It has been described as the moment "humanity washed ashore." Heartbreaking photos of the tiny body of a 3-year-old Syrian boy lying face down on a Turkish beach have moved the world this week, in a way that countless photos of other refugees who drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea have not. The boy, identified… … [Read more...] about How social media transformed the image of a drowned Syrian child into an iconic symbol
Cartoon: West and Refugee Flows
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: West and Refugee Flows
The President’s Closing Thoughts on His Alaska Visit
Today is the last day of President Obama’s historic trip to Alaska and the Arctic. As he prepares to return to the hard reality of Washington D.C., he has jotted down some final thoughts. Here are some of them: On the final day of my trip to Alaska, I understand that I became the first president to travel above the Arctic Circle. I’m proud and happy I got to do it … [Read more...] about The President’s Closing Thoughts on His Alaska Visit
Why the foes of the Iran nuclear deal came up short against Obama
WASHINGTON — Determined foes of President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran had vowed to use August to fire up public opposition and to build a bipartisan majority in Congress to sink the landmark pact. Instead, the effort fizzled. The result gave a boost to a White House that has often had rocky relations with even… … [Read more...] about Why the foes of the Iran nuclear deal came up short against Obama
(Updates) Iran Nuclear Deal: Three More Votes Than Needed…
Update II: Today’s declarations of support for the Iran nuclear agreement by New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker and Democratic Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota bring the count of Senators backing the deal up to 37. The Wall Street Journal -- not a Liberal rag: Mr. Booker’s support for the deal is a blow to Senate Republicans … [Read more...] about (Updates) Iran Nuclear Deal: Three More Votes Than Needed…
Hillary Clinton’s Favorability Declines Except Among Partisan Democrats Who Ignore The Problem She Poses
The latest Washington Post-ABC News poll continues to show the trend of a decline in how Hillary Clinton is viewed: Fully, 53 percent have an unfavorable impression of her, the highest since April 2008 in Post-ABC surveys. That mark is eight percentage points higher than in July, though not as far from a Post-ABC poll in late May (49 percent). Intense views also run clearly … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton’s Favorability Declines Except Among Partisan Democrats Who Ignore The Problem She Poses
Federal judge jails Kentucky clerk Kim Davis for refusing to issue marriage licenses
ASHLAND, Ky. — A federal judge ordered Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis jailed Thursday after finding her in contempt of court for ignoring his order to issue marriage licenses. U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis to remain in jail until she agrees to comply with his Aug. 12 order. She was led from the courtroom… … [Read more...] about Federal judge jails Kentucky clerk Kim Davis for refusing to issue marriage licenses
Jack N. Rakove’s Original Meanings POLITICS AND IDEAS IN THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION
Justice Scalia once said some Supreme Court decisions were very easy for him to make because he uses the original intent of the framers of the Constitution as his guide. Perhaps he should read Jack N. Rakove's Original Meanings POLITICS AND IDEAS IN THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION. Actually this book should be mandatory reading in Early American History classes. Perhaps even … [Read more...] about Jack N. Rakove’s Original Meanings POLITICS AND IDEAS IN THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION
Community
We are by nature and genetically tribal creatures. A sense of community has always been important. In our urban and technological environment we have lost much of that. I live in a suburb of Portland, Oregon and rarely see any of my neighbors. Christopher Ingraham of the Washington Post wrote an article on the worst counties to live in the United States and Red Lake County … [Read more...] about Community
Jeb Bush Says Donald Trump Is ‘Trying to Insult His Way into the Presidency’
Well, we finally DO have a quintessential example of someone who is speaking truth to (mouth) power. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has perfectly summed up billionaire Donald Trump's campaign style. He says Trump is trying to "insult his way into the Presidency": GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush hit fellow Republican Donald Trump today, saying on Good Morning America … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Says Donald Trump Is ‘Trying to Insult His Way into the Presidency’
Kentucky Clerk vs. Apostle Paul
Morehead, Kentucky is the scene of a fuss involving a court clerk who is defying a federal judge's order. In short, the clerk is refusing to do her job properly because she judging members of the public according to her particular religious beliefs. The clerk's supporters agree with the way that she is judging others. From the Washington Post: A raucous scene unfolded at … [Read more...] about Kentucky Clerk vs. Apostle Paul
‘If these images don’t change Europe, what will?’
Warning: this article contains images that readers may find distressing Heart-rending pictures of a toddler's lifeless body washed ashore on a Turkish beach sparked horror as the cost of Europe's burgeoning refugee crisis hit home. The images of a tiny child lying face down in the surf at one of Turkey's main tourist resorts has once… … [Read more...] about ‘If these images don’t change Europe, what will?’
Donald Trump Says Jeb Bush should be “speaking English” while in the U.S. if he wants to lead
Every day we're seeing a new stunner. We're seeing many of our politics' and culture's "givens" being sandbagged. The latest example comes from Donald Trump, who is on a roll as his poll numbers rise and he gains a following of feverent political Beliebers who jealously defend and parrot his every word because he's seen as a political rock star. In this instance, he's … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Says Jeb Bush should be “speaking English” while in the U.S. if he wants to lead
John Kerry’s Impassioned Remarks on the Iran Nuclear Deal
Introduced by a Republican, former Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, Secretary of State John Kerry today made an impassioned speech at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in support of the Iran nuclear agreement. While some refer to his speech as being “in defense’ of the treaty, technically that is no longer necessarily so. With Maryland Senator Barbara … [Read more...] about John Kerry’s Impassioned Remarks on the Iran Nuclear Deal
European Crisis Grows: Migrants shut down Eurostar Train to UK; dead wash up on Turkey Beach
By John Pullman and Marton DunaiCALAIS, France/BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hundreds of migrants poured overnight onto the high-speed railway linking Paris with London near the French port of Calais, stranding passengers in darkness aboard Eurostar trains.Thousands of miles away, the bodies of other migrants washed up on a Turkish beach. Photos of a drowned toddler face down in the … [Read more...] about European Crisis Grows: Migrants shut down Eurostar Train to UK; dead wash up on Turkey Beach
Explaining Donald Trump’s Popularity
"Every sulfurous belch from the molten interior of the volcanic Trump phenomenon injures the chances of a Republican presidency." Those are the words of George Will in a Washington Post column titled "The havoc that Trump wreaks — on his own party". The damage that Trump is doing to the GOP brand is a common theme among recent political commentaries. What is baffling plenty … [Read more...] about Explaining Donald Trump’s Popularity
Why Liberals Should Support Bernie Sanders And Not Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton's image continues to decline in the latest polls, but she continues to receive strong support among Democratic Party regulars despite holding many views which Democrats, or at least liberal Democrats, have long opposed. Conor Friedersdorf is a little late with this article at The Atlantic in calling for more Democratic candidates to enter the race against her, … [Read more...] about Why Liberals Should Support Bernie Sanders And Not Hillary Clinton
Book Review: “For Art’s Sale: The Biography and Filmography of Ben Turpin”
"For Art's Sale: The Biography and Filmography of Ben Turpin" by Doug Gibson There's a passage in "For Art's Sake," Steve Rydzewski's biography and compilation of silent film comedy star Ben Turpin's life (BearManor Media), in which actor Wallace Beery roughs up his co-star Turpin while making a comedy short. The somewhat sadistic encounter takes place just before Turpin, … [Read more...] about Book Review: “For Art’s Sale: The Biography and Filmography of Ben Turpin”
Industrial Arts III
Once again I don't have much to say that others have not said already. Below is a picture of the span of the Freemont bridge in Portland being lifted into place. It was constructed about a mile upstream. Birch trees in front of an industrial building in NW Portland, And also here are more of my photos in my post Industrial Arts I, Industrial Arts II. … [Read more...] about Industrial Arts III
American Demagogue
While “The Donald” cannot exactly be equated with Hitler, to make an impact in his campaign for president among citizens who distrust government officials and politicians, he is using many of the techniques that the Fuhrer employed to gain the support of the German people. In Trump’s attempt to attract Americans to his banner, he is demonizing a minority and emphasizing … [Read more...] about American Demagogue