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
Ex-Mossad chief: Netanyahu taking ‘intolerable’ risks with Israeli security
Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan at a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in 2010. (photo credit: Yossi Zamir/Flash90) Former Mossad spy agency chief Meir Dagan accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday of having caused Israel “heavy strategic damage on the Iranian issue” by antagonizing US leadership, and said the premier had… … [Read more...] about Ex-Mossad chief: Netanyahu taking ‘intolerable’ risks with Israeli security
Guantanamo: Interview with Nancy Hollander
[icopyright one button toolbar] Nancy Hollander is a partner at the law firm of Freedman, Boyd, Hollander, Goldberg, Urias & Ward in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her practice is largely devoted to criminal cases, including those involving national security issues. She has also been counsel in numerous civil cases, forfeitures and administrative hearings, and has argued and … [Read more...] about Guantanamo: Interview with Nancy Hollander
About #theDress
[icopyright one button toolbar] Of course, you've heard of #theDress by now. I initially thought the Tumblr post was trolling. In other words, I thought the controversy was fake. But by late on Thursday night I was convinced it was real, and I shared it on Facebook. Of course, I shared it in an attempt to explain how it could be possible. Perhaps this all-in-fun story … [Read more...] about About #theDress
Inhabitants Of A Class M Planet Say Goodbye To Leonard Nimoy
[icopyright one button toolbar] A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015 Above is the final tweet posted by Leonard Nimoy, who died yesterday. His twitter feed remains open, retweeting messages of condolence. Among those with tweets in memory of Nimoy were Barack … [Read more...] about Inhabitants Of A Class M Planet Say Goodbye To Leonard Nimoy
Buchanan on GOP Hawks
[icopyright one button toolbar] Paleo-conservative Patrick Buchanan offers an insightful (and sobering) take on his party's foreign policy hawks in The American Conservative. If the sadists of ISIS are seeking—with their mass executions, child rapes, immolations, and beheadings of Christians—to stampede us into a new war in the Middle East, they are succeeding. Repeatedly … [Read more...] about Buchanan on GOP Hawks
Head transplants less than three years away, surgeon says
Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com – @BednarChuck The first-ever human head transplant operation could take place in less than three years time, according to bold claims made by one prominent Italian surgeon earlier this week. According to CNET, Sergio Canavero, director of the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group (TANG) in Italy, believes that he had found a way… … [Read more...] about Head transplants less than three years away, surgeon says