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The Moderate Voice

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Constrictions

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The results of the Israeli election were confusing at best, with a majority of the country shifting significantly right-ward but a plurality unifying around Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima Party. The best thing we can hope for over the next couple years is stasis, with some kind of unity coalition centered around Kadima and Likud that treads water until the government inevitably … [Read more...] about Constrictions

Usury in the Temples of Wall Street

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Today we bring you the next in our continuing series on "old world thinking" which is thoroughly discredited and inappropriate for the modern era. Let's take a moment and look at the concept of usury, both past and present. It's an old word and carries an almost universally negative connotation. 19 " You shall not charge interest to your brother -- interest on money or food … [Read more...] about Usury in the Temples of Wall Street

As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will

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Yet another reason why The Daily Show is the most important news source today. The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cSolving the Economic CrisisDaily Show Full EpisodesImportant Things With Demetri MartinFunny Political NewsJoke of the Day In other news, Europe is [censored]. There is no word I can use that Joe would find appropriate for the site. The article … [Read more...] about As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will

After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?

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Just about one year ago, when legislation to give the residents of Washington D.C. the "right to bear arms" was being debated before the U.S. Supreme Court, in a Letter published by the Los Angeles Times, I wrote: I am well aware that the landmark case presently before the Supreme Court, a case that ostensibly seeks to apply the 2nd Amendment to residents of the District … [Read more...] about After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?

What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks

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This has been making the viral video rounds: This whole thing started out really small and simple. And then along came the internet, and a video camera, and you tube, and here we are with the funniest dance routine since that scene in Big. It's the original, What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks. This one has the nat sound, not cheesy music. Via Kara Swisher: Chicago … [Read more...] about What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks

Shakespeare On Wall Street

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Here’s some Wall Street tidbits that didn’t quite make it into the original versions of Shakespeare’s plays: Macbeth ponders the meaning of trading during a market slump: Investing, and investing, and investing, Sinks to new creepy depths from day to day As battered equities do tumble time, And all the cap gains we thought secure Just flit away like dreams. Rise, … [Read more...] about Shakespeare On Wall Street

Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! (Sort of)

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While many celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, it's easy to forget that another historical figure shares the same anniversary. It's also the birthday of Charles Darwin. (Pictured here in one of his lesser known research projects, "The Development of Insect Colonies in Really Bushy, Unkempt Beards.") The celebration at the Darwin home might be a bit more muted … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! (Sort of)

Toothless: The Watchdog Press as the Government’s Lapdog

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by Walter Brasch PART 1 The president of the Associated Press (AP) was spewing venom at the Bush–Cheney administration for having turned the Department of Defense into a propaganda machine. Americans “expect honest answers about what’s happening to their sons and daughters,” Tom Curley told journalism students and faculty at the University of … [Read more...] about Toothless: The Watchdog Press as the Government’s Lapdog

Little Girl and Tree Man: Miracle Story from Australian Wildfires

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I love the Aussie spirit. And sorrow for their travail. That's not near enough to say about either... but then there's this out of nowhere.... In the Australian fires where 180 people are reported dead, there is an ordinary man, 44 year old firefighter named Mr. Dave Tree. Tree was walking amongst the dead black tree trunks... all that are left of the once lush forest … [Read more...] about Little Girl and Tree Man: Miracle Story from Australian Wildfires

Introducing Progressive Republicans

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Shortly after the November elections, I received a message on Facebook to join a group called Progressive Republicans. I was interested and started to get to know Travis Johnson, the 30-something behind this endeavor. This enterprise is still in its early stages, but Travis has done a lot to get things off the ground. Travis put together list of common principles that sets … [Read more...] about Introducing Progressive Republicans

Gallup Poll: Obama’s Campaign For Stimulus Increased Its Support

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A Gallup Poll finds that President Barack Obama's use of the "bully pulpit" of the Presidency in the 21st century -- speeches carried on news shows, photo ops and a major prime time press conference -- notably increased support for his economic stimulus plan. Most interestingly, his efforts shored up Democratic party support, had little impact on divided independents -- but … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama’s Campaign For Stimulus Increased Its Support

Salmonella in Georgia Plant As Far Back As ’06

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The outbreak that started here in Georgia has cost eight lives, sickened an estimated 19,000 people in 43 states and triggered recalls ranging from TV dinners and snack bars labeled organic to ready-made meals for disaster relief. And the peanut company owner won't eat his own products: See the jar, the congressman challenged Stewart Parnell, holding up a container of the … [Read more...] about Salmonella in Georgia Plant As Far Back As ’06

Jon Huntsman, Crazy Republican

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From TNR's Jason Zengerle: Utah Governor Jon Huntsman (who, needless to say, is a Republican, not to mention a potential 2012 presidential candidate) has come out in favor of gay civil unions. It's not gay marriage, but it is Utah. It is indeed, a deeply conservative state, and yet what Huntsman is taking a pretty progressive position on one of the right's key wedge … [Read more...] about Jon Huntsman, Crazy Republican

Solis Appointment Moves Ahead in Senate

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Finally, good news, as reported in The Nation: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, where the [nomination of California Congresswoman Hilda] Solis had been stalled, voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday evening to recommend confirmation of the congresswoman. Solis, a labor ally who whose confirmation process was delayed by conservative Republicans who … [Read more...] about Solis Appointment Moves Ahead in Senate

As We Prepare for the Lincoln Bicentennial: A Look at His Second Inaugural Address

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The two-hundredth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth comes tomorrow. A few years back, I wrote a seven-part series on Lincoln's second Inaugural Address, the links to which are listed below. A lifelong religious skeptic who was nonetheless an ardent student of the Bible, Lincoln was led by the crucible of civil war felt compelled to return, again and again, to that … [Read more...] about As We Prepare for the Lincoln Bicentennial: A Look at His Second Inaugural Address