The LATimes reports that network TV just ain't what it used to be... Broadcast networks under siege: Like the networks themselves, though, the quarterly sweeps -- which some stations still use to set local ad rates -- have fallen on hard times. For the May sweep that ended last Wednesday, NBC couldn't be bothered to make the earth move. Among the network's prime-time … [Read more...] about A signal moment in the slow, painful meltdown of the broadcast TV industry
What Barack Obama Owes George W. Bush
When and if Barack Obama takes the oath of office as President of the United States, who most will he owe that high privilege to? According to Alexandre Adler, one of France's leading historians, journalists - and according to many - a neocon, that person would be George W. Bush. … [Read more...] about What Barack Obama Owes George W. Bush
Google says Viacom’s lawsuit against YouTube ‘threatens’ the Net
AP: A $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit challenging YouTube's ability to keep copyrighted material off its popular video-sharing site threatens how hundreds of millions of people exchange all kinds of information on the Internet, YouTube owner Google Inc. said. Google's lawyers made the claim in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan as the company responded … [Read more...] about Google says Viacom’s lawsuit against YouTube ‘threatens’ the Net
Titanic & Memories of Cold War
The 1997 movie Titanic, the highest-grossing film of all time, became popular worldwide for its powerful depiction of romance and pathos. Now The Times of London reports that "the man who located the wreck of the Titanic has revealed that the discovery was a cover story to camouflage the real mission of inspecting the wrecks of two Cold War nuclear submarines." More here... … [Read more...] about Titanic & Memories of Cold War
“The Soldier’s Promise,” Memorial Day 2008
The Soldier's Promise Tiny Prayer "New seed roots most deeply in the places that are most empty." ------------ CODA [The Soldier's Promise] "Tiny Prayer", excerpted from book The Faithful Gardener: AWise Tale About That Which Can Never Die by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, ©1996, All Rights Reserved, Harper Collins/ HarperSanFrancisco … [Read more...] about “The Soldier’s Promise,” Memorial Day 2008
Dutch Expedition to Washington
The Dutch people, as most Europeans, have traditionally been very close to and supportive of the United States and of Americans--politically, economically, militarily, philosophically and in just about every other manner. Especially after World War II, Americans were beloved, almost idolized. I know, because I lived in The Netherlands and its Antilles for seven years shortly … [Read more...] about Dutch Expedition to Washington
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: May 26th
A biweekly feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) As an ongoing corruption investigation puts Ehud Olmert at great risk, there is increasing discussion in the Israeli press as to who might be the next prime minister. Although Tzipi Livni, the current foreign minister, has often been mentioned as the favorite, some opposition figures … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: May 26th
Fox News Contributor Jokes About Obama Assassination
Can someone please tell me? Is there something in their water? In the air? Is it what they're drinking -- or smoking? There seems to be an epidemic now of foot-in-mouth comments involving the once-taboo "a-word" (not the "a-word" people use to describe some politicians, but the "a-word" that describes what tragedy can befall politicians...). As Senator Hillary Clinton's … [Read more...] about Fox News Contributor Jokes About Obama Assassination
Accusations of Appeasement Against Obama ‘Unfounded’
What are German-speaking people saying about whether Barack Obama is a Neville Chamberlain-like 'appeaser' for suggesting talks with Iran - or as President Bush put it 'radicals and terrorists?' From Austria - one of the nations gobbled up by the Nazis before America entered World War II - Christian Ultsch concludes for Die Press: "If Democratic candidate Barack Obama is … [Read more...] about Accusations of Appeasement Against Obama ‘Unfounded’
Clinton Fatigue: Bill Clinton Lashes Out At Wife Being Treated “Disrespectfully Just For Running” (UPDATED)
Former President Bill Clinton has raised eyebrows (again) by lashing out at unnamed forces and an unnamed "they" for what he says has been unprecedented disrespect shown to his wife Senator Hillary Clinton in the way she has been treated and being asked to pull out of the Presidential race. The only problem is: like some other of the former Commander in Chief's blanket … [Read more...] about Clinton Fatigue: Bill Clinton Lashes Out At Wife Being Treated “Disrespectfully Just For Running” (UPDATED)
Database Provides Portraits Of California Military Personnel Who Died In Afghanistan And Iraq Wars
On Memorial Day it's important to remember -- and the Los Angeles Times has now produced the first-ever census database of California members of the military who died in Afghanistan and Iraq. The findings are interesting: Nearly 500 Californians have lost their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At least 58 were immigrants; more than 160 were parents and left … [Read more...] about Database Provides Portraits Of California Military Personnel Who Died In Afghanistan And Iraq Wars
Memorial Day 2008 (Observed): ‘Things Are Really Bad Here In the States, Aren’t They?’
It is Memorial Day (Observed) today in the U.S. If you don't already know, "Observed" is a euphemism for pulling up our national holidays by their roots and plopping them down into three-day weekends that have nothing to do with why they are supposed to be celebrated. This one originally was called Decoration Day. It was a day of remembrance for Union soldiers who died in … [Read more...] about Memorial Day 2008 (Observed): ‘Things Are Really Bad Here In the States, Aren’t They?’
Presidents Manson and McCain
The current political climate, with growing voter dissatisfaction and the Republican brand being termed "significantly damaged," has many Democrats smiling like cats in the vicinity of empty canary cages. In fact, many observers seem to already be of the opinion that Barack Obama could take off on a long, well deserved vacation following the Democratic National Convention and … [Read more...] about Presidents Manson and McCain
A Man Called “Sweet Pea”
This Memorial Day, as they have for the past five years, residents of Skowhegan, Maine will be thinking about Jay Aubin, one of the first among 4081-and-counting American troops to die in Iraq. What the numbers conceal is the continuing grief of countless families, friends and neighbors in every corner of the country who live with the loss of young men and women like Aubin, … [Read more...] about A Man Called “Sweet Pea”
Memorial Day 2008
On this Memorial Day, let us honor and remember the fallen, not use it to question the patriotism of those who oppose the Iraq war. Memorial Day will once again be observed in our nation this coming Monday, May 26. It will be a day to remember, and to honor, all the men and women who have died in military service to our country in all wars, including the Iraq war--a war … [Read more...] about Memorial Day 2008
Memorial Day: Remember and Honor
Cartoon by RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Memorial Day: Remember and Honor
Spacecraft Phoenix: Welcome To Mars
I realize this is a bit off topic but I felt it was worth posting. As we are all enjoying our Memorial Day Weekend something special is happening on the planet Mars. A spacecraft called Phoenix has landed on the planet Mars, on a mission to explore the region around the north pole of that planet. Even though the space program has been a reality for my entire life, these … [Read more...] about Spacecraft Phoenix: Welcome To Mars
Libertarians and McCain
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Libertarians and McCain
Libertarian Party picks Bob Barr as presidential candidate
AP: The Libertarian Party on Sunday picked former Republican Rep. Bob Barr to be its presidential candidate after six rounds of balloting. Barr beat research scientist Mary Ruwart, who was the party's presidential nominee in 1983 and vice presidential candidate in 1992, by a vote of 324-276 on the final ballot. Barr endorsed Wayne Allyn Root, who was eliminated in the … [Read more...] about Libertarian Party picks Bob Barr as presidential candidate
‘Developing World’ Must Gird for Battle With Rich Over Energy
Heightened international competition for the planet's scarce resources has begun, and it's emerging nations that stand to lose the most, warns O Globo of Brazil's chief international columnist, William Waack. Waack writes that there are two interpretations about the consequences of global inflation due to higher oil prices: "The first is contained in a report from the … [Read more...] about ‘Developing World’ Must Gird for Battle With Rich Over Energy