Brittany Maynard, the voice of the right-to-die movement, passed away on Saturday in the manner that she wanted to: “peacefully in her bedroom, in the arms of her loved ones.” Maynard’s choice to take her own life after being diagnosed with brain cancer at the beginning of this year was authorized under the Oregon Death With… … [Read more...] about Brittany Maynard Showed Us Death With Dignity Gives Patients A Voice [VIDEO]
Senate Trivia
Here is a nerdy little factoid about the Senate elections tomorrow: As best as I can tell there are currently 3 US Senate seats with a perfect partisan record in popular elections. That is to say since popular elections for Senators began 100 yrs ago they have elected the same party every time (in all 3 cases Democrats) All 3 of those seats are up tomorrow One is … [Read more...] about Senate Trivia
Senate Scenario
Here is something fun to ponder In the race for the US Senate it is entirely plausible that we could end up on Monday morning with the race tied 49-49 with 2 seats undecided Both Louisiana and Georgia require 50% majority or there is a runoff Louisiana's would be in December. Georgia's would not be until January 6th (a special day indeed). Imagine the GOP wins … [Read more...] about Senate Scenario
Ted Cruz plans to lead the Republican Senate
You can forget about Mitch McConnell. Ted Cruz has plans to take over... if the Republicans win their Senate majority. After a spell of cooperating with his party during the campaign season, the Post reports, he will elbow his way into de facto leadership. In an interview at the Hotel Captain Cook here between campaign stops for Sullivan, Cruz made it clear he would … [Read more...] about Ted Cruz plans to lead the Republican Senate
Trust and the Democratic Process
It is worthwhile giving some thought to the role that trust plays in a democracy. Ideally, democracy can be defined as a form of government where all eligible voters have an equal say in determining policy, how they will be governed, and the laws that will be enacted, with the will of the majority being followed. In addition, the rights of minorities will be protected. America … [Read more...] about Trust and the Democratic Process
No alternative to hope
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has always had a thing about hope as an antidote to cynicism. The speech that made him a national figure, his keynote at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, is best known for his declaration that "there's not a liberal America and a conservative America, there's the United States of America." In light of what's happened since, you want … [Read more...] about No alternative to hope
Despite Pennsylvania Cop Killer’s Capture, A Very Big Question Remains
The surrender of cop killer Eric Frein on Thursday after an excruciating 48-day manhunt in the dense woodlands of the Pennsylvania Poconos is not the end of the story. It is the end of the prologue to a very big question that demands to be asked -- and answered: What prompted this wily survivalist to shoot dead a particular state trooper and critically wound another? To … [Read more...] about Despite Pennsylvania Cop Killer’s Capture, A Very Big Question Remains
A history lesson for Tom Cotton (and voters in Arkansas)
As campaign whoppers go, it wins the most chutzpah award. When President Obama hijacked the farm bill, turned it into a food stamp bill... I voted no. [icopyright one button toolbar] That's U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton (R) talking, and he's running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Mark Pryor (D). When this campaign ad was released in September, fact checkers came down … [Read more...] about A history lesson for Tom Cotton (and voters in Arkansas)
SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Benedict Cumberbatch on Sherlock and Sex; Agents of SHIELD; Agent Carter; Gotham; Arrow; The Flash; 12 Monkeys; Billy Bob Thornton and Other Sitcom News; Crash of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo
Black Water is so far likely to be the most memorable episode of this season of Doctor Who, but any such judgment will be influenced by the second part of the story, Death in Heaven. It is difficult to review the first episode of a two-part story as when an interesting idea in genre is raised we never know how well the story will play out. Of course this could also be said of … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Benedict Cumberbatch on Sherlock and Sex; Agents of SHIELD; Agent Carter; Gotham; Arrow; The Flash; 12 Monkeys; Billy Bob Thornton and Other Sitcom News; Crash of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo
RIP Brittany Maynard
Terminally Ill Woman Brittany Maynard Has Ended Her Own Life. Brittany Maynard, who became the public face of the controversial right-to-die movement over the last few weeks, ended her own life Saturday at her home in Portland, Oregon. She was 29. If you don't believe in it that's fine but don't try to force your mythology on others. I live in the Portland area and am … [Read more...] about RIP Brittany Maynard
Rand Paul is right and wrong (Guest Voice)
Rand Paul is right and wrong By Richard K. Barry Senator Rand Paul says the Republican brand sucks, and because I don't like to disagree with the Senator, I won't. I will, however, take issue with his understanding of history. “Remember Domino’s Pizza? They admitted, ‘Hey, our pizza crust sucks.’ The Republican Party brand sucks and so people don’t want to be a … [Read more...] about Rand Paul is right and wrong (Guest Voice)
Republicans Have Slight, But Not Insurmountable, Lead Prior To Midterms
The final weekend before the midterm elections the race to control the Senate remains close enough that either party can still win. The Republicans have an edge, but certainly not an insurmountable one. Looking at the most recent polls. electoral-vote.com has the Republicans with 51 seats. This means that the Democrats would only have to win in one state where they are behind … [Read more...] about Republicans Have Slight, But Not Insurmountable, Lead Prior To Midterms
’30 Years in the Making’: Volunteers Walk San Diego’s New Asian District 6, Urge Asian Vote
’30 Years in the Making': Volunteers Walk San Diego's New Asian District 6, Urge Asian Vote by Alexander Nguyen SAN DIEGO, California -- On a cold, stormy Saturday in Mira Mesa, at least 40 volunteers with door hangers and other materials sought to increase the turnout among Asian-American voters in the upcoming election. The so-called Super Walk get-out-the-vote … [Read more...] about ’30 Years in the Making’: Volunteers Walk San Diego’s New Asian District 6, Urge Asian Vote
What Is Your Dog Thinking? Check Out This High-Tech Harness For Communication Between Humans And Dogs
Brett Smith for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online When a dog is barking or staring intently at you, a common response might be to ask – "What do you want?" A team of researchers from North Carolina State University is currently working on making communication between us and man's best friend a little easier through the… … [Read more...] about What Is Your Dog Thinking? Check Out This High-Tech Harness For Communication Between Humans And Dogs
It’s Okay, Really (Guest Voice)
It's Okay, Really By Peter Funt PHOENIX — Back before there were pollsters to tell people how they felt about everything and everyone, the mood of the electorate could be judged by a loaf of bread. When the price was low, things were okay. I thought about that as I filled my gas tank on the north side of Phoenix and paid $2.79 per gallon. Gas prices are probably the … [Read more...] about It’s Okay, Really (Guest Voice)
North Carolina Voting Machine Switches Kay Hagan Vote To Thom Tillis (Guest Voice)
While Republicans are concerned over Voter ID in order to supposedly "restore the integrity of the vote," they might want to do a few updates. In Guilford County, North Carolina, a couple of voters had a difficult time casting a ballot for Kay Hagan. Instead, the votes registered for the Republican candidate. The News & Record… … [Read more...] about North Carolina Voting Machine Switches Kay Hagan Vote To Thom Tillis (Guest Voice)
Buh Bye Democratic Senate Majority? Reid says majority hinges on (reportedly) majority breaking Iowa
Is this the year when experts are going to be proven on the dime with their predictions and the conventional wisdom -- that the Democrats are poised to lose the Senate and President Barack Obama will go down in history has being a President with some of the lousiest mid-term election results in American history? Or will the experts and conventional wisdom be wrong again, and … [Read more...] about Buh Bye Democratic Senate Majority? Reid says majority hinges on (reportedly) majority breaking Iowa
The Final Push Up Calumniation Hill
[icopyright one button toolbar] Artwork by author (apologies to Goya) Ah, the obligatory journalistic masturbation of the meaningless pre-election nonsense article: The final sprint Mike Zapler / Politico: In Kentucky, Democrats were crying foul over a last-minute GOP flier they called a dirty trick to suppress turnout. In Kansas, independent Greg Orman met the full … [Read more...] about The Final Push Up Calumniation Hill
Parties, groups ready thousands of lawyers for Election Day
WASHINGTON — As Americans prepare to vote Tuesday in dozens of tight elections, the two major political parties and interest groups across the ideological spectrum already have lawyered up for potential problems at the polls or with election results. On Election Day, armies of partisan attorneys and poll watchers will be at the ready at voting… … [Read more...] about Parties, groups ready thousands of lawyers for Election Day
Court Rules Against Quarantine Of Hickox Representing A Victory For Science And Civil Liberties
A judge in Maine ruled yesterday against the quarantine of Kaci Hickox which the governor of Maine has attempted to impose, agreeing with the medical evidence that Hickox “currently does not show symptoms of Ebola and is therefore not infectious.” This is a victory for Hickox personally, along with a victory for both science and civil liberties. The politicization of Ebola … [Read more...] about Court Rules Against Quarantine Of Hickox Representing A Victory For Science And Civil Liberties