July 4 is a good day to reflect on various renditions of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America -- captured on videos. From August 2010: Well, yes, the Star Spangled Banner is a hard song to sing. But we wanted to start off your day with our national anthem with a bang. SO: OK...maybe that wasn't quite it...so let's try someone famous like Michael Bolton (who … [Read more...] about On the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America (VIDEOS)
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Meanwhile, in Greece…
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Greek Finance Minister Says Europe Can't Afford To Let Greece's Economy Crash --Greece debt crisis explainer: A history of just how the country landed itself in such a mess --Eurozone crisis: Confusion reigns in Greece on last day before referendum --Could Greece become the European Venezuela? Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Meanwhile, in Greece…
In support of the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage (Guest Voice)
In support of the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO (SDONA) — While delighted and supportive of the Supreme Court’s recent decision that denying same sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional, I disagree with the many who commented, “Love Wins.” The Supreme Court’s decision has no effect on the ability of people to love one … [Read more...] about In support of the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage (Guest Voice)
Independence Day’s Importance
Independence Day's Importance By Tom Purcell "Beer, family gatherings and fireworks! Gosh, I love the Fourth of July!" "Ah, yes, you unwittingly illustrate a growing challenge with Independence Day: too many Americans are unaware of the holiday's real importance." "That there are also terrific mattress sales?" "A few years ago, a Marist Poll asked Americans which … [Read more...] about Independence Day’s Importance
Trump: A farce to be reckoned with
WASHINGTON -- Anxiety-ridden GOP masterminds will eventually find a way to solve the Trump Problem. Until they do, however, the Republican Party threatens to become as much of a laughingstock as what David Letterman used to call "that thing on Donald Trump's head." Suddenly, according to recent polls, the iconically coiffed mogul has to be taken ... how, exactly? … [Read more...] about Trump: A farce to be reckoned with
All About Love (Updated)
Update: Watch the surprising follow-up to this story, three years later, after the first video. Original Post: Love has been a lot in the news lately --- with our country finally acknowledging that two people in love can get married to each other -- and in our hearts, as evidenced by the number of articles written about it in the last week or so. Just here at The … [Read more...] about All About Love (Updated)
Stars And Stripes
I like to look for new or different versions each year and this time found this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbzwW9GK0NY Well done sir. … [Read more...] about Stars And Stripes
Happy 4th of July
OK, yes it is the same picture I use every year but I really don't have a better one. It represents the soul of this aging hippie. Don't get me wrong, I love this country. I just don't always like what it does. … [Read more...] about Happy 4th of July
George Takei Apologizes for Offensive Remarks about Justice Clarence Thomas.
This post started out as a critique of two of the Supreme Court Justices who dissented on the same-sex marriage decision --especially Justice Clarence Thomas’ misuse of the “human dignity” concept in is dissent. It was quickly overtaken by emotional and offensive comments by actor and gay rights advocate George Takei. See Updates II and III below. Takei has now finally … [Read more...] about George Takei Apologizes for Offensive Remarks about Justice Clarence Thomas.
Reading Of The Declaration Of Independence
Worth 15 minutes of your weekend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY … [Read more...] about Reading Of The Declaration Of Independence
Cartoon: GOP fireworks
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: GOP fireworks
No the Greeks did not invent Mathematics
Over at the normally largely fictional National Review Kevin D, Williamson brings us some new fiction. The Greeks Invented Mathematics, and Now It’s Bankrupting Them. As much as we not like to admit it our modern mathematics comes from the Muslims of he Ottoman Empire. They brought a number system from India that included the the concept of zero. And then there is algebra … [Read more...] about No the Greeks did not invent Mathematics
Thoughts about the Greek crisis (Reader Guest Voice)
Thoughts about the Greek crisis by Jordan Cooper The prospect of financial liberation is very tantalizing to any individual and required for the success of a person's future extended family. Loans are good for credit growth, business expansion, and government financial solvency. However, they should not be given without good faith and a fair chance that they can be … [Read more...] about Thoughts about the Greek crisis (Reader Guest Voice)
Greek catastrophe and Euro creditor’s rage (Grexit, Part 1/2)
Greece is on the edge of economic and social catastrophe which all the kings men may not be able to put together again for decades. Experts and historians will strive for years to apportion blame for the unfolding human tragedy in the cradle of European civilization. It is happening despite Europe’s longest ever era of peace, prosperity and broad-based social uplift. … [Read more...] about Greek catastrophe and Euro creditor’s rage (Grexit, Part 1/2)
Grexit and the stakes for Europe (Grexit, Part 2/2)
A Grexit would strike at the heart of public perceptions about Europe’s most inspiring project to finally end wars and build peace through voluntary cooperation among peoples long divided by blood-soaked mistrust. That project was the 28-nation European Union bolstered later by a 19-member Euro currency zone. It is a monument to the political will of peoples to erase … [Read more...] about Grexit and the stakes for Europe (Grexit, Part 2/2)
Jim Webb Enters Race Plus Increased Speculation That Joe Biden Will Run
While the number of Democratic candidates remains well below the number squeezed into the Republican clown car, the number is growing to the point where very soon they will no longer all fit under Donald Trump’s hair. Jim Webb has officially announced and there is increased speculation that Joe Biden plans to run. Most of the Democratic candidates are challenging Clinton … [Read more...] about Jim Webb Enters Race Plus Increased Speculation That Joe Biden Will Run
Sights and Music for the Fourth
Want to get in the mood for the Fourth early? Watch and listen to the U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band perform as part of an Independence Day-themed event at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, tonight at 7:30 p.m. MDT. Please click here for the live stream. Don’t know much about the A.F. Academy Concert Band? They are more than meets the eye -- or … [Read more...] about Sights and Music for the Fourth
Greece: with referendum looming ‘Yes’ vote ahead, opinion poll suggests
Just days before Sunday’s (July 5) referendum in Greece, a new opinion poll suggest the ‘Yes’ camp has pulled 1.4 percent ahead in what has been a close-run race. A previous poll put the ‘No’ vote in the lead. In a referendum which could determine the country’s future in Europe, Greeks will be asked to decide… … [Read more...] about Greece: with referendum looming ‘Yes’ vote ahead, opinion poll suggests
Bobby Jindal administration will start issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples as courts back Supreme Court ruling
After all his posturing and pronouncements to try and appeal (the actual word is pander) to the Republican Party's far right basest part of the party's base, Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration will start issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples -- as his legal options have run out. New Orleans is finally allowed to join the rest of Louisiana and issue … [Read more...] about Bobby Jindal administration will start issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples as courts back Supreme Court ruling
The Past Through Pictures II
The time I spent in Southern Bavaria was an eye opener for this naive kid from Western Oregon. While the Western Oregon has an ancient history it's ties to Western Civilization are very recent. The thing that struck me while I lived in Europe was how old things were. Today we will travel south of Munich. There were times that Southern Bavaria reminded me Western … [Read more...] about The Past Through Pictures II