[icopyright one button toolbar] The Nazis could not bring him down when he flew 35 combat missions over occupied Europe as a B-17 bombardier during World War II. Even the years -- ninety-four of them -- could not dampen the spirits nor dull the mind of this remarkable member of the Greatest Generation. But a simple fall a few weeks ago sent John Tschirhart to the … [Read more...] about Keep This World War II Veteran in Your Thoughts and Prayers
Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You
I think it is fair to say that Bibi's decision to come speak before Congress is the single most disastrous event for the state of pro-Israel sentiment in my lifetime. There's blame to go around, and one can make the case for (or rather, against) all sorts. Personally, I'm extremely skeptical of Ambassador Ron Dermer's influence given his background as a GOP political operative, … [Read more...] about Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You
The Last Man On Earth Is The First Original Network Sitcom In A Long Time
The Last Man on Earth is something rare, a single cam sitcom which feels entirely original. Nothing is entirely unique on television. You're The Worst was in many ways unique, but did so by showing a romantic comedy in a new way. There are plenty of post-apocalyptic television science fiction shows, but none done as comedy as Will Forte has. This post has spoilers regarding the … [Read more...] about The Last Man On Earth Is The First Original Network Sitcom In A Long Time
Iran, Kerry and Israel’s existential challenges
Israel will have to start thinking differently about its long-term security and existence, extrapolating from current indications about Secretary John Kerry’s nuclear negotiations with Iran’s Mohammad Javad Zarif this week in Montreux, Switzerland. Mindful of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s address to the joint meeting of Congress tomorrow, Kerry told a press conference … [Read more...] about Iran, Kerry and Israel’s existential challenges
Homeless Man Fatally Shot on Skid Row by LAPD Officers
A homeless man was killed in a police-involved shooting on skid row in Los Angeles yesterday. The name of the man has not been disclosed, pending notification to the next of kin. He was known on the street as "Africa." He was a suspect in a robbery. The shooting was captured on a graphic video shot by a bystander, who posted it on Facebook. It had been viewed more than … [Read more...] about Homeless Man Fatally Shot on Skid Row by LAPD Officers
Disinformation Ahead of Bibi’s Visit? Seems likely.
This morning, Memeorandum is dominated by a rightie blogswarm, all focused on this Reuters story: Report: Obama Threatened to Shoot Down IAF Iran Strike Mark Langfan / Reuters Kuwaiti paper claims unnamed Israeli minister with good ties with the US administration ‘revealed the attack plan to John Kerry.’ — The Bethlehem-based news agency Ma'an has cited a Kuwaiti … [Read more...] about Disinformation Ahead of Bibi’s Visit? Seems likely.
Christie lied to us about Planned Parenthood, but not at CPAC (Guest Editorial)
It was interesting to hear Gov. Chris Christie finally admit he was flat-out lying about his reasons for vetoing funding to Planned Parenthood, as many charged at the time. It happened when he was bragging about his pro-life credentials at the annual CPAC conference attended by conservatives, a chance to woo the party's base. "I'm pro-life,… … [Read more...] about Christie lied to us about Planned Parenthood, but not at CPAC (Guest Editorial)
Cartoon: Boris Nemtsov assasinated
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: Boris Nemtsov assasinated
The GOP’s loud ‘yes’ to ‘no’
WASHINGTON -- It's a daunting challenge to spin the word "no" into a hopeful and forward-looking political battle cry. There are, of course, circumstances when negative arguments can work. In obviously terrible times, voters are often content to take a chance on a barely sketched-out alternative. In midterm elections, which are like midsemester report cards, voters … [Read more...] about The GOP’s loud ‘yes’ to ‘no’
Netanyahu dominates Israel’s election coverage
Netanyahu dominates election coverage By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM (SDONA) — For a political scientist committed to the view that democratic politics is the essence of civilization, an election campaign can be a difficult test. The one we are experiencing, like some others I’ve seen, brings out the worst in those aspiring to national leadership. It’s not like an academic … [Read more...] about Netanyahu dominates Israel’s election coverage
Can Netanyahu Be Trusted?
Josh Marshall spells out why he thinks the answer is no on Talking Points Memo. You probably remember that Netanyahu speech a couple years ago before the United Nations - the one where he used the bomb cartoon to illustrate his points about the Iranian nuclear program. In that speech Netanyahu made a series of specific claims about the status of the Iranian nuclear program. It … [Read more...] about Can Netanyahu Be Trusted?
SciFi Weekend: Leonard Nimoy, Who Lived Long And Prospered 1931-2015; Parks and Recreation Finale; Sleepy Hollow; Agent Carter; How To Get Away With Murder; Broadchurch; Arrow; 12 Monkeys
News of the death of Leonard Nimoy dominated the news and blogosphere since Friday. I had previous posts on Friday and Saturday, including tweets from those who worked with him, those at NASA who were inspired by him, and even from President Obama. Obama also issued this longer statement: Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Leonard Nimoy, Who Lived Long And Prospered 1931-2015; Parks and Recreation Finale; Sleepy Hollow; Agent Carter; How To Get Away With Murder; Broadchurch; Arrow; 12 Monkeys
Maps to the Stars (Movie Review)
5/5 There is skewering Hollywood and then there is squeezing it by the neck, disemboweling it with a straight razor and gathering ‘round to watch ants engulf the giblets as the host writhes in pain on the Walk of Fame. I’m often quite suspicious of cynicism, but here, screenwriter Bruce Wagner assimilates it so totally that it rises beyond simplistic pessimism and alchemizes … [Read more...] about Maps to the Stars (Movie Review)
Congress and Israel-Iran: Another Veto?
[icopyright one button toolbar] Nerves are already frayed, tempers are already flaring, invectives are already flying over the ill-advised, ill-mannered, ill-natured and ill-timed decision by Boehner & Co. to unilaterally invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress next week without the courtesy of even mentioning it to the … [Read more...] about Congress and Israel-Iran: Another Veto?
Cartoon: Boris Nemtsov Killed in Moscow
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: Boris Nemtsov Killed in Moscow
Netanyahu Speech to Congress Sparks Increasing Warnings
[icopyright one button toolbar] Conservative talkers and some in the non-monolithic Jewish community may be applauding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to take up House Speaker John Boehner's offer to in effect give President Barack Obama and the State Department a fingered half a peace sign and speak to Congress anyway, but the decision is also now … [Read more...] about Netanyahu Speech to Congress Sparks Increasing Warnings
Yes Indeed: Venezuela Coup Attempts are Aided by Washington (La Jornada, Mexico)
[box type="shadow"][icopyright one button toolbar] Since Hugo Chavez was first elected president of Venezuela in 1999, the country's leaders have charged the United States with overtly and covertly working to undermine its government, which Washington regards as hostile to its interests. Never mind that according to former President Jimmy Carter, Venezuela has 'the best … [Read more...] about Yes Indeed: Venezuela Coup Attempts are Aided by Washington (La Jornada, Mexico)
Justifiable Fear of a Creeping Police State (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
[icopyright one button toolbar] The recently reported theft by American and British intelligence of SIM card codes for potentially billions of smart phones around the world may be a tipping point in thinking about how much crime a democracy is willing to allow its spies to commit. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung columnist Jasper von Altenbockum writes that 'If even American … [Read more...] about Justifiable Fear of a Creeping Police State (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany)
Cartoon: Stalin Putin
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: Stalin Putin
Olbermann: The Once and Former King
Olbermann: The Once and Former King By Christine Flowers Keith Olbermann should be used to this by now. Two-bit, Class B second tier provocateurs can't be terribly surprised when they're disciplined for the umpteenth time. They thrive on reaction, court controversy and have a masterful way of turning justified castigation into unjustified persecution. Among this motley crew … [Read more...] about Olbermann: The Once and Former King