Followup: The Ferguson grand jury proceedings, dissected About 3 pm Pacific on Monday, I said to a friend, "Did you see that the grand jury reached a decision?" He said yes, and we began a short discussion about race in America. I didn't have to say any magic words like "Ferguson" or "Mike Brown" or "Darren Wilson." This is the first time we had talked about the August … [Read more...] about We anticipated the decision, but nothing prepared us for this much bumbling
My top 10 greatest villains: Part 3
Just in case you missed the previous installments, you can find part 1 here and part 2 here. 6 – Tywin Lannister (A Game of Thrones – A Storm of Swords) George R.R Martin knows how to write morally reprehensible characters. He has a whole host of them in his A song of Ice and Fire series. In fact, the only truly decent character in the whole series, Ned Stark, … [Read more...] about My top 10 greatest villains: Part 3
Republicans Seek To Block Marijuana Law In Washington, D.C.
Republicans, members of the party which claims to support small government, individual freedom, and states’ rights, once again shows that it doesn’t mean a word of this. The Hill reports on one action planned by Republicans: House Republicans next year will try to block Washington, D.C.’s, newly enacted law legalizing recreational marijuana. Rep. Andy Harris said he … [Read more...] about Republicans Seek To Block Marijuana Law In Washington, D.C.
Priorities and realities
Hate that the White House wants to urge the protesters in #Ferguson to act peacefully but doesn't urge the same of the police. ...Corrente ___ Researchers — psychologists and social scientists, mostly — in the U.S. and United Kingdom say data indicate that, contrary to those mainstream media stereotypes, “conspiracy theorists” appear to be more sane than people … [Read more...] about Priorities and realities
Ferguson Riots: Photos Capture The Chaos
Ferguson is exploding. Over three months after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed, the city is experiencing one of its most violent nights of demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters took to Ferguson’s already fragile streets late Monday, following the grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson. A car burns on the street after a… … [Read more...] about Ferguson Riots: Photos Capture The Chaos
Cartoons: World Cartoonists look at Ferguson
Cartoonists are now doing their takes on the grand jury's decision in Ferguson. The events in Ferguson and the ever-growing number of policy shoots of African-Americans has kept cartoonists busy over the past year. Here's a cross section with the publication dates: See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license … [Read more...] about Cartoons: World Cartoonists look at Ferguson
No Indictment In Furguson
Just breaking that the grand jury has voted not to indict I would hope we could all wait for the evidence to be released before reacting knee jerk but then I hope for a lot of things. Discuss away … [Read more...] about No Indictment In Furguson
No Indictment Against Officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown Shooting
No indictment will be filed against Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch says the grand jury "determined that no probable cause exists to charge Officer Darren Wilson" for the teen's murder. Most of the witnesses said the shots fired at Michael Brown came when he turned towards the officer. … [Read more...] about No Indictment Against Officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown Shooting
SciFi Weekend: Arrow; The Flash; Gotham; Agents of SHIELD; Natalie Dormer, Zombies, and Nudity on Game of Thrones; Westworld; How To Get Away With Murder; Doctor Who; Sherlock; SNL on Executive Orders
The Hollywood Reporter has more information on the upcoming cross over episodes from Arrow and The Flash, along with some other information about Arrow. Among the information revealed (not all of which is new): The title of The Flash portion of the pair of episodes is quite literal, The Flash vs. Arrow. Barry encounters a metahuman who brainwashes him. The Flash episode … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Arrow; The Flash; Gotham; Agents of SHIELD; Natalie Dormer, Zombies, and Nudity on Game of Thrones; Westworld; How To Get Away With Murder; Doctor Who; Sherlock; SNL on Executive Orders
‘Sergeant’ Chuck Hagel Steps Down
[icopyright one button toolbar] When announcing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s departure from the Pentagon, President Obama referred to Chuck Hagel’s enlisted service. "He’s been in the dirt. He’s been in the mud. And that has established a special bond. He sees himself in them. They see themselves in him," President Obama said about the first enlisted combat veteran … [Read more...] about ‘Sergeant’ Chuck Hagel Steps Down
Obama heightens the contradictions
WASHINGTON -- Stay wide awake in the coming weeks. This is a historic moment when all of the divisions, misunderstandings and hatreds of President Obama's time in office have come to a head. We are in a different place than we were. We are also in a place we were bound to get to eventually. Obama's decision to back away from our government's policy of ripping apart the … [Read more...] about Obama heightens the contradictions
Politics and Wealth
[icopyright one button toolbar] Thanksgiving week is a time citizens are supposed to remember how fortunate they are to live in freedom in America. Of course, some citizens are more fortunate than others, particularly in regards to wealth and material things (which as everyone knows can’t buy happiness). Particularly fortunate are federal officeholders who are generally … [Read more...] about Politics and Wealth
Breaking: Defense Secretary Hagel to Resign
[icopyright one button toolbar] The Washington Post quotes AP sources saying that Chuck Hagel is resigning as Secretary of Defense “following a tenure in which he has struggled to break through the White House’s insular foreign policy team.”: A senior defense official said that Hagel submitted his resignation letter to Obama on Monday morning and the president … [Read more...] about Breaking: Defense Secretary Hagel to Resign
Tamir Rice Shooting Sparks Toy Gun Bill
An Ohio legislator planned to introduce a bill Monday requiring all toy firearms to have brightly colored strips indicating they're fake after Cleveland police fatally shot a 12-year-old boy with a BB gun this weekend. Rep. Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati, wanted airsoft guns, air rifles and gun replicas to have fluorescent strips to "prevent future deadly confrontations,"… … [Read more...] about Tamir Rice Shooting Sparks Toy Gun Bill
Book Review: There’s A House In The Land: (Where A Band Can Take A Stand) by Shaun Mullen
[icopyright one button toolbar] With each passing year, the 70s has taken on a kind of mystical quality. And, once upon a time in the 70s, a group of Vietnam vets, non-Vietnam vets, young men, young women, some children and a host of beloved, and exquisitely well-cared for animals made their home ona farm just beyond Philadelphia's far western suburbs. No, it was not a … [Read more...] about Book Review: There’s A House In The Land: (Where A Band Can Take A Stand) by Shaun Mullen
From Richards To Rivers: A Dozen Great Books For Holiday Gift Giving
Your Faithful Reviewer plowed through another 30 or so books in the course of 2014, some new, some not so old and a couple of classics that I had not gotten around to reading. Here are the best dozen of the bunch, actually the best 14 because one offering is a trilogy. All are great holiday gifts for a literary inclined spouse, other family member or friend, and all are … [Read more...] about From Richards To Rivers: A Dozen Great Books For Holiday Gift Giving
Remember Benghazi? (Update)
[icopyright one button toolbar] Updated -- at bottom -- with Senator Graham’s elegant "full of crap” comments over the weekend from the Huffington Post. Original Post: Remember the Benghazi tragedy? Of course you do. But do you remember the other tragedy? The one where Republicans attempted to “turn the Benghazi tragedy into a political scandal.” … [Read more...] about Remember Benghazi? (Update)
Sullivan on Obama and Immigration
Andrew Sullivan drills down into the immigration dynamic on The Daily Dish. One reason I’ve been somewhat forgiving of Obama’s executive action on immigration deportations is that I see it as a function not of his choice to be an “imperial” president, but as a result of unprecedented Republican obstructionism. It is, for example, jaw-dropping to hear the GOP declare its shock … [Read more...] about Sullivan on Obama and Immigration
Top 10 Villains
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved villains. It was always the big bad that interested me more in Disney films. More often than not, the villains were the folk that made the lasting impression and to this day I believe the villain is what elevates a film from being good to everlasting greatness. Over the coming week I’m going to be listing 10 of favourite … [Read more...] about Top 10 Villains
Bill Cosby’s Scandal-Filled Week: One Allegation After Another
More women have come forward this week accusing legendary comedian Bill Cosby of sexual abuse and several companies have cut ties with the actor. His attorney has dismissed the claims as “unsubstantiated or fabricated stories” and Cosby, 77, remained silent until recently. “I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn’t… … [Read more...] about Bill Cosby’s Scandal-Filled Week: One Allegation After Another