The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest trade convention for publishers and vendors. This year, the six-day convention, which ends Sunday, brought more than 7,400 exhibitors from 100 countries. Attendance was more than 300,000. But, hundreds of Iranian publishers, editors, and printers didn’t attend. That’s because Iran boycott the convention. The … [Read more...] about Censoring Books is Suppressing Freedom of Expression
Politix Update: ‘Experience’ Becomes A Four-Letter Word In The Republican Vocabulary
It's like watching a 300-pound woman trying to wiggle into her prom gown: She insists she can wear something that hasn't fit for years, and by golly she's going to convince people she can. So it is with Republican presidential wannabes faced with the foul mood of the anti-establishment voters who have flocked to Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina. It's not for … [Read more...] about Politix Update: ‘Experience’ Becomes A Four-Letter Word In The Republican Vocabulary
The Martian: A science class
(Taken from my blog, Chocolate Films) I want to start off by saying that I really liked The Martian. I really want to be clear about that fact – I really enjoyed the film. Well… enjoyed might be pushing it. I really appreciated the film. While I was sitting down in the cinema I kept thinking that this film would be great to show to young secondary school (high-school … [Read more...] about The Martian: A science class
Yes, There Is A 97% Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
Earlier today David Robertson defended Republicans for their anti-scientific viewpoint in denying the scientific consensus on climate change. As commenting was closed [and subsequently opened] , Dorian De Wind cited work by NASA to debunk what David wrote on the science. As this part of the debate has already been answered, I will address a more specific claim that there is no … [Read more...] about Yes, There Is A 97% Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
Can Hillary Clinton change history into herstory?
Changing or turning history into herstory has been a long, hard-fought, uphill battle that continues today. Thankfully our country has moved past the days when women were considered too childlike to be able to make decisions, vote, own or inherit property, get credit in their own names, get jobs, join the military and the list goes on and on. But some of those advances are … [Read more...] about Can Hillary Clinton change history into herstory?
NASA: ‘Climate Change: How Do We Know?’
In an article defending the Republican Party’s anti-science stand when it comes to global climate change and attacking the “alleged” findings of climate scientists who have presented overwhelming evidence that we are indeed experiencing climate warming, the author has closed the piece for comments preventing those who might have different views from stating their opinions or … [Read more...] about NASA: ‘Climate Change: How Do We Know?’
Republicans vs. Climate Science?
Is the Republican Party really anti-science when it comes to climate science, as some people claim, or is that claim without merit? Let's find out. Before diving into the actual science, take into consideration the climate scientists who feed at the government teat. In the Science & Public Policy Institute report "Climate Money", Joanne Nova explains the effect of government … [Read more...] about Republicans vs. Climate Science?
The European Diesel Automobile Experiment
The Volkswagen diesel scandal pointed out something even more important, the failure of the European Diesel Auto in spite of it's good intentions went very wrong. Over at VOX Brad Plumer explains. But there's a much broader, far more consequential problem here that a lot of coverage has danced around or hinted at only indirectly. So let's say it: Europe's longtime promotion … [Read more...] about The European Diesel Automobile Experiment
Clinton wins, Sanders scores
WASHINGTON -- At some point during Tuesday night's Democratic debate, many people in living rooms across the country undoubtedly turned to each other with the same basic thought about Hillary Clinton: Oh, so that's why she's the front-runner. They also experienced something historic: For the first time in the modern political era, Americans got to watch leaders of a … [Read more...] about Clinton wins, Sanders scores
Cartoon: Freedom Caucus Auditions
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: Freedom Caucus Auditions
‘Hillary Won!’ ‘No, Bernie Won!’ So Who REALLY Won the Debate?
Let's start with an easier question: who lost the first Democrat debate this week in Las Vegas? The most grotesque loser was Rhode Island political scion Lincoln Chafee, a former Republican who became an Independent before hooking up with the Democrats. The 62-year-old erstwhile senator and governor looked vaguely mummified and sounded as confused as his party-switching … [Read more...] about ‘Hillary Won!’ ‘No, Bernie Won!’ So Who REALLY Won the Debate?
The Democratic Debate: Clinton Wins On Style And Gets Support Of Pundits; Sanders Wins On The Issues And Wins The Focus Groups
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders each entered the first Democratic debate with different goals, and both accomplished them. Clinton was more polished, with both more debating experience, and having prepared in a conventional manner. She was also better at evading questions she did not want to answer. She won the chattering class. The same journalists who have underestimated … [Read more...] about The Democratic Debate: Clinton Wins On Style And Gets Support Of Pundits; Sanders Wins On The Issues And Wins The Focus Groups
Know Thyself
Ezra Klein comments on David Brooks' critique of his party on vox.com. There is an oddity to Brooks's nostalgia, though. The Republican Party has not been a vehicle for Burkean conservatism for a long time. The Iraq War, which Brooks supported, was not exactly governed by a fear of disrupting existing institutions, even if President Bush had a personality that Brooks … [Read more...] about Know Thyself
It Takes One to Know One
House conservative David Brooks eviscerates his party in The New York Times. The House Republican caucus is close to ungovernable these days. How did this situation come about? This was not just the work of the Freedom Caucus or Ted Cruz or one month’s activity. The Republican Party’s capacity for effective self-governance degraded slowly, over the … [Read more...] about It Takes One to Know One
Netanyahu Vows ‘Aggressive Measures’ In Jerusalem
The Israeli security cabinet Wednesday authorized security forces to seal off “parts of Jerusalem” in response to escalating Israeli-Palestinian violence in the region. The move comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take “aggressive measures” to prevent further clashes. “The security cabinet decided several measures to combat terrorism, notably authorizing … [Read more...] about Netanyahu Vows ‘Aggressive Measures’ In Jerusalem
Second Republican Admits Benghazi Committee Was ‘Designed To Go After’ Clinton
No, it turns out some Democrats weren't being paranoid or doing spin. Yet another Republican admits the Benghazi committee was designed to go after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for political reasons. In so many ways, this 21st century is marked by some of the smelliest politics in our history -- and increasingly it seems as if the only way the GOP will be able to … [Read more...] about Second Republican Admits Benghazi Committee Was ‘Designed To Go After’ Clinton
Battling JFK campaign songs
Frank Sinatra had a hit with the song "High Hopes" in 1959, which he had performed in a Frank Capra movie called "A Hole in the Head." The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. Most people of a certain age are at least somewhat familiar with the tune. Subsequently, Sinatra approached Cahn with the idea of developing a new set of lyrics that could … [Read more...] about Battling JFK campaign songs
Benghazi committee shoots self in foot, limps away $4.5 million later
Bye bye, Benghazi! Paul Waldman notices that the committee has gotten to the point of twisting in the wind. ... Not only are Democrats talking to reporters about why this ,,committee is a mess, Republicans are too. Any time you see a passage like this, with competing interpretations of what’s going on behind the scenes, it’s a good bet that people are maneuvering to … [Read more...] about Benghazi committee shoots self in foot, limps away $4.5 million later
What do you do when the people trying to kill you live around the block? (Guest Voice)
What do you do when the people who are trying to kill you live in the neighborhood down the street? Or when they live in the same village as that lovely man your son’s been working with? Or when they work for the phone company? When they try to kill anybody — uniformed soldiers and police,… … [Read more...] about What do you do when the people trying to kill you live around the block? (Guest Voice)
Clinton’s Debate Showing May Spell Trouble for Biden
By James OliphantWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden faced an altered political dynamic on Wednesday after Hillary Clinton reasserted her command of the Democratic Party presidential race during a debate that may have left little room for him to run.Analysts widely hailed Clinton, 67, as turning in a nimble, effective performance on Tuesday night, perhaps … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Debate Showing May Spell Trouble for Biden