WASHINGTON -- Am I am the only person outside the Bush family who has a smidgen of empathy for Jeb Bush's roller-coaster ride in trying to answer a straightforward question: Was going to war in Iraq the right thing to do? It's hard to go much beyond "smidgen" because it remains astonishing that Bush hadn't worked out long in advance how he'd grapple with an inevitable … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush’s agony
ABC News Exclusive: a 21-year Elian Gonzalez Wants to Come to the United States
Yes, some may deny it or battle it, but we are in a new era of American relations with Cuba. Elian Gonzalez, the little boy who won so many American hearts when his mother drowned in 1999 getting him over to the United States, only to be forcibly sent back to Cuba in June 200o since his father there legally had custody, is now 21. He's has been a hero in Cuba for his … [Read more...] about ABC News Exclusive: a 21-year Elian Gonzalez Wants to Come to the United States
Boston Bomber’s Sentence Punishes Us All (Guest Voice)
Boston Bomber's Sentence Punishes Us All By Peter Funt Here is what the death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will achieve: It will remind the world that America is not entirely the home of exceptionalism as many politicians suggest. Retaining the death penalty while virtually the entire civilized world has rejected it is, indeed, exceptional — but in the wrong sense of … [Read more...] about Boston Bomber’s Sentence Punishes Us All (Guest Voice)
Analysis: A satisfying ‘Mad Men’ finale
After all was said and done, after seven seasons and 92 episodes, Matthew Weiner gave almost all of his "Mad Men" characters, Don Draper included, a happy ending — and fans of the show a mostly satisfying finale. If you did not see the series finale of "Mad Men" on Sunday night, do not read on.… … [Read more...] about Analysis: A satisfying ‘Mad Men’ finale
Cartoon: I’d Still Invade
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: I’d Still Invade
Marines Killed in Nepal Helicopter Crash Identified, Recovered (Updated)
The following Open Letter "from the People of Nepal" to the US Marines in Nepal is making its rounds on social media. The U.S. Ambassador to Nepal has replied (scroll down) We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of 6 Marines in the UH-1Y Huey helicopter crash this week. You and your fellow Marine brothers and sisters came to us at a time when we were … [Read more...] about Marines Killed in Nepal Helicopter Crash Identified, Recovered (Updated)
Lindsey Graham Running for President Because “World Falling Apart”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he's running for president because "I think the world is falling apart," CNN reports. Lindsey Graham: “I’m running because I think the world is falling apart. I’ve been more right than wrong on foreign policy. It’s not the fault of others or their lack of this or that that makes me want to run. It’s my ability in my own mind to be a good … [Read more...] about Lindsey Graham Running for President Because “World Falling Apart”
Mt St Helens 35 Years Later
This is the 35th anniversary of the eruption of Mt St Helens. It is an event that those of us who were here will never forget. I am thinking of my friend Connie Kaseweter Pullen who lost a dear brother that day - I lost a dear friend. Connie and I got together when she googled her brother Bob's name and was directed to my post on the 25th anniversary. Some 30 years later … [Read more...] about Mt St Helens 35 Years Later
Seymour Hersh’s Bin Laden Exposé Reveals Hypocrisy Of The Chattering Classes
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING PIONEER IDA TARBELL There is a back story to the back story that underpins Seymour Hersh's controversial new exposé claiming that the Obama administration lied about virtually everything having to do with the death of Osama bin Laden: If as a journalist you buck the official line, expect to be castigated not just by the people spouting that line, … [Read more...] about Seymour Hersh’s Bin Laden Exposé Reveals Hypocrisy Of The Chattering Classes
Defending the greatest film of all time
To be honest, it was outrageous that I even had to do this. As far as I am concerned, The Godfather is the greatest film of all time - not just my favourite - THE greatest film of all time. Let me back up. I have a mate, Alec, who has started a film orientated podcast. The idea is to put various films on trial. He has done one about The Shining and Prometheus. I am … [Read more...] about Defending the greatest film of all time
A gift basket for Clinton from the GOP
WASHINGTON -- At this point in the campaign, do you see the Republican presidential hopeful who's going to beat Hillary Clinton? I didn't think so. Not if what we're watching now is the best they can do. Maybe a thoroughbred will emerge from the coming debates, assuming the party finds a way to cram all the candidates onto the same stage. So far, however, most of the … [Read more...] about A gift basket for Clinton from the GOP
Nepal: A Brave Marine’s Photos (Updated)
Update: Cpl. Sara A. Medina’s Marine Corps portfolio includes more than 400 photographs covering various Marine Corps relief efforts, missions, exercises and a score of photographs on the Marine Corps support of President Obama’s trip to and visit to Australia to attend the G-20 Leaders Summit in 2014 (below). Her entire portfolio can be viewed here. The Marine Corps … [Read more...] about Nepal: A Brave Marine’s Photos (Updated)
SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Mad Men; Agent Carter; Agents of SHIELD; Person of Interest; The Blacklist; Gotham and Twin Peaks
I was surprised to see Arrow ending its third season in a way much like one of the possible endings I see for Mad Men. Although Don Draper doesn't currently have a comparable woman in his life, I can easily see him ending the series starting over with a new life in California. As for Oliver Queen, there is little doubt that a new threat to Starling City will bring him back. The … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Arrow; Mad Men; Agent Carter; Agents of SHIELD; Person of Interest; The Blacklist; Gotham and Twin Peaks
DoD Admits Invasion of Texas Associated with “Jade Helm 15” (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Nil Admirari): DoD Secretary Ashton B. Carter admitted today there will be an invasion of Texas associated with the "Jade Helm 15" U.S. military exercise that has many Texans worried their state will be placed under martial law. Ashton cautioned Texans the invasion "isn't the kind you are so concerned about." "The DoD is going to use one-fourth of its … [Read more...] about DoD Admits Invasion of Texas Associated with “Jade Helm 15” (Guest Voice)
The Bush Years: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
The Bush Years: An Explainer By Tina Dupuy This week in Nevada, Jeb Bush accidentally declared he's running for president to reporters. He was supposed to say, "if I run" and instead said, "I'm running for president!" So now that it's official, I feel it's my duty to explain the Bush years to younger/amnesiac Americans who may not remember what life was like before … [Read more...] about The Bush Years: An Explainer (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Jeb Bush and Dubyah
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: Jeb Bush and Dubyah
Iraqi troops fail to retake Ramadi, flee Islamic State
IRBIL, Iraq — Iraqi security forces attempting to retake control of the western city of Ramadi were routed in heavy fighting Sunday in the worst defeat for Iraq's central government since Islamic State militants stormed across the country last June. In a replay of last year's military debacle, elite units fled the area, leaving several hundred… … [Read more...] about Iraqi troops fail to retake Ramadi, flee Islamic State
Clinton’s Unethical Behavior Has Already Been Well Established–And It Has Nothing To Do With The Right
As I discussed once again yesterday, many Democrats are ignoring the serious ethical breaches which have been written about Hillary Clinton, both in the past couple of months and further back, from liberal as well as conservative sources. To a certain degree the right gives her cover as, in addition to the many proven accusations against her raised by the left, there are … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Unethical Behavior Has Already Been Well Established–And It Has Nothing To Do With The Right
Marco Rubio Steps In It
On FOX "news" today Marco Rubio stepped in the same dung pile that Jeb Bush has been trying to get out of for a week. Now I have never thought that Rubio was the sharpest knife in the kitchen but apparently his learning curve is very long indeed. Josh Marshall is a bit more polite although now that I think about it maybe not: another is the fact that Marco Rubio just doesn't … [Read more...] about Marco Rubio Steps In It
“The Swiftboating of Hillary Clinton”
Peter Daou, has been a longtime advisor to the Clinton Global Initiative, and also was digital advisor to Hillary Clinton on her campaigns, and is a veteran internet pundit. The New York Times once called him " "one of the most prominent political bloggers in the nation" and the Washington Post labelled him the "Yoda of the blogosphere." He makes the case made by many: that … [Read more...] about “The Swiftboating of Hillary Clinton”