Fires continue to rage in Australia with over 100 dead already and the danger of more deaths in the coming days. What makes things even worse is that the fires are suspected of being caused by arson Suspicions that the worst wildfires ever to strike Australia were deliberately set led police to declare crime scenes Monday in towns incinerated by blazes, while investigators … [Read more...] about Over 100 Dead In Australian Wildfires
Obama’s Brain Twister: Selecting a Muslim Venue – Financial Times Deutschland
It's a question that obsesses the Muslim world from Southeast Asia to the Persian Gulf: Where will President Obama deliver his much anticipated speech to a 'Muslim capital'? Benjamin Dierks of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland penned this op-ed on the subject, and concludes that the obvious choice is probably the right one. Dierks writes in part: "No sooner had … [Read more...] about Obama’s Brain Twister: Selecting a Muslim Venue – Financial Times Deutschland
Has The Internet Made America “Ruder And Cruder”?
Right Wing News' John Hawkins, writing on Pajamas Media's website, notes something that many of us who've followed politics and discussion have noted -- and he hits the nail squarely on the head: 1. The internet has opened more opportunities for greater political discussion. 2. The Internet has made people ruder than ever and made American political discourse uglier -- a … [Read more...] about Has The Internet Made America “Ruder And Cruder”?
Rescue Fantasies
The emotional power of 60 Minutes tonight went deeper than a disaster story with a happy ending--the safe ditching of Flight 1549 in the Hudson River with 155 passengers and crew. In a time of fear and anxiety, it affirmed a powerful collective belief that, against all odds, human beings can save themselves and others from disaster. The retelling of that story was ironically … [Read more...] about Rescue Fantasies
Choosing the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau Director
With the Lilly Ledbetter Act now law, and the first piece of congressional legislation signed by President Barack Obama at that, it's time to consider who will lead the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau in its fulfillment of its mission: Mission Statement To improve the status of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, and … [Read more...] about Choosing the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau Director
Why Renewable Energy Isn’t Just A Matter Of Will
I think that moving off of a petroleum based economy is the biggest challenge in the next 50 years and will determine whether we stagnate or are prosperous. Unfortunately, I think the issue has become politicized to such an extent that many people believe we have the technology now and it's just a matter of willpower (and money). This is actually not the case. The New … [Read more...] about Why Renewable Energy Isn’t Just A Matter Of Will
Obama Goes to Court
After he saves the economy, the new President will face a really tough decision: With March Madness almost here, where will he shoot hoops and with whom? Barack Obama, the nation's first basketball-playing chief executive, lives in a White House with a tennis court and bowling alley, but he will have to leave the grounds to get a game--either at Fort Myers off Arlington … [Read more...] about Obama Goes to Court
Faces Of The Fallen—A Reverent Tribute
I don't know how long the Washington Post has been assembling and publishing this. But, I just came across it today. It is a compelling, reverent and stirring compilation---honor gallery is a better term---of photos of and information about all our brave heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq (Operation "Iraqi Freedom") and in Afghanistan (Operation "Enduring … [Read more...] about Faces Of The Fallen—A Reverent Tribute
The Disconnect Between The Media, Banks, Politicos and Public
The media coverage of the financial crisis has been horrible with its penchant for painting a broad brush that all bankers are evil. This poppycock is dispensed by clueless politicians -- President Obama included -- and spread to consumers whose confidence in the system is the lowest in more than a quarter century. … [Read more...] about The Disconnect Between The Media, Banks, Politicos and Public
On Bipartisanship (The Poem)
Bipartisan's a lovely word It comes across so brotherly But for our own Republicans It has a meaning otherly. Of course (they say) we want to help It's our country, too (they say) Though to acquire this precious gift Go our way or we won't play. More satirical verse at: http://www.wallstreetpoet.com … [Read more...] about On Bipartisanship (The Poem)
Experts Tell Obama Afghanistan War Going Badly
President Barack Obama has been briefed on the state of the war in Afghanistan, and what he told was reportedly not pretty: President Obama's national security team gave a dire assessment Sunday of the war in Afghanistan, with one member calling it a challenge "much tougher than Iraq" and others hinting that it could take years to turn around. U.S. officials said more … [Read more...] about Experts Tell Obama Afghanistan War Going Badly
What Every Man Needs
A MUST at football games.. … [Read more...] about What Every Man Needs
Saturday Night Live Lampoons Reid Pelosi On Stimulus Plan
SNL skewered Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on the stimulus plan via a satire that could reflect a growing perception that might not be helpful to the Democrats. The big news: it centered on the assumption that Pelosi is a mega-partisan who looks down on bipartisanship and is actually a stumbling block to it. Some cartoonists are … [Read more...] about Saturday Night Live Lampoons Reid Pelosi On Stimulus Plan
Pelosi on the Stimulus
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and is licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Pelosi on the Stimulus
Buy American: Rethinking Smoot-Hawley
As debate on the stimulus package continues to rage, exactly the wrong sort of attention is being paid to one element of the proposal dealing with the "Buy American" clause. The usual list of suspects is lining up to tell us exactly how awful this is, including this New York Times piece by Gregory Mankiw. As usual, he invokes the ghost of Smoot-Hawley to frighten the … [Read more...] about Buy American: Rethinking Smoot-Hawley
F-22 and F-35, Not Mutually Exclusive
Some of the arguments posed in support of continued F-22 production, both in response to my posts and in the media, attack the F-35 and the F-35 program. For example, one reader said, in part: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is no where near being proven. If you would do some serious research you would find that the F-35 program is all about spin and sophistry. Every … [Read more...] about F-22 and F-35, Not Mutually Exclusive
Kristof: Banks Need Women, Women and Women
Nicholas Kristof is feeling empowered, having had a hand in the creation of a new focus of a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, global women's issues. And I like what he's doing with that feeling: tonight, he tells us in his blog that tomorrow, the New York Times will feature this column by him, "Mistresses of the Universe," in which he discusses the following: Banks … [Read more...] about Kristof: Banks Need Women, Women and Women
Hate Crimes vs. Domestic Terrorism
I find myself in a bit of an ethical dilemma this weekend, reading the story of a convicted domestic terrorist who will be spending quite some time in jail. (Bear with me for a bit and the title will make sense.) A radical activist who helped set a $1 million fire to protest research on genetically modified crops was sentenced Thursday to nearly 22 years in prison _ even … [Read more...] about Hate Crimes vs. Domestic Terrorism
Obama Plans Return To Campaign Style Mode To Push Stimulus And Restart Presidency
It sounds as if President Barack Obama is close to all but uttering the words "Never mind..." Or "let me rephrase that..." Amid enough political toe-stubbing to qualify for crutches-- nominees who had tax problems, a definition of partisanship that had led to him and his team not answering critics and attacks, and seemingly ceding control of the political debate to … [Read more...] about Obama Plans Return To Campaign Style Mode To Push Stimulus And Restart Presidency
51 Jokes In 4 Minutes
No, this doesn't include Senator Lindsey Graham seeming outraged over a President using what he says are fear tactics. This are NON POLITICAL jokes -- and this You Tuber does deliver: … [Read more...] about 51 Jokes In 4 Minutes