More than a million asylum-seekers came to Europe last year. Now that a prime pathway, the Balkan route, is blocked, some officials are breathing more easily. That’s especially the case in Germany — Europe's biggest destination for people fleeing war, poverty, disaster or all of the above. Its government recently reported a more than 60 percent… … [Read more...] about Germany is receiving way fewer refugees now, but the crisis isn’t over
Poll: Clinton widens New York Lead
Will Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander's meeting with the Pope change the numbers? Will Sanders' tougher line of Israel which actually mirrors an emerging (young versus) old split among American Jews change the numbers? Tuesday will tell, but the latest poll from New York shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton widening her lead: Hillary Clinton slightly widened her lead … [Read more...] about Poll: Clinton widens New York Lead
GOP’s Benghazi report appears to be right on schedule
WASHINGTON -- Is Trey Gowdy planning a July surprise? The chairman of the Select Committee on Benghazi went to ground after he and his colleagues grilled Hillary Clinton in October. They haven't had a single hearing since then (and had only three public hearings before that one), though they occasionally send news releases reminding the world that their 700-day-old … [Read more...] about GOP’s Benghazi report appears to be right on schedule
Cartoons: Bernie and Hillary turf war
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Bernie and Hillary turf war
As Queen Approaches 90, Poll Reveals Her Popularity
As Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest reigning monarch, approaches her 90th birthday next week, a new poll reveals that support for the monarchy is higher than it was 20 years ago. Seventy-five per cent of people think that the monarchy has an important role to play in Britain’s future, according to a new Ipsos MORI survey… … [Read more...] about As Queen Approaches 90, Poll Reveals Her Popularity
Cartoons: Pepe Le Cruz
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Pepe Le Cruz
Every candidate should release full tax returns (Guest Voice)
Every candidate should release full tax returns by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- Politicians like to bet that reporters and their pesky questions will go away. Too often, they're right. Thus, the drumbeat of demands for Donald Trump's tax returns faded after he waved it all away with claims that a pending audit prevented the transparency … [Read more...] about Every candidate should release full tax returns (Guest Voice)
The Jungle Book Review
(Taken from www.chocobites.net) I was dreading watching this film. Although I will never argue that the classic 1967 version of The Jungle Book is the best Disney film, I recognise its importance. I simply didn't understand why on earth they would touch a film so revered. Then I saw Disney's live action Cinderella and I wasn't appalled. In fact, I thought it was dope and … [Read more...] about The Jungle Book Review
Donald Trump’s Mysteriously ‘Refined’ Op-Ed
In what clearly is not the tone, style, coherence or civility of the Donald Trump we have come to know and disdain, in an op-ed allegedly penned by him in the Wall Street Journal the GOP presidential candidate asks Americans, “How has the ‘system’ been working out for you and your family?” In it, Trump whines and moans about how unfair the Republican Party, the “rigged … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Mysteriously ‘Refined’ Op-Ed
Michelle Fields isn’t an innocent victim after all.
In his 04/14/16 press conference, Florida State Attorney David Aronberg explained why he isn't pursuing a misdemeanor battery charge against Corey Lewandowski in response to what Lewandowski did to Michelle Fields during Donald Trump's March 8th press conference. A CNN story quotes Mr. Aronberg as saying, "Although the facts support the allegation that Mr. Lewandowski did … [Read more...] about Michelle Fields isn’t an innocent victim after all.
Preparing To Be President
Tonight's Democratic debate likely won't change many minds. The dynamic was much as it has been since Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders first faced off against each other, even if the tone was a fair bit testier. The takeaway for me is that Hillary Clinton speaks as someone who is preparing to be president, as someone who knows that everything she says could very likely have a … [Read more...] about Preparing To Be President
Inside Rio’s high school ‘Occupy’ movement
A knock at the door of Gomes Freire de Andrade high school in Rio de Janeiro elicits a rather odd reply: “Occupy Gomes, how can I help you?” It’s a teenager’s voice. The door is locked — padlocked on the inside by one of the 60 or so students who recently took over this small school… … [Read more...] about Inside Rio’s high school ‘Occupy’ movement
Cartoons: Baby Trump
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Baby Trump
Ah think ah’ll go buy me a coupla nice delegates t’day
Under regulations established in the 1980s, delegates cannot take money from corporations, labor unions, federal contractors or foreign nationals. But an individual donor is permitted to give a delegate unlimited sums to support his or her efforts to get selected to go to the convention, including money to defray the costs of travel and lodging. A candidate’s campaign … [Read more...] about Ah think ah’ll go buy me a coupla nice delegates t’day
(Update) U.S. Navy Ship ‘Aggressively’ and Repeatedly Buzzed by Russian Aircraft
Update: There has been some discussion here and elsewhere as to what the U.S. /the U.S. Navy should have done/should do in reaction to the Russian “provocation.” Here are some excerpts from an article in the Navy Times titled, “This is why the Navy didn't shoot down Russian jets.” It is based on a conversation with a retired Navy commanding officer, Capt. Rick Hoffman, … [Read more...] about (Update) U.S. Navy Ship ‘Aggressively’ and Repeatedly Buzzed by Russian Aircraft
There is a moral contract between patrons and working folks
Years ago, my elder daughter Sari, now a creative professional in New York, found herself once again treated like a vassal while working in the highly-pressurized, grueling environment of the city’s restaurants. Never one to shun hard labor and long hours, she and her fellow servers routinely steeled themselves against the often dismissive, arrogant, and boorish attitudes of … [Read more...] about There is a moral contract between patrons and working folks
Clinton and Sanders will debate tonight in high stakes debate
WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton thought she'd be able to move onto the general election by now. But here she is — in the middle of April — locked in an increasingly combative race, the loser of eight recent state contests and facing yet another debate. She faces off with Bernie Sanders for the 10th time in… … [Read more...] about Clinton and Sanders will debate tonight in high stakes debate
Great Blue Heron: Only in Dying, Life.
Many years ago, I went into what looked like an antique store, off the plaza in Santa Fe. Inside, a museum-like world of ancient treasures. I got talking with the owner, who unexpectedly got two objects out of a desk drawer and dropped them into my hands. Suddenly, holding two 25,000 year old black stone statuettes. Deep black stone goddesses from Old Europe that fit like … [Read more...] about Great Blue Heron: Only in Dying, Life.
The retreat, and rebirth, of socialism
The traditional center-left is in retreat in Europe, and to a somewhat lesser extent in the U.S. This could be seen as a failure of the centrist-socialist establishment, though it might make sense to see it from a different perspective: An attractive, modern alternative has presented itself. In France, President Francois Hollande's erratic policies may have… … [Read more...] about The retreat, and rebirth, of socialism
AT&T SEEKS TO ELIMINATE LAND LINE PHONES IN CALIFORNIA
AT&T Seeks to Elminate Land Line Phones in California by Miriam Rafferty April 12, 2016 (Sacramento) – Yesterday the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce heard AB 2395, a measure that aims to eliminate hard-wired land line phones in California communities where cabled fiber optic connections are not available or are too expensive to install, such as rural, … [Read more...] about AT&T SEEKS TO ELIMINATE LAND LINE PHONES IN CALIFORNIA