[icopyright one button toolbar] He rides in an open car amid hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and abhors being seperated from his flock. Imagine the heart-stopping difficulty of protecting one of the most popular pontiffs in a generation from terrorists bent on killing anyone not a Sunni fundamentalist - particularly a man with the title 'Vicar of … [Read more...] about On Pope Francis’ Secret Service: Confronting the ISIS Threat (Corriere Della Sera, Italy)
Chait on Immigration Politics
Jonathan Chait argues immigration will hurt the GOP in New York Magazine.[icopyright one button toolbar] Substantively, Obama’s executive order gives him less than he hoped to gain with a bipartisan law. But politically, he has ceded no advantage. Indeed, he has gained one. Not only does immigration remain a live issue, it is livelier than ever. The GOP primary will … [Read more...] about Chait on Immigration Politics
How Americans Came to Oppose Fracking
by Walter Brasch [icopyright one button toolbar] For the first time since high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as nonconventional fracking, was developed, more Americans oppose it than support it. According to a national survey conducted by the independent non-partisan Pew Research Center, 47 percent of Americans oppose fracking, while 41 percent … [Read more...] about How Americans Came to Oppose Fracking
Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul announces February debut as AMC releases new trailer
Saul Goodman is returning to television in February for the two night premiere of the highly anticipated show Better Call Saul. AMC announced Nov. 20 that the Breaking Bad prequel will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10 p.m. The second episode will air the following day, Monday, Feb. 9 at 10 p.m. All subsequent episodes… … [Read more...] about Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul announces February debut as AMC releases new trailer
Midterm Elections and The Great Gatsby
Midterm Elections and The Great Gatsby By Joseph Cotto Jack Clayton's 1974 rendition of The Great Gatsby is the quintessential American epic, as well as a sophisticated blockbuster. While the film is anything but a masterpiece — in fact, it becomes quite disjointed during the end of the second act — the fabled 1920s are recreated to such a stunning extent that the … [Read more...] about Midterm Elections and The Great Gatsby
Sandy Hook murder: report documents system failure throughout Lanza’s life
[slider][icopyright one button toolbar] [Updated 12:25 pm Saturday, Pacific] Although hindsight can often provide a false sense of clarity, a report on Sandy Hook mass murderer Adam Lanza suggests there were many warnings about Lanza's mental health issues, warnings that were were ignored or dismissed by parents, educators, doctors. The report (pdf), prepared by the … [Read more...] about Sandy Hook murder: report documents system failure throughout Lanza’s life
GOP Reaction to President’s Immigration Policy: ‘Life Imitating Satire’?
[icopyright one button toolbar] On Thursday, New York Times best-selling author, Andy Borowitz, wrote: In a sharp Republican rebuke to President Obama’s proposed actions on immigration, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused the President…of "flagrantly treating immigrants like human beings, in clear defiance of the wishes of Congress." Borowitz also … [Read more...] about GOP Reaction to President’s Immigration Policy: ‘Life Imitating Satire’?
On the Ready in Ferguson: Police, Protesters – And Lawyers
Hundreds of civil rights lawyers from across America are descending on Ferguson, Missouri as police and protesters prepare for a grand jury decision on whether to charge the officer who killed an unarmed black teenager in August. The attorneys are arriving in Ferguson as talks between protest groups and police have stalled over a refusal by… … [Read more...] about On the Ready in Ferguson: Police, Protesters – And Lawyers
Republicans Can Stop Pretending They Want Immigration Reform (Guest Voice)
Republicans Can Stop Pretending They Want Immigration Reform By Tina Dupuy Illegal immigrants are the perfect Republican foe. They're easily exploited as low-cost workers benefiting business and easily maligned for being "lawless" benefiting politicians. They're a foreign other with a tendency not to speak English so suspicion is ready-made. Plus, how are illegal immigrants … [Read more...] about Republicans Can Stop Pretending They Want Immigration Reform (Guest Voice)
Republicans face tea party “upstarts”
[icopyright one button toolbar] The over-the-top reaction of Republican party to the President's immigration actions are way more than just a reaction to Obama. The whole party is in trouble. McConnell and Boehner are trying to hold things together. John McCain refers to the tea party upstarts as "young punks." The moves announced Thursday night by Obama — which … [Read more...] about Republicans face tea party “upstarts”
With Ferguson decision looming, Holder issues new police guidance
WASHINGTON — With a grand jury decision on the Ferguson shooting death of Michael Brown expected soon, the Justice Department today has released new guidelines to help "maintain public safety while safeguarding constitutional rights" of demonstrators who are preparing to gather in cities around the country after the decision is announced. Attorney General Eric Holder announced… … [Read more...] about With Ferguson decision looming, Holder issues new police guidance
Another Unforced Error On Selling Obamacare
The Obama administration has done an excellent job policy-wise with the Affordable Care Act, but politically has made a few major mistakes along the way. The most recent was discovered today when Bloomberg reported that the administration had made mistakes in reporting the number of people who obtained health coverage through the exchanges in its first year. The error came from … [Read more...] about Another Unforced Error On Selling Obamacare
Homeless and Hungry on Thanksgiving
[icopyright one button toolbar] National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is held each year the week before Thanksgiving -- this year, the week of Nov. 15-23. As many of us are planning the thanksgiving festivities, centered around home, family, warmth and plenty of food, it should also be a time to think about those who are less fortunate than we are and “a perfect … [Read more...] about Homeless and Hungry on Thanksgiving
Conservative Legal Scholars: Obama’s Immigration Move Legal
Kevin Drum reports on conservative legal opinion on the President's immigration move on Mother Jones. [icopyright one button toolbar] I've been paying only moderate attention to the whole issue of President Obama's executive order on immigration, and it's only over the past few days that I've started trying to learn more about the legal issues involved. And I confess that … [Read more...] about Conservative Legal Scholars: Obama’s Immigration Move Legal
What’s Worse For Kids’ Health: Soda Or Energy Drinks?
Between the bright colors, cartoons, commercials, and accessibility, energy drinks and sodas are a health hazard for children. Energy drinks are popular among teenagers and college kids, and if they have a little sibling watching them guzzle down these sugary, caffeinated drinks, they may want one, too. Consuming too much caffeine can cause adverse health effects,… … [Read more...] about What’s Worse For Kids’ Health: Soda Or Energy Drinks?
Say It Ain’t So, Dr. Huxtable!
During the past few weeks, the autumn air has swirled with uncertainties. It feels as if we're waiting for the other shoe to drop in half a dozen different rooms on the floor above us. [icopyright one button toolbar] Obama has been promising (or threatening, depending on your opinion of him) unilateral action on our illegal immigrant saga. Police and demonstrators … [Read more...] about Say It Ain’t So, Dr. Huxtable!
The Firestorm Begins: Reaction to Obama’s Executive Order on Immigration (Roundup)
[icopyright one button toolbar] The deed is done. To Republicans (who after the two Presidential elections that ended badly for their candidate and their party and who pooh-poohed suggestions that they go along with how the overall vote was against them), President Barack Obama is ignoring how the votes went against his party by issuing an executive order on immigration … [Read more...] about The Firestorm Begins: Reaction to Obama’s Executive Order on Immigration (Roundup)
‘An Eye for an Eye’ Carried to the Extreme
[icopyright one button toolbar] Two days ago, I joined millions in their condemnation of the barbaric Synagogue attack in Jerusalem. But, I also expressed dismay at the Israeli government’s decision to demolish the homes of the attackers' families, in effect punishing human beings for "the crime" of being related to a criminal or terrorist. A powerful voice in … [Read more...] about ‘An Eye for an Eye’ Carried to the Extreme
President Obama’s Immigration Plan Goes After Felons, Not Families (UPDATED)
President Obama's immigration plan will shield five million illegal immigrants and shift the focus to felons, gang members and suspected terrorists. Obama will reject claims he is offering a free pass to undocumented immigrants and argue that "the real amnesty" would be leaving a broken system as it is now, according to excerpts of his remarks released by the White … [Read more...] about President Obama’s Immigration Plan Goes After Felons, Not Families (UPDATED)
Conservatives tell GOP: Look past Obama order on immigration
WASHINGTON — As Capitol Hill prepares for political warfare over President Barack Obama's planned executive order on immigration, a coalition of business executives and prominent conservatives is warning Republican leaders not to get further mired in the rhetorical battle that already has spiraled into threats of lawsuits, impeachment and a government shutdown. At least one … [Read more...] about Conservatives tell GOP: Look past Obama order on immigration