There are times that you plan your photos but sometimes it's just a mater of being at the right place at the right time with the right lens on your camera. And another: The list of links to past posts is getting a bit long so I will put up a link to the last post in the European series and you can find other links at the bottom of that post. The Path Through … [Read more...] about The Past Through Pictures X
Could there be hope for Martin O’Malley?
Anything can happen in politics. We've all seen improbable outcomes. Though pundits will sometimes deny this, it is usually unwise to suggest there is, in an absolute sense, no hope once a candidate decides to jump in. And, no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump and the embarrassment his current small degree of success is causing for anyone with a conscience nor how so many of … [Read more...] about Could there be hope for Martin O’Malley?
Iran nuclear deal is high risk but seems unavoidable – Part 1 of 2
Today’s nuclear deal with Iran could be inimical for Israel but seems unavoidable, given the growing military and political instability in the Middle East. Secretary of State John Kerry has won a good deal but its critics are also correct when they say that Iran will be free to do whatever it likes after 15 -20 years. Its armament in both nuclear and conventional weapons … [Read more...] about Iran nuclear deal is high risk but seems unavoidable – Part 1 of 2
Iran nuclear deal is high risk but seems unavoidable – Part 2 of 2
At this time of high risk in the region, the deal with Iran even if shaky seems unavoidable. It offers the only available opportunity to improve the terrain for US-led moves to promote regional stability for America’s sake and that of Israel and other allies. Failure to win signatures in Vienna would have sent a resentful Iran sulking into new conspiratorial huddles … [Read more...] about Iran nuclear deal is high risk but seems unavoidable – Part 2 of 2
Military Weekend (Update)
Update: In response to and in honor of a U.S. Air Force wife who attended more air shows “than fields got dandelions,” I added a photo of the U.S. Air Force’s flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, at the end of this post. Well, the U.S. Navy has a “pretty good” flight demonstration team, too, the Blue Angels. They fly sleek McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets, … [Read more...] about Military Weekend (Update)
Hillary Clinton Tries To Sound Like Sanders & O’Malley While Avoiding Specifics
Hillary Clinton’s big economic speech has mostly been greeted with yawns. Previously the conventional wisdom was that Hillary Clinton was one of Wall Street’s favorite candidates, and her speech has not changed this. She did include a number of points which sounded good, but lacked any specifics to make a convincing case that she would really bring about any changes. Politico … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Tries To Sound Like Sanders & O’Malley While Avoiding Specifics
Hooked on Histrionics
The past four weeks have been an exciting time for anyone who enjoys watching others flip out. The shrill screeds that have been presented have been quite entertaining. They are enough to make one sit back with a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show. The current fuss about artifacts of the old Confederacy is silly, so silly that not even John Cleese would walk this … [Read more...] about Hooked on Histrionics
Ah, equal rights, we are moving closer…
Thursday June 25 and Friday June 26, 2015 were good days, actually great days, for equal rights. On Thursday, The Supreme Court upheld, for the second time, that the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, is constitutional. The decision means that everyone must have equal access to healthcare, not just the well-off and well-paid. While not a perfect system, the ACA has … [Read more...] about Ah, equal rights, we are moving closer…
GOP begins to panic
The steady, boring, always-get-it-right political analysts are now predicting Republican failure in 2016 -- a year that should belong to the GOP. As Greg Sargent reports in the Washington Post, 2016 is shaping up as "brutal" for the right. It's all about the major change in demographics: America is no longer majority "white." In 1980, when nonwhite voters were … [Read more...] about GOP begins to panic
Politix Update: Please Don’t Throw Us In The Briar Patch, Mister Trump!
Every political news story has a narrative arc: Initial reports followed by subsequent reports followed by what-it-all-means analyses followed, sooner or later, by diminished interest and then inevitable flame out, often only a few days after the story broke. That was the likely course following Donald Trump's announcement on June 16 that he was running for president. … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Please Don’t Throw Us In The Briar Patch, Mister Trump!
Cuddling With Your Pet Chicken Will Make You Sick
Of the nearly 200 Salmonella poisoning cases that have been reported throughout the U.S. by June 29, an alarming 86 percent have been linked to direct contact with live chickens and other poultry. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the public avoid contact with chickens to prevent this outbreak from spreading, for… … [Read more...] about Cuddling With Your Pet Chicken Will Make You Sick
There will never be a President Trump (Guest Voice)
Before one more straight-faced political story is written about the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump, the obvious begs to be stated: The man has absolutely no chance of winning. Zero. Nada. Write it down. Take it to the bank. Bet the farm. This preening self-parody of an egomaniac will never, ever be elected president of the… … [Read more...] about There will never be a President Trump (Guest Voice)
Hillary Clinton’s economic bet
Will the 2016 presidential campaign continue to be held hostage to Trump-mania and stories about a rope separating Hillary Clinton and journalists at a New Hampshire parade? You can be certain that Donald Trump will not allow himself to be ignored. But the coming week could mark the beginning of a genuinely substantive debate between Republicans and Democrats over how … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton’s economic bet
Cruz’s ‘A Time For Truth’ Belies Its Title. Surprised?
How do you promote a slick piece of GOPaganda, bash your arch-enemy, the New York Times, and manipulate an incompetent and credulous media that you DON'T own (yet) into carrying your (sewer) water for you? Easy: Call up Dylan Byers at Politico. Amazon: ‘No evidence’ of bulk sales for Ted Cruz book Dylan Byers / Politico The New York Times' refusal to put Ted Cruz's … [Read more...] about Cruz’s ‘A Time For Truth’ Belies Its Title. Surprised?
Greece pays dearly while Germany rises as hegemon
Germany has emerged as the economic hegemon of Europe as 19 Eurozone partners that use the euro currency acquiesced to its demands and imposed an unconditional surrender upon Greece, the zone’s weakest and nearly bankrupt member. Very active diplomacy personally by President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew failed to prevent Germany’s Angela Merkel from imposing … [Read more...] about Greece pays dearly while Germany rises as hegemon
SciFi Weekend: Daredevil; Hannibal; X-Files; Twin Peaks; Mr. Robot; Doctor Who
Season two of Daredevil has started filming and will be available in April, 2016. Elodie Yung, who preciously appeared in GI Joe: Retaliation and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, has been cast to play Elektra (played by Jennifer Garner in the movies). Her appearance was foreshadowed by Foggy during the first season with a reference to a “smokin” Greek girl from Matt’s … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Daredevil; Hannibal; X-Files; Twin Peaks; Mr. Robot; Doctor Who
Update to Recent Post about Pope Francis (with an apology)
What Pope Francis did with his gift from Bolivia's president has been revealed. The Catholic Herald reports the fate of the aforementioned gift. Then the Holy Father did the best thing possible with the present; before he left Bolivia he laid it at the feet of Our Lady of Copacabana, the patron saint of Bolivia, addressing her as: “You, Queen of Bolivia who ... attends to … [Read more...] about Update to Recent Post about Pope Francis (with an apology)
Are Death Panels Coming Back?
If you thought that Republicans had finally seen the folly of their demagoguery demonizing recommendations to include end-of-life counseling in Medicare or the Affordable Care Act, well think again. Remember Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley suggesting that government health care reforms would lead to the government deciding when to “pull the plug on grandma.” Or former … [Read more...] about Are Death Panels Coming Back?
Pope Francis needs a PR person and a speech writer. [Post Updated]
If Pope Francis wants people to believe that he isn’t a Communist, then he is going to need the help of a public-relations person and a speech writer. During the Pontiff’s visit to Bolivia, the president of that nation presented Francis with a crucifix carved into a wooden hammer and sickle, as seen in a photo published by The Telegraph. Granted, the Pontiff didn’t ask … [Read more...] about Pope Francis needs a PR person and a speech writer. [Post Updated]
OXI dokey: A report from a Greek solidarity rally
A must read report as the saga/tragedy of Greece continues is at Americablog. Here's a chunk: “We dedicate this song to the people of Greece. We hope everything works out well for them?” That was how a young guitar player apprehensively kicked off last week’s Greece solidarity rally, held in Astoria’s own Athens Square. It would soon become a microcosm of the chaos that … [Read more...] about OXI dokey: A report from a Greek solidarity rally