Did the late, loud and confrontational talk show host Morton Downey Jr. influence the tone of today's politics? I've long contended that American politics now resembles a combination of political sports team worship, professional wrestling -- and a talk show where anger and rage takes priority over thought and solutions. Downey most assuredly played a role in what we see (and … [Read more...] about Did Morton Downey, Jr set the tone for today’s politics? (with VIDEOS)
The seduction of ignorance
Within days of 9/11, latest documents show, the US government with partners ATT and Verizon, were engaged in deeply illegal monitoring of American voters. Keep in mind that the presidency had changed hands less than a year earlier in a way that severely challenged the authenticity of that general election. "Our pet goat" was in the White House and the system that … [Read more...] about The seduction of ignorance
Cartoon: Slim down with fast food and soda pop
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: Slim down with fast food and soda pop
Fox News Poll: Shakeup in GOP Presidential candidate choices after first debate, Sanders picks up steam
A new Fox News poll finds that since the first GOP debate on Fox News, Donald Trump has lost a point, and some support from women -- and the pecking order of the rest of the Republican field has shifted. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Senator Bernie Sanders continues to gain on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, although Clinton still enjoys a healthy … [Read more...] about Fox News Poll: Shakeup in GOP Presidential candidate choices after first debate, Sanders picks up steam
Sunday Picture
You can find the abstract in nature. This is from the Oregon coast: … [Read more...] about Sunday Picture
What happened to Nina Simone?
[This article was taken from my blog, Chocolate Films] I still remember the very first time I heard Feeling Good by Nina Simone – it was a very confusing experience. I was a teenager and being confused was my default setting, but Nina’s baritone-ish voice didn’t help matters. I didn’t like the song because she sounded... she didn’t even sound like a man. She sounded … [Read more...] about What happened to Nina Simone?
89% Sure Congress Won’t Reject Iran Deal (Guest Voice)
89% Sure Congress Won't Reject Iran Deal By Jason Stanford Want to know a secret? Congress isn't going to stop the Iran nuclear deal, and not because of the merits, popularity or the fact that despite what everyone's telling you, they can't really stop it (more on that later). I can say with near certainty that the Iran deal is a done deal because that's what an … [Read more...] about 89% Sure Congress Won’t Reject Iran Deal (Guest Voice)
Real-Life Vampires: Hollywood Has How We Drink Blood All Wrong
Drinking blood isn't what Hollywood makes it out to be, according to real-life vampires. First of all, there's no biting – that's neither safe nor sanitary – and with too many vital arteries, the neck isn't the favored spot. Transactions aren't carnages leaving the victim lifeless behind in a dark alley, and nor do vampires sleep… … [Read more...] about Real-Life Vampires: Hollywood Has How We Drink Blood All Wrong
Trump to NBC’s Chuck Todd: Undocumented Immigrants ‘Have to Go’
So much for even the idea of "self-deportion." The GOP's front runner -- who continues to gain stem and defy the predictions made by and political obituaries written by pundits -- is saying the U.S. must be cleared of all undocumented immigrants. Donald Trump made the blunt statement to Chuck Todd's in a "Meet the Press interview": Donald Trump would reverse President … [Read more...] about Trump to NBC’s Chuck Todd: Undocumented Immigrants ‘Have to Go’
Final Honors for Chattanooga Fallen
The Department of the Navy and the City of Chattanooga held a ceremony today at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga's, McKenzie Arena in memory of the Sailor and four Marines killed in the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) shooting on July 16: Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, and Lance … [Read more...] about Final Honors for Chattanooga Fallen
I want us to be brave
Sara Barellie's song Brave inspired me to write this post. I want us to be brave enough to speak up and speak out. I want us to be brave enough to believe that we can make a difference if we stand together. I want us to be brave enough to say to the wealthy: "Your money may buy political ads filled with distortions. lies and negativity, but your money cannot cast a single … [Read more...] about I want us to be brave
Trump a Moderate?
Ezra Klein distinguishes between theoretical and actual moderates on vox.com. Moderates often aren't moderate at all. They're just inconsistent. And that lets them be more extreme. This makes them different than loyal Democrats and Republicans. Partisans tend to adopt the positions held by their parties, and parties tend to adopt positions that are popular, … [Read more...] about Trump a Moderate?
Trump to the Defense of Planned Parenthood?
Trump to the Defense of Planned Parenthood? By Dick Polman OK, maybe this is the incident that will reverse Donald Trump's meteoric rise. On CNN the other day, Trump refused to mouth the right-wing mantra about defunding Planned Parenthood. He apparently believes (at least this week) that the defunding stance is too extreme. Worse yet, he even suggested that Planned … [Read more...] about Trump to the Defense of Planned Parenthood?
Cartoon: Hillary Panic Button
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: Hillary Panic Button
Navajo ‘Code Talkers’ Day 2015
Today is “National Navajo Code Talkers Day.” The bravery, skills and accomplishments of these Americans have always fascinated me. In a piece in June 2010, I wrote about the Code Talkers using the 2002 movie “Windtalkers” as background. A year later, in “A Code Talker's 'Journey to War and Back'” I expanded upon the discussion. The following is the 2011 … [Read more...] about Navajo ‘Code Talkers’ Day 2015
GOP’s Phony War on Planned Parenthood
Mary Sanchez provides the ugly details in The Baltimore Sun. Oppose it or not -- and I do -- abortion is a medical procedure that ends an unwanted or health-threatening pregnancy. If we want to encourage the trend toward decreasing numbers of abortions in this country -- and no one in their right mind wants to see more of them -- we need to bolster women's reproductive … [Read more...] about GOP’s Phony War on Planned Parenthood
Is The Age Of Fossil Fuel Over?
I have already written a couple of posts on this subject here and here. As Owen Gray reports below Conservative Canadian Prime minster Stephen Harper is in trouble because of the collapse of oil prices. We have apparently reached peak demand before we reached peak oil. Michael Klare writes that Double-Dip Oil Rout: Why an Oil Glut May Lead to a New World of … [Read more...] about Is The Age Of Fossil Fuel Over?
Closing The Canadian Mind
Stephen Marche is a Canadian journalist who writes for American publications. In this morning's New York Times, he provides Americans with some background information on Canada's ongoing federal election and current prime minister: THE prime minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, has called an election for Oct. 19, but he doesn’t want anyone to talk about it. … [Read more...] about Closing The Canadian Mind
Sleep
I can certainly identify with this article on sleep. The 8-hour sleep myth: How I learned that everything I knew about sleep was wrong. Now unlike the author I have rarely slept more than six hours a night for decades. Pursuing the truth about sleep means winding your way through a labyrinth of science, consumerism and myth. Researchers have had barely a clue about what … [Read more...] about Sleep
Fox News Blasts Trump for suggesting Megyn Kelly’s vacation was due to him
Fox News has put out one of its classic, biting official statements -- this one mercilessly denying Republican 2016 Presidential nominee wannabe Donald Trump's suggestion that star anchor Megyn Kelly's vacation was due to him. Implication: that Fox News had put her on vacation to punish her for the sin of asking tough questions of him during the recent Republican debate. … [Read more...] about Fox News Blasts Trump for suggesting Megyn Kelly’s vacation was due to him