"You are not a conservative!" That charge gets used a lot by parties on the political Right. Yet, those who make such a charge don't bother to give a definition of conservative. Perhaps that is because the definition of conservative, as used in politics, is subjective. To get a better understanding of what a conservative is, one needs to consider the definition of to … [Read more...] about Conservative Conundrum & Political Labels
Clinton leaves party’s liberal wing high and dry
PHILADELPHIA -- As protests go, this one was a doobie. Democrats gathering here to nominate Hillary Clinton for the presidency had some company: hundreds of Bernie Sanders supporters marching through town, escorted by a 50-foot dirigible in the form of a reefer. "Berned by the DNC" was the, er, joint declaration printed on the balloon's side. The Bernie … [Read more...] about Clinton leaves party’s liberal wing high and dry
15 scintillating minutes with reggae superstar David Hinds
With a signature sound and an inimitable style, roots reggae band Steel Pulse has been stirring social and political consciousness worldwide for more than forty years. Since forming in 1975 at the Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England, Steel Pulse frontman David Hinds has never shied from an opportunity to share his strongly held beliefs on society, politics, and … [Read more...] about 15 scintillating minutes with reggae superstar David Hinds
#Progressive_Not_Liberal
Bernie Sanders' unpredictable rise in national politics is pushing the Democratic Party out of its left-center torpor, where it has been loitering for forty years. The party's positioning has changed, and so has its branding. Tonight Sanders delivered his economic agenda to the Democratic National Convention. As an also-ran, he avoided identity politics so common in the … [Read more...] about #Progressive_Not_Liberal
Sullivan, Marshall on DNC, Night 1
Andrew Sullivan live-blogs the first night of the DNC for nymag.com. You know, I didn’t cover this primary election but watching some of these Bernie supporters throw various hissy fits, I wonder if I would have found myself backing Clinton. I understand the passion but they sure come off as assholes. Sanders himself was far better – poised, happy to have swung the debate his … [Read more...] about Sullivan, Marshall on DNC, Night 1
Cartoons: Serving Russians
Serving Russians by Clay Jones I’m kinda afraid this idea is obvious and some else will draw it. I gambled. See! Not everyone who supports Trump is a racist, xenophobic, Islamophobic, troglodyte, dumbass. Some people who want Trump to win are actually aware it’ll destroy the United States, and that’s their objective. Short blog again. Still doing this sans keyboard. … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Serving Russians
Can the Democrats stay out of their own way?
WASHINGTON -- I've spent a lot of time this year counseling Democrats, independents and establishment Republicans not to freak out. That advice still holds -- but barely. The release of illegally hacked Democratic National Committee emails, coming on the eve of the convention in Philadelphia, was a fiasco that the forces of truth, justice and the American way -- those, … [Read more...] about Can the Democrats stay out of their own way?
Michelle Obama offers moving endorsement of Hillary Clinton
PHILADELPHIA — Michelle Obama made the case for Hillary Clinton on Monday night by drawing on the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's own struggles eight years ago — and delivering what appeared to double as a message to those in the party reluctant to accept Clinton's candidacy. When Clinton didn't win the nomination in 2008, "She didn't… … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama offers moving endorsement of Hillary Clinton
Is The Jim Gaffigan Show Too Mean to Jim Gaffigan?
I’m a big fan of Jim Gaffigan and a faithful viewer of The Jim Gaffigan Show. The show is in its second season on TV LAND during a time slot that is unbeknownst to this avid DVR aficionado. I think it airs sometime on Sundays following reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond while preceding reruns of itself. Anyway, The Jim Gaffigan Show is a family affair, as it is written by Jim … [Read more...] about Is The Jim Gaffigan Show Too Mean to Jim Gaffigan?
A Campaign Without Issues? (or at least real ones)
There has been plenty said about Donald Trump, and rightly so. There has been plenty said about Hillary Clinton, and rightly so. Each has said things about the other's fitness to be President, and rightly so. Virtually none of this banter, however, has anything to do with any of the actual issues facing this country or its economy. Mud-slinging has been an integral part of … [Read more...] about A Campaign Without Issues? (or at least real ones)
Indiana’s Brademas, First Congressman of Greek Descent, Left Permanent Mark On Education and Arts
Photo via the John Brademas Congressional Papers at New York University Photo via the John Brademas Congressional Papers at New York University 1958 was a year that ushered in throngs of new Democrats in Congress, one of whom was John Brademas of Indiana. While few outside the Notre-Dame-anchored Indiana Third Congressional district would ever hear of Brademas, his name … [Read more...] about Indiana’s Brademas, First Congressman of Greek Descent, Left Permanent Mark On Education and Arts
NY Times confirms my Saturday reporting on Russia
For all you "patriotic Americans" giving me endless shite over my original investigative reporting (mostly in social media): TOLD JA SO. As Democrats Gather, a Russian Subplot Raises Intrigue David E. Sanger / New York Times WASHINGTON — An unusual question is capturing the attention of cyberspecialists, Russia experts and Democratic Party leaders in Philadelphia: Is … [Read more...] about NY Times confirms my Saturday reporting on Russia
Don’t Buy the GOP Economic ‘Snake Oil’
Reacting to Republican “snake oil and economic lies,” back in February President Obama made a powerful speech -- “a dose of truth” -- on the 7-year anniversary of the Recovery Act alerting voters to Republican economic lies and shenanigans. The President was speaking to employees at the Saft America Advanced Batteries Plant in Jacksonville, Florida. You can read the … [Read more...] about Don’t Buy the GOP Economic ‘Snake Oil’
Politix Update: Trump’s Troubling Ties With Vladimir Putin & Big Russian Money
A Communist plot to influence a U.S. presidential election has long been the stuff of Hollywood fantasts and pulp-fiction writers, but there is evidence that Vladimir Putin's regime is working clandestinely to help elect Donald Trump. Yet even in this strangest of political years, that shouldn't necessarily surprise. What should shock and has the potential to blow the lid off … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Trump’s Troubling Ties With Vladimir Putin & Big Russian Money
Polls: Trump gets modest post-convention bump pulls ahead of Clinton
Yes, Donald Trump did a post-convention bump -- the spurt in high numbers that most party nominees get right after their party's convention. A new poll shows him now pulling ahead of soon-to-be official Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton: Coming out of the Republican convention, Donald Trump took the lead from Hillary Clinton in a CNN/ORC national poll and in a CBS News … [Read more...] about Polls: Trump gets modest post-convention bump pulls ahead of Clinton
Pitts: RNC was a Four Day Nervous Breakdown
Leonard Pitts argues that left vs. right in this country are no longer about competing governing ideologies but reason vs. unreason in The Miami Herald. Last week’s Republican conclave in Cleveland came across less as a nominating convention than as a four-day nervous breakdown, a moment of fracture and bipolarity from a party that no longer has any clear idea what it stands … [Read more...] about Pitts: RNC was a Four Day Nervous Breakdown
Yes on Prop. 66 – Death Penalty Reform – Fixing California’s Broken System (Guest Voice)
Yes on Prop. 66 – Death Penalty Reform – Fixing California’s Broken System by Michael Hestrin, Riverside District Attorney Historically, Californians have overwhelmingly supported the death penalty. Yet, during every election cycle a ballot measure comes up looking to repeal it. Well this year is no different. Governor Brown and a host of Hollywood elite are actively … [Read more...] about Yes on Prop. 66 – Death Penalty Reform – Fixing California’s Broken System (Guest Voice)
Report: How Putin Weaponized Wikileaks to Influence the Election of an American President
The timing has seemed just too coincidental. Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump has made it clear he admires Russian President Vladimir Putin and has even discounted charges that Putin has had some political foes killed. Putin has made it clear that he admires Trump. And, as Josh Marshall has reported, Trump has some ties to Russian financiers. Now stories are … [Read more...] about Report: How Putin Weaponized Wikileaks to Influence the Election of an American President
Leading Illinois Republican legislator resigns abruptly
Illinois House Republican floor leader Rep. Ron Sandack resigned abruptly Sunday evening, citing recent "cyber security issues". The Daily Herald reported: Sandack had been facing a re-election race in November and is well known in Illinois politics for his heavy use of Twitter and Facebook... Last week, some of Sandack's social media accounts disappeared, raising … [Read more...] about Leading Illinois Republican legislator resigns abruptly
Cartoon: Timmy and Debbie
Timmy and Debbie by Clay Jones I’m posting this with a Surface Pro I have not bought a keyboard for yet so if there are any typographical errors go suck a lemon. Hillary Clinton made Virginia senator Tim Kaine, my senator, her veep pick. It’s a good pick. If it doesn’t make Bernie supporters happy, they can suck a lemon too. Does she really have to bend over backwards … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Timmy and Debbie