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What Christie didn’t say about Charleston (Guest Editorial)

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We heard Gov. Chris Christie condemn the church shootings in Charleston, S.C., and speak forthrightly about racism. But what he didn't say also spoke volumes. There was nothing about the Confederate flag that still waves on the capitol grounds; nothing about taking any action against gun violence. On that first point, at least, other Republicans are… … [Read more...] about What Christie didn’t say about Charleston (Guest Editorial)

Amazon sales provide insight into public sentiment

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And it's not pretty As of 7:30 pm Pacific, Tuesday 23, June ... 14 of the top 20 Movers and Shakers in Amazon's Patio, Lawn and Garden category are variants on the Confederate flag. The flag rocketing to the top of movers-and-shakers has increased sales 168,361%. Its sales rank was 239,216; now it's 142. I have no words. Amazon's 'movers-and-shakers' reflects the … [Read more...] about Amazon sales provide insight into public sentiment

Why the Confederate Flag Still Flies – and How It Will Come Down

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  Another racist tragedy reminds us that 150 years after the end of the civil war, America still has a minority that it has failed to integrate, with fatal consequences. Although some of the members of this minority are unusually educated and privileged outliers, we rarely see them with their hands on the levers of power; we rarely see them in control of large … [Read more...] about Why the Confederate Flag Still Flies – and How It Will Come Down

The roots of racism still exist

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[Note: This Eugene Robinson column was released yesterday morning but due to a glitch we just discovered it. It was written before the dam broke on growing opposition to the confederate flag flying in South Carolina. But it deserves to be read in full.] WASHINGTON -- If American racism were a thing of the past, nine men and women who went to church last Wednesday evening … [Read more...] about The roots of racism still exist

Bing Crosby: “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (1932)

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With all the talk of income inequality and diminishing life chances for more and more Americans, this song came to mind. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" was written in 1930 by lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg and composer Jay Gorney. It was featured in the 1932 musical "New Americana," a broadway show that failed. Incredibly, the song almost didn't make it to the stage or radio … [Read more...] about Bing Crosby: “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (1932)

A southern daughter on cultural touchstones and social warts

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Two months ago, I phoned my husband while driving through southwest Georgia's red clay fields and tree-lined hills. "Remind me why I don't want to live here," I choked, eyes watered. "I mean, I know I don't want to live here, but the pull of the land..." I couldn't continue. "Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin’ for, worth fightin’ for, worth dyin’ for, … [Read more...] about A southern daughter on cultural touchstones and social warts

Former Clinton Adviser Predicts Bernie Sanders Will Beat Hillary Clinton

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Bill Curry, a former counselor to Bill Clinton, predicts that,Hillary Clinton is going to lose: She doesn’t even see the frustrated progressive wave that will nominate Bernie Sanders. He initially looked at how Clinton avoided answering questions about her position on TPP, but then looked at her overall campaign. Besides economics, Curry discussed another major weakness for … [Read more...] about Former Clinton Adviser Predicts Bernie Sanders Will Beat Hillary Clinton

Analysis: Haley takes Republicans off the hook with flag decision

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WASHINGTON — The Republican presidential candidates who refused to take a stand on the Confederate flag are off the hook. Even as the website of accused murderer Dylann Roof, the white gunman charged with killing nine black churchgoers last week, showed him embracing the flag, several Republican candidates insisted over the weekend it was South Carolina's… … [Read more...] about Analysis: Haley takes Republicans off the hook with flag decision

Death in Charleston: a Moderately Speculative Postmortem

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The pale young man with the bowl haircut had driven to Charleston, South Carolina, alone and armed, with a singleness of purpose. There, in the centuries-old port city with its graceful antebellum townhouses and slender church spires, he would attempt to make his mark, consummate his desires, fulfill his earthly purpose. He stepped inside the sanctuary of historic Emanuel … [Read more...] about Death in Charleston: a Moderately Speculative Postmortem

The Charleston Massacre: ‘While GOP Candidates Stammer…’

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I do not often cut-and-paste large sections of articles from a leading newspaper. However, the facts that I am on travel and that an excellent article sometimes cannot/should not be paraphrased prompts me to quote parts of Anne Gearan’s “While GOP candidates stammer, Clinton directly confronts race,” in today’s Washington Post. First, Gearan laments that few of the … [Read more...] about The Charleston Massacre: ‘While GOP Candidates Stammer…’

Trump- An American Icon

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Donald Trump's entry into the Republican presidential race is another indication of the sad state of America’s political system. As an American icon, he represents vanity and greed, and all the things that are bad about the nation. His main qualifications for office are his wealth and his fame, declaring that only someone “really rich” like himself will be able to turn America … [Read more...] about Trump- An American Icon

On Google’s White House and the Future of Technology Policy

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That Obama’s White House has maintained close ties with Google over the years is hardly a secret. Our President is probably the biggest science and tech enthusiast to ever occupy the Oval Office—a distinction that has resulted in some more-or-less unprecedented forward strides in the realms of (for example) cybersecurity and biological research. However: while Google is … [Read more...] about On Google’s White House and the Future of Technology Policy

Reflections On Fifty Years Of The Grateful Dead: “Once In A While You Can Get Shown The Light In The Strangest Of Places If You Look At It Right’

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Asked to name my all-time favorite Grateful Dead show, I typically respond, "Which year?" "No, which show?" "Okay, how about May 8, 1977 in Hamilton, New York?" "Howcum?" "Because it was just about perfect. The Dead had just finished recording the seminal Terrapin Station album and were unbelievably loose. They had been on a roll all spring with … [Read more...] about Reflections On Fifty Years Of The Grateful Dead: “Once In A While You Can Get Shown The Light In The Strangest Of Places If You Look At It Right’

The Revolution is Not Coming (At Least Not This Week)

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Hasn't Bernie-mania been fun so far? Yes, in Colorado over the weekend Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tore it up with a crowd of nearly 5,000 in Denver, his largest since announcing for the Democratic nomination in May. The 73-year-old Independent spoke for an hour and hit a nerve on economic issues as he advocated for an end to income inequality as well as a higher … [Read more...] about The Revolution is Not Coming (At Least Not This Week)

True Blue Americans See Red Over Displays Of Rebel Flag

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Support For The Stars And Bars Flagging, Except in: Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama The View From The U.S. Virgin Islands By JOHN McCARTHY TMV Columnist One of the things to come out of the debate over what is wrong with South Carolina after nine African-American citizens were massacred Wednesday in an historically black church is the symbolism of the … [Read more...] about True Blue Americans See Red Over Displays Of Rebel Flag

It’s Not About The Flag, Idiots!!

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It is not often I use this forum to lash out at folks on either side of the political spectrum; however, today I am compelled to lash out at everyone who is engaging in the ridiculous rhetoric that the removal of a piece of cloth is going to solve the racial injustice of South Carolina or any other person of color living in the United States of America. To set the record … [Read more...] about It’s Not About The Flag, Idiots!!