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
News Certain to Occur in 2016 (Guest Voice)
News Certain to Occur in 2016 By Peter Funt Other than global warfare, politics, economics and fantasy sports, there really isn't much news to recap from 2015. So, looking ahead, here's a handy precap of news certain to occur in 2016. ANY DAY NOW — President Obama issues the first ever Virtual New Year's Forecast (VNYF), which, when viewed through tinted cardboard … [Read more...] about News Certain to Occur in 2016 (Guest Voice)
Militia occupies national wildlife refuge building in Oregon: sets stage for confrontation with government
(Reuters) - A group of militiamen on Saturday occupied the headquarters of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon in support of two brothers who are slated to report to prison on Monday on arson charges, the Oregonian newspaper reported. "We're planning on staying here for years, absolutely," Ammon Bundy, one of the occupiers, told the newspaper via telephone. Militia … [Read more...] about Militia occupies national wildlife refuge building in Oregon: sets stage for confrontation with government
Saudi execution of Shi’ite cleric sparks outrage
Saudi Arabia's execution Saturday of a prominent Shi'ite cleric and 46 other men prompted outrage in parts of the Middle East, with Iran warning Riyadh would pay a "high price." But several Saudi allies offered their support after Riyadh implemented death sentences against cleric Nimr al-Nimr, Shiite activists and Sunnis accused of involvement in Al-Qaeda attacks.… … [Read more...] about Saudi execution of Shi’ite cleric sparks outrage
Sanders Comes Close To Clinton In Fund Raising For Second Consecutive Quarter Despite Depending On Small Donors
Bernie Sanders has raised over $33 million dollars in the fourth quarter, nearly matching Clinton’s reported contributions of $37 million, without the big money donors she has. While Clinton got off to an earlier start in 2015, Sanders has come close to her in the past two quarters. The Washington Post reports: Sanders’s fundraising, which continues to be fueled largely by … [Read more...] about Sanders Comes Close To Clinton In Fund Raising For Second Consecutive Quarter Despite Depending On Small Donors
Trump Is Disgusting, And Other Bad News For Donald
Iowa voters might not like how the Rose Bowl game is going, and Donald Trump probably does not like this message which was written in the sky over the Rose Parade: "America is great. Trump is disgusting. Anybody but Trump." This was paid for by a donor for Marco Rubio, who says there's more to come. While none of this will necessarily impact the Republican … [Read more...] about Trump Is Disgusting, And Other Bad News For Donald