Trump, Cruz and the All Caps Vote By Jason Stanford Despite his penchant for counter-factual pronouncements, Ted Cruz is clever, educated, and aggressively intellectual. But he's not stupid, so when he defends Donald Trump for calling Mexican immigrants rapists, you know he's up to something. Right now, Trump is the frontrunner thanks to dominating the All Caps Vote, a … [Read more...] about Trump, Cruz and the All Caps Vote
John McCain: Donald Trump doesn’t owe me an apology
Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Monday he thinks businessman Donald Trump doesn't owe him an apology but that he might owe an apology "to the families of those who have sacrificed in conflict and those who have undergone the prison experience in serving their country." Mr. McCain said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he personally… … [Read more...] about John McCain: Donald Trump doesn’t owe me an apology
Happy 46th Moon Day!
In light of the recent jingoism of the Pluto fly-by (which I had hoped we were bigger than -- after all, what looks sillier than those getting the first view of our furthest "planet" standing around waving US flags?) it's a good time to remember the wording of that plaque we left behind on all our Apollo missions: "We came in peace for all mankind." The Apollo missions … [Read more...] about Happy 46th Moon Day!
Hackers threaten to leak data of 37 million clients of cheating website
TORONTO (Reuters) - Hackers threatened to leak details including the credit card information, nude photos and sexual fantasies of as many as 37 million customers of a dating website that caters to cheating spouses, the KrebsOnSecurity blog reported.The dating website AshleyMadison.com's Canadian parent, Avid Life Media, confirmed the breach on its systems, and said it had since … [Read more...] about Hackers threaten to leak data of 37 million clients of cheating website
‘They will blow you up,’ British PM Cameron warns at unveiling of 5-year counter-extremism plan
British Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled a new, five-year plan to “tackle the poisonous Islamist ideology that is so hostile to British values.” I’ll be making a major speech on extremism today – how we can tackle the poisonous Islamist ideology that is so hostile to British values.— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 20, 2015 It’s… … [Read more...] about ‘They will blow you up,’ British PM Cameron warns at unveiling of 5-year counter-extremism plan
Responding to Terrorism
The terrorist attack in Chattanooga will certainly add fuel to the fire of people who are already paranoid about Muslims living in the USA. So what if plenty of peaceful American Muslims are appalled by what happened and would never condone such an act? The mere fact that they share certain religious beliefs with Islamic terrorists makes them guilty by association, right? … [Read more...] about Responding to Terrorism
The Past Through Pictures XIII
We will remain in Balch Creek canyon today. Balch creek is what as known as an antecedent stream meaning it was there before the Portland West Hills began to rise and was able to erode almost as fast as they rose The result is a steep walled magnificent canyon. The forests of the western Pacific Northwest are magical places and Balch Creek canyon is no exception. In the … [Read more...] about The Past Through Pictures XIII
Trump, the rich, exploits the stupid (Guest Voice)
Trump, the rich, exploits the stupid By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — According to one published report, a potential New Hampshire primary voter has stated: “We need the truth. We don’t have to like the truth. But we need it.” Agreement on this comes from this spiritual corner. The truth is that Donald Trump has an endless supply of money and a lot of people … [Read more...] about Trump, the rich, exploits the stupid (Guest Voice)
Senate Needs to Accept Historic Deal With Iran (Guest Voice)
Senate Needs to Accept Historic Deal With Iran By Jason Stanford You can lead a Senator to water, but you cannot make him think. Benjamin Netanyahu's bellicose bellyaching notwithstanding, getting Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions makes the world safer, is broadly popular with the American people, and is the crowning achievement of an American-led foreign policy in a … [Read more...] about Senate Needs to Accept Historic Deal With Iran (Guest Voice)
Coming Soon: A Pot Breathalyzer
With marijuana legalization continuing, it was only a matter of time before there was an ability to test via a breathalyzer. Canadian company Cannabix will be the likely winner, given that it has a prototype device now being tested that can detect the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Another contender is Lifeloc, based… … [Read more...] about Coming Soon: A Pot Breathalyzer
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Donald Trump and Hispanics
Donald Trump and Hispanics by Mike Peters Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Donald Trump and Hispanics
Politix Update: What Happens When You Use Bigotry & Hate As Weapons
IF YOU PLANT ICE YOU'RE GONNA HARVEST WIND ~ Robert Hunter It is disingenuous to blame Republicans for the xenophobic and racist white male as a force in American presidential politics. Democrats also must share the blame, and a societal malaise larger than politics is the cauldron for this toxic brew. But the Republican Party alone is responsible for calculatedly … [Read more...] about Politix Update: What Happens When You Use Bigotry & Hate As Weapons
The Kasich-Walker debate
WASHINGTON -- Republicans won't win the presidency in 2016 without making inroads in the Midwest. Happily for the GOP, two Midwestern governors are running for their party's nomination. Both won re-election in 2014. The one from the state with more electoral votes won with 64 percent of the vote with wide appeal to Democrats and independents. The one from the smaller … [Read more...] about The Kasich-Walker debate
Vietnam and the US: From enemies to lovers (Guest Voice)
Forty years after the end of Vietnam War, which claimed countless lives and bitterly divided American society, two former enemies have come closer than ever to a full-fledged strategic partnership. Recently, Vietnam's General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the country's ideological leader, embarked on a historic trip to the White House, where he was cordially received by… … [Read more...] about Vietnam and the US: From enemies to lovers (Guest Voice)
SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; San Diego Comic Con Highlights Including Doctor Who, Arrow, The Flash, SHIELD, Muppets, Star Wars, Orphan Black, Heroes Reborn, Superman v Batman, & More
This week's episode of Hannibal, Digestivo, involved a lesbian relationship between Margot and Alana, a pig-baby, and an escape from Muskrat Farms. We learned that Mason’s plan was to cut Will’s face off, place it onto his face, which had been destroyed, and then eat Hannibal piece by piece with Will's face. His butcher/surgeon, Cordero, is at least as sadistic as Mason, and … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; San Diego Comic Con Highlights Including Doctor Who, Arrow, The Flash, SHIELD, Muppets, Star Wars, Orphan Black, Heroes Reborn, Superman v Batman, & More
Gaffes From Clinton and Trump Campaigns; Al Gore To The Rescue?
Members of both parties have good reason to worry about the candidates now leading in the polls. Hillary Clinton, along with other Democratic candidates, appeared in Iowa Friday night. Instead of receiving favorable coverage for what she said, the story out of Iowa is how the Clinton campaign told supporters not to speak to reporters. It is bad enough when Clinton avoids … [Read more...] about Gaffes From Clinton and Trump Campaigns; Al Gore To The Rescue?
A “grass” roots initiative seeks to legalize pot in California
A "grass" roots initiative seems to legalize pot in California in 2016 by East County News Service SACRAMENTO —Advocates of a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana use in California announced Thursday that they have amassed an e-mail list of 70,000 supporters for the campaign. Once the initiative is filed with the California Attorney General, ReformCA … [Read more...] about A “grass” roots initiative seeks to legalize pot in California
Trump’s Fans Are Still Fans
We're being told that Donald Trump's candidacy just blew up. We're being informed that we've "probably reached an inflection point ... that will probably mark the moment when Trump's candidacy went from boom to bust." Maybe -- but the Trump fanboys and fangirls are still on his side. I'm looking at the comments to a Fox… … [Read more...] about Trump’s Fans Are Still Fans
Mexican drug kingpin’s hometown stunned by his “bad ass” prison escape
By Lizbeth Diaz and David Alire GarciaBADIRAGUATO, Mexico (Reuters) - In Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's home town, some thought they were dreaming and others shed tears of joy when they heard the drug lord had broken out of Mexico's top maximum security prison through a tunnel built into his cell.A picturesque, agricultural backwater in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains … [Read more...] about Mexican drug kingpin’s hometown stunned by his “bad ass” prison escape
Scott Walker panders: ‘I don’t know’ if being gay is a choice
One of the reasons why our politics now seems so sleazy, intellectually smelly, and excruciatingly tiresome and feels like undergoing a root canal to watch is that you see people blatantly pandering. And Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker gives us the quintessential example of a politician thirsting for support who won't do anything to alienate part of a voting bloc he seeks. To … [Read more...] about Scott Walker panders: ‘I don’t know’ if being gay is a choice