NOTE: This review was written in 2013 at the time of the film's release. In light of a recent documentary, 'My Life Directed By Nicolas Winding Refn', about the production of the film, I found it relevant to shine new light on its derided and largely forgotten subject matter. In retrospect, I would have written this review slightly differently – certain revisions made, … [Read more...] about Netflix Pick – Only God Forgives (Movie Review)
Islamic State may have committed genocide and war crimes – UN monitor
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has committed atrocities that could amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, a United Nations monitor reported today. An investigation team of the UN Human Rights Office found that ISIL has committed killings, torture, rape and sexual slavery, forced religious conversions and the conscription of children -- … [Read more...] about Islamic State may have committed genocide and war crimes – UN monitor
Great News For Late Night Comedians: Donald Trump Appears To Actually Be Running This Time
Donald Trump spoke of running for president before but many did not take him seriously, seeing it as a publicity stunt or ego boost. Earlier this year he claimed he was serious but few believed him, with most assuming he would continue with The Apprentice. The New Hampshire Union Leader now reports that Trump is dropping The Apprentice and is setting up an exploratory … [Read more...] about Great News For Late Night Comedians: Donald Trump Appears To Actually Be Running This Time
Cotton candy
Honest. If you'd told me a while back there'd be a "Senator Cotton," I'd have laughed and pointed out that we've been dealing with those cotton-brained senators ever since Reconstruction. So the idea of a cotton Senator (or a "Senator Cotton") is kind of an old story. But now there's Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. He's for real; he's (bottom line) anti-government; and … [Read more...] about Cotton candy
One Tweet Away From Political Ruin
WASHINGTON -- For Liz Mair, it only took a few months-old tweets to get her bounced from a presidential campaign. She insulted Iowa -- the first-in-the-nation primary state that enjoys an outsized influence on politics -- and that was enough to bring an end to her one-day term as an adviser to Gov. Scott Walker. Mair… … [Read more...] about One Tweet Away From Political Ruin
Cartoon: Starbucks Race
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: Starbucks Race
4 Arrested In Tunis Museum Terrorist Attack
4 Arrested In Tunis Museum Attack Four people have been arrested by the Tunisian army in connection with Wednesday’s attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis that killed 21 people, British news outlet ITV reported Thursday, citing the office of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi. So far, no terrorist groups have claimed responsibility for the incident, the deadliest … [Read more...] about 4 Arrested In Tunis Museum Terrorist Attack
Cartoon: Bibi’s Winning Strategy
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: Bibi’s Winning Strategy
The high cost of Bibi’s comeback
WASHINGTON -- Wednesday was a hard day for pro-Israel liberals. Some of the dejection arose from sheer surprise over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's victory, and especially the size of his margin. The pre-election polling -- by law, polls can't be published within five days of voting -- showed Netanyahu's Likud Party trailing Isaac Herzog's Zionist Union, the main … [Read more...] about The high cost of Bibi’s comeback
Women’s History Month: A Modern Rosie the Riveter
[icopyright one button toolbar] As part of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Air Force has been recognizing women who have broken barriers, women who have had illustrious Air Force careers. In this vein, articles have appeared on Jeanne M. Holm, the first woman in the armed forces to be promoted to the rank of major general in 1973 and 'credited as a single driving force in … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month: A Modern Rosie the Riveter
FOIA Official Confirms Clinton Broke Rules But Two Conservative Charges Against Her Look Dubious
If the old political adage is true that the cover-up is worse than the crime, there is a corollary that denying the acts are a crime can be nearly as bad. When news first broke that Hillary Clinton used a private server for her email the reaction was generally that she acted unethically, foolishly, and possibly in violation of the rules. Then Clinton gave a news conference in … [Read more...] about FOIA Official Confirms Clinton Broke Rules But Two Conservative Charges Against Her Look Dubious
The Daily Caller The Daily Crawler? Mickey Kaus quits Daily Caller after Tucker Carlson pulls critical Fox News column
[icopyright one button toolbar] It's not unusual to see an avowedly liberal political website take a passionate swipe at MSNBC over an issue, or for a conservative website take some potshots at Fox News. Each side will say the other doesn't do that but, in fact, you do see it. The conservative website The Daily Caller has some talented writers, but now it's losing veteran … [Read more...] about The Daily Caller The Daily Crawler? Mickey Kaus quits Daily Caller after Tucker Carlson pulls critical Fox News column
Cartoon: Durst and Guilty
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: Durst and Guilty
The Enablers of Fraternity Racism
[icopyright one button toolbar] DALLAS -- The Dallas media is all over the eyebrow-raising, outrageous -- and ultimately sad -- story of a now-infamous racist chant by some Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity members at Oklahoma University. You see, "Big D" has a special interest in this case, because the two high profile young chanters had seemingly been local success … [Read more...] about The Enablers of Fraternity Racism
Cartoon: Partisanship
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: Partisanship
Netanyahu wins Israel election after sharp shift to the right
Netanyahu wins Israel election after sharp shift to the right JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a come-from-behind victory in Israel's election on Wednesday after tacking hard to the right in the final days of campaigning, including abandoning a commitment to negotiate a Palestinian state. In a four-day pre-election blitz, Netanyahu made a series of promises … [Read more...] about Netanyahu wins Israel election after sharp shift to the right
Do Cooking Shows Make You Fat?
Cooking shows on television are a great way to visually learn how to prepare delicious food with the guidance of charismatic chefs and their tips. While watching a cooking show will arguably make you a better cook without expert training, you may be paying the price with your waistline. New research from Cornell University's Food and… … [Read more...] about Do Cooking Shows Make You Fat?
Al Gore As The Liberal Alternative To Hillary Clinton
[icopyright one button toolbar] With many liberals concerned about the prospect of Hillary Clinton walking away with the Democratic nomination there has been increased talk of other potential candidates. Joan Walsh listed several in a recent article at Salon. Although I thought it is purely coincidence, I recently noted speculation in light of Al Gore's planned visit to Iowa … [Read more...] about Al Gore As The Liberal Alternative To Hillary Clinton
Dead heat in Israel as Netanyahu, Herzog both declare victory; Arabs will be 3rd largest bloc
Dead heat in Israel as Netanyahu, Herzog both declare victory; Arabs will be 3rd largest bloc JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party emerged from Tuesday's Israeli election in a virtual tie with the Zionist Union headed by Isaac Herzog, according to exit polls, with prospects unclear whether either leader would be able to form a governing coalition. … [Read more...] about Dead heat in Israel as Netanyahu, Herzog both declare victory; Arabs will be 3rd largest bloc
Hard to Divine Satire These Days
[icopyright one button toolbar] I love satire. Satire and its purpose are perhaps best described as ”a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule… Usually, a satire is a comical piece of writing which makes fun of an individual or a society to expose its … [Read more...] about Hard to Divine Satire These Days