Did The Saudis And The US Collude In Dropping Oil Prices? by Andrew Topf The oil price drop that has dominated the headlines in recent weeks has been framed almost exclusively in terms of oil market economics, with most media outlets blaming Saudi Arabia, through its OPEC Trojan horse, for driving down the price, thus causing serious damage to the world's major oil … [Read more...] about Did The Saudis And The US Collude In Dropping Oil Prices? (Guest Voice)
Economic facts get in the way
WASHINGTON -- Uh-oh. Now that the economy is doing well, what are Republicans -- especially those running for president -- going to complain about? And what are Democrats willing to celebrate? Last week's announcement that the economy grew at a 5 percent rate in the third quarter of 2014 -- following 4.6 percent second-quarter growth -- was the clearest and least … [Read more...] about Economic facts get in the way
Bad Republican Branding: House Majority Whip Scalise confirms he spoke to white nationalists in 2002
[icopyright one button toolbar] Wow. Talk about handing your political opponents and the opponents of your political party a late Christmas gift. And I do mean "White" Christmas gift: the Republican House Majority Whip has now confirmed he spoke to a white supremecist group in 2002 associated with former KKKer David Duke. If you hear people singing "It's Beginning to Look a … [Read more...] about Bad Republican Branding: House Majority Whip Scalise confirms he spoke to white nationalists in 2002
Military Year In Review
[icopyright one button toolbar] Now that Christmas is over (hope everyone had a joyous one) and the New Year is suddenly upon us (wishing you a great one), many of us are reflecting on “el Año Viejo” from a personal perspective (here's hoping it was a good one for you). Many others are capturing the old year with an eye on world events, politics, the economy, sports, … [Read more...] about Military Year In Review
End Of Temporary Increase In Medicaid Payments May Impact Treatment In 2015
The Affordable Care Act has been a tremendous benefit to those who purchase insurance on the individual market, but success has been mixed for the working poor who receive coverage from an expansion of Medicaid as opposed to obtaining private plans. While reimbursement varies by state, it is significantly lower than what Medicare and private insurance plans pay, and often … [Read more...] about End Of Temporary Increase In Medicaid Payments May Impact Treatment In 2015
Liberals rise, but at a cost to Democratic Party
WASHINGTON — The Democratic left is rising, and it's unclear whether that will help the embattled party prosper or sink. Ideology-driven movements and candidates tend to seize the spotlight in party presidential nomination contests, and so far, the left has the momentum. Its anointed candidates, though, have a problem: Being too closely identified with a party's… … [Read more...] about Liberals rise, but at a cost to Democratic Party
Gallup Poll: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Continue to be Most Admired
A new Gallup poll has results that just don't seem in keeping with what you'd expect if you listen to Rush Limbaugh or watch Fox News: President Barack Obama continues to be the most admired man and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (who has been at the top of this poll heap for many years) is the most admired woman: Americans continue to name Hillary Clinton as … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Continue to be Most Admired
2015 Some Near-Sure Bets For The New Year
2015 Some Near-Sure Bets For The New Year Tyrades! By Danny Tyree Sure, we humans like to think of a new year as a blank slate; but deep down we know that history repeats itself. We know that along with the unexpected revelations and unpredictable fads, 2015 will bring us more NFL rap sheets, Facebook privacy settings reconfigurations, fracking debates, "stand somebody … [Read more...] about 2015 Some Near-Sure Bets For The New Year
Winston Churchill quietly flirted with Islam – to the point that relatives feared he might convert
He is indelibly associated with the fight to preserve Britain and its Empire from Nazi invasion and his subsequent denouncement of Soviet totalitarianism's Iron Curtain. In the public eye, Sir Winston Churchill's long political career earned him a place among the greatest of Britons. But what may come as a surprise is that he was a… … [Read more...] about Winston Churchill quietly flirted with Islam – to the point that relatives feared he might convert
Permanent Armageddon
WASHINGTON -- Meg Greenfield, the late Washington Post editorial page editor, counseled against writing in "High C" all the time. By this she meant that an editorialist or columnist who expressed equally noisy levels of indignation about everything would lack credibility when something truly outrageous came along that merited a well-crafted high-pitched scream. We now … [Read more...] about Permanent Armageddon
Cartoons: Cagle’s Best of 2014
2014 was a great year for cartoonists. Here's a cross section of 20 of the best by Daryl Cagle of Cagle Cartoons: … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Cagle’s Best of 2014
The Afghanistan War Is Over! Or Is it?
[icopyright one button toolbar] After more than 13 years of bloody fighting that has cost the lives of more than 2,200 U.S. troops and over $1 trillion, the longest war in America’s history has finally come to an end -- or has it? In a low-key flag lowering ceremony today at the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan -- an … [Read more...] about The Afghanistan War Is Over! Or Is it?
SciFi Weekend Part 2: The Best of 2014
Part 1 of SciFi Weekend looked at shows from the past week, including Last Christmas, this year's Doctor Who Christmas special. Part II lists some of the top and most improved shows of the year. The point is not really to rank them so much as to highlight shows worth watching. Really, how do you compare Cosmos to Penny Dreadful? I am at a disadvantage compared to professional … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend Part 2: The Best of 2014
Islamic State Executed Nearly 2,000 People in Six Months: Monitor
Jeb Bush jumps to top of GOP Presidential poll pack
Yes, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a contender for the Republican Presidential nomination, even if he has not officially announced. Bigtime. A new poll shows his leaping to the top of the GOP presidential poll pack: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has opened up a large lead over the Republican presidential field, according to a new poll. Bush wins 23 percent of the … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush jumps to top of GOP Presidential poll pack
Football: Win and you’re in
Win and you’re in by Booga Peters There is nothing like going into week 17 knowing that if you win, you’re in the playoffs. That is exactly what the Chargers are facing on Sunday as they travel to Arrowhead stadium to take on the division rival Chiefs. It was just announced today that Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen and Chase Daniel will start at quarterback for … [Read more...] about Football: Win and you’re in
SciFi Weekend Part 1: Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, And Call the Midwife Christmas Specials, Plus Homeland and The Affair Season Finales, The Interview
This year's Doctor Who Christmas special, Last Christmas is a “dreamy-weamy”combination of a variety of Steven Moffat tropes and old movies. The early scenes combined elements of Doctor Who episodes such as Blink, Listen, the Silent from The Impossible Astronaut with the Alien movie series. Instead of not blinking, or not being able to see or remember the alien, the challenge … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend Part 1: Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, And Call the Midwife Christmas Specials, Plus Homeland and The Affair Season Finales, The Interview
Thinking Jeb may be the least of several evils?
Thinking Jeb may be the least of several evils? Well, he's not. Watch him as he scrambles, Romney-like, to make you think he's a temperate, decent sort of multimillionaire. Not so much. Last week he quietly ended his association with Barclays. This week he's sneaking away from his relationship with a company that made him a bunch of bucks -- a company linked to … [Read more...] about Thinking Jeb may be the least of several evils?
After Calling Obama a ‘Monkey,’ North Korea’s Internet Reportedly Down
After Calling Obama a 'Monkey,' North Korea's Internet Reportedly Down SHANGHAI (Reuters) - North Korea's Internet and 3G mobile networks were paralyzed on Saturday evening, China's official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. The network had not returned to normal as of 2130 local time, Xinhua reported, citing reporters in the country that had confirmed the situation … [Read more...] about After Calling Obama a ‘Monkey,’ North Korea’s Internet Reportedly Down
2015 Precap
2015 Precap By Peter Funt The year gone by was marked by a tangle of stories involving midterm elections, grand juries and scandalous outfits worn by Sasha and Malia Obama. No need for a tedious yearend recap. Here instead is a precap of news certain to break in 2015: JAN. 1 - President Obama ushers in the New Year with a passel of executive orders. In one action likely … [Read more...] about 2015 Precap