First, my apologies if the lead photo has led rose enthusiasts to scroll down in the hopes of reading about roses. (By the way, the photo above was taken by my wife, not at the Tyler Rose Gardens, but right in our own backyard). Second, my apologies to those who thought this post would be about “guns.” The title is somewhat misleading. The following are images of our … [Read more...] about Of Guns and Roses…
Rick Santorum: If Bruce Jenner Says “He’s a Woman, Then He’s a Woman”
Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum says if Bruce Jenner says "he's a woman, then he's a woman." I guess that softening of his heart came after Jenner revealed last Friday that he's a proud Republican. Santorum told reporters at the South Carolina Republican Party convention on Saturday: "My responsibility as a human being is to love and accept everybody. Not to criticize … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum: If Bruce Jenner Says “He’s a Woman, Then He’s a Woman”
Inside the Bridgegate plot: Lies, vengeance and an epic traffic jam
The plot, federal prosecutors said, took shape a month in advance. There would be no warning, no response to calls seeking explanation or help. "Radio silence," they called it. Mark Sokolich was going to pay. And if thousands of people suffered along with him, so be it. If an ambulance ran late to an emergency call,… … [Read more...] about Inside the Bridgegate plot: Lies, vengeance and an epic traffic jam
A weekend picture and some random thoughts
I have been absent lately. I like to blame it on health issues but it runs deeper than that. I see a dysfunctional political environment that makes it impossible to deal with the major issues of our time. So here are some random thoughts. 1. First some good news - after 6 years in Texas my brother is moving back to Oregon. It will be nice to have a sibling close by … [Read more...] about A weekend picture and some random thoughts
Baltimore: What Could Have Been
[icopyright one button toolbar] At one time this morning there were more than 60 stories about Freddie Gray’s death and the aftermath listed at memeorandum.com. We have all seen the video of Gray’s arrest and the loading of this young man into a police van. We have all seen both the riots and the peaceful demonstrations in Baltimore following the news of Gray’s … [Read more...] about Baltimore: What Could Have Been
MDA Telethon Ends Historic Run, Urgent Fight for Families Continues (Press Release)
MDA is committed to accelerating treatments and cures, using innovative ways to engage new supporters CHICAGO, May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MDA, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, today announced that the new realities of television viewing and philanthropic giving have made this the right time for the organization to move beyond its historic Labor Day telethon. It… … [Read more...] about MDA Telethon Ends Historic Run, Urgent Fight for Families Continues (Press Release)
Hillary Clinton’s Vermont socialist rival may cause her more trouble than she thinks
Bernie Sanders hasn't been much more than a curiosity in American politics since he was elected as an independent to the House of Representatives from Vermont in 1990. "I am a socialist and everyone knows that," he said at the time, instantly shunting himself into his own political siding. Most voters in this country, after all,… … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton’s Vermont socialist rival may cause her more trouble than she thinks
California: Tobacco Lobby Snuffs Out Ban Proposed at Youth Baseball Sites
California: Tobacco Lobby Snuffs Out Ban Proposed at Youth Baseball Sites by Miriam Rafferty SACRAMENTO (SDONA) – The tobacco industry has succeeded in snuffing out strict limits proposed on tobacco at ballparks. Legislators on the Assembly Governmental Organization Committe, many of whom took hefty contributions from tobacco interests, voted overwhelmingly to water down a … [Read more...] about California: Tobacco Lobby Snuffs Out Ban Proposed at Youth Baseball Sites
Cartoon: Sanders Runs
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: Sanders Runs
This Week in the Crazy
Catherine Thompson reports on right-wing conspiracy theories about a domestic military training exercise scheduled for this spring on Talking Points Memo. Texas residents were up in arms this week over a planned U.S. military training exercise that's been portrayed in right-wing conspiracy theory circles as everything from a ploy to confiscate Americans' guns to an excuse to … [Read more...] about This Week in the Crazy
Freddie Gray prosecutor comes from family steeped in policing
Freddie Gray prosecutor comes from family steeped in policing BALTIMORE — Maryland State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who on Friday announced charges in the prosecution of the Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray, comes from a family steeped in law enforcement — a connection she pointedly mentioned in her news conference. But the 35-year-old prosecutor … [Read more...] about Freddie Gray prosecutor comes from family steeped in policing
The 6 Officers Charged In Freddie Gray’s Death
The 6 Officers Charged In Freddie Gray's Death The Baltimore Police Department released the mugshots of the six city police officers charged in connection with the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, several reports indicated Friday night. Just in: Mug shots of officers charged in #FreddieGray's death pic.twitter.com/a8quCP8qgD — Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) May 1, 2015 Four … [Read more...] about The 6 Officers Charged In Freddie Gray’s Death
Cartoon: The Avengers
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: The Avengers
A Good Person Died Today – Goodbye Ben E. King
He sang with the Drifters, but not the original Drifters. The original Drifters broke up and a group called The Five Crowns, with lead singer Ben E. King, took their name and moved up the charts with songs like "Save the Last Dance for Me." King would leave the group and go on to a solo career that included his famous "Stand By Me". When I worked with the Alzheimer's … [Read more...] about A Good Person Died Today – Goodbye Ben E. King
What Bernie Sanders Believes
Bernie Sanders has become the first to officially announce his plans to run against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. The conventional wisdom is that he has no chance to win (a type of prediction which I fear the media helps become true) but will move the conversation to the left. Unlike most politicians, Sanders' views have remained quite consistent, making it a … [Read more...] about What Bernie Sanders Believes
A Rose Is a Rose Is a Rose…
[icopyright one button toolbar] A rose is a rose is a rose, unless it is a Ballerina, Complicata, Deep Secret, Golden Celebration, Remember Me, Rhapsody in Blue, Crimson Cascade, Irish Eyes, Joie de Vivre or named “For Your Eyes Only.” Or unless a classic red rose’s namesake is Ingrid Bergman; or a gorgeous orange-yellow rose is named after Judy Garland; or a fragrant, … [Read more...] about A Rose Is a Rose Is a Rose…
Six Officers, Including Driver of Prisoner Transport Van, Charged in Freddie Gray’s Death
Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby filed criminal charges against six police officers in the Freddie Gray death case. A warrant has been issued for the officers' arrests, with charges going all the way up to second degree murder. She painted a picture of gross negligence and mistreatment by the officers that led to Gray's death, NY Times reports. Officer Caesar … [Read more...] about Six Officers, Including Driver of Prisoner Transport Van, Charged in Freddie Gray’s Death
Ethical Violations At Clinton Foundation Tarnish Clinton Brand, Cripple Campaign
Following yesterday's lengthy update on news regarding scandals involving the Clinton Foundation, there were at least four more items in the news worth noting. As noted in the previous post, Hillary Clinton failed to disclose over 1000 contributions made to the Foundation despite a written agreement with the Obama administration to disclose this information. The Boston Globe … [Read more...] about Ethical Violations At Clinton Foundation Tarnish Clinton Brand, Cripple Campaign
Baltimore ‘thugs’ or frustrated youth? Debate rages over a word
Baltimore 'thugs' or frustrated youth? Debate rages over a word WASHINGTON — As Baltimore simmers, prominent public figures, from President Barack Obama to Donald Trump, have been roundly criticized this week for describing the rioters as "thugs." It's a word that's taken an exotic odyssey, with roots during the time of the British raj, to film noir to a racial epithet. It's a … [Read more...] about Baltimore ‘thugs’ or frustrated youth? Debate rages over a word
Updates: Iran Fires at, Boards and Seizes Marshall Islands Cargo Ship – U.S. Navy Destroyer ‘Responding’
[icopyright one button toolbar] UPDATE May 1: U.S. Navy ships will begin accompanying U.S. commercial ships during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure they encounter no interference from Iran, according to the Stars and Stripes. The new policy is in response to the seizure earlier this week of the Maersk Tigris. Iran claims the seizure if the cargo … [Read more...] about Updates: Iran Fires at, Boards and Seizes Marshall Islands Cargo Ship – U.S. Navy Destroyer ‘Responding’