In a speech at Georgetown University yesterday, Bernie Sanders explained his economic views, showing that Democratic Socialism is not a form of socialism which opposes free enterprise, and that he is definitely not a Communist as Donald Trump claimed. Full transcript here and the video can be viewed here. NPR has posted six key clips. Sanders also spoke about his approach to … [Read more...] about Sanders Explains That He Supports Principles Of FDR & LBJ In Major Economics Speech
Medicade Expansion Coming to the Deep South
The red states in the deep south may be ready to accept Medicade expansion reports Sarah Kliff at VOX. The Deep South might finally be warming up to Obamacare. Both Alabama and Louisiana are inching toward expanding Medicaid to cover thousands more Americans. Taken together, the two states could expand coverage to more than 330,000 low-income people. And they could mark the … [Read more...] about Medicade Expansion Coming to the Deep South
Terrorists: How they got our number
Tom Engelhardt writes that America walked right into the trap bin Laden constructed for us. Plenty of Americans recognized this. We're not altogether stupid. We are just in the habit of electing really bad leaders. The outcome? Too many of us don't even know we're in a trap. But Paris -- part of our world -- has just experienced another snap-crack of the trap … [Read more...] about Terrorists: How they got our number
Winners, Losers and Leaders
Winners, Losers and Leaders Michael Reagan President Obama's reaction to the horrible terrorist attacks in Paris has been strange — and disturbing. Instead of rallying the country and calling for the United States to lead the fight to wipe out the Islamic State, what did he do first? He took pot shots at Republicans for their reluctance to open our borders to … [Read more...] about Winners, Losers and Leaders
20 Persons Murdered At Radisson Hotel in Mali: al-Qaeda Takes Credit
from WaPo "One Senegalese guest, Aïssatou Gueye, was in her room when the attackers entered. Like many other guests, she was there to attend a large mining conference. "They were asking people to recite the Koran and if they do, nothing will happen to them," she told a reporter outside the hotel. Aissatou saw one person shot dead before she ran to safety." one can read … [Read more...] about 20 Persons Murdered At Radisson Hotel in Mali: al-Qaeda Takes Credit
On Those Pesky Syrian Refugees
Tempers have been flaring, fear mongering has been absurd, compassion has been absent and the dog whistles have been not so subtle and not so ultrasonic recently in the “debate” over whether our nation should continue to accept Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Without naming names and without mentioning the (obvious) political Party affiliation of those making them, here is a … [Read more...] about On Those Pesky Syrian Refugees
Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Our memories are lousy, as mounting evidence against eyewitness testimony details. We're subject to memory biases. Add other cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, and it's clear that our brains tend to whimsy more than fact. Then there's the frequency illusion (Baader-Meinhof phenomenon). That's when you become aware of something new -- or, maybe, decide to buy a new … [Read more...] about Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
IN WAYNE LaPIERRE THE REPUBLICANS DO TRUST This is the point in the movie where it was assumed that the Republican Party would come to its senses. But, as it is turning out, the movie isn't Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or The American President or even Wag the Dog. It's more like The Manchurian Candidate. Times of crisis like the Paris attacks tend to bring … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation
Since its inception, Kickstarer has help companies launch games and make movies, and even a potato salad can earn way more than it should. That's why it is a logical choice for Don Bluth to turn to when thinking about a potential Dragon's Lair animated movie. If you are unfamiliar with Don Bluth by name, you… … [Read more...] about Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation
Obama’s critics stop making sense
WASHINGTON -- The impact of the Paris attacks on the Republican presidential race may turn out to be minimal, especially since the establishment candidates aren't making any more sense than outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson. Theoretically, a deadly rampage by Islamic State terrorists ought to make Republican voters think twice about presidential hopefuls who have … [Read more...] about Obama’s critics stop making sense
Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks (Guest Voice) POST FIXED
NOTE: Some work on TMV's new design is underway, and due to the work on the site this post originally appeared with much of the post not appearing. This is the post in full: Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks by Jordan Cooper At any point in someone’s life they’re going to be deemed not healthy by a doctor, family member, friend, or other citizen. … [Read more...] about Slavery is over, but mass media is still maiming blacks (Guest Voice) POST FIXED
Let’s talk about black women’s hair
(Take from my blog, www.chocobites.net) A lot of people laugh at me when I tell them that Chris Rock has been responsible for two of the most important films of the past 10 years. Good Hair is one of them. Like Chris, I have two daughters and I want them to grow up in a world where they can let their nappy hair out and be happy and proud about it. Unfortunately, that … [Read more...] about Let’s talk about black women’s hair
President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what you said
One hundred fifty-two years ago on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The previous speaker, Edward Everett, a noted orator, gave a speech that lasted two hours. President Lincoln's speech was just 272 words and over in a matter of minutes. He said, "[T]he world will little note nor long remember what we say here". That, of … [Read more...] about President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what you said
The Republicans’ Rhetoric of Hate and Fear
Fear, laced with paranoia, is driving the American response against allowing Syrian refugees into the United States. President Obama has said he would accept 10,000 refugees, all of them subjected to intense scrutiny before being admitted to the country. France, with a population about one-fifth that of the United States, despite the worst attack on its soil since World War … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Rhetoric of Hate and Fear
Martin O’Malley, We Hardly Knew Ye
It seems a little peculiar to write about anything this week that doesn't involve a discussion of terrorism or security, but the political world continues to turn here at home. One news item you might have missed is that, per The Washington Post, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's campaign is "perilously close to financial collapse." The Post notes that his … [Read more...] about Martin O’Malley, We Hardly Knew Ye
Update: Looking Back Longingly
UPDATE: An example of contrasts in American goodwill and compassion just played itself out within the last 24 hours, after Republican governor Mike Pence of Indiana refused to allow a Syrian family to resettle in Indiana. According to UK Daily Mail*, the Syrian married couple and their five-year-old son had been living as refugees in Jordan after fleeing their war-torn … [Read more...] about Update: Looking Back Longingly
Cartoon: Fear itself
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: Fear itself
The House returns to regular disorder (Guest Voice)
The House returns to regular disorder by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Well, it was nice while it lasted. Three weeks ago, Paul Ryan accepted the speaker's gavel with a vow to return to "regular order," in which the Congress runs by deliberation rather than fiat and lawmakers have loose rein to amend and shape legislation. "The … [Read more...] about The House returns to regular disorder (Guest Voice)
How to fight ISIS? With cartoons (Guest Voice)
How to Fight ISIS? With Cartoons by Daryl Cagle Pundits like to complain that there are few voices from the Islamic world that condemn terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists. I run a small business that distributes editorial cartoons from around the world. With every major attack, including the recent attacks in Paris, I see a chorus of cartoons from Arab countries … [Read more...] about How to fight ISIS? With cartoons (Guest Voice)
The war against terror is not about semantics
We are all struggling to create some mental headroom for this new wave of terror that has come to us now from the hallowed streets of Paris. The unwelcome knowledge of it, hurling through media and cyber space, affects our basic sense of well-being, our confidence in the future, and our sleep patterns. There is moralizing (“don’t blame all Muslims”) and there is the unfortunate … [Read more...] about The war against terror is not about semantics