GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson said he would be the nation's first black president because President Barack Obama was "raised white." In other words, he's questioning his blackness in public. Where did that get the Republican Party the last time? More on Ben Carson questioning Obama's blackness from Politico: “He’s an ‘African’ American. He was, you know, raised … [Read more...] about Ben Carson: Obama was “Raised White” So He’s Not Really First Black President
Poll: Majority of Public Wants Senate to Act on Obama’s Court Nominee
A new poll from the respected Pew Research Center finds a majority of the public wants the Senate to act on President Barack Obama’s upcoming Supreme Court nominee. It also found most of Obama's foes don't want hearings no matter who he nominates. And the poll also finds conservatives and Republicans on the losing end of the poll: most Democrats and independent voters want the … [Read more...] about Poll: Majority of Public Wants Senate to Act on Obama’s Court Nominee
Analysis: The long unraveling of Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign
For Jeb Bush's loyalists, the first moment of palpable panic — and there would be more than they ever expected in the months to come — built over four days last May when their not-yet-presidential candidate struggled repeatedly to utter a one-word answer — No — to an utterly predictable question: Should the U.S. have invaded… … [Read more...] about Analysis: The long unraveling of Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign
Catholicism and Politics: Then and Now
Every year on July 12th, the Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland are reminded of how anti-Catholic terrorism wasn't just a thing in their distant past. Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia entry about Orangemen's Day (a.k.a. The Twelfth): "During the Troubles (late 1960s to late 1990s), the Twelfth was often accompanied by riots and paramilitary violence. In 1972, three … [Read more...] about Catholicism and Politics: Then and Now
5 Negative Effects of the UK Leaving the EU
David Cameron, who has served as Prime Minister for the United Kingdom since 2010, won another term back in May 2015. Among his campaign promises was letting the people of the UK decide, in 2017, whether they want to retain membership in the European Union. Should voters choose “No”, a UK exit (now being referred to as the “Brexit”) could very well have lasting consequences for … [Read more...] about 5 Negative Effects of the UK Leaving the EU
Nailing the ‘Trump is Wrecking the GOP’ Meme
Conservative pundits like George Will argue that Donald Trump is wrecking the Republican Party. Kevin Drum is having none of it on Mother Jones. So is Trump really wrecking the GOP? I don't see it. The GOP wrecked the GOP. They're the ones who have spent the last 30 years building the kind of party that Trump appeals to. If Michael Moore entered the Democratic race, do you … [Read more...] about Nailing the ‘Trump is Wrecking the GOP’ Meme
SciFi Weekend: The X-Files; SHIELD; Orphan Black; Nebula Nominees; Heroes; Daredevil; Kimmy Schmidt; Ashley Judd On Twin Peaks
The six episode revival season of The X-Files concludes Monday. The series was worthwhile for old fans but I couldn't recommend it to others. Those who have not seen it would be better off watching some of the top old episodes. The original series ended with a convoluted mythology which was no longer making any sense. For the revival they dispensed with much of it. Spoilers … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: The X-Files; SHIELD; Orphan Black; Nebula Nominees; Heroes; Daredevil; Kimmy Schmidt; Ashley Judd On Twin Peaks
The 2016 World Press Photo winners — in pictures
An Australian freelance photographer took the top prize in this year's World Press Photo competition Warren Richardson's photo — of a man handing a baby under barbed wire on the Serbian-Hungarian border — is lit only by moonlight, as he didn't want to alert police to the location of the refugees he was following. "I camped… … [Read more...] about The 2016 World Press Photo winners — in pictures
Cartoon: Slots of luck, Bernie
Slots of Luck by Clay Jones When I draw a cartoon on Hillary Clinton her supporters are upset with me. I’m sure Bernie Sander’s people won’t like what I’m saying here. People vote with their hearts for Bernie. People vote with their heads for Hillary. Bernie inspires passion in people while Hillary doesn’t, but more Democratic voters are viewing her as a more logical … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Slots of luck, Bernie
Bernie Sanders: focus of extra scrutiny and revised media narrative (UPDATE)
It happens in every political cycle. Candidates' prospects rise and fall, with the conventional wisdom written by new and old media pundits, and smugly stated as certainty by television political pundits. And then if they're wrong, they discreetly sweep the remains of the old certainties under the rug and unveil new ones. Another reality is that as a candidate becomes a … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders: focus of extra scrutiny and revised media narrative (UPDATE)
Politicians who put their fingers in their ears (Guest Voice)
Politicians who put their fingers in their ears by Donald Harrison SAN DIEGO – In the matter of replacing the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, we have been witnessing a tactic perhaps best described as Republican senators putting fingers in their ears and saying to President Obama “we know we won’t like what you are going to tell us, so we’re not going to … [Read more...] about Politicians who put their fingers in their ears (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: The exit of Jeb Bush
This cartoon by Clay Jones is from his website http://claytoonz.com/ is licensed to run on The Moderate Voice. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The exit of Jeb Bush
5 things we learned from South Carolina primary and Nevada caucus results
TRENTON -- Saturday's Nevada Democratic presidential caucuses and South Carolina Republican primary brought new life into Hillary Clinton's unexpectedly challenging presidential campaign and sudden death to former Gov. Jeb Bush's campaign as Donald Trump won another state. Along the way, some things have become clearer: 1. Money doesn't win elections -- it just prolongs them. … [Read more...] about 5 things we learned from South Carolina primary and Nevada caucus results
Thank God for freedom of religion!
Once upon a time, religious leaders were able to act like bullies and dictators because they could use the muscle of the State to coerce others into accepting whatever claims that those religious leaders made. Using the muscle of the State was necessary for such religious leaders whenever their claims contradicted the Scriptures of their faith. People who saw with their … [Read more...] about Thank God for freedom of religion!
Report: Mitt Romney to Endorse Sen. Marco Rubio for President
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will endorse Sen. Marco Rubio, the Huffington Post reports. The details of the endorsement are being worked out. It's ironic since Romney, who was largely an absentee governor in the last nine months of his administration, is endorsing someone who didn't bother showing up for work in the Senate that much. “Romney spent the day in Utah … [Read more...] about Report: Mitt Romney to Endorse Sen. Marco Rubio for President
Analysis: Democrats move left, Republicans move right, middle ground disappears
LAS VEGAS ?? Hillary Clinton usurped much of Sen. Bernie Sanders' message and benefited hugely from the power of women and minorities in the Democratic Party as she reasserted command of the presidential nomination race with her victory in Nevada. But trying to hold on to those groups and handle the party's ideological leftward swing will… … [Read more...] about Analysis: Democrats move left, Republicans move right, middle ground disappears
Dealers are using India’s version of Amazon to sell meth, ecstasy and bath salts
BANGKOK, Thailand — Basmati rice? Check. Pipe wrenches? Check. Human hair by the kilo? Check. And would you like to add 1,000 plastic combs for just $29? If someone will buy it, someone is likely selling it on IndiaMart, the second-largest online wholesale marketplace on the planet in terms of the sheer number of products for… … [Read more...] about Dealers are using India’s version of Amazon to sell meth, ecstasy and bath salts
Two legacies, two fates
WASHINGTON -- The Clinton political dynasty is still alive. The Bush dynasty has been routed. Their contrasting fates, to this point at least, tell us much about our two parties, the nature of this year's presidential election, and the dueling legacies themselves. The Republican and Democratic contests are very different, beginning with the fact that Hillary Clinton did … [Read more...] about Two legacies, two fates
Nevada and South Carolina: Iffy wins on both sides
The win was hard-fought and surprisingly close: Polls a little over a month ago gave Mrs. Clinton a more than 20-point lead over Bernie Sanders. ...NYT It was a lead which, in the end, settled at a 5-point win for Clinton according to the Post. The Bush family (motto: "You go to war; I go to the bank") seems to have been retired, probably to the glee of many who look … [Read more...] about Nevada and South Carolina: Iffy wins on both sides
Cartoons: Good By Jeb
I spent Saturday knowing Jeb Bush would drop out of the campaign later in the evening and I was still considering taking the night off. I thought about putting a Jeb cartoon off until Sunday (published Monday morning). What happened was I ended up drawing two cartoons. I had an idea I was OK with and I was almost done drawing when I got another idea. An idea I liked better. … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Good By Jeb