform is swirling near the bottom of the bowl today. He helpfully reminds us of the old axiom about the making of sausage and why you don't want to watch it. This process is no different. Taking that as a starting point, I don't think it's all that difficult for us to draw a few conclusions about the … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform Heads to the I.C.U