DERRY, N.H. -- The beheadings of Jim Foley and Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State enraged and horrified the nation. But someone who knows her state down to the block and town green level said the killings were felt even more deeply here. The threat from the Islamic State "is personal for us in New Hampshire," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. "You know, Jim grew up in New … [Read more...] about Will the election turn on terrorism?
Americans More Depressed Than in 1980s, San Diego State University Study Finds
A study by San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge shows Americans are more depressed now than they have been in decades. Analyzing data from 6.9 million adolescents and adults from all parts of the country, Twenge found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression, such as trouble sleeping and trouble concentrating, than their … [Read more...] about Americans More Depressed Than in 1980s, San Diego State University Study Finds
George Packer on the US and the Middle East
George Packer offers a perceptive take on the US and the Middle East in The New Yorker. It’s very hard for Americans to accept that we are not the root cause of all the world’s good or evil. A kind of nationalistic narcissism joins the left and the right in a common delusion: the first believes that American support for Israel and the invasion of Iraq are behind all the … [Read more...] about George Packer on the US and the Middle East
Cartoon: Blind Man’s Bluff
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Blind Man’s Bluff
All Eyes On Kenya: The Next Big Oil Exporter (Guest Voice)
All Eyes On Kenya: The Next Big Oil Exporter by James Stafford Not even the specter of a spillover of Islamic extremism from Somalia can dampen the atmosphere in Kenya, where commercial oil production is expected to begin in 2016 and discovery after discovery has made this the hottest and fastest-paced hydrocarbon scene on the continent. When it comes to new oil and … [Read more...] about All Eyes On Kenya: The Next Big Oil Exporter (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Protests in Hong Kong
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Protests in Hong Kong
Secret Service chief out; multiple probes of security lapses loom
WASHINGTON — Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigned Wednesday amid mounting congressional criticism and as new revelations of agency lapses convinced President Barack Obama it was time for new leadership. Joseph Clancy, a former special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division of the Secret Service who retired in 2011, was named as acting agency… … [Read more...] about Secret Service chief out; multiple probes of security lapses loom
Prepping for Denzel Week
I plan to be writing a lot about Mr Denzel Washington over the next couple of months. He is an actor who I think is rightly revered but also severely underrated. Underrated because when there is the annual talk of who is the greatest actors alive, I feel he is wrongly overlooked or, worse still, only included in the discussion because publications and outlets feel they need to … [Read more...] about Prepping for Denzel Week
A Tale of Two Pelosis
There are 33 days and change until the November 4 election as I write this.[icopyright one button toolbar] I will try to keep this brief and to the point -- which, Progressives, IS the point. The Republicans are running on their traditional slander: College GOP: Democrats Are Like a Bad Wedding Dress Rebecca Ballhaus / Wall Street Journal The College … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Pelosis
Happy 90th birthday, President Carter
On this day in 1924, James Earl Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, making today the 90th birthday of our nation's 39th president (1977-81) and Georgia's 76th governor (1971-75). Foreign policy accomplishments included returning the Panama Canal to Panama, the Camp David Peace Accords between Egypt and Israel, and the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union. In addition, under … [Read more...] about Happy 90th birthday, President Carter
Another Activist Conservative Judge Attempts To Destroy Obamacare
A federal judge in Oklahoma, appointed by George W. Bush, has repeated the same ridiculous argument given by previous activist conservative judges to attempt to stop Obamacare. The claim is that the Affordable Care Act only provides for subsidies for policies purchased on state-run exchanges and not the federal exchange. This is based upon taking one portion of the law, which … [Read more...] about Another Activist Conservative Judge Attempts To Destroy Obamacare
CDC Confirms First Case Of Ebola In The US
(Reuters) - U.S. health officials said on Tuesday the first patient infected with the deadly Ebola virus had been diagnosed in the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis. No additional details were immediately available. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas officials said in a statement on Monday that an unnamed… … [Read more...] about CDC Confirms First Case Of Ebola In The US
Another stunning Secret Service fail: man with armed gun allowed into elevator with President Obama
The revelations that people got beyond the White House fence, and one got further into the White House than officially revealed, has now been coupled with yet another revelation that calls into serious question the efficacy of today's Secret Service and the competence of its current leadership. The latest twist: a contractor armed with a gun was allowed to get into an elevator … [Read more...] about Another stunning Secret Service fail: man with armed gun allowed into elevator with President Obama
Cartoons: Secret Service
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Secret Service
D.C. Statehood: Praise for a Lost Cause
D.C. Statehood: Praise for a Lost Cause By Dick Polman Now that Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom let's talk about the issue of statehood for Washington, D.C. You probably don't get my segue. D.C. statehood came to mind while I was reading actor Alan Cumming's plea for a Yes vote on Scottish independence. He wrote: "Scots feel they've been patronized and … [Read more...] about D.C. Statehood: Praise for a Lost Cause
Republicans Losing The Culture War, Helping Democratic Candidates
In past elections, Republicans have turned to social issues to get their supporters out to vote. This year some Democratic candidates are doing the reverse–using social issues in the hopes of getting more women to turn out to vote. The New York Times discussed this in an editorial: The decision to go on the offensive is in part designed to incite the anger of women and draw … [Read more...] about Republicans Losing The Culture War, Helping Democratic Candidates
UN rapporteur on Gaza destruction
After a first visit to the region, a United Nations human rights rapporteur on Gaza has provided more fodder for Palestinian calls to place Israel before various forums for justice, including the International Criminal Court. “Voices from across the Occupied Palestinian Territory are calling in unison for three demands: the need for accountability, an end to the blockade, … [Read more...] about UN rapporteur on Gaza destruction
Taxes and Revenues in Democratic Nations
All nations require revenue in order to buy armaments and pay for defense, maintain and expand their infrastructure, keep the health care system and social security intact, support the justice system, pay employees, and so forth. A dilemma in democratic states is how to raise these revenues in a fair and equitable fashion, though no matter what is ultimately decided by the … [Read more...] about Taxes and Revenues in Democratic Nations
GOP GIFT: SCOTUS Delays Start of Ohio’s Early Voting
The US Supreme Court granted the Ohio Republican Party its wish by restricting early voting. The 2014 and 2016 elections will be very interesting as the GOP continues its efforts to stymie pro-Democratic Party votes by engaging in shameful voter suppression tactics. So, while Jon Husted managed to get early voting rolled back by one week, it should raise some concerns because … [Read more...] about GOP GIFT: SCOTUS Delays Start of Ohio’s Early Voting
Fraternities Under Attack: I’m Not Pulling Your Keg
Fraternities Under Attack: I'm Not Pulling Your Keg Tyrades! By Danny Tyree I guess the college "Greek system" was always Greek to me. As a small town nerd, when I attended college I was all "Wow! Microfiche newspapers! College bookstore! Meal plan!" in between weekly trips home. No great desire to seek forbidden pleasures, test the rules, join a brotherhood, etc. So … [Read more...] about Fraternities Under Attack: I’m Not Pulling Your Keg