As floodwaters around St. Louis and more northern points around the Mississippi River recede, “deadly floodwaters continue to surge slowly southward” and points south are bracing for the worst. Accuweather.com reports that the Mississippi River is expected to reach moderate or major flood stage at many locations in Tennessee, Arkansas, this week and that "[F]looding along … [Read more...] about Helping Hands with the Mississippi River Floods
Obama, wiping tears, makes new push to tighten gun rules
By Roberta Rampton and Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday described new steps his administration will take to tighten gun rules and urged Americans to vote for candidates who do more to prevent gun violence, wiping back tears as he remembered children who died in a mass shooting. As Obama delivered a powerful address in the White House, … [Read more...] about Obama, wiping tears, makes new push to tighten gun rules
Is “the Impossible” the real 2016 contender?
Since starting my little experiment with blogging in December 2003, one recurring theme has been the conventional wisdom. I've often reflected it, been influenced by it, but noted at regular intervals not to TRUST IT. (I did one special column on it). It's conveniently swept under the rug when proven wrong and immediately replaced by a new highly touted and parroted … [Read more...] about Is “the Impossible” the real 2016 contender?
Poll: Clinton maintains significant lead over Sanders heading into primaries
A new poll shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a significant nationwide lead over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders as Democrats get ready to head to the polls for primaries. Once again it needs to be noted: a)polls are snapshots in time b)one poll does not a trend make because a trend comes from a combination of polls c)polls are not always right but they are … [Read more...] about Poll: Clinton maintains significant lead over Sanders heading into primaries
Cartoon: The Recruiter
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 Cartoon: The Recruiter
Militias and the Perils of Polarization
Just when you thought America couldn’t slip any farther down the slope from which no civilization ever returns, it seems we’ve just slipped a little deeper. If you hoped, as I did, that the new year would see us rebound from the atrocities of 2015 (mass shootings, police brutality, two-way racial animosities, totalitarian PC warriors on campus, Donald Trump), forget it. The … [Read more...] about Militias and the Perils of Polarization
Donald Trump lowers the bar again: “Mexican border” in his political ad REALLY was Morocco
Pundits have it all wrong. Yes, Donald Trump's campaign has lowered the bar again but what we're really seeing is our political and media culture being turned into one big, spectacular version of the dance the "limbo." The dance originated in Trinidad and in its most popular universal incarnation a bar is lowered and dancers have to try to go under it without falling or … [Read more...] about Donald Trump lowers the bar again: “Mexican border” in his political ad REALLY was Morocco
Support For Abortion Rights Increases As Republicans Enact More Restrictions
The Republican Party remains out of sync with the views of the American people on abortion rights. An Associated Press-GfK poll reported: Support for legal abortion in the U.S. has edged up to its highest level in the past two years, with an Associated Press-GfK poll showing an apparent increase in support among Democrats and Republicans alike over the last year. Nearly six … [Read more...] about Support For Abortion Rights Increases As Republicans Enact More Restrictions
New Keyboard
I received my new keyboard. Amazon Prime and the USPS manged to get through the snow and ice yesterday. My old keyboard had become as dysfunctional as the US Congress. Apparently the combination of spilled wine and cigarette ashes create a concrete like substance that might make a great building material but plays hell with keyboards. So I hope I can start posting again. … [Read more...] about New Keyboard
Bill Clinton’s Sexual History? Really? Again?
Bill Clinton's Sexual History? Really? Again? By Dick Polman Donald Trump is out of his mind (nothing new there) if he really thinks that he can taint Hillary Clinton by recycling her husband's infidelities. How can he, or any other Republican, hope to gain traction in 2016 with a tactic that backfired so abysmally in the last century? Trump says that Bill has "a … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s Sexual History? Really? Again?
Trump’s popularity not shared with associates (Guest Voice)
Trump's popularity not shared with associates by Jordan Cooper Trump's media maven-like prowess doesn't spread to his subordinates. He was the owner of the Miss Universe pageant but these beautiful women sometimes get less media coverage than a drink special at a college pub. You'll see former winners of smaller pageants like Eva Longoria and Oprah Winfrey be regulars in … [Read more...] about Trump’s popularity not shared with associates (Guest Voice)
Obama and guns: Five moves that would cut the death toll (Guest Editorial)
As President Obama searches for ways to use his executive power to reduce gun violence, we can only hope he is feeling feisty enough to push to the limits of the law. Guns kills more than 30,000 Americans each year, about two-thirds of them suicides, a sickening tally that the Islamic State will never be able… … [Read more...] about Obama and guns: Five moves that would cut the death toll (Guest Editorial)
Carly Fiorina Takes Pandering To A New Low During Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl got peripherally involved in politics for second reason, in addition to the skywriter who wrote "Trump is Disgusting" over the Rose Parade. Carly Fiorina showed that she might be the worst panderer of all among politicians. Before the Rose Bowl, in which Iowa played against Stanford, Fiorina tweeted: "Love my alma mater, but rooting for a Hawkeyes win … [Read more...] about Carly Fiorina Takes Pandering To A New Low During Rose Bowl
GOP consultant, for a day
WASHINGTON -- The value of free advice is measured by what you pay for it, and Republicans don't usually ask me for mine. Nonetheless, the GOP's presidential race is one of the most fascinating political brawls in years. It's about to hit full stride, and I can't resist kibitzing. I know the leading candidates will take my guidance for what it's worth. Marco … [Read more...] about GOP consultant, for a day
Trump’s New TV Ad
Greg Sargent compares Donald Trump's TV ad to the anti-immigration campaign by Gov. Pete Wilson that cost the GOP California on The Plumline in the Washington Post. As the final, frenzied push towards the first Presidential voting begins, Donald Trump has unveiled a riveting new television ad that perfectly sums up Trumpism in all its xenophobic glory — and also perfectly … [Read more...] about Trump’s New TV Ad
USA Can Control Guns Far Better: COPY CANADA’S Criminal/Mental Health Requirements
Dear Readers AND President Obama, Senators and Congresspersons of the USA Perhaps no need to reinvent the wheel. Here is info and significant parts of Canadian applications [very extensive] for firearm aquisition and possession [courtesy of Special Ops Officer/ Ottowa, Canada.] This is the compliance required and forms each person in Canada wishing to own a firearm has … [Read more...] about USA Can Control Guns Far Better: COPY CANADA’S Criminal/Mental Health Requirements
Saudi Arabia Breaks Relations With Iran Amid Furor Over Cleric’s Execution and Storming of Saudi Embassy in Tehran
Longtime tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have now reached a fever pitch with Saudi Arabia announcing that it's ending relations with Iran amid a growing furor over its execution of a Shiiite cleric -- one of more than 40 prisoners executed over the weekend. The war of words is escalating and the fear is it could eventually advance beyond words. Saudi Arabia cut … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia Breaks Relations With Iran Amid Furor Over Cleric’s Execution and Storming of Saudi Embassy in Tehran
SciFi Weekend: The Top 20 New Shows of 2015
Once again, as I did last year, I'm concentrating, I'm concentrating on the top new shows of the past year (but will include some comments on returning shows below). This is for a few reasons: Not having the time to devote professional time to television as professional television critics do, there are many shows I have not watched purely due to lack of time. Limiting to a … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: The Top 20 New Shows of 2015
The War Between the (Mental) States
Frederick Burr Opper’s “A Dangerous American Institution- The Free and Untrammeled Revolver," from December 14th, 1881. click pic for original (public domain) You've no doubt heard the news: Militia takes over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters Les Zaitz / Oregonian (Portland) Update at 9:15 p.m.: Statement from Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward: “After … [Read more...] about The War Between the (Mental) States
Ten predictions for 2016
What will be the big news stories and events of 2016? Below is my annual list of 10 predictions. But first, take a look at the predictions I made this time a year ago I think I did fairly well, although there are some obvious mistakes. I called the Nigerian election wrong. And I failed to… … [Read more...] about Ten predictions for 2016