Fair Warning: As we enter the 2016 presidential election silly season, what was once the GOP presidential candidates “Clown Car” has now grown into an oversized, overladen, over ripe “Clown Bus” packed with characters trying to attract the voters’ attention by competing to see who can offend the most people the most with their dog whistles and red meat “rallying … [Read more...] about Silly Comments for a Silly Presidential Election Season
Three Commandments for Every State Capitol
The Oklahoma Supreme Court this past week ordered the legislature and the executive branch to remove a six-foot tall Ten Commandments granite monument from the front of the state house. The monument was placed there in January and is a direct violation of the First Amendment. The response by dozens of legislators, most of whom may be illiterate about the Constitution, was … [Read more...] about Three Commandments for Every State Capitol
Politix Update: Why Hillary Clinton’s State Department Emails Are Much Ado About Little
It is said that the cover-up is always worse than the crime, but in the case of Hillary Clinton's State Department emails, what is the crime? And beyond the partisan ankle biting, is the cover-up -- such as it is -- over something any different than what other government bigs, not the least of whom were Bush administration officials, have done? Perhaps I'm like the last … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Why Hillary Clinton’s State Department Emails Are Much Ado About Little
The Past Through Pictures IV
About an hour south of Munich is Austria. A country of splendid alpine vistas and beautiful lakes and rivers. In addition there are ancient cities and towns. One of my favorites was Gmunden, one of the first homes of the Celts as they migrated into Western Europe. Gmunden had a couple of things going for it - a mountain of salt and a lake full of fish. They sold … [Read more...] about The Past Through Pictures IV
Greeks defy Europe with overwhelming referendum “No”
By Lefteris Papadimas and Renee MaltezouATHENS (Reuters) - Greeks overwhelmingly rejected conditions of a rescue package from creditors on Sunday, throwing the future of the country's euro zone membership into further doubt and deepening a standoff with lenders.As the euro slid more than 1 percent against the dollar and European stock and bond markets were poised to take a … [Read more...] about Greeks defy Europe with overwhelming referendum “No”
Single Payer Coming?
It looks like we might be heading in the direction of a single payer health care system, but not in the way we wanted. Aetna is seeking to buy Humana. While this would not actually be single payer, it would further decrease competition in the insurance industry. There is also speculation that UnitedHealth is interested in purchasing Cigna and Aetna. Instead of a single=payer … [Read more...] about Single Payer Coming?
SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; Summer Television Briefs Including Extant, Under The Dome,The Last Ship, Mr. Robot, Humans
This week's episode of Hannibal, Contorno, has finally moved past set-up and it finally feels like the real action for the season has begun. Generally, when someone thinks they have the upper hand against Hannibal, in reality Hannibal is already several steps ahead of them. Pazzi decided to seek a bounty for capturing Hannibal rather than have the authorities arrest him in a … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; Summer Television Briefs Including Extant, Under The Dome,The Last Ship, Mr. Robot, Humans
Chinese Workers Caught Stepping And Sleeping On Noodles That Will Eventually Be Sold
A Chinese noodle factory has been shut down after images surfaced of workers sleeping on and sticking their bare feet in piles of noodles before they were sent off for distribution. One staff member at the factory in Dongguan City was even pictured taking a nap on piles of noodles before the snack was packed and… … [Read more...] about Chinese Workers Caught Stepping And Sleeping On Noodles That Will Eventually Be Sold
Does Argentina Show Greece There May Be Life After Default?
As Greeks go to the polls today to vote in a referendum that could have huge consequences for their country and for all of Europe, Martin Guzman, writing in The Huffington Post's World Post, argues that there can be life after default -- and points to Argentina. Here are a few big chunks of it (edited down): When, five years ago, Greece's crisis began, Europe extended a … [Read more...] about Does Argentina Show Greece There May Be Life After Default?
The Other Independence Days
Yesterday our nation celebrated the 239th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. Foreign friends and not-so-friends -- including Russian President Vladimir Putin -- sent messages of congratulations to Americans and the United States. But ours is not the only Independence Day celebrated around the world. Today, July 5, the people of Cabo Verde celebrate the … [Read more...] about The Other Independence Days
Post-Homophobic Christianity
Sally Kohn puts the SCOTUS marriage equality ruling in religious perspective on The Daily Beast. Even before the court’s decision, 6 in 10 Americans supported the right of same-sex couples to marry—and over half of Americans said they would be less likely to support any 2016 presidential candidate who opposed marriage equality. Yet some conservatives have tried to … [Read more...] about Post-Homophobic Christianity
Greece Bailout Referendum Today: ‘Waiting For War’
Millions of Greeks will vote in today's crucial bailout referendum, which is likely to determine whether Greece remains in the euro -- and possibly also the European Union -- with huge consequences for the future of the EU, as well as for European economies. In Athens, anxious locals have been sharing their views. Some of them… … [Read more...] about Greece Bailout Referendum Today: ‘Waiting For War’
Cartoon: Kerry-On Baggage
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: Kerry-On Baggage
The Past Through Pictures III
The winters in Southern Bavaria and Munich could be harsh, beautiful and sometimes magical. It could get really cold and there could be a lot of snow. And here is some magical after the sun finally came out after 2 weeks of freezing fog. Links to previous posts. Change Is Hard – II The Past Through Pictures The Past Through Pictures II … [Read more...] about The Past Through Pictures III
Politifact on Donald Trump
Non-partisan fact-check website Politifact.com puts GOP Presidential candidate on its Truth-O-Meter and finds that 75% of his rated public statements have been largely false. Low-lights include: "Islamic terrorism is eating up large portions of the Middle East. They've become rich. I'm in competition with them," Trump said. "They just built a hotel in Syria. Can you believe … [Read more...] about Politifact on Donald Trump
Tunisia’s President Declares Emergency After Terrorist Hotel Attack
By Patrick Markey and Tarek AmaraTUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi declared a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the Islamist militant attack on a beach hotel that killed 38 foreigners had left the country "in a state of war".Last week's attack, three months after the deadly Islamist assault on the Bardo museum in Tunis, has shocked the North African … [Read more...] about Tunisia’s President Declares Emergency After Terrorist Hotel Attack
Scientists Reveal Death Toll Caused By Soft Drinks- And It Is Whopping
Scientists have keynoted the dangers of fizzy, sugary drinks, noting that they kill 184,000 adults every year. It further said those under 45 consume more artificially sweetened drinks and are more at risk of diabetes and obesity. The worldwide study is the first to estimate deaths and disability from diabetes, heart disease, and cancers caused by… … [Read more...] about Scientists Reveal Death Toll Caused By Soft Drinks- And It Is Whopping
God Bless America
click to enlagre As I work today, e-mails from abroad are filtering in wishing me a happy 4th of July. One from Moscow, one from Dublin, another from Indonesia. Why? Because they get it. And here in America, with all of our varied influences, I hope you are feeling the love as well. Nothing like some SoCal pork street tacos from scratch before the "works" … [Read more...] about God Bless America
On Being Proud of Your Country (Guest Voice)
On Being Proud of Your Country by Patricia Smith As I walked to the grocery store yesterday (July 3), I saw two American Flags on all the telephone polls on the east side of the street. I felt pride in my community for decorating the telephone poles, pride in the United States and pride in the American Flag. I neither have a "my country right or wrong" nor a "my country … [Read more...] about On Being Proud of Your Country (Guest Voice)
20 TV marathons for July 4th weekend
Fourth of July weekend is prime time to get some sun, take in a fireworks show or three, and barbecue all the livelong day. But in case you want to take refuge from the heat -- or rain, for that matter -- there's always your friend the television. In recognition of the holiday, cable networks are… … [Read more...] about 20 TV marathons for July 4th weekend