George Packer mourns his loss of passion for our current politics in The New Yorker (h/t Kevin Drum). The reason is the stuckness of American politics. Especially in the years after 2008, the worst tendencies of American politics only hardened, while remaining in the same place. Beneath the surface froth and churn, we are paralyzed. You can sense it as soon as you step out … [Read more...] about George Packer on Political Paralysis
The Age of Adaline (Movie Review)
3.5/5 Adaline Bowman, played by the gorgeous and talented Blake Lively, seems to be the Platonically ideal woman — intelligent, boundlessly versed, and possessed a kind of Golden Age joie de vivre that gleams through even the most anodized of self-imposed defenses. Her face, let alone the rest of her body, appears to have never been so much as stalked by the specter of … [Read more...] about The Age of Adaline (Movie Review)
Clinton ‘Scandals’ Weekend Relief
The Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, VA. is an annual performance that brings together “military bands, massed pipes and drums, drill teams, Celtic dancers, cultural performers, choirs and more” and is considered by many to be one of the best and most patriotic of the world’s tattoos. This year’s theme is “A Tribute to Military Families.” Military family … [Read more...] about Clinton ‘Scandals’ Weekend Relief
Borowitz Has Good (Satirical) Advice for Republicans
[icopyright one button toolbar] Perhaps because the issue is (temporarily) overshadowed by the tragic accidental drone-strike-killing of two hostages being held by Al Qaeda in Pakistan and by Ted Cruz’ introduction of two bills to stop gay marriage, there are “only” a score or so articles listed at memeorandum.com on allegations of inappropriate contributions to the … [Read more...] about Borowitz Has Good (Satirical) Advice for Republicans
Citizen-Journalist Fined for Telling the Truth
Vera Scroggins of Susquehanna County, Pa., was found to be in contempt of court, Thursday, and fined $1,000. Her offense? She tells the truth. Truth is something that apparently has bypassed the court of Judge Kenneth W. Seamans, who retired at the end of 2014, but came out of retirement to handle this case. The case began in October 2013. Scroggins, a retired … [Read more...] about Citizen-Journalist Fined for Telling the Truth
Questions On Clinton Foundation Contributions And Speaking Fees May Bring About Further Fall In Polls
Recent coverage of the Clinton scandals will hopefully put an end to the conservative myth of a liberal media which will lie and twist the news to promote Democratic candidates at the expense of Republicans. Much of the "liberal" media is demonstrating that they are just as likely to cover evidence of unethical behavior among political leaders regardless of party. The New York … [Read more...] about Questions On Clinton Foundation Contributions And Speaking Fees May Bring About Further Fall In Polls
Book Review: ‘The Sympathizer’ By Viet Thanh Nguyen
The analogy is imperfect, but will suffice: The Sympathizer, the remarkable debut novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, is a terrific bookend to Fire In the Lake, the Frances FitzGerald classic. While one book is fiction and the other nonfiction, both tell the story of the Vietnam War, its aftermath and legacy from a Vietnamese point of view. And both, in their genre different but … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘The Sympathizer’ By Viet Thanh Nguyen
Madison, Wisconsin, becomes first city in U.S. to offer civil rights protections to atheists
Madison, Wisconsin, becomes first city in U.S. to offer civil rights protections to atheists by Miriam Rafferty SAN DIEGO, Ca (SDONA)--Madison, Wisconsin has become the first city in the nation to give legal protections to atheists in housing, employment and public accommodations. Despite gains made civil rights for racial minorities, women and gays, atheists who claim … [Read more...] about Madison, Wisconsin, becomes first city in U.S. to offer civil rights protections to atheists
Cartoon: Billionaire Frat Boys
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: Billionaire Frat Boys
End the War on Deadbeat Dads
End the War on Deadbeat Dads By Tina Dupuy I had a deadbeat dad. The kind of slacker so egregious—so blatant in shirking his responsibilities—that he and his generation of counterparts inspired a series of draconian laws to combat their "free spiritedness." My father (I wince to refer to him as that) exists as a transitional fossil in the evolution of child support in this … [Read more...] about End the War on Deadbeat Dads
Strikes against morality
WASHINGTON -- Drone strikes, by their nature, are bound to kill innocent civilians. It is all too easy to ignore this ugly fact -- and the dubious morality of the whole enterprise -- until the unfortunate victims happen to be Westerners. Only then does "collateral damage" become big news and an occasion for public sorrow. President Obama acknowledged Thursday that a … [Read more...] about Strikes against morality
Is Ted Cruz Dining with “The Enemy?” [Guest Voice by Rambie]
Is Ted Cruz dining with "The Enemy?" by Rambie Here, from one of TMV's regular commenters who is one among several who often leave comments on others' articles that can stand as good reads in and of themselves... So I invited our commenters to submit articles to us... thus, here is Rambie... [Dr. E., ed.] On Monday night openly homophob and GOP 2016 candidate, Ted … [Read more...] about Is Ted Cruz Dining with “The Enemy?” [Guest Voice by Rambie]
Cartoon: Dr. Oz
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: Dr. Oz
DEA Scandal: Drugs, Prostitutes and ‘Grotesque’ Double Standards (La Jornada, Mexico)
Given the corruption and duplicity with which U.S. government agencies like the DEA, ATF and Secret Service operate, to say nothing of the public lying and unconstitutional activity of the NSA, what right do U.S. officials have to complain about corruption in places like Colombia and Mexico? This editorial from Mexico's La Jornada takes on the most recent scandal, which … [Read more...] about DEA Scandal: Drugs, Prostitutes and ‘Grotesque’ Double Standards (La Jornada, Mexico)
McDonald’s, Coca-Cola scrambling to connect with health-conscious millennials
There may be no more American a meal than a Big Mac washed down by a Coke, but the companies behind the menu are facing some big question marks as they try to stay relevant in an increasingly Chipotle-and-bottled-water world. Once the twin symbols of U.S. corporate ingenuity, innovation and global branding might, McDonald's Corp. and… … [Read more...] about McDonald’s, Coca-Cola scrambling to connect with health-conscious millennials
Democrats should like their odds of retaking the Senate
Democrats should like their odds of retaking the Senate by Richard Barry Doug Sosnik at Politico seems to be saying three related but distinct things in an article about who will hold a majority in the U.S. Senate after the 2016 election. The first is that whichever party wins the presidency is likely to take the Senate; the second is that since the odds seem to favour … [Read more...] about Democrats should like their odds of retaking the Senate
Obama Takes Responsibility for Mission That Killed Hostages, American in al-Qaeda
The White House said Thursday two hostages held by Al-Qaeda were killed during a January counterterrorism operation in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The hostages were Warren Weinstein, an American who had been held since 2011, and Giovanni Lo Porto, an Italian who had been held since 2012. Both were killed during an operation… … [Read more...] about Obama Takes Responsibility for Mission That Killed Hostages, American in al-Qaeda
The Gingrich-Adams lesson
WASHINGTON -- Let us now praise Newt Gingrich. Yes, Newt Gingrich. There he was, the scourge of Big Government, on the op-ed page of The New York Times Wednesday calling for a doubling of the National Institutes of Health budget. "It's irresponsible and shortsighted, not prudent, to let financing for basic research dwindle," he wrote, noting that government investments … [Read more...] about The Gingrich-Adams lesson
Talking Three Stooges and more: An interview with the creator of Columbia Shorts Department website
Talking Three Stooges and more: An interview with the creator of Columbia Shorts Department website by Doug Gibson When it comes to history on the 25 or so years that the Columbia comedy shorts were a staple in movie theaters, there was the book, "The Columbia Comedy Shorts," by Ted Okuda and Ed Watz, that has been like a bible for us genre fans. However, one individual … [Read more...] about Talking Three Stooges and more: An interview with the creator of Columbia Shorts Department website
Cartoon: Armenians, 100 years ago
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: Armenians, 100 years ago