Not very long ago it was common for bipartisan coalitions to accomplish things in Congress. That was largely before the current realignment in which Democratic southern conservatives have either joined the Republicans or been voted out of office, and Republican moderates and liberals have been driven away. Theoretically even a totally conservative Republican Party might have … [Read more...] about Republican Minority Blocks Bill To Curtail NSA; Democrats To Take Over Role Of Blocking What They Oppose
Can the GOP Stop Obama’s Immigration Order?
Republicans in Congress are furious that President Barack Obama is moving ahead on immigration reform without them. Over the past several days, Republicans have called Obama’s upcoming executive action unconstitutional. One senator warned of “anarchy” and “violence” breaking out, and Republican governors are talking about suing the administration over the order. But in reality, … [Read more...] about Can the GOP Stop Obama’s Immigration Order?
The Second Amendment in California
California is one of the more liberal and progressive states, let alone super states. It is also home to one eighth of the population of the United States. It has a history of being forward thinking on gun control. Add the Circuit Court of Appeals in the mix. However, in February, the infamously liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California's issuance of … [Read more...] about The Second Amendment in California
New York National Guard Responds to Historic Snowfall
[icopyright one button toolbar] As weather forecasters are predicting that "yet another one to three feet of snow will likely fall over western New York state during the next 48 hours after a mammoth winter storm earlier this week," our National Guard troops -- as always -- are already responding to this emergency. On Nov. 18, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called … [Read more...] about New York National Guard Responds to Historic Snowfall
When Will GOP Congress Grow Up?
Kevin Drum asks why Republicans in Congress get a pass on governing by temper tantrum on Mother Jones. David Brooks is unhappy that President Obama continues to be a liberal even though Democrats lost in this year's midterm election: "I sympathize with what Obama is trying to do substantively (on immigration), but the process of how it’s being done is ruinous. … [Read more...] about When Will GOP Congress Grow Up?
A Mission for Jeb Bush
WASHINGTON -- President Obama will no doubt clash regularly with his newly empowered partisan adversaries in Congress. But the most important struggle in American politics over the next two years will be inside the Republican Party. And the person who can play a decisive role in that battle is Jeb Bush. Yes, Democrats have their own divides, usually described as … [Read more...] about A Mission for Jeb Bush
ISIS Terror: Are We Desensitized?
When the Islamic State group released a new video Sunday showing a series of bloody beheadings, including that of U.S. aid worker Peter Kassig, newspapers, TV networks and news sites once again featured blaring headlines detailing and decrying the latest piece of ISIS propaganda. But the stories of militant terror seem to be having diminishing impact… … [Read more...] about ISIS Terror: Are We Desensitized?
A Dark Alliance & A Lasting Shame: Remembering Investigative Reporter Gary Webb
] Kill the Messenger is currently playing at mostly empty theaters, which is a pity, because it's an important movie about a real-life story: A reporter who becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to suicide after he exposes the CIA's role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into Southern California. That reporter is Gary Webb, … [Read more...] about A Dark Alliance & A Lasting Shame: Remembering Investigative Reporter Gary Webb
Elizabeth Warren is my Hero
Daniel Strauss reports on Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) reading Republicans the riot act on Talking Points Memo. "The Republicans have a pretty simple philosophy: they say if those at the top have more — more power for Wall Street players to do whatever they want and more money for tax cuts then somehow they can be counted on to build the economy for everyone else," Warren … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Warren is my Hero
My Health Care Premiums, Part 2
Recently, I kept my months old promise to report on my 2015 health care premiums at Kaiser California in a post that generated considerable comments. Most were attempting to be helpful or empathetic. Some suggesting "I shop around" or "turn 65" (we do have a mature readership that is openly very progressive). That's all good. But a key point missed by some readers … [Read more...] about My Health Care Premiums, Part 2
The San Diego Chargers Stadium Debate: Thomas Powell, Derek Togerson, Dan McLellan, David Frerker and Booga Peters
The San Diego Chargers Stadium Debate: Thomas Powell, Derek Togerson, Dan McLellan, David Frerker and Booga Peters Boltbliz.com EDITOR’S NOTE: The need for the Chargers to remain in San Diego is obvious to Charger fans. The fans here do not want to lose their team to a market like Los Angeles, Portland or San Antonio. But is that even relevant to the vote or the topic at … [Read more...] about The San Diego Chargers Stadium Debate: Thomas Powell, Derek Togerson, Dan McLellan, David Frerker and Booga Peters
Obama will announce executive action on immigration tomorrow
The White House has announced that President Barack Obama will tomorrow outline executive actions he'll be taking on immigration reform. This announcement has set off a predictable debate on MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, left blogs and right blogs and if you think you know what they're saying about the issue, in most cases you are correct. America loves a screaming, angry debate -- … [Read more...] about Obama will announce executive action on immigration tomorrow
Liberty Is the Politics of Love
You know you love someone when you want for them what they want for themselves. The three little words that really convey this sentiment are not, “I love you “, which can mean all kinds of things to all kinds of people; rather they are, “As you wish”. Love is kind, expansive, proactive, and fundamentally non-constraining. And although some of us may disagree on a positive … [Read more...] about Liberty Is the Politics of Love
Republicans Used Jed Bartlet’s Former Campaign Manager To Skirt Election Laws
CNN reported this week that the Republicans used coded messages in Twitter accounts to get around campaign finance laws which prohibit coordination between campaigns and outside groups such as Super-PAC's. Information in fake Twitter accounts allegedly contained internal polling data. Republican officials deny knowing abut this. Considering the wide range of things which … [Read more...] about Republicans Used Jed Bartlet’s Former Campaign Manager To Skirt Election Laws
More and More ISIS resembles the Nazis
[feedburner name="name"][/feedburner] [icopyright one button toolbar] More and more ISIS resembles the Nazis in Nazi Germany and how they treated occupied terrority. Vox has a report on how its brutality is institutionalized, has a point -- and may be working. Yours truly is a World War II buff and is now reading "Hitler: A Study in Tyranny" by John Toland. I read reports … [Read more...] about More and More ISIS resembles the Nazis
GOP Shutdown Fever
Sahil Kapur lists factors working toward a GOP government shutdown on Talking Points Memo. The specter of President Barack Obama using his executive authority to temporarily shield as many as 5 million Americans from the threat of deportation has ignited a strong backlash from the GOP's tea party wing. Seeing no better option to stop Obama, these conservatives, led by Sen. … [Read more...] about GOP Shutdown Fever
Obama’s political legacy fading fast
WASHINGTON — The Obama legacy wasn't supposed to unfold this way. Barack Obama was changing the political map, pushing the Democratic Party into the South and the Mountain West. He was building a new social network that would endure long after an Obama presidency. And he was building a new Democratic coalition for a new age,… … [Read more...] about Obama’s political legacy fading fast
World reacts to terrorist synagogue slayings in Israel
NEW YORK (Press Release) –The American Jewish Committee praised world leaders who have spoken out against Tuesday’s deadly Palestinian terror attack on a Jerusalem synagogue during morning prayers. Four worshipers were killed and at least six others wounded by the two terrorists who struck with guns, axes and knives. “Jerusalem is on edge, thanks to Palestinian incitement … [Read more...] about World reacts to terrorist synagogue slayings in Israel
The Keystone Pipeline votes: who voted how?
If you see a headline saying that the Senate defeated the Keystone XL Pipeline project by one vote, your mind might imagine a 51-49 tally. You'd be wrong. The Senate roll-call vote today that suspended action on the Keystone XL Pipeline was a 59-41 vote on ending the Democratic filibuster. The bill under filibuster (according to the Senate Democrats website), S. 2280, … [Read more...] about The Keystone Pipeline votes: who voted how?
Breaking: Texas Judge Refuses to Throw Out Criminal Charges Against Perry
[icopyright one button toolbar] The Austin American-Statesman, Governor Perry’s hometown newspaper, has just reported that Senior Texas State District Judge Bert Richardson has refused to throw out the criminal charges against Perry brought by a Travis County grand jury when it indicted Perry on felony charges of abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public … [Read more...] about Breaking: Texas Judge Refuses to Throw Out Criminal Charges Against Perry