Politics

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  • Pelosi On A Gingrich Presidency: "That Will Never Happen"

    The Alternative Conservative
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:54 pm
    Pelosi On A Gingrich Presidency: "That Will Never Happen"Oh, Miss Pelosi, what is it you "know"?Click link for video clip.

  • Unknown Object Found in Baltic Sea

    Drudge Retort
    boaz
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:33 pm
    A team of salvage divers has discovered a large unexplained object resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea near Sweden. "My first reaction was to tell the guys that we have a UFO here on the bottom," said diver Peter Lindberg. Sonar readings show that the object is about 60 meters across -- the size of a jumbo jet.

  • The "War On Christianity"

    Political Animal
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    Sorry to write so much about Newt Gingrich today, but I don't know exactly how long we will have him to kick around, and he made some remarks near the end of last night's debate that really call for a non-Kabuki response. When an audience member asked the candidates how their religious beliefs would affect the decisions they made as president, Newt's answer included this: [O]ne of the reasons I am running is there has been an increasingly aggressive war against religion and in particular against Christianity in this country, largely by… (APPLAUSE) … largely by a secular elite and…

  • Ganging Up on Gingrich

    The Moderate Voice
    ROBERT STEIN
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:42 pm
    Ghosts of GOP past are rising from political tombs to sound alarms about Newt in the White House even as the last Florida debate has him on the defensive about the past and future. Gingrich fails in his attempt to use Wolf Blitzer as the kind of tackle dummy he made out of CNN colleague John King in South Carolina, while 1996 candidate Bob Dole is joined by Tom Delay, Ann Coulter, Elliott Abrams and other Conservatives in a Matt Drudge firing squad against the former Speaker. “If Gingrich is the nominee,” writes Dole, “it will have an adverse impact on Republican candidates running for…

  • Welch to GOP: Treat Paul with care

    CNN.com - Politics
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:06 am
    Jack Welch says that while Ron Paul will not be the Republican nominee for president, he's a valuable asset for the GOP.
 
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    Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post

  • Gingrich professes shock at Romney’s ‘dishonest’ debate performance

    Amy Gardner, Philip Rucker
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:30 pm
    MIAMI — Former House speaker Newt Gingrich spent Friday struggling to fend off the perception that his presidential campaign has stalled after a flat debate performance on Thursday and fresh polling data showing his support slipping in Florida. Read full article >>

  • Romney says Gingrich is ‘like Goldilocks’

    Philip Rucker
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:47 pm
    ORLANDO – After getting the better of Newt Gingrich in Thursday night’s debate, Mitt Romney is trying to rub it in.  The increasingly confident, and increasingly punchy, former Massachusetts governor took a fresh swipe at the former House speaker at a campaign rally here Friday night, likening him to the fairy tale character “Goldilocks.” Read full article >>

  • Obama ally suggests administration is undermining Endangered Species Act

    Juliet Eilperin
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:52 pm
    The Obama administration is setting too high a threshold for listing an imperiled plant or animal under the Endangered Species Act, according to Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass). Markey, one of the White House’s closest congressional allies, late Thursday sent a letter to Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, questioning a draft policy the agency issued last month with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read full article >>

  • Rick Perry’s back in Texas, and some wonder if he’s lost political power there

    Melinda Henneberger
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:44 pm
    Yes, to the non-Texan eye, it looks like Republican Gov. Rick Perry has slunk home from his last rodeo, having humiliated himself and his home state with a presidential run that will go down in history as one big “Oops.” Read full article >>

  • Obama, Biden rally Democrats at annual retreat

    Felicia Sonmez
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:23 pm
    CAMBRIDGE, Md. — President Obama and Vice President Biden on Friday worked to rally congressional Democrats preparing to do battle with Republicans leading into the 2012 election. In remarks at the annual House Democratic retreat near the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Obama rallied the House Democrats with a campaign-style speech in which he defended Democrats’ legislative accomplishments over the past three years, acknowledged that lawmakers have had to make some “tough decisions” and reprised many of the arguments he made in Tuesday’s State of the Union address. Read full article…
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    Daily Kos

  • Abbreviated Pundit Round-up: Why Newt lost his groove

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:47 am
    Visual source: Newseum Have you seen this true story of heroism on 9/11 in lower Manhattan? The spontaneously organized boatlift evacuation rescued a half a million people in 9 hours - more than Dunkirk in WW II over 9 days. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And then there are the clowns who purport to deserve our, and their, support: The American Prospect: Has Newt Gingrich floundered in Florida because he doesn’t understand his own appeal to GOP voters? In South Carolina, the former house speaker hit upon an anti-elite message that goes straight to the heart of the Tea…

  • Open Thread for Night Owls: Austerity plans right-wingers want for here make Brits' life miserable

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:30 pm
    While the U.S. economy continues to make modest improvements but tens of millions of Americans still suffer from extremely grim employment figures, the situation in Britain shows no signs of any improvement whatsoever. In fact, Brad DeLong writes, the British economy is now doing worse than it did in the Great Depression: Yep. This many months after the start of the Great Depression, the British economy was rapidly converging back to its pre-depression level of production under Chancellor of the Exchequer Neville Chamberlain's policy of using stimulative policies to restore the price level to…

  • Daily Kos Elections Polling Wrap: New polls offer mixed messages in the Mitt-Newt GOP cage match

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:45 pm
    Mitt Romney is resurgent! (Unless he's not.) Even if he's not, though, the schedule favors Mitt Romney. After all, he is coming up on a series of contests in places like Arizona and Michigan, where he should have a real advantage. (Unless he doesn't.) There are two very contradictory themes developing as we head into the weekend before the Florida primaries. On one hand, it is becoming more and more likely that Newt Gingrich will lose Florida, by what looks like it will be a margin in the high single digits. On the other hand, Gingrich's hand seems to still be strengthening elsewhere,…

  • Cheers and Jeers: Rum and Coke FRIDAY!

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:02 pm
    From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE… Oh, Rachel. You had me at "PolitiFact, you are fired." From Wednesday night's show: "PolitiFact, you are fired. You are a mess. You are fired. You are undermining the definition of the word "fact" in the English language by pretending to it in your name. The English language wants its word back. You are an embarrassment. You sully the reputation of anyone who cites you as an authority on fact-ishness, let alone fact. You are fired." That was the warm-up. Last night she launched a second barrage when she caught PolitiFact playing fast and loose with the…

  • Open thread: Newt Gingrich, psychiatry and outrage

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    A Fox News "psychiatrist" suggests that Newt Gingrich's multiple affairs might make him a "strong president." Hunter isn't buying it. Mark Sumner will say: Meet George Jetson ... the future isn't what it used to be. Armando will consider whether Occupy has changed the political narrative by reviewing President Obama's State  of the Union speeches and the news coverage they generated. Prompted by the box office success of George Lucas' Red Tails portraying  the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps (Tuskegee Airmen), Denise Oliver-Velez will…
 
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    Drudge Retort

  • Atheist Wants to Build Temples

    diablo
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:30 am
    The author Alain de Botton has announced a plan to build a series of temples for atheists in the United Kingdom. In his new book Religion for Atheists, he argues that atheists should copy major religions by erecting a network of new architectural masterpieces in the form of temples. "You can build a temple to anything that's positive and good," he said.

  • Study: Racists are Dumb

    monstman
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:32 pm
    People who exhibit racism and prejudice may simply be dumb, according to a new study published in the Journal of Psychological Science. Children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson of Brock University. Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, which stress hierarchy and resistance to change, the study found, and those attitudes can contribute to prejudice. "This finding is consistent with recent research demonstrating that intergroup contact is mentally challenging and…

  • Egypt Bars 6 Americans from Leaving

    ExpsRedemption
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:33 pm
    Six Americans working for pro-democracy U.S.-funded organizations in Egypt have been barred from leaving the country -- including the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I call on the Egyptian government and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to cease the harassment and unwarranted investigations of American NGOs operating in Egypt," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who chairs one of the groups.

  • Retort: Inside a Debate Spin Room

    rcade
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:38 pm
    Rogers Cadenhead: I was granted media credentials by CNN to report on the GOP presidential debate last night in Jacksonville for the Drudge Retort, the first time I've had the opportunity to cover a debate. My debate experience included asking Tim Pawlenty a question, chasing off Fred Thompson and spending quality time with Bay Buchanan. Who is way hotter than her brother Pat.

  • Unknown Object Found in Baltic Sea

    boaz
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:33 pm
    A team of salvage divers has discovered a large unexplained object resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea near Sweden. "My first reaction was to tell the guys that we have a UFO here on the bottom," said diver Peter Lindberg. Sonar readings show that the object is about 60 meters across -- the size of a jumbo jet.
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    Talking Points Memo

  • Will Reporters Be This Craven?

    Josh Marshall
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:51 pm
    TPM Reader MJ gets the plan ... Romneyworld is not pushing the 50% angle because they really believe it, clearly. They're pushing it because they know it will muddy the waters on the issue, since mainstream media reporters are constantly looking for their "balance" these days, and now the 13.9% or 15% reference will surely start being accompanied in press stories by "but Romney claims the figure is more like 45-50%." Conservative outlets and talk radio then start pushing Romney's angle, and I can hear it now, an exchange between Republican primary (or for that matter, general) voters - "can…

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    Pheedo
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:51 pm

  • Romney: Actually, I Kind of Pay 50% Tax

    Josh Marshall
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:20 pm
    I'm pretty surprised that Mitt Romney's team let their guy go down this path. Or maybe it's just him. Stung by the 13.9% tax rate story and goaded on by some conservative columnists, Mitt Romney is now saying that his actual tax rate is "really closer to 45 or 50 percent."Romney's claims come pretty much right at the beginning of this interview below but he's said it twice today. It's gotten pretty little press even though these were public interviews; and kudos to Huffpo's Jon Ward for putting together the story. Romney's argument is that even though he pays only 13.9%, he's really paying…

  • The Quest for the Mantle of Saint Ron

    Josh Marshall
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:02 pm
    In the absence of a validated shroud or holy relics, who's winning the all-important ex-Reagan staffer primary? Click here to find out.

  • Oooops. Brewer Story Not Holding Up Well

    Josh Marshall
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:44 am
    We're at 3 out of 4 now. The other witness to the alleged Brewer/Obama 'confrontation' says that the whole thing wasn't tense at all. I keep hearing anchors at MSNBC and CNN repeating her story, even though both witnesses now say on the record that her story is bunk. What's up with that? Chuck? Wolf?
 
 
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    Political Animal

  • Unequal Struggle in Florida

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:10 am
    Between now and Tuesday, Floridians are going to get a heavy dose of TV and radio attack ads from the campaigns and Super-PACs of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich (plus some anti-Romney ads mishievously placed by the public-sector union AFSCME, not big Newt fans). But despite Winning Our Future's fresh $5 million from Dr. Miriam Adelson (wife of Casino Sheldon Adelson), Gingrich is getting badly outgunned in Florida. According to ABC's Michael Falcone: So far, Romney has bought $5.6 million worth of airtime and the pro-Romney super PAC, Restore Our Future, has shelled out a whopping $8.2…

  • Day's End and Weekend Watch

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:38 pm
    Here's some items you might find interesting from random news and late developments today: * Jon Huntsman becomes president of his family's cancer foundation. No word yet what his campaign's "genius" strategist, John Weaver is doing now, but there's a potential future employer for Weaver born every minute. * Ta-Nehisi Coates usefully details the evolving truth about Ron Paul's responsibility for those racist newsletters. * James Vega, interpreting a Times op-ed by Pew's Andy Kohut, explains crucial difference in public perceptions of "inequality" and "unfairness." * Mary Dejevsky examines the…

  • Trouble Online

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pm
    Two of the internet's biggest brands are in the news today, and not necessarily in a good way. Google is under scrutiny in Congress--specifically from seven bipartisan members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, over a recent announcement that it is combining privacy policies for various products in a way that will allow large-scale data-sharing. Forbes' Kashmir Hill concludes that Google is correct in claiming it is not increasing the amount of data it collects from its customers, but: By combining information from across all of its services, Google will be able to better target…

  • The "War On Christianity"

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    Sorry to write so much about Newt Gingrich today, but I don't know exactly how long we will have him to kick around, and he made some remarks near the end of last night's debate that really call for a non-Kabuki response. When an audience member asked the candidates how their religious beliefs would affect the decisions they made as president, Newt's answer included this: [O]ne of the reasons I am running is there has been an increasingly aggressive war against religion and in particular against Christianity in this country, largely by… (APPLAUSE) … largely by a secular elite and…

  • Buffet Rule Vote?

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:46 pm
    At WaPo's Plum Line, Greg Sargent is reporting that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is mustering support among his Democratic colleagues for a direct vote on the "Buffet Rule," the idea that millionaires should not be paying lower tax rates than their employees. Here's how Greg describes it: The bill would ensure that taxpayers who make over $1 million would pay at least a 30 percent tax rate on all their income, Whitehouse aides say. It would do this by requiring millionaires to calculate their overall effective tax rate under the regular system — by taking into account all their sources of…
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    The New Republic - Top Stories Feed

  • Why Newt Supporters Think He's Electable

    26 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Just when hardcore conservatives had seemed prepared to settle for Mitt Romney to avoid further exposure of intraparty divisions, Newt Gingrich’s unlikely recovery  has brought those divisions sharply and publicly into view. As Politico reported yesterday, conservative elites ranging from Tom Delay to Bob Dole have gone to the media en masseto warn voters of the perils of Newt. The Republican Party has rarely seemed more divided, and at the heart of those divisions is a disconnect between Republican elites and the voting base over the crucial issue of electability. Ironically, it…

  • Would Newt Out-Debate Obama? It Wouldn't Matter Anyway

    25 Jan 2012 | 11:19 pm
    Back in October, I went up to Cambridge, Massachusetts to watch the eighth Republican primary debate of the season with Mark McKinnon, the Republican media strategist who had served as debate coach for George W. Bush, John McCain, and Sarah Palin. I was interested in McKinnon’s professional assessment of a Republican field whose succession of frontrunners, from Tim Pawlenty to Herman Cain, had nearly all been made or unmade by debate performances. At the time, Rick Perry was hurtling toward the abyss, Cain was bafflingly ascendant, and Mitt Romney was performing as advertised. But…

  • The Inheritance

    25 Jan 2012 | 12:24 pm
    It’s not quite right to say that the hundreds of millions of dollars Mitt Romney amassed as a private equity baron were the cause of his South Carolina drubbing. But they didn’t exactly help, either. Newt Gingrich trounced the former Massachusetts governor among just about every demographic group that might nurse a grudge against a slick quarter-billionaire. Romney only carried the most affluent and highly educated South Carolinians. And, yet, there was Romney on primary night practically wallowing in his capitalistic exploits, as though his chief failing had been to…

  • Saul Alinsky Wasn’t Who Newt Gingrich Thinks He Was

    25 Jan 2012 | 11:52 am
    On the night of his triumph in South Carolina, Newt Gingrich boldly announced: “The centerpiece of this campaign, I believe, is American exceptionalism versus the radicalism of Saul Alinsky.” Barack Obama did once work in a Chicago project inspired by Alinsky, the legendary community organizer who died in 1972. But, in its essence, this was classic demagoguery: connect a name that, at least to a crowd of Southern Republicans, sounds rather alien—and certainly not Christian—with a president whom many conservatives already suspect of being an un-American, anti-religious…

  • Happy Birthday to Egypt’s Doomed Revolution

    24 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Exactly one year ago today, I stood in front of the Lawyers Syndicate in downtown Cairo and watched as a few thousand protesters suddenly streamed into the area from the north, overwhelmed Egypt’s notoriously violent riot police, and pushed onward towards Tahrir Square. That mile-long march, which culminated with the protesters bursting through a human chain of officers and seizing the Square, was the most inspiring thing that I’ve ever witnessed, and it remains so. Long presumed to be politically passive, ordinary Egyptians bravely amassed with one simple demand: That decades of…
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    NRO Articles

  • The Myth of GOP Stinginess

    Andrew C. McCarthy
    28 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
    Mitch McConnell wanted you to know he was livid on Thursday. The Senate was about to Greece the wheels for adding yet another trillion and change to President Obama’s yet-again tapped-out credit card. “More spending, more debt,” brayed the minority leader. “That’s what we’ve gotten from this administration.” Well, no, Senator, that’s what we’ve gotten from you. Yes, I know, Obama is the one driving us off the cliff. But as McConnell and his fellow Republicans are well aware, he couldn’t have filled his tank without them — and…

  • The State of Our Union Is Broke

    Mark Steyn
    28 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
    Had I been asked to deliver the State of the Union address, it would not have delayed your dinner plans: “The State of our Union is broke, heading for bankrupt, and total collapse shortly thereafter. Thank you and goodnight! You’ve been a terrific crowd!”Keep reading this post . . .

  • Obama’s Low-Ball Vision

    Larry Kudlow
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    You would think that with one of the weakest economic recoveries on record, President Obama would be desperately searching for ways to promote economic growth. It is, after all, an election year. Most pundit and pollsters agree that it’s the economy stupid. But instead, Obama used his State of the Union speech to rail on about fairness, inequality, and redistribution. The Obama strategy is simple: Tax the rich because they don’t pay enough.Keep reading this post . . .

  • Mitt and Newt in Florida

    Neal B. Freeman
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
    Jacksonville, Fla. – If you want to know who’s going to win the Florida primary, give me a call Saturday afternoon. I’ll be glad to tell you then. I could tell you now, of course, but then I’d just be blowing smoke along with the rest of the media. This race will break late and break hard — later and harder, possibly, than even the South Carolina primary did. What I can tell you today is what this election is going to be about. The 2012 Florida primary will be an old-fashioned family feud pitting conservatives against Republicans. It’s a feud with…

  • The Vision of a Pro-Life Generation

    Interview
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
    Kristan Hawkins is the dynamic, under-30 mom of two at the helm of Students for Life of America (SFLA), which gathered over 2,000 high-school and college students last weekend for their annual meeting in the Washington, D.C., area, coinciding with the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in America. Hawkins talks about the students, the children, and envisioning a world without abortion in an interview with National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez. KATHRYN JEAN LOPEZ: So how does one “Envision a World without…
 
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    Michelle Malkin

  • Biden Prediction: Dems Will Retake House

    Doug Powers
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:31 pm
    **Written by Doug Powers Sheriff Joe Biden may only half-heartedly believe what he’s saying here. It’s just that word around Capitol Hill is that if you help convince Nancy that her reunion with the Speaker’s gavel is imminent, there’s a good chance she’ll throw a pretty good stock tip your way, so what the heck. From The Hill: House Democrats will win the House in November, swinging the gavel back into the hands of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Vice President Joe Biden predicted Friday. “Nancy, I think, is not going to be remembered just for being the…

  • The SIGA scandal: Calls for investigation mount

    Michelle Malkin
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:13 pm
    Back in November, I spotlighted Obama’s half-billion-dollar crony drug deal involving a no-bid contract with politically-connected SIGA. Refresher course here. In November, Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill — chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Contracting and Oversight and up for re-election in less than a year — asked HHS to review the contract. Last week, the NYPost reported that SIGA execs dumped stock when they learned the contract would be far less than they anticipated last spring. Today, GOP Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina asked the HHS Inspector General to…

  • Mr. and Mrs. Cranky Pants

    Michelle Malkin
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:35 am
    Mr. and Mrs. Cranky Pants by Michelle Malkin Creators Syndicate Copyright 2012 So, it turns out that the cool cat billed as “No Drama Obama” by his sycophants is actually quite the drama queen. While the White House publicly pretends to ignore conservative detractors of his administration, Chief Touchy-Touchy seems to be personally consumed by our critiques. Yes, mine included. On Wednesday, the president had himself a mini-”Toddlers and Tiaras”-style meltdown with Arizona GOP Gov. Jan Brewer after landing in Phoenix for a post-State of the Union dog-and-pony show. As…

  • Fly Them To the Moon. Please.

    Michelle Malkin
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:32 pm
    Photoshop source: SaveJersey.com You can peruse my Twitter page for highlights and lowlights of the CNN GOP debate in Florida, but this basically sums it up: Wolf Blitzer went all Oprah/TMZ with his fishing into the candidates’ wives’ lives. Newt doubled down on open-borders stupid and gave an indignant defense of illegal alien grandmothers that the SEIU and La Raza would love. To which Romney aptly replied: “The problem isn’t 11 million illegal alien grandmothers.” Rick Santorum and Ron Paul sparred over Latin American dictators and freedom-fighters. Paul…

  • Stimulus-Backed ‘Green’ Bankruptcy of the Week: Ener1

    Doug Powers
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:06 pm
    **Written by Doug Powers When the story of the Department of Energy’s green loan program is written someday, the entire book will be contained in chapter 11: After months of financial turmoil, an Energy Department-backed lithium ion battery company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company, Ener1, received a $118 million grant from DOE in 2010 as part of the president’s stimulus package. The money, which went to Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel, aimed to promote renewable energy storage battery technology for electrical grid use. But despite generous federal support for the…
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    Swampland

  • A Gloomy Gingrich Struggles to Snap His Slide in Florida

    Alex Altman
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Delray Beach, Florida “Three nuclear weapons properly placed in Israel is a second Holocaust,” Newt Gingrich tells a room full of Jews. “If you’re going to go to Yad Vashem, if you’re going to say never again,” he adds gravely, peering out at a sea of elderly voters with Obama: Oy Vey buttons and paddles [...]

  • Political Pictures of the Week, Jan. 21-27

    Tara Godvin
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:53 pm
    TIME’s photo editors bring you the best pictures of the past week from the Beltway and beyond.

  • Medical Malpractice Memo Depicts Obama’s Precarious Balancing Act on Health Reform

    Kate Pickert
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm
    It’s no secret that passing health care reform was a balancing act from beginning to end. For President Obama, keeping the legislation alive meant making sure congressional Democrats stayed happy, along with for-profit industries like insurers and Big Pharma and powerful non-profit interest groups like the AARP and the American Medical Association. Through health reform’s [...]

  • Fly Newt to the Moon

    Michael Crowley
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pm
    The emergence of a debate about colonizing the moon might be the goofiest-sounding idea in Republican primaries since Herman Cain proposed an electrified fence along the southern border. The difference is that returning to the moon is an idea that reasonable people take seriously. Campaigning in Florida this week, Gingrich proposed establishing a colony on [...]

  • Below Low

    Joe Klein
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:25 pm
    I wonder if all those neoconservatives and assorted heroes who also style themselves as American patriots will tolerate this sort of rhetoric from Newt Gingrich, who is clearly groveling for Sheldon Adelson’s continued support. It seems to me that accusing the President of the United States of clearing the way for a “second holocaust” is a [...]
 
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    CNN.com - Politics

  • Welch to GOP: Treat Paul with care

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:06 am
    Jack Welch says that while Ron Paul will not be the Republican nominee for president, he's a valuable asset for the GOP.

  • Obama and golf: Par for the course for presidents

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:05 am
    Martin Davis: Much has been made of President Obama playing golf, but there is a long association with the ancient game and the American presidency.

  • GOP, don't blow it with Florida's Latinos

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:55 am
    On behalf of all those Latino voters who have figured out that the Obama administration is the most hostile to Latino immigrants of any administration in the last half century and who are looking for an alternative, let me say this to the Republican presidential candidates: "Bienvenidos to Florida! Now, behave yourselves."

  • Obama unveils plan on college costs

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:46 am
    President Barack Obama unveiled a new college affordability plan Friday, proposing to further expand student financial aid while providing more assistance to schools that hold tuition down and cutting aid to those that do not.

  • Open Mic: Hard times are nothing new

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:26 am
    Before the Florida primary, senior citizens in Palm Beach County reflect on difficult financial times in America.
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    Politics » Political Radar

  • President Obama’s Sedan on eBay

    Alyssa Newcomb
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:59 pm
    (Image Credit: Courtesy Lisa Czibor) Before he traveled in limousines and motorcades, President Obama shuttled himself to and from work at the Springfield, Ill., state house in a 2005 grey Chrysler sedan. The owner of the car is now offering the ultimate piece of Obama memorabilia on eBay. The starting bid? A cool $1 million. “How do you put a price on something like that?” Lisa Czibor, who is running the auction for a “friend of a friend,” told ABCNews.com. Obama leased the Chrysler 300C from 2004 until 2007, then traded it in for a hybrid vehicle. After sitting…

  • Actress Julianne Moore Disgusted By Partisan Politics

    Father Edward Beck
    14 Oct 2011 | 11:05 am
    In my interview with four-time Oscar nominated actress Julianne Moore she was quite candid about her feelings with regards the current political climate.  She says that it’s “most disappointing how partisan it’s become.”   She goes on the say that we are supposed to be the country of the UNITED STATES, greater than the sum of our parts, but that we have become divisive, with self-interest and special interests seeming to dominate.  She says, “I’m really disgusted. I really feel kind of ashamed.”  Julianne Moore suggests that…

  • Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20

    Kate Barrett
    2 Apr 2009 | 2:45 pm
    ABC News’ Kirit Radia Reports: There was at least one lighter moment as President Obama joined other world leaders for the G20 meeting in London this week to address the worldwide financial crisis. In the photo below, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gives a big thumbs-up as he drapes his arms around President Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. What caught our eye was not only Berlusconi’s big grin, but seeing the American and Russian presidents joking around together. Earlier in the week, the former Cold War adversaries agreed to a continue reducing their…

  • Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq

    Danny
    1 Apr 2009 | 2:22 pm
    ABC News’ Kirit Radia reports: The controversial private security firm Blackwater’s contracts in Iraq have been replaced by Virginia-based Triple Canopy, the State Department said today. "[On] March the 31st the department awarded Triple Canopy the ground task order for protective security details in Baghdad after a thorough evaluation of proposals from each company that had submitted bids," State Department acting deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said. Duguid said the transition process will begin immediately and Blackwater, now rebranded as Xe (pronounced…

  • Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan

    Kate Barrett
    31 Mar 2009 | 2:57 pm
    ABC News’ Kirit Radia Reports: The situation in Afghanistan has been bad for years, and all indications are the battle will get even more bloody as additional U.S. troops pour into the country this year while the Obama administration seeks an upper hand against Taliban and al Qaeda insurgents there. The destroyed building in the photo below is located in a town where air strikes killed Taliban commanders earlier this month. U.S. Marines keep watch as fellow Marines search for Taliban arms caches on March 31, 2009 in the abandoned town of Now Zad in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
 
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    Political Irony

  • Bi-Partisan

    Iron Knee
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:31 am
    © Ben Sargent Obama is a socialist! Obama is a fascist! He’s a big spender. And he wants to destroy our military by cutting its budget. He’s in the pocket of Wall Street. He’s anti-business. Plus he destroyed our economy and jobs before he even got elected president. Please Share / SaveRelated posts: Post Partisan Politics The Too-Partisan System Partisan Squabbling as Usual

  • Newt-ered

    Iron Knee
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:01 am
    [reprinted from Margaret and Helen. I don't mean to pick on Newt, but this was just too much fun. Helen writes:] The Passion of the Newt Margaret, let me see if I get this right. The political party that brought us Family Values now gives us Newt Gingrich? South Carolina likes to say that they elect presidents. They also elected to keep the Confederate battle flag above their statehouse until this millennium so I kind of question their judgment… or lack thereof. Let me tell you a little bit about the man who won the hearts and votes of South Carolina’s predominately…

  • Late Night Political Humor

    Iron Knee
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:37 am
    “Newt Gingrich crushed Mitt Romney on Saturday (in South Carolina). … Gingrich sealed his victory in last week’s debates by going after America’s most dangerous enemy: debate moderators.” – Stephen Colbert “‘Newt triumphed with 40% of the vote to Mitt Romney’s 28% — a gap so wide, you could fit Newt’s head in it.” – Stephen Colbert “Mitt Romney lost in South Carolina. He’s getting desperate. With the Florida primaries coming up, today Mitt Romney’s campaign staff said the gloves are off. Or to use Romney’s exact…

  • Cheerleading

    Iron Knee
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:42 pm
    © Jim Morin In the last quarter of 2011, the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8% (up from 1.8% in the prior quarter), and much of this growth was fueled by growth in the sales of automobiles and other durable goods. Over 3 million private-sector jobs have been created in the last 22 months. And he gave a very good, upbeat but challenging State of the Union address. I guess the only thing for the Republicans to do is to try to convince you that things are worse now than the last time they held the presidency. Good luck with that. UPDATE: The New Yorker magazine has a long, but…

  • The Socialists Amongst Us

    Iron Knee
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:17 am
    Mark Fiore has a great animation on his website that finally solves the riddle of which politicians in this country are actually unabashed socialists. Here are the quotes from the animation, along with who said them: Abraham Lincoln: I am glad to know that there is a system of labor where the laborer can strike if he wants to. I wish to God that such a system prevailed all over the world. Theodore Roosevelt: There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.
 The welfare of each…
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    Politics on HuffingtonPost.com

  • Former Boston Mayor Dies At 82

    AP
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:34 pm
    BOSTON — Former Mayor Kevin H. White, who led the city for 16 years including racially turbulent times in the 1970s and was credited with putting it on a path to prosperity, died Friday, a family spokesman said. He was 82. White, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2003, died peacefully at his Boston home surrounded by his family, spokesman and friend George Regan said. "He was a man who built Boston into the world-class city it is today," said Regan, who called his loss "devastating." White, a white Irish Catholic from a family of politicians, is credited with…

  • Defense Secretary: Pakistani Doctor Provided Key Information To U.S. In Advance Of Bin Laden Raid

    AP
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:00 pm
    WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is acknowledging publicly for the first time that a Pakistani doctor provided key information to the U.S. in advance of the successful Navy SEAL assault on Osama bin Laden's compound last May. Panetta told CBS's "60 Minutes," in a profile to be broadcast on Sunday, that Shakil Afridi helped provide intelligence for the raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Afridi ran a vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA and verify bin Laden's presence in the compound. He has since been charged by Pakistan with treason. Panetta said he is…

  • Twitter's New Censorship Policy Ignites Global Outrage

    AP
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:38 pm
    NEW YORK — Twitter, a tool of choice for dissidents and activists around the world, found itself the target of global outrage Friday after unveiling plans to allow country-specific censorship of tweets that might break local laws. It was a stunning role reversal for a youthful company that prides itself in promoting unfettered expression, 140 characters at a time. Twitter insisted its commitment to free speech remains firm, and sought to explain the nuances of its policy, while critics – in a barrage of tweets – proposed a Twitter boycott and demanded that the censorship…

  • Harvard Kennedy School Democrats: The Republican Approach to Foreign Policy: Less Is More

    Harvard Kennedy School Democrats
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:36 pm
    In November 2008, President Obama's election was celebrated not just in the United States but around the world. Crowds in Berlin cheered in the streets while Kenya declared a national holiday after Barack Obama. The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, sent his congratulations, saying it was "time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called the election an "historic opportunity" to strengthen the relationship between the United States and the United Nations. Obama's presidential campaign had…

  • Chris Weigant: Friday Talking Points -- SOTU Review

    Chris Weigant
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:34 pm
    Well, that was an eventful week in politics, wasn't it? On the Republican side, we've endured two more of a seemingly-unending series of televised debates between the candidates. Newt Gingrich did not physically attack either Mitt Romney or a member of the media, for which we can all be thankful. The deep and pressing issue-of-the-day seriously discussed was putting a manned base on the moon -- which will come as a relief to the legions of voters who have been clamoring for this crucially-important subject to be adequately debated in public. Sigh. Seriously, you just can't make this stuff up,…
 
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    msnbc.com: Politics

  • Florida GOP: Debate audience not stacked for Romney

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:05 pm
    The Republican Party of Florida is pushing back at claims by aides to Newt Gingrich that the audience at the debate in Jacksonville was full of Mitt Romney supporters.

  • Romney stresses support for immigration

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:33 pm
    At his first public appearance since aggressively defending himself as "pro-immigration" at last night's final Florida debate, Mitt Romney took to the podium again today to argue that he and the Republican party are firmly in favor of legal immigration.

  • Obama touts higher ed reforms in Michigan

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:35 pm
    The White House insists that the three-day, five-state tour upon which President Obama embarked on Wednesday was intended to sell his State of the Union message, and wasn't directed toward campaign purposes.

  • Biden predicts second Obama term, Dem majority in House

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:53 am
    Vice President Biden on Friday predicted re-election for himself and President Obama, along with a regained majority for Democrats in the House of Representatives.

  • Brewer releases copy of letter to Obama

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, R, sustained a controversy stemming from her confrontation of President Obama on an airport tarmac by releasing a copy of the letter she handed to the president on Phoenix.
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    Media Matters for America - Latest Items

  • Fox Breathlessly Attempts To Smear Obama As Anti-Catholic

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:33 pm
    Fox figures have suggested that President Obama is anti-Catholic or anti-religion following the administration's recent decision requiring church-affiliated organizations to provide health insurance plans that cover contraceptives for women. But polling has shown that a majority of Catholics have said that insurance policies should cover contraceptives; moreover, the Obama administration has repeatedly engaged the faith-based community -- including Catholic leaders -- and has directed millions in funding to religious groups. This follow's Fox's long history of portraying Obama as…

  • Conservative Media Recklessly Distort Volt Safety

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:28 pm
    Conservative media have misrepresented the results of Chevy Volt crash tests, claiming the batteries "blow up" and are a "fire trap," and suggesting that fires have occurred spontaneously during use. In fact, fires only occurred after crash tests and regulators concluded an inquiry after finding that Volts are just as safe as conventional cars. Regulators Concluded Inquiry After Finding Volts Are Just As Safe As Conventional Cars Battery Fire Happened Weeks After Pole Crash Test And Rollover Test. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's description of the test: During an…

  • Fox's Hayes Contradicts Reality To Claim Severity Of Recession Was Fully Understood In '09

    26 Jan 2012 | 3:16 pm
    Fox News contributor Stephen Hayes claimed that it's "nonsense" for the Obama administration to argue that it "didn't really appreciate the depths of the problems the country faced when we came into office." In fact, measures of the recession in 2009 understated its depth, and subsequent revisions of economic data have shown that the downturn was indeed worse than it appeared at the time.Hayes Says Argument That The Recession Was Worse Than It Appeared Is "Nonsense," "Revisionist History" Hayes On Administration Claims: "There's Some Revisionist History Going On." From Fox News' America Live:…

  • Media Myth That Cutting Taxes Boosts Revenue Revived For 2012

    26 Jan 2012 | 12:21 pm
    CBS treated claims from Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney that the tax cuts they have proposed would increase federal tax revenue as an open question. In fact, the myth that tax cuts increase revenues has been flatly rejected by economists across the ideological spectrum, including Romney adviser and former George W. Bush chief economist Gregory Mankiw and several others who served in the Bush administration.CBS Presents Question Of Tax Cuts Increasing Revenue As He Said/She Said CBS Airs Gingrich Claim That By Lowering Taxes His Plan Will Increase Tax Revenues. From the January 25 edition of CBS…

  • Daily Caller Now Publishing Anti-Islam Writer Who Pushed Obama-Is-Muslim Conspiracy

    26 Jan 2012 | 9:28 am
    The Daily Caller's Guns and Gear section recently featured two op-eds authored by retired Major General Jerry Curry. In previous statements Curry has raised questions about President Obama secretly being a Muslim, demanded that Obama release his long-form birth certificate or resign, and derided Muslims as inherently violent.Daily Caller's Guns and Gear Section Ran Two Curry Op-Eds The Daily Caller's Guns and Gear Section Published Curry's "Who Will Meet The Challenge Of World Leadership?" Op-Ed. In his January 9 piece, Curry criticized Obama's defense policy: Is now really the right time to…
 
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    The WIP: Byline portal + WIP Contibutors

  • Marek Laub: A Child Who Left No Trace

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:15 am
    by Michal Govrin, Haaretz, Israel - To mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yad Vashem has mounted a traveling exhibition, 'A Monument of Good Deeds: Dreams and Hopes of Children During the Holocaust,' at the United Nations, in New York. The exhibition, curated by Yehudit Inbar, tells the story of 13 children through their artwork, poems or dreams. Yet most of the children who perished in the Holocaust left nothing behind. Among them was my brother, Marek Laub. His story opens the show.

  • Portugal: State Radio Silenced after Angola Opinion Piece

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:12 am
    by Sara Moreira, Global Voices, Netherlands - The truth about the Angolan “petroligarchy”, in a country where the cornucopia of riches is restricted to some and more than half of the population lives in the most abject poverty, is a line which one simply does not cross.

  • 'American-Made Energy': The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:43 am
    by Stefanie Penn Spear, Common Dreams, USA - Obama wants to generate American-made energy and set a clean energy standard that encourages investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Good. But Obama continues to tout extreme fossil fuel extraction as a solution to our energy needs. Bad. And it’s still business as usual with the highly subsidized oil, gas and coal industries continuing to externalize their costs on the American people. Ugly. [ MSNBC)] (Photo: MSNBC)

  • Lebanon: Could a New Civil Law Unify a Divided Society?

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:40 am
    by Mona Alami, IPS, Italy - Lebanese personal laws also stifle basic freedoms, such as the right to decide how to dispose of a deceased loved one’s remains. Lebanese Muslim and Orthodox communities, for example, do not allow cremation, even if the deceased explicitly requested it in writing in a will. The practice is, however, accepted by the Catholic and Protestant churches.

  • Need Of The Hour: Green Investments In The Marine Sector

    26 Jan 2012 | 3:18 am
    by Marianne de Nazareth, Countercurrents, India - The report, Green Economy in a Blue World, argues that the ecological health and economic productivity of marine and coastal ecosystems, which are currently in decline around the globe, can be boosted by shifting to a more sustainable economic paradigm that taps their natural potential - from generating renewable energy and promoting eco-tourism, to sustainable fisheries and transport.
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    The Progressive

  • Wis. Tribes Vow to Fight Walker over Mine

    Scot Vee
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:59 am
    By Rebecca Kemble, January 27, 2012 “Our fight has just begun. We are just like that Penokee Mountain. We're not going anywhere. We will use every tool in our war chest to defend our water and air.”read more

  • U.S. culpable in African atrocities

    Scot Vee
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:39 am
    By Clarence Lusane, January 27, 2012 The United States is shamefully implicated in the terror that Charles Taylor, erstwhile leader of Liberia, inflicted on the people of West Africa.read more

  • Anniversary of Egyptian Uprising Occasion for Cautious Optimism

    Amitabh Pal
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:54 am
    By Amitabh Pal, January 27, 2012 We owe the Egyptians a world of thanks.read more

  • From Tahrir to Madison, the Revolution Is Unfinished

    Elizabeth DiNovella
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:55 pm
    By Elizabeth DiNovella, January 26, 2012 The powerful new documentary, “In Tahrir Square: 18 Days of Egypt’s Unfinished Revolution,” shows how one million protesters unseated a dictator. It’s an amazing film not to be missed.read more

  • Walker's Deceitful State of the State

    Ruth Conniff
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:54 am
    By Ruth Conniff, January 26, 2012 Walker presented economic data--which show that Wisconsin is doing quite a bit worse than the nation as a whole--as if it were a win.read more
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    Jack & Jill Politics

  • President Obama’s Weekly Address

    b-serious
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:27 am
    President Obama talks economic blueprint and D.C. obstructionReclaiming the major theme from his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Obama discussed his “blueprint for an economy built to last.” The President mentioned his multi-state tour across the country in which he talked to citizens about his plans – proposals, which President Obama says have received a majority support. However, a concern people have, President Obama said, is inaction in Washington, D.C.:“This week, I took that blueprint across the country, and what I saw was people who work hard…

  • Saturday Open Thread

    rikyrah
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:59 am
    Good Morning.As you spend this weekend with family and friends, don’t forget JJP.Drop those links. Engage in debate. Give us trivia and gossip too.And always, have a peaceful day.

  • Afternoon Open Thread

    rikyrah
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pm
    Sharing some videos today.Rev. Al talks with Valerie Jarrett and Senator Sanders about the President’s appeal to the middle class.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyRev. Al speaks with Senator Sherrod Brown about tax fairness.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyMartin Bashir Tears Into Republican Joe Walsh For Owing Back Child SupportGood Afternoon.As you go through the rest of your day, don’t forget JJP.Drop those links. Engage in debate. Give us trivia and gossip too.And continue to have a peaceful…

  • Obama speaks at U-M

    Keith Owens
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:37 am
     This morning the President spoke at the University of Michigan, which is why it made sense for him to hammer as hard as he did on the critical issue of student loan debt which, as he pointed out, is now surpassing credit card debt as the number one debt burden faced by middle class families. But another thing Obama said in the speech caught my attention just as much, namely that he and his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, would never have accomplished all that they have without the assistance of a first-rate education. Never would have happened.This is supremely important for struggling…

  • Capitalism Is Dead. Newt May Not Be Feeling Too Great Either.

    Lee Haven
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:14 am
    Well, it’s not dead—yet. Capitalism’s sick and the prognosis isn’t that good. It’s on a kind of day-by-day, minute-by-minute world watch. This isn’t a pro-Marxist screed. Then again, I don’t know. I may be Marxist, or socialist, if there’s some decipherable distinction. I know it deals with a communalism of which I’m fond. But then again, I don’t read thick texts with equally obtuse phrases like dialectical materialism and dictatorship of the proletariat, so I’m not really sure. I never thought capitalism all bad. For one thing, at least it accumulates capital fast. Put…
 
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    Wonkette

  • Here’s Video Reminder of Why Politicians Should Really Be Required To Rap In Every Campaign Ad

    Kirsten Boyd Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:36 pm
    White guys! Rapping! About Newt Gingrich! In 1994! That is all we can say about this, because we can’t understand anything else about this old campaign ad from the Dukes of Hazzard guy whose congressional seat Newt stole. There should be a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT requiring all political attack ad scripts to be rapped, from now on. [Andrew Kaczynski]

  • Pennsylvania House Votes To Declare Bible Awesomest Book of 2012

    Kirsten Boyd Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:12 pm
    Oh thank goodness, IT WAS ABOUT TIME: Pennsylvania lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible” in their state, to publicly recognize some of the important famous people in American history who have owned Bibles and talked about Bibles — George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and of course possibly most famously and importantly of all, Ronald Reagan. OH and, also, to recognize “our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures,” AHEM AHEM. No mention of which teachings, though. Maybe some…

  • Obama Says College Will Be Affordable Again One Day, Maybe

    Arielle Fleisher
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:27 pm
    Greetings old friends! It’s your Wonkabout on Special Assignment for your Wonkette to report on Obama’s college affordability speech at the University of Michigan where she just happens to be doing some learning of her own these days. So what did our dear President have to say to a crowd of hopeless college students hungover from Thirsty Thursday about why their education now costs 16 kajillion dollars? Because of our nation’s current financial unpleasantness, the cost of a college education has skyrocketed. The American higher educational system is nice and broken as most…

  • Tennessee Bigot: AIDS Caused By One Monkey-Loving Airline Pilot

    Liz Colville
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    Arguably the worst person permitted to make laws on behalf of America, Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield, author of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, recently took part in an interview on Sirius in which he not only defended his already nightmarish views on homosexuality and AIDS, but pushed his insane agenda even farther, twisting the knife all the way through the chest of America and then pulling it out the other side. And then pushing it back through to create a nice big hole, putting his arm through, waving, making an obscene gesture, etc. Campfield, who evidently grows…

  • Palin Defends ‘Angry Little Muffin’ Newt Against Right-Wing Conspiracy

    Kaia Mursi
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:02 pm
    Internet mean girl Sarah Palin is forgoing her usual illiterate tweeting in order to defend, on teevee, Newt Gingrich, a multimedia huckster who may or may not have illegally promised Palin a cabinet position in his fantasy moon presidency. The former governor must have really pissed someone off at Fox because she’s been relegated to commentating on some closed-circuit feed called Fox Business News, where she told John Stossel that the establishment (BOO!) is “trying to crucify this man and rewrite history and rewrite what it is that he has stood for all these years.” Never…
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    Hot Air

  • The Newt you know

    Jazz Shaw
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:35 am
    Naughty or nice? There are a couple of different looks this weekend at Newt Gingrich, who is turning out to be a mystery wrapped in a riddle as far as his popularity – or lack thereof – goes. One contradiction is the fact that Newt seems to be solidifying, or at least hanging on to, a lead in [...] Read this post »

  • Quotes of the day

    Allahpundit
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:43 pm
    Martial. “The president began with a moving tribute to the armed forces and their accomplishments. But as he has done many times now, he celebrated martial virtues not to rally support for the military, but to cover himself in glory — he killed Osama bin Laden! — and to convince the American people that they should [...] Read this post »

  • Good news: Obama’s dumb “Buffett Rule” budget gimmick would reduce the deficit by around … four percent

    Allahpundit
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:57 pm
    Give or take. What’s the saddest part of this? That The One is so desperate to demagogue Romney and the GOP as the party of the rich that he’d make a chump-change gambit like this the centerpiece of his budget agenda? Or that liberals are pretending to be impressed? Good lord, I hope they’re pretending. The liberal outfit [...] Read this post »

  • Multimillionaire Elizabeth Warren: I’m not wealthy

    Allahpundit
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:10 pm
    The one percent. Actually, I don’t think that’s what she’s saying here but that headline is simply too sweet to resist. (That was HuffPo’s original headline too before they changed it.) The quote from BuzzFeed: “I realize there are some wealthy individuals – I’m not one of them, but some wealthy individuals who have a lot of stock [...] Read this post »

  • Palin: These cannibals in the GOP establishment are employing leftist tactics

    Allahpundit
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:25 pm
    "It was Alinsky tactics at their worst." This should have been Gingrich’s message at the debate last night. Like I said in the preview thread, I thought it would be. He got a second look in South Carolina by venting resentment at Elites on the left (in the persons of Juan Williams and John King), so why not try for a third [...] Read this post »
 
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    MOMocrats™

  • Come On Over to Our New Pad, MOMocrats.com

    Cynematic
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:38 am
    Hi! If you've come to us from the Washington Post article that mentions PunditMom (yay! also a MOMocrat and running the 2012 election coverage at iVillage) and the MOMocrats, you need to read us at our new site! Go to MOMocrats.com and you'll see microblogs of important stories as well as longer pieces featured in the the image slider front and center. Or, come listen to our weekly podcasts, 9 am PT/ noon ET every Wednesday morning. Check out our action campaigns and participate in our Q&A Ask a MOMocrat series! Find us here on Twitter Find us here on Facebook Cheers!

  • Digital Bootstraps for Analog Problems -- A Reply to Gene Marks' "If I Were A Poor Black Kid"

    Cynematic
    22 Dec 2011 | 7:35 am
    A truly clueless if well-intentioned column by Gene Marks titled “If I Were A Poor Black Kid” in Forbes magazine is getting righteously ripped from journalists all around the web. They’re correctly pointing out how bereft Marks’ column is of history, research, practical awareness, racial sensitivity, or the sheer realities of hunger or even homelessness that low-income children face. Marks seems to suggest that kids from impoverished backgrounds – all too many of whom are African American – can simply access computers and lift themselves up by their digital bootstraps to use free…

  • 19 Dec 2011 | 4:37 pm

    Julie Pippert
    19 Dec 2011 | 4:37 pm
    Statement from Secretary Sebelius on becoming the new Chair of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Yesterday, I was pleased to take on the role of Chair of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. I look forward to building on the hard work of this year’s Chair, Secretary Solis, whose accomplishments include: developing a plan to increase access to mainstream benefits and launching Opening Doors-the nation’s first-ever comprehensive strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. The implementation of Opening Doors over the last year has given our federal agencies an…

  • Pursuit of Happiness Hour: Holiday Edition

    Julie Pippert
    16 Dec 2011 | 2:15 pm
    The government will not shut down -- hurray! And the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is here -- hurray! Both are cause to celebrate (or something). Congress may like to hoist a $1 trillion-plus catchall budget bill, but here at MOMocrats for special occasions we like to hoist a very classy martini or glass of wine or tankard of ale or...you get the picture. Today's Pursuit of Happiness Hour suggests a very tasty martini: Danish Christmas Cookie Martini one shot Vanilla vodka half shot DiSaronno shot (or so) of Ginger Ale to taste It's best to mix this with chilled ingredients versus shaking…

  • Mom’s Clean Air Force Twitter Party

    Meghan Harvey
    13 Dec 2011 | 11:13 am
    Thursday December 15th our friends at Clever Girls Collective will be hosting an historic twitter chat sponsored by the women at Mom’s Clean Air Force featuring EPA administrator Lisa P Jackson. This is an amazing opportunity for MOMocrats readers to actually ask first questions about one of the issues that effects all of us, air quality. Currently, there are no national limits on the amount of mercury and other toxic air pollution released from power plant smokestacks. The toxic air pollutants from the coal and oil fired plants have numerous and serious health effects, especially on…
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    NPR

  • Why New Photo ID Laws Mean Some Won't Vote

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:24 am
    Most Americans use photo IDs daily. And their driver's license — perhaps the most common form of government-issued photo ID — has become indispensable. So what's the big deal about new laws requiring a government-issued picture ID to vote? Some who have always voted, but can't in 2012, explain.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

  • 'Battling Was Won': Romney Gets Boost In Fla.

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:18 am
    After his second-place finish in the South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney arrived in Florida armed with money and organization. With three days until the primary, Romney's recent debate performances and an endorsement from Puerto Rico's governor are part of his campaign's growing momentum.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

  • The Smart Politician's Guide To Avoiding Scandal

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:15 am
    If you're a politician, you don't have to engage in any kind of wild or outlandish behavior to become the talk of the Internet and cable news. To spare politicians further embarrassment, we have prepared this list of do's and, mainly, don'ts.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

  • Kevin White, Boston Mayor In Turbulent '70s, Dies

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 pm
    The former mayor was credited with putting the city on a path to prosperity. White also saw the city through court-ordered busing to desegregate public schools, but he ended his four-term tenure in 1983 under a cloud of ethics suspicions. White died Friday in his home. He was 82.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

  • GOP Candidates Wrangle Over Reagan's Legacy

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:18 pm
    As he campaigns for the Republican nomination, Newt Gingrich almost always works the name of Ronald Reagan into his speeches. In fact, Gingrich's name-dropping is so common that it's now being criticized by Mitt Romney and the superPAC that backs him.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us
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    FamousDC

  • Famous Friday [Round Up]

    fdc
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:20 am
    Matt Bravo became a television star, Washington Life’s Michael Clements said Pharrell paid close attention to Britt McHenry during his last DC visit, Chef Geoff should be Mayor of DC, Iwo Jima in the snow, tell Howard Mortman happy birthday today, John Stanton enjoying a green apple martini at the Tune Inn, duties include: answering [...] Related posts:Famous Friday [Round Up] Famous Friday [Round Up] Famous Friday [Round Up]

  • Recipe Round-Up: Cocktail Edition

    domnicella
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    It’s January.  It’s blah outside.  As my mother says, you should celebrate the bad days and the blah days as well as the good days so you’re always celebrating.  What better reason to mix up a swank craft cocktail.  Citrus, pear, bubbly, not — we’ve got a little somethin’ somethin’ for every palate.  After all, [...] Related posts:Recipe Round-Up: Meyer Lemon Edition Recipe Round-Up by @Domnicella Recipe Round-Up by @Domnicella: Holiday Cookie Edition

  • Hyper Hill: Gloves Come Off [Again] In Debate #234

    nolongerfamous
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Jabs, punches & sad faces [dreams crushed at the debate] Jon Stewart lays into moon-basing [younger planet] Asteroid to brush by Earth today [close] Rick’s rating drops [a lot] Georgetown has liquor licenses open [going fast] By penguinbush   Related posts:Hyper Hill: Wes Welker Won the GOP Debate How to Big Boy a Presidential Candidate Debate [...] Related posts:Hyper Hill: Wes Welker Won the GOP Debate How to Big Boy a Presidential Candidate Debate by: Barack Obama Hyper Hill: Rick Sanchez Lands On His Feet

  • Bring Back the House Pages

    nolongerfamous
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:04 pm
    Members of Congress should not be held responsible for managing their own arts and crafts projects on the House Floor. #bringbackthepageprogram h/t Jeremy Art via C-SPAN Related posts:WHITE HOUSE MEMO: Staff Guidance for BCS Champions Auburn University Visit to the White House* Microsoft in the House Bring the Mad DC Cabbie Back Related posts:WHITE HOUSE MEMO: Staff Guidance for BCS Champions Auburn University Visit to the White House* Microsoft in the House Bring the Mad DC Cabbie Back

  • Famous Birthday Wishes: Sarah Pompei and Rep. Kevin McCarthy

    almostfamous
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:45 pm
    Be sure to wish GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy and his Communications Director Sarah Pompei Happy Birthday today!   And here’s a picture of Sarah from the talented Mr. Tom Williams: Related posts:Famous Birthday Wishes: Gindy Famous Birthday Wishes @vermontgmg Famous Birthday Wishes: Don Seymour Related posts:Famous Birthday Wishes: Gindy Famous Birthday Wishes @vermontgmg Famous Birthday Wishes: Don Seymour
 
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    -- Politics

  • Texas' wind power boom could head for bust if Congress doesn't extend tax credit

    The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Jack Z. Smith)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:29 am
    Texas remains the runaway leader in wind-power generation capacity among the 50 states. While only ninth in wind generation added during 2011, with 297 megawatts, it has nearly triple that…Click to Continue »

  • Universal health care proposal stalls in California Senate

    The Sacramento Bee (Torey Van Oot and Jim Sanders)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Legislation to create a universal health care system in California stalled in the state Senate Thursday ahead of a key legislative deadline, signaling it will likely fail to advance this…Click to Continue »

  • Rep. Barney Frank to marry partner in same-sex ceremony

    McClatchy-Tribune News Service (Jim Puzzanghera)
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:43 am
    Rep. Barney Frank, the first member of Congress to announce voluntarily he was gay, will marry his partner in a same-sex ceremony in Massachusetts, the lawmaker's spokesman said Thursday.Click to Continue »

  • North Carolina Gov. Perdue won't seek re-election

    McClatchy Newspapers (John Frank and Rob Christensen)
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Facing steep odds and a nasty campaign as one of the nation's most endangered Democrats, North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue announced Thursday she is abandoning her re-election bid.Click to Continue »

  • Washington lobbying expenses drop for the first time since '99

    McClatchy-Tribune News Service (Jim Puzzanghera)
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Washington's political gridlock has had at least one advantage: It allowed businesses and interest groups to reduce their lobbying expenses last year, the first time that's happened in more than…Click to Continue »
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    MyDD

  • Everyone hates Citizens United ruling

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:46 pm
    BooMan points to Jonathan Chait in New York magazine, Jim Worth in the Huffington Post and the continued viability of the Newt Gingrich for President train-wreck and concludes Republicans are rethinking their elation over the Citizens United ruling: Republicans and Democrats hate the Citizens United ruling for different reasons, but it's important that they both hate it. It means there might be some hope of doing something about it. Now, the easiest way to change the law is to replace one of the five conservative Supreme Court Justicies (Alito, Kennedy, Roberts, Scalia, or Thomas) with a…

  • Looking at Romney’s Voting Coalition

    25 Jan 2012 | 4:28 am
    The primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire have recently concluded, with Mitt Romney winning both. It’s quite probable now that Romney will be the person facing Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election.Both Iowa and New Hampshire have provided detailed exit polls of the Republican electorate. These paint a good picture of the coalition that Romney is assembling.Of course, exit polls are notoriously unreliable. If exit polls were trustworthy, President John Kerry would just be completing his second term right now. Any exit poll thus ought to be taken with an enormous grain of…

  • SFF'12 Panel: How Independent Docs are Changing Change

    24 Jan 2012 | 4:05 pm
    About midway through the 2012 Sundance Film Festival here in Park City, UT, and I wanted to highlight a few panels and documentary films showcased for those interested in the point where independent film and political activism meet.  Many of the documentaries selected to screen this year and related panel discussions coalesce around a common theme of activism and change.  Links to specific films to watch for below, but first video of two panels streamed live at Sundance.org this week: Prof. Drew Westen, Sen. Barbara Boxer, and author Magaret Atwood discuss the importance of…

  • Gingrich and Romney Offer the Same Tired Energy Policies

    23 Jan 2012 | 1:36 pm
    Newt Gingrich trounced Mitt Romney in South Carolina, ensuring that the race for the GOP nomination will likely continue for weeks to come. The Republican establishment may have settled on Romney, but voters keep throwing their support behind the anti-Romney -- whichever candidate of the moment sounds as different from the supposedly “moderate” Massachusetts governor as possible.Right now, Gingrich is the one generating all the passion. But if one goes by their campaign statements, Gingrich differs from Romney more in style (and personal life) than in substance. Gingrich has more spit and…

  • Meet Mansimran

    20 Jan 2012 | 4:45 pm
    From the Restore Fairness blog- Meet Mansimran. He’s an 18 year old all-American guy who likes Starbucks, hoops, and robotics. He’s a student, an older brother, and an active member of his Sikh religious community. Sometimes, when strangers see his turban, and the color of his skin, they lean out their car window and call him a “terrorist.” He’s not alone: especially since September 11, Sikh Americans and other communities have become targets of discrimination, racial profiling and bullying, and hate crimes. Counterterrorism measures…
 
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    Democracy Now!

  • GOPers Claim Softened Immigration Stance in Bid to Win Florida Latino Vote, But Key Issues Ignored

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:49 am
    Both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have been trying to court Florida’s Latino voters ahead of next week’s primary. Romney has launched Spanish-language ads highlighting Gingrich’s remarks in a 2007 speech in which he suggested Spanish was a "language of the ghetto." Meanwhile, Gingrich has released an ad accusing Romney of being the most anti-immigrant candidate in the Republican field. We’re joined by Marcos Restrepo, a reporter with the Florida Independent. "The rhetoric that’s been coming out about immigrants only worried about immigration, that…

  • Gingrich's Extremist Anti-Palestinian Stance Follows Millions from Casino Magnate Sheldon Adelson

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:35 am
    Many analysts say Newt Gingrich’s recent rise in the Republican contest would have been impossible without the backing of one man: multi-billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Adelson and his wife have donated $10 million to the pro-Gingrich super PAC, Winning Our Future, which has run a series of ads attacking Gingrich’s opponent Mitt Romney. Gingrich has openly admitted Adelson’s support came down to a single issue: Israel. Gingrich has adopted the most extremist anti-Palestinian stance of the Republican presidential field, calling the Palestinians themselves an…

  • NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly Urged to Resign After Police Conceal Role in Anti-Muslim Documentary

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:14 am
    Representatives from the New York City Muslim community, together with local ethnic and interfaith groups, gathered at City Hall Thursday calling for the resignation of New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond Kelly and police spokesperson Paul Browne after it was revealed an anti-Muslim film, "The Third Jihad," was screened to nearly 1,500 officers during training. After initial denials, the NYPD admitted the officers were shown the film in training and that Kelly gave the filmmakers a 90-minute interview. Kelly has now apologized. The controversy comes at a time when…

  • Despite Salary Caps, Treasury Approved Lucrative Exec Payouts at Dozens of Bailed-Out Firms

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:11 am
    New York Daily News columnist and Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez reports the Treasury Department has approved payouts exceeding $5 million for 49 executives at firms that most benefited from the Wall Street bailout. The executives’ pay came despite the $500,000 salary cap established under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). [includes rush transcript]

  • Headlines for January 27, 2012

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    GOP Candidates Spar over Immigration, Wall Street in Florida DebateObama Touts Domestic Drilling in Vegas Speech: U.S. is the "Saudi Arabia" of Natural GasPentagon Boosts Overall Spending Despite Short-Term CutsIraq: 32 Killed in Baghdad BombingIraq Mulls Legal Action over Haditha MassacreU.S. Threatens to Stop Egyptian Military Aid over Stranded AmericansSyria: 30 Killed in "Terrifying Massacre"Former Guatemalan Dictator Faces TrialWSF Meets on "Capitalist Crisis, Social and Environmental Justice"Rejecting GOP, Senate Hikes Debt LimitWalker Aides Face New ChargesFBI Seeks App to Monitor…
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    NYT: The Caucus

  • The Early Word: Rebuttal

    By JADA F. SMITH
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Political news from today's Times and around the Web, plus a look at the president's weekly address and happenings in Washington.

  • Gingrich Releases Two Attack Ads

    By JEREMY W. PETERS
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:05 pm
    Newt Gingrich goes on the full offensive, and so does his "super PAC."

  • First Day for New Chief of Staff

    By JACKIE CALMES
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:22 pm
    At midday Friday, William M. Daley, a former commerce secretary, passed the baton as White House chief of staff to Jacob J. Lew, the former budget director.

  • Santorum's Attacks on Romney Health Plan Could Help Democrats

    By MICHAEL D. SHEAR
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm
    If Democrats wants a step-by-step instruction manual for how they might try to neutralize Mitt Romney on the health care issue, they might want to watch Rick Santorum's coldly efficient critique.

  • Polls Highlight Florida's Diverse Electorate

    By ALLISON KOPICKI
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:58 pm
    The challenges for Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in Florida are far different than in the earlier nominating contests.
 
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    Outside the Beltway

  • Senate To Force Vote On Buffett Rule? But, Wouldn’t That Be Unconstitutional?

    Doug Mataconis
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pm
    Greg Sargent reports that some Senate Democrats are considering trying to force their Republican colleagues to take a vote on President Obama’s so-called “Buffett Rule,” which he described in his State Of The Union Address as a guarantee that no person earning more than a million dollars a year would pay taxes at a rate less than 30 percent: Picture this scenario. The Senate holds a high-profile vote on a proposal focused directly on implementing the Buffett Rule, one that would bring the current tax rate for millionaires paying lower rates on investments up to 30 percent.

  • National Park Service Tells OccupyDC It’s Time To Go

    Doug Mataconis
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:34 pm
    After months of complaints from city residents, business owners, and Members of Congress, the National Park Service is finally going to enforce the rules against overnight camping in McPherson Park: After four months in McPherson Park, the National Park Service says the camp-out is over. On Friday, the Park Service began distributing flyers to demonstrators in Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square advising them to pack up their sleeping bags and remove their camping gear from the park by Monday at noon or face arrest. The flyer reads: “This communication serves as notice that, on or about…

  • Former Aides Say Ron Paul Signed Off On Racist Newsletters

    Doug Mataconis
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:24 pm
    The basic defense that we’ve gotten from Ron Paul to the charges that the newsletters that were published under his name while he was out of Congress in the 1990s is that he was not directly involved in the publication and was unaware of what was being published under his name. Of course, there’s also been some evidence that he was more aware of the content of those newsletters than he now seems willing to admit, but there’s been no direct testimony from others regarding Paul’s involvement in the project. Until now that is. Today, The Washington Post is out with a…

  • GDP Growth 2.8% In 4th Quarter: Not Great, Not Good, Barely Okay

    Doug Mataconis
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:14 am
    The Commerce Department released its first estimate of economic growth in the final quarter of 2011 and, while the economic continued to expand, the pace at which it did so wasn’t very impressive: The American economy picked up a little steam last quarter, with output growing at an annualized rate of 2.8 percent, the Commerce Department reported Friday. The pace of growth was faster than in the third quarter, when gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.8 percent. Even so, both  figures were below the average speed of economic expansion in the United States since…

  • Jurassic Newt

    Doug Mataconis
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:28 am
    If you thought that Newt Gingrich’s idea for a Moon Base that eventually becomes an American state was a bit wacky, back in the 90s the former Speaker was talking about resurrecting the dinosaurs: The former House speaker has long been known for his boyish enthusiasm for subjects like dinosaurs, zoos and outer space. And in his 1996 book “To Renew America” he even devoted a short chapter to proposals that are, in some cases, directly inspired by popular science fiction. “Why not aspire to build a real Jurassic Park?” Gingrich asked on page 190 of the book, adding…
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    Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines

  • U.N. Considers Syria Intervention

    editor@truthdig.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:30 pm
    As the crisis in Syria reached new levels of urgency Friday, the United Nations Security Council met to work up a resolution pressuring Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. The U.N. group faced a formidable challenge, however, from a prominent and permanent member, according to the BBC. BBC: Activists and the Arab League urged the UN to take stronger action after a surge in violence this week in which dozens of people have died. The UK, France and Germany drafted a resolution with Arab states, supporting the League’s call for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to a…

  • ‘Left, Right & Center’: Campaigning vs. Governing

    editor@truthdig.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:46 pm
    Up for consideration on this week’s “Left, Right & Center” are such considerable topics as President Obama’s State of the Union address and the state of play in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. On board for the discussion are regulars Matt Miller and Robert Scheer, as well as guest panelists David Frum and Chrystia Freeland. You know you want to listen. Related Entries January 27, 2012 Winning Our Future, Gambling With Democracy January 27, 2012 The Numbers Show

  • Winning Our Future, Gambling With Democracy

    editor@truthdig.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:50 pm
    By Bill Boyarsky With financial and political interests ranging from Las Vegas to Israel to China, Sheldon Adelson, who is bankrolling the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich, is a powerful illustration of the dangers of unlimited campaign contributions. Related Entries January 27, 2012 Winning Our Future, Gambling With Democracy January 27, 2012 The Numbers Show

  • Truthdigger of the Week: Stephen Colbert

    editor@truthdig.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:16 pm
    Yes, he’s a funny guy, and granted, he’s a celebrity and thus already commands an absurd amount of attention and bandwidth, but we’re quite serious about our pick of Stephen Colbert as this week’s Truthdigger. Related Entries January 27, 2012 Winning Our Future, Gambling With Democracy January 27, 2012 The Numbers Show

  • Newt Gingrich, Shameless Demagogue

    editor@truthdig.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:49 pm
    As Newt Gingrich chugs along on his improbable political comeback track, many have tried to slow his roll, but here comes The New York Times’ Timothy Egan with a scathing Op-Ed, calling the relentless GOP contender a demagogue par excellence while allowing that Gingrich has practiced his uniquely unctuous brand of politics to greasy perfection. Can Newt come back from this? Probably.  —KA Timothy Egan in The New York Times: Gingrich, as he showed in a gasping effort in Thursday night’s debate in Florida, is a demagogue distilled, like a French sauce, to the purest essence…
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    PunditMom

  • Hillary’s Hair: We Can’t Help Ourselves

    PunditMom
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:47 am
    Hillary Clinton and her controversial headbands are back!  While President Obama’s State of the Union address has been much talked about and we loved seeing now-retired Congresswoman Gabby Giffords make her appearance on the House floor as he gave that speech, the third-most discussed thing about this week’s SOTU event was –  Hillary’s headband!! Forget her accomplishments as a U.S. Senator!  Nevermind all that talk about helping women and children around the world!  Hillary is bringing back the headband!  Women in their 60s with long hair!  WOO-HOO! OK, no…

  • Mom Vote 2012 — Who are The GOP Candidates?

    PunditMom
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:27 am
    Who are the current Republican candidates running for president?  The list is changing every week, as some of the candidates we thought we’d see through more of the primary season have dropped out.  We’ve said goodbye to Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman.  But here’s what you need to know about the remaining candidates as we head into the Florida Primary next week: Mitt Romney Status: Married to Ann Romney for 42 years Age: 64 Children: 5 sons — Craig 30, Benjamin 33, Joshua 36, Matthew 40, Taggart 41; 16 grandchildren Previous political experience:…

  • Gabby Giffords: I Know We’ll See Her Again

    PunditMom
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:38 pm
    I think we can all agree that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is an amazing woman.  Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or somewhere in between, I have a feeling you’ve been rooting for the woman many of us now just call “Gabby.  Her remarkable story of endurance and courage on her road to recovery following the devastating shooting and assassination attempt one year ago is truly inspirational, one which has led many people to wonder whether it just might be possible for her to resume her congressional duties and whether she might even run for re-election in 2012.

  • PunditMom Reads of the Week — 1/21/12 Edition

    PunditMom
    21 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    I’ve always loved to collect hearts and I especially love finding them in unexpected places.  In a piece of sea glass or in part of a cactus: That’s one of the reasons I loved this post from Jessica Ashley at Sassafras.  I usually find these coincidences of nature when I’m not looking for them, so I loved how her son, with his closer to the ground perspective, found one in their home.  And as he said, just like love, it was there all the time, even though he wasn’t looking for it. When it comes to the political, there’s always room for humor.  That’s…

  • Newt Gingrich: Just Swinging Through the Campaign

    PunditMom
    20 Jan 2012 | 12:43 pm
    So the conservative right is coming to the defense of Newt “I will always defend traditional marriage” Gingrich — the man who tried to bring down President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair while at the same time telling his wife who’d just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis that he either wanted an “open marriage” or a divorce. If only there was someone who could better express my confusion and shock at this: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
 
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    ThinkProgress

  • January 27 News: Rep. Waxman Calls GOP Obession to Force Decision on Keystone XL “So Stupid”

    Stephen Lacey
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:44 am
    Other stories below: Singapore raises sea defenses against tide of climate; FirstEnergy to shut down six coal sites Waxman: GOP ‘so stupid’ to include Keystone pipeline in payroll tax package A senior Democrat on the payroll tax conference panel had some strong words Thursday for Republicans hoping to attach Keystone pipeline language to the package. “That is so stupid, already, for them to be pushing the Keystone pipeline issue in this bill, in this conference,” Rep. Henry Waxman told reporters gathered near the Chesapeake Bay for the Democrats’ annual caucus…

  • The Morning Pride: January 27, 2012

    Zack Ford
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:36 am
    Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT’s 8:45 AM round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here’s what we’re reading this morning, but let us know what you’re checking out as well. Follow us all day on Twitter at @TPEquality. - The California Secretary of State has given a conservative group the green light to start collecting signatures to repeal the FAIR Education Act, which requires all school curriculum to be LGBT-inclusive. - Openly gay Republican presidential candidate Fred Karger has released 10 years of his tax returns standing in front…

  • Me & Lionel Shriver On ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin,’ National Identity, And Repopulating The Human Race

    Alyssa Rosenberg
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:36 am
    We Need to Talk About Kevin, the movie adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s skin-crawlingly-excellent 2003 novel about the mother of a school shooter, comes out in wide release today. The novel is unflinching in its exploration of the idea that some mothers don’t bond with their children — and that some women aren’t meant to be mothers at all. I talked to Shriver for my column in the Atlantic about everything from the way gender expression limits men, to how her work as a journalist influences her fiction, to taking the money and running on movie adaptations. Shriver is an…

  • Economy Grew By 2.8 Percent Last Quarter

    Pat Garofalo
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:31 am
    According to the latest data from the Commerce Department, the economy expanded by 2.8 percent last quarter, coming in a bit below expectations. Analysts had expected about 3 percent growth.

  • GOP Presidential Candidates Tell Florida Uninsured Woman: You’re On Your Own

    Igor Volsky
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:30 am
    At last night’s CNN presidential debate in Jacksonville, Florida, the GOP candidates told an unemployed woman in need of health insurance that they would repeal the health reform law that could help her find coverage and giver her a tax deduction to go out and find her own insurance. The woman — Lynn Frazier — said she found herself “unemployed for the first time in 10 years and unable to afford health benefits.” Under the Affordable Care Act, Frazier may qualify for temporary insurance in the state’s high-risk pool, which already provides coverage for…
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    Slate Articles

  • Middle Age Is Just a Story We Tell Ourselves

    June Thomas
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:15 am
    Listen to Episode 4 of Slate’s new podcast, The Afterword:

  • Advertisement:

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:15 am

  • The Longform Guide to Saturday Night Live

    Max Linsky
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:05 am
    Every weekend, Longform shares a collection of great stories from its archive with Slate. For daily picks of new and classic nonfiction, check out Longform or follow @longform on Twitter. It’s tough to find much in-depth coverage from the early days Saturday Night Live. It took a few years for reporters to realize what a fantastic soap opera was unfolding behind the scenes and what massive stars many of those involved would become. Here are some of our favorite SNL pieces ever written, including three about life on set and three about cast members who went onto bigger (or, in one case,…

  • All Day Pajamas, Boisterous Debates, and Fixing the Oscars

    Anna Weaver
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am
    “The Pajama Manifesto: Wear them to work. Wear them to the store. Wear them everywhere,” by Farhad Manjoo. We’ve come a long way since the days of getting arrested for wearing pajamas in public, and that’s a good thing, Manjoo argues. Today, the bedtime attire is seen everywhere from the grocery store to movie premieres. Now if only we looked good in them.

  • The Mystery of the Puerto Rican Voter

    Sasha Issenberg
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:31 pm
    ORLANDO, Fla.—Starting a caravana in Orlando is no easy business. A few cars bedecked with flags bearing the name of a local candidate may gather in a shopping-center parking lot, but when they turn out onto the public streets other cars are slow to join the procession, as they do across Puerto Rico in the days before an election. There, caravans are part of a broad political pageant in which party colors—blue for the pro-statehood party, red for pro-commonwealth—seem to wash over every inch of available surface area on the island, from murals to neckties. That flair travels to the…
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    Political Mojo | Mother Jones

  • GOP Reps. Go After DC Abortions Again

    Kate Sheppard
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm
    Last April, Congress reached a détente on the budget by re-imposing a ban on using local funds to pay for abortions in Washington, DC. Since the capitol city is essentially a ward of the federal government, Congress gets to control what happens here—even when it's DC's own money. Now, an Arizona congressman wants to go a step farther in limiting abortion in the District by imposing a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Trent Franks introduced his "District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" this week with the approval of anti-abortion…

  • The Florida Debate: There Is No Spoon

    Adam Weinstein
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:40 pm
    The last time I covered televised campaign events, four years ago, there was plenty of action outside the frame, even if it was tightly controlled by spinsters. This year, there is not. As Patrick Bateman might say, there is an idea of a Republican Party, some kind of abstraction. The idea has its ciphers, and occasionally they gather together and talk at each other on a screen, and if you like the Republican idea, you have a choice to make between the ciphers. And that's all there is. On the University of North Florida's campus, site of the state's final, pivotal, critical, do-or-die,…

  • Newt's Moon Base: Not as Illegal as You Think

    Tim Murphy
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:38 am
    On Thursday, Zeke Miller did the galaxy a public service and pulled up Newt Gingrich's 1981 bill to establish a system by which space colonies could be admitted to the Union as states. Today, he reports that not only was Gingrich's bill—which Newt cited again in his speech on Wednesday—kind of nutty, but it also would have violated international law had it passed (and had anyone tried to colonize the moon in the name of the US of A). That's because the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which the US has ratified, banned any nation from laying claim to a particular piece of the…

  • Your Daily Newt: Health Chair Reform

    Tim Murphy
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:08 am
    As a service to our readers, every day we are delivering a classic moment from the political life of Newt Gingrich—until he either clinches the nomination or bows out. You've probably heard about Newt Gingrich's (somewhat erratic) views on health care reform. And you're likely familiar with his climate change TV spot (which Gingrich recently dubbed the worst mistake of his political career) in which he sat on a couch with Nancy Pelosi. But in his 1984 book, Window of Opportunity, Gingrich combined both his passion for public policy and his passion for living room…

  • Here's Who Paid Mitt Romney "Not Very Much" to Speak

    Josh Harkinson
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    "I get speakers fees from time to time, but not very much," Mitt Romney said last week of his six-figure public speaking income. His foes seized on the gaffe as further evidence of Romney being out of touch with average Americans, but there's another reason for him to downplay the payments, which totaled to $374,000 for nine speeches in 2010—an average of $41,592 per appearance. (Newt Gingrich reported receiving a total of $21,625 in speaking fees and Rick Santorum reported none.) The high payments raise questions about what the groups who hired these pols might expect in return. Here's…
 
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    Crooks and Liars

  • Mike's Blog Round Up

    blogenfreude
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Comments from Left Field: some tweets are more equal than others. Michael in Norfolk: who could have predicted that conservative beliefs coupled with a low IQ leads to bigotry? Mahablog: Newt a) has no shame; b) is a demagogue; c) often feigns outrage; performed poorly in Thursday's debate; e) all of the above. Reality Based Community: Reagan-era criminal lies about sh*t Newt allegedly said about Reagan. Taegan Goddard: Newt's brutal new ad [correctly] accuses Mittens of being a big fat liar. blogenfreude blogs at Stinque - send your MBRU recommendations to mbru@crooksandliars.com

  • Open Thread

    Bluegal aka Fran
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:30 pm
    C&L staffer Karoli sends in this video and writes: Sometimes my video recorder glitches. It's annoying... and sometimes funny. Here's what the opener of Morning Joe looked like. Megyn Kelly is pretty funny too when it happens. PS. Don't forget that tomorrow at 2 Eastern / 11 Pacific Darcy Burner will be here at Crooks and Liars for a live Blue America chat. Please turn out to support this terrific progressive candidate for Congress. We need her! Open Thread below....

  • C&L's Late Night Music Club With Jellyfish

    Jared Shade Reynolds
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:00 pm
    Title: The Man I Used To BeArtist: JellyfishIf you're not familiar with San Francisco power popper Jason Falkner and his band Jellyfish, you're in for a big treat. And our sister site Newstalgia has more ska revival for its Nights at the Roundtable feature -- Madness in session. Happy Friday! Bellybutton Price: $9.49 (As of 01/28/12 05:09 am details)

  • The Tea Party Report: Newt Values Each of His Families More Than The Last One

    Tina Dupuy
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 pm
    It's the latest from Tea Party Reporter Susie Sampson. Enjoy!

  • Barney Frank to Marry Partner Jim Ready

    David
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm
    Click here to view this media Outgoing Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank is preparing for his new role as a married man. NECN reported on Thursday that Frank will tie the knot with his longtime partner, Jim Ready, in a ceremony in Massachusetts. The couple has been together since 2007. "Look, I have a partner now, Jim Ready," Frank told PBS' Charlie Rose earlier this month. "I have an emotional attachment. I’m in love for the first time in my life." Even though same sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means that gay couples do not have…
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    Scholars and Rogues

  • An open letter to Burt Rutan, regarding his WSJ commentary on human-caused climate disruption

    Brian Angliss
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:44 am
    Dear Mr. Rutan, Ever since you won the Ansari X-Prize in 2004 you’ve been a minor hero of mine. I’ve felt that the development of private human spaceflight was the critical next step toward moving humanity off our small blue marble since I was in high school, and SpaceShipOne was the first major step in that direction. The commercialization of space travel is a large part of why I work in aerospace myself designing satellite and space vehicle electronics. This is why I was disappointed to find that you had co-signed a Wall Street Journal commentary regarding human-caused climate…

  • Why do gays want the right to marry? Simple: freedom (Support the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry)

    Guest Scrogue
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    by Marti Smith “If all we feel is outrage, then we have not found a remedy.”- Jim Geringer, Governor, State of Wyoming, following Matthew Shepard’s death Since I was a young girl and old enough to understand who I was, I have known discrimination. It hardens your heart and dampens your soul until you conquer the fear. Some don’t make it and commit suicide. To have the media, family, co-workers and friends tell jokes and make hurtful remarks is the life of a GLBT person. Unless you are a person of color, you likely don’t know what it is like to live a life…

  • For sale: King Newt I (two from Szep)

    Paul Szep
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:58 am

  • WordsDay Special: Well read and well grounded

    Chris Mackowski
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:58 am
    After feeding twenty-six books into my head in thirty days, I’d like to say that I’m letting my brain decompress, but I’ll be honest: I’m still reading. In fact, I have two books going right now, Bill Bryson’s I’m a Stranger Here Myself and Barbara Kingsolver’s High Tide in Tucson. I want to hit up Barry Lopez’s Arctic Dreams and Wendell Barry’s agrarian essays, too, and I want to spend some time with David Cushman’s book on The Wilderness, Bloody Promenade. Maybe then I’ll be done. Maybe. But there’s David Gessner’s Sick of Nature. There’s Susan Jane Gilman’s…

  • Give us this day our daily intake….

    Samuel Smith
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pm
    I looked at my counter this morning and saw a secret message.
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    Power Line

  • Maybe This Explains It?

    Steven Hayward
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:04 am
    (Steven Hayward) Some time back in the 1990s, with middle age on the horizon and retirement planning suddenly on my mind, I began like most people to study the stock market, screening for mutual funds for IRAs, etc.  Somewhere along the way I stumbled across the Steadman Funds, hands down the worst mutual funds in the history of the universe.  The record of the Steadman Funds was so bad that it had to be a joke, or some screwy scheme deliberately to lose money to create tax loses for people in very strange circumstances.  Even the proverbial monkey throwing darts at the stock page would…

  • How Do You Relax After A Hard Week Of Work?

    John Hinderaker
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:42 pm
    (John Hinderaker) Well, scotch is an option, sure. But lately I’ve taken to shooting. The local Gander Mountain has an excellent firing range, and there are other good ranges nearby, too. Tonight I went shooting with my pal Mitch Berg; my wife and oldest daughter swung by and fired off some rounds, too. Here you see my daughter and me; she is shooting and I am supervising: Oddly, the guy in the back looks like he is balding a bit. Must be the lighting. We put 250 rounds through my trusty Sig Sauer Mosquito. The guys to our left and right were firing heavier caliber weapons. I’ve…

  • Whom Do You Trust?

    John Hinderaker
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:18 pm
    (John Hinderaker) Not too many months ago, likely voters trusted Republicans over Democrats on all ten top issues. It was probably too much to expect those heady days to continue, and I suspect that the GOP presidential primary season has damaged the party’s standing. That is unfortunate: if the Republican candidates had devoted their energies to non-stop attacks on President Obama, the result would have been positive. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and the bashing of fellow Republicans that we have seen over the last couple of months has no doubt damaged the party’s…

  • Newt Vs. Reagan, The Sequel

    Steven Hayward
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:40 am
    (Steven Hayward) Both Elliott Abrams, at National Review Online, and, as John Hinderaker noted yesterday, Pete Wehner (quoting from my book) have brought up Newt Gingrich’s pungent criticisms of Reagan back in the 1980s, supposedly giving the lie to Newt’s claim to have been solidly aligned with Reagan in those glory days of conservative nostalgia.  It is perfectly fair of Elliott and Pete to call Newt on his revisionist history, but what kind of historian would Newt be if he wasn’t a revisionist historian?  More seriously, Newt deserves a partial defense about all of this, or at…

  • The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress

    Scott Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:40 am
    (Scott Johnson) I watched the GOP presidential candidates’ debate in Jacksonville. The debate was broadcast on CNN — CNN has posted the full transcript of the debate — and moderated by Wolf Blitzer, who proved to be a formidable antagonist for Newt. When Newt came at Blitzer on a question that put Newt on the defensive, Blitzer held his ground and shot back. It may have been the defining moment of the debate. I thought Newt lost last night from the git-go, but finished himself on that exchange. Jonathan Tobin summarized it this way in his live blog of the debate: Gingrich…
 
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    The Daily Dish: Andrew Sullivan

  • Fixating On Fear

    Andrew Sullivan
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:24 am
    A new study presented liberals and conservatives with a variety of positive and negative images (i.e. kittens, car wrecks): Our evolution as human beings has programmed all of us to pay heightened attention to threatening or frightening stimuli. But conservatives were drawn to the negative images almost twice as fast as the liberals were. And they fixated there longer, too. This suggests that there exists not only a physiological difference, but also a cognitive one in how political partisans react to such pictures. ... "I figured because conservatives reacted more strongly to negative…

  • Itching For Another Liberal War, Ctd

    Andrew Sullivan
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:39 am
    Shadi Hamid seconds Slaughter's case: What made Libya a "pure" intervention was that we acted not because our vital interests were threatened but in spite of the fact that they were not. For me, this was yet one more reason to laud it. Libya provided us an opportunity to begin the difficult work of re-orienting U.S. foreign policy, to align ourselves, finally, with our own ideals. For me, Syria is part of this bigger debate; what role does the United States seek for itself in a rapidly changing world, a world in which activists and rebels still long for an America that will…

  • Ad War Update

    Andrew Sullivan
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    The full version of "Blood Money," funded by the pro-Gingrich PAC Winning Our Future: Ben Johnson wonders if the web ad will have an impact:  While Romney was never personally implicated in the scandal that embroiled Damon Corp, fact-checking site PolitiFact has rated a separate ad drawing the same connections as “Mostly True.” Will the seven-minute negative ad do damage? After what pundits are calling his best debate performances thus far, Romney is ahead of Gingrich in the latest Florida polling. But national polls have Gingrich pulling ahead as…

  • The Weekly Wrap

    Andrew Sullivan
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:30 pm
    Friday on the Dish, Andrew pinpointed Romney's achilles heel on taxes, pronounced the primary "not yet over," and reacted to the bombshell report that Paul edited his racist newsletters (follow-up here). He also excoriated Grover's plan to impeach Obama over taxes, lauded Corey Booker's defense of marriage equality, explained the sense in sexuality was like religion, inveighed against circumcision, and opened up about his first theatrical role. Newt appeared to be gearing up for a vicious ad campaign, got defended on the bucket weirdness, continued to employ…

  • A Defense Of Super PACs

    Andrew Sullivan
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:34 pm
    Mounted by Nick Gillespie: E.D. Kain makes related points while countering Chait: [W]hy should we be more concerned with the influence of one billionaire over the decisions of a hypothetical president Newt Gingrich than with the amassed influence of corporations over the Republican party itself? After all, if Gingrich did anything explicitly to help Sheldon Adelson we’d know about it rather quickly. Everyone would be paying close attention. But the machinations of the Republican party itself and the money which keeps the back-scratching mutual between the party and its benefactors is…
 
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    Lew Rockwell: The LRC Blog

  • A Book About Flinching and Fear

    Karen De Coster
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:58 am
    I recently came across a one-of-a-kind book that skillfully challenges the standard conventions. It is called The Flinch, and it is written by Julian Smith. It is free on Amazon and you can download it here. If you don't have an eReader, you can register, for free, to have an Amazon cloud. You can download the eBook and read it online. It is around 100 pages - a very quick read. In short, the book is about transformative impact and making yourself physically and psychologically more resistant. People stop doing anything difficult because they fear pain and physical stress, and especially,…

  • NDAA Begins Its Evil Reign

    Becky Akers
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:05 pm
    To my knowledge, here's the first citing of the odious NDAA: The government lists it as a reason to continue imprisoning a guy whom they have never charged, indicted, or tried at Gitmo. But this certainly won’t be the last time the Feds rely on their shiny new all-purpose tyranny.

  • Even the UN Is Slamming Obummer!

    Becky Akers
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:41 pm
    You know you’ve sunk lower than a rat’s belly when the UN, that bastion of utter corruption, gross incompetence, and wicked windbags, damns you. But that is precisely what it’s so-called “High Commissioner for Human Rights” did to Obummer — twice. First for Gitmo: “It is 10 years since the US Government opened the prison at Guantanamo, and now three years since 22 January 2009, when the President ordered its closure within 12 months,” Her Highness scolded. “Yet the facility continues to exist and individuals remain arbitrarily detained — indefinitely — in clear breach of…

  • The Jesus of the Warvangelicals

    Laurence Vance
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:28 pm

  • We Can Only Hope That Gingrich Takes McCain With Him

    Laurence Vance
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:17 pm
    So, Newt Gingrich wants the US to have a permanent base on the moon. Makes sense since, after all, the US already occupies most of the planet. John McCain, who is campaigning for Mitt Romney, wants Gingrich to go to the moon. We can only hope that Gingrich takes McCain with him, and perhaps Romney and Santorum too. Hey, why not send all the Republicans who want to start more wars on the earth. Send them to the moon where they can't hurt anybody.
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    ABC NEWS

  • Florida's Winner Will Lock in 50 Delegates? Not Necessarily

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:01 am
    It would be hard to overstate the importance of Florida’s upcoming primary. The contest falls at the end of a month that’s seen three separate victors in three separate contests. The winner of the contest will carry momentum through the February caucus states and on to...

  • Obama: 'We Weren't Sent Here to Wage Perpetual Political Campaigns'

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:01 am
    After three days on the road selling his State of the Union message, President Obama is urging Congress to act on his proposals to stem the “corrosive influence of money in politics” and to give judicial and public service nominations “up-or-down” votes. As he traveled...

  • Ex-President Clinton Given 'Wonk' Award

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:38 pm
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – American University has named former President Bill Clinton as its first annual “Wonk of the Year.” Located in the District of Columbia, the event is part of a marketing campaign the college coined to draw in students interested in the more niche fields...

  • Bush 41, Jeb Bush Drop in on Obama

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:44 pm
    President Obama met with former president George H. W. Bush and his son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, at the White House this evening. Their Oval Office meeting was not on the president’s official schedule for today but was made public when the White House released...

  • Romney Calls Gingrich 'Goldilocks' Over Debate Audience Complaints

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:06 pm
    ORLANDO, Fla. – Mitt Romney accused Newt Gingrich of being like “goldilocks” when he complained about debate audiences being too quiet and then too loud within the span of a week. “Speaker Gingrich said the debate, before last night, that the crowd wasn’t allowed to...
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    National Review: The Campaign Spot

  • Obama Laments That We're 'Consumed by Personal Ambition'

    Jim Geraghty
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:09 am
    Jonah looks closely at Obama’s salute to the Navy Seals. “At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together. Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. Think about the America within our reach.”Keep reading this post . . .

  • Mitt Corleone?

    Jim Geraghty
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:14 am
    The Morning Jolt, yesterday: “I believe in America”? That’s what you’re going with this cycle, governor? I’m sorry, you don’t get to quote “The Godfather” unless you’ve killed a bunch of your enemies while attending a baptism.Keep reading this post . . .

  • Grim Poll Numbers for GOP, Awful Ones for Gingrich

    Jim Geraghty
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:39 am
    Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart and Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conduct the NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, were just on with Chuck Todd on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown. They noted that in their latest poll, Barack Obama carries rural women — traditionally a Republican-leaning demographic — over Newt Gingrich. South Carolina Republican women may be comfortable with Gingrich, but women elsewhere are not, it would seem.Keep reading this post . . .

  • The Grand Finale Florida Debate?

    Jim Geraghty
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:54 am
    In the last Morning Jolt of the week . . . The Last Debate for a Month? Do You Promise?Keep reading this post . . .

  • Remember When This Primary Was Boring & Predictable?

    Jim Geraghty
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:50 am
    This morning, Quinnipiac tells us that Newt’s lead in Florida can fall apart as quickly as Mitt Romney’s lead in South Carolina: Just four days before the nation’s first big-state presidential primary, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney opens up a 38 – 29 percent lead over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich among Republican likely voters in Florida, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Only 6 percent are undecided, but 32 percent say they might change their mind by Tuesday. This compares to results of a January 25 survey by the independent…
 
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    Taegan Goddard's Political Wire

  • Polarization in Obama's Approval at Historic Highs

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Gallup finds that the historically high gap between partisans' job approval ratings of President Obama continued during his third year in office, with an average of 80% of Democrats and 12% of Republicans approving of the job he was doing. In fact, that 68 point partisan gap is tied for the fourth highest dating back to the Eisenhower administration. Only George W. Bush's fourth, fifth, and sixth years in office showed higher degrees of political polarization.

  • President Will Vacate Oval Office Next Year

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:02 pm
    The Washingtonian reports that the ultimate victor of the presidential election, no matter who he is, "may not get to claim the ultimate prize: the Oval Office." Beginning sometime next year the President may be relocated from the White House West Wing and the iconic Oval Office to temporary office space next door while his office undergoes needed repairs and restoration.

  • Poll Shows Dead Heat in Florida

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pm
    A new Dixie Strategies/First Coast News poll in Florida shows Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich tied at 35% each, with Rick Santorum at 9% and Ron Paul at 7%. Every other recent poll shows Romney with a single digit lead.

  • The New York (Mayor's) Review of Books

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:30 pm
    "Indulging in a tale of make-believe" is rare for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but the New York Times notes he actually recommended two spy mysteries this week by John LeCarre: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy. Of the latter, he said, "It's 600 pages, it's mostly description, there is almost nothing that happens. But it's fascinating!" "Virtually the only other work of fiction publicly endorsed by the mayor has been Johnny Tremain, the 1943 patriotic children's story that Mr. Bloomberg frequently cites as a favorite. His personal library now has several…

  • Romney Holds Small Lead in Michigan

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:14 pm
    A new EPIC-MRA poll in Michigan finds Mitt Romney with a small lead in the GOP presidential race with 31%, followed by Newt Gingrich at 26%, Ron Paul at 14% and Rick Santorum at 10%. The Michigan primary is scheduled for February 28.The poll also shows President Obama leading both Romney, 48% to 40%, and Gingrich, 51% to 38%, in general election match ups.
 
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    town hall

  • hot chocolate

    Stephanie
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm
    A mug of hot cocoa is my guilty pleasure.I drink a mugfull when I wake up each morning, and another mugfull right before I go to sleep.I’ve become a bit of a hot chocolate connoisseur over the years.  I love Stephens, but with the consumption levels in our home (we drink it year-round) I’ve found the price of Stephens to be a bit too steep for my budget.  A fantastic alternative is the hot chocolate sold at the LDS Cannery in Milwaukee.  I no longer buy it by the can, but simply by the 25 pound bag.  **funny side note**  Wes likes to drink hot chocolate out of a…

  • Silly me, I tried to read a book

    Stephanie
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:28 pm
    As you know, Alice is no shrinking violet.  The spotlight is her happy place.  She will preform anytime, anywhere and for anyone.Particularly, she loves to perform for me.Yesterday I foolishly thought I would sit down and read a book after dinner.  I pointedly told Miss A. that I was sitting down to read and would love to have a bit of peace and quiet while doing so.She struggled.First, her shark was chewing on her chin.Once she removed the shark from her face, he quickly became her microphone.Then she felt the need to give him CPR and rescue breathing.Then she pretended he was…

  • Laundry and deliciousness

    Stephanie
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:02 pm
    I’ve been air drying 90% of my laundered items for years.I just have a thing about air drying.This afternoon I mistakenly dried a work out shirt in the tumble dryer and I cursed myself for a moment.  I guess I hadn’t seen it before it went in to the hot spinning oven.I feel that air drying my clothing helps it last longer, saves on electricity (dryers are not ever energy efficient) and helps with clothing shrinkage problems.Last year I invested in a larger, more sturdy drying rack that often takes up residence in our bedroom.  I even have a line on my back patio that I string…

  • There's nothing good on t.v. right now

    Stephanie
    19 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pm
    Yes, we have Netflix and I do often watch it, especially when they add new episodes of Hoarders or Toddlers and Tiaras.  But, sometimes I want to watch network t.v. just because it is so traditional, almost retro, you know, to flip on the tube and see what shows are on.  And, lately, there is nothing!  I have no pull, no anticipation of watching anything.  It is a barren wasteland of yuck out there.I've even stopped watching The Biggest Looser.  It doesn't inspire me.  Watching obese people workout does not pump me up for some reason.  Usually, I get a…

  • Blurred reality

    Stephanie
    17 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm
    I've been working out consistently at our local YMCA for more than four years now.  And, as expected, I see a lot of the same people working out along side me almost every single day.  Most of them I don't know.  Some I do.  And some I sort of know, like in the hi/bye, or head nod way.And this is the thing.  Most of these people at the gym only see me and my sweaty self without makeup and my hair pulled back into a pony tail and have never seen me anyway else.  So, I can run into them at Target or the library and they don't even know who I am, or maybe have a…
 
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    Mother Jones

  • The 99 Percent Solution

    Lauren Ellis
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    July 13 Adbusters proposes Occupy Wall Street. August 9 OWS supporters in New York City hold a meeting for "We, the 99%." September 8 We Are the 99 Percent Tumblr launches. September 17 Occupy Wall Street protesters take Zuccotti Park. October 3 #OccupySesameStreet Twitter hashtag takes off. October 5 Anti-OWS We Are the 53% Tumblr mocks the 47 percent who supposedly don't pay taxes (not true). October 6 Joe Biden slams banks on behalf of "99 percent of the American people." October 6 Rush Limbaugh declares occupiers "perpetually lazy, spoiled rotten, 99 percent white kids." October 7…

  • 10 Top-Notch Daily Newts!

    Tim Murphy
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Every weekday since December 8, we've published Your Daily Newt—tidbits of wit, wisdom, and (mostly) weirdness from presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich. Here's a selection of 10 of our favorites. (If that isn't enough, browse our entire collection of Daily Newts, see the highlights of Mother Jones' 27-year romance with Newt, and read our guide to Gingrich's greatest verbal bombs.) #1: The 100-Mile High Club Shutterstock; Wikimedia Commons Before he promised moon colonies, Newt suggested that private space flight would open up space tourism—especially for honeymooning couples…

  • Florida Debate Wrap-Up: Newt vs. Mitt, Part Deux

    —By the Mother Jones news team
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:55 pm
    Jason Moore/ZUMA; James Colburn/ZUMA GOP Primary Predictor Think you're smarter than a CNN pundit? Predict the next winner with our interactive app. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich faced off on Thursday night in a final Florida debate before Tuesday's primary. Read on for Kevin Drum's roundup and more of best blog reactions to Thursday night's CNN debate, or jump down to the top tweets of the night from MoJo's news team and our other favorite tweeting political junkies. For more, also follow reporter @adamweinstein, who was on the scene in Jacksonville; Washington bureau chief @davidcorndc; and…

  • WATCH: Obama's "Socialist" Ideas Aren't So Different From the GOP's [Fiore Cartoon]

    Mark Fiore
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:40 pm
    Mark Fiore is a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and animator whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, and dozens of other publications. He is an active member of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, and has a website featuring his work.     

  • Why Climate Change Will Make You Love Big Government

    Christian Parenti
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:12 pm
    This story first appeared on the TomDispatch website. Look back on 2011 and you'll notice a destructive trail of extreme weather slashing through the year. In Texas, it was the driest year ever recorded. An epic drought there killed half a billion trees, touched off wildfires that burned four million acres, and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and buildings. The costs to agriculture, particularly the cotton and cattle businesses, are estimated at $5.2 billion—and keep in mind that, in a winter breaking all sorts of records for warmth, the Texas drought is not yet over. In August,…
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    The Raw Story

  • Senior Church of England cleric condemns British government’s same-sex marriage plans

    Agence France-Presse
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:39 am
    The second most senior cleric in the Church of England, Archbishop of York John Sentamu, on Saturday condemned the British government’s plans to introduce same-sex civil marriages. “Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,” the Ugandan-born archbishop told the Daily Telegraph newspaper, adding that only “dictators” tried to redefine things that were so established in tradition and history. Prime Minister David Cameron’s government is due to launch a consultation on same-sex civil marriages in March, more than six years after homosexual civil…

  • Four held in Murdoch police payments probe

    Agence France-Presse
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:35 am
    Detectives investigating the suspected payment of police for information arrested a serving officer and three other men on Saturday, and searched the offices of Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers. The investigation is linked to the police probe into phone-hacking at the News of the World, which Murdoch shut down in July after it emerged journalists had listened to the phone messages of thousands of people. London’s Metropolitan Police said Saturday’s operation was sparked by information supplied by Murdoch’s News Corporation media empire. Three men, two aged 48 and one aged…

  • Scathing Sundance film highlights U.S. Uncut’s work

    Agence France-Presse
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:30 am
    US multinationals make billions of dollars in profit but can pay no federal tax due to “legal but immoral” tax arrangements, according to a scathing film at the Sundance film festival. “We’re Not Broke” tackles head on issues currently being thrashed out between Republican presidential candidates, over the fairness of America’s tax code in particular as budgets are slashed. The film by Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce is in competition for best US documentary at the independent film festival, which closes this weekend in the ski resort of Park City, Utah. The…

  • Panetta believes Pakistan knew where bin Laden was hiding

    Agence France-Presse
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:40 pm
    WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta still believes someone in authority in Pakistan knew where Osama bin Laden was hiding before US forces went in to find him, he said in a TV interview to air Sunday. Intelligence reports found Pakistani military helicopters had passed over the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan where US Navy SEALs discovered and killed bin Laden last year, according to excerpts of an interview Panetta gave to CBS News. “I personally have always felt that somebody must have had some sense of what was happening at this compound. Don’t forget, this…

  • Watchdog group calls for federal investigation of Romney’s financial disclosure

    Muriel Kane
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:18 pm
    Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has called on the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to refer Mitt Romney to the Department of Justice for having filled an inaccurate campaign disclosure form last year. In a letter (pdf) sent on Friday to the acting director of the OGE, the watchdog group stated, “The 2010 tax return Mr. Romney released earlier this week includes numerous assets not included on the personal financial disclosure form Mr. Romney filed in August 2011. … According to OGE’s website, ‘when ethics officials find evidence that an employee…
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    TPM Election Central

  • New Figures Show Economy Improving -- But Still Not Fast Enough

    Sahil Kapur
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:10 am
    The U.S. economy grew 2.8 percent in the last three months of 2011, the Commerce Department announced in an advance estimate Friday. The new figures help quell lingering fears of a double-dip recession, but economists say there remains cause for concern. "At first glance, it looks good, because it's the 10th straight quarter of economic growth," Chad Stone, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told TPM. "But there's an awful lot to be concerned about when you dig into the numbers." Stone noted that a large part of the gains came from businesses accumulating inventory…

  • Top Defense Dem: GOP Must Blink First To Avoid Pentagon Cuts

    Brian Beutler
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:59 am
    Despite a brewing panic among Congressional Republicans (and some Democrats) over automatic, across-the-board defense cuts set to kick in on January 1, 2013, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee says those cuts must stand unless and until Republicans relent on their anti-tax absolutism, and agree on a balanced deficit reduction package that includes higher revenue. "The purpose of the sequester is to force us to act to avoid the sequester," Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) told reporters at a Christian Science Monitor roundtable. "It's like a nuclear weapon -- it's totally useless;…

  • Newt Gingrich, Space Keynesian

    Sahil Kapur
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:10 am
    Newt Gingrich's case for boosting federal investments into private sector space projects awkwardly embraces a core tenet of modern liberalism: the belief that government spending can help the economy. "By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American," Gingrich said in Florida, explaining that it would entail "commercial near-Earth activities that include science, tourism and manufacturing, because it is in our interest." The former Speaker's argument rests on textbook Keynesian economics: the notion that targeted government investments…

  • Presented By:

    Pheedo
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:10 am

  • Top Dem Offshoring Expert Smells Something Fishy In Romney's Tax Code

    Brian Beutler
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:05 am
    Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) says Mitt Romney will have to make his pre-2010 tax returns available. That may sound like a predictable demand from a partisan Democrat. But it's more than that. Levin may well know more about tax avoidance strategies than anybody in Congress. In his capacity as the Democrats' top investigator he's has made extensive inquiries into the techniques businesses and individuals use, including overseas havens, to hide their money from the IRS. And what Romney's revealed so far troubles him."I saw in the paper this morning that the spokesperson for the Romney campaign said…
 
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    Guardian: UK Politics

  • NHS 'faces peril' if reform plans are derailed

    Conal Urquhart
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:27 am
    Group of 50 GPs managing health services through clinical commissioning groups say they are 'already improving services'The NHS could be "in peril" if the government's plans to overhaul it are derailed by doctors and nurses' organisations, a group of GPs piloting the reforms has warned.The health secretary, Andrew Lansley, has proposed that the management of hospitals and budgets in England is reformed by allowing doctors rather than managers to control health services and budgets.The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of Midwives oppose the reform,…

  • Martin Rowson on David Cameron and RBS chief's bonus – cartoon

    Martin Rowson
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm
    Row erupts after prime minister claims that MPs had no choice but to agree to Stephen Hester's bonus are challenged by LabourMartin Rowson

  • Unthinkable? A federal upper house of parliament | Editorial

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:20 pm
    If Scots vote for independence, England's political will would shape that of the UK even more decisivelyAlex Salmond's plans for a Scottish independence referendum in 2014 are concentrating minds on the future shape of the United Kingdom. If Scots vote yes, the country they leave will consist of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, currently with 84% of the UK population, would then have 92%, Wales 5% and Northern Ireland 3%. England's share of the seats in the Westminster parliament would rise in proportion; its dominance, already great, would become even greater, so that the…

  • Interview: architects Richard Rogers, Graham Stirk and Ivan Harbour

    Charlotte Higgins
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:06 pm
    Celebrated architect Richard Rogers and his partners discuss £140m penthouses, John Prescott's ministerial 'flair' and Prince Charles's strange ideas about architectureRichard Rogers, at 78, is not about to slow down. "I am enjoying myself, so why would I retire?" says the architect of the Pompidou Centre and the Lloyd's of London building. "I'd like to think I'll be learning a new language or something when I die."But even a master builder can't go on for ever, which is why Richard Rogers Partnership discreetly changed its name, some five years ago, to Rogers Stirk Harbour and…

  • Nicolas Sarkozy by Nicole Jennings

    Nicola Jennings
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:01 pm
    President of the French RepublicNicola Jennings
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    The Plum Line

  • Greg Sargent: Open Thread

    Greg Sargent
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:50 am
    All yours. Read full article >>

  • Featured Advertiser

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:50 am

  • Greg Sargent: Happy Hour Roundup

    Greg Sargent
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:06 pm
    High crimes and misdemeanors? Fun times as Grover Norquist seems to suggest that letting the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, as signed into law by Bush himself, could constitute an impeachable offense for Obama: Read full article >>

  • Greg Sargent: Romney’s negative ratings soaring among independents

    Greg Sargent
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:36 pm
    One key metric for determining whether the attacks on Mitt Romney and the bruising GOP primary are damaging him for the general election is this: How is he faring among independent voters, a key swing constituency, now that they’re getting to know him better? Read full article >>

  • Greg Sargent: Senate Dems should force GOP to hold vote on Buffett Rule

    Greg Sargent
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:36 pm
    Picture this scenario. The Senate holds a high-profile vote on a proposal focused directly on implementing the Buffett Rule, one that would bring the current tax rate for millionaires paying lower rates on investments up to 30 percent. This, at at exactly the moment when the GOP is picking a nominee who is worth $250 million and is personally benefitting to an enormous degree from the current rate — one that’s lower than many middle class taxpayers pay. Read full article >>
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    Watchblog: Democrats

  • The Benefits of Space Exploration

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:29 am
    It may be the best possible investment the United States could make: a colony on the moon. Newt Gingrich proposed founding a colony within eight years, and received scorn from both liberals and Romney. Does Newt deserve it? What are some of the results of space exploration to date?This site provides many examples of such benefits from past investments in space: http://www.problem-solving-techniques.com/US-Space-Program.html Off the top of my head, I can name just a few: weather satellites, GPS, and computer technology. Not a bad day's work. Of course, Gingrich envisions a free enterprise…

  • What About The Animals?

    24 Jan 2012 | 1:45 am
    Anyone want to take a break from talking about the GOP Primary to talk about animal rights?I haven't brought the subject up much on Watchblog yet because mostly my reading and writing interests involve economics and political polling. But in my personal life I have strongly held beliefs as far as animal cruelty goes. I think a lot about the disconnect between the protection of certain animals in the United States and the treatment of the animals we eat. Dog fighting is a popular subject since Michael Vick. But why do people get so outraged by dog fighting while no doubt eating animals that…

  • Solid South Carolina Win Gives Florida Bounce For Gingrich

    23 Jan 2012 | 3:45 am
    Call him the new Comeback Kid. There's a sort of irony to that. Gingrich's surge and victory in South Carolina has now translated to a surge in Florida. Mitt Romney must be scared to death at this point. Two polls have come out since South Carolina and they both show Gingrich way ahead now in Florida by 8% and 9%. The vote in Florida is just 8 days away. Newt will spend that whole time pretending to be the nominee and asking that Mitt Romney respect the process and drop out now and get behind President Newt. OK, so maybe he won't go that far, but he does have the ego for just that sort of…

  • Gingrich Leads Going Into South Carolina But There's Room For a Romney Upset

    21 Jan 2012 | 2:15 am
    The latest RCP polling averages in South Carolina show Gingrich with 32.8%, Romney with 30.2%, Paul with 13.2% and Santorum with 11.4%. That totals to 87.6% leaving 12.4% of voters potentially up for grabs. With Gingrich leading by as much as 9% in the latest polls, I figure that gap is going to play a key roll in today's vote.The trouble with that 12.4% is that Perry, Huntsman, Bachmann and Cain are all still on the ballot. Will somebody cast a useless vote for them? Maybe. There's also Gary Johnson in the mix but don't expect him to get many votes overall. Part of me wants Gingrich to win…

  • Gingrich Makes South Carolina a Fight

    19 Jan 2012 | 7:18 am
    Last week I pointed out Romney had not bounced after New Hampshire. The other candidates got bounces but he had not. Finally when the bounce wore off for others and as Huntsman dropped out, Romney started to creep up again in the polls. Meanwhile Gingrich has surged in a huge way.Both Gingrich and Romney are within the margin of error of being tied. Romney still has a slight advantage but if other polls come out showing Gingrich ahead that advantage could evaporate quickly. Internal polls for Romney must have shown Gingrich surging days ago because Romney has been on the attack again for a…
 
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    Watchblog: Third Party & Independents

  • Santorum: No woman can ever have an abortion ... except my wife

    25 Jan 2012 | 6:32 am
    Rick Santorum is one dangerously denial-ridden hypocrite. He's best known for his inability to associate his professed compassion for life at the level of the zygote, with the physical realities of human sexuality. He said same-sex relationships lead *DIRECTLY* to bestiality. He said that abortion should be outlawed, INCLUDING when the pregnancy is the result of rape and/or incest. He is opposed to abortion under absolutely any circumstance. Well ... almost. In October, 1996, Rick Santorum's wife Karen had a second-trimester abortion. But the Santorums don't like to describe it that way.

  • Gingrich: The man who won't be President

    22 Jan 2012 | 6:25 am
    Newt Gingrich has a lot going for him in his quest for the presidency -- a famous name, plenty of inside-Washington friends, lobbyists and allies giving him untold millions in now-unlimited-by-Citizens-United money, nearly four decades of being a Washington D.C. politician for which he claims makes him and "outsider," a lifelong history of adultery, deceit, financial opportunism, criminal convictions, ethics violations and unmitigated hypocrisy, and just the right amount of sub-dermal racism that appeals to his party's longing-for-the-days-of-Dixie, all-white-all-the-time, faux-evangelical…

  • While you were asleep...

    20 Jan 2012 | 6:51 am
    We might as well face it guys we are no longer the United States of America. The land of the free. We brought it upon ourselves, worked hard to make it the law and work hard to bring authoritarian rule on ourselves. So I suggest we call it what it is, "The Authoritarian States of America", has a nice ring to it right?We talk a good game but we've failed to do more than talk. We have listened to the talking heads tell us it is their fault, the other guys, the other side of the aisle. We listen, we watch and we blame but we don't learn, we don't work together and we don't compromise. Unless, of…

  • Congress wants to decide what YOU can do and see on the Internet

    18 Jan 2012 | 6:39 am
    Protect the Internet: Help stop Internet censorship legislation! Join the virtual strike to protest two proposed laws in the United States, called SOPA and the PROTECT IP Act. On January 24th, the U.S. Senate will vote on the PROTECT IP Act to censor the Internet, despite opposition from the *VAST MAJORITY* of Americans who have made their disapproval crystal clear. The Internet blacklist legislation--known as PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House--invites Internet security risks, threatens online speech, and hampers innovation on the Web. Urge…

  • Lunchpails and Republicans

    17 Jan 2012 | 5:48 am
    Their thinking for themselves. I know it is hard to believe but in Indiana republicans are thinking for themselves. Well at least some of them. It seems the 2010 elections served a purpose after all, showing the excesses of conservative control of government for what it is. And it seems the corporatist/fascist/uber conservatives should start to worry. Good I say it is long overdue. The Lunch pail republicans of Indiana have decided that they can wrest themselves from the clutches of the Chamber of Commerce and still be republicans. They can have "their party their union and their guns." Mr.
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    TIME: The Page

  • Saturday Candidate Schedule

    Mark Halperin
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:15 am
    Romney: Pensacola, FL; Panama City, FL Gingrich: Stuart, FL; Port St. Lucie, FL; Brooksville, FL; Orlando, FL; Winter Park, FL; West Palm Beach, FL Santorum: Washington, DC 8:30 am ET - Gingrich attends Martin County Lincoln Day Breakfast at Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart, FL 9:15 am ET - Romney holds a veterans rally at [...]

  • Huck: "I Didn't Approve That Message"

    Mark Halperin
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:11 pm
    On Fox News' "Your World" Friday, ex-AR Guv says Gingrich's campaign did not ask to use his sound bite and "would not have received [permission] had they." Adds he would "love" for the Georgian's team to take down the ad. Huckabee: "I have not endorsed anyone, I am not endorsing Mitt Romney, I am not [...]

  • Romney Open to Puerto Rican Statehood

    Mark Halperin
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:55 pm
    At a Hispanic Leadership Network conference in Miami, Bay Stater tells the crowd he is willing to "go through the process in Washington" if Puerto Rico votes in favor of statehood.

  • Bandwagon Rolls Friday

    Mark Halperin
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:45 pm
    Puerto Rico Guv Luis Fortuno backs Romney. Read the release below. MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR LUIS FORTUÑO Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced the support of Puerto Rico Governor Luis G. Fortuño. “It is an honor to have Governor Fortuño’s support,” said Mitt Romney. “As president, I look forward to [...]

  • Newt: "What Kind of Man" Is Mitt?

    Mark Halperin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:14 pm
    In new 60-second Florida TV spot tied to "significant" statewide buy, Gingrich uses Huckabee sound bite to question Romney's trustworthiness. Voiceover: "If we can't trust Romney in a debate, how can we trust him in the White House?" Read the script below. Governor Huckabee: "If a man's dishonest to get a job, he'll be dishonest [...]
 
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    Foreign Policy: Passport

  • The Election 2012 Weekly Report: Sunshine Policies

    Joshua Keating
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:19 pm
    Gingrich slipping Newt Gingrich charged into Florida this week with a head of steam, hoping to capitalize on his victory in South Carolina and attack competitor Mitt Romney on immigration and his somewhat exotic personal finances. Gingrich attacked Romney's suggestion that "self-deportation" could be a solution to illegal immigration: "You have to live in a world of Swiss bank accounts and Cayman Island accounts and automatic, you know, $20 million a year income with no work to have some fantasy this far from reality." But Gingrich seemed to falter at a debate on Thursday…

  • North Korea: Please turn off your cell phone... or else

    Kedar Pavgi
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:12 am
    Put your phones and personal electronics away in North Korea, or risk a messy ending.  The Telegraph reported this morning that cell phone users in North Korea will be deemed "war criminals," as part of the new rules being implemented for the 100 days of mourning following former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's death. Of course, it's easy to see why the regime is becoming so antsy about cell phone usage. The Arab Spring protests were energized by Twitter and Facebook via cell phones, and other mass movements including the Occupy protests were spread through this medium as well.

  • Morning Brief: Egypt bars American NGO workers from leaving the country

    Joshua Keating
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:43 am
    Egypt bars American NGO workers from leaving the country Top story: The Egyptian government has barred at least half-a-dozen Americans from leaving the country as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign-funded NGOs. The travel ban targeted employees of the U.S.-funded International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute and included IRI's Egypt director Sam LaHood,  son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was stopped at Cairo airport before he could board a flight to Dubai.  Just a day before, President Barack Obama had reportedly warned Egypt's military leader,…

  • Is Newt's zero-gravity sex idea any good?

    Uri Friedman
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:20 pm
    This author cannot answer the question posed above from experience. But space sex has been a kind of final frontier for mankind (and a bonanza for headline writers: See "Houston, We Have a Problem"). And Newt Gingrich's contribution to this grand (dare we say grandiose?) quest has resurfaced in the wake of his pledge yesterday in Florida to establish an American colony on the moon by the end of his second term. In the mid-1990s, Gingrich predicted in his book To Renew America that "space tourism will be a common fact of life during the adulthood of children born this year, that…

  • Australian PM flees Aboriginal protest

    Joshua Keating
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:01 pm
    Things got very ugly between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's entourage and a group of Aboriginal protesters at an Australia Day even in Canberra today. The Sydney Morning Herald reports:  Violent scenes were seen outside the Lobby restaurant several hundred metres from Parliament House, where Julia Gillard and Mr Abbott were presenting the inaugural National Emergency Medals, after more than 100 people from the tent embassy surrounded the building for more than 20 minutes. The situation was so volatile that Ms Gillard's federal police escort decided to rush her from the event. As…
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    Patrick Ruffini

  • Bunk beds! http://instagr.am/p/lQMeg/

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:23 pm
    Bunk beds! http://instagr.am/p/lQMeg/

  • Keep your eyes set on the horizon http://instagr.am/p/krPah/

    25 Jan 2012 | 8:41 pm
    Keep your eyes set on the horizon http://instagr.am/p/krPah/

  • Engage Show 52: Jacob Soboroff

    25 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am
    This week, we had such a great guest on the podcast, we couldn’t wait to get it up. So here’s an early version of this week’s podcast. Remember to subscribe on iTunes so you’ll never miss an episode. Our special guest this week is Jacob Soboroff, who is a correspondent for AMC News and is the Executive Director of Why Tuesday? Keep up with Jacob on Twitter. Engage Show 52: Jacob Soboroff // Listen Now

  • This reads like a press release. http://instagr.am/p/kgmUZ/

    25 Jan 2012 | 8:42 am
    This reads like a press release. http://instagr.am/p/kgmUZ/

  • Revenge of the Nerds: How Online Activism is Changing the Way DC’s Biggest Policy Battles are Fought and Won

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pm
    POLITICO is out with a piece this morning that has Washington buzzing. The piece titled “K Street’s boom goes bust” focuses primarily on declining revenues at some of Washington’s most prestigious lobbying firms. But the storyline that caught our attention was the fact that the way public policy fights are being won and lost in D.C. are fundamentally changing. As POLITICO puts it: Fights are no longer just about which side has the most — or best — lobbyists. The new world of Washington influence is more diverse: Traditional access lobbying is waged alongside…
 
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    Automotive Blog

  • Choosing a Car for Safety and Comfort

    Global Warming
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:09 pm
    You certainly want the best for the family, not least for family vehicles. The car is comfortable and safe is the desire of all families, but to choose the ideal vehicle and in accordance with the wishes of tricky. Some factors have to consider primarily for the convenience and security of your beloved family. The shape and size of the vehicle should be selected that can accommodate the entire family. If you need to test it (test drives) on various road conditions if the car is quite comfortable and dependable. If you decide to buy a used car, come to the used car sales NH.Choose a vehicle…

  • Finding Friends from Chat Online

    Global Warming
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:26 am
    What’s wrong with talking more to people who do not you know? Anyone can answer questions or respond to a comment someone, but someone who is easy to find a friend is someone who used to take first conversation. People’s secrets are easy to find a friend is to regard the things around it as an opportunity to start talking, and instead of waiting addressed. Looking for a friend through direct conversations can also with the chat online. Currently looking for a friend via online chat is not very difficult anymore. Someone who prefers to make friends through online chat because they are more…

  • Diesel Engine Is More Environmentally Friendly and More Popular For Heavy Vehicles

    Global Warming
    19 Jan 2012 | 8:46 am
    Did you know that some vehicles in the world use diesel engines?  The vehicles that use diesel engines are the vehicles that usually requires a large force such as trains, trucks, buses, ships, passenger cars, excavators, bulldozers, and much more. Basically, the working principle of diesel engines is changing chemical energy into mechanical energy. Chemical energy in getting through the process of combustion of fuel (diesel) and oxidizer (air) inside the cylinder (combustion chamber). In diesel engines, there is a room specially designed so that it can occur at room temperature…

  • Unsecured Business Loans : Smart Solution For Your Business

    Global Warming
    3 Jan 2012 | 4:06 am
    There is always a way to become rich and successful. Having money or capital, is a fast track to financial success. It is inevitable, to get rich quick, one way is you have the money / capital. Money can be a strength for your financial success. With money, you can build a business or open a business. The more money you have, the more easily you build and develop the business. One of the factors causing the failure of most people to financial success is to not have a capital money or to start a business / business. Most people often postpone and cancel his desire to do business, simply…

  • Some Way Out To Make Penis Larger

    Global Warming
    19 Dec 2011 | 11:36 am
    There are several ways in an attempt to enlarge the penis size. These are some ways in the medical review:1. Penis enlargement treatment.today, penis enlargement products is available for penis enhancement. To get it is not too difficult, because available on the market. One of them that can be tried is the X4 Labs. This is a penis extender that has been widely used. There is a special promo if you want to get free penis enlargement. Just by buying products with the regular price and complete the clinical data entry sheets, so you can get this promo.2. Vacuum toolThese devices are often…
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    Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

  • It's time for science to move on from materialism | Mark Vernon

    Mark Vernon
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    The rigid 19th-century orthodoxy should be challenged to allow broader interpretations, as Rupert Sheldrake arguesWerner Heisenberg, one of the founding fathers of quantum physics, once observed that history could be divided into periods according to what people of the time made of matter. In his book Physics and Philosophy, published in the early 60s, he argued that at the beginning of the 20th century we entered a new period. It was then that quantum physics threw off the materialism that dominated the natural sciences of the 19th century.Of materialism, he wrote:"[This] frame was so narrow…

  • Even among the Skins generation, some know how to just be themselves | Trim Lamba

    Trim Lamba
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Depictions of today's youth show them as uncomplicated fashion victims – but not all young people want to be hipstersPeople of a certain age, or rather those who spend leisurely time with the Daily Mail and taped recordings of Antiques Roadshow, tend to spend a fair amount of time worrying about the "youth of today". They picture hoodlums dressed in Lonsdale tracksuits kicking cans of Pepsi Max down dingy alleyways, ready to loot and antagonise innocent civilians. Rest assured, adults: the vast proportion of youth, excluding the rodents who rioted, actually have the menace of a Mr Kipling…

  • Martin Rowson on David Cameron and RBS chief's bonus – cartoon

    Martin Rowson
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm
    Row erupts after prime minister claims that MPs had no choice but to agree to Stephen Hester's bonus are challenged by LabourMartin Rowson

  • Unthinkable? A federal upper house of parliament | Editorial

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:20 pm
    If Scots vote for independence, England's political will would shape that of the UK even more decisivelyAlex Salmond's plans for a Scottish independence referendum in 2014 are concentrating minds on the future shape of the United Kingdom. If Scots vote yes, the country they leave will consist of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, currently with 84% of the UK population, would then have 92%, Wales 5% and Northern Ireland 3%. England's share of the seats in the Westminster parliament would rise in proportion; its dominance, already great, would become even greater, so that the…

  • The conversation: Are the Olympics too commercial?

    Oliver Laughland
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:03 pm
    The Olympics are a purely commercial enterprise and as such have been utterly devalued. True or false? Sports writer Mihir Bose and medal-winner Fatima Whitbread discussIt's six months until the Olympics, but should we be celebrating? With a series of negative news stories this week, sports journalist Mihir Bose, who has just written a book on the demise of the sporting spirit, tries out his theory on Olympic legend Fatima Whitbread. Oliver Laughland listens in.Mihir Bose: My journey on this subject began when I was in Calcutta. I saw premiership football being shown endlessly on TV, and…
 
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    Wired: Danger Room

  • Pentagon Confused by Its Own ‘Subs vs. Terrorists’ Plan

    Spencer Ackerman
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:06 pm
    Photo: U.S. Navy The Pentagon has a dream that it won’t give up: blasting any target on the planet with a submarine’s missile. Nothing seems to stop it, not even years of protest that the project could accidentally spark a nuclear war. But now, the Pentagon swears, it’s figured out how to launch the missiles without triggering any inadvertent Armageddon, and is pushing the concept in its new budget. One problem: No one at the Pentagon can seem to agree on what the latest iteration of this so-called “Conventional Prompt Global Strike” concept really is.

  • Mexico Launches New Offensive Against Cartel, Ratcheting Up Drug War

    Robert Beckhusen
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:22 pm
    Photo: saikofish/Flickr Faced with the risk of losing half of Mexico to a network of marauding drug traffickers, the Mexican army is digging in for a major new offensive into the heart of Zeta country. According to Excelsior, the Mexican army is building a string of new bases across the Zeta cartel’s stomping grounds of Tamaulipas to support some 13,000 soldiers currently patrolling the state. This means nearly 30 percent of the Mexican army’s counter-cartel troops are fortifying directly in the Zetas’ homeland (more are fighting the Zetas elsewhere), and it’s a sign…

  • For Newt, ‘World War III’ Is Just the Beginning

    Spencer Ackerman
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:31 am
    Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr Newt Gingrich doesn’t just want to lay waste to his political enemies and a large part of the news media. The former House speaker and presidential hopeful wants to bomb a significant part of the planet, too. Gingrich is on the record favoring American military intervention from North Korea to Lebanon. He recently threatened cyberwar with China and Russia. And on Monday, he called for an all-out assault to topple the Castro regime in Cuba. With such a wide range of targets, no wonder Gingrich has consistently said that the U.S. is in the middle of…

  • America’s Most Dangerous Mall: Going Shopping at the Pentagon

    Spencer Ackerman
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:30 am
    << Previous | Next >> Pop culture has lied to you about the Pentagon. The nerve center of the U.S. military, the movies would have you believe, is a teeming hive of warplanning, a citadel on the Potomac where polished brass plan wars and calculate in dimly lit rooms how to deter attacks. Ask anyone who works here, though, and you'll learn that the Pentagon is so much less than that. Sure, the work of national defense actually gets done here. But it's actually a giant mall. No, really. You can buy any kind of random tchotchke here, from novelty Army-themed shot glasses to an Xbox…

  • Humans Lose, Robots Win in New Defense Budget

    Spencer Ackerman
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pm
    Photo: USAF The big loser in the Pentagon’s new budget? Ordinary human beings. About 80,000 Army soldiers and 20,000 Marines are getting downsized. Half of the Army’s conventional combat presence in Europe is packing up and ending its post-Cold War staycation. Replacing them, according to the $613 billion budget previewed by the Pentagon on Thursday: unconventional special-operations forces; new bombers; new spy tools; new missiles for subs; and a veritable Cylon army of drones. This is the first of the Pentagon’s new, smaller “austerity” budgets: it’s…
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    Why Tuesday?

  • Join Us & Ask Obama: Why Tuesday?

    Jacob Soboroff
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:59 pm
    January 30th President Obama will be a part of a first-of-its-kind online forum where he’ll answer questions from everyday Americans. From the White House YouTube channel: You can ask President Obama the questions that are on your mind about the direction of the country and vote on others that you think should be asked. He’ll answer several of your top-voted questions during a special interview, which will take place on January 30, live from the White House. A selection of people who submit questions will also be invited to join a Google+ Hangout live with the President during the…

  • Newt Wins… On A Saturday

    Jacob Soboroff
    22 Jan 2012 | 8:34 am
    It will come as no surprise we’re pretty thrilled to wake up to the news that the voters of South Carolina cast ballots in record numbers in their GOP primary yesterday… on a Saturday. According to the vice chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, that’s exactly why they moved Election Day to the weekend. “We’re just trying to increase participation in the primary,” he said. “We believe in South Carolina that we pick presidents. And on a day that you pick presidents, you want to have as many people as possible voting.” Granted, 21% of…

  • At MLK Celebration, Weekend Voting

    Jacob Soboroff
    17 Jan 2012 | 11:07 pm
    Our chairman and co-founder Ambassador Andrew Young gave the 13th annual MLK Jr. Lecture tonight at the University of North Carolina on the occasion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Ambassador Young fought alongside Dr. King for Civil Rights and it is in his memory and spirit our organization was founded in 2005. “We’re pleased to bring to Carolina someone who as a young leader marched side-by-side with Dr. King and rose through the ranks of the social justice and civil rights movements and beyond,” said Terri Houston, the university’s interim chief diversity…

  • GAO Study: Vote On The Weekend?

    Jacob Soboroff
    15 Jan 2012 | 10:34 am
    The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a study last week assessing costs and benefits of holding Election Day on the weekend instead of Tuesday, as is called for in the Weekend Voting Act. The study, as CBS News points out, was unfortunately but not surprisingly inconclusive: “Since nationwide federal elections have never been held on a weekend, it is difficult to draw valid conclusions about how moving federal elections to a weekend would affect voter turnout,” the GAO report said. The GAO report focused in large part on the logistical challenges of holding…

  • The Struggle To Increase Voter Turnout

    Jacob Soboroff
    10 Jan 2012 | 10:44 am
    This morning I explained to Soledad O’Brien on CNN’s Starting Point why Americans have historically voted on Tuesdays and why we should move Election Day to the weekend. Soledad brought up that in Puerto Rico, Election Day is a holiday and turnout can get up to 90% of eligible voters. Her point was great, and I told her as much: As you said, in Puerto Rico, [Election Day is] a national holiday. People are out in the streets celebrating. In America, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November is a work day, just like any other day. In New Hampshire, where you are right now,…
 
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    Ace of Spades HQ

  • Saturday Morning Open Thread

    28 Jan 2012 | 8:09 am
    Truman linked this campaign to stop the Navy from naming a ship after miserable cretin John Murtha in the sidebar. If you're looking for something to do today, this would be a good use of a few minutes of your...

  • Overnight Open Thread

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:00 pm
    PUT TEXT YOU WISH TO USE AS VISIBLE LINKING-LANGUAGE HERE

  • Shipdriving, It's Hard or Something

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:51 pm
    After the Costa Concordia accident I joked (badly, I know), "did Joseph Hazelwood get another job with a cruise line?" I'm still wondering now. State officials were scrambling Friday to determine when — or if — they would repair an...

  • Jay Cost: Obama Is a Rolodex Socialist

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:55 pm
    Those are my words. Cost says Obama isn't a socialist, according to the usual meaning. He doesn't believe in revolution. What he believes in are clients, bagmen, payoffs, and ward-heeling. It’s not just that Obama is a big government guy...

  • No Bounce in Polls For Obama's Address

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:33 pm
    People don't like reruns. People also tend to change the channel on a show when they realize it's a rerun. Especially if they didn't like it the first time....
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    The Anchoress

  • Obama, Alinksy and the Bishops?

    Elizabeth Scalia
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:53 pm
    Well, I must admit, given how CNN has gone out of its way to pretend there is no such thing as a connection between President Obama and the teachings/trainings of Saul Alinksy, I was surprised to see the Obama-Alinsky connection being made in a Catholic UK paper.Discussing the HHS’s decision to compel church-related employers to cover sterilization, artificial contraception and abortifacients in their employee’s insurance plans, William Oddie writes:So, American Catholics, you now know, if you didn’t know before: you cannot, if you are a faithful Catholic, vote for this man. He…

  • The Condescending French Fashionista

    Elizabeth Scalia
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:18 pm
    Oh, pul-ease, honey! In what has been interpreted as an outdated and insulting move, a fashion blogger for the magazine’s site posted a piece about Michelle Obama’s sartorial prowess and the rise of a ‘black-geoisie’.New York Daily News goes so far as to brand the magazine as ‘racist’. . . To which one can only respond in one’s best Bette Davis voice, “but ya are! Ya are…”Click here to view the embedded video. From the Daily News: When it comes to commenting on the Obamas and African-Americans, French Elle needs to fermez la…

  • And the winners are….

    Elizabeth Scalia
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:13 pm
    So, my first simple book giveaway has yielded three winners…which is good, because I only have three books! And the winners — totally drawn at random by Patheos employees at the home office — are:KathyJ — Bob Hostetler — Debbie Whitney Come on down! You’ve just won copies of Paula Huston’s excellent Simplifying the Soul! What are you going to do next?I know, I know, Disneyworld.But first, you’re going to send an email to books@patheos.com with a snail-mail address for delivery!I think you’re gonna like it!

  • The Power of Words

    Elizabeth Scalia
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:59 am
    A great little video. Words can build us up or tear us down, construct or destruct.Click here to view the embedded video.Speaking of words and power, may I ask a few prayers of those of you who are inclined toward prayer, for a special intention of mine that is all about words and their power.I seem to have run out of them.

  • A Simple Giveaway for a Simple Book!

    Elizabeth Scalia
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:39 am
    Simcha Fisher is doing a book give-away, and it’s a book I completely and utterly want to read!And that reminds me: as the Patheos Book Club winds down its look at Paula Huston’s Simplifying the Soul, they’re giving me three copies to give away myself.We’ll keep it simple, because I like simple! In the comments section, tell us what you are feeling inspired to do for this upcoming Lenten season — are you going to give something up, eat only one meal a day, bike to work, attend Mass every morning, structure your prayer, volunteer, somewhere?After you’ve left…
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    Betsy's Page

  • Live by the debate, die by the debate

    Betsy Newmark
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:43 am
    If the main argument for Newt Gingrich to win the GOP nomination so that he could paste Obama in the Fall debates, last night's debate in Florida blew a big hole in that argument. Newt was whiny, poorly informed about his own finances, angry, and overall just off his game. Mitt Romney scored several body blows when he was able to retaliate against Gingrich when Newt charged him with investing in Fannie and Freddie and Romney was able to take advantage of his oppo research and tell Gingrich that he had also invested the same way. Better than that, Romney was able to make a forceful defense of…

  • Cruising the Web

    Betsy Newmark
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    Thomas Sowell laments the "presumptuous ignorance" of those in government who think they know how to run a business.John Taylor explains how important it is for us to have a stable long-term economic policy that would let business people know what to expect and to make plans within rules that follow principles of economic freedom.Yuval Levin points out how the self-contradictions within Obama's State of the Union reveal how Obama doesn't really believe the moderate, even conservative platitudes, he uttered. Once again, he is putting on a mask to hide what he really believes. Instead of…

  • Gingrich blasting Ronald Reagan

    Betsy Newmark
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:27 pm
    Newt Gingrich likes to tote his Reagan street cred by talking about how he and Reagan and Jack Kemp instituted lower tax rates and helped build the economy in the 1980s. I guess this couldn't have been done with the support of a back-bencher in the House.Eliot Abrams, who worked in the Reagan administration as an assistant secretary of state, has an eye-opening column about Gingrich's rhetoric at the time when speaking about Reagan's foreign policy. Gingrich didn't think that Reagan had been doing enough to fight communism and the Soviet Union and took to the floor of the Senate to blast the…

  • Facts and the President

    Betsy Newmark
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:24 pm
    President Obama is not getting much fact-checker love from such right-wingers as the Washington Post or the Associated Press. In fact this AP headline can't make the White House happy.FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped beforeBut hey, what do facts matter when there's an election to win and demagoguing to be done?

  • It's all very discouraging

    Betsy Newmark
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:31 am
    Conservatives may delight in pointing out that President Obama's speech last year was full of small-bore policy proposals and ignored the signature achievement of his presidency - health care reform. They can point out that his pleas for increasing taxes on the rich wouldn't do much at all to address our looming debt problems and that the only solution will be to deeply increase taxes on those middle class Americans Obama pretends to want to do so much to protect. Conservatives can point out how he painted a rosy picture of the state of the economy today and took undeserved credit for any…
 
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    Riehl World View

  • Important Update: The Entire Gingrich Special Order NRO Used To Attack Newt

    Dan
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:42 am
    Update: While I continue to suggest people read it all and make up their own minds, I took a part from very early in to highlight in bold below. Now you tell me, was Newt criticizing Reagan, or members of the administration? More importantly, why did the editor of NRO, Rich Lowry ignore the obvious context of the item prior to allowing it to be published? Given all the to do over a dispute between Jeff Lord and this post of his at AmSpec and Rich Lowry at NRO piling on after the original post by Elliot Abrams, here is the entire special order upon which Abram's attack was based. Read it and…

  • Updated: Rich Lowry's Post On Lord's Alleged Distortion Down The Memory Hole?

    Dan
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:25 pm
    Update: Lowry's NRO post is back up this morning, someone claimed it was a coding error. I've never seen that at NRO before. If so, it might suggest Lowry was doing some editing post-publication and somehow messed up the coding. But not my area, so who knows. He has, in my opinion, still doubled down on stupid and insulting as the original post content lacked context making it appear to be Gingrich bashing Reagan. That was misleading. That is NOT the case, see for yourself here. I've heard of Friday night doc dumps, but not literally dumping documents already published without some form of…

  • Romney's Defeat And GOP Disaster 1, 2, 3

    Dan
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:13 pm
    Romney can't get angry about ObamaCare because he's the progressive who implemented RomneyCare.  Moments later, as the discussion over Romneycare and Obamacare continued, Romney rebuked Santorum, saying, “First of all, it's not worth getting angry about.” People think Obama is going to fight with Romney if he gets the nomination. He's not. He's going to fight with us. Here's how Obama beats Mitt Romney 1, 2, 3. Obama will remain presidential and conciliatory to Romney, playing him off of his base. His not getting angry, implementing RomneyCare and all those clips in which Mitt admits…

  • Now, NRO, Elliott Abrams Caught Misleading As Part Of Yesterday's Gingrich Attack

    Dan
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:07 am
    Yesterday, I exposed the bogus C-SPAN video attack on Newt Gingrich allegedly showing him attacking Reagan. That was manufactured with creative editing. Today, Jeff Lord at AmSpec teams up with another source to expose yet another bogus attack on Newt from yesterday's pile on. These hacks act like new media doesn't exist - so much for NRO's credibility. Lowry's the editor. He should answer for this.  Read the whole thing and spread it around, broadly. So now I've read the Gingrich speech that is the source of all the hoopla. All seven, fine print pages worth of it exactly as it appeared in…

  • Erick Erickson: Romney Can't Win

    Dan
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:09 am
    I'm often tough on Erick at RedState, so it's only right that I credit him for saying what needs to be said about Romney. He will never see the inside of the White House without a guest pass - and I'm OK with that. The fix is in for Romney, which just means when he is crushed by Barack Obama a lot of Republicans will have a lot of explaining to do. Newt may not be able to win. But Romney sure as hell can’t beat Obama either if Newt can’t win. The problem remains — Gingrich supporters intrinsically know this to be so and are happy to die fighting. Romney’s supporters are still…
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    Wizbang

  • “…there is reason to believe that strict right-wing ideology might appeal to those who have trouble grasping the complexity of the world”

    Michael Laprarie
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:23 pm
    Ugh.  Here we go again – “Low IQ and Conservative Beliefs Linked To Prejudice.”  I kid you not: Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, [researcher Gordon Hodson] wrote in an email to LiveScience. [...]

  • Call Gingrich a Waah-mbulance

    David Robertson
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:49 pm
    Is Newt Gingrich using Barack Obama’s playbook? That seems to be the case, because Gingrich is blaming someone else for his failure to win the GOP debate of 26 January 2012. NationalJournal.com is running a story titled Gingrich Campaign: Debate Audience Stacked For Romney . Here is the story’s beginning: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich rode [...]

  • Government Spending Erodes Weak GDP

    Steve Schippert
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:07 pm
    A funny thing happened on the way to Utopia today. There I was, just galloping along, humming my happy tune and dreaming of unicorns and rainbows with my fellow travelers. Suddenly, there descended an abrupt assault on paradisaical bliss, halting and horrifying. It’s fins screaming that distinct aero-whine that flash-freezes the spine in the realization that there’s not [...]

  • Wisconsin School Punishes Christian Kid for Being a… Christian Kid

    Warner Todd Huston
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:49 am
    Superintendent Todd Carlson of Shawano High School in Shawano, Wisconsin is sorry a student observed his First Amendment rights and had his article published in the school newspaper that denounces homosexuals adopting children. And so Superintendent Carlson is making amends by punishing this Christian kid for being so darn Christian. Superintendent Carlson has also decided [...]

  • The Case for Un-Electing Obama in One Chart

    Rodney Graves
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:34 am
    Obama has said that if he didn't have things turned around in three years, he'd be a one term President. Let's help him keep that promise.
 
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    The Gateway Pundit

  • Whoa!… Must See – Tennessee College Republicans Release “The Debt Generation” (Video)

    Jim Hoft
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:41 pm
    THE BEST 1 Minute 19 Seconds YOU WILL SPEND TODAY- This video was made by Tennessee College Students. You won’t regret it. “The Debt Generation” Hat Tip Maria

  • Over 1,000 Veterans Expected to March in St. Louis Parade For Iraq War Vets Saturday

    Jim Hoft
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:26 pm
    Tonight at the St. Louis Soldier’s Memorial volunteers read the names of US heroes who made ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. Despite the cold and rain a couple of hundred people turned out for the service that started at 9:11 PM CST. Saturday: Welcome Home the Heroes Parade Starts at NOON January 28th, 2012 For parade route please click here Veterans Resource Village will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside Union Station Live entertainment at Veterans Resource Village from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organizer Craig Schneider says this is for the whole country. Over 1,000 veterans and their…

  • Good Grief… Obama: People Don’t Get Rich Without Government Investment (Video)

    Jim Hoft
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:41 pm
    Yup. He’s a socialist alright… A hardcore committed socialist. Barack Obama, the worst jobs president since the Great Depression, told an audience today that people don’t get rich without government investment. And, you wonder why his economic policies are a complete disaster? Via Breitbart TV: Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com From the video: “We’re successful because somebody started the University of Michigan. We’re successful because somebody made an investment in all the federal research labs that created the internet…. We’re…

  • Breaking: SARAH PALIN UNLOADS ON ROMNEY and “Cannibals of GOP Establishment”

    Jim Hoft
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:53 pm
    Sarah Palin unloaded tonight on Mitt Romney Campaign and the “cannibals of the GOP establishment.” From her Facebook page: We have witnessed something very disturbing this week. The Republican establishment which fought Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and which continues to fight the grassroots Tea Party movement today has adopted the tactics of the left in using the media and the politics of personal destruction to attack an opponent. We will look back on this week and realize that something changed. I have given numerous interviews wherein I espoused the benefits of thorough vetting…

  • Santorum Takes Break From Campaign Trail and Returns to Pennsylvania

    Jim Hoft
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:08 pm
    Rick Santorum is taking a break from the campaign trail this weekend and will return to Pennsylvania for the weekend. The AP reported: Rick Santorum is tired, almost broke — and going home. The former Pennsylvania senator is taking a pause from Florida campaigning just days before the Tuesday primary that even he expects to deal him a third consecutive loss. Santorum says he would rather spend his Saturday sitting at his kitchen table doing his taxes than campaigning in a state where the race for the Republican presidential nomination has become a two-man fight between Newt Gingrich and…
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    Hullabaloo

  • The Kitten Nazis

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:30 pm
    The Kitten Nazisby digbyI haven't had occasion to adopt a cat for many years. They tend to adopt me and then live to a very ripe old age. My current furry friend abandoned his perfectly nice home across the street when they had a baby and moved in with us. He just wouldn't stay home and they finally gave up. (He's partially blind and very sensitive to noise.) This would be his preferred spot these days:I have however, gone with friends a number of times as they tried to adopt cats and kittens and this experience is common:You might think adopting a cat would be easier than getting a dog.

  • I miss Rick Perry

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:30 pm
    I miss Rick Perryby digby"Live free or die. Victory or death. Bring it" video platform video management video solutions video playerIt's hard to believe this guy didn't go farther. I miss him, I really do..

  • The Brave New World of Citizens United by @DavidOAtkins

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    The Brave New World of Citizens Unitedby David AtkinsIn the old days (i.e., just a few years ago), this would have mattered:The DCCC has outraised the NRCC by $6.9 M for the last session of Congress, while Republicans still hold more cash on hand, $15.24 M to the Dems' $11.6 M.With Citizens United, none of that matters. Corporations can dwarf those numbers on either side almost instantly.On the other hand, given the DCCC's track record of taking donations only to help the most conservative Democrats, and then not terribly effectively, maybe it doesn't matter anyway..

  • Go Elizabeth: Warren takes Mittens downtown

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:30 pm
    Go Elizabethby digbyThis pretty much says it all:Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyShe's awfully good.This is an interesting article about Warren in the Boston Phoenix about the "Dr Phil years." Warren has been working to educate and illuminate about this disappearing middle class for decades. In the last one she decided to take her case directly to the people. She is not and ordinary politician or an ordinary academic. .

  • Room to regroup: Perlstein on Newtie and Perot

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    Room to regroupby digbyRick Perlstein has a fantastic piece up today about Newtie, Perot and the Contract With America. It's really helpful to have a historian of the modern conservative movement weigh in on recent history. The press is simply dismal in this regard. The whole article is great, but this is the gist:Gingrich and Co. were able to get away with it because the plain facts of what the Contract actually was (a strategic erasure of Republican conservatism) almost entirely escaped the political press – at the time, and ever since. A 1996 New York magazine article by Jacob Weisberg,…
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    Eschaton

  • Also, Too, Hitler

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:59 am
    Really great argument there. Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, said marriage must remain a union between a man and a woman. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the archbishop said marriage is set in history and the state cannot change it overnight. He said: "I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just (change it) overnight, no matter how powerful you are. "We've seen dictators do it in different contexts and I don't want to redefine very clear social structures that…

  • Morning Thread

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:29 am
    Good for halfa cuppa anywahy.

  • Late Night Thread

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:42 pm
    Enjoy

  • Too Serious For A Friday

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:29 pm
    So have a video instead.

  • Tax Bite

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:54 pm
    I'm not one to complain about my taxes, but I'm probably in fairly similar circumstances as James Stewart. Significant proportion of self-employment income, household income at a level where deductions start being disallowed, etc. The issue is less that my taxes are too high than that that I pay a high percentage relative to people who make a lot more money than me. I'm not going to weep for people in my nondire circumstances over a too high tax bill, but there is an income range where taxes do actually bite, where marginal tax rates are genuinely high.
 
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    Democratic Underground Latest Breaking News

  • Report: Pentagon plans floating military base in Mideast

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:40 pm
    January 27, 2012 6:56 PM Report: Pentagon plans floating military base in Mideast As tensions rise between the U.S. and Iran over its nuclear ambitions, the Pentagon is preparing to bring a decommissioned assault ship back into duty for possible deployment to the Mideast The plan, first repo...

  • State Takes Possession of BankEast (Tennessee)

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:36 pm
    Knoxville lender BankEast was taken over by the state of Tennessee late today. In a notice posted on the door of the bank's downtown headquarter shortly after 6 p.m., the state Department of Financial Institutions took possession of the financially strapped lender. Titled "Notice of Possession...

  • Subpoenas Issued to Financial Firms in Expanded Probe

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:12 pm
    http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE80Q27U20120127?irpc=932 [b]Subpoenas issued to financial firms in expanded probe[/b] By Aruna Viswanatha and James Vicini WASHINGTON | Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:49pm EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Justice Department issued civil subpoenas to 11 financial i...

  • Guatemala: Ex dictador to face genocide charges

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:35 pm
    Guatemala: Ex dictador to face genocide charges The Associated Press Published: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 2:09 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 2:09 p.m. The defense lawyer for former dictator Efrain Rios Montt said Friday that a Guatemalan judge violated due process when sh...

  • 2nd Mayor Says Obama ‘Wasn’t Tense At All’ During Brewer Encounter

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:32 pm
    http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/2nd_mayor_says_obama_wasnt_tense_at_all_during_bre.php [blockquote]Out of the three officials who met President Obama on an airport tarmac near Phoenix earlier this week, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) is now the only one who has characterized the ...
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    Firedoglake

  • Pull Up a Chair

    msmolly
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    When I grow up... When I was a youngster I sometimes was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. My answers were, “a ballerina” or “a fairy princess” when I was very young. I was horse crazy for awhile, and dreamed of owning a show horse. I became more practical and less fanciful as I got older, of course. I loved art and music, and was reasonably good at both, but never entertained dreams of being an artist or singer as a career. I began college as a French major with the thought that I might be a translator for the United Nations. I thought about studying interior…

  • Late Late Night FDL: Rama Lama Ding Dong

    Suzanne
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    A Shepherd and some sheep — Rama Lama Ding Dong, from episode 417 of The Muppet Show. Grab your popcorn, put your feet up on the coffee table, and try to keep the spitballs off the screen please. This is Late Late Night FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic … so dive in. What’s on your mind?  

  • Late Night FDL: Crime and Punishment, by Grover Norquist

    Swopa
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:00 pm
    (photo: Gage Skidmore) When you have the kind of power Grover Norquist has held — namely, decades of unquestioned dictatorial control over the Republican Party as its grand ayatollah of anti-tax orthodoxy — it’s easy for a wee bit of hubris to creep into your thinking. The result is the occasional burst of excessive honesty, as exemplified by Norquist’s infamous statement that he’s like to shrink government “down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub” (which came back to haunt him after hurricane Katrina a few years ago). Apparently, our…

  • EITC Awareness, New Economic Geography and Stigmatizing the Hungry

    ThirdandState
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:11 pm
    (photo: cobalt/flickr) Today is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) awareness day! EITC, the Earned Income Tax Credit, sometimes called EIC is a tax credit to help you keep more of what you earned. Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit. Since we are on the topic of the EITC, today is a good day to highlight a proposal to strengthen both the minimum wage and the…

  • I’m Looking at the Boy in the Bubble

    TBogg
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:22 pm
    Roy has an interesting post up about how Charles “Coloreds Is Dumb” Murray has moved on from explaining why white people are superior to the dusky races and how now Murray is trying to instigate Whitey class war by pointing out that chain-smokin’ cheap-beer-drinkin’ NASCAR-watchin’ God-botherin’ lunchpail-totin’ gone-fishin’ crap-TV zombies are real Americans and those who don’t do any of those things are effete communist space aliens who have invaded America because Mars Needs Arugula. Or something like that. Roy, his own badself, took…
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    TalkLeft

  • Friday Night Open Thread

    Jeralyn
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:59 pm
    Newt Gingrich's poll numbers drop. Do we really need to hear the 9/11 Demi Moore call? Why are they even public records when no crime is involved? How many people are less likely to call for help if they know their call will be spread over the internet by the local fire or sheriff's dept? Yesterday it was Google, the day before Facebook and today it's Twitter on the hot seat. Seems Twitter is going to start censoring tweets in countries that ban publishing on certain topics when they receive a takedown request. Examples: France and Germany restrict pro-Nazi content. [More...]…

  • FBI Soliciting for Apps Capable of Massive Social Media Datamining

    Jeralyn
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:21 pm
    The FBI has published a solicitation seeking applications capable of massive social media datamining. It says it is conducting "market research." The Federal Bureau of Investigations is conducting market research to determine the capabilities of the IT industry to provide a social media application. The tool at a minimum should be able to meet the operational and analytical needs described in the attachment. ......All submitted solutions should include price estimates for the respective solution(s) which will be reviewed and used for market research and planning purposes. You can download the…

  • Constitution Project Report on Proposed Cybersecurity Programs

    Jeralyn
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:03 pm
    The Constitution Project's Liberty and Security Committee has released a new report warning of the potential for privacy invasion in proposed cybersecurity intitiatives, especially those providing for sharing of information between the government and private sector. The full report is here. It is important that our nation develop and operate cybersecurity programs and policies to these vulnerabilities. These programs, however, pose a potential threat to Americans’ privacy rights and civil liberties. As proposals have arisen that would enable the federal government to move toward…

  • Is Hillary Really Done With Politics?

    Big Tent Democrat
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:04 am
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton repeated her now oft stated intention to step down after President Obama's first term: "I think I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the President nominates someone and that transition can occur," Clinton said at a "town hall" forum with State Department employees Thursday morning. "But I think after 20 years—and it will be 20 years—of being on the high wire of American politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am." But what comes next? Previously,…

  • It was Fun While It Lasted

    Big Tent Democrat
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:46 am
    Newt was collapsing in Florida before last night's debate. Apparently last night will only contribute to Newt's decline. The RCP Average has Romney leading Newt by 7.2 points, but the trend is clear- Florida is heading to a Romney double digit blowout. Santorum is said to have done well and that will probably bleed Newt even more. So that's that it seems. Well Newt. It was fun while it lasted this past week. Get ready for Obama-Romney in the Fall.
 
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    The Fix

  • Mike Huckabee: Newt Gingrich ad ‘not authorized’

    Rachel Weiner
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:11 pm
    Mike Huckabee doesn’t want to be in ads, the DCCC outraised the NRCC, Gingrich is still up in national Gallup polling and Rick Santorum’s biggest backer has an open checkbook. Make sure to sign up to get “Afternoon Fix” in your e-mail inbox every day by 5 (ish) p.m! Read full article >>

  • It’s Mitt Romney’s race to lose ... again

    Aaron Blake
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:42 pm
    A lot can happen in four days, but as of today, the Florida primary and the GOP presidential race are again Mitt Romney’s to lose. After a brief diversion in the South Carolina primary, Romney is once again the clear favorite in Florida, having taken a 9-point lead in the latest Florida poll. And if he wins there, it’s hard to see where he might slip up again. Read full article >>

  • Newt Gingrich plans brutal Mitt Romney attack

    Rachel Weiner
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:51 am
    UPDATE: This ad is now up, at least in web version: Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee said in a statement that “any use of an out of context quote from the Republican Presidential primary 4 years ago in a political ad to advocate for the election or defeat of another candidate not authorized, approved, or known in advance by me.” He does not plan to endorse a candidate. Read full article >>

  • Florida primary playlist: A Fix List!

    Rachel Weiner
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:12 am
    If you ever read this blog, you know that we love lists. And primaries, and music. We’re trying to bring that all together by making playlists for every primary state. But we need your help. Suggest your Florida-related songs using the hashtag #fixplaylist, and we’ll come up with a playlist to listen to while we wait for the returns on Tuesday night. Read full article >>

  • Newt Gingrich still badly outspent in Florida ads

    Rachel Weiner
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:57 am
    Despite new infusions of cash, former House speaker Newt Gingrich is still being crushed in Florida television ad spending by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. With the primary coming up on Jan. 31, Gingrich and his supporters are being outspent 5-to-1 by Romney and his supporters as total spending in the state approached $20 million. Read full article >>
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    44

  • President Obama talks about Jan Brewer exchange with Diane Sawyer

    Natalie Jennings
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:50 am
    In an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer to air Friday night, President Obama downplayed the exchange between him and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) earlier this week that distracted attention from his post-State of the Union tour of swing states. Read full article >>

  • Obama proposes plan to reduce college costs

    David Nakamura
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:13 am
    Here is an updated version of this story. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – President Obama offered a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Read full article >>

  • Why is there no video of Obama-Brewer tiff?

    David Nakamura
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:09 pm
    LAS VEGAS — It’s a picture that’s gone viral on the Internet: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) pointing a finger at President Obama as they argued on the tarmac in Phoenix on Wednesday. But why is there no video footage of the heated exchange? Read full article >>

  • Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer calls Obama ‘thin-skinned’ after airport argument

    David Nakamura
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:06 am
    Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is calling President Obama “a little thin-skinned” after their heated exchange at the airport in Phoenix on Wednesday. Read full article >>

  • Obama tangles with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer over immigration book

    David Nakamura
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:26 pm
    PHOENIX — President Obama and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) appeared to exchange heated words in front of reporters and other public officials on Wednesday as Obama arrived in this Southwestern city for the second stop of his post-State of the Union tour. Read full article >>
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    Blue Jersey - Front Page

  • Bad News

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:21 pm
    State Council on Local Mandates threw out the NJ anti-bullying law calling it an unfunded mandate. Sponsors will have to get to work quickly to redraw the requirements. Sad day for many of our children. Let's hope most schools will keep up what they started in spite of this set back.

  • Liars! How The Tikun Olam Charter School Got A $600,000 Federal Grant

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:38 pm
    An infuriating and amazing story. Superb reporting by Chris Rodda, Senior Research Director for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), and author of Liars For Jesus: The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History. Promoted by Rosi, with thanks to Chris. Cross-posted from The Public Record. Question: How does a charter school whose multiple applications have been riddled with lies and misrepresentations and has been rejected three times by a state education department get approved for a $600,000 grant from the federal government? Answer: The federal government…

  • PolitickerNJ: Connie Wagner not running vs. Garrett

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:11 am
    According to a report in PolitckerNJ, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner has decided not to run against Scott Garrett for Congress here in the 5th District. While I would have loved to have seen Wagner run for a number of reasons, it seemed to me (just my gut feeling from some discussions and observations I had) that others were more enthusiastic about her running than she may have been.  This is no knock against her - it is a huge undertaking and commitment to run for Congress, and Garrett has been known to play dirty against his opponents (recall he smeared former opponent and Rabbi Dennis…

  • Render Unto Caesar...

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:11 am
    Cross-posted from Jersey Jazzman. Let's go back to Amir Khan for a minute or two: Pastor Khan - anti-marriage equity crusader and promoter of school voucher legislation to his congregation (is that allowed by the IRS?) - was granted a charter for a school this past fall by the Christie administration (notice how the press release from the state has "Christie Administration" in the headline, and not "NJ Department of Education"). His application was promoted by the influential Black Ministers Council of New Jersey; but his wasn't the only one: If approved, the new schools would…

  • Clergy on Marriage Equality

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:36 am
    You've seen a minyan of rabbis testify in favor of the Marriage Equality bill at the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting this week. There were also dozens of Christian clergy supporting the bill. Their testimony provides a common sense, compassionate, and compelling case for the bill.
 
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    Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

  • Newt Boost? Rick Bails, Sarah Roars

    craigcrawford
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    ORLANDO — Are Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin fueling yet another Gingrich rise from the dead? In a week of bad news for Newt in Florida he garners hope with a second Palin semi-endorsement plus the sudden departure of Santorum from the state. Local TV and newspapers led their campaign coverage with the former Pennsylvania senator’s decision to give up on Florida. As Santorum leaning voters watched this coverage you have to wonder what they think. My guess is they won’t waste their votes on a candidate who abandoned the state. Further, my guess is that they’ll back Gingrich as the…

  • Debate: Mitt Flattens Newt

    craigcrawford
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:59 pm
    From my Florida GOP debate notebook … One-word review: Mitt rises; Newt crashes; Rick steady; Ron amusing • Call it Mitt’s Lunar Eclipse – blasting Gingrich Moonbase idea could be tonight’s winning moment • Newt shrinking? That giant sucking sound is the GOP conservative vacuum opening up again • Newt so flustered tonight he forgot to say, “Massachusetts moderate” • Been feeling kinda creepy ever since Santorum said “dilly-dally” • Thank heavens nobody can run Ron Paul out this race. Only one who doesn’t need a laugh track • Here we…

  • GOP Scares Maher Back to Barack

    craigcrawford
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Liberal Obama critic Bill Maher tells Anderson Cooper he’s on the President’s side again. The HBO host said that watching Republicans “makes me run back into his arms screaming.” (CNN, 1/25) GOP Debate Tonight CNN 8:00 PM ET

  • No Mex-Mitt After All

    craigcrawford
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:27 pm
    After raising suspicions of political expediency by suddenly talking about his father’s Mexican birthplace, Mitt Romney was put on the spot in a Spanish-language interview. And had to acknowledge it would be a stretch to claim Latino heritage. Still, he waited until the Florida primary to mention his father’s background. Q: “Your father was born in Mexico. Are you a Mexican-American? Could you be the first Hispanic president?” Romney: “I would love to be able to convince people of that, particularly in a Florida primary” (laughing). But I think that might be…

  • Romney: “Banks Aren’t Bad People”

    craigcrawford
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    ORLANDO — No wonder Gingrich phoned in the last debate on Monday in Florida. A devastating $6 million ad was coming to his aid from an “uncoordinated” SuperPAC blasting “Romneycare.” Next day Newt drew 6,000 onlookers in Naples. And polls show no evidence that Mitt’s weeks of millions in advertising and attacks on Gingrich’s “lobbyist” past are doing him much good. Mitt: Banks are People Too Plus, the politically tone deaf Romney managed to use a post-debate event designed to highlight Florida’s crushing home foreclosure crisis by defending bankers: “The banks…
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    xpostfactoid

  • Go tell the Democrats: the golden Newt-goose is dead

    ASP
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:38 pm
    Newt was tamed and shamed tonight -- not only by Romney but by Wolf Blitzer. It was fascinating to see him reach for an old trick -- one that brought him glory just a week ago -- and find his hypocrisy stripped so bare that an attentive eight year old could catch it.Immediately after attacking Romney's investments, Gingrich was asked by Wolf Blitzer if he was satisfied by Romney's release of his tax returns (for 2010, with 2011 promised). Gingrich's response, according to a partial transcript:GINGRICH: This is a nonsense question. Look, how about if the four of us agree to talk about issues…

  • Cook little pot, cook!

    ASP
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:01 am
    Don't wake me...if you'd told me two months ago that the Republican presidential candidates would be tearing Mitt Romney apart like this, I would have dismissed it as wishful thinking. A Rolling Thunder Review of early primary season:You have to live in a world of Swiss bank accounts and Cayman Island accounts and making $20 million for no work, to have some fantasy [Romney's immigration policy] this far from reality” (Gingrich, 1/25).When Mitt Romney invented government-run healthcare, Romney advisers helped Barack Obama write the disastrous Obamacare...Romneycare sent premiums spiraling…

  • Liberal Reagan redux

    ASP
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:12 pm
    E.J. Dionne compares Obama's structural approach to the SOTU to Reagan's while contrasting the two presidents' political philosophies:Reagan laid out what became the major themes of his campaign, including not only the nation’s recovery from economic turmoil but also his central philosophical purpose: a continuing battle against “the tendency of government to grow.”Obama’s speech was Reagan’s turned on its head. Like Reagan, Obama previewed his election arguments in a philosophically aggressive way. But Obama’s claim was the opposite of Reagan’s. Obama spoke of government’s…

  • I funked a speech...

    ASP
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:02 am
    I must confess, having got up at 4:00 a.m. yesterday, I fell asleep during the SOTU! I'd like to blame Obama, because I didn't much like what I did see, but that would be unfair... I did not like the military bookends; I thought they bordered on jingoistic.  Drawing a hard line under $1 million in income for a much higher effective tax rate than anyone pays is a gimmick: the tax code needs reform, and it needs to be made more progressive, but not that way. Couldn't you cut your taxes in half by getting your reportable income down to $999k?  I did not hear any clear-cut contrast…

  • The difference between Gingrich and Romney distilled

    ASP
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:49 pm
    Andrew Sullivan takes a crowbar to the political scientists' notion of a Republican "party establishment" and bends it into its new shape: a 'leadership" captured by Limbaugh and Fox, bound to adopt rhetoric and policy that runs on demonizing the opposition -- by means that Gingrich pioneered.Reading Sullivan's precis of Gingrich's speech, it struck me that the difference between Gingrich and Romney is embedded in one phrase:Listen to Gingrich's victory speech. It was completely, fundamentally, organizationally Manichean, if you'll pardon the expression. He limned a familiar battle between…
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    -- Washington

  • Holocaust survivor shares his story on Remembrance Day

    McClatchy Newspapers (Emily Seagrave Kennedy)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:03 pm
    Holocaust survivor Henry Greenbaum, 83, has made it his life's work to tell his story of survival to whomever is willing to listen, in order to prevent anything like it…Click to Continue »

  • Defense budget plan doesn't cut as deeply as Pentagon says

    McClatchy Newspapers (Nancy A. Youssef)
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:47 pm
    Pentagon officials unveiled the outlines Thursday of what they called a pared-down defense budget, but their request increases baseline spending beyond the projected end of the Afghan war, even as…Click to Continue »

  • Worries mount in Idaho, nation over lack of physical education

    Idaho Statesman (Kristin Rodine and Rob Hotakainen)
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:01 am
    As cash-strapped public schools have cut back on spending for physical education, some members of Congress want to intervene, worried that the nation’s schools are churning out too many fat…Click to Continue »

  • Alaska film 'Big Miracle' premieres in nation's capital

    McClatchy Newspapers (Sean Cockerham)
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:32 am
    "Big Miracle," the first major production subsidized by a state of Alaska film incentive program among the most generous in the nation, premiered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as debate…Click to Continue »

  • Geithner expects to leave Treasury

    McClatchy-Tribune News Service (Kathleen Hennessey)
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:34 am
    Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he's "confident" he won't be serving a second term, even if President Barack Obama is re-elected.Click to Continue »
 
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    Marbury

  • newt drowning

    Ian Leslie
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:33 am
    Last night saw the final debate before Florida. It just might be the final debate of the nomination campaign, at least, the last one anyone watches. Gingrich's poll ratings in the Sunshine state are sinking, and Romney has retaken the lead there, helped by his ability to outspend his rival 10-1 on TV. Unless Gingrich can conjure up yet another surge between now and Tuesday, then Romney will crush him in Florida and almost certainly secure the nomination. Gingrich had what was probably his last chance last night. The general consensus is that he blew it. He was tetchy, overly defensive…

  • how do you solve a problem like newt?

    Ian Leslie
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:44 am
    "You like me, right?" (Photo: Reuters.) Newt may be doing well amongst Republican voters, but Republican bigwigs have their terrified gaze fixed on another set of voters: the general public, whose opinion of Newt is decidedly low. Decidedly being the operative word - unlike most candidates, Newt has been prominent in national politics for so long that voters don't really need to know more to make up their minds. And anyway, in Newt's case, more visibility doesn't mean more likeability: But still the Newt surges: he is now leading in Florida polls. If he wins there, he…

  • when newts attack

    Ian Leslie
    20 Jan 2012 | 3:38 am
    Last night's CNN debate had its biggest moment in the first minute: Newt Gingrich's brilliant, defiant spinning of a question about his ex-wife into a base-stoking tirade against the liberal media (ABC has just aired an interview with the first Mrs Gingrich in which she accuses him of wanting an open marriage): Extraordinary. Could be enough to take 'ol Newt over the top in South Carolina today.

  • obama's song for the voters

    Ian Leslie
    20 Jan 2012 | 3:11 am
    Quite something: Without wishing to make too much of this, it does indicate and convey that this is a president who is full of confidence, in election year. It's also a reminder of Obama's charm, which, though he exercises it sparingly, is powerful. Can you imagine Mitt Romney doing this? I'm not even sure I want to.

  • terrorist-tracking crows

    Ian Leslie
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:36 pm
    One of the most extraordinary stories I read this week: The United States military funded research into using networks of 'spy crows' to locate soldiers who are missing in action, and extended the work to see if the birds might be useful in helping them to find Osama bin Laden. The idea may seem far-fetched, but unlike some military research programs it is actually based on sound science. Apparently crows can recognise and remember human faces. Who knew? The story of the experiments behind the science is absolutely fascinating (warning: it involves Dick Cheney masks).
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    Opinionator

  • Lincoln Tells a Story

    By LOUIS P. MASUR
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm
    Storytelling was at the core of Lincoln's character, and humor an essential outlet for the president.

  • Deconstructing a Demagogue

    By TIMOTHY EGAN
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:04 pm
    Over four decades, Newt Gingrich has perfected the politics of personal destruction.

  • Obama and Fairness

    By STANLEY FISH
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:37 pm
    President Obama should keep the focus on unfairness, not inequality.

  • The Navy's Stone Fleet

    By JAMIE L. JONES
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:30 pm
    Why did the Union sink dozens of whaling ships in Charleston Harbor during the Civil War?

  • Soap Operas With a Social Message

    By SARIKA BANSAL
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:15 pm
    In countries around the world, T.V. serials are being used to deliver important social messages to millions of viewers.
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    Hendrik Hertzberg

  • J.F.K., Alter, and Me

    Hendrik Hertzberg
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:40 pm
    A week ago last Saturday, Jonathan Alter and I did a Forum event at the John F. Kennedy Library, talking about Obama. The moderator was Renee Loth, columnist at the Boston Globe and former editorial page editor thereof. The Library has now put it online, but be warned: it goes on for an hour and a half. (No-surprise executive summary: we think the President has done a pretty good job.)

  • So in Love, Again?

    Hendrik Hertzberg
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:57 am
    Cyberspace, I’m reliably told, was crackling all weekend with swooning e-mails linking to one of the many YouTube iterations of President Obama’s Al Green moment at the Apollo on Thursday night. Here’s an especially good version of the moment, with karaoke reverse-engineered by Bobby Woods: Could it be that, after a three-year dry spell in the Obamojo department, we are seeing the first faint signs of a revival of that ol’ three-point magic? (H/ts: K.H., A.S.)

  • King Day (II): Oooh You’re a Holiday

    Hendrik Hertzberg
    16 Jan 2012 | 3:55 pm
    The King statue, inscriptions or no inscriptions, will never be anything but a hopeless clunker. The holiday, however, is another matter. With the possible exception of the Fourth of July, King Day, the newest of our nationally mandated days off, stands out as the one that most fully embraces its sacramental role in our civic religion. The emphasis is on King and what he represents—his legacy, his example, and the values of the movement he embodied. In many small towns as well as in big cities like Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, it’s a day of volunteer activities,…

  • Bada Bingo

    Hendrik Hertzberg
    15 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    In this week’s Comment in the magazine, Jeffrey Frank writes that the Republican Party has long had an attachment to social issues, but no serious Presidential candidate has been quite so unsparing about the private behavior of others as the man Tony Soprano called “Senator Sanitorium.” Missed that episode? Here ya go: In the unlikely event Gingrich manages to whack Romney so thoroughly that only the man-on-dog man stands between Newt and nomination, look for this clip to show up in a future Winning Our Future “documentary.”

  • King Day (I): Quote Unquote

    Hendrik Hertzberg
    15 Jan 2012 | 8:28 pm
    The unfortunate Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington—as unequal to its subject as Maya Lin’s magnificently somber Vietnam War memorial is worthy of its—has gotten a little taste of the comeuppance it deserves. Last August, shortly after the memorial was opened to the public, the venerable poet Maya Angelou protested that the most prominently displayed of its fourteen King quotations—the sole inscription on the broad right side of the hideous, Kim Il Sung-style statue—is a fake and a travesty, making King sound, in Angelou’s phrase, like “an…
 
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    Restoring Truthiness

  • Political Debate: Desperately seeking…G.O.B for the G.O.P

    Alexandria Love
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:20 pm
    CNNThis goes out in honor of the most recent GOP political debate;and the Republicans desperate scramble to find a party who can realistically compete with our President Barack Obama (no I did not limit it to just currently). Now wait, I know there is some red faced old man from Butcher Holler,Kentucky screaming at his neighbor’s insurance agent’s lab top computer saying, “We gots Mints, We gots Mints!” (that is Mitt Romney to the rest of the world but I digress). While I understand that “Mints” is the top Good Old Boy (GOB) for the Good Old Party(GOP), I can not help but to…

  • Nancy Pelosi: But I Won’t Do…That?

    Alexandria Love
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:28 pm
    CNN Does anyone remember the singer Meat Loaf’s song: I Would Do Anything For Love? In that song Meat Loaf proclaims,”I would do anything for love…but I won’t do that?” but we (the listener) could never figure out the cryptic message of what exactly “it” was he wouldn’t do? Much like the point of this last paragraph I just wrote? Anyway, if you are still following me then you may have seen Nancy Pelosi’s “Meat Loaf” like interview where she stated how she predicted that Newt Gingrich would not be president (no that’s not the shocking part). When asked why,…

  • The Texas Chainsaw Self-Massacre: the Conclusions

    Yuriy Krynytskyy
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:59 pm
    Yuriy Krynytskyy | Restoring TruthinessIn November 2011, Rick Perry’s presidential candidacy was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition, and diagnosed with an acute deficiency of reasons to exist. On January 19, 2012, the Texas governor euthanized his dream, disconnecting it from the artificial hype support. Perry’s insider sources indicate he will run again, using entirely new tactics: waiting until the presently living generations die out, and destroying all digital data devices. In the candidate’s headquarters, however, it was almost a celebration. For a good few months,…

  • The State of the Union, Abridged

    Ray Morquecho
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:32 pm
    White HouseAn early copy of the President’s State of the Union address was leaked onto the White House website earlier today. To the shock and amazement of many of the website visitors, the speech was left up for all to view.  The open and frank language of the speech was shocking enough, but the brevity of the speech was absolutely unexpected.  The speech is below, in its entirety. Good evening distinguished members of Congress, service men and women of our great Armed Services, honored guests, and those of you at home. I stand before this body tonight to inform you of the state of our…

  • SOPA and PIPA Still on the Verge of Passing

    Eric Alonzi
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    New SOPA Policing Agency Starts Test Runs Richmond, VA – 73 year old, Bart Russell, retired schoolteacher, is enjoying an unusually warm Saturday in the middle of the winter by watching an illegal copy of Jumanji in his living room. Unannounced, fifteen men dressed in all black, holding automatic rifles, kick down the door, hogtie Bart, throw him in a black van and screech off. It’s apparent that SOPA and PIPA war is far from over. Although it seems like Congress is putting a halt to passing the bills, it is only an illusion. The raid on Bart Russell’s “pirate ship” is a warning…
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    Reuters: Politics

  • Former Boston Mayor Kevin White dies at 82

    28 Jan 2012 | 1:30 am
    (Reuters) - Former Boston Mayor Kevin White, who led the city for 16 years and shepherded it through a period of racial tension and court-ordered school desegregation, died on Friday at age 82.

  • Fading Gingrich attacks Romney in ad

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:45 pm
    MIAMI (Reuters) - Newt Gingrich struggled to regain momentum in the Republican presidential race on Friday as two new polls showed him falling behind rival Mitt Romney, who was seen as the winner of the final debate before the Florida primary.

  • At home in Texas, Perry gets rocky welcome

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:46 pm
    AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Governor Rick Perry has gotten a rocky welcome home to Texas, facing low poll numbers and criticism over state expenses related to his failed campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

  • Could another Republican join the 2012 race?

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:40 pm
    JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - Is it too late for another Republican to jump into the 2012 U.S. presidential race?

  • Republican senator wants Keystone XL bill

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:24 pm
    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Senator John Hoeven is set to introduce legislation on Monday seeking to bypass President Barack Obama and empower Congress to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, an aide said on Friday.
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    Wired: Politics

  • Pentagon Confused by Its Own 'Subs vs. Terrorists' Plan

    Spencer Ackerman
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:06 pm
    It's the Pentagon dream that won't die: hitting enemy targets with missiles anywhere around the world within mere hours. (Too bad it could trigger a nuclear war.) Now that the brass swears it's got a technological fix for the ambitious missile project, it's got a bigger problem: the Pentagon can't seem to decide how it should actually work.

  • For Newt, 'World War III' Is Just the Beginning

    Spencer Ackerman
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:31 am
    Newt Gingrich doesn't just want to lay waste to his political enemies and a large part of the news media. The former House speaker and presidential hopeful wants to bomb a significant part of the planet, too.

  • Humans Lose, Robots Win in New Defense Budget

    Spencer Ackerman
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pm
    The big loser in the Pentagon's new budget? Ordinary human beings.

  • Vigilante Torturer Dies in Mexico

    Robert Beckhusen
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    This is the end for Jack Idema. The vigilante adventurer and terrorist hunter once jailed in Afghanistan for running a private prison and torture shop has reportedly died in Mexico.

  • Human Nature and the Neurobiology of Conflict

    Brandon Keim
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:31 am
    Areas of inquiry once reserved for historians and social scientists are now studied by neuroscientists, and among the most fascinating is cultural conflict: Why do different groups behave differently? Why can't we all get along? Science alone won't provide the answers, but it can offer new insights into how social behavior reflects -- and perhaps even shapes -- human biology.
 
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    Slashdot: Politics

  • Deathmatch On Mars: an Interview With Warren Ellis

    timothy
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:26 am
    pigrabbitbear writes "Iconic comic book writer (Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Red), cult novelist (Crooked Little Vein), futurist intellectual, and beloved Internet curmudgeon, Warren Ellis, known for his impassioned arguments for space travel, talks to Motherboard about Newt Gingrich's presidential plans for lunar colonies and conquering Mars." Warren Ellis does not mince words.Read more of this story at Slashdot.

  • White House Chief Technology Officer Steps Down

    Soulskill
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:35 pm
    New submitter Krazy Kanuck writes "The White House is running a story on their OSTP blog that Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra is stepping down after being appointed to the post by President Obama in 2009. There is some mention of him returning to his home state of Virginia, and the Washington Post suggests a possible bid for lieutenant governor."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

  • WikiLeaks Cable: NASDAQ Folded To Chinese Pressure

    timothy
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:30 am
    jjp9999 writes "A WikiLeaks cable reveals that the NASDAQ folded to pressure from the Chinese regime and kicked out a U.S.-based Chinese TV network, NTD TV. The Chinese Communist Party has been trying to block this station for years now, since it's one of the few major Chinese media that refuses to censor its content. Although they're blocked in Mainland China, they broadcast in with satellites. The timing of the incident aligns well with other actions launched by the CCP against the TV station. They used to broadcast into China through French satellite company Eutelsat, but their connection…

  • Hawaiian Bill Would Force ISPs to Track Users' Web Histories For 2 Years

    timothy
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:07 am
    New submitter mazinger writes "In Hawaii, a bill has been proposed to retain data on Internet users and the sites they visit. Apparently, there is also no requirement for a warrant to obtain the information from service providers. The bill affects not only ISPs but also coffee shops and anyone providing Internet access."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

  • Candidate Gingrich Pushes a Moon Base, Other Space Initiatives

    timothy
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:42 am
    New submitter thomas.kane writes "Newt Gingrich announced yesterday, while visiting Florida's Space Coast, a visionary plan for the future of space travel. He suggested a combination of the current private incentives and a government funded section, developing a moon base, commercial near earth orbit, and continuous propulsion systems to better reach Mars." "Visionary" seems an awfully positive spin on it; Gingrich is not the first President or presidential candidate to propose revisiting the moon — and the moon seems like small potatoes, by some measures.Read more of this story at…
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    The Independent: On The Campaign Trail

  • Oxley’s Ocean Race: Southern sun not ice for Volvo crews

    28 Jan 2012 | 3:51 am
    As the Volvo round the world race fleet stretches as it passes through the Malacca Strait, the winner of both legs so far, and the overall leader, Spain's Telefonica has taken a five-mile lead over the American boat Puma. The second Spanish entry, Camper, having been in the lead, has slipped to 15 miles behind the leader with France's Groupama a further five miles behind. Abu Dhabi's Azzam is 40 miles back and the repaired Sanya 90 miles in arrears as the third leg takes them to Sanya's home port on Hainan Island. Will Oxley, navigator of the Team New Zealand-managed Camper, looks at the…

  • What are you doing for National Storytelling Week?

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Storytelling is theatre in miniature. It requires eye contact, gesture and imaginative use of the voice. But it’s very portable and needs no props - although some professional storytellers use a few basic ones such as hats.

  • Nick Clegg wants higher tax rates on high earners

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:56 pm
    It seems that I failed in my mission yesterday to explain why Nick Clegg’s policy of raising the income tax threshold means more of the higher paid would pay higher rates of tax. Let me try again. Raising the level at which you start to pay income tax, the personal allowance, currently set at £7,475 a year, [...]

  • Davos: Chris Huhne backs the credit rating agencies

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am
    I bumped into the energy secretary Chris Huhne here on the icy runway between the World Economic Forum congress centre and the Belvedere hotel. Huhne had just come out of a series of bilaterals with heads of international energy firms, in which he had been hoping to encourage them to invest more in British infrastructure.

  • The Independent Angler: A catch for The Independent’s blogs

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:41 am
    Kicking off a new weekly blog for anglers of all kind here on The Independent.
 
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    Reason Magazine Full Feed

  • Florida Republicans Hit the Polls Early

    Garrett Quinn
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:34 pm
    Jacksonville, Fla.—Why does Florida, the fourth largest state in the union, have only 50 delegates up for grabs in Tuesday's Republican primary? Quite simply, the state crossed the powers that be. Florida violated the rules passed by the Republican National Committee that require Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada to be the first four states to vote in the nominating contest and was therefore stripped of half of its delegates. If Florida had followed the rules the state would be sending 100 delegates to the Republican convention in Tampa this August.  The official GOP critiera…

  • Tim Cavanaugh Talks Golden State Stagnation on Good Day L.A.

    Reason Magazine
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:12 pm
    Reason.com managing editor Tim Cavanaugh appeared this morning on FOX 11 Los Angeles. Topic: California Gov. Jerry Brown's is pushing for steep tax hikes even though the state's economy has shown no signs of recovery and its unemployment rate is still the second-highest in the nation.  More than two-thirds of Californians support tax increases, according to a Public Policy Institute of California pollster who uses the phrase "Therein lies" so it's clear he knows what he's talking about.  The Tax Foundation reports that California's tax climate is the nation's third-worst for business. …

  • Newt Gingrich's Florida Poll Numbers Sagging, Five More Eurozone Countries Downgraded, Facebook to Go Public, Iran Threatens its Own Oil Embargo: P.M. Links

    Lucy Steigerwald
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:45 pm
    Newt Gingrich's soft(er) stance on immigration is not helping his poll numbers in Florida. The demise of the Eurozone continues; Fitch Ratings downgrades the debt of Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Cyprus, and Belgium. Ron Paul challenged Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, and Gingrich to "a 25-mile bike ride...in the heat of Texas" during last night's debate. Facebook is preparing to go public, perhaps by next Wednesday. Iran has economic weapons, too. They've threatened to stop exporting oil to Europe, though they're letting U.N. weapons inspectors into the country on Sunday. The 10th Circuit Court of…

  • Ron Paul Roundup: Campaign in Maine, Praise By Palin; Winning the Younger (Jack) Welchs and Blackedout Again

    Brian Doherty
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:42 pm
    *The Bangor, Maine Daily News on Paul dealing with his bad polls in Florida by campaigning in Maine: Declaring the “freedom movement alive and well,” Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul kicked off a two-day statewide tour in Bangor on Friday with the hope of convincing enough delegates to support him at Maine’s caucuses, which begin next weekend. Paul, the 76-year-old Congressman from Texas, is the only current GOP candidate who has yet to win a state’s primary or caucus, but he has been racking up delegates in many states and hopes to continue that trend in Maine. “We came…

  • Free Markets Save the Planet

    Nick Sibilla
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm
    A startling new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals a free-market way to thwart climate change: Create a free market in energy. Fatih Birol, chief economist at the IEA, estimates that 37 nations spent $409 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2010. (By comparison, renewables received $66 billion in that same year.) Impressively, if fossil fuel subsidies were eliminated, this would avoid 750 million tons of CO2 by 2015, and could potentially save over 2.5 gigatons of carbon by 2035. The latter is 70 percent of what the European Union currently emits. In total, by ending…
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    Politics » Political Punch

  • Obama Has Oval Office Meeting With Bush 41 and Jeb Bush

    Mary Bruce
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:43 pm
    (The White House) President Obama met with former president George H. W. Bush and his son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, at the White House this evening. Their Oval Office meeting was not on the president’s official schedule for today but was made public when the White House released a photo of the meeting on its Flickr site. The former president and his son are in town for the annual Alfalfa Club dinner Saturday night. According to a White House official, “The three men enjoyed a personal visit in the Oval Office, as they have done on previous occasions when…

  • President Obama Fires Up House Democrats at Retreat

    John Parkinson
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:48 pm
    CAMBRIDGE, Md. – President Obama fired up House Democrats today with an energetic address, urging Democrats to capitalize on an array of legislative opportunities this year and build a case for a Democratic electoral sweep this fall. The president repeated many of the themes from his State of the Union address, and he predicted that House Democrats would win back the House majority this November, restoring Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s perch in the speaker’s chair. “People understand that the job’s not done — not even close to being done yet,” he…

  • Obama Tackles Rising College Costs

    Mary Bruce
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:44 am
    ANN ARBOR, Mich. — At a campaign-style rally this morning, President Obama told an energetic crowd of students that colleges have a responsibility to control tuition costs because a higher education “is not a luxury; it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.” “We can’t just keep on subsidizing skyrocketing tuition,” the president argued as he announced a proposal to withhold federal aid from colleges and universities that fail to get their tuition costs under control. “We are putting colleges on…

  • Exclusive – Obama Says Encounter With Arizona Gov. ‘Blown Out of Proportion’

    Huma Khan
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:36 pm
                                                                         (Image Credit: Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP Photo) President Obama denied in an exclusive interview with ABC News that he was “tense” in his airport tarmac encounter with Arizona Gov.

  • Exclusive – Is Obama Rooting for the Patriots or Giants?

    Huma Khan
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:22 pm
    President Obama picked a Super Bowl winner two years ago in an ABC News interview, but the president today refused to weigh in this year, saying that he’ll get into trouble if he makes predictions. “I can’t call it. I can’t call it,” Obama told ABC News’ Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview. “When the [Chicago] Bears are not involved, I can’t make predictions because I will get into trouble. But both are great teams. Brady obviously one of the best quarterbacks we’ve ever seen. Eli Manning playing as well as he’s ever played, and…
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    Lehigh Valley Conservative

  • Does anyone know evil from good?

    Randy Toman
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:11 pm
    Does anyone know what is going on—not after reading this article? (see link) From the article;  “Ben Bernanke presided over his first meeting as Federal Reserve chairman in March 2006 believing the nation’s economy could pull off a “soft landing” from falling home prices. Three months later, Bernanke had begun to grasp that he and others had underestimated the risk housing posed to the economy.” You have to wonder how stupid or naïve, Mr. Bernanke and his people are. Can we allow these people to stay in these two categories of innocent and not so smart? When will…

  • Guess Who Said This?

    Randy Toman
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pm
    “Has the great short seller gone soft? Well, yes. Sitting in his 33rd-floor corner office high above Seventh Avenue in New York, preparing for his trip to Davos, he is more concerned with surviving than staying rich. “At times like these, survival is the most important thing,” he says, peering through his owlish glasses and brushing wisps of gray hair off his forehead. He doesn’t just mean it’s time to protect your assets. He means it’s time to stave off disaster. As he sees it, the world faces one of the most dangerous periods of modern history—a period of “evil.” Europe is…

  • No Money—To Hold It Together

    Randy Toman
    22 Jan 2012 | 6:25 am
    Supreme court chief justice John Marshall (1819) wrote: “The power to tax is the power to destroy; in that the power to destroy may defeat and render useless the power to create;…”. The tax-limiting effects of Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution seemingly were nullified with passage of the Sixteenth Amendment in 1913. It must be understood that authority is never neutral and magistrates will base their power on something. When you have the government and the Department of Justice drop its investigation of AIG on May 22, 2010, you know the fix is in and they are not out to protect…

  • Debt and More Debt

    Randy Toman
    19 Jan 2012 | 9:10 am
    Watch the link/video—- http://www.realecontv.com/videos/europe/what-it-means-when-your-country-goes-broke.html If this has any truth to it——and I say “IF”—-we have a much bigger problem then anyone thinks and/or realizes. The video is 10:35 minutes—–listen carefully to the last minute or so—-these guys are desperate and will not take it year after year as do the American citizen—–even the American citizens will reach some point of breaking. And to be perfectly candid—–my sarcastic—–WE SHALL SEE is not…

  • Dear Folks

    Randy Toman
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:58 pm
    Below is an e-mail I sent to a dear friend who had ask we a number of questions. I pulled these two questions out of the e-mail to answer. There is one facet of the answers that I think I should have include——which I did not. You will find the missing segment after—-Yes indeed these times will be interesting (below) The initial e-mail You said—What makes this time so different? Three things: 1/ The magnitude of the evil—it’s Global. 2/ The velocity information travels at—almost instantaneous. 3/ The corruption within the US government being almost…
 
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    The Corner

  • Kissing Mitt

    John J. Miller
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:29 am
    This should settle it: Gene Simmons of KISS is for Romney. Hat tip: Big Hollywood. Also, the video is rated PG-13.

  • A Curious Statement in The Spectator

    Jay Nordlinger
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:44 pm
    Sir Harold Evans is a veteran and acclaimed journalist. His official bio says, “In 2001 British journalists voted him the all-time greatest British newspaper editor.” It should be safe to assume he doesn’t write things that are blatantly untrue. In The Spectator, he says that Mitt Romney “assailed Ambassador Jon Huntsman, the sanest in the Republican asylum, for being able to speak Mandarin. This is double treason by the lights of Romney and his xenophobic Tea Party chorus in their tricky tricorne hats. Citing the toxic atmosphere, Huntsman has now dropped…

  • Jeffrey Lord's Distortion

    Rich Lowry
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:38 pm
    Jeffrey Lord manages a two-fer in this piece: he slyly smears Elliott Abrams for allegedly prostituting himself for a job in a Romney administration on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. And he misrepresents the Newt speech he defends. Read Lord and you might think Newt cited some other conservative critiques of Reagan in an otherwise positive speech. Lord quotes Newt using the word “failure” only once and suggests it was wrenched out of context. Of course, Gingrich praises Reagan at times (no one is accusing him of being Jim Wright) and does it fulsomely (this is Newt after…

  • Congress Had Plenty of Say in Reagan Foreign Policy

    Andrew C. McCarthy
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:18 pm
    I’ve got no quarrel with Charles Krauthammer’s argument that then-backbencher Newt Gingrich is dramatically overstating his role in President Reagan’s foreign policy — just as I think (along with John Hood and Steve Hayward) that Newt detractors are dramatically overstating Gingrich’s negative criticisms of Reagan. But it is strange — particularly in light of Reagan administration history — to hear Dr. K conclusorily claim that “foreign policy is presidential. The Congress has almost no say. If it has any, it’s the Senate. It’s…

  • Can't We All Get Along? Never!

    Victor Davis Hanson
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:44 pm
      I am amazed at the furor out there this year; write that Newt’s shameful infidelity nevertheless probably does not ipso facto disqualify him, given what we’ve known in the past about some other presidents, and you get a flurry of pro-Romney invective; write that Newt blew the debate with his nonchalant arrogance, and you get a flurry of pro-Gingrich invective. Keep reading this post . . .
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    The American Prospect

  • Why Gingrich Lost His Groove

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:53 pm
    Has Newt Gingrich floundered in Florida because he doesn’t understand his own appeal to GOP voters? In South Carolina, the former house speaker hit upon an anti-elite message that goes straight to the heart of the Tea Party—and the political moment. It was nothing new: the kind of silent-majority red meat that white conservatives have eagerly consumed since the days of Wallace and Nixon (not to mention Bush and Palin). But it was a message tuned to a time when Americans are increasingly cognizant of wealth disparities, and aware that elites have cornered the market on economic…

  • Couture's Chinese Culture Shock

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:48 pm
    We’re witnessing a remarkable shift in China’s relationship to global fashion: once “the world’s factory,” in Asian American fashion scholar Thuy Linh N. Tu’s words, China is now poised to be the world’s mall. While China remains a poor country with an average annual per capita consumption of $2,500 (in contrast, the U.S. per capita average is $30,000), China’s rising number of millionaires and the Internet-enabled diffusion of Western fashion consumer culture are quickly transforming the communist nation into what The New York Times has called “The Shoppers’ Republic of…

  • Missing the Arab Awakening

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    On January 25, Egyptians marked the one-year anniversary of their revolution with another massive demonstration in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of what has become known variously as the Arab Spring, the Arab Awakening, or the Arab Uprising. Whatever term one chooses for the events that began with the self-immolation of a Tunisian fruit vendor in December 2010 and soon swept through Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria—the last year has marked a decisive shift in the modern history of the Arab world. Though the situations in different countries have and will continue to take different paths, the…

  • State of Disunion

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an e-mail at voxandfriends@prospect.org!

  • Gay Marriage Moving Forward Around the Country

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:22 pm
    It's been a good week for gay-rights advocates. Washington state gained the crucial 25th vote needed to pass same-sex marriage. The news prompted headlines around the country, but it was hardly the only place where such legislation moved forward.  In Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley is once again pushing a gay marriage bill. Last year's bill stalled, but this time around, lawmakers are making broader exemptions for religious institutions. O'Malley and other advocates are also trying to drum up public support for the bill, which if passed will likely be put to a public vote this fall.
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    The American Prospect

  • Why Gingrich Lost His Groove

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:53 pm
    Has Newt Gingrich floundered in Florida because he doesn’t understand his own appeal to GOP voters? In South Carolina, the former house speaker hit upon an anti-elite message that goes straight to the heart of the Tea Party—and the political moment. It was nothing new: the kind of silent-majority red meat that white conservatives have eagerly consumed since the days of Wallace and Nixon (not to mention Bush and Palin). But it was a message tuned to a time when Americans are increasingly cognizant of wealth disparities, and aware that elites have cornered the market on economic…

  • Couture's Chinese Culture Shock

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:48 pm
    We’re witnessing a remarkable shift in China’s relationship to global fashion: once “the world’s factory,” in Asian American fashion scholar Thuy Linh N. Tu’s words, China is now poised to be the world’s mall. While China remains a poor country with an average annual per capita consumption of $2,500 (in contrast, the U.S. per capita average is $30,000), China’s rising number of millionaires and the Internet-enabled diffusion of Western fashion consumer culture are quickly transforming the communist nation into what The New York Times has called “The Shoppers’ Republic of…

  • Missing the Arab Awakening

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    On January 25, Egyptians marked the one-year anniversary of their revolution with another massive demonstration in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of what has become known variously as the Arab Spring, the Arab Awakening, or the Arab Uprising. Whatever term one chooses for the events that began with the self-immolation of a Tunisian fruit vendor in December 2010 and soon swept through Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria—the last year has marked a decisive shift in the modern history of the Arab world. Though the situations in different countries have and will continue to take different paths, the…

  • State of Disunion

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an e-mail at voxandfriends@prospect.org!

  • Gay Marriage Moving Forward Around the Country

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:22 pm
    It's been a good week for gay-rights advocates. Washington state gained the crucial 25th vote needed to pass same-sex marriage. The news prompted headlines around the country, but it was hardly the only place where such legislation moved forward.  In Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley is once again pushing a gay marriage bill. Last year's bill stalled, but this time around, lawmakers are making broader exemptions for religious institutions. O'Malley and other advocates are also trying to drum up public support for the bill, which if passed will likely be put to a public vote this fall.
 
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    Wonkblog

  • Reconciliation

    Suzy Khimm
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    —The big business of swindling people who trust you. —The energy industry thinks the word “fracking” has become a slur. —Is brain-boosting ethical? —A leading actress from “The Wire” is now working to help troubled youth in Baltimore. Read full article >>

  • Mining the moon isn't as easy as it sounds

    Brad Plumer
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pm
    My colleague Joel Achenbach has a great piece assessing Newt Gingrich’s proposal to mobilize the private sector for space exploration — and colonizing the moon. But why would we want a moon colony anyway? Mining? Joshua Keating ponders whether moon mining is all it’s hyped up to be: Read full article >>

  • Insurance companies push to delay labeling regs

    Sarah Kliff
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm
    See that label above? That’s what a health insurance policy looks like — or is supposed to look like. Under the health reform law, insurance companies are required to summarize each benefit plan in a four-page, easy-to-read document (you can see the full thing here). The Obama administration rolled out a draft format for the summaries this past summer, and they were supposed to roll out this coming March, on the health reform law’s two-year anniversary. Read full article >>

  • Average Americans don’t think like economists

    Suzy Khimm
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:10 pm
    Northwestern University and University of Chicago’s business schools surveyed a group of top economists, as well as the public at large, and found some big differences when it came to economic policy. Some of the questions tested basic economic literary: A full 100 percent of economists agreed that permanently raising the federal tax rate by 1 percent for those in the top income tax bracket would increase federal tax revenue over the next 10 years. By contrast, only 66 percent of the general public agreed that this was the case, with just 50 percent of Republicans concurring and 80 percent…

  • Is Ben Bernanke planning more stimulus?

    Brad Plumer
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:15 pm
    After Wednesday’s announcement by the Federal Reserve that it would keep interest rates near zero through 2014, some Fed-watchers argued that the central bank still wasn’t doing enough to haul the economy out of its morass. Unemployment is projected to be high for years, and inflation is below target. So where’s the extra stimulus? Read full article >>
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    RedState

  • Tech at Night: Google causes a privacy stir, Twitter causes a censorship stir, Grassley continues to fight

    ()
    28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    So, Google is integrating its websites more. As a result, some privacy settings will apply network-wide, and one site will be able to use data from another site. People are flipping out, naturally. People have been giving Google this data for ages. People have known that Google was watching them, and yet they chose to keep using Google and in fact use one account for many Google services. Note that the new policy changes nothing about what Google already knew about you. It just changes what certain Google sites will use about you. As Marsha Blackburn and other members of Congress begin to…

  • Daily Links – January 27, 2012

    ()
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:45 pm
    Today is January 27th. On this date in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, thereby laying the ground work for Falco to top the charts 230 years later. (Which I’m sure was his reasoning in being born.) Today is also the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet forces. I would also like to note that this week was National School Choice Week. I attended a school choice event here in Charlotte last night and will have a post up later today on that. As always, consider this an Open Thread. Elliott Abrams Caught Misleading on Newt | American Spectator…

  • Nothing’s Shocking

    ()
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 pm
    It is a sad commentary on the state of our world that stories like this one (warning, .pdf) (via the Population Research Institute) barely shock us anymore. The gist of the story is as follows: a Massachusetts woman, identified in court pleadings only as Mary Moe, is pregnant with her third child. She aborted her first child. Sometime between this abortion and the birth of her second child, she suffered a “psychotic break” and was diagnosed with shizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder, for which she takes medication. Reading inbetween the lines, it is reasonable to assume that the…

  • $16.4 Trillion in Debt By End of Year

    ()
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:02 am
    So this is what the “age of budget austerity” looks like? Yesterday, the Senate voted against a measure to disapprove of Obama’s request for an additional $1.2 trillion of debt.  Every Democrat (except for Ben Nelson and Joe Manchin) voted against the resolution.  Consequently, pursuant to the Budget Control Act (the “debt ceiling deal”), Obama will automatically get his new credit card.  Our debt will increase by another $1.2 trillion, topping $16.4 trillion by the end of the year. Here are the relevant numbers that should define Obama’s presidency, yet…

  • Is There No Longer a Shared “American Way of Life”?

    ()
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:10 am
    Download audio here Download Podcast | iTunes | Podcast Feed On today’s edition of Coffee and Markets, Brad Jackson and Ben Domenech are joined by Francis Cianfrocca to discuss the Fed’s interest rate announcement, the divided cultural experiences of America’s upper and lower class, and whether or not “the American way of life” still exists. We’re brought to you as always by BigGovernment and Stephen Clouse and Associates. If you’d like to email us, you can do so at coffee[at]newledger.com. We hope you enjoy the show. Related Links: U.S.
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    News

  • Rubio: Obama 'made everything worse'

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:36 am
    In the GOP weekly address, Sen. Marco Rubio panned the president's State of the Union address.

  • Obama urges public to call Congress to support his ‘blueprint’

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:30 am
    In his weekly address, President Obama tried to rally support for the policies he announced in the State of the Union.

  • Washington lobbyists and Egypt part ways

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:53 pm
    The PLM Group and the Egyptian government have parted ways after four years.

  • Gingrich: Muted debate result of Romney's 'blatantly dishonest performance'

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:12 pm
    Newt Gingrich said that his uncharacteristically muted tone at Thursday's GOP debate - the last before the pivotal Florida primary - was a response to Mitt Romney's "blatantly dishonest" statements at points throughout the debate.“I think it’s the most blatantly dishonest performance by a presidential candidate I’ve ever seen,” Gingrich said during an interview with the Washington Post.Romney turned in one of his most animated performances of the cycle, blasting Gingrich for his rhetoric on immigration and a proposal to build a colony on the moon. But Gingrich said that certain…

  • Nevada will be first state to announce caucus results through Twitter

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:22 pm
    The Nevada Republican Party will announce caucus results with live updates through Twitter and Google as the state’s vote is counted Feb. 4, the party announced Friday.The Nevada Republican Party tweeted: “Thrilled to announce a fantastic partnership with @Twitter and @Google for a new and innovative way to report the #nvcaucus results.”
 
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    James Wolcott's Blog

  • The Mitch Is Back

    26 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pm
    It is heartcheering sign of desperation in the Republican camp that Mitch Daniels' response to Obama's State of the Union address was greeted by conservative pundits and bloggers like a boffo revival of Gypsy, with the normally dyspeptic Chris Wallace of Fox News declaring, "A star is born," with others lamenting that Daniels had decided not to compete in the primaries for the party's nomination, reportedly because his wife issued a restraining order on any such aspirations. It is unclear to me, a mere humble onlooker and lover of fine cheese, how a Daniels candidacy wouldn't have…

  • White Mitt, Red Meat

    21 Jan 2012 | 8:08 pm
    Now that it’s apparent that Mitt Romney has been trampled by a wild boar in South Carolina, it raises a provocative question, well, provocative to me anyway, and not just because I’m the one who brought it up. That is: Why isn’t Mitt Romney a better campaigner this time around? This is his second run for the roses and you would think that the experience of the 2008 campaign would have made him fit, lean, prepared, and laser-focused for this marathon. Physically fit and lean he certainly is, optically he looks presidential, and yet mentally there seem to be a lot of loose BBs rattling…

  • Of Herman Bondage

    21 Jan 2012 | 6:42 pm
    What do Herman Cain’s former supporters think when they see their man cavorting with Stephen Colbert in South Carolina, laughing it up and having a high old time? It’s one thing for Colbert to treat the Republican primary campaign as a circus joke; that’s what he does and he does it with gusto and macro ingenuity, unlike the mock candidacies of the past (Pat Paulsen’s stammering malapropisms, and his all-purpose retort to his critics--”Picky, picky, picky”). Colbert isn’t just making fun of the personal foibles of politicians, their rhetorical tricks and tropes, but of…

  • Da Doo Rom Romney

    16 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    With Jon Huntsman handing in his hall pass earlier today, Mitt Romney appears to be breaking ahead of the Republican pack like Speed Racer down the straightaway. He’s getting the glint of a deal-closer. There’s almost nothing standing between him and the nomination, though there are still those moonglows hoping--praying--for Sarah Palin or some other parachutist to save the party from this tall bottle of Vitalis with moderation lurking in his robot circuitry. The irresistible rise of Mitt Romney--with a weary sigh, Daniel Larison has christened it Romney’s “dreadful…

  • All About Eve

    12 Jan 2012 | 1:45 pm
    It was one of those sun-sanctified afternoons in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s that I found myself at Venice Beach with the novelist Leonard Michaels, fiction writer Amy Hempel, and Eve Babitz, whose autobiographical vignettes of LA had an easygoing Mediterranean warmth and acceptance (she didn’t billboard over the dark side of LA and Hollywood, she just didn’t elevate it into a noir nihilism) that was the antithesis of Joan Didion’s desert vision of bleached bones beneath numbed nerves. The pleasure principle still prevailed in Eve’s writing, whatever the setbacks and heartbreaks. The…
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    SCOTUSblog

  • Petition of the day

    Kali Borkoski
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:34 pm
    The petition of the day is: Bailey v. United StatesDocket: 11-770Issue(s): Whether, pursuant to Michigan v. Summers, police officers may detain an individual incident to the execution of a search warrant when the individual has left the immediate vicinity of the premises before the warrant is executed.Certiorari stage documents:Opinion below (2d Cir.) Petition for certiorari Amicus brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers In association with Bloomberg Law

  • Friday round-up

    Marissa Miller
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:03 am
    Today’s clippings include further commentary on the Court’s decision in the GPS tracking case, United States v. Jones, as well as continuing coverage of the challenge to the Affordable Care Act. Writing for the Huffington Post, Susan Landau argues that the Jones decision is merely “one small step for privacy,” given that private companies can still collect sensitive information with few restrictions. Editorials in the Vallejo (Cal.) Times Herald and the Beaufort (N.C.) Observer take a similar view. At the WSJ Law Blog, Louise Radnofsky reports on the results of a new poll by the…

  • Petition of the day

    Kali Borkoski
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:34 pm
    The petition of the day is: Signature Pharmacy, Inc. v. WrightDocket: 11-748Issue(s): (1) Whether search warrants for a business that shares multi-occupancy buildings with others violate the particularity requirement of the Fourth Amendment where the warrants fail to identify the offices, floors or areas to be searched or the specific items to be seized, despite the officer’s knowledge of the business’s location within the buildings and the limited portion of the business under investigation; and (2) whether the Eleventh Circuit properly ruled that a lead officer with actual knowledge of…

  • Thursday round-up

    Kali Borkoski
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am
    Commentary on the Court’s decision in the GPS tracking case, United States v. Jones, continues for a third day. The editorial boards of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Baltimore Sun all weigh in, while in the blogosphere Orin Kerr (at the Volokh Conspiracy), Jacob Sullum (of Reason), and Paul Larkin (at the Heritage Foundation’s Foundry Blog) also have coverage. Conor covered additional news on the decision yesterday.  Discussing the decision at Scientific America, John Villasenor criticizes the Court’s opinion as resting “on technology…

  • Petitions of the Day

    Kali Borkoski
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm
    The petitions of the day are: Philip Morris USA, Inc. v. CampbellDocket: 11-741Issue(s): Whether the Due Process Clause prohibits the use of issue preclusion to establish elements of a plaintiff’s claims where it cannot be shown that the issues being given preclusive effect were actually decided in a prior proceeding.Certiorari stage documents:Opinion below (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.) Petition for certiorari Amicus brief of Washington Legal Foundation Amicus brief of Product Liability Advisory Council Amicus brief of Professors Aaron Twerski and James A. Henderson Amicus brief of the Chamber of…
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    Politifact.com Truth-O-Meter rulings from National

  • Rick Santorum: "In 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market."

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:46 pm
    The Truth-o-Meter says: Mostly False | Sen. Rick Santorum says he warned 'of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market' As Republican presidential candidates battled over mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a debate in Jacksonville, Fla., Rick Santorum sought the high ground. "In 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market," the former Pennsylvania senator he said. "I stood out, I stood tall and tried to get a reform, and we couldn't do…

  • Mitt Romney: "I've never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot."

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:39 pm
    The Truth-o-Meter says: Half-True | Mitt Romney says, 'I've never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot' During the Republican presidential debate in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 26, 2012, Mitt Romney had to fend off challenges to his record as a conservative, including a series of charges from Newt Gingrich. In the course of arguing his closeness to Ronald Reagan, Gingrich said, "I think it's reasonable to say, and I think (Gov. Romney) said it fairly, I am vastly closer to Reagan. In that period, the governor was an independent business person. In '92 he…

  • Rick Santorum: "Romneycare … is a top-down, government-run health care system."

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:48 pm
    The Truth-o-Meter says: Mostly False | Rick Santorum calls Massachusetts health law top-down and government-run It’s like a new cover of an old song. During a Republican primary debate on Jan. 26, 2012, Rick Santorum said that the health care legislation Mitt Romney signed as governor of Massachusetts is "a top-down, government-run health care system." The former Pennsylvania senator called the issue one of "fundamental freedom" and criticized Romney for enacting a law similar to the one that passed nationally in 2010. And the beat goes on. PolitiFact has explored…

  • Newt Gingrich: "We balanced the budget with the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets."

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:47 pm
    The Truth-o-Meter says: Mostly True | Newt Gingrich revises claim on balanced budgets, improves Truth-O-Meter rating During the Republican presidential debate in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 26, 2012, Newt Gingrich reiterated a talking point we several times have rated False. But this time, he tweaked the language. Responding to a comment from Rick Santorum about fiscal responsibility, Gingrich said, "When we balanced the budget with the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets, we doubled the size of the National Institutes of Health because we set…

  • Bloggers: Republican-leaning states get more in federal dollars than they pay in taxes.

    26 Jan 2012 | 4:37 pm
    The Truth-o-Meter says: Mostly True | 'Red State Socialism' graphic says GOP-leaning states get lion's share of federal dollars Many GOP-leaning states get more in federal funding than they contribute in federal taxes. That's the point made by a graphic that’s circulating on the Internet, titled "Red State Socialism." A reader recently pointed us to it and asked us to check it out. The chart suggests that Republicans are hypocritical for bashing the federal government and federal spending, when Republican-leaning states are reaping the lion’s share of federal…
 
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    Balloon Juice

  • Lies and the lying liars, etc.

    Betty Cracker
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:44 am
    Sarah Palin took to Facebook last night to express shock that fellow Republicans are using dirty tricks on one another in the campaign: We have witnessed something very disturbing this week. The Republican establishment which fought Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and which continues to fight the grassroots Tea Party movement today has adopted the tactics of the left in using the media and the politics of personal destruction to attack an opponent. We will look back on this week and realize that something changed… I am in favor of contested primaries and healthy, pointed debate. They help…

  • Open Thread – You must make a friend of horror

    Sarah Proud and Tall
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:00 am
    I give you due warning – the sight of cute Russian boys in their undies is not adequate compensation for the boyband/Christmas acoustic horror that will overwhelm you if you press that play button. I suspect Poe’s law may also apply to bad europop. Sometimes the youtubes take me to scary places.

  • Open Thread

    John Cole
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:37 pm
    So what is everyone doing on this fine Friday evening? I had a late breakfast dinner and have been cruising through the first season of the West Wing while dealing with three animals on my lap jockeying for prime position. Good thing I have ample lap. I’d forgotten how good the West Wing is- I am several episodes into season 1 and haven’t even really noticed that it isn’t letterbox or HD. That means it is good, because I basically refuse to watch anything that is not HD. Unless of course it is internet porn, and then you just cope. Also, this was inevitable: Le sigh.

  • Friday Evening Open Thread

    Anne Laurie
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 pm
    (Tom Toles via GoComics.com) Jonathan Chait, formerly of TNR, now at NYMag’s Daily Intel, says that he’s “always had a soft spot for Mitt Romney, who strikes me, in a way I can’t completely define, as a good guy.” Which explains the general election demographic to whom Romney hopes his non-stop pandering will appeal: Totebaggers. And yet, even Chait admits that “Romney does lie a great deal“: ... Even by the standards of politicians, Romney seems unusually prone to dishonesty. Again, you can ascribe this to circumstance rather than character. I see…

  • Song of the week

    DougJarvus Green-Ellis
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:38 pm
    From JPK at Can’t Explain (that song came out in 1998, I feel old). Sarah McLachlan, “Angel” (1998) I know Balloon Juice is rife with animal lovers but I’m not really trying to pander here—not really. In fact, I’m a little tired of that long BC SPCA End Animal Cruelty ad that uses this song and seems to saturate my teevee every December and at other random points. Tired of having my heart broken by the pictures in it as much as anything (I’m a softie myself, with three cats, two of them rescues, one missing a leg). It’s a kind of porn, I know…
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    Oliver Willis

  • Equal Polarization, My Ass

    owillis@gmail.com (Oliver Willis)
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:38 am
    One of my new favorite phrases is “not tethered to facts.” That comes from ABC reporter Jake Tapper doing a write-up of a new ad campaign from the conservative Americans For Prosperity targeting President Obama. It’s a nice way of saying “you lying ass.” The phrase “not tethered to facts” came to mind when reading this Rick Moran piece lamenting the supposed equal polarization of the two major political parties in America. Bonus points to Moran for writing this post at PJ Media (aka Pajamas Media aka Open Source Media), which is a cesspool of…

  • Some Crazy Stuff That Happened In World War II

    owillis@gmail.com (Oliver Willis)
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:59 pm
    So I’m reading this book about World War II that’s really great. It’s called All Hell Let Loose by Sir Max Hastings and is a re-telling of the story of World War II with the addition of tons of first-person observations from people experiencing the war. Some interesting stories I’ve found so far. * A Russian soldier holed up in a farmhouse during the Russian invasion of Poland went outside to go to the bathroom to do number 2. In the process, he was shot in the leg. He ran back to the farmhouse and didn’t go the bathroom for another 7 days. * A woman waiting for…

  • Maryland Republican Campaign Funds Used To Defend Voter Suppression

    owillis@gmail.com (Oliver Willis)
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm
    Bob Ehrlich used his campaign money to pay for the defense of now-convicted vote-suppression activist. A campaign account maintained by former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) was used to pay more than $100,000 last year to law firms involved in the criminal defense of his 2010 campaign manager, Paul E. Schurick, on charges related to voter suppression. Schurick was convicted in December by a Baltimore jury of four counts stemming from an Election Night robocall that prosecutors said was intended to mislead black voters into staying home. A campaign finance report filed this week by Ehrlich…

  • The Obama Jobs Record In One Graph

    owillis@gmail.com (Oliver Willis)
    24 Jan 2012 | 12:54 pm
    If you can’t decipher this complex graph, allow me to help: Blue good.

  • Martin O’Malley All In For Marriage Equality

    owillis@gmail.com (Oliver Willis)
    24 Jan 2012 | 12:41 pm
    Martin O’Malley just sent out the following e-mail, linking here to solicit money for Marylanders For Marriage Equality. He’s not being wishy-washy about this.
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    The Moderate Voice

  • GOP Faces The Odds (Guest Voice)

    Guest Voice
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:14 am
    GOP Faces the Odds by Peter Funt It’s a two-man race now, Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney. Here’s the betting line on key categories that seem to matter most in debates and on the stump. In the category of Falsely Characterizing Obama, Romney uses “European Socialist,” which is powerful and connects well with xenophobic voters. Gingrich relies on “Saul Alinsky Radical.” Alinsky, the Chicago populist who died in 1972, was best known for fighting on behalf of the poor and middle class — so drumming away at this obscure reference isn’t helping Gingrich.

  • What’s the Definition of a “Sour Loser”?

    JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:09 pm
    What’s the definition of a “sour loser?” THIS.

  • Ganging Up on Gingrich

    ROBERT STEIN
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:42 pm
    Ghosts of GOP past are rising from political tombs to sound alarms about Newt in the White House even as the last Florida debate has him on the defensive about the past and future. Gingrich fails in his attempt to use Wolf Blitzer as the kind of tackle dummy he made out of CNN colleague John King in South Carolina, while 1996 candidate Bob Dole is joined by Tom Delay, Ann Coulter, Elliott Abrams and other Conservatives in a Matt Drudge firing squad against the former Speaker. “If Gingrich is the nominee,” writes Dole, “it will have an adverse impact on Republican candidates running for…

  • Rubio Shows Cleverness And Class

    PATRICK EDABURN, Assistant Editor
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:25 am
    During a speech to a Hispanic leadership group Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) was interrupted by a group of protesters upset over his opposition to the Dream Act. They first held up signs objecting to his opposition to the law held up signs linking him to the Tea Party and implying that he was anti Hispanic. In a move I think many politicians could learn from Rubio praised the bravery of the protesters for expressing their views in a forum where many would disagree with them and expressed gratitude for living in a society where all views are welcomed. He then encouraged them to stay and…

  • Newt Baggage

    CAGLE CARTOONS
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:18 am
    Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
 
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    US Politics | AMERICAblog News

  • Roy Orbison - Only the Lonely

    Chris in Paris
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:33 am
    I'm back in Philly for a few days and thankfully Mother Nature is cooperating this time. No miserable winter cold and no snow which is fine by me. I'm getting ready to head to a diner for one of my favorite breakfast foods, Scrapple. I love the stuff. Last night I went to my nephews wrestling match (two matches and two pins, so he was in a great mood) and tomorrow I will head to a cheerleading competition to see my niece. Lots of things to squeeze in this visit.

  • Video: Everything counts (done by a dad and kids)

    John Aravosis
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:43 pm

  • Brazil to charge Chevron and Transocean in oil spill

    Chris in Paris
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:45 pm
    Whether they will pay is another thing. We watched Big Oil drag out financial responsibility for the Exxon Valdez disaster and are currently watching Chevron fight responsibility for their convicted crimes in Ecuador. This is an industry that is convinced it's above the law but as long as you have politicians who make excuses for them and apologize, this is what happens.A Brazilian prosecutor plans to file criminal charges against Chevron Corp and some of its local managers within weeks, adding the threat of prison sentences to an $11 billion civil lawsuit as punishment for a November…

  • Diana Krall: "Fly Me To The Moon"

    Gaius Publius
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:15 pm
    Shamelessly "borrowed" from Paul Krugman (but I promised to return it when you folks are done). In honor, of course, of Newt "the Moonbase" Gingrich. This is a very good song and an excellent version. Modern, but true to its jazz-lounge roots. Perfect for singers who, like Ms. Krall, have an ear for which off-beats to come in on. Note those big ten-finger chords at the start of her solo. Reminds me of Brubeck in his prime (Dave's solo starts at 2:42). Enjoy! In other words, please be true. One can only hope. GP

  • Ron Paul's racism is the racism of the GOP

    Myrddin
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pm
    It was always obvious that Ron Paul knew the content of the newsletters that went out in his name. Like the fact that Romney pays less than 15% tax and the fact George W. Bush and his cabinet were lying about WMD in Iraq, it was one of those obvious facts that the establishment media refused to discuss while the Republican involved protested their innocence.But don't expect the confirmation of the obvious fact that Ron Paul wrote and approved the racist bile printed under his name to hurt him in the nomination race, the reason his opponents haven't mentioned the issue is that they know their…
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    Latest Politics Videos Sifted at VideoSift.com

  • Glenn Greenwald on Indefinite Detention

    tsquire1 (http://politics.videosift.com/member/tsquire1)
    28 Jan 2012 | 4:39 am
    (10 votes - 1 comment - 344 views)In one of the least surprising developments imaginable, President Obama – after spending months threatening to veto the Levin/McCain detention bill – yesterday announced that he would instead sign it into law (this is the same individual, of course, who unequivocally vowed when seeking the Democratic nomination to support a filibuster of “any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecom[s],” only to turn around – once he had the nomination secure — and not only vote against such a filibuster, but to vote in favor of the underlying bill…

  • A Tribute to GOP Debate Audiences

    NetRunner (http://netrunner.videosift.com)
    28 Jan 2012 | 2:38 am
    (11 votes - 2 comments - 281 views)Via HuffPo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/2012-debate-audiences-tribute_n_1235713.html

  • Media Treats Bachmann Unfairly Because She's An Insane Woman

    Grimm (http://politics.videosift.com/member/Grimm)
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:13 pm
    (34 votes - 5 comments - 572 views)YouTube Description: The First Responders debate whether the media is harder on Michele Bachmann because she is a woman who is crazy. (Aired 11/1/11)

  • Thom Hartmann on the News - January 25, 2012

    Issykitty (http://issykitty.videosift.com)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:53 pm
    (10 votes - 0 comments - 207 views)Uploaded to YouTube by thomhartmann on Jan 25, 2012 Thom Hartmann delivers the news for Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  • Maddow: Facts are Facts

    NetRunner (http://netrunner.videosift.com)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:52 pm
    (21 votes - 2 comments - 478 views)Rachel continues to sound the alarm about PolitiFact's threat to the meaning of the word "fact" in the English language. 1/26/2012
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    The American Prospect

  • Why Gingrich Lost His Groove

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:53 pm
    Has Newt Gingrich floundered in Florida because he doesn’t understand his own appeal to GOP voters? In South Carolina, the former house speaker hit upon an anti-elite message that goes straight to the heart of the Tea Party—and the political moment. It was nothing new: the kind of silent-majority red meat that white conservatives have eagerly consumed since the days of Wallace and Nixon (not to mention Bush and Palin). But it was a message tuned to a time when Americans are increasingly cognizant of wealth disparities, and aware that elites have cornered the market on economic…

  • Couture's Chinese Culture Shock

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:48 pm
    We’re witnessing a remarkable shift in China’s relationship to global fashion: once “the world’s factory,” in Asian American fashion scholar Thuy Linh N. Tu’s words, China is now poised to be the world’s mall. While China remains a poor country with an average annual per capita consumption of $2,500 (in contrast, the U.S. per capita average is $30,000), China’s rising number of millionaires and the Internet-enabled diffusion of Western fashion consumer culture are quickly transforming the communist nation into what The New York Times has called “The Shoppers’ Republic of…

  • Missing the Arab Awakening

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    On January 25, Egyptians marked the one-year anniversary of their revolution with another massive demonstration in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of what has become known variously as the Arab Spring, the Arab Awakening, or the Arab Uprising. Whatever term one chooses for the events that began with the self-immolation of a Tunisian fruit vendor in December 2010 and soon swept through Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria—the last year has marked a decisive shift in the modern history of the Arab world. Though the situations in different countries have and will continue to take different paths, the…

  • State of Disunion

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an e-mail at voxandfriends@prospect.org!

  • Gay Marriage Moving Forward Around the Country

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:22 pm
    It's been a good week for gay-rights advocates. Washington state gained the crucial 25th vote needed to pass same-sex marriage. The news prompted headlines around the country, but it was hardly the only place where such legislation moved forward.  In Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley is once again pushing a gay marriage bill. Last year's bill stalled, but this time around, lawmakers are making broader exemptions for religious institutions. O'Malley and other advocates are also trying to drum up public support for the bill, which if passed will likely be put to a public vote this fall.
 
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    Mike's Washington Watch

  • State of the Nation

    13 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    65% say the country is on the wrong track 29% say the economy is getting worse, while 25% say it is getting better 40% think 2012 will be a better year for them and their family [CBS 1/12] If the test of economic healing is jobs, there seems to be steady progress. * The BLS unemployment rate for the month of December 2011 was 8.5%. This is the lowest rate recorded since February of 2009, and is down from 9.4% in December 2011. [Note: this still vastly undercounts the real unemployment rate. Gallup reports the number of Underemployed -- unemployed and those working part- time that want…

  • President Obama

    13 Jan 2012 | 10:59 am
    The President is 10 months from the day on which the American public will give him his report card for his first term. As he approaches that day, the public’s grade for the job he has done so far is lower than any of six previous Presidents at the beginning of their fourth year in office. (He is tied with Bill Clinton at this time.) The President’s current job approval rating in Gallup is 42%. The following is the list of 8.   Approve Disapprove Eisenhower 78 12 GW Bush (II) 59 38 Carter 56 33 Reagan 52 38 Nixon 49 39 G Bush (I) 46 47 Clinton 42 49 Obama 42 50 (1/7-9/12) Obama’s…

  • Super PACS

    13 Jan 2012 | 10:58 am
    In 1964, when I first became involved in election politics, there were no laws or rules regulating the amount that individuals could contribute to Federal candidates or spend themselves on such campaigns. Cash was often the financial support or contribution mechanism of choice. Corporations were prohibited from playing in campaigns by the Tillman Act of 1907. And, while corporations might push the edge a bit in terms of providing “help” to campaigns without direct expenditure, they were basically not in the game. In 1971 the Federal Election Campaign Act was enacted. It was basically a…

  • The Republican Nomination

    13 Jan 2012 | 10:57 am
    22 people have been tempted or have joined the race. 16 people have announced they are not running, quit the race, or written it off. 6 people are still running: Newt Gingrich Jon Huntsman Ron Paul Rick Perry Mitt Romney Rick Santorum 1 + ?? remains the number of real players at the moment The Goal – 1,142 Committed Republican Convention Delegates by the time of the Republican National Convention, August 27-30, 2012. The contest has begun, and Mitt Romney seems to be riding high. Romney won in Iowa by a thread (8 votes). But in New Hampshire he won by a margin that was more than healthy --…

  • 2012 Presidential General Election

    13 Jan 2012 | 10:56 am
    President Obama’s spokesperson has announced that Obama plans to run against the Congress. Little distinction was made between the Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Predicting the likely outcome of the Presidential election at this stage may be an interesting parlor game, but it has relatively little to do with reality. Will the Republican nomination contest be over sometime in February or early March or will it last until June? It appears now that it will be over earlier rather than later. There are a number of questions, the answers to which will have considerable impact on the…
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    The Washington Note

  • Obama's Speeches and that SEAL Team: Bad News for Bad Guys

    Steve Clemons
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:38 am
    Steve Clemons discusses with Lawrence O'Donnell Obama's big gamble deploying Navy SEAL Team 6 on another high-risk mission I shared some thoughts with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC's The Last Word on the yet again amazing performance of the Navy SEALs, Team 6, in rescuing American Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Thisted. A couple of quick items that I mention in the video clip above. First, Obama does really keep his cool when major, high risk actions are underway and he's off giving big speeches like he did Tuesday evening at the State of the Union address or when he was speaking at last year's…

  • Nate Silver Wins Again -- and Doha's Shafallah Forum

    Steve Clemons
    21 Jan 2012 | 10:41 pm
    View of my balcony at the Grand Hyatt, DohaGood morning to those of you heading to bed on the news that Newt Gingrich dominated the South Carolina GOP primaries.  I don't have much to add to the pundit commentary on Newt's return -- other than that take a look at the forecasting success yet again of 538's Nate Silver.  I've been a junkie for his electoral commentary for quite a while -- but every time he drops numbers before something happens, it's eery to see that he just about nails it every time.  Here is what Silver published on his New York Times blog before today's…

  • Romney Snubbing Hispanics?

    Steve Clemons
    20 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am
    Are Hispanic Americans on Romney's call list?While there have been a long slog of GOP debates, and people may be asking why any more encounters matter at this point -- Hispanic Americans want their turn at bat and are working hard to pull off 'the Hispanic issues conversation' next Wednesday.  Only problem is that Mitt Romney won't return calls and say yes or no to attending.Scheduled for Wednesday, 25 January at the 140,000 student strong Miami-Dade College, the "meet up with candidates" organized by Univision, the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the college has secured commitments…

  • Man-made Tragedies, Angelina Jolie, and Women

    Steve Clemons
    16 Jan 2012 | 9:31 am
    (Credit: Alberto Barreto; reprinted with permission, CIPE)I haven't yet sorted out all of the intense feelings generated by watching the new Angelina Jolie written and directed film, In the Land of Blood and Honey, but I will have something up soon. The film is still haunting my thoughts -- but during the after party which went longer than any policy issue-oriented, mostly heterosexual after-event I have been to in a long time (that is to say that 'policy events' with my gay crowd always go late), I got the chance to chat with the film's director and to eavesdrop unintentionally on…

  • STREAMING Live: George Mitchell & Jeffrey Goldberg on Middle East Conflict

    Steve Clemons
    12 Jan 2012 | 2:46 pm
    This evening between about 5:50 pm (might start a few minutes late) and 7:15 pm EST, I will be chairing at Atlantic Exchange event on the subject of Middle East peace. Former Obama administration Middle East envoy and former US Senator George Mitchell will join us, share some framing remarks, and then be interviewed by Atlantic national correspondent Jeffrey Goldberg. The event will stream live above. We have organized tonight's discussion with the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace and its director, former Congressman Robert Wexler -- who have partnered with The Atlantic to…
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    Calitics - Front Page

  • A Quick Summary of the Senate Map Legal Opinion

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    A quick, and probably wildly inaccurate, summary of the decision. by Brian Leubitz I read the decision very quickly (you can find it over the flip), so I likely missed many of the finer points.  Nonetheless, I figured I wanted to get this up quickly, so, my apologies for any errors.  At any rate, today the Court decided a few issues: 1) They have authority to intervene and provide a new map if a Redistricting map is challenged. 2) The Commission map is the best map to use in the interim, as it does the best job of adhering to the goals set forth in the redistricting initiative, even…

  • CA Supreme Court: Use Commission Maps for 2012

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:26 pm
    As I mentioned earlier, the Supreme Court decided a few things on redistricting today. Obviously this is a major blow to the Republicans. Let the whining commence: Republican State Sen. Mimi Walters of Laguna Niguel, a leader of the referendum drive, blasted the ruling as "shortsighted and disrespectful" of California voters who signed petitions and are awaiting the opportunity to vote on the commission's Senate maps. "They kind of gutted the whole idea behind the referendum process," said Dave Gilliard, another leader of the drive to kill the maps. Peter Yao, current chairman of the…

  • CA Supreme Court to Decide Senate Maps Today

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:15 am
    Court must decide how they want to intervene with impending referendum possible in June by Brian Leubitz UPDATE: Here is the decision in PDF.  Basically the Court opted for the suggestion that I believe was made by Justice Liu to use the Commission's maps on an interim basis if the referendum does succeed in getting on the ballot. At the hearing, Justice Liu noted that it was at the very least one way of meeting all the goals of redistricting initiative.  So, on that, we now know the maps we'll be voting on in June and November. More in a bit. At the beginning of the month, the…

  • The Strange Coalitions on Brown's revenue measures

    26 Jan 2012 | 11:09 am
    While Brown works to cobble together a centrist coalition, the corpse of Howard Jarvis speaks. by Brian Leubitz Jerry Brown is putting together quite the interesting coalition for his tax revenue measure.  He's got some labor support, of course, but he's been claiming support from some large companies that usually go by "Big" and followed by the name of some industry. He's got some Big Oil, some Big Healthcare, yada, yada. Hearing this, the corpse of Howard Jarvis was none too pleased. So, they've gone ahead and begged their Big Business friends to resist Jerry Brown's "cajoling." "We…

  • Kamala Harris Rejects 50-State Settlement From Banks

    25 Jan 2012 | 7:11 pm
    Attorney General says deal is inadequate by Brian Leubitz Kamala Harris, whom I had the great privilege of helping to get elected, has been a leader on mortgage fraud since her SF DA days.  She's continued that as California AG, and now she's showing just how important the closest California statewide election really was.  The CA DoJ recently announced that the proposed nationwide settlement for the systemic mortgage fraud by the big banks was inadequate for Californians: "We've reviewed the details of the latest settlement proposal from the banks, and we believe it is inadequate…
 
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    Jeffrey Goldberg : The Atlantic

  • More on Jewish McCarthyism and Neo-Nazi Smearing (Last Post, I Hope)

    Jeffrey Goldberg
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:55 am
    In today's edition of "How Many Jews Can Dance on the Head of a Pin?," certified leftist Spencer Ackerman goes after Glenn Greenwald and others -- rather successfully, I think -- for using anti-Semitic rhetoric to smear (Glenn's favorite word) Jews with whom they disagree:Some on the left have recently taken to using the term "Israel Firster" and similar rhetoric to suggest that some conservative American Jewish reporters, pundits, and policymakers are more concerned with the interests of the Jewish state than those of the United States. Last week, for example, Salon's Glenn Greenwald asked…

  • 'An Israeli Attack Would Ensure an Eventual Iranian Nuclear Response'

    Jeffrey Goldberg
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:30 am
    Barry Rubin is sure that the Israelis will not attack Iran's nuclear sites this year, and offers various reasons (pro-Israel reasons, by the way) why an attack shouldn't happen. It's a very interesting essay; read the whole thing:Why should Israel attack Iran now? Because one day Iran will have nuclear weapons that might be used to attack Israel.Does Iran have such deliverable weapons now? No.If Israel attacks Iran now does that mean Iran would never get nuclear weapons? No, it would merely postpone that outcome for at most a year or two more than it would take otherwise. And then it would…

  • More on Glenn Greenwald, 'Israel-Firsters,' and Idiot Editors (Updated)

    Jeffrey Goldberg
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:16 am
    Man, I'm taking a lot of heat in the Goldblog mailroom over something I wrote earlier (and, by the way, now that we've opened-up comments on this blog, please feel free to post your responsibly-written invective down below, though of course you can still email me directly). Here's what I wrote:: And by the way, as an American Jew, I believe, as most American Jews believe (and most American non-Jews, as well) that Israel should exist and flourish as a Jewish country, that it is an important project of the Jewish people, that  and that it is a natural ally of the United States. An American Jew…

  • You Are Now Free to Comment on Goldblog

    Jeffrey Goldberg
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:17 am
    This is probably a bad idea, but the Supreme Revolutionary Council of Goldblog, in consultation with the ISI, the CIA, MI6, and the AAA, has decided to open comments on all posts in this space. This might not be as bad an idea as having a blog in the first place, but we'll see.When this blog first came to life, I followed the (smart) advice of Andrew Sullivan and chose not to have comments, because comments sections, particularly on blogs that cover subjects I cover, tend to become pretty sewerish. On the other hand, there are many thoughtful Goldblog readers who e-mail me regularly with…

  • Iran Might Be the Biggest Loser in the Arab Spring

    Jeffrey Goldberg
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:06 am
    A smart piece from Colin Kahl:When Mubarak fell, Iran's leaders moved out with swagger. They saw one pivotal U.S. ally gone, and perceived an opportunity to exploit unrest to undermine other pro-Western regimes, especially Saudi Arabia. They sought to develop contacts with Islamists in Egypt and Libya, expand ties to opposition movements in Yemen, and capitalize on the indigenous Shiite protests in Bahrain. And Iran's leaders seemed confident that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Tehran's state ally in the Middle East, was immune from the populist wave because of its militant stance…
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    The Weekly Standard Blog

  • Economic Certainty—and Uncertainty

    Irwin M. Stelzer
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    If you are one of the many who believes that uncertainty is stalling our recovery, you should be smiling. Much uncertainty has been replaced by a surer knowledge of what policy makers have in mind for the economy, and of the direction of some of the key economic indicators. If you are sure you love certainty, you might want to think again. Start with the state of political play. President Obama used his rousing State of the Union speech to make four things clear. First, he knows that Obamacare is an albatross he will have to wear in his reelection swings through the country: It is so wildly…

  • Happy Hour: Spartan America

    Mark Hemingway
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Jonah Goldberg: "Obama’s Vision for a Spartan America" Charlie Spiering: "Newt goes negative using Huckabee" Sena Higgins: "Top Dem Miller Wants DOJ Probe Of GOP NLRB Member" Ron Wyden: "Ron Wyden gives GOP cover on Medicare reform" Conn Carroll: "Buffett and Bosanek need to disclose or shut up" Charlotte News & Observer: "It will probably always be unclear who, exactly, Jonathan Keith Idema really was."

  • Romney: America Must 'Define a Mission' for Space Program

    Michael Warren
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:05 pm
    Cape Canaveral, Fla.At a rally in the warehouse of Astrotech Space Operations, Mitt Romney told an energized audience about the need to “define a mission” for the American space program. The Obama administration, he said, has failed to define such a mission. “People are suffering because of that. We’ve lost technology because of that. People have lost jobs because of that. It’s time to have a mission for the space program for the United States of America,” Romney said, speaking just minutes away from the Kennedy Space Center.  But Romney's definition of his own plans for the…

  • Why it Will be Difficult to Revitalize American Manufacturing

    Mark Hemingway
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    Bloomberg recently ran a great series on the challenges to expanding America's manufacturing sector that's worth reading in light of the president's State of the Union rhetoric on jobs. It opens with this distressing anecdote: “I’d love to make this product in America. But I’m afraid I won’t be able to.”My host, a NASA engineer turned Silicon Valley entrepreneur, has just conducted a fascinating tour of his new clean-energy bench-scale test facility. It’s one of the Valley’s hottest clean-technology startups. And he’s already thinking of going…

  • Reuters Acknowledges Rubio Hit Piece is a 'Fiasco' and a 'Disgrace'

    Mark Hemingway
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:07 pm
    After Daily Caller blogger Matt Lewis eviscerated a harsh Reuters story on Florida senator Marco Rubio, the wire service was forced to make five corrections. Now Reuters is attempting damage control and conceding the story is regrettable: One senior staffer at Reuters described the episode to me as a "fiasco," another as a "disgrace."  It was so bad, in fact, that the editors and writer involved have been asked not to talk about it. (I reached out to editors David Lindsey and Eric Walsh, but have not heard back.)The article, by David Adams, had intended to detail why…
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    JoeTrippi.com

  • 2012 – The Year Europe May Prove Politics and Economics Are the Same – and Broken

    Joe Trippi
    31 Dec 2011 | 12:28 pm
    Like many Americans who have watched the economic crisis in the Eurozone I found myself wondering several times over 2011 – “why can’t they get their act together and fix this? Don’t they realize what’s at stake?” I also scratched my head in wonder several times at how the world’s markets kept falling for every new “fix”, no matter how unrealistic, because of an underlying belief that “in the end the politicians will do what they need to do and solve the problem.” So in two trips to Europe as the end of 2011 neared, I decided to look at the Eurocrisis from a political…

  • What Steve Jobs meant to me

    admin
    6 Oct 2011 | 1:22 pm
    I went to school at San Jose State University in Silicon Valley in 1975. I was an engineering major who would try to grab time on red beam lasers to make holograms, or sneak more time on the IBM mainframe in the computer lab – all while maintaining my insane interest in politics. I guess that’s why Steve Jobs meant so much to me. I watched him and was inspired by him from the earliest days as the Silicon Valley we know today was born. Steve Jobs was the person who made me ask the question “what would change people’s lives more? Technology? Or politics?” I was a hopeless early…

  • Issues over parties?

    Joe Trippi
    13 Sep 2011 | 10:57 am
    This is a post from my friend Raymond Glendening. Raymond is a co-founder of Ruckus, a cutting edge online organizing platform that I encourage everyone to check out. Before that, he worked at the Democratic Governors Association and on Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign. I first met Joe Trippi in 2003, while he was orchestrating the Howard Dean presidential run. Dean’s meteoric rise as an outsider was happening, and, for the first time in my political life, an outsider and a rogue had a legitimate chance for a major party nomination. It was clear Governor Dean was being…

  • UN headquarters car bombing in Nigeria kills 18

    Joe Trippi
    26 Aug 2011 | 1:40 pm
    While we all brace for the hurricane, some very saddening news from Nigeria: A car loaded with explosives crashed into the main United Nations’ building in Nigeria’s capital and exploded Friday, killing at least 18 people in one of the deadliest assaults on the international body in a decade. A radical Muslim sect blamed for a series of attacks in the country claimed responsibility for the bombing, a major escalation of their sectarian fight against Nigeria’s weak central government. The brazen assault in a neighborhood surrounded by heavily fortified diplomatic posts…

  • Not your typical politician

    Joe Trippi
    21 Jul 2011 | 3:16 pm
    I’ll give it to Scott Brown: he looks like a Senator. But while some in our Party scramble to find the “heavyweight” to take on Brown next year, I think we have our candidate — Bob Massie. He doesn’t have your typical political pedigree and his background might be outside-the-box, but in this race I think we need a little more Tester or Wellstone than Hillary or Kerry. We’re not going to out-politician Scott Brown. We’re going to make the case that we need a different kind of leader — a bold progressive with a survivor instinct that will take on…
 
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    James Fallows : The Atlantic

  • Reader's Guide to the State of the Union Address

    James Fallows
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:18 am
    The item I posted just before this one is the full 7000+ word official text of President Obama's latest State of the Union address, with a generous amount of marginalia from me. The first few paragraphs are intro about the circumstances and timing of "Year Four" SOTU speeches, given at the beginning of a presidential re-election year. From that point on, if you do a mouse-hover over an underlined passage or anything that looks like a footnote, in blue, a little window will pop up showing side notes for that part of the speech.Thanks to the Atlantic's Jennie Rothenberg Gritz and Clarissa…

  • Annotated State of the Union Speech

    James Fallows
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:58 am
    Mouse over the underlined passages to view annotations.Overall this was an impressive and surprising speech, which accomplished the main goal of a "Year Four" State of the Union Address in a different way from what I had foreseen. Those goals include putting the political opposition in an awkward position in the run-up to the presidential election, and the speech did more of that than I expected.A "Year Four" SOTU is usually only the third State of the Union address a president gives. When a new president has been elected in November, there's typically no SOTU address the following January.

  • If Logic Mattered in These GOP Debates...

    James Fallows
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:39 pm
    ... Rick Santorum would have been declared the knockout winner over Mitt Romney tonight, for backing him into making a plainer, simpler case for the "individual mandate" in health coverage than Barack Obama himself has ever made. (In fairness, Obama was against the individual mandate during the 2008 primaries, which may affect his ability to argue for it now.) I don't see any video posts at the moment, so here's the gist of it tonight, emphasis added:ROMNEY: For the 8 percent of people [in Massachusetts] who didn't have insurance, we said to them, if you can afford insurance, buy it yourself,…

  • More Friendly TSA Tales—Plus, Is It Possible Ever to Change?

    James Fallows
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:45 pm
    These are in five distinct modes. After this I will taper off for a while. Plus, there's another debate to watch!Theme one: making the best of things.As someone that enjoys a drink as much or more than the next guy (and is also frugalish), the fluids rules for flying were a huge bummer for me because it was my practice for morning flights to build myself a nice big bloody mary in a disposable bottle for consumption as I passed my way through the security apparatus and inevitable downtime before the flight.  Rather a good deal compared to the pathetic offerings for top dollar otherwise…

  • Video of 'Irate' Rand Paul vs. TSA

    James Fallows
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:36 pm
    If you haven't seen it already, it is worth checking out this minute-long clip from the Nashville Tennessean, showing Sen. Rand Paul during part of the hour-plus period he was in a TSA cubicle in Nashville because of a disagreement about whether he needed an extra pat-down. Paul is hidden behind the column for the first few seconds of the video, then he emerges holding a cell phone to his ear and sits down in the chair on the left.Obviously this minute doesn't show us everything about one hour; we're not seeing the full context; and so on. But with those caveats, it's worth watching Paul's…
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    Megan McArdle : The Atlantic

  • When Will Housing Hit Bottom?

    Megan McArdle
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:54 pm
    The National Association of Realtors is (quelle surprise!) quite bullish on the future of the housing market.  Not so fast, says Lance Roberts of StreetTalk Advisors:He sees 2012 as another year of lagging sales, considering the average household debt for Americans over the age of 16 comes to $96,229 per person. In addition, the average income before taxes is roughly $54,110 and many Americans have a debt-to-income ratio of 177.8%, making it difficult for them to qualify for a home loan. Roberts says the average median income for a family is $55,000, and the average median home sales price…

  • What Did Ron Paul Know, and When Did He Know It?

    Megan McArdle
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:43 pm
    The Washington Post is reporting that Ron Paul actively signed off on the not-so-veiled racism in the newsletters published under his name in the 1980s.  I'm sure that in the next few days, there will be some hot denials, and some Paulistas and paleolibertarians complaining about the Koch-funded conspiracy to destroy him.  (See, liberals?  You're not the only ones who think that Charles Koch is spending his massive fortune to destroy America).  I think the arguments and counter-arguments about what he knew and when he knew it will be rather beside the point.  It is simply not credible…

  • How Rich Is Warren Buffett's Secretary?

    Megan McArdle
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:20 am
    Thanks to ABC, we now have a number on the difference between Warren Buffett's tax rate, and his secretary's.  According to the network, "Bosanek pays a tax rate of 35.8 percent of income, while Buffett pays a rate at 17.4 percent."Conservatives have swooped on this.  What sort of income is implied by a 35.8% tax rate?  A very, very high one.  Various commentators have suggested that she must be making north of $200,000.Well, it's clear that we're not just talking about federal income taxes, because her claimed taxes are higher than the top marginal tax rate.  They're also higher than…

  • The President's Nostalgianomics

    Megan McArdle
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:34 pm
    I was on Stossel's State of the Union special last night, so I watched the speech in the company of David Boaz, Matt Welch, and Governor Gary Johnson.  I had a lot to say about it on television, which you can watch here.  I thought the speech was better-written and better-delivered than many of the critics I read this morning; it had a lot of good applause lines (along with, yes, the groaner about spilled milk), and the president is stylistically a very good speaker.But I also thought that, three years in, I'd like to see a little more from his speeches than base-pleasing applause lines and…

  • Can the Rise of the Internet Explain D.C. Zoning Fights?

    Megan McArdle
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:32 pm
    Yesterday's post about the internet challenge to brick-and-mortar retail has triggered a number of really interesting discussions in the comments about things like big box supply chains, the sustainability of Amazon's Prime strategy, and the future of teenaged jobs in a world without physical retail.  I highly recommend reading them.One of the sub-discussions caused my thoughts to turn--as they so often do--to neighborhood politics in DC.  Yes, those of you who are sick of my DC-centric posts can tune out now.  The rest of you, read on . . . Many of the urban planning debates that take…
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    The American Scene

  • A Thank You to The Folks Who Made This Site Possible

    Conor Friedersdorf
    19 Jan 2012 | 4:13 am
    Whether this is going to be a fallow season for The American Scene, or its end, or if there will be new posts up tomorrow (for a site with PEG and John Schwenkler and Matt Feeney would be formidable!), I have no idea, but it strikes me as an appropriate moment to offer a few thank yous: – To Reihan Salam, for somehow managing to attract a constellation of writers who would collectively orbit no one but him, and for permitting me the privilege of taking part. – To everyone who began blogging here at the beginning, especially Ross Douthat, whose approach to public discourse has been a model…

  • New Ventures, Too

    Jim Manzi
    18 Jan 2012 | 7:54 am
    I’m sorry to see Noah go, but have already bookmarked his new blog. I’m going to follow his lead in this regard. As many readers here know, I usually cross-post each of my pieces to TAS and The Corner. I think it makes more logistical sense, in a world of RSS, etc. to just put the posts up there. You can find all of my posts, the archive, the RSS location and my email on my author page at NRO. I have a great fondness for TAS, and its greatest strength has always been the commenters. Commenting at The Corner requires free registration, but that’s about it. I do my best there,…

  • New Ventures

    Noah Millman
    17 Jan 2012 | 7:49 pm
    A bit of home news: I’ve just signed on as a regular blogger at The American Conservative. My current page is here. I still expect to post here now and again, but that’s going to be the main outlet for most of my blogging, for the time being anyway. Millman’s Shakesblog is going to continue for a little while longer where it currently lives, and then it’s also going to migrate over to TAC, after they revamp their site, which should be done in about a month. I’m particularly excited about doing more cultural coverage – writing about books, movies and the…

  • Of CEOs, Private Equity Titans and presidents

    Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry
    11 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    Jim Manzi has had an excellent discussion on the relation between Mitt Romney’s professional background and what he might be like as a president. Megan McArdle has also been discussing this at length. I’ve made no secret that I think Mitt Romney should not get the GOP nomination, as now looks inevitable, and should not be the next President, as looks likely if the economy does not improve over the next year (but, on this score, I’ll probably be lucky). I believe that the fundamental and egregious dishonesty that has characterized every step of his political career to date…

  • Romney & Bain: Intention versus Method

    Jim Manzi
    11 Jan 2012 | 8:42 am
    Yuval, Avik Roy, Ramesh, Michael Walsh and Jonathan Last at The Weekly Standard, among many others, have all written perceptively about the relationship between Mitt Romney’s work at Bain Capital and our political economy. I think that this paragraph from Jonathan Last gets to the nub of the issue: Romney’s work at Bain differs in some important ways from how he has characterized it thus far. When Romney says that his goal at Bain was to “create jobs,” that’s not entirely true. As a private equity firm, Bain’s goal was to maximize return on investment (ROI) for a small group of…
 
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    Cafferty File

  • Should debate audiences be allowed to react?

    Katie McLaughlin
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: As the Republican candidates get ready for yet another face-off in Florida for tonight's CNN debate, there's a growing focus on what happens offstage during these events. A piece in The New York Times asks if the news media have been creating too raucous an atmosphere by encouraging audiences to react, in order to create better television. There's no question these debates are more lively when the audience reacts - from applause to cheers and boos. But the reaction from audience members who are partisan toward one candidate or another can distort…

  • Is it good or bad that Newt Gingrich makes establishment Republicans nervous?

    Katie McLaughlin
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Newt Gingrich is sending chills down the spines of establishment Republicans, and it's positively entertaining to watch. These Republicans say things like it would be "a disaster" if he's the nominee, "There's a reason most people who know him best aren't supporting him" and "Newt means losing 45 states." They say they're worried Gingrich would bring back the erratic, chaotic and crazy leadership from his time as House Speaker. What's more, many worry that Gingrich at the top of the ticket would drag…

  • What does it mean for President Obama that Americans' dissatisfaction with the economy has skyrocketed since 2008?

    Katie McLaughlin
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: As President Obama heads out to campaign for re-election, he has his work cut out for him. A new Gallup poll shows Americans are "broadly dissatisfied" with the state of the nation on many issues – and in some cases, that satisfaction has dropped off a cliff since 2008. The most toxic issue for Americans? The economy, which also happens to be the top issue on most voters' minds. Only 13% of those surveyed in this poll say they are satisfied with the state of the economy. 13%. Most ominously for Mr. Obama, that's a 23-point drop since…

  • How would President Obama's second term look different from his first?

    Katie McLaughlin
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: President Obama wants four more years in the White House, but if he wins a second term - which is still a big "if" at this point - it's unclear what exactly it would look like. A piece in Politico describes the president's agenda as "blurry" this time around. Which is a far cry from the 2008 campaign. In addition to "hope," "change" and "Yes we can," then-candidate Obama ran on a long list of issues from health care reform to ending the Iraq war to imposing tighter regulations on Wall Street. He also…

  • How concerned are you about class warfare in this country?

    Katie McLaughlin
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Billionaire investor George Soros warns a class war, including riots in the streets, is coming to the United States. Soros tells Newsweek the Occupy Wall Street movement will grow and turn violent. He says the response to the unrest could become an "excuse for cracking down and using strong-arm tactics to maintain law and order." If things go far enough, Soros suggests it could bring about a repressive political system. This may be a stark view of where the United States is headed, but the idea of class conflict is growing these days. When President…
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    The BoBo Files

  • And then there were three…

    TNM
    19 Jan 2012 | 7:59 pm
    Been awhile since I had time to check in here at the Bobo…   Yes CMBlake…I saw you post and was utterly  awash with guilt for not keeping my promise to keep the home fires lit here at the BoBo (um believe that one and I got some good beach front land in AZ for ya too.)…..but hey, life’s busy these days what can I say? So I guess I will ramble a little about the debacle called the GOP primary ..Here we are for the most part about 9months out from the General Election, with 2 RINO’s and a “cranky old man” (McCain Ver. 2.0)  and  not a true…

  • I’m curious….

    TNM
    3 Oct 2011 | 7:23 pm
    Curious..   …because despite the non stop assault on the 2nd amendment from groups like the Brady Campaign and other anti gun movements like …… Mayor Michael Bloomberg (asshat NY) the Obama administration has been cursorily strangely…. even eerily quiet on the issue…why?   Why is it that even the Clinton administration which by all accounts and according to popular theory was a “centrist” administration (Uh…no they weren’t but thanks for playing) pushed and help passed much more binding and strict laws against gun ownership and…

  • Belly Slapper of the week

    TNM
    15 Sep 2011 | 4:52 pm
    Haven’t had a lot of time to post ..sorry Bobo, life’s kind of crazy these days. But this caught my eye as I gulped a cup of coffee on my way out the door for another day of insanity in the salt mines. On the recent NY Special Election to replace the Roasted Weiner the Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz… “It’s a very difficult district for Democrats,”   BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH……*gasp* I.Cant.Stop.Laughing. Really Debbie? Uh fact check on aisle three please …the last time this district was in GOP Hands? 1923….. No…
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    Obsidian Wings

  • There is no barrel bottom to scrape Friday open thread

    liberal japonicus
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:34 am
    by liberal japonicus I'm not trying to get a rise out of anyone, but in the thread that turned into a copyright discussion, one person (and I'm not going to go back and check who it is, cause it's not really important) posited a situation where iirc a plumber breaks into your house and fixes your pipes. What should pop up but this article, with a story that about some horologists breaking into a place and fixing a clock. The story awaits below the fold The article is about a French group called UX and it had this story: UX’s most sensational caper (to be revealed so far, at…

  • Friends Don't Let Friends

    Doctor Science
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:18 pm
    by Doctor Science ... publish in Elsevier journals. Two years ago, Henry Farrell at Crooked Timber decided that he would no longer referee for, or publish in, journals published by Elsevier. Now Fields Medal-winning mathematician Tim Gowers has reached the end of his patience. He took the no-Elsevier pledge, and there is now a website collecting pledges from other academics. The signers -- over 500 so far -- pledge to not referee, do editorial work, or publish with Elsevier journals "unless they radically change how they operate". What do they mean by that? As was discussed in the…

  • Baltasar Garzón and the tension between national and international laws

    liberal japonicus
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:47 am
    by liberal japonicus This Guardian piece and the accompanying video is well worth your attention. Garzón was the judge who issued an international arrest warrant for Augusto Pinochet for his role in torturing and executing Spanish citizenship, followed by obtaining pursuing two Argentinian generals for the crime of genocide during the Argentinian dictatorship. No slap on the wrist either, one of the generals was sentenced to 640 years in prison. Garzón was also reported to be pursuing Gonzales, Yoo, Feith, Bybee, Haynes and Addington for charges and this New Yorker article gives some of…

  • Breaking News: Equality in NJ

    Doctor Science
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:45 pm
    by Doctor Science N.J. Senate committee advances gay marriage bill. Sprog the Elder and I did *not* make it down to Trenton, as we had hoped, but despite the lack of testimony from me the bill advanced out of committee on an 8-4 party line vote. If I had gotten my head and act together, I would have said that I support same-sex marriage because things that are equal to the same thing are equal to each other. Traditional marriage is between legally unequal persons, man and wife. My heterosexual marriage will be only *proven* to be between equals if there are other marriages around between…

  • Something Strange on the Way to Writing this Post

    Sebastian
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:34 pm
    --by Sebastian You may or may not have been aware that the US government was pushing the Supreme Court to allow warrantless placement of GPS tracking devices with unlimited monitoring.  But it was.  United States v. Antoine Jones The Supreme Court was about to hand down the decision so I was gearing up to write something scathing about an out of touch institution with idiot conservative justices who mistrust government power unless the police have it, and liberal justices who only recognize privacy when it has to do with sexual functions or artistic renderings of sexual functions. But then…
 
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    The American Scene - Politics

  • Of CEOs, Private Equity Titans and presidents

    Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry
    11 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    Jim Manzi has had an excellent discussion on the relation between Mitt Romney’s professional background and what he might be like as a president. Megan McArdle has also been discussing this at length. I’ve made no secret that I think Mitt Romney should not get the GOP nomination, as now looks inevitable, and should not be the next President, as looks likely if the economy does not improve over the next year (but, on this score, I’ll probably be lucky). I believe that the fundamental and egregious dishonesty that has characterized every step of his political career to date…

  • Romney & Bain: Intention versus Method

    Jim Manzi
    11 Jan 2012 | 8:42 am
    Yuval, Avik Roy, Ramesh, Michael Walsh and Jonathan Last at The Weekly Standard, among many others, have all written perceptively about the relationship between Mitt Romney’s work at Bain Capital and our political economy. I think that this paragraph from Jonathan Last gets to the nub of the issue: Romney’s work at Bain differs in some important ways from how he has characterized it thus far. When Romney says that his goal at Bain was to “create jobs,” that’s not entirely true. As a private equity firm, Bain’s goal was to maximize return on investment (ROI) for a small group of…

  • Win, Place, and Show

    Noah Millman
    9 Jan 2012 | 12:57 pm
    Apropos of a couple of pieces linked to by Andrew Sullivan about the future of GOP Presidential politics beyond this year, let me just say this: the race for second place matters, empirically, quite a bit. And the best evidence is this election season. The GOP has a strong penchant for nominating whoever has next “earned their turn.” And very frequently, the way they tell who earned it is by looking at who came in second last time around. In 1976, Ronald Reagan gave President Gerald Ford a run for his money. In 1980, he was the nominee. In 1980, George H. W. Bush won the Iowa…

  • 90% Of Life Is Not Dropping Out

    Noah Millman
    4 Jan 2012 | 12:31 pm
    So the winner of the “Not Romney” caucus turns out to be a pro-life, hawkish, Midwestern, blue-collar, has-been politician in a non-threatening sweater vest who was polling in the single digits – not just nationally but in Iowa – until mid-December. If Tim Pawlenty isn’t on suicide watch yet, he should be. Seriously, though, and I’m not a Pawlenty nostalgist – I’m overwhelmingly likely to be supporting President Obama in November, and no Republican actually running was likely to change my mind about that – but let’s look at the…

  • Antitrust as Self Medication

    Jim Manzi
    4 Jan 2012 | 9:49 am
    Reihan Salam, in a characteristically excellent post here at NRO, points to a paper by Michael Mandel, who is one of the most interesting blogospheric commentators on innovation from a “New Democrat” perspective. Mandel makes the basic point that progressives should not be so gung ho about antitrust enforcement, because big organizations like AT&T Bell Labs and Apple are the anchors of business eco-systems that drive innovation. My experiences – my first job out of grad school was at Bell Labs, and I’ve since started and built a global enterprise software company – lead me to…
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    techpresident.com

  • Chopra: I'm Going Back To Virginia

    Sarah Lai Stirland
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:57 pm
    White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra released the following statement Friday afternoon after news broke that he's stepping down:

  • Nobody's Mad About Twitter's Censorship Move ... Except For the People Who Are

    Nick Judd
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:05 pm
    Over at Huffington Post, Bianca Bosker reports on a growing group of Twitter users who plan to stop using Twitter for a full day tomorrow in protest against company's newly announced ability to censor different tweets in different countries:

  • Aneesh Chopra to Step Down as White House CTO, FedScoop Reports

    Nick Judd
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:46 am
    Over at FedScoop, Luke Fretwell reports that Aneesh Chopra will step down from his position as White House Chief Technology Officer. Fretwell, in a scoop that the Washington Post later followed:

  • Why Nobody's Mad at Twitter's International Censorship Move

    Nick Judd
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:51 am
    Yesterday, to the howls of many, Twitter announced that is launching country-specific versions of its platform, and with them the ability to selectively censor tweets based on the laws of a given country.

  • First POST: Not Ron Paul's Ad

    Miranda Neubauer
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:10 am
    US Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James has ruled that Ron Paul's campaign cannot force Twitter and Youtube to reveal details about "NHLiberty4Paul," a user whom the Paul campaign is accusing of falsely distributing critical videos of Jon Huntsman in his name. PaidContent has more:
 
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    Pacific Views

  • The Big Thirst - a Recommendation

    Mary Ratcliff
    22 Jan 2012 | 10:06 pm
    An insightful body of analysis holds that sudden catastrophes, like earthquakes, fires and great storms, bring people together. They pitch in, cooperate, and ignore the economic and social divisions that previously held them apart. But drought is different. It is gradual and drawn out. An earthquake shudders and is over; a fire blazes and dies; a storm finally passes. But a drought creeps on. Drought doesn’t dissolve differences in the shock of thunderbolt change; it gives people plenty of time to erect defenses, pick sides, and meditate on the defects of their neighbors. Drought divides…

  • Miss America: Auditioning for Center Stage

    Walter Brasch
    16 Jan 2012 | 11:29 pm
    ... by Walter Brasch Tucked between the New Hampshire primary and Ground Hog Day, and directly competing against an NFL playoff game, was Saturday's annual Miss America pageant. Although the headquarters is still near Atlantic City, where it originated in 1921, the pageant-don't call it a beauty contest-has been a part of the Las Vegas entertainment scene for eight years. Apparently, the Las Vegas motto of "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" wrapped itself around the pageant as well, with TV viewership dropping lower almost every year. ABC-TV divorced Miss America in 2004, claiming…

  • Happy New Year

    Mary Ratcliff
    31 Dec 2011 | 11:58 pm
    Today I ushered the old year out by participating in the Portland Christmas Bird Count, an annual count of the birds seen in the winter in the United States. The count runs from December 15th to January 5th and different communities throughout the US pull together teams of volunteers to count every individual of every species in a count circle. This year Portland's species count was 126 with some fine rarities for the area including a snow bunting at the airport. My group found some very nice birds including this common loon and several bald eagles, one even carrying nesting material to its…

  • Pennsylvania Legislators Shoot Down Pigeons - Again

    Walter Brasch
    21 Dec 2011 | 1:19 pm
    ... by Walter Brasch If the first year gross anatomy class at the Penn State Hershey medical school needs spare body parts to study, they can visit the cloak room of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. That's where most of the legislators left their spines. The House voted 124–69, Dec. 13, to send an animal welfare bill back to committee, in this case the Gaming Oversight Committee. The bill, SB 71, would have banned simulcasting of greyhound races from other states. Pennsylvania had banned greyhound racing in 2004. Among several of the current bill's amendments were ones that would…

  • This Quarter's Economic Impact from Global Warming

    Mary Ratcliff
    12 Dec 2011 | 10:50 pm
    The other day a friend and I went to Office Depot to pick up an external Seagate hard disk to use for her backups. When we got there, the only disks available were 1TB or greater - much more expensive than she was willing to pay right now and the sales guy didn't know when they would get more of the smaller disks in stock. That's because Seagate manufactures their hard disks in Thailand and their plants were decimated during torrential flooding that affected 9.8 million people and destroyed 25% of the Thai rice harvest. According to Dr. Jeff Masters in November, the expense from the…
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    Dependable Renegade

  • Um, ohhhh-kay.

    watertiger
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:01 pm
    Via Buzzfeed --WT

  • Banging head slowly

    Tengrain
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:41 am
    --Tengrain (Hat tip: Mr. C. Montgomery Burns)

  • News Briefs

    Tengrain
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am
    News you can use all day "Introducing Mr. Spectacular, Rick Santorum!" Wait... What? Numbers - Guess what, fellow hobos? Maybe the flirtation that we did with electing GOPers is over? Americans want a Dim Congress over a GOP one by 47-41. Weepy can become the lobbyist he's always wanted to be, fat, orange, and drunk. Oh, wait. (Fair Warning! It's a PDF: MSNBC) The kids are gonna be OK - The incoming freshman of 2011 are trending liberal with 71% in favor of marriage equality, and 61% are pro-choice. The GOP has already lost, they are just thrashing around like dinosaurs in…

  • Happy Hour News Briefs

    Tengrain
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm
    News that will drive you to drink Yeah, take THAT liberal media! Endorsements - Hey guys, remember that time when dancing felon Tom Delay destroyed Newticles' chances of winning the felon vote? Me Neither!, but anyway all is not lost! Our favorite (GOP) staff-banging serial adulterer is winning 80% of the felons in Duke Cunningham's cell block! (Voice of San Diego) Secret plan revealed! - That frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter Rick Santorum--who earned a B.A. with honors in political science from Pennsylvania State University in 1980, an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981,…

  • Introducing...

    Tengrain
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:48 pm
    ...Elvis Catstello! sorry... the skinny tie threw me off. --Tengrain
 
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    All Spin Zone Liberal Politics News & Blog

  • 10 Incredible churches infograph…

    rick
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:27 am
    Powered by Christian Rehab

  • Liberal Politics are just the Start

    sean
    1 Oct 2011 | 9:57 pm
    We haven’t updated the site as often as we would of liked but we have some big plans in the future. Stay tuned!

  • 8 Facts About Spending Republicans Forgot About.

    rick
    5 Aug 2011 | 4:52 pm
    Check this out and let us know what you think! Infographic courtesy of Business Loans

  • Ron Paul, and Paulistas, Make the (Sexy and Dangerous) News

    Steven Reynolds
    5 Aug 2011 | 7:45 am
    Surreality and reality hit Ron Paul and the Paulistas this week. First we find that Sasha Cohen’s Bruno will feature Ron Paul getting punked during last year’s Presidential run. He left the set muttering “queer” over and over. Paulistas are whining, and about a Missouri report on militias that targets Ron Paul bumper stickers. Commentary By: Steven Reynolds Ron Paul is also going to make it in the movies, where he will be playing the punkee to Sasha Baron Cohen’s Bruno. The scene, as described in Slate, is really funny. Bruno’s character is the flip side to…

  • Important Admin Note

    Richard Blair
    5 Aug 2011 | 7:45 am
    Commentary By: Richard Blair Sitemeter, which is the service that we use to track traffic on ASZ, is having a nervous breakdown today. Anyone visiting ASZ using Internet Explorer over the past several hours has been receiving an error due to a broken Sitemeter script on their server. This problem does not occur in Firefox. We’ve removed the offending code from ASZ, and will reinstall when the folks at Sitemeter get the problem fixed. Note to Blogmasters: If you use Sitemeter, you’re having the same problem. Simply remove the Sitemeter code from your blog, and the issue will go…
 
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    Latina Lista

  • Calif. Investigates Skin-Lighteners for Dangerous Mercury

    Marisa
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:54 pm
    By Ngoc Nguyen New America Media SAN FRANCISCO — There could be a dark side to skin-lightening creams often found in stores that cater to ethnic communities. Image: Texas health officials linked several mercury poisoning cases to Crema Aguamary, a cosmetic produced in Mexico. Starting next week, California health officials will collect and test a sampling of skin-lightening products in the Bay Area for possible mercury contamination. Health officials launched the investigation in response to a spate of mercury poisoning cases linked to the tainted face creams that are made outside the…

  • TX Latino creates grassroots solution to nation’s illegal immigration issue

    Marisa
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:42 pm
    LatinaLista — Roland Hernandez knows his idea on how to reform immigration is going to make a lot of people mad, but he’s willing to take that chance. Especially, if his idea accomplishes his main goals — rebuilding social security, providing better health care to disabled veterans and getting an accurate census of undocumented immigrants. Hernandez, who lives in Houston, saw firsthand how his dad, a World War II veteran, received substandard healthcare in his last years battling Alzheimer’s. His dad’s low-income status prevented him from affording a higher quality of…

  • Report shows Latinos have their own definition of philanthropy

    Marisa
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pm
    LatinaLista — There’s been a long-held belief that the average Latino household doesn’t give to charities. According to a new study, it’s a belief that should have been recognized as an urban myth long ago. This month, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation released the report “Cultures of Giving: Energizing and Expanding Philanthropy by and for Communities of Color.” The report’s authors found that Latinos are philanthropists — and have always been. Our methods are just a little unorthodox compared to the traditional view of giving. Since philanthropy has always been…

  • Viernes Video: Latino comedy puts a spin on mystery whodunnit

    Marisa
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:47 am
    Calling itself “An Improv Telenovela,” Stallions de Amor takes the mystery whodunnit to new, or low, heights in creating an entertaining English-language web series.

  • Doctors Know Air Pollution Undermines Health

    Marisa
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:54 am
    By Gina Carroll Moms Clean Air Force Doctor’s know! They know that many of their patient’s social challenges are having a profound impact on their health. They know these are by far the most significant and constant obstacles to healing and health maintenance. Doctor’s know that their medical services can only go so far to solve their patient’s health problems. They know that all of their medications and measures are only part of the answer…and often not the most enduring solutions. A recent survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicates that physicians are frustrated by…
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    Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

  • Newt Boost? Rick Bails, Sarah Roars

    craigcrawford
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    ORLANDO — Are Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin fueling yet another Gingrich rise from the dead? In a week of bad news for Newt in Florida he garners hope with a second Palin semi-endorsement plus the sudden departure of Santorum from the state. Local TV and newspapers led their campaign coverage with the former Pennsylvania senator’s decision to give up on Florida. As Santorum leaning voters watched this coverage you have to wonder what they think. My guess is they won’t waste their votes on a candidate who abandoned the state. Further, my guess is that they’ll back Gingrich as the…

  • Debate: Mitt Flattens Newt

    craigcrawford
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:59 pm
    From my Florida GOP debate notebook … One-word review: Mitt rises; Newt crashes; Rick steady; Ron amusing • Call it Mitt’s Lunar Eclipse – blasting Gingrich Moonbase idea could be tonight’s winning moment • Newt shrinking? That giant sucking sound is the GOP conservative vacuum opening up again • Newt so flustered tonight he forgot to say, “Massachusetts moderate” • Been feeling kinda creepy ever since Santorum said “dilly-dally” • Thank heavens nobody can run Ron Paul out this race. Only one who doesn’t need a laugh track • Here we…

  • GOP Scares Maher Back to Barack

    craigcrawford
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Liberal Obama critic Bill Maher tells Anderson Cooper he’s on the President’s side again. The HBO host said that watching Republicans “makes me run back into his arms screaming.” (CNN, 1/25) GOP Debate Tonight CNN 8:00 PM ET

  • No Mex-Mitt After All

    craigcrawford
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:27 pm
    After raising suspicions of political expediency by suddenly talking about his father’s Mexican birthplace, Mitt Romney was put on the spot in a Spanish-language interview. And had to acknowledge it would be a stretch to claim Latino heritage. Still, he waited until the Florida primary to mention his father’s background. Q: “Your father was born in Mexico. Are you a Mexican-American? Could you be the first Hispanic president?” Romney: “I would love to be able to convince people of that, particularly in a Florida primary” (laughing). But I think that might be…

  • Romney: “Banks Aren’t Bad People”

    craigcrawford
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    ORLANDO — No wonder Gingrich phoned in the last debate on Monday in Florida. A devastating $6 million ad was coming to his aid from an “uncoordinated” SuperPAC blasting “Romneycare.” Next day Newt drew 6,000 onlookers in Naples. And polls show no evidence that Mitt’s weeks of millions in advertising and attacks on Gingrich’s “lobbyist” past are doing him much good. Mitt: Banks are People Too Plus, the politically tone deaf Romney managed to use a post-debate event designed to highlight Florida’s crushing home foreclosure crisis by defending bankers: “The banks…
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    Campaign Stops

  • Mitt Romney, the Jacksonville Jaguar

    By DAN SCHNUR
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:16 am
    In less than a week, Mitt Romney went from inevitable to embattled to somewhere in between. Where is he now?

  • Fair Is Fair

    By STANLEY FISH
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:21 pm
    President Obama should keep the focus on unfairness, not inequality.

  • Don't Mind the Gap

    By ANDREW KOHUT
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:01 pm
    Polls are finding that Americans seem less upset by the existence of income inequality than by the perception that federal policies unfairly favor the rich.

  • Deconstructing Gingrich

    By TIMOTHY EGAN
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:30 pm
    Over four decades, Newt Gingrich has perfected the politics of personal destruction.

  • Suddenly, Debate No. 19 Means Everything

    By DAN SCHNUR
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pm
    Mitt Romney has a lot to worry about.
 
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    Indecision Forever | Political Humor and Satire Blog | 2012 Election

  • Our Endorsements: Mitt Romney Ear Worm

    Lisa Beth Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    * Nobody likes Mitt Romney, from Funny or Die. * Yeah, but what does Ice-T have to say about Hillary Clinton? * From Daily Kos, $#*! Mitt Romney doesn't say. * Six photos that prove Joe Biden is the drunk uncle of the United States. * Barack Obama as The Incredible Hulk, via Laughing Squid. * Comedians are the first line of defense against Newt Gingrich, from HuffPo Comedy.

  • YOU DECIDE Caption Challenge: Newt Gingrich

    TheInDecider
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    Click Here for PollOnline SurveyConjoint Analysis | Polls | Mobile Surveys | Feedback TabView MicroPoll Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images

  • President Obama Stimulates the Sexy Song Economy

    Jess Dweck
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    Last week President Obama set American hearts aflutter when he sang a snippet of Al Green's soulful R&B hit "Let's Stay Together" at a fundraising event in Harlem. But Obama's crooning didn't just stimulate Democratic hearts, he also provided a major economic boost to the music industry… Digital sales of Al Green's 1972 hit "Let's Stay Together" are up 490 percent, since a video of the president singing a few bars at a fundraiser surfaced last week. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the song was downloaded about 16,000 times last week…

  • Stephen Colbert on Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in Florida

    River Clegg
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    All is not well in GOP Land (usually called Mordor but for the next few days called Florida). Most voters think Mitt Romney will compromise on his principles to get elected. Newt Gingrich is a philandering egomaniac who wants to make the moon a state. The point is, can you blame the conservative media for supporting the boring, inconsistent guy over the guy whose closest fictional counterpart is Darth Vader? (If Darth Vader were also a philanderer.) The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30/10:30c.

  • Tweet Untweet: The Abominable GOPman

    Lisa Beth Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
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    Lynn Sweet

  • Democratic National Committee slamming Romney in Florida

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:47 am
    WASHINGTON--The Democratic National Committee dogged the Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and with the Florida primary on Tuesday, the DNC team in Florida has been working the ground. The main DNC target remains Mitt Romney, who is advancing in Florida polls as Newt Gingrich looks like he will have a tough time repeating his South Carolina victory last week. On Saturday, DNC Vice-Chair and Mayor of Minneapolis RT Rybak will hold a media availability immediate following the opening of the new Obama for American office in St. Petersburg. From the DNC: "at 2:00 PM. DNC…

  • Obama meets with Jeb Bush, George H.W. Bush

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:36 am
    (White House photo by Pete Souza) WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama met with former President George H.W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the Oval Office on Friday--a visit not put on his public schedule later described as "personal" by the White House. Jeb Bush--the son and brother of presidents--is often mentioned as a presidential contender--but did not jump in the 2012 race. With the Florida primary on Tuesday, Jeb Bush is neutral--denying Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney coveted endorsements. Former President George W. Bush, who preceded Obama, is also staying neutral. Their father…

  • President Obama official schedule and guidance, Jan. 28, 29, 2012

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:38 pm

  • Lynn Sweet on Saul Alinsky: MSNBC's "Hardball"

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:50 pm
    Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy My column on how Newt Gingrich is taking a page from Saul Alinsky's playbook is HERE

  • Obama fund-raiser targets Native American donors. Transcript

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:53 pm
 
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    DavidMixner.com

  • LGBT: Major Survey Says College Freshmen Want LGBT Americans To Get Married!

    David Mixner
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:28 pm
        The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA has released results of a survey of incoming college freshmen in 2011. More than 200,000 first time, full time students participated in the survey. The students at the four year colleges were generally more liberal on marriage equality, abortion and legalizing marijuana than they were two years ago. The students certainly want to get LGBT citizens to the 'church on time"! An amazing 71% of college freshmen believe same sex couples should be able to legally get married. That is up from 64% in 2009. Now if all those…

  • History on Film: Siege of Leningrad and Shostakovich's 7th Symphony

    David Mixner
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:02 pm
        Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his famous 7th Symphony mostly during the Siege of Leningrad by the Germans during World War II. For 900 days, the Nazis attempted first by force to seize the historic Russian city of Leningrad (now restored to its original name St. Petersburg). When they were unable to break the spirit of the Soviet army they established a blockade hoping to starve them into defeat. With no food, no heat in brutal winter weather and no medical supplies the citizens of Leningrad suffered the greatest disaster to befall any city in the world. As they starved and froze…

  • LGBT: Ecuadorian "Change The Gay" Clinics Use Torture

    David Mixner
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
        In Ecuador, clinics have been offering programs to 'cure homosexuality and parents have been placing their children in them. Under the guise of addiction clinic's, these institutions have been using torture and humiliation as means to create behavior modification. The Ecuadorian government has been cracking down on the clinics especially since a CNN Report was aired highlighting the massive violation of human rights. The government recently appointed a new national Health Minister, Carina Vance, who has been an LGBT activist and she has been closing some of the…

  • Shame on Governor Chris Christie....

    David Mixner
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:38 am
      New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie loves to give the appearance that he is tough and often swaggers around loudly proclaiming his views. As he campaigns for the Vice Presidency on a Romney ticket he tells those that disagree how "things are done in Jersey." Wonder if the governor shares with those voters that the way a governor acts these days in Jersey is cowardly? Wonder if tells about a governor of the Garden State distorts history and advances division in order to advance his creeds with the right wing religious extremists who have taken over his party? Bigotry is…

  • Cars As Art: The Classic Cadillac

    David Mixner
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
        Growing up in rural America, the sure sign of a person's wealth was if they were driving a Cadillac. The car has been a symbol of status and success since it first was created by Henry Leland in 1902. It didn't join the General Motors list of cars until 1909. Named after the family that founded Detroit the car has had an up and down history. Recently it has made a major comeback in the luxury field. In 2010 sales jumped an amazing 35% in a time of recession and is now sold around the world. Without question it is the American version of the Mercedes Benz or Rolls…
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    Eunomia

  • Why Does Romney Lie? (II)

    Daniel Larison
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:43 pm
    Last night at the debate, Romney recycled his lame explanation for why he supported Paul Tsongas in the ’92 Democratic presidential primary in Massachusetts (he said he wanted to be able to vote against Bill Clinton). Steve Kornacki reviews the real reasons Romney voted for him and why his ’94 Senate campaign used it as a talking point in his defense: In other words, it was perfectly natural for someone like Romney, a venture capitalist who back then described himself as passionately pro-choice and pro-gay rights and stressed his distance from Reagan-style conservatism, to vote…

  • Iran and Nonproliferation

    Daniel Larison
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pm
    Nikolas Gvosdev draws attention to weaknesses in U.S. nonproliferation efforts: This helps to explain why so many countries of the rising South and East have been reluctant to join the United States and Europe in applying punitive sanctions against the Iranian government: They are reluctant to take steps against Iran that would subsequently sign away their own potential rights under the current nonproliferation system to acquire the full panoply of nuclear technology. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the U.S. approach to Iran’s nuclear program is not providing much long-term…

  • “Not an Inch of Difference”: Romney’s Ludicrous Plan for Managing Relations with Allies and Clients

    Daniel Larison
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pm
    Romney repeated the idea that there shouldn’t be an “inch of difference” between Israel and the United States at the debate last night. This is consistent with what he has been saying throughout the campaign, and the only difference this time was that he said “inch of difference” rather than “inch of space.” It’s also indistinguishable from statements that Huntsman and Perry made in the weeks and days before they dropped out. Consider the absurdity that the presidential nominating contest of the more American nationalist of the two major parties…

  • Iranians Aren’t Going to Help the U.S. Overthrow Their Government

    Daniel Larison
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm
    Jennifer Rubin makes several unwise proposals for Iran policy, but this one jumps out for being the laziest and most underdeveloped: Fifth, regime change in Iran must be the official policy of the United States. We need to provide ample rhetorical and logistical support to the opposition. The notion that this will “discredit” these groups seems increasingly untenable given the regime’s brutal crackdown on its people. I call this the laziest proposal because it has become a default hawkish recommendation that the U.S. support such-and-such an adversarial authoritarian state’s…

  • Will Conservatives Rally Behind Paul in Virginia? Not Very Likely

    Daniel Larison
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:34 am
    Brent Budowsky is extremely optimistic about Paul’s chances in Virginia: If this does not change, the Virginia vote will be a pure play of Romney versus Paul, and also a contest purely of Romney versus the conservative movement, which I would expect to unify behind Paul for the Virginia vote. I would be very pleased with this outcome, but why would Budowsky expect this? This is the sort of prediction one makes because it is so far-fetched and unlikely that no one would expect it. Because the other candidates failed to qualify for the ballot, it’s quite plausible that Paul will…
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    RollingStone.com: RS Politics Daily

  • Barney Frank Is Getting Hitched

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm
    Massachusetts Rep Barney Frank one of the first openly gay politicians in national office confirmed yesterday that he's planning to wed his partner of five years Jim Ready The wedding will take place in Massachusetts the first in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage This and other

  • Newt and Callista's Affair 'Was Common Knowledge' on the Hill

    26 Jan 2012 | 1:14 pm
    Newt Gingrich's affair with his future third wife Callista Bisek at the time an aide in the office of Wisconsin Rep Steve Gunderson was in full bloom on the eve of the Republican Revolution that propelled Gingrich to become House Speaker in 1994 "It was fairly common knowledge on the Hill" a former

  • How Wily Newt Pulled the 'Contract with America' Scam

    26 Jan 2012 | 11:21 am
    Newton Leroy Gingrich is one wily mothertrucker He's calling his presidential platform this year a "21st Century Contract With America" It's a wingnutpalooza naturally endorsing such “timeless American values” as seeking to "establish English as the official language of government" and reducing the corporate tax rate to 125 percent and

  • Obama's Republican Verses

    25 Jan 2012 | 12:07 pm
    At last night's State of the Union address Barack Obama tried to reach across the spectrum from the Occupy set (he referred to income inequality as "the defining issue of our time") to the Tea Party (Obama demanded "No bailouts no handouts and no copouts") Obama introduced a few specific liberal policies

  • Elizabeth Warren Drops by the Daily Show

    25 Jan 2012 | 9:32 am
    Elizabeth Warren former chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel that ran TARP creator of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and currently Democratic Senate candidate in Massachusetts appeared on last night's Daily Show to make a case for an economy that works for America's middle class She told host Jon Stewart
 
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    Blue Hampshire

  • Withdrawn Bills

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:03 pm
    We've been taking a look at some of the proposed legislation for 2012. Here are some of the 175 bills that were withdrawn: 2026 establishing a permanent state defense force. Poor Itse. That he couldn't get this bill through THIS legislature must be breaking his heart. 2045 prohibiting state courts from using a foreign law or legal code in any ruling. Because this happens all the time in NH? I wasn't aware. 2110 establishing a committee to study the economic benefits of processing, storing, and recycling nuclear waste in New Hampshire. Excellent! An opportunity for a bunch of legislators from…

  • They Hate Women

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    Neal Kurk gets on the social engineering train. From Boston.com: A New Hampshire lawmaker wants the state to stop rewarding women who have babies after going on welfare by raising their monthly cash grant -- a move opponents say would penalize the infants for actions by the parents. Rep. Neal Kurk, a Weare Republican, told the House Finance Committee on Thursday that the average monthly increase attributed to a birth of $72.50 wasn't the point of his bill. He said the mothers are behaving irresponsibly for doing something that increases taxpayers' costs. Because with that $72.50, she's going…

  • Randomly Bad

    25 Jan 2012 | 11:03 pm
    HB 1285 AN ACT repealing the state art fund. SPONSORS: Rep. D. McGuire, Merr 8 Apparently Dan McGuire doesn't want any tainted National Endowment for the Arts money coming into NH, and doesn't want NH tax dollars invested in art. Undoubtedly he wants us to think this is a heroic money saving measure. Some of us remember that last year he cosponsored a bill that called for NH taxpayers to spend millions diverting the Suncook River so that his property would have riverfront footage once again.  It's all about priorities. AN ACT abolishing the department of cultural resources. SPONSORS:…

  • Bircher Blues

    24 Jan 2012 | 11:03 pm
    Carroll County House District 2 covers the towns of Albany, Eaton, and Madison. This district used to be represented by the hard working and well respected Representative Bob Bridgham of Eaton. In 2010, a toxic red tide swept through our state, and anyone who had an "R" next to their name was elected. Such was the case in this district. The toxicity was at such an extreme level, that voters in this district voted in a young man from Madison named Norman Tregenza. The most frequent comment about Norm is, "He's such a nice young man, and so polite." Norm's a member of the John Birch Society.

  • ALEC and Its Granite Marionette

    24 Jan 2012 | 6:06 pm
    New Hampshire House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (print only UL):"The [health care compact] bill was absolutely not written by ALEC," Bettencourt said. "It is a classic tactic of the Democrats to demonize every piece of legislation that they don't like as the product of an 'out of state group' to avoid a substantive discussion on the real issues facing New Hampshire. It's a completely dishonest fallacy that they continue to use to distract from the fact that they have no solutions other than a bigger government and higher taxes. The Democrats should produce some evidence of their claim."…
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    Right Wing News

  • Surprise! Democrats Take Secret Cash After Bashing GOP For Same

    William Teach
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:21 am
    The Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel and Alexander Burns are surely going to earn an expletive laden call from the White House for publishing this story (Politico) Democrats have seized on Republicans as the party of unlimited secret money. The only problem: so are Democrats. In recent days, Obama released an ad blasting “secretive oil billionaires” for attacks on him, Nancy Pelosi unveiled a campaign slogan calling for “a new politics free of special interest influence,” and the Democratic National Committee released a web ad accusing Mitt Romney of lying about his ties to ...

  • “Listen To 10 Seconds Of Every Hit Song Of The ’70s”

    Craig Newmark
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:39 am
    If you lived through the 70s, this is pretty cool.

  • Most popular dog names

    Craig Newmark
    28 Jan 2012 | 5:07 am
    The Twihards are everywhere: Bella is #2 for females.

  • GOP Makes Obama Look Good

    Roger Simon
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:32 am
    The Republican field debated for the 19th time Thursday night, and once again, the media promised us it was going to be a “make or break” event. Don’t believe the media. The media say the debates have been the most critical factor in the nominating race so far because the media have been forced to watch them all. And take notes. And write stories. And we want someone to share our pain: Someone like you. Having done my duty and paid attention to all of the debates, and since we do not have another ...

  • On The Economy, Obama Doesn’t Know His “Stuff”

    Alexa Shrugged
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:09 pm
    Cross-posted from AlexaShrugged.com: The man with the plan!  Real Clear Politics has this clip of Obama demonstrating his economic genius: Obama: I Want An Economy “Where We’re Making Stuff And Selling Stuff And Moving It Around” “On Tuesday at the State of the Union, I laid out my vision for how we move forward,” President Obama said at a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada. “I laid out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last, that has a firm foundation. Where we’re making stuff and selling stuff and moving it around ...
 
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    The Brody File

  • Brody File Debate Analysis: The Gingrich Dilemma

    David Brody
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:26 am
    After watching the debate Thursday night, I had one question: Did anyone see Newt Gingrich? Have police put out an APB on his whereabouts because he may have been on stage last night but that doesn’t mean that he was there. The Gingrich that conservatives have come to know and love at these debates didn’t show up. He had a few small moments but you could tell that he is struggling between going on the attack and playing Mr. Nice guy. It’s like he is his own debate consultant telling himself to stay positive and not let Romney get under his skin so he doesn’t come across as angry.

  • Fourth Quarter in Florida

    David Brody
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:27 pm
    A little post-game analysis by Brody File Executive Producer Dana Ritter: This was not Newt's night. He's generally a rock star at debates, and even though tonight was the 19th GOP debate, (Yes, really. Is it just me or does this primary process feel like a season of American Idol? We are finally down to the ones who can really sing, and just when you thought one was the best, someone brings it hard and changes your mind?) Newt seemed a little off his game. And Mitt Romney brought his A-game. In the past, Romney has gotten good debate grades because he rose above the other candidates and…

  • Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Says God Is in Control of Events

    David Brody
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:21 pm
    In a one-on-one interview with The Brody File, Newt Gingrich says God is in control of events and explains that he prays before major speeches and debates. “I think I had an epiphany in that sense of Christ coming into my heart, in my 20s, and I felt born again. I think it’s a very deep part of me, and something that leads me, for example, to pray before every major speech and before every debate.” As for God being in control of events he tells me, “It’s always God’s will. That’s a point that my wife reminds me of regularly.” The interview was done Tuesday morning in Tampa,…

  • Exclusive: Gingrich Says 'My ability to organize and orchestrate things would be vastly greater than a normal politician'

    David Brody
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pm
    In a one-on-one interview with The Brody File, Newt Gingrich says he can fulfill the promises he’s making to evangelicals because, “I think one of the differences between me and the other candidates is that I have organized very large projects… so I think that my ability to organize and orchestrate things would be vastly greater than a normal politician.” The interview was done Tuesday morning in Tampa, Fla. Watch the clip below along with the full transcription. Mandatory Courtesy: CBN News/The Brody File Stay in the know. Get The Brody File Weekly: Some may scratch their heads…

  • Exclusive: Gingrich to Evangelicals: My Past Weaknesses Make Me 'More Normal'

    David Brody
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:42 pm
    In a one-on-one interview with The Brody File, Newt Gingrich says that he has “not hidden from the facts of my life, that I have confessed my weaknesses” and he believes that, in part, is a reason why evangelicals are able to get behind his candidacy. He goes on to say that, “it may make me more normal than somebody who wanders around seeming perfect and maybe not understanding the human condition, and the challenges of life for normal people.” (Dig at Romney???) The interview was done Tuesday morning in Tampa, Fla. Watch the clip below along with the full transcription. Mandatory…
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    The Spectacle Blog

  • Kevin White, R.I.P.

    Aaron Goldstein
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:43 pm
    Former Boston Mayor Kevin White passed away tonight at the age of 82. He had been afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease for more than a decade. White had Boston's top job for sixteen years. First elected in 1967, White won wide praise the following year when he convinced James Brown to broadcast his concert at Boston Garden on WGBH following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Indeed, White actually introduced Brown onto the stage. As a result, Boston was largely spared of the riots which befell other American cities. In 1970, White unsuccessfully ran for Governor against liberal…

  • Tune In

    Ross Kaminsky
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:38 pm
    I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be hosting The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver's NewsRadio 850 KOA, the premier talk station in Colorado, and one of the iconic radio stations in the western United States, having been around since the 1920s. The show will air on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM Mountain Time, though it will be frequently pre-empted in whole or in part for Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies games. For anyone who's interested, there's a "Listen Live" link at the top of the web page, and for those who listen to podcasts, they'll be available here (regular web…

  • Americans for Tax Reform Responds to Coburn

    Jeffrey Lord
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:53 pm
    As readers will recall, we had an exchange earlier in the week revolving around Senator Tom Coburn's views of Newt Gingrich. In the doing we heard from Dr. Coburn's office and published their view, with a mention of Grover Norquist's American's for Tax Reform. Grover's ATR has now responded, and in the spirit of equal time, here is the response from John Kartch of ATR: Dear Jeffrey: Dr. Tom Coburn is a hero when he fights duplicative, wasteful government spending but his fight for a massive tax increase as part of a grand bargain with President Obama and congressional…

  • Musharraf Postpones Return to Pakistan

    Aaron Goldstein
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:58 pm
    Pervez Musharraf has postponed plans to return to Pakistan to re-launch his political career. Earlier this month, the former Pakistani military ruler had announced he would end more than three years of self-imposed exile in London and Dubai. However, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has warned that Musharraf will be arrested upon arrival to face charges related to the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. But perhaps the biggest reason Musharraf isn't returning is because hardly anybody in Pakistan would shed a tear if he were arrested and tried given his heavy…

  • Reaganite Foreign Policy

    W. James Antle, III
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:46 pm
    The Elliot Abrams business Jeff uncovers does raise some interesting historical points: 1. Some who bill their foreign policy preferences as "neo-Reaganite" today were fairly critical of Reagan's actual foreign policy in the 1980s, even as they remained part of the Reagan coalition. 2. The neoconservatives were an important part of that coalition, but Reagan didn't always do everything they advised. 3. This should remind us that Reagan really deserves a lot of the credit he gets for his handling of the Cold War. He threaded the needle on confrontation vs. accomodation with the Soviets almost…
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    The Reality-Based Community

  • How pleasant it is when friends come from afar!

    Mark Kleiman
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:24 pm
    A side-benefit of the Republican primaries; I'm finding points of agreement with Red bloggers.

  • Legacy

    Mark Kleiman
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:44 pm
    Is Gingrich or Romney the true heir of Reagan? Depends on which aspect of Reagan's legacy you regard as central.

  • Kwicherbitchin Dep’t

    Mark Kleiman
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:30 pm
    I don’t know why everyone’s so exercised about Google’s targeted Web ads. Seems to me the system has excellent taste. Three times in the last two days it’s offered me When Brute Force Fails: How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment, one of the best books ever written about crime, the product of an [...]

  • “Voter fraud” fraud

    Mark Kleiman
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:24 pm
    Those 950 dead people voting in South Carolina? The first six names checked out included zero incidents of fraud.

  • Weekend Film Recommendation: American Movie

    Keith Humphreys
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:57 pm
    Chris Smith was an unknown would-be director attending film school in Milwaukee when he met a fellow would-be filmmaker named Mark Borchardt, whose career could not have looked very promising. Smith wisely made the decision to make Borchardt the subject of a documentary, and the result is a movie that succeeded artistically and financially more [...]
 
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    Bleeding Heartland - Front Page

  • Iowa Democratic operative retains high-powered Republican defense attorney

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pm
    Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker will represent Zach Edwards, a Democratic operative who is charged with attempting identity theft against Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz. Edwards was arrested in Des Moines on January 20: According to the Criminal Complaint, on June 24, 2011, Edwards fraudulently used, or attempted to use, the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and/or Secretary Schultz's brother, Thomas Schultz, with the intent to obtain a benefit, in an alleged scheme to falsely implicate Secretary Schultz in perceived illegal or unethical behavior while in office.

  • Schultz Raises Dead Voter Scare Again

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:18 am
    Our Secretary of State still wants to see your ID. Make that a photo ID with an expiration date on it, please, so your Iowa State student ID card will not suffice.  You need it unless you vote absentee, or get someone to swear you are really you, or swear it yourself if you are in a nursing home and can't vote like other absentee voters. Or unless you have a religious objection or swear you are indigent. In those last two cases we break out the dreaded provisional ballots again.With that many loopholes his new bill offers way more inconvenience, hassle, confusion, and expense for the…

  • IA-01, IA-02: Braley and Loebsack vow to fight for Rock Island Arsenal

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:55 am
    Yesterday U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta revealed some proposed cuts to the military budget, part of a plan to save $487 billion over the next decade. Click here or here for details on the reductions, which will slow the rate of growth in defense spending but are far from the "massive cuts" opponents decry. Representatives Bruce Braley (IA-01) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) responded to yesterday's news by promising to fight for defense-related jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal, a major employer in the Quad Cities area. Braley has represented the Iowa side of the Quad Cities since 2007, but…

  • Final GOP Florida debate discussion thread

    26 Jan 2012 | 7:03 pm
    Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul spar tonight in Jacksonville, their last debate before next Tuesday's Florida primary. Several polls released this week have shown slight leads for Romney, but Gingrich is still in contention. It helps that a couple of wealthy supporters have given a pro-Gingrich super-PAC $10 million. A large chunk of that money is funding anti-Romney television commercials in Florida. CNN is broadcasting tonight's debate, with Wolf Blitzer moderating. I'll update this post later with highlights. Any comments about the Republican presidential race are…

  • Democratic Super-PAC running tv ad in IA-03, polled IA-04

    26 Jan 2012 | 8:57 am
    The House Majority PAC, a super-PAC created last year to help Democrats win back control of the U.S. House, is running a television commercial criticizing Representative Tom Latham, the Republican candidate in Iowa's new third Congressional district. House Majority PAC is also showing interest in Iowa's fourth Congressional district. Yesterday the group released topline poll numbers from eight House races, including the IA-04 contest between Representative Steve King and challenger Christie Vilsack. Follow me after the jump for the anti-Latham ad video and transcript, as well as further…
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    PopUpCommontater

  • Ann Barnhardt – at her best!

    commontater
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:19 am
    Filed under: AmeriCAN think!, Let's do Virtue!, Speak truth to power, Sunshine please, The Virtuous

  • A ponderous poem: ‘To imprison us All’ by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

    commontater
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:43 am
    To imprison our memories, they gave us revisionist history. To imprison our present-day minds, they made us drink fluoride. To imprison our biology, they gave us prescription medications. To imprison our ideas, they created intellectual property laws. To imprison our legal identities, they created social security numbers. To imprison our children, they gave us vaccines. To imprison our mental health, they gave us psychiatry. To imprison our agriculture, they created genetically modified seeds. To imprison our soils, they created chemical pesticides. To imprison our sense of self worth, they…

  • “Where Have the Rebels All Gone”

    commontater
    10 Nov 2011 | 3:31 am
    “Where Have the Rebels All Gone” by: danny tate and john brannen (c) 1985* “Come on all you saints and sinners, refugees of life, Is there one among you with the heart to stand alone and fight Is there anyone in this land who isn’t tired and old I’m just looking for one misfit with a motorcycle soul Restless winds are blowing in the streets Who will rise above this crowd and challenge destiny….” *Borrowed from. Filed under: AmeriCAN think!, Let's do Virtue!, Quality journalism, Sunshine please, The Virtuous

  • NEWS STEW 9.07.11

    commontater
    8 Sep 2011 | 3:22 am
    1. Seeing as I’m posting this on the fly, let’s begin with my favorite owl. No, not the Great Horned owl but rather, Owl Gore, aka The Big Kahunowl aka Owl de Bore aka Owlfidgety aka Owl Hat, No Catastrophe. ..git my drift?  The global-smarming evidence-gathering headhunter ‘rebukes Obama’ today for copping-out under pressure from polluters regarding new restrictions on pollution-spewing humanoids.  tsk, tsk.  Shame on us! 2. Anyhoo, The Big Kahunowl had this to say on his blog today: “Instead of relying on science, President Obama appears to have bowed to…

  • DRUDGE: Obama takes charge at hurricane command center.. (to command Hurricane DUD!)

    commontater
    27 Aug 2011 | 7:15 pm
    Image borrowed from Drudge Per Drudge: Obama takes charge at hurricane command center. Riiiiight!!! Spare me. I says Prez-O takes command of…. the puniest, least deadly, most-hyped-up hurricane DUD in 50 years!!  You heard me.  HURRICANE DUD! And the MSM “weather” experts blew this so all out of proportion they ought to hang their heads in shame.  Oh.  That’s right.  SHAME is so passe′. Filed under: America woke up!, AmeriCAN think!, Audacity of Nope, Change we can deceive in, Current (e)vents, Daily dump, Mock-n-Awe, MockMedia, Our earth, Wordpress Political…
 
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    The Washington Independent

  • FCC to modernize low-income broadband Internet access program

    Marcos Restrepo
    10 Jan 2012 | 9:36 am
    Pic: Flickr/Oslo in the Summertime On Monday, Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski announced changes that would modernize the agency’s Lifeline program to give greater broadband Internet access to low-income Americans. Lifeline has traditionally provided “discounts on one basic monthly telephone service (wireline or wireless) for qualified subscribers.” While announcing a series of Lifeline reforms, Genachowski said, “Which brings us to the final but perhaps most important reform: beginning the process of modernizing Lifeline from telephone service to…

  • Local Michigan county wants to force meds on HIV criminal suspect

    Todd Heywood
    10 Jan 2012 | 8:38 am
    Sangeeta Ghosh, assistant corporate counsel for Kent County, Mich., says should the 51-year-old man charged in two cases of failing to disclose his HIV-positive status to sexual partners make bail, the county is prepared to ask a court to force him to take antiretroviral medications. “The county is taking steps that if he gets out, we will file a civil matter to make sure he takes his medications,” Ghosh told The American Independent. Ghosh was speaking of the Comstock Park man who turned himself in to Grand Rapids police Dec. 22, alleging he attempted to infect hundreds of people…

  • Michigan Rep. Hoogendyk preparing to challenge Upton in 6th Congressional District?

    Todd Heywood
    10 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    Former Michigan state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk is likely to announce next week that he will challenge Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) in the GOP primary in August. Hoogendyk unsuccessfully challenged Upton for the seat two years ago, when he was able to garner only 43 percent of the vote, in spite of significant support from the tea party movement. Upton out-raised and outspent Hoogendyk — with Upton reporting $2 million in fundraising and spending to Hoogendyk’s $62,000. The über-conservative former lawmaker is expected to announce his decision Jan. 17 at a noon press event in…

  • Right-wing think tank leaks salaries of Florida public employees via new website

    Ashley Lopez
    9 Jan 2012 | 4:33 pm
    The Foundation for Government Accountability logo (Photo: Facebook) The Foundation for Government Accountability debuted a new website Monday — an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees: FloridaOpenGov.org. The website is almost a replica of a project by Foundation President Tarren Bragdon at his last place of employment, the Maine Heritage Policy Center. According to a press release from the organization, the website is a compilation of “about 35 million public records detailing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending and payroll by state, county, municipality and…

  • Ski industry exploited ‘lax regulatory environment’ under Bush, says former Forest Service official

    Troy Hooper
    9 Jan 2012 | 2:05 pm
    Going to court may be “the best way” to resolve a dispute over water rights between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Ski Areas Association, according to a former Forest Service ski area permit coordinator. “Frankly, litigation may be the best way forward on this issue,” Ed Ryerson wrote in a letter last week to Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), defending his ex-employer’s ability to regulate water on forest lands. In his letter, Ryerson, who coordinated the Forest Service’s ski area program from 1992 until his retirement in 2005, excoriated “the ‘bad actors’ in the ski…
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    Booman Tribune

  • Some Music

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    The video sucks and the audio could be better, but it's the only version I could find, and I felt like posting it. Lyrics. Pirates was such a great album. Discuss

  • New Hampshire Legislator Thinks TSA Patdowns Are Worse Than Domestic Violence

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Overnight, Steven D told us about House Bills 1581 and 1608, which were filed by Republicans in the New Hampshire legislature, and which could significantly endanger victims of domestic violence in the state. HB 1581 has two co-sponsors. One of them is Representative George Lambert. Domestic violence obviously doesn't bother him as much as this does: Lawmakers and residents engaged in heated debate Tuesday over a bill that would make random airport security pat-downs and body scans criminal in New Hampshire. The bill (HB628-FN) "makes the touching or viewing with a technological device of a…

  • Question: Iran, Israel, the US and War

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Having read the entire NYT article by the Israeli journalist, Ronen Bergman, discussed by BooMan here, I was struck by his report of the extraordinary comments the outgoing head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, made to a group of Israeli journalists in Late 2010 or early 2011 (Mr. Bergman is unclear on the exact date), just prior to Dagan being forced out by Netenhyahu and Barak, as well as the comments of another prominent Mossad official and former Israeli Cabinet Minister, Rafi Eitan: “The use of state violence has intolerable costs,” he said. “The working assumption that it is possible to…

  • Will Mitt Use Dogwhistle Attacks on Obama?

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Let me begin by stating that I believe in the end, Romney will win the Republican nomination. Mott has too much money, too much organization and opponents with a tendency to self-destruct. Newt at some point will implode. He always does. It's just a question of when. So the long term problem for Mitt (once his nomination is secure) is how to convince the public that he's a great guy who deserves to be President, and has a plan for a brighter future. He has to convince the American people that he has a positive vision for our country, one that will get people back to work and return our nation…

  • GOP Hates Citizens United, Too

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Recently, some Republicans have begun to reconsider the merits of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Just yesterday, John McCain said this: "As you know, I think the outside super PACs and others is so disgraceful that I'm ashamed of the United States Supreme Court in their decision on United," Sen. John McCain said Wednesday, in reference to the 2010 Citizens United decision that opened the door to unlimited spending by corporations in elections. Jonathan Chait recently did a piece for New York magazine that explained how the Supreme Court's ruling…
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    Politics » George Stephanopoulos

  • Vice President Biden Calls Gingrich Food Stamp Charge ‘Ridiculous’

    George Stephanopoulos
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:04 am
    Vice President Joe Biden defended President Barack Obama’s State of the Union message calling for greater economic fairness, saying that statements by Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich accusing Obama of promoting food stamps are “ridiculous.” Following the president’s speech last night, in which he called for greater economic fairness on taxes between the wealthy and middle class, Gingrich released a statement saying, “He will always prefer a food stamp economy to a paycheck economy and call it fair.” “It’s hard to respond to Newt…

  • Biden: Obama Ordered Somalia Rescue Because of American’s ‘Failing’ Health

    George Stephanopoulos
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:01 am
    Vice President Joe Biden said American aid worker Jessica Buchanan’s health was the reason President Obama authorized last night’s special operations rescue operation in Somalia. “They said it was the time, the opportunity.  Jessica’s health was, was in a word, ‘failing,’ and they concluded they should go at this time and the president gave a go,” Biden told me on “GMA.” He wouldn’t go into details, but Biden said “it’s safe to say” the mission went without a hitch. “One of the things we know from before…

  • White House Advisor: Mitt Romney Tax Release Shows We Need to Change Tax System

    George Stephanopoulos
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:11 am
      EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images Mitt Romney’s tax releases show he earned more than $42 million over two years and paid approximately a 14% effective tax rate- the same as someone earning an annual salary of $70,000. Romney said he pays all his taxes and not a dollar more. The White House says this proves we need to change our tax code. “I do think it raises a general point about our tax system here,” Senior White House Advisor David Plouffe told me on “GMA.” “The point is we need to change our tax system. We need to make sure that middle class…

  • Power Players: Make or Break Time in Florida

    George Stephanopoulos
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:28 pm
    ABC News and Yahoo! News launched a new show called Power Players. Every morning HERE at 9am you’ll be able to view the latest political analysis from Jake Tapper, Jonathan Karl, John Berman, Amy Walter, Rick Klein, Yahoo! Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian and me with George’s Bottom Line. Here’s our first installment looking at the week ahead for Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich: Two big debates, Romney’s tax returns and my number one question, can Romney hold off Gingrich’s momentum heading into the January 31st Florida primary? Take a look and let me…

  • Newt Gingrich Wants Freddie Mac Records Released Before Florida Primary

    George Stephanopoulos
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:56 am
    Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images In response to lobbying accusations from his opponents Newt Gingrich told me it would be “very helpful” if his former company, Center for Health Transformation, released the consulting contract he had with mortgage giant Freddie Mac before the Florida primary on January 31. “I think it would be very helpful and our attorneys are talking with the company. You know I left the company so, it’s their decision and Nancy Desmond, the president of the company, has to make the decision. But I’d be very comfortable releasing them,”…
 
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    Dandelion Salad

  • Free-Market Medicine – A Personal Account by Michael Parenti

    dandelionsalad
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:59 am
    by Michael Parenti Featured Writer Dandelion Salad Michael Parenti Blog www.michaelparenti.org January 27, 2012 When I recently went to Alta Bates hospital for surgery, I discovered that legal procedures take precedence over medical ones. I had to sign intimidating statements about financial counseling, indemnity, patient responsibilities, consent to treatment, use of electronic technologies, and the [...]

  • Libya: Detainees tortured and denied medical care by MSF UK

    dandelionsalad
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:49 am
    Dandelion Salad MSF UK 26/01/2012 Detainees in the Libyan city of Misrata are being tortured and denied urgent medical care, leading Médecins Sans Frontières MSF (Doctors Without Borders) to suspend its operations in detention centres in Misrata. MSF teams began working in Misrata’s detention centres in August 2011 to treat war-wounded detainees. Since then, MSF [...]

  • Ralph Nader: Obama is committed to projecting the American empire

    dandelionsalad
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:38 pm
    Dandelion Salad democracynow on Jan 25, 2012 democracynow.org – Responding to President Obama’s State of the Union address, longtime consumer advocate and former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader says Obama’s criticism of income inequality and Wall Street excess fail to live up to his record in office. “[Obama] says one thing and does another,” Nader says. “Where [...]

  • Obama’s “State of Delusion Address”: Rebuilding America With War Crimes by Finian Cunningham

    dandelionsalad
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:28 pm
    by Finian Cunningham Featured Writer Dandelion Salad Ethiopia 25 January 2012 From beginning to end, Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech was replete with delusion and falsifications. His promise of building an “America that lasts” was predicated on a sentimental, but utterly disingenuous notion of selfless teamwork. The invocation of American military “heroes” and [...]

  • Chris Hedges and Lawrence Lessig on The Corporate Coup d’Etat

    dandelionsalad
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:54 pm
    with Chris Hedges Featured Writer Dandelion Salad Jan. 24, 2012 OccupyTVNY on Jan 24, 2012 On January 20th, occupiers across the country rallied together in protest against the insidious influence of the corporations over the judiciary. Shortly before the rally in Foley Square, New York CIty, Lawrence Lessig and Chris Hedges met before O-TVNY’s cameras [...]
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    international

  • David Skelton: Mitt Romney's inability to attract blue-collar voters mirrors David Cameron's problems in 2010

    Conservative Home
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:16 am
    David Skelton is Deputy Director of Policy Exchange. You can follow him on Twitter @djskelton. Newt Gingrich’s annihilation of Mitt Romney in the South Carolina primary served to highlight the Republican front runner’s biggest weakness – he finds it difficult to empathise with blue collar voters. His campaign was found out in a state where unemployment is a major issue and where the blue collar vote is crucial. Mitt Romney’s problem isn’t dissimilar to the bind faced by Conservatives in the UK. Despite having almost perfect electoral conditions at the last election, the Tories…

  • Oops! Australian Labor MP caught red-handed plagiarising Hollywood

    Conservative Home
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:16 am
    By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter. Anthony Albanese MP, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in Australia's minority Labor Government, launched an attack on Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott. Abbott's aides thought they'd heard the speech before. They had. Mr Albanese had lifted the remarks from the Hollywood movie 'The American President', starring Michael Douglas.

  • Tim Montgomerie: Romney will be the Republican nominee and with Rubio as his running mate he can win

    Conservative Home
    4 Jan 2012 | 12:02 pm
    A shorter version of this piece appeared on Comment is free. It was almost poetic that Mitt Romney should score 25% in the Iowa caucus and win by just eight votes. The narrow result encapsulated the lack of enthusiasm for the man who Ann Romney introduced, last night, as “the next President of the United States”. Most Republicans probably agree with her. They saw the recent opinion poll that gave Romney an 8% lead over Obama in a general election match up. That’s the biggest yet but it’s part of the problem. A ConHomeUSA survey of grassroots conservatives found that nearly two-thirds…

  • Australia's John Howard receives great honour from Queen

    Conservative Home
    1 Jan 2012 | 9:06 am
    By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Oned of the greatest conservative leaders of our time - Australia's John Howard - has been appointed to the Order of Merit. Only 24 people are members of this Order at any one time and all are handpicked by the Queen. 'I'm very honoured,'' Mr Howard told the Sydney Herald. ''It's a compliment to Australia and a recognition, among other things, of the respect the Queen has for this country. I'm very grateful for it.'' Mr Howard has long been a supporter of the constitutional monarchy and was Prime…

  • In historic rejection of Climate Change Plan A, Canada's Conservative government pulls out of Kyoto

    Conservative Home
    13 Dec 2011 | 2:27 am
    By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Cameron may have said "no" to Europe. Canada's Conservative Government has said "no" to the world. The Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent yesterday pulled his country out of the Kyoto Treaty. In this short statement he said that he wasn't willing to impose massive costs on his country's economy while other nations continued to increase emissions: "A previous Liberal government signed on to Kyoto in 1997 with no intention of ever meeting targets – then did nothing for years – Canada was lagging well…
 
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    The Best Defense

  • Parsing the new promotion list for Army 2 stars: There are some good signs here

    Thomas E. Ricks
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:51 am
    By Douglas A. Ollivant Best Defense department of Army-ology Determining the state of cultural change in the Army is not an exact science. However, if you believe, as I do, that "personnel are policy," then who the Army selects as its next generation of senior leaders is an important -- even critical -- indicator. This is not to say that reading any particular promotion list is a clear lens into the inner workings of the Army -- far from it. I once memorably heard it said that interpreting messages from any one promotion list is akin to the old Sovietology of trying to determine who…

  • Obama is on top on foreign policy issues, but unfortunately Americans don’t care

    Thomas E. Ricks
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:34 am
    This is the first presidential election in many decades, I think, in which the Democrats have the upper hand in foreign policy and national security. I have only dim memories of the 1964 campaign, but I recalls Lyndon Johnson having an advantage over Barry Goldwater in that area. Hard to remember that now, in light of how badly LBJ handled the Vietnam War in the following four years. Ironically, Obama is likely only to get a small boost in votes for this, because -- just a bit more than a decade after 9/11 -- Americans frankly don't give a damn about foreign policy, Scarlett. By a 81 to 9…

  • Rebecca’s War Dog of the Week: Memorial for first female handler KIA

    Thomas E. Ricks
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:31 am
    By Rebecca Frankel Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent On January 12, a bronze plaque was unveiled in front of the kennels at Fort Belvoir bearing the facility's new name: "Sgt. Zainah "Caye" Creamer Military Working Dog Kennels." It was a year ago to the day that Sgt. Creamer succumbed to wounds she sustained in Afghanistan after her unit was attacked by an insurgent's IED. She was the first "female working dog handler to be killed in action during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars." Sgt. Creamer and her detection dog Jofa had deployed to Afghanistan in October…

  • The Air Force chief's 2012 reading list: A C+ for book selection, but overall a B+

    Thomas E. Ricks
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:14 am
    By Lt. Col. Thomas Cooper, USAF Best Defense aviation literature correspondent Earlier this month the Air Force released the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's (CSAF) Reading List (CSAF). One of the non-flying things I've looked forward to in the past 16 years of my Air Force career is the CSAF's list. Ever since the first one from General Ron Fogleman in 1996, the list has presented books about the Air Force and its history that I've never heard of. Sadly, when I opened up this year's list, there were no books that I hadn't already heard of or enough that reached back into Air Force heritage…

  • Gingrich: A variant on a drinking game

    Thomas E. Ricks
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:10 am
    Every time the grandiose one says the word "frankly," slap yourself in the forehead. In my experience, it is a verbal tic that means he probably is stretching the truth -- and knows it. (Another of his tics is the word "fundamental" -- every time he does that, grab your crotch. Before he does.)
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    Politics4All Latest Blogs

  • Come clonare hard disk semplicemente

    28 Jan 2012 | 3:17 am
    In rete troviamo vari strumenti attraverso cui è semplice clonare hard disk gratuitamente. Tra i programmi migliori troviamo Easeus Disk Copy che risulta essere veloce da utilizzare. Come prima cosa bisogna creare un cd tramite il quale avviare il computer utilizzando l'applicazione. Una volta completata l'operazione risulta essere possibile avviare il cd con il cd e viene avviata la procedura per fare la clonazione del disco. La copia può essere poi trasferita su un altro computer in modo decisamente rapido usando il cd salvato. Clonare l'hard disk costituisce anche un mezzo…

  • Charm is in the eye of the beholder

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:04 pm
    This is the cause that Manchester model escorts are able to be discovered on a fantastic gallery online. This consists of the name of each design, as well as a sensual picture showing off her body. There are all types of ladies to select from. Some are blondes, while others are brunettes. Their body types are also various short of for one thing; they are hot. A ton of individuals could not believe that a girl like this is available to them in a process that can take a matter of just seconds. An internet booking can be organized for you to satisfy at a location chosen by you, or nicely put…

  • Scams aimed at taxpayers during tax season

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:19 pm
    Any time of the year presents opportunities for scam artists. They do not choose one particular time of the year to do their dirty work.  During the tax filing season, their activity usually increases as taxpayers become more vunerable. However by using a little common sense, most Americans can thwart them. One of the thieves’ favorite targets is stealing identification. Early in the year, they will be seeking the forms that are needed for income tax filings, such as 1099’s, W-2s, income statements, and any other paperwork that includes Society Security numbers. Learn how to…

  • Voter identification laws may effect 2012 election

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:27 pm
    Because of changes to state laws that require voter ID, voting could be more difficult for some Americans http://www.examiner.com/social-evolution-in-national/voter-identification-laws-may-effect-2012-election

  • Campaign: Gingrich inaccurate during debate clash over ex-wife

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:08 am
    Gingrich campaign admits to CNN it did not provide "several" friends to rebut Marianne's claims about "open marriage" request from http://feeds.cbsnews.com/~r/CBSNewsHorserace/~3/xv08QzA6Qqk/
 
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    POLITICOMIX

  • The Moonpranos

    Roberto
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:14 am
    Click comic to ENLARGE.One of the planks of Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's campaign platform is the establishment of an inhabited American colony on the moon, within eight years of his election. Gingrich is apparently the only person on earth who doesn't think that's an absolutely crazy idea, but 384,000 kilometers above us, a few guys are taking the possibility very, very seriously.

  • Scorpions for Breakfast

    Roberto
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:36 am
    Click comic to ENLARGE.Governor Jan Brewer met President Barack Obama when his plane landed in Mesa, Arizona Wednesday, saying she had wanted to hand deliver an invitation to sit down with her to discuss state issues. Brewer was photographed wagging her finger at the president, and later said Obama "was a little disturbed about my book" [Scorpions for Breakfast] and called him "very thin-skinned".Obama later said, "I think it's always good publicity for a Republican if they're in an argument with me." It certainly did prove good for book sales. 

  • NEWS FLASH: Mitt Makes Millions

    Roberto
    22 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm
    Click comic to ENLARGE.

  • The American Way

    Roberto
    17 Jan 2012 | 7:42 pm
    Click comic to ENLARGE.

  • New World Order

    Roberto
    17 Jan 2012 | 6:22 am
    Click comic to ENLARGE.
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    The Left Coaster

  • Elizabeth Warren on the Daily Show

    Mary
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:43 pm
    The Daily ShowGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook Passionate for the right thing.

  • Three Books

    paradox
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:58 am
    I’d like to spend 750 words linking three books I think are worthy for political and social science, something I’m much more comfortable with than yesterday’s Samuel Jackson wannabe tirade against Governor Brown. I hadn’t written in forever, I didn’t want to do it, my health has gone to hell and nothing generates more scathing contempt in me than a perception of running from a fight, especially against Republicans. Whatever, I should be a studious, deliberatively calm social scientist advancing truth for the little people like Professor Silva trained me, yes I remember, perhaps one…

  • This Doesn’t Work At All, Governor Brown

    paradox
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:43 am
    California is currently facing a chronic revenue shortage, so instead of getting to work and into a fight our brave Jerry Brown wiggled himself into a laughably stupid, destructive and ludicrous leadership solution: hold a special election to raise taxes! We live in a representative democracy, Mr. Brown, your complete abdication of the concept makes it even more of a mockery for the little people, sir, but I can assure you we set up the place that way. We held an election in 2010 so you could do your job, not so you could fail before even trying and then turn to us with another election.

  • There's Debt and Then There's Debt

    Mary
    23 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm
    Wow, oh wow. Digby finds Romney bewailing the unfairness of institutional debt in Florida. "Yeah. It's just tragic, isn't it? Just tragic, just tragic," Romney said. "We're just so overleveraged, so much debt in our society, and some of the institutions that hold it aren't willing to write it off and say they made a mistake, they loaned too much, we're overextended, write those down and start over. They keep on trying to harangue and pretend what they have on their books is still what it's worth." Considering how he parlayed his millions into hundreds of millions by exploiting debt, it is…

  • A few interesting news links and a movie review!

    Oly Mike
    22 Jan 2012 | 11:57 am
    Well, the snow is melting, the power is coming back on in the Puget Sound region and the sky was blue yesterday afternoon. The snow was really pretty for a day. then it was really wet and sloppy for a few days. Now it's gone.Here is a news report from OilPrice.com: Study Finds that Childhood Leukemia Rates Double Near Nuclear Power Stations hmmm... that doesn't sound good. I think the jury is in on nuclear power. TEPCO buried the Fukushima nuclear reactors and the industry, but the fallout from the experiment with "cheap" nuclear power will be with us for a long time. Frontline just came out…
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    YouTube Videos

  • Money & Politics: Liberate Health Care

    TheStreetTV
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:01 am
    Money & Politics: Liberate Health Care Money & Politics: Liberate Health Care From: TheStreetTV Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 03:11 More in Science & Technology

  • A TYT Family Affair: Epic Politics Boy's letter to Kyle Williams goes viral

    Current
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:15 pm
    A TYT Family Affair: Epic Politics Boy's letter to Kyle Williams goes viral "Epic Politics Man" Michael Shure's son, Owen, has become an overnight sensation -- for writing a reassuring letter to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams after Williams lost the big game, something Owen took very hard. "I just wanted him to stop crying," Michael says, "so I said, 'Think about how bad he feels.'" Ben Mankiewicz -- also part of the Young Turks family -- wrote about the letter and the far less adorable responses Williams was getting on…

  • The Future of Technology Politics

    lockergnome
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:59 pm
    The Future of Technology Politics joe.pirillo.com - My dad offers his thoughts on the influence of the internet and technology on politics. You can watch the entire live TLDR episode here: youtu.be www.gnomies.com http profiles.google.com twitter.com www.facebook.com From: lockergnome Views: 5079 214 ratings Time: 13:10 More in Science & Technology

  • South Carolina: Where Traditions Meet Modern-Day Politics

    VOAvideo
    19 Jan 2012 | 9:42 am
    South Carolina: Where Traditions Meet Modern-Day Politics South Carolina is steeped in traditions -- traditions that have an impact on present day politics. VOA's Suzanne Presto reports from Columbia, South Carolina, the capital of the state that soon will the host the first primary in the southern United States. From: VOAvideo Views: 88 1 ratings Time: 03:13 More in News & Politics

  • Joel Osteen on faith and politics

    CBS
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:04 am
    Joel Osteen on faith and politics Lakewood Church Senior Pastor Joel Osteen speaks with Charlie Rose and Gayle King about preaching, prayer and politics. He also offers thoughts on Mitt Romney, Mormonism and Tim Tebow. From: CBS Views: 331 9 ratings Time: 08:28 More in News & Politics
 
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    Politics in the Zeros

  • Magnetic soap? Why it could be a good idea

    Pat H
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Magnetic soap (Credit: Image courtesy of Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL)) It may sound silly at first, but the discovery of magnetic soap could lead to a way to reclaim soaps used in industry and in disasters like oil spills. Scientists from the University of Bristol have developed a soap, composed of iron rich salts dissolved in water, that responds to a magnetic field when placed in solution. The soap’s magnetic properties were proved with neutrons at the Institut Laue-Langevin to result from tiny iron-rich clumps that sit within the watery solution. The generation of this property in a…

  • Romney’s UBS Account–Doing Business with Holocaust Profiteer

    Jan Tucker
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:42 am
    UBS tried to deep six documents of holocaust victims’ bank accounts, so why did Romney park his money there? Am I the only person in the world that this has occurred to? Mitt Romney had a $3 million dollar account in UBS (United or Union Bank of Switzerland).  Why would he leave his money in a bank that got caught with its pants down trying to destroy records of holocaust victims’ accounts? Heroic Security Guard Christoph Meili refused to destroy holocaust victims’ bank records and blew the whistle on his employer, UBS This link tells the story of Christoph Meili who heroically…

  • Bad craziness at Firedoglake

    Bob Morris
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:07 am
    Franz Walsch takes the fall at firedoglake  Who knew that FDL was so freaking important that DHS, K Street, Stratfor, and probably the Lemurians are trying to destroy it? Sound like the usual “legends in their own mind” leftie syndrome. The circle gets smaller and smaller as it spins faster and faster and soon you think you’re actually in the center of things. But you’re not. Yes, I have been there.

  • Supermarkets target customers with food stamps

    Bob Morris
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:13 pm
    Forget upscale buyers. Supermarkets are aiming their hours and product mix at those with food stamps, featuring bulk sales early in the month. Food stamp are a $55 billion market. It’s certainly a bad omen that supermarkets, at least the low- and mid- range stores, want those with food stamps. if the economy doesn’t improve many more will suffer and Obama might not get reelected.

  • Biomass power for the poor in India

    Bob Morris
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:19 pm
    Husk Power System, a company in India, has developed mini biomass power generators that now provide power to those who never had electricity. The power is generated from agricultural waste After five months of R&D, they developed a system that could produce 32 kilowatts of power by burning 50 kilograms of rice husk per hour. In the last four years, they’ve installed over 80 biomass mini-plants across Bihar, bringing power to more than 32,000 rural households.
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    Free Government Magazines and Downloads from alltop.tradepub.com

  • Government Analytics: Set Goals, Drive Accountability and Improve Outcomes

    24 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    Analytics solutions can help, letting staff understand the results of spending, track progress against goals and share information with citizens. This white paper provides an overview of the many applications of analytics for public organizations.Request Free!

  • Continually Improve Program Outcomes: Measure What Matters and Gain Detailed Insight Into Program Performance

    24 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    Predictive analytics relies on data to align your organizations current actions with its future objectives. So your agency can optimize resources and meet responsibilities by helping identify trends in people's activity, behavior or attitudes --and then plan, effective, efficient responses.Request Free!

  • Making Critical Connections: Predictive Analytics in Government

    24 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    Predictive analytics can help your agency make critical connections. Predictive analytics technologies combine advanced analytical techniques with decision-support capabilities. Solutions incorporating predictive analytics enable various types of government organizations to explore data and gain insights that lead to informed decisions.Request Free!

  • Bloomberg Government: Business Implications of Government Actions

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:20 pm
    Bloomberg Government is the single source for professionals who need to understand the business impacts of government actions so they can work quickly, decisively and effectively. This comprehensive, subscription-based, online tool collects best-in-class data, provides high-end analysis and analytic tools, and delivers deep, reliable, timely and unbiased reporting from a team of more than 2,300 journalists and multimedia specialists worldwide.In this revealing study, Bloomberg Government discusses the need for the U.S. government and corporations to plug cyber-security gaps that threaten the…

  • International Railway Journal

    9 Jan 2012 | 1:50 pm
    International Railway Journal, introduced in 1960 as the first truly international railway trade publication, covers the rapidly developing railway marketplace for railway and rail transit managers and engineers, suppliers, and consultants worldwide. IRJ's editorial coverage encompasses national railways worldwide, and public transport authorities in every city known to operate an urban rail system.Request Free!
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    Bob McCarty Writes

  • Armed Forces Day Book-Signing Event Set

    BobMcCarty
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:42 pm
    I received word this morning that I’m back on schedule to hold an author event (a.k.a., “book-signing event”) on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 19, 1 to 3 p.m., at Barnes & Noble Booksellers Mid Rivers in St. Peters, Mo. Click here for news about other book-signing events related to my book, Three Days In [...]

  • Talk Radio Alert: ‘The Dana Show’ Friday Afternoon

    BobMcCarty
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pm
    I’ll be making a guest appearance Friday afternoon on The Dana Show on FM NewsTalk 97.1. During the show’s last half hour, starting around 3:30 p.m. Central, host Dana Loesch and I will discuss an exclusive article I published Monday about a new Weldon Spring Cancer Report I obtained from the Missouri Department of Health [...]

  • American Legion Publishes Positive Review of Book

    BobMcCarty
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:41 am
    Good news! Today, the American Legion’s Burnpit published a 1,700-word article about the book, Three Days In August: A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier’s Fight For Military Justice, which chronicles the life story and wrongful conviction of former Army Green Beret Sgt. 1st Class Kelly A. Stewart. The article, written by Army war veteran and [...]

  • P.C. Prosecution of ‘Haditha Marines’ Nears End

    BobMcCarty
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:18 pm
    Enough political correctness!  The trial of Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, one of the so-called “Haditha Marines” mentioned in the foreword of my book, Three Days In August: A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier’s Fight For Military Justice, ended today when he agreed to plead guilty to one count of negligent dereliction of duty, according [...]

  • Missouri Health Agency Officials Refuse to Answer Questions About New Weldon Spring Cancer Report

    BobMcCarty
    23 Jan 2012 | 1:23 pm
    On March 11, 2011, a major earthquake off the coast of Japan triggered a tsunami that, in addition to killing more than 15,000 people, contributed to the disaster at the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant — the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.  After watching the Fukushima disaster unfold for three weeks, I began [...]
 
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    I Hate the Media Article Feed

  • Obama fanatic threatens to kill AZ sheriff Arpaio

    Bonfire of the Absurdities
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:27 am
    A “fanatical supporter” of President Obama is the prime suspect in an investigation into an Internet death threat against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Obama did urge his supporters to get in people’s faces and talked of bringing guns to knife fights, but this incident was undoubtedly provoked by Tea Partiers opposing Obamacare and Sarah Palin saying “target.”

  • Germany wants Greece to give up budget control

    Bonfire of the Absurdities
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:53 pm
    Germany wants Greece to give up budget control. Yeah, that’ll work. Germany wants Greece to yield control of its budget “for a certain period of time” in return for a second 130 billion-euro bail-out package. Greece needs to strike a deal with creditors in the next few days or risk chaotic default. The can has just about run out of road to be kicked down.

  • No need to panic about global warming

    Bonfire of the Absurdities
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:21 pm
    “A large and growing number of distinguished scientists and engineers do not agree that drastic actions on global warming are needed.” Heretics have laid siege to Father Al’s Church of the Perpetual Climate Change Disaster. Sixteen scientists signed this letter to the WSJ. God bless ‘em all, every one.

  • Uniter president achieves historic divisiveness

    Bonfire of the Absurdities
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:49 pm
    Divider, not uniter: Obama’s 3rd year is the most polarized presidential 3rd year by a wide margin. Must be all that reach-across-the-aisle sweet talk of his. Stay tuned – a president’s 4th year is generally his worst in this regard.

  • Five-Year Treasury yield hits record low

    Bonfire of the Absurdities
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm
    Five-Year Treasury yield hits record low. The MSM will be spinning today’s 2.8% 4Q GDP into a “things are gettin’ better, REELECT OBAMA!” baloney sandwich like they were overpriced windmills. The bond market says something different. Investors pouring into 5 yr bonds at a .76% yield says we’re turning Japanese, they think we’re turning Japanese, they really think so.
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    Mario Piperni dot Com

  • Republicans Preach A “Keep ‘em Stupid” Policy

    mario piperni
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:46 pm
    President Obama at the SOTU. “Higher education can’t be a luxury — it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford,” Obama said in his speech. An obvious enough statement, right? Well, not for the buffoons performing in the Republican clown show. “It’s no wonder President Obama wants every kid to go college,” Santorum said Wednesday in Florida, according to CBS News. “The indoctrination that occurs in American universities is one of the keys to the left holding and maintaining power in America. And it is…

  • Gingrich Takes A Thrashing

    mario piperni
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:48 pm
    After the beating Gingrich took last night, it’s hard to imagine under what scenario he can make a comeback.  Florida is going to Romney and for Gingrich to regain the momentum he had coming out of South Carolina would take a miracle or two.  Last I heard, God wasn’t granting miracles to lying, hypocritical, influence-peddling, serial adulterers posing as Jesus-loving historians. Mitt Romney was in top form last night, mock anger and all, standing up to the bully by effectively returning the lies and bullshit which Gingrich has been tossing for the last couple of months with an…

  • Late Night Political Humor

    mario piperni
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:57 am
    My pickings via Political Humor. With a bunch of the late night guys on vacation, we have a short list today. “Actually, Rick Perry pulled out of the presidential race yesterday – which is bad news for the guys on death row in Texas. He’s coming home and he’s not in a good mood.” –Jay Leno “Rick Perry dropped out of the presidential race. When asked what went wrong, Perry said, I guess America is not ready to elect a dumb guy from Texas. But in time.” –Conan O’Brien “Rick Perry has dropped out of the race to spend more time getting…

  • Republicans Get Ready For Florida Cage Match

    mario piperni
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:35 pm
    Here are three reasons you can count on tonight’s Republican debate being a lively one. a) The latest poll shows Romney retaking the lead over Gingrich. Newt is always more feisty in the underdog role. b) Gingrich has the entire Republican establishment battling him. They understand that a Gingrich win in the primary, not only guarantees an Obama victory in November but just about rips open the Republican party. Gingrich needs to win Florida to keep the momentum going…and the cash flowing in. c) They’re allowing the crazies in the audience to applaud and boo at…

  • Political Cartoons of the Day

    mario piperni
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    “They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” ~Ronald Reagan in a Labor Day speech, 1980 Happy Thursday. R.J. Matson Joe Heller Deb Milbrath John Cole Paul Fell Chan Lowe ___ Follow MarioPiperniDotCom on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
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    Hit & Run

  • Florida Republicans Hit the Polls Early

    Garrett Quinn
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:34 pm
    Jacksonville, Fla.—Why does Florida, the fourth largest state in the union, have only 50 delegates up for grabs in Tuesday's Republican primary? Quite simply, the state crossed the powers that be. Florida violated the rules passed by the Republican National Committee that require Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada to be the first four states to vote in the nominating contest and was therefore stripped of half of its delegates. If Florida had followed the rules the state would be sending 100 delegates to the Republican convention in Tampa this August.  The official GOP critiera…

  • Tim Cavanaugh Talks Golden State Stagnation on Good Day L.A.

    Reason Magazine
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:12 pm
    Reason.com managing editor Tim Cavanaugh appeared this morning on FOX 11 Los Angeles. Topic: California Gov. Jerry Brown's is pushing for steep tax hikes even though the state's economy has shown no signs of recovery and its unemployment rate is still the second-highest in the nation.  More than two-thirds of Californians support tax increases, according to a Public Policy Institute of California pollster who uses the phrase "Therein lies" so it's clear he knows what he's talking about.  The Tax Foundation reports that California's tax climate is the nation's third-worst for business. …

  • Newt Gingrich's Florida Poll Numbers Sagging, Five More Eurozone Countries Downgraded, Facebook to Go Public, Iran Threatens its Own Oil Embargo: P.M. Links

    Lucy Steigerwald
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:45 pm
    Newt Gingrich's soft(er) stance on immigration is not helping his poll numbers in Florida. The demise of the Eurozone continues; Fitch Ratings downgrades the debt of Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Cyprus, and Belgium. Ron Paul challenged Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, and Gingrich to "a 25-mile bike ride...in the heat of Texas" during last night's debate. Facebook is preparing to go public, perhaps by next Wednesday. Iran has economic weapons, too. They've threatened to stop exporting oil to Europe, though they're letting U.N. weapons inspectors into the country on Sunday. The 10th Circuit Court of…

  • Ron Paul Roundup: Campaign in Maine, Praise By Palin; Winning the Younger (Jack) Welchs and Blackedout Again

    Brian Doherty
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:42 pm
    *The Bangor, Maine Daily News on Paul dealing with his bad polls in Florida by campaigning in Maine: Declaring the “freedom movement alive and well,” Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul kicked off a two-day statewide tour in Bangor on Friday with the hope of convincing enough delegates to support him at Maine’s caucuses, which begin next weekend. Paul, the 76-year-old Congressman from Texas, is the only current GOP candidate who has yet to win a state’s primary or caucus, but he has been racking up delegates in many states and hopes to continue that trend in Maine. “We came…

  • Free Markets Save the Planet

    Nick Sibilla
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm
    A startling new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals a free-market way to thwart climate change: Create a free market in energy. Fatih Birol, chief economist at the IEA, estimates that 37 nations spent $409 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2010. (By comparison, renewables received $66 billion in that same year.) Impressively, if fossil fuel subsidies were eliminated, this would avoid 750 million tons of CO2 by 2015, and could potentially save over 2.5 gigatons of carbon by 2035. The latter is 70 percent of what the European Union currently emits. In total, by ending…
 
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    Geoff Robinson

  • Why the 1967 referendum would be defeated in 2013

    admin
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:40 am
    Recent analyses of public opinion In the United States have confirmed the significance of racial resentment for evaluations of Barack Obama. The report of the committee on the constitutional... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • A French left without workers?

    admin
    22 Jan 2012 | 6:19 pm
    The rise of the French National Front evokes alarm on the left. Actually I think Marie Le Pen is unelectable whoever she runs against. The Presidential system in France was introduced to marginalize... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • From World War II to the ‘war on terror’

    admin
    22 Jan 2012 | 5:44 pm
    Comparisons between the ‘war on terror and the Cold war as common but Kenan Malik makes the argument well: in the absence of the ideological struggle against communism, the war on terror... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Kerry Packer & Australian conservatism

    admin
    19 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm
    Read Paul Barry’s Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer Uncut. It sheds much light on Australian conservatism and Australian capitalism: Purveyors of Keating romanticism should consider the close linkage... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • From Freidrich Hayek to Ron Paul & Rick Santorum

    admin
    8 Jan 2012 | 1:14 am
    How are we understand divisions in American conservatism? Of the top three candidates in the Iowa caucuses two, Ron Paul & Rick Santorum, have expressed dissent with aspects of contemporary... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    THE SECOND CHANCE SHEEPDOG

  • Politicians and NASCAR Drivers

    The Second Chance Sheepdog
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:52 am
    A friend of mine shared the picture below on Facebook a few days ago, and I've noticed it's starting to make the rounds on the Internet. I decided it was so good that I just had to "borrow" it and share it. However, I may need to offer NASCAR drivers an apology for doing so.

  • Music Monday with Building 429

    The Second Chance Sheepdog
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:30 am
    The Sheepdog's gonna mix it up again with this week's Music Monday. I started the year with hard rock and metal. Then, last week, I toned it down just a bit with The Rolling Stones. Now, I change it up again, and do so with another "newbie" - a Christian band that has not appeared on my Music Mondays before. Today's featured artist is Building 429. They've became one of Christian music's most popular bands in only about five short years. These guys began playing together in the late '90s, but their big shot came about around 2003 when they signed on with Word Records. The Word deal led to…

  • "Fuhgeddaboudit"

    The Second Chance Sheepdog
    19 Jan 2012 | 1:52 pm
    Image via Wikipedia I'm a big fan of mobster / gangster movies. A few of my favorites are Goodfellas, Casino, and The Untouchables. There's also the classics - Scarface and The Godfather I, II, and III. One reason is the action and the shooting, of course, but another is because these movies always have some great, memorable one liners and quotes. Many of us use some of them at one time or another. Recently, I've been thinking about some of those one liners. Most of the time it's after I hear a news report about the 2012 race for the White House, or if I see an image of Mitt Romney or hear…

  • "Stoned" on Music Monday

    The Second Chance Sheepdog
    16 Jan 2012 | 9:16 am
    First of all, let to apologize to my readers and e-mail recipients for the fact that today's Music Monday didn't post early this morning. The Sheepdog had some technical difficulties. I'll do better next Monday. That being said, let's get to today's music. After starting off 2012's Music Mondays with metal bands, I decided to mix it up a bit today with a different genre and by featuring a band that has not appeared on my Music Mondays before. At times, this band has been a little controversial, but they have continued to make good music since they formed back in 1962. Sometimes, they are…

  • 20 Million in 2012

    The Second Chance Sheepdog
    13 Jan 2012 | 3:04 pm
    There are a number of campaigns going on in 2012. However, none of them is as important as the newest one from Donate Life America. Their new "20 Million in 2012" Campaign has the potential to make a significant, lasting difference in the lives of Americans all over the country. The campaign's mission is simple - drastically increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors across the country. One way Donate Life America will accomplish this is through four (4) special nationwide events, including a Donate Life Flash Mob in March, the Donate Life Blue and Green Virtual Fashion show in…
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    ARCTV

  • SOPA on the Ropes?

    Bryan Olive
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:04 pm
    Don Watkins discusses SOPA and PIPA, bills purportedly designed to stop intellectual property theft. This PJTV interview was posted on January 20, 2012.

  • Conservatism vs. Objectivism

    Bryan Olive
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:22 pm
    Ayn Rand speaks on the philosophically opposite approaches of Objectivism and conservatism.

  • The Great Depression and the Broken Window Fallacy

    Bryan Olive
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm
    Yaron Brook discusses the economics of the Great Depression, with an explanation of the broken window fallacy, a common error in economics. This is excerpted from the Q&A at a lecture delivered by Dr. Brook on December 1, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois, titled “Why Bad Economics Won’t Go Away.”

  • The Final Four in South Carolina

    Bryan Olive
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:44 pm
    Don Watkins discusses the remaining GOP presidential candidates, and the South Carolina primary. This PJTV interview was posted on January 20, 2012.

  • Leonard Peikoff Podcast #200

    Bryan Olive
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:21 pm
    This edition of Leonard Peikoff’s weekly podcast is an interview with Yaron Brook, testing whether an Objectivist could be a viable presidential candidate. This is Part 2 of a two-part interview.
 
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    RealClearPolitics - Homepage

  • Democrats Are Still Hoping to Face Romney

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:36 am
    Kimberley Strassel, WSJNewt Gingrich's South Carolina bump is fading, and polls show Mitt Romney again leading in Florida. A Romney victory in the Sunshine State could sew this up.It won't be because Mr. Romney has become a better or more effective candidate. Primaries exist to help with that process, to let contenders read signals from the political landscape, to adapt, become stronger. Successful politicians absorb the signals and change up. Not Mr. Romney. If politics were evolution, the governor would still be swimming in the primordial soup.

  • Seven Myths About Challenger Disaster

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:34 am
    James Oberg, MSNBC

  • It's Now the GOP Establishment vs. the Tea Party

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:27 am
    Sarah Palin, Facebook

  • Gingrich Struggles to Snap Florida Slide

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:27 am
    Alex Altman, Time

  • Bolstered by Debate, Romney Goes on Offensive

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:07 am
    Ashley Parker, NY Times MIAMI &quot;&rdquo; Mitt Romney might have felt on Friday that he had finally gotten his groove back. Mitt Romney spoke Friday at a lunch at the Hispanic Leadership Network conference in Miami. A little earlier, Newt Gingrich addressed the group, too. A one-stop destination for the latest political news "&quot; from The Times and other top sources. Plus opinion, polls, campaign data and video.Coming off a strong debate performance on Thursday night and with polls showing that he is ahead of his main rival, Newt Gingrich, in…
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    E.J. Dionne Columns and Blog Posts

  • Obama’s rhetorical shift from hope to teamwork

    E.J. Dionne Jr.
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:23 pm
    It was to be expected that, in the course of his State of the Union address, President Obama would mention the killing of Osama bin Laden, whose death represented the culmination of the battle against terrorism that began on Sept. 11, 2001. Read full article >>

  • E.J. Dionne Jr.: The bipartisan side of a campaign speech

    E.J. Dionne Jr.
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:17 pm
    Much will be made, and properly so, of President Obama’s State of the Union address as a campaign message challenging the Republicans on fundamental questions. But before we all get to the partisan and ideological analysis, let’s look at a number of ideas Obama offered that ought, in principle, draw a lot of support from conservatives and Republicans. Read full article >>

  • E.J. Dionne Jr.: A new Mitt meets a new Newt

    E.J. Dionne Jr.
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:22 pm
    For the first time in all of the debates, Newt Gingrich had to play serious defense tonight in Tampa. Mitt Romney seemed an entirely different candidate than the lackluster guy who appeared in last week’s two debates in South Carolina. Taking Gingrich on from the very beginning of this encounter, he attacked and attacked and attacked again. Gingrich, who seized control of last Thursday’s debate by attacking CNN moderator John King, was forced to reply over and over to Romney’s attacks. Romney set the agenda. Gingrich responded. Read full article >>

  • Newt Gingrich exploits politics of class and culture

    E.J. Dionne Jr.
    22 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm
    Conservatives may denounce class warfare, yet by shrewdly combining the politics of class with the politics of culture, Newt Gingrich won his first election in 14 years, humbled Mitt Romney and upended the Republican Party. Read full article >>

  • E.J. Dionne Jr.: Surge, thy name is Gingrich

    E.J. Dionne Jr.
    21 Jan 2012 | 8:47 pm
    Yes, there was a Gingrich surge in South Carolina and, yes, the debates really, really mattered. According to the exit polls, more than half the voters in Saturday’s primary said they made up their minds within the last few days, and these voters went for Newt Gingrich over Mitt Romney by 2-to-1. About two-thirds of the voters said the debates were an important factor in their vote, and they went for Gingrich 5-to-2 over Romney. Read full article >>
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    Hotline On Call

  • FEC Wrap: Friday News Dump Edition

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:45 pm
    Here's your end of day FEC wrap, complete with several news dumps from some campaigns looking to unload some poor figures heading into the weekend: Senate: -- Former Rep. Heather Wilson: The Republican Wilson raised an underwhelming $375,000 and finished with $1.1 million in the bank. That's likely better than Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, who has struggled to raise money, but it's a bit behind the pace set by Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich, who pulled in $483,000 raised and banked almost $1.4 million. Wilson's numbers are not disastrous, but they are nothing to write home about, either. -- Indiana…

  • Poll Shows Presidential, Senate Races Deadlocked In Va.

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:29 pm
    Virginia is shaping up to be one of the lynchpin states for both parties in their pursuits of the White House and control of the Senate this November, and a new poll shared with Hotline On Call shows the two races at the top of the ticket deadlocked less than 10 months before Election Day. The poll, conducted in mid-January by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research for a private client, shows President Obama and Mitt Romney neck-and-neck, while former Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine run dead even. Obama leads Romney in the race for the commonwealth's 13 electoral votes…

  • Previewing the Sunday Shows

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    Just two days before the Florida primary, the Sunday Shows are focused on the Sunshine State this weekend. Face the Nation will broadcast live from Miami, FL, for its first one-hour episode this weekend, finally joining its peers after years of lobbying for a longer time slot. Host Bob Schieffer will be joined by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., who will talk about the Republican presidential race, as well as her own reelection campaign, as well as Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus and Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz who will talk about…

  • GOP Field Against Bob Casey to Be Narrowed this Weekend

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm
    In the early stages of the Pennsylvania Senate race, the field of Republicans vying to challenge Democratic Sen. Bob Casey has been described as crowded and without any clear frontrunner. But that could change this weekend when the Pennsylvania GOP state committee meets to decide on an endorsement on Saturday. In the aftermath of the official party selection, three GOP candidates will be left as relevant factors in the race to take on Casey: The Establishment Choice: GOP operatives in Pennsylvania, including those working for rival campaigns, expect businessman Steve Welch to win the party…

  • Kind Leaving Door Open to Walker Challenge

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:33 pm
    One Democratic name to keep an eye on the all-but-certain Wisconsin recall election: Rep. Ron Kind, who is leaving the door open to a possible run and is hinting he will zero in on a decision soon. The LaCrosse Tribune: Kind wouldn't say if he plans to run for governor -- as many have encouraged him to -- or even if he plans to seek re-election to Congress. "Right now I've got a full plate, and I'm focused on what I'm doing in Washington," the La Crosse Democrat said Thursday during a news conference on the pending farm bill. Pressed on whether he's ruled out a run for governor, Kind said,…
 
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    FrumForum

  • Message for the Commenters

    Noah Kristula-Green
    6 Jan 2012 | 8:23 pm
    Hello everyone. David and I have been in meetings all day but we made time to check in on the comment thread announcing the move to the Daily Beast and Newsweek. The support in the comments has been remarkable. However, there seems to be some misunderstanging going around so we wanted to clear up a few things: 1. Although David has been mandated with writing excellent magazine pieces for Newsweek, he will still be blogging regularly at The Daily Beast. In fact, we will be getting our own Andrew Sullivan-style blog. As of my most recent meeting, the url will be:…

  • All Good Things…

    David Frum
    6 Jan 2012 | 9:09 am
    -FrumForum Goes Live FrumForum launched itself almost exactly three years ago, on Inauguration Day 2009. Over the subsequent interval, our hundreds of contributors have reached more than 5 million individual readers. I like to think that together we have helped to move the national debate. When we launched, Sarah Palin was a leading candidate for president and Glenn Beck was broadcasting conspiracy theories on cable TV. Three years later–not so much. OK, maybe we can’t claim all the credit. But we won’t refuse some fair share. Now like all good things, this adventure is…

  • Gridlock Forever

    Steve Bell
    5 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pm
    Far from yielding an ambiguous electoral outcome, the Iowa caucuses solidly confirmed the Balkanization of the Republican Party, a fact that will lead to potential electoral failure in 2012 unless neutralized soon. These internal divisions hurt the party’s leadership in Congress in 2011; they have already improved Democratic chances to retain the Senate, gain substantial seats in the House, and keep the White House in 2012. Super-imposed on this chaos is a 2012 Congressional legislative schedule that virtually no one on Capitol Hill believes has a snowball’s chance in hell of ever…

  • It’s Time to Debate Birthright Citizenship

    Howard Foster
    5 Jan 2012 | 3:04 pm
    Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has introduced a bill to repeal “birthright citizenship.” It’s probably the most significant immigration reform bill introduced in Congress since 1965 when nation quotas on immigration were repealed. That revision in the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) significantly changed the racial and ethnic composition of the country and the number of unskilled immigrants. Whether you believe the change has been good, or not good (my view), we can all agree that such a far-reaching change in the INA should have been the subject of vigorous two-party debate. That…

  • Heed McCain’s Warning on Immigration

    Jeb Golinkin
    5 Jan 2012 | 12:32 pm
    Someone should listen to John McCain. Asked by First Read whether he thought Arizona was in play this election cycle, McCain reportedly responded “I think that if not this election cycle, the demographics are that Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, even Texas will all be in play.” The Senator then added, “We have to fix our problems with the Hispanics.” McCain is absolutely correct. As I have noted previously, the demographic tides are indeed shifting rapidly within the United States in ways that do not favor the GOP. Specifically, Hispanics are growing at a much faster clip than the…
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    ThinkProgress

  • Open Thread Plus Cartoon of the Week

    Joe Romm
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Opine away!

  • Group Delivers Hundreds Of Tacos To Connecticut Mayor Who Insulted Latinos With ‘Tacos’ Comment

    Travis Waldron
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Trays of tacos delivered to Mayor Maturo (Photo via New Haven Independent)Latinos in East Haven, Connecticut delivered hundreds of tacos to the town’s mayor Thursday, just two days after he made a flippant, derogatory comment about them while discussing alleged police discrimination and violence in his community. In the wake of those allegations, Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. was asked what he would do to reach out to the Latino community. “I might have tacos when I go home, I’m not quite sure yet,” Maturo said. The comment drew strong rebukes from area Latinos, and one…

  • Why ‘Once Upon A Time’ Works Better Than ‘Grimm’

    Alyssa Rosenberg
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:36 pm
    Because I have a particular fondness for fairy tale retellings, and occasionally, a girl’s got to watch television that she doesn’t analyze to death, I’ve been keeping up with both Grimm and Once Upon a Time. Both could be loosely described as fairy tale procedurals. In Grimm, a cop finds out that he’s descended from a long line of fairy-tale creature-fighters, and begins taking out the worst of them with the help of his policing skills and a werewolf who repairs clocks for a living and does pilates in his spare time. In Once Upon a Time, Emma, a bail bondswoman who…

  • Lee Joins Grassley In Threatening A Scorched Earth Revenge Campaign Against Obama’s Nominees

    Ian Millhiser
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    Following up on Sen. Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) threat to lash out at President Obama’s decision to make four necessary recess appointments by seeking revenge against Obama’s other nominees, Tea Party Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) used a Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday to make a similar threat: Given this President’s blatant and egregious disregard both for proper constitutional procedures and the Senate’s unquestioned role in such appointments, I find myself duty-bound to resist the consideration and approval of additional nominations until the President takes steps to remedy…

  • Deval Patrick Calls On Massachusetts Lawmakers To Tackle Rising Health Care Costs

    Guest Blogger
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:55 pm
    Our guest blogger is Emily Oshima, a Research Associate/Policy Analyst with the Health Policy team at American Progress. On Monday, Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts again urged state lawmakers to address rising health care costs in his annual state of the state address. Patrick first introduced a bill, “An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Controlling Costs by Reforming Health Systems and Payments,” in February 2011 in an effort to achieve comprehensive delivery system and payment reform. Patrick’s proposal calls for replacing the current fee-for-service payment system,…
 
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    Democratic Strategist

  • Reich: No Newt is Good Newt

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:44 pm
    Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has a wake-up call for Dems who hope for Gingrich's nomination by the GOP. Says Reich: ...No responsible Democrat should be pleased at the prospect that Gingrich could get the GOP nomination. The future of America is too important to accept even a small risk of a Gingrich presidency...I warn you. It's not worth the risk. Even if the odds that Gingrich as GOP presidential candidate would win the general election are 10 percent, that's too much of a risk to the nation. No responsible American should accept a 10 percent risk of a President Gingrich. The why…

  • Why Gingrich Supporters Think He's Electable

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    This item is crossposted from The New Republic. Just when hardcore conservatives had seemed prepared to settle for Mitt Romney to avoid further exposure of intraparty divisions, Newt Gingrich's unlikely recovery brought those divisions sharply and publicly into view. As Politico reported yesterday, conservative elites ranging from Tom Delay to Bob Dole have gone to the media en masseto warn voters of the perils of Newt. The Republican Party has rarely seemed more divided, and at the heart of those divisions is a disconnect between Republican elites and the voting base over the crucial issue…

  • There's a big gap between American attitudes toward "income inequality" and "unfairness." Americans don't want the government to "redistribute income," they want it to stop favoring the wealthy and powerful and to make them pay their fair share.

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:51 am
    In a New York Times Op-ed piece oday Pew Research Center President Andrew Kohut makes a critical distinction between American attitudes toward "income inequality" and "unfairness" ...while Americans are hearing more and more about class conflict, there is little indication that they are increasingly divided along these lines. People don't necessarily want to take money from the wealthy; they just want a better chance to get rich themselves. They care about policies that give everyone a fair shot -- a distinction that candidates in both parties should understand as they head into the 2012…

  • Note To Readers

    26 Jan 2012 | 5:49 pm
    Some of you may have noticed that today I took over primary blogging responsibilities (at least during weekdays) at the Washington Monthly's Political Animal site. It was a solid opportunity to have a greater impact on daily political discussions. But I wanted to let you know I will remain as Managing Editor here at TDS, which will continue to pursue its mission of promoting civil, empirically based discussion of strategic issues important to Democrats. We'll have plenty of fresh content, particularly as this election year intensifies.

  • Political Strategy Notes

    26 Jan 2012 | 3:20 am
    Being chosen to deliver the opposition party's rebuttal to the President's State of the Union Address is a mixed blessing under the best of circumstances. It's a tip of the hat to the status of the designee, but it's not always so easy to look good when your assignment is to go as relentlessly negative as possible. Despite some of the pundit gush, Gov. Mitch Daniel's speech was one of the most dreary, joyless SOTU rebuttals ever. This is the face of the GOP's future? See Rachel Maddow's hilarious take-down here. As long as you're noodling about Maddow's website, might as well watch her shred…
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    Politics News

  • Manipur records 40 percent polling till noon

    28 Jan 2012 | 2:11 am
    Manipur recorded 40 percent polling till noon Saturday as voting continued at a brisk pace with people turning out in huge numbers to elect a 60-member assembly despite a string of bomb blasts in the past one week.

  • Congress will win minimum 35 seats: Okram Ibobi Singh

    28 Jan 2012 | 1:14 am
    Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Saturday said he is expecting his Congress party to win a minimum of 35 seats in the 60-member assembly, voting for which continues peacefully across the state.

  • I have never advocated violence: anna Hazare

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:04 am
    After courting controversy over his “slap for corruption” remarks, Anna Hazare on Friday distanced himself from it saying that he has never advocated violence and accused section of politicians of conspiring to brand him as a “big criminal“.

  • Mayawati plays caste card ahead of Uttarakhand polls

    25 Jan 2012 | 3:58 am
    Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has urged the people of Uttarakhand to elect a party that is focussed on the needs of the lower castes Addressing a rally here on Tuesday, Mayawati said that all political parties, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had failed to tap the needs of minorities in the country.

  • Use vote, not shoes, as weapon: Ramdev

    25 Jan 2012 | 3:01 am
    Don't hurl shoes or slippers at politicians. If you don't like them, vote them out democratically. This is yoga guru Baba Ramdev's appeal to voters in five states going to the polls.
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    Project Syndicate

  • BHAGWATI: The Brain-Drain Panic Returns

    Jagdish Bhagwati
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    BHAGWATI: The Brain-Drain Panic Returns While developed countries are angst-ridden over mostly illegal immigration by unskilled workers from developing countries, a different set of concerns has surfaced in Africa, in particular, over the legal outflow of skilled people to developed countries. But these concerns are misplaced.

  • EVANS: Responsibility While Protecting

    Gareth Evans
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    EVANS: Responsibility While Protecting Ten months ago, the UN Security Council, with no dissent, authorized the use of “all necessary measures” to protect civilians at imminent risk of massacre in Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi’s Libya. Now, however, the "responsibility to protect," applied for the first time in the subsequent NATO-led campaign, must be revised if it is to be used again.

  • RAJAN: A Crisis in Two Narratives

    Raghuram Rajan
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    RAJAN: A Crisis in Two Narratives With the world’s industrial democracies in crisis, two competing narratives of its sources – and appropriate remedies – are emerging. For better or worse, the narrative that persuades these countries’ governments and publics will determine their future – and that of the global economy.

  • VELASCO: Latin America’s Stymied Innovators

    Andrés Velasco
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    VELASCO: Latin America’s Stymied Innovators The main challenge facing Latin America is to transform its huge natural-resource wealth into the kind of wealth that does not run out, because it is constantly enlarged by human creativity. Indeed, if a diversified economy is the best predictor of future growth, Asia will grow much faster than Latin America for decades to come.

  • DYSON: Peeling, Meeting, and Shopping

    Esther Dyson
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 pm
    DYSON: Peeling, Meeting, and Shopping NEW YORK – In mid-December, while trying to understand what was happening in Russia, I checked Twitter and found a tweet that somehow signified everything. It was from a young woman, and it said, in Russian: “Gotta sleep! Tomorrow I go to [face] peeling, then to meeting, and then to shopping.” All three words – peeling, meeting, and shopping – were in fact the English words, rendered in Cyrillic.What this reveals is that the Russian protests – called “mitings” – are no longer just for old people, radical extremists, or jobless,…
 
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    Davey D's Hip Hop Corner-(The Blog)

  • Newt to Black People: Get off Food stamps Demand a Paycheck

    Davey D
    9 Jan 2012 | 12:32 pm
    So today many of us woke up to the news of former House Speaker and Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich boldly stating that he was gonna address Black people at the upcoming NAACP Convention and tell us to Demand a Paycheck and Not Food Stamps...You can read the story of that HERE at the GRIO We [...]

  • Op Ed: Common vs Drake? Hip-Hop beef needs a funeral and a proper burial

    Davey D
    9 Jan 2012 | 12:26 pm
    Common vs Drake? Hip-Hop beef needs a funeral and a proper burial by Brother Jesse Muhammad “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to pay our last respects to a ‘friend’ that has been dear to many musical artists, fans and readers….that ‘friend’ is HIP-HOP BEEF.” What forward-moving purpose does Hip-Hop beef serve? Can someone [...]

  • Is the Guy Who set the Fires in LA a Terrorist? Imagine if He was Mexican as Opposed to German

    Davey D
    4 Jan 2012 | 10:46 am
    Harry Burkhart, a German national upset about the immigration status of him and his mother was said to be in court the other week for his mother’s hearing yelling “F— the United States!“ This same Harry Burkhart was just arrested, accused of setting more than 50 arson fires in Los Angeles including one at the [...]

  • New Years Resolution for 2012: Make Room & Follow the Lead of our Sistas Within Hip Hop

    Davey D
    2 Jan 2012 | 9:50 am
    With 2012 upon us, we wanna encourage folks to seriously take some time to invest and make room in the cypher and at the proverbial Hip Hop roundtable table for our sistas who hold it down on the mic. There have been far too many discussions about where are the female emcees and why don’t [...]

  • Wrap up 2012.. Skillz Really Delivers on this One..

    Davey D
    1 Jan 2012 | 1:51 pm
    Skillz really out did himself on this years Wrap Up 2012.. he brought up hella incidents I completely forgot about.. props to him for being the official time keeper for our generation…I forgot about homeless guy with the Golden Radio Voice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSn0XUkzheE
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    Allgov News

  • FBI Stepping Up Monitoring of Social Media

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:16 am
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is creating a spy system that will allow it to monitor social media websites, including Facebook and Twitter.   FBI analysts are hoping to pick up tips about future terrorist threats by examining “publicly available” material from Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, as well as national and local television news, including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. The bureau intends to zero in on keywords relating to terrorism, surveillance operations, online crime and other criminal matters. It also hopes to better “track hurricane…

  • USDA Upgrades School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, but Pizza Still a Vegetable

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:12 am
    At the urging of First Lady Michelle Obama, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has adopted the first substantial changes to school meals in 15 years.   The new standards, set out in a 280-page document, call for adding more vegetables and fruits as well as whole grains, while scaling back on meat and potatoes.   Changes include doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables offered; increasing the variety of vegetables served to include dark greens; offering only fat-free or low-fat milk; and reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.   The USDA also…

  • Where are the Missing Moon Rocks?

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:05 am
    Since 1970 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has lost 517 Moon rocks, meteorite samples and other “astromaterials.”  Some were loaned to researchers but never returned, while others were given as gifts to dignitaries, and still others were stolen. Some of the Moon rocks have wound up in the homes of former governors and the memorabilia of President Bill Clinton from his time as governor of Arkansas. One rock, stolen in Honduras, was reclaimed by a federal agent in a sting operation in which NASA ran an ad in USA Today offering to buy Moon rocks.  …

  • Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget: Who Is Jeffrey Zients?

    28 Jan 2012 | 7:02 am
    Just weeks before his administration was due to submit a federal budget for Fiscal Year 2013, President Barack Obama on January 17 named Jeffrey Zients Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is the primary budget office for the Executive Branch of the federal government and offers advice to White House officials on policy, management, legislation, regulation, procurement and e-gov. Zients, who worked in the private sector as a management consultant and was Acting OMB Director for three months in 2010, will replace Jack Lew, who left OMB to be the White House Chief…

  • Ambassador to Botswana: Who Is Michelle Gavin?

    28 Jan 2012 | 6:58 am
    The U.S. Ambassador to Botswana, a lightly-populated nation in Southern Africa which is the world’s leading producer of diamonds and suffers the world’s second highest HIV/AIDS infection rate, is a relatively young foreign policy expert who has specialized in African affairs for more than a decade and was the first Senate staffer to brief then Senator Barack Obama on African issues. Michelle D. Gavin was confirmed by the Senate on April 14, 2011, and arrived at the embassy in Gaborone, Botswana, in June 2011.   Born in June 1973 to Michael and Jeanette Gavin and hailing from…
 
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    roosevelt-island.net

  • Gastric Surgery to Lose Weight

    admin
    28 Jan 2012 | 4:11 am
    Gastric bypass surgery is a weight loss or bariatric type of surgery in which a small pouch is created in the stomach to reduce the amount of food you can eat and it also involves the building of bypasses in the duodenum and other parts of the small intestine to enable it to cause ‘mal-absorption’ [...]

  • What to Look for in a Pair of Board Shorts

    admin
    28 Jan 2012 | 3:24 am
    Board shorts are the latest trend in beach fashion, and today, even women have their own version of it. When looking for board shorts, the ideal length should be just a little above the knee to allow more space for movement. A good pair should also be made of quick drying material. You should also [...]

  • The Natural Way of Losing Excess Weight

    admin
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:20 am
    The desire to lose weight and have the perfect shape will tend people to resort to surgical treatments. One reason that people will resort to these risky procedures is because it has a fast result compared to natural ways. Then again, natural ways are still the cheaper yet the safest way to lose excess weight. [...]

  • The New E Cigarette Generates Interest in the Electronic Cigarette Review

    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:19 am
    So many people are looking for the new electronic that is the modern cigarette, and you can know from the electronic cigarette review that was published on blogs in the internet. People are very curious and are asking around how it feels to have a smoke using the electronic device. The tobacco cigarette companies have [...]

  • Where to Find Job Leadds for Contractors

    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:14 am
    You have probably heard about job leads for contractors and how it helped thousands of companies that are on the brink of extinction due to the crisis our economy is suffering right now. Back then when I first heard about it, I asked the same question; where to find it, and what I needed to [...]
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    Evidence Trumps Common Sense

  • A Most Dangerous Precedent

    Richard J. Cohen
    5 Jan 2012 | 7:14 pm
    On Wednesday January 4, President Obama made a “recess” appointment of Richard Cordray to be the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPB).  He also made “recess” appointments of three individuals to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  The backdrop to the Cordray appointment is that the Senate Republicans had announced that they would block the confirmation of any Presidential nominee to head the CFPB because they objected to the CFPB’s structure and, in their opinion, lack of sufficient Congressional oversight and control of that agency. …

  • The Most Dangerous Man in America?

    Richard J. Cohen
    27 Dec 2011 | 1:24 pm
    Newt Gingrich is arguably the most dangerous man in America.  Newt has not earned this title by opposing the extension of the most basic civil rights, the right to marry and form families, to gay people.  He has not earned this title by opposing women’s basic civil rights to control their own internal organs by declaring that “life starts at conception” with its concomitant implications: that abortion should never be allowed even in cases of rape, incest or to save the mother’s life; that miscarriages should be investigated as possible cases of homicide, that many forms of…

  • Biosecurity and Academic Freedom

    Richard J. Cohen
    25 Dec 2011 | 2:51 pm
    This past week the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity requested that scientists withhold publication on some of the detailed methods used for creating a form of the H5N1 avian flu virus that can be transmitted in an airborne form.  According to news reports, scientists in the Netherlands and the US created a mutated form of the H5N1 virus that could be transmitted between mammals (ferrets) in airborne droplets such as those generated by coughs and sneezes.  H5N1 avian flu at present does not readily infect humans.  Most of the human cases of the H5N1 virus…

  • Remember When Flying used to be a Pleasurable Experience? Security is Not the Problem - The Airlines are the Problem.

    Richard J. Cohen
    24 Dec 2011 | 3:03 pm
    This past week my wife and I flew from Boston to San Francisco and back.  While I fly reasonably frequently, this trip crystallized for me how the consumer flying experience has deteriorated over the years. On this trip going through security was only a minor inconvenience.  My wife has two hip replacements.  Her artificial hips set off the metal detectors; she underwent a pat-down that was performed efficiently and pleasantly by TSA personnel.  The total time it took to go through security, including waiting in line and the pat-down, was brief.  While one might wish…

  • Shocked but Not Awed: Anti-Gay Bias in US Politics

    Richard J. Cohen
    18 Dec 2011 | 12:56 pm
    On Monday December 12 Mitt Romney sat down at the Chez Vachon restaurant in New Hampshire next to Bob Garon, a sixty-three year old gruff looking army veteran wearing a Vietnam veteran hat and plaid jacket.  After introductory pleasantries, Bob Garon asked Romney whether he supported the repeal of the same sex marriage law in New Hampshire and whether he was in favor of the military denying spousal benefits to same sex spouses.  Romney said he did favor the repeal and the denial of benefits, because “marriage is between a man and a woman”  It was ironic and sad to see Mitt…
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    Blog For Arizona

  • The GOP war on the AIRC returns with a vengeance

    AZ BlueMeanie
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:42 pm
    Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Just when you thought these Tea-Publican authoritarians had finally learned their lesson, the Tea-Publican tyranny is back, and they want to impose their authoritarian will on us again -- the will of the voters be damned. House Speaker Andy Tobin introduced several measures on Thursday that would set a special election so voters could decide whether to use legislative and congressional maps drawn by the Legislature instead of those approved last month by the constitutional Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required)…

  • Antenori to run for the Giffords seat - already terrorizing the villagers

    AZ BlueMeanie
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:33 pm
    Posted by AzBlueMeanie: State Sen. "Don't make me angry" Frank(enstein) Antenori announced this morning that he is running in both the special election and November general election for the Giffords seat in CD 8. Antenori to seek Giffords' seat. Whoever is elected to the Giffords seat should have the same temperament, character and judgment as Gabrielle Giffords and her sense of decency, fairness and willingness to work with all parties for what is best for Arizona. That clearly is not Antenori who has repeatedly demonstrated that he entirely lacks the temperament, character and judgment…

  • Senate panel votes to give the Governor a state militia for the border

    AZ BlueMeanie
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:30 pm
    Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Birthers-Birchers-Secessionists of our Tea-Publican legislature are at it again. A Senate panel has approved a proposal to create an armed militia that could be deployed to the Mexican border under the direction of the Governor. The bill, SB 1083, is backed by "states’ rights" advocates and anti-immigration zealots. What could possibly go wrong? (Jan Brewer and her teabaggers are recklessly irresponsible enough to create an international incident or start a war). The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports Senate panel OKs bill to create state…

  • American Library Association condemns closure of MAS program, removal of texts

    David Safier
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:09 pm
    by David Safier The banning of the use of texts by former Mexican-American Studies teachers infuriates the English teacher in me. I understand, there are some good reasons why some books should not be in schools, but the ideas contained in them is not one of those good reasons. But if you want to see a group of people rise up against unreasonable banning of books, look no further than librarians. They may seem like a demure group of folks, always speaking in whispers and shushing people in their libraries. But they are fierce defenders of access to books of all kinds. The American Library…

  • Rich Crandall moves from deplorable to absurd in his free/reduced meals optional argument

    David Safier
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:19 am
    by David Safier I learned long ago, whenever anyone has lots of reasons why something is a good idea or a bad idea, usually none of the reasons given are the real reasons. There's something else going on. Rich Crandall is on my "Too many reasons, too many rationalizations" list. Crandall is sponsoring the bill that would make participation in the federal free and reduced meals program optional. Here's his lastest argument, if you want to call it that. “You’re trying to say, ‘Hey, this is the only way to feed kids.’ And I’m saying, no, it’s not. Our Arizona charter schools show…
 
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    People Power from YES! Magazine

  • How to Reverse the Corporate Coup d’Etat

    aharbin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:03 pm
    Chris Hedges and Lawrence Lessig discuss the Occupy movement, Citizens United, and our best options for real reform.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yes/people-power/~4/Qd37UFjNqCY" height="1" width="1"/>

  • Alison Smith: Elections Money Can’t Buy

    Paul Loeb
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:49 pm
    The YES! Breakthrough 15: How a quiet, stay-at-home mom became a clean-elections champion.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yes/people-power/~4/FedCZznbYaQ" height="1" width="1"/>

  • Deb Richter: A Cure for Broken Health Care

    Daniel Fireside
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:44 pm
    The YES! Breakthrough 15: Meet the doctor who uprooted her life to bring universal health care to Vermont.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yes/people-power/~4/aOh0xuAFO6k" height="1" width="1"/>

  • Beyond “Free” or “Fair” Trade: Mexican Farmers Go Local

    Mike Wold
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:41 pm
    We usually think of the demand for local, organic foods as coming from the North. But in southern Mexico, the growing localist movement is a strategy for survival.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yes/people-power/~4/Ecc_bGcoZvc" height="1" width="1"/>

  • A Jump Start for the Clean Economy

    Maria Gallucci
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:40 pm
    A little-known source of clean energy funding could prove a crucial job-creation engine in the states.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yes/people-power/~4/JZx1Ns5x0c8" height="1" width="1"/>
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    From Politics To Fashion

  • Del Shannon - Broken Promises Lyrics with Video

    SM
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:01 pm
    Del Shannon - Broken Promises Lyrics with Video Song Name - Broken PromisesSinger - Del Shannon Lyrics of the song Broken Promises Tonight you're leaving'And it's goodbye.Our fool in loves not strong.How will I tell my heart ThatBroken words, broken promises.Cause broken hearts.I really love youAnd I still doOur love was make believeAnd now I plainly see thatBroken words, broken promisesCause broken heartsDon't you remember?Things you once saidCan't you forget him?Take me back babyI'll be insteadBut you said You’re sorryIt has to endYou put on quite a showAnd now I really know thatBroken…

  • FDI in Multi Brand Good or Bad for India Answers to Doubts regarding FDI in Kirana Business Part 2

    SM
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:09 am
    FDI in Multi Brand Good or Bad for India Answers to Doubts regarding FDI in Kirana Business Part 2Few days back I wrote the article regarding FDI in Multi Brand is good or bad for India.Regarding that article Mr.Pradeep gave following comment and raised few questions so here is answer to his comment.Detailed Analysis FDI Good or Bad for India Who will benefit in India if FDI is allowed in Multi Brand this is Kirana Businesshttp://realityviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/detailed-analysis-fdi-good-or-bad-for.htmlFirst Read the comment wrote by Pradeep on the above article.You have explained well but…

  • Understanding Inter Caste Marriage Status of the Children, Married Male, Married Female and Reservation

    SM
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:29 pm
    Understanding Inter Caste Marriage Status of the Children, Married Male, Married Female and Reservation Inter-caste marriage is legal in India. Such marriages are sanctioned by the Special Marriage Act 1954 and are also permitted under The Hindu Marriage Act 1955.But still in India number of inter caste marriages is very less.India is a country where caste and religion rules not democracy.I am sure if survey is done Majority Indians will agree that we need more inter caste marriages but in reality they will never allow their own kids to marry inter caste girl.Today also Indian society does…

  • Nokia Fined $58000 for SMS marketing spamming by Australian Communications and Media Authority

    SM
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:46 pm
    Nokia Fined $58000 for SMS marketing spamming by Australian Communications and Media AuthorityThe Australian Communications and Media Authority fined Nokia for spamming customers and fine amount is $58,000.1.99 $ = Rs. 10058000 $ = Rs. 2914572Nokia sent the SMS messages to the customers or clients, in its text it gaveTips to get more out of their phones but Nokia did not offer its clients or customers An 'unsubscribe' option as required by law.The Australian Communications and Media Authority [ ACMA ] commenced an investigation into the Finnish company’s SMS marketing activity after…

  • US Navy Seal Raids Somalia saves Jessica Buchanan, Poul Hagen Thisted, Denmark

    SM
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:09 pm
    US Navy Seal Raids Somalia saves Jessica Buchanan, Poul Hagen Thisted, DenmarkIn October from the town of Galkayo in the semi-autonomous Galmudug regionJessica Buchanan, us citizen and Poul Hagen Thisted Denmark were kidnapped.Both were the humanitarian aid workers.On Wednesday navy seal Special Forces entered into Somalia and saved Jessica and Poul from the kidnappers. Both were then taken to the neighboring Djibouti.US military said that all nine captors were killed during the assault.And in this mission no American soldier got killed.Reuters reported that the rescue team included forces…
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    Political Campaign Tips, Articles and Strategies

  • Special Trial Offer for OnlineCandidateResources.com

    Online Candidate
    23 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm
    We are currently running a Trial Special for OnlineCandidateResources.com, our exclusive member website dedicated to winning strategies, online tools and resources.

  • One Party’s Reign On Social Media Ending?

    Online Candidate
    16 Jan 2012 | 6:52 pm
    For the past few years, with the exception of President Obama's campaign, Republicans have held the position as the political party most in command of social media. But recent data shows their reign in social media may be coming to an end.

  • What’s Popular in 2012 Digital Political Advertising

    Online Candidate
    9 Jan 2012 | 8:27 pm
    According to a recent survey by STRATA US political campaigns in 2011-2012 have spent 100% more in online advertisements than they did during the 2010 midterm elections. ZU5HN5S7NR9J

  • Online Candidate Partners With Trumpia

    Online Candidate
    2 Jan 2012 | 6:42 pm
    While a political campaign website is still the hub of an online campaign, voters follow candidates and campaigns through a growing number of channels. For a while now, we've looked for a partner that can help our clients integrate all popular modes of communication so they can reach voters wherever they are and orchestrate an optimal marketing mix.

  • Top Online Candidate Articles of 2011

    Online Candidate
    26 Dec 2011 | 6:23 pm
    As an end of the year wrap-up, we present our most popular articles of 2011! These articles were all first posted this year.
 
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    The Official Reset San Francisco Blog

  • Seven Ideas To Reboot Government Innovation In San Francisco

    26 Jan 2012 | 3:28 pm
    January 26, 2012 By: Luke Fretwell Over at GovFresh, Luke Fretwell just followed up on Sarah Stirland's recent story about San Francisco's new open-government plans with his own take on what's going on with open government in San Francisco and what technologists and people in government could be doing there. With his permission, we're reprinting his post in full. Luke Fretwell is the founder of GovFresh. There’s been a great deal of discussion lately around the topic of government innovation, especially here in San Francisco, with the appointment of a new chief…

  • Wisconsin Recall Webcam Attracts Thousands Of Viewers

    23 Jan 2012 | 1:30 pm
    January 23, 2012 Scott Walker has been in hot water ever since he was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2010. After he proposed removing nearly all public employee collective bargaining rights, unions mobilized the community in protest — and now, a growing effort to recall Gov. Walker and 5 other Republicans is underway. The count of signatures submitted is over 1 million. But now all of those signatures (3 tons worth) need verification so that no false or duplicate signatures are counted. And they’re working 15 hours a day to scan and verify. [How can we make San Francisco city…

  • Smart Traffic Lights Can Distinguish Between Bikes And Cars

    20 Jan 2012 | 2:50 pm
    January 20, 2012 According to the SFMTA, there are 8,713 weekday bicyclists in San Francisco, with an estimated 6% of all trips made in San Francisco by bike. Without question, biking is a big part of transportation in San Francisco. But San Francisco is not alone in trying to ensure bikes and cars can both safely share the road. Most major cities face issues dealing with how to guarantee that cars and bikes can co-exist on the streets. The need for better bike infrastructure is something we’ve covered before. Because of the simple fact that cars move faster than bikes, bicyclists are…

  • PRESS RELEASE: SFMTA Installs 15 New Bike Corrals And Unveils New Bike Rack

    Kate Maeder
    18 Jan 2012 | 8:31 pm
    January 18, 2012 **PRESS RELEASE** SFMTA Installs 15 New Bike Corrals and Unveils New Bike Rack San Francisco — The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the city, today announced the completion of 15 new on-street bicycle parking corrals in 2011, bringing the citywide total to 24.  With the 15 new corrals, the SFMTA also rolled out a new, more attractive standard bike rack with a circular profile, which will be used in place of the previous standard inverted U rack. “Bicycling is an important part of San…

  • Google Apps for Government Aid Gov 2.0

    Victoria Holliday
    18 Jan 2012 | 3:19 pm
    January 18, 2012 Our friends over at GovFresh are talking about Google Apps for Government. The City of Pittsburgh started off the New Year with a big change. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced that starting this week the city’s government had moved to Google Apps for Government. The move by 3,000 city employees will save the city 25 percent in annual email costs. [How can we make San Francisco city government work better for all of us? Sign up for the Reset SF Newsletter to learn more.] A 25 percent savings is always good, especially now when most cities are facing budget…
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    Political Campaign Tips, Articles and Strategies

  • Special Trial Offer for OnlineCandidateResources.com

    Online Candidate
    23 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm
    We are currently running a Trial Special for OnlineCandidateResources.com, our exclusive member website dedicated to winning strategies, online tools and resources.

  • One Party’s Reign On Social Media Ending?

    Online Candidate
    16 Jan 2012 | 6:52 pm
    For the past few years, with the exception of President Obama's campaign, Republicans have held the position as the political party most in command of social media. But recent data shows their reign in social media may be coming to an end.

  • What’s Popular in 2012 Digital Political Advertising

    Online Candidate
    9 Jan 2012 | 8:27 pm
    According to a recent survey by STRATA US political campaigns in 2011-2012 have spent 100% more in online advertisements than they did during the 2010 midterm elections. ZU5HN5S7NR9J

  • Online Candidate Partners With Trumpia

    Online Candidate
    2 Jan 2012 | 6:42 pm
    While a political campaign website is still the hub of an online campaign, voters follow candidates and campaigns through a growing number of channels. For a while now, we've looked for a partner that can help our clients integrate all popular modes of communication so they can reach voters wherever they are and orchestrate an optimal marketing mix.

  • Top Online Candidate Articles of 2011

    Online Candidate
    26 Dec 2011 | 6:23 pm
    As an end of the year wrap-up, we present our most popular articles of 2011! These articles were all first posted this year.
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    The Alternative Conservative

  • Happy Weekend!

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:36 pm
    Haven't posted anything today so I figured, I would just say, "hi" and tell everyone to have a great weekend! ~Tooz

  • Ron Paul Makes No Sense

    25 Jan 2012 | 1:46 am
    He doesn't believe anything the government says but another investigation made by the government he can trust? Huh? What more proof do you need that this man is not on the "right" side of politics? Paul and Kucinich working together? Kuchinich is a far, left wing, fruit cake. In this video, Paul insists that it's no big deal that Iran wants nukes. He states that it is obvious they would want to develop a nuclear weapon since they are surrounded by them from neighboring countries. In this video, he denies that Iran even wants to have a nuclear weapon. Either way, Paul wants to bow down to…

  • Soros Warns of Economic Melt Down

    25 Jan 2012 | 1:20 am
    George Soros, ultra-left wing billionaire, is predicting an economic collapse in the developed world. Furthermore, Soros believes that there will be riots and people will take to the streets. As this anger intensifies, will the inevitable result be a spontaneous eruption of violence and riots? “Yes, yes, yes,” Soros says, almost “gleefully.”Click title of this post for full article. He'll probably profit greatly from any problems that arise. I'm sure he's giddy about people getting violent. This is something the left is known for.

  • Pelosi On A Gingrich Presidency: "That Will Never Happen"

    24 Jan 2012 | 11:54 pm
    Pelosi On A Gingrich Presidency: "That Will Never Happen"Oh, Miss Pelosi, what is it you "know"?Click link for video clip.

  • Buffet To Profit From Cancellation of Keystone

    24 Jan 2012 | 10:25 pm
    It turns out that Warren Buffet will profit from the cancellation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline because it will be his railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, that will ship the oil instead. This is so typical. I wonder how the liberals are going to explain this one away. Buffet is obviously gaining favors directly from Obama and it has been made no secret that the two have a friendship of some sort. So I guess it is Buffet who is actually deciding and influencing policy, never mind the 20,000 some jobs it would add to the economy. Remember how the Democrats were screaming about Bush…
 
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    Big Government

  • Will Gingrich SuperPac’s and DNC’s Latest Medicare Fraud Attack Draw Romney’s Blood?

    Charles C. Johnson
    28 Jan 2012 | 6:39 am
    Last week I wrote about Damon Corp. and Mitt Romney’s ties to a company that had committed one of the largest Medicare fines in Massachusetts history ($119 million) and how Rick Tyler of Newt Gingrich’s Super Pac was seeking to make it a part of the debate in Medicare-dependent Florida. The full video is here: Today, the Democratic National Committee has released a memo criticizing Mitt Romney and his involvement, which it sent to Politico.  The DNC has deliberately connected the dots to Governor Rick Scott, the unpopular Republican governor who was once called the “Madoff…

  • Saturday Open Thread: Challenger Edition

    Publius
    28 Jan 2012 | 2:07 am
    Today, in 1986. the space shuttle Challenger exploded on lift off.

  • Obama SOTU: We’ve Heard this Song Before

    Rep. Tom McClintock (R–CA)
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:44 pm
    After President Clinton took a drubbing from voters in the 1994 Congressional election, he realized his policies weren’t working.  He promptly declared, “The era of big government is over,” and he then went about making good on that declaration: • He reduced spending by a miraculous 3 1/2 percent of GDP. • He attacked entitlement spending and abolished the ballooning open-ended welfare system. • He signed what amounted to the biggest capital gains tax cut in American history. • He delivered the only four budget surpluses in four decades. • And he produced a…

  • BREAKING: Spencer Bachus to Be Replaced as House Finance Chair in 2013

    Joel B. Pollak
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:01 pm
    Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), who was the subject of allegations of congressional insider trading, has indicated that he will not seek to extend his term as chair of the House Financial Services Committee after 2012. Bachus was one of several Capitol Hill leaders from both parties involved in insider trading, according to Breitbart editor Peter Schweizer, who raised the issue in his recent book, Throw Them All Out. Subsequently, President Barack Obama called on Congress this week to pass a law banning congressional insider trading–though the book also documented crony capitalism in the…

  • Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, White House-Style

    Charles C. Johnson
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:31 pm
    It’s always the little things that make me miss George W. Bush. Yes, his public profligacy gave us Obama, which in turn gave us the Tea Party. New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor’s book, The Obamas, makes me love him all the more. The book gushes a little much about Michelle Obama’s sense of style. We learn, this, for instance: [The First Lady] hired a wardrobe assistant; when she traveled abroad, she wanted to bring her own hair and makeup assistants; and to redecorate the private quarters of the White House, she passed over little-known designers in favor of Michael…
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    Thesis Vanilla

  • Test Post Six

    Yanna
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:08 am
    Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Morbi sagittis felis feugiat ante euismod facilisis consequat augue tincidunt! Aenean ut lacus sed eros gravida semper. Mauris facilisis, augue nec tincidunt sodales, ligula turpis euismod lacus, sed placerat metus libero ornare ligula? Integer euismod [...]

  • Test Post Five

    Yanna
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:17 am
    In gravida leo vestibulum magna pretium ac laoreet quam aliquet. Proin at justo ante, at semper neque. Nunc vel erat sit amet eros tincidunt dapibus sed a dolor. Integer fringilla eros a odio bibendum sodales. Nulla ut leo magna, sit amet pulvinar neque. Etiam justo erat, semper sit amet feugiat sed; ornare eu magna. Donec fringilla libero non arcu placerat [...]

  • Test Post Four

    Yanna
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:16 am
    In id nisl in ipsum rutrum adipiscing. Maecenas non sem erat. Aliquam rhoncus nibh id odio aliquet feugiat. Sed mauris mauris, imperdiet at cursus vitae, eleifend sed leo. In ultricies, mi quis semper consectetur, urna elit ullamcorper nulla, nec pulvinar elit velit quis dui? Phasellus et cursus diam? Nulla facilisi. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, [...]

  • Test Post Three

    Yanna
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:16 am
    Suspendisse justo tortor, auctor in aliquam id, dictum sed nunc. Sed faucibus vehicula bibendum. Donec sed tempus nunc! Suspendisse porttitor volutpat vestibulum. Vivamus commodo leo vitae odio adipiscing id cursus quam rutrum? Praesent erat massa; auctor in dictum id, ultricies quis dolor. Sed luctus mattis pulvinar. Sed interdum nibh vitae nisi tincidunt in placerat elit feugiat. Ut quis tortor eget [...]

  • Test Post Two

    Yanna
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:15 am
    Mauris at odio nibh, euismod commodo sem. Donec at enim ligula. Pellentesque id tellus vel sem fermentum aliquet vel sit amet ante. In gravida interdum purus eget pellentesque. Nullam tempus imperdiet metus, vel tempor neque tempor in. Sed volutpat mauris id quam scelerisque in tincidunt augue egestas. Donec vel congue tortor. Maecenas fermentum nibh et nisl tincidunt molestie. Suspendisse a [...]
 
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    Beppe Grillo's Blog

  • The Europe of Goldman Sachs

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:12 pm
    L'Europa della Goldman Sachs(2:17) The ECB has made available 498 billion euro to European banks at 1% for three years. At the end of February another mega loan of 400 billion is coming up at the same conditions. The declared aim is noble: to get the economy to take off again with financing to the companies. The money is obviously ours, paid by the increase in inflation and the removal of facilities provided by the State to the real economy. I’d say in passing that the banking system is basically parasitical and without a productive fabric, it wouldn’t exist. At least the bankers could…

  • The No Tav Movement in prison

    26 Jan 2012 | 12:45 pm
    The NO TAV Movement in prison(5:20) An operation of geometric power has taken place in Italy. The Police made 26 arrests across all the territory of our nation. The hour marked by our destiny (the arrests took place at about 5:00 am in the homes of the criminals) rang out in the skies of our Fatherland. 15 people have been notified of their obligation to stay home. Three community centres were searched. The restoration of the rule of law took place in Val Susa, as well as Asti, Biella, Cremona, Milano, Turin, Trento, Palermo, Rome, Padua, Genoa, Pistoia, Macerata, Bergamo, Parma and Modena.

  • Enel and the Mayan people

    25 Jan 2012 | 1:57 pm
    Enel and the Mayan people(7:20) In South America since the time of the Conquistador, a name completely inappropriate for those responsible for the greatest genocide in History, only the faces and the methods have changed. Instead of the butchers Pizarro and Cortés, their place has been taken by the multinationals that have the weapons of money and the expropriation blessed by the authorities of the location. A journalist together with an indigenous leader, tells us the story of the Ixil region of Guatemala, of the Mayan people and Enel Green Power’s neocolonialism. . 31% of this company…

  • Democracy's WC

    24 Jan 2012 | 1:14 pm
    Monti HAL (Space Odyssey )(1:55) I get cold shivers down my back. I look at Rigor Montis, Frignero, Passera and the wax faces of the various ministers and I see bookkeepers, tax collectors, bankruptcy adjusters, STRANGERS. Who invited them? Who voted for them? They remind me of the 1980s advertising campaign by Johnson with the dark mannered, serious and precise cleaner, signora Luisa who turns up at your door with the motto "Comincia presto, finisce presto e di solito non pulisce il water” {starts early, finishes early and usually doesn’t clean the WC} because she used the active foam of…

  • Passaparola - The Pitchforks are once again making their way northwards through Italy - Pino Aprile

    24 Jan 2012 | 12:04 am
    The Pitchforks are once again moving northwards through Italy - Pino Aprile(12:00) Your videos on: "Passaparola - The Pitchforks are ..." (9)Send in your video "If ever there were to be a revolution in Italy, it would start out from the South. While in the northern regions the crisis will undoubtedly lead to a drop in living standards and lots of poverty, the South will be condemned to a life of misery and emigration. The Pitchfork Movement has not simply come out of nowhere, but from the realisation that the State has failed and from a determination not to go the same way as Greece where…
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    TuPolitica.com - El Sitio y Centro de Prensa Oficial de la Política en Panamá

  • Navarro llama a unidad del PRD contra Martinelli

    tupolitica
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:06 pm
    Un llamado a deponer intereses y cesar las disputas internas dentro del opositor Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD), hizo el dirigente Juan Carlos Navarro, quien destacó que lo que exigen las bases del mayor colectivo político del país es trabajar por la unidad y renovación camino a las elecciones de 2014. Durante una conversación con representantes [...]

  • Celebran 10 años de la Ley de Transparencia y acción de Hábeas Data

    tupolitica
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:04 pm
    10 años de regir la Ley No.6 de 2002 para la Transparencia de la gestión pública y establece la acción de Hábeas Data, para uno de sus impulsores, el diputado José I. Blandón, se están ha confrontado problemas para su aplicación. El parlamentario dijo que era una percepción muy particular y que para él la falencia no proviene [...]

  • Discuten metodología para las reformas electorales

    tupolitica
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:03 pm
    Con la participación de los magistrados del Tribunal Electoral (TE), la subcomisión ad hoc para analizar las reformas al Código Electoral, que preside la diputada Dana Castañeda, estableció la metodología para discutir los artículos del proyecto de ley, en la que se propuso, además, la eliminación de la segunda vuelta. “La diputada Castañeda nos ha [...]

  • Alcaldesa respalda a la Comunidad China en Panamá

    tupolitica
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:52 pm
    Roxana Méndez, alcaldesa capitalina, brindó respaldo a la comunidad china en Panamá, establecida en el país desde hace 150 años y reconoció tanto el aporte cultural y desarrollo comercial que ha brindado a la ciudad a través de los años La alcaldesa quien fue invitada de honor en el acto que se desarrolló en ATLAPA, [...]

  • Pareja presidencial pone en marcha tuneladora Marta en Trinchera Sur

    tupolitica
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:50 pm
    Marta, una de las tuneladoras encargadas de excavar y revestir de manera segura una parte del tramo subterráneo de la línea uno del Metro de Panamá fue puesta en marcha este lunes 23 de enero por el presidente de la República, Ricardo Martinelli y la Primera Dama Marta Linares de Martinelli. Luego de que la [...]
 
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    Inciting Bedlam

  • Voter Gullibility

    Lord Bedlam
    22 Jan 2012 | 12:44 pm
    Newt Gingrich winning the 2012 South Carolina primary is a prime example of voter gullibility resulting from extreme fundamentalism. One sensationalized response to a question presented by the debate moderator (John King) instantly transformed the Republican primary from a one horse race to several. But more importantly, the South Carolina primary, and those before it, … Continue reading »

  • In the Eyes of the Beholder

    Lord Bedlam
    15 Jan 2012 | 9:47 pm
    A great debate was spawned in response to the unbridled and often overwhelming support or disdain for Tim Tebow as a legitimate NFL quarterback. The answer is quite simple and grotesquely transparent; Tim Tebow is a legitimate NFL quarterback because he plays the position of quarterback for the NFL’s Denver Broncos. But this question and … Continue reading »

  • Jon Huntsman: Meet the Candidate

    Lord Bedlam
    2 Jan 2012 | 11:48 am
    On the eve of the 2012 Iowa caucuses, one candidate remains notably absent. His gamble to avoid them is based on the historic failures of Iowans in nominating Presidential candidates for the Republican National Convention. Jon Huntsman has not enjoyed the meteoric rise and fall of other candidates before him; partly due to his meager … Continue reading »

  • Distortion of the Year 2011 : PolitiFact.com – Pants on Fire Rating of Myles Spicer

    Lord Bedlam
    24 Dec 2011 | 1:17 am
    PolitiFact has recently released its lie of the year award to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for suggesting that Republicans, in 2011, voted to end Medicare [1]. While it can be argued that the statement was incorrect, what’s left to debate is how the proposed Republican program would drastically change Medicare. I won’t spend the … Continue reading »

  • The Aristocracy of Marriage

    Lord Bedlam
    18 Dec 2011 | 3:25 pm
    New research has revealed that little more than half of U.S. adults are married [1]. Given that 72% of adults were married in 1960, these statistics are cause for alarm for some. The reports should come as no surprise with the emphasis on higher education and overenthusiastic levels of productivity our leaders in the political … Continue reading »
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    The Conversation - Politics + Society

  • It's time to reassess Australia Day ... and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy

    Robin Tennant-Wood, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business and Government at University of Canberra
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:31 pm
    Australia Day: cricket, beaches, prawns on the barbie, beer and a good dose of sunburn; a bit of jingoistic flag-waving, citizenship ceremonies and the conferring of awards to our most outstanding citizens and unsung heroes. It all sounds harmless enough. A good family day out and warm fuzzy feelings of patriotism. A darker history, however, is always lurking at the edges of this anniversary and it is a foolish politician who tries to diminish or discard that history. Yesterday’s protest in Canberra, resulting in the rushed evacuation of the Prime Minister and opposition leader from an…

  • Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide

    Gideon Boas, Associate Professor, Monash University Law School at Monash University
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:55 pm
    It’s hard to imagine that a whole race of people can be forgotten. But if no one chooses to remember them, genocide can mean just that, leaving a large hole in our history and dooming future minorities to be treated in the same way. Before the invasion of Poland, Hitler is quoted as saying, “Who still talks nowadays about the Armenians?” He was referring to the annihilation of over one million Christian Armenians by the Ottoman Government in Turkey in the early 20th century. It is a solemn lesson that the failure to account for atrocity inflicted on a people, let alone remember it, is…

  • Pardon me, but Breaker Morant was guilty

    Craig Wilcox, Associate, Centre for Historical Research at National Museum of Australia
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pm
    Early in the New Year, while most of us were thinking about going to the beach or when it would be okay to consign those unwanted Christmas presents to a charity bin, Commander Jim Unkles of the Royal Australian Navy had something more important on his mind. He announced to the media that he was tired of waiting for the federal government to press Britain’s Ministry of Defence to pardon three Australian soldiers punished for murdering unarmed captives. The previous Attorney General, Robert McClelland, seemed to get behind the case, but who could tell with his successor, the more dour Nicola…

  • More than an excuse for a long weekend – how we came to love Australia Day

    Mark McKenna, Associate Professor of History at University of Sydney
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:24 pm
    Some 224 years ago on January 26, the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. Just 1500 people disembarked with nearly 800 of them convicts. The date saw the beginning of the British penal colony, then known as New South Wales. But while there’s been something to commemorate for 224 years, the celebration of “Australia Day” itself is far, far more recent; more recent than most Australians would suspect. The new world For the first 20 years of the colony’s existence, Australia Day was not even commemorated. The colonists celebrated the King’s birthday, Easter and Christmas, but January…

  • Like it or not, we're more diverse than ever this Australia Day

    Bob Birrell, Researcher at Monash University
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:24 pm
    One of the sharpest divides in attitudes to Australia Day celebrations is between those who think of Australia as a nation of migrants and those who regard Australians as a unique people and culture. For those who see Australia as a nation of migrants, evidence of growth in the numbers and diversity of the overseas-born is a cause for celebration. They can claim Australia is becoming an even more exciting multicultural mix. On the other hand, those who think of the Australian identity as a unique outcome of generations of settlers’ encounters with the land are likely to see migration as a…
 
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    Robert Reich

  • Why No Responsible Democrat Should Want Newt Gingrich to Get the GOP Nomination

    26 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm
    Republicans are worried sick about Newt Gingrich’s ascendance, while Democrats are tickled pink. Yet no responsible Democrat should be pleased at the prospect that Gingrich could get the GOP nomination. The future of America is too important to accept even a small risk of a Gingrich presidency. The Republican worry is understandable. “The possibility of Newt Gingrich being our nominee against Barack Obama I think is essentially handling the election over to Obama,” says former Minnesota Governor Tom Pawlenty, a leading GOP conservative. “I think that’s shared by a lot of folks in…

  • Best wishes from Saul Alinsky, radical left-wingers, and people...

    24 Jan 2012 | 10:05 am
    Best wishes from Saul Alinsky, radical left-wingers, and people who don’t like the classical America.

  • Who is Sheldon Adelson and What Has Newt Promised Him?

    24 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino owner, is now the poster boy for what’s terribly wrong with our campaign-finance system. Adelson, you may recall, had, before the South Carolina Republican primary, donated $5 million to the pro-Gingrich Super Pac “Winning Our Future” – giving Newt a pile of money for negative advertising against Mitt Romney in South Carolina. Adelson has done it again. He and his wife Marian have cut another $5 million check for Gingrich to go negative on Romney in Florida. The money won’t go as far as it did in South Carolina – TV ads cost a lot more in…

  • The State of Our Disunion: A Globalizing Private Sector, A Government Overwhelmed by Corporate Money

    23 Jan 2012 | 1:59 pm
    Who should have the primary strategic responsibility for making American workers globally competitive – the private sector or government? This will be a defining issue in the 2012 campaign. In his State of the Union address, President Obama will make the case that government has a vital role. His Republican rivals disagree. Mitt Romney charges the President is putting “free enterprise on trial,” while Newt Gingrich merely fulminates about “liberal elites.” American business won’t and can’t lead the way to more and better jobs in the United States. First, the private sector is…

  • Amend2012

    19 Jan 2012 | 12:31 pm
    Amend2012
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    Cato @ Liberty

  • Civilian Personnel: The Missing Piece in the Pentagon’s Budget Puzzle

    Christopher Preble
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:50 pm
    By Christopher PrebleWhile most news stories have accurately characterized the Obama administration’s proposed military spending cuts as “modest,” the Pentagon is planning significant reductions in the number of active-duty troops in the Army and Marine Corps. Both forces will be larger than they were in 2001, but the active-duty Army will fall from a post-9/11 high of 570,000 in 2010 to 490,000. The Marine Corps will go from 202,000 to 182,000. The DoD should likewise reduce civilian personnel. The reason the Pentagon’s plan places so much emphasis on personnel is stated clearly in…

  • EU Credit Rating Agency Hoax

    Marian L. Tupy
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:09 pm
    By Marian L. TupyDaniel Hannan’s post on the establishment of the European Credit Rating Agency makes some good points. The recent downgrade of a number of European countries is a consequence of low growth and massive debts and deficits. Instead of implementing far-reaching structural reforms, however, an increasing number of European politicians talk about an Anglo-American conspiracy to sink Europe’s single currency, the euro. According to one of the most prominent EU parliamentarians, Elmar Brok of the German Christian Democratic Party, credit-rating agencies Standard &…

  • The New Pentagon Budget: Better, but Not Great

    Benjamin H. Friedman
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:52 pm
    By Benjamin H. FriedmanThe changes announced in the Pentagon’s new budget guidance are, from my perspective, mostly good news, but woefully insufficient. They show how even limited austerity encourages prioritization among weapons systems that suddenly have to compete. A few more budgets like this and we’ll be getting somewhere. The White House has not yet released the actual budget, but the Pentagon yesterday released a new document that explains the minor cuts in line for its slice. The document, unlike all the other defense strategy and guidance documents that have come out in recent…

  • ‘Virginia Shouldn’t Enable Federal Takeover of Health Care’

    Michael F. Cannon
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:41 pm
    By Michael F. CannonBart Hinkle has an excellent column in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about why Virginia—and all states—should refuse to create one of Obamacare’s health insurance “exchanges”: Any state exchange will have to abide by the Obama administration’s directives… If Washington is going to dictate the terms, why should Virginia foot the bill? ‘Virginia Shouldn’t Enable Federal Takeover of Health Care’ is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog

  • The Laffer Curve Works, Even in France

    Daniel J. Mitchell
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:45 am
    By Daniel J. MitchellOne year ago, I wrote about how the French government was getting unexpected additional revenues following the implementation of lower tax rates. This is the Laffer Curve in action, and it’s happening again in France, only this time because the government reduced the wealth tax. Here’s part of the story at Tax-news.com. France’s solidarity tax on wealth (l’impôt de solidarité sur la fortune – ISF), which was radically reformed by the government in June last year, has served to yield much greater fiscal revenues for the state than initially predicted.
 
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    A View from the Right

  • Young-Earth / Old-Earth Creationist Exchange, Part 3 of 3: A Literal Adam and Death Before the Fall

    sirrahc
    21 Jan 2012 | 10:11 pm
    In this final installment, ‘Jeff’ and I returned to Eden and the subject of Adam (along with Eve, this time). As I recall, he expressed his appreciation that I didn’t give any credence to the ability of purely naturalistic processes to “create” the first life or the diversity of life we see now and in [...]

  • Young-Earth / Old-Earth Creationist Exchange, Part 2 of 3: The Days of Creation and Evolution

    sirrahc
    19 Jan 2012 | 9:10 pm
    A couple days ago, I started this series about my Facebook discussion with ‘Jeff’, a Young-Earth Creationist. The Young-Earth vs. Old-Earth dialog in general involves important worldview & spiritual issues, so it can be quite frustrating when the “other guy” doesn’t seem to understand or accede a point or perhaps mischaracterizes your view. Many such [...]

  • Young-Earth / Old-Earth Creationist Exchange, Part 1 of 3: Bellybuttons and the Appearance of Age

    sirrahc
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:28 pm
    One of the issues covered in this blog is the whole Creation/Evolution/Design debate and related topics. In my writing in this area, I occasionally make some statement to indicate that I am neither a Theistic Evolutionist nor a Young-Earth Creationist, when it comes to theories about the beginnings of the universe, Earth, diversity of life, [...]

  • Help! How Do I Decide Who to Vote For?

    sirrahc
    8 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm
    Here we go, folks! The GOP primary season is officially underway, with one down (i.e., Iowa caucus) and three more primaries scheduled just in January (i.e., New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida). Rick Santorum got a nice surge over the past 2-3 weeks, enough to essentially tie with Mitt Romney in Iowa, who officially won by [...]

  • One Man’s Theory for Why Jesus Lay in a Manger

    sirrahc
    30 Dec 2011 | 9:05 pm
    “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  — John 1:14 (NASB) I didn’t want to let the Christmas season go without a Christmas-related post, so… I went back to my discussion on an old [...]
 
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    Fair Observer

  • China's High Speed Rail System: Impact on Food Security

    S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)
    25 Oct 2012 | 10:59 am
    By Zhang Hongzhou and Zhang Mingjiang Rapid expansion of high speed rail is posing both challenges and opportunities to China’s food security. Commentary China's high speed rail network has been expanding rapidly. The fast-paced development of high speed rail has been a source of national pride and the symbol of China’s remarkable economic advancement - until the train crash in Wenzhou. The deadly crash has not only slowed down the high speed train project but also touched off widespread concerns about the impact of high speed rail on many other societal issues, among which…

  • "Cold War" in West Asia: Asia Pacific Nations Look On

    Zorawar Daulet Singh
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:57 pm
    It has become customary to assert that the centre of gravity of world politics has shifted to the Asia-Pacific region. The ascent of several regional states such as China and India has made this notion almost indisputable. But is this popular cliché crowding out attention on geopolitical issues elsewhere? Recent months have shown that West Asia remains at the fulcrum of world politics and the arena of the next hot war. The West’s conflict with Iran has spread to Syria in what appears as a serious thrust against the two uncooperative but pivotal states in an otherwise vast sphere…

  • Fado: A Coup d'Oeil at Lisbon's Popular Music

    Ivo Oliveira
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:59 am
    Music: A Lens to Cultural Identity I am sitting in a bar located in a typical neighborhood of Lisbon. Hitherto, the atmosphere is full of dilated laughter. All around a distracted bonhomie is being served with good wine. Then, in a somehow careful but not so elegant gesture, a middle-aged man stands up. Wearing a heavy face, he sweeps the whole room with his bulging eyes hoping that everyone will realize something is going to happen. No stage, no lights, no special effects. Two other men, holding cittern-shaped guitars sit down behind him. Someone says, “silêncio que se vai cantar…

  • Music: A Lens to Cultural Identity

    Ivo Oliveira
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:46 am
    music2.jpg In his work Temps et Récit, Paul Ricoeur considers, among many other issues, the possibility of modifying how historical time is conceived. The focus of this modification is human time; the private and public narrative in which we exist. The notion of history is thus removed from its epistemological domain and returns to its origins, i.e. the narrative of a “who.” The background of the narrative itself—the “sense horizon” to which it belongs—is the main pillar of cultural identity. An event, like the birth of Christ or a certain…

  • The Doge of Qatar

    Samir Boutamdja
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:25 am
    Time magazine named « the Protester » as the person of the year 2011 and paid special homage to Mohamed Al Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit vendor whose desperate gesture triggered the Arab Spring. However, some analysts and diplomats suggest, only half-jokingly, that another contender could have shared this honor. A man whose ideology resembles the pragmatism of the Renaissance Venetian Republic: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar.   The Arab Spring Patron   What if the mayor of Baton Rouge, the small capital of Louisiana, had the power to set the…
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    Booker Rising

  • 1/17 PHOTOS OF THE DAY: First Black Conservative Summit Held At The Georgia State Capitol

    Shay Riley
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:58 pm
    According to CascadePatch, more than 50 folks attended the summit yesterday at the Georgia state capitol. Janita Poe took these photos:Some of the panelists and guests included, from left: Georgia Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart; event co-coordinator and 5th District director of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women Lelia Mack-Hagood; Georgia 8th Congressional District Republican Party Chair Vivian Childs; Dr. Tim Johnson, chairman and founder of The Frederick Douglass Foundation; the session moderator Peri Similien vice president of The Conservative Alliance; the Honorable…

  • Star Parker: "Obama's Vision Puts America Last"

    Shay Riley
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm
    The conservative Republican pundit in Washington, D.C. wasn't feeling the liberal Democratic president's recent State Of The Union speech: "The theme that President Barack Obama gave to his State of the Union address was 'An America Built to Last.' But his vision would be better described as 'An America Built to Be Last.' As the president asked us to be patient and keep drinking the same Kool-Aid he's been serving up for three years, The New York Times reported that the Federal Reserve's latest assessment of our economy is that '...a full recovery is years away.'"She continues: "What…

  • Zora! Festival Focuses On Zora Neale Hurston's Legacy

    Shay Riley
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Zora Neale HurstonFrom the Orlando Sentinel (Florida), about the three-day festival in honor of the late libertarian Republican anthropologist and author: "On a typical day, Kennedy Boulevard in Eatonville is a busy thoroughfare, jammed with cars, trucks and buses. But on Friday, hundreds of kids filled the boulevard, which was closed for the first day of the ZORA! street festival. It was Education Day at the festival honoring the life and legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, who grew up in Eatonville and later wrote 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.' The 23rd annual event continues from 9 a.m. to 9…

  • Interracial Political Ad Sparks Controversy In South Africa

    Shay Riley
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:30 pm
    The Democratic Alliance, a moderate-liberal opposition party, is in hot water with some whites and blacks after the party's student wing put out this ad. From The Washington Post (hat tip: theGrio.com): "It’s been nearly 20 years since apartheid in South Africa ended, but one political poster depicting an interracial couple has caused a furor throughout the country. The poster, which depicts a white man and a black woman in a presumably nude embrace was created by the student wing of the Democratic Alliance party’s student wing. The tag­line reads: 'In OUR future, you wouldn’t look…

  • Fitch Cuts Italy, Spain, Other Euro Zone Ratings

    Shay Riley
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    From Reuters: "Fitch downgraded the sovereign credit ratings of Belgium, Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia and Spain on Friday, indicating there was a 1-in-2 chance of further cuts in the next two years. In a statement, the ratings agency said the affected countries were vulnerable in the near-term to monetary and financial shocks. 'Consequently, these sovereigns do not, in Fitch's view, accrue the full benefits of the euro's reserve currency status,' it said."The article continues about the ratings cut: "Fitch cut Italy's rating to A-minus from A-plus; Spain to A from AA-minus; Belgium to AA from…
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    FactCheck.org

  • The Gingrich Counterattack in Florida

    Brooks Jackson
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:05 pm
    Now comes the counterattack. After weeks of taking it on the chin in Florida without throwing a punch, the Gingrich side has  finally begun to fight back with TV attack ads of its own. Among the new ads is one from a pro-Gingrich super PAC that takes the personal attacks to a new level, suggesting Romney was associated personally with “illegal activity” in a massive Medicare fraud in the 1990s. The fact is Romney was never accused of wrongdoing in that case. Another ad from the same group claims that Romney “thinks judges can overrule parents on abortions.” But it…

  • More Florida Fouls

    Brooks Jackson
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:30 am
    Newt Gingrich falsely claimed he never favored a federal mandate requiring individuals to have health insurance. Romney repeated a false accusation that President Obama failed to denounce Hamas rocket attacks in a speech to the United Nations. And Santorum insisted that Muslim terrorists are seeking missile bases in Cuba — a wild claim based most likely on mistranslations of an Italian newspaper report. These were among the factual fouls that we noted as four GOP presidential candidates met for yet another debate. This one, the final debate prior to Florida’s Jan. 31 primary, took…

  • FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Jan 17-23

    FactCheck.org
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:09 pm
    This week, readers sent us comments about emergency contraception pills, and causation and correlation. In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the email we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.   ‘Pious Baloney’ Leftovers Thanks for the fact check on the South Carolina Gingrich-versus-Romney ad ["Gingrich’s ‘Baloney’-filled Attacks on Romney," Jan. 11]. Confusing the public about emergency contraception pills (ECP) is deliberate, pervasive, and routinely served by opponents of contraception. Although…

  • Florida Ad War: Mitt Pounds Newt

    Brooks Jackson
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:03 pm
    Summary The air wars in a pivotal Florida Republican primary race have so far been a decidedly one-sided affair, with Mitt Romney and a pro-Romney super PAC saturating the airwaves for weeks with a slew of attack ads aimed chiefly at Newt Gingrich. Many of the attacks are accurate. But the avalanche of negativity also contains a few distortions, including some that are being recycled. One claim that is repeated in several of the ads is that Gingrich supported funding for “China’s brutal one-child policy.” The truth is that the bill in question specifically prohibited the use…

  • Gingrich Spanish Radio Ad Pulled

    Lori Robertson
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:02 pm
    Before we got a chance to write about it, Newt Gingrich yanked a Spanish-language radio ad off the airwaves in Florida. The reason: No, it wasn’t a stellar fact-checking by journalists. Rather, it was Republican Sen. Marco Rubio’s complaint that the ad’s criticism of Mitt Romney was “inaccurate, inflammatory, and doesn’t belong in this campaign.” Gingrich’s ad had called Romney “the most anti-immigrant candidate,” a claim to which Rubio strenuously objected. He told the Miami Herald: “The truth is that neither of these two men is…
 
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    WesternFront America

  • A Grope A Day Keeps Osama Away

    Michael R. Shannon
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm
    A Grope A Day Keeps Osama AwaySen. Rand Paul (R–KY) made the news Monday when he declined to get up close and personal with TSA guards at the Nashville, TN airport. Paul entered the security line; dumped his belt, glasses, wallet, shoes, cell phone and pocket change in the attractive plastic bin and walked passively through the full–body scanner. Unfortunately while his chromosomes were enjoying this brief radiation bath, the scanner set off a “random” alarm that sent the crack TSA Grope Group into action. In Paul’s words, “TSA also wanted my dignity” and he refused their demand…

  • Does Obama Want to Lose? Yes!

    Alan Caruba
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    Does Obama Want to Lose? Yes!It seems like a bizarre notion, but does Barack Obama want to lose the election in November? I think he does! One is struck by the way Obama has visibly aged in the job. He may well have grown weary being POTUS. By any rational standard, one would say he wants a second term, but Obama has always operated in a fantasy world where mere words are supposed to translate into reality. And he has repeatedly talked about being a one-term president. He is, after all, his own invention; the author of two memoirs of a life that had little achievement to point to other than…

  • Obama Regime Continues To Shred US Constitution

    J.D. Longstreet
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:32 pm
    Obama Regime Continues To Shred US ConstitutionIf the US Constitution was still in effect, was still an operational document, was still the law of the land, then the Transportation Security Administration would be in very deep trouble today. However, as we have all come to know all too well, the constitution is all but totally ignored today, especially under the administration of the Obama Regime. When Obama was sworn in, the constitution was considered, found to be inconvenient for his socialist agenda, and ignored. The latest blatant violation of the US Constitution was the much-publicized…

  • Remembering John B. Gordon’s 180th Birthday

    Editor
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:24 pm
    Remembering John B. Gordon’s 180th BirthdayStephen D. Lee, Commander-in-Chief, United Confederate Veterans, said of John B. Gordon: ‘He was a devout and humble Christian Gentlemen. I know of no man more beloved in the South, and he was probably the most popular Southern man among the people of the North.’ —– February is Black History Month. It is also the birthday month of George Washington, our first president. And it is the birthday month of John Brown Gordon of Georgia. John B. Gordon, born February 6, 1832, was an orator, lawyer, statesman, soldier, publisher and…

  • Destroying America by Denying Access to Energy

    Alan Caruba
    22 Jan 2012 | 11:39 am
    Destroying America by Denying Access to EnergyIt is the crime of the century that America, home to some of the world’s greatest reserves of coal, natural gas and oil, is being deliberately destroyed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior as they do everything in their power to restrict access and drive energy producers out of business. It is common sense that a nation that cannot produce sufficient electricity to turn on its lights and power its manufacturing sector will be destroyed if current Obama administration regulations and actions continue. Our…
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    Kamikaze Earth

  • Avant Garden

    Andy D.
    21 Jan 2012 | 3:56 pm
    The world has to keep turning up the voltage to get a shock anymore. People have become insulated with rubber and it takes a lightning storm of depravity just to get a tingle. Shows like South Park and Beavis and Butthead among many others took the art of desensitizing the public to whole new levels. So what lies on the frontier of reaction art? 3d shit? Already done, thank you very much mister Knoxville. Sexually perverse surgery? It’s all over Netflix. So where does a slightly deranged and detached creature go for a daily dose of weirdness? Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon Ren and…

  • The Internet is on Fire! My Crusade to get a Straight Answer

    Andy D.
    4 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    "And here you will find the worst of all men...he who knows all but says nothing, and calls you a noob." When I first stated using the internet, back when AOL was king and everything was as slow as a fat man leaving Country Buffet, I—like most of the general public—battled relentlessly against error messages, technical quandaries, and full fledged confusion. There was a great lack of information on the topic, and those brilliant minds that had somehow figured out how the damned thing worked, were too busy making money to clue anyone in. From staring at a screen riddled with viruses at 3am…

  • Two and a Half Men Sucks Now: Let's all Watch it...

    Andy D.
    1 Jan 2012 | 5:24 pm
    Many a night have I sat on the couch and occasionally chuckled at Charlie Sheen saying something sexist or edgy on the show,Two and a half Men, while those around me roared and cackled, and fell in love with a show I found bland and a bit annoying (“Mehnnnnn” sung in acapella as a scene transition being one of the prominent annoyances). The show seemed like nothing more than a vehicle for Charlie and his womanizing gimmick. I found it to be low brow disguised as something clever, with the effeminate John Crier playing the cliché of the idealistic brother who thinks women want a man who…

  • Ron Paul is not a Racist, and neither is every White Republican

    Andy D.
    30 Dec 2011 | 7:06 am
    A newsletter has surfaced lately that proves without a reasonable doubt, that Ron Paul is a bonefied Racist and Homophobe. The newsletter was printed under his name years ago. In the letters some remarks that were made that were not flattering to minorities and homosexuals. These are the people who also really think Justin Bieber is reading their poetry they post to him on Facebook. You know, real thinkers. Ron Paul, who’s main platform is to stop bombing strangers, and who won’t take any money from special interests—no matter how badly it affects his campaign, must be a secret hateful…

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    Andy D.
    24 Dec 2011 | 3:41 am
    .
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    opposingviews.com

  • Video: All of Ron Paul's Answers from Thursday's CNN Debate

    Mark Berman Opposing Views
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm
    As a service to the multitude of Ron Paul fans out there, here are all of your favorite candidate's answers from Thursday night's CNN Republican presidential debate in Florida -- all in one handy-dandy video:

  • Senate Candidate Craig James: "Most Hated Man" in West Texas?

    Jason Stanford
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm
    By Jason Stanford Handsome, rich, Christian and Republican, Craig James should have it made as a senate candidate in Texas. He's famous for playing football for Southern Methodist University and later for the New England Patriots. Lately he's gained new celebrity for doing color commentary on Thursday nights for ESPN's college football lineup. A universally known outsider running against lesser-known insiders, Craig James should be as popular in Texas as a pretty girl at closing time.Not so much. Public Policy Polling just came out of the field with news that only 2 percent of Texas…

  • Video: Ron Paul Says Welfare Helps the Wealthy

    Michael Allen
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:41 am
    During CNN’s Republican debate in Florida on Thursday, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said he wants to abolish all income taxes and stop the transfer of wealth from the middle-class to the rich (video below). Rep. Paul said: "My goal is to get rid of the 16th Amendment and the only way you can do that is not run a welfare system and a warfare system. I do want to address the subject about taxing the rich. That is not a solution." "But I understand and really empathize with the people who talk about the 99 and the 1 because there is a characteristic about what happens when you…

  • Tennessee State Sen. Stacey Campfield: Virtually Impossible to Get AIDS From Heterosexual Sex

    Michael Allen
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:15 am
    Speaking to Michelangelo Signorile on SiriusXM radio, Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield (R) claimed on Thursday that it was nearly impossible to get AIDS through heterosexual sex. Sen. Campfield said: “Most people realize that AIDS came from the homosexual community. It was one guy screwing a monkey, if I recall correctly, and then having sex with men. It was an airline pilot, if I recall.My understanding is that it is virtually — not completely, but virtually — impossible to contract AIDS through heterosexual sex.” “(Homosexuals) do not naturally reproduce,” Sen. Campfield…

  • Video: Rick Santorum Calls Global Warming a "Hoax"

    Michael Allen
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:39 am
    During the Florida GOP presidential debate Thursday night, host Wolf Blitzer asked Rick Santorum why he was the Republican candidate most likely to defeat President Obama (video below). Santorum explained his differences with fellow candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, and then capped it off with: “Both of them bought into the global warming hoax!” This not the first time Rick Santorum has denied global warming science. Last summer, Santorum told Glenn Beck that “there was no such thing as global warming."
 
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    Ruck.us

  • ★ Taxes and Fairness

    Nathan Daschle
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:42 am
    In the last few days, we have learned that Mitt Romney paid an effective tax rate of 13.9% over the last two years.  As you know, this is low compared to other Americans who pay taxes.  The average tax rate among all Americans is 11%, but that includes the 46% of Americans who pay no federal income taxes, mostly because they are poor.  The reason Romney’s rate is so low is that his income comes from investment profits, dividends, and interest – not a salary.  Romney’s type of income is called capital gains, and its taxed at a maximum 15%.      Congress continues to…

  • ★ Tim Thomas

    Ray Glendening
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:47 am
    Yesterday featured one of our country’s great traditions.  The Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins made their entitled trip to the White House to meet and hang out with President Obama.  Super Bowl, World Series, Olympic medalists, college champions, etc. all share the tradition of visiting the White House, and the sitting President, a few months after they have climbed their sport’s great summit.  At the Bruins trip, one person was notably absent…Stanley Cup final MVP goalie Tim Thomas.  Thomas, an American that hails from Flint, MI, decided to skip meeting the…

  • ★ Takeaways from Last Night’s GOP Debate

    Nathan Daschle
    20 Jan 2012 | 11:08 am
    At this point, only the hard core political junkies are still watching the GOP presidential debates, and sadly you can count me among them.  Fortunately, last night’s CNN debate was one of the liveliest of the season, complete with zingers, an anti-media rant that will be talked about for awhile, and a rowdy, booing crowd.  Here are our takeaways: We are a far more tolerant society than we were a decade ago.  I would love to have been a fly on the wall of whatever room Bill Clinton was sitting in last night when he heard Newt Gingrich decry our obsession with candidates…

  • ★ SOPA & PIPA

    Ray Glendening
    19 Jan 2012 | 11:57 am
    If most Americans were not already aware of SOPA and PIPA as an issue, they certainly became aware of it by yesterday, when many highly trafficked websites like Reddit and Wikipedia went dark to protest the House and Senate bills.  For a quick background on the issue, check out this piece in Forbes.  Essentially, the intent of SOPA/PIPA is to stop some sites from selling or distributing pirated copyrighted material such as movies and music as well as physical goods such as counterfeit purses and watches. Sensible enough on the surface.  But, as vocal opponents would contend, it would…

  • ★ Guest Blog #1/Ron Miller

    Ron Miller
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    The turn of a new year is always another chance at a fresh start.  While Nathan and I have thoroughly enjoyed writing many blog entries through 2011 (and will keep writing in 2012), we want to broaden the perspective in 2012.  Today, we begin guest blog appearances.  Some will be from authors of certain persuasions and views, others will see the world in different ways.  And that is the beauty of it. Our first guest blogger is Ron Miller.  A biography of Ron can be found here.   Ron writes today about his view of the GOP race, and the next president.
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    The Recovering Politician

  • The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Wealth

    Grant Smith, RP Staff
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    The Politics of Wealth     How much money does Warren Buffett’s secretary really make? [CNBC] Why Bank of America will be the turn-around challenge of the century. [Fortune] The pessimists are wrong: the future never looked so good. [Forbes]

  • John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Trophies

    John Y. Brown III
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    Know thyself. Brutal self-honesty and continuous self-reflection are integral staples of a well-lived life in which we can be “True to ourselves.” Last Friday I went by a trophy store in town and started asking myself some hard questions. It’s been a long time since I’ve received a trophy for anything. Or a plaque for that matter. And I really like receiving both and felt like it was about time to get something again that I could put on my shelf or wall and be affirmed by –and hope others notice and are impressed. So I started thinking to myself, “Who says…

  • The RP’s BREAKING News: The Politics of Pigskin

    Zack Adams, RP Staff
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    The coaching carousel keeps on moving in the NFL – the latest hire was made by the Tampa Bay Bucs. They ending up signing Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano over Mike Sherman. The Bucs organization has made quite a few rounds while searching for a new coach, but Schiano outlasted the other candidates (including the ones that took other positions). [ESPN]

  • John Y. Brown, III: A National Primary?

    John Y. Brown III
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:30 am
    A friend, Don Marcum, asked about the possibility of a National Primary, and wondered if I had any thoughts on the matter. As luck would have it, I have quite a few ready-made thoughts from a column I wrote 15 years ago when people cared about what I had to say about such things. It was my first few months as KY’s newly elected secretary of state and a group of us were being interviewed on C-SPAN about the presidential primary system. Without much thought I proposed consideration of a National Primary….which went over like a lead balloon (aimed to land on my detractors!). Some of…

  • The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Tech

    Zack Adams, RP Staff
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    The Politics of Tech Raspberry Pi, the $25 PC, is back in the news. This time as it is show to outperform (double) the performance of an iPhone 4S. [Geek] Microsoft is calling for Washington state to legalize gay marriage. Microsoft argues that it is hard for them to hire their preferred candidates because they are based in a state that discriminates against them. [The Atlantic] Some people out there are tech savvy enough to jailbreak their phones. However, this practice could soon become illegal. Again. [Gizmodo] Actor Wil Wheaton has called out Chris Dodd regarding the claimed job losses…
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    ROJS News-ROJS Radio

  • We Are Americans Too

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:22 pm
    We are in every city of every nation. We are of every race and class. We are your neighbors, your policemen, your doctors, your firemen, your teachers, your cooks, your soldiers, we are your... Visit "ROJS News" right now to read more of this story!

  • Equal RIghts

    27 Jan 2012 | 7:38 pm
    "As I sit and wait, I think about the past, as it is filled with hate, this time it cannot last. The feeling of sorrow, from bigotry we've faced, hoping for a better tomorrow, the ignorance... Visit "ROJS News" right now to read more of this story!

  • Allegations for the former Campaign to Recall Rick Snyder investigation

    24 Jan 2012 | 10:35 pm
    Photo Credit-Google Images ROJS News Investigative Report From the beginning stages of the campaign to “Recall Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder”, our news blog ‘ROJS News’ and Podcast arm... Visit "ROJS News" right now to read more of this story!

  • ROJS News Liveblog of President Obama State of the Union Address

    24 Jan 2012 | 9:20 pm
    Photo Credit-Google Images We will be Liveblogging President Barack Obama's State of Union Speech this evening in Washington, D.C. for his third official State of the Union address.  This... Visit "ROJS News" right now to read more of this story!

  • ROJS Media, LLC seeking to winter interns for ROJS Radio division

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:29 am
    Photo Credit-ROJS Radio, division of ROJS Media, LLC Do you know any students in the Michigan area who are Communications or Public Relations majors? If so, ROJS Media, LLC is seeking to blast our... Visit "ROJS News" right now to read more of this story!
 
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    A Return to Common Sense

  • Romney & Bain Capital WERE Involved in Medicare – Another Romney Lie!

    Freedom Zone
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:02 pm
    During the GOP primary debate in Tampa, Florida, Mitt Romney aggressively attacked Newt Gingrich about his government consulting work. Romney, when challenged, explicitly stated that neither he nor Bain Capital had ever done "any work with the government like Medicaid and Medicare." Was Romney being honest? Or, was this just another Romney lie to the folks? Is Romney a man of unquestionable honesty? Or, is Mitt just another hypocritical politician? Were Romney and Bain Capital involved in Medicaid and Medicare or not?

  • Fact Check: Romney and Gingrich – Who Was Telling the Truth at the CNN Debate?

    Mr. Common Sense
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:24 am
    Mitt Romney carried his aggressive attack-style Florida campaign into Thursday night’s CNN GOP debate in Jacksonville, Florida. Romney made several accusations against Newt Gingrich, denied allegations leveled against him and, once again, failed to take responsibility for his own actions – claiming ignorance as a defense. Let’s take a moment to fact check the issues that surfaced during the debate...

  • Romney Says Gingrich Is a Failed Leader Who Resigned in Disgrace – But Is that True?

    Patriot4Ever
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pm
    Romney has engaged in an aggressive strategy to discredit fellow candidate Newt Gingrich by hammering him over his ethics controversy while Speaker of the House and his subsequent resignation. Romney claims Gingrich is a failed leader who resigned in disgrace due to serious ethics violations. But is that true? Are these charges accurate? Or, has Romney insidiously manipulated the truth to construct a vicious and false smear campaign against Newt?

  • US House Passes Two Historic Bills Defending and Upholding Religious Liberty!

    Freedom Zone
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:29 pm
    On Tuesday, the US House passed two important and historic bills defending and upholding religious liberty in America. Both measures endorse the use of religious symbols at military memorials - a recent target of religious bigots in the deepening war on Christianity and religion as a whole. Both bills passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support from both sides of the isle - despite objections by the Obama administration to at least one of them...

  • Bogus Obama SOTU Poll – Yahoo! Publishes Another Liberal Propaganda Piece as News!

    Mr. Common Sense
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:50 am
    Yahoo! has once again demonstrated its extreme liberal bias and lingering love affair with Obama when Yahoo! news led with a bogus Obama State of the Union poll result. The headline read: "Yahoo! audience reacts: 63% say Obama made the case for a second term." Really? Not so fast Yahoo...
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    Partisan Pass

  • 2012 – America Wakes Up

    Wes Kets
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:48 am
    .Can it be true? Can the sleeping giant actually be waking up? It appears more and more each day as if Americans are starting to wake up and fight back against the liberals, progressives, socialists, and the atheist here in America. But is it too late? We have a government that is literally trying to collapse our economy. This presidents’ administration is refusing to stop spending or printing money we don’t have, in order to achieve the goal of joining the new world order and global currency. But, it’s not limited to this president, it had taken me a while to realize the…

  • Write In Candidate

    Wes Kets
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    .By now, the majority of America wants the current president, who has basically been trying to BS his way through office, removed at the next election. I have been surprised by the number of Democrats and African-Americans who agree with this. Even I have been caught off guard by the vast number of those who oppose him. I thought for sure the union leaders, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson had them brainwashed. Was I ever wrong. However, one theme that is common with everyone – our choices SUCK! Here we have crap being shoved down our throats. The best choice of those remaining is a…

  • America Underestimated

    Wes Kets
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:34 am
    .I have discovered recently that Americans might be underestimated by its own government and those who are attempting to destroy it from within. America is far more awake and prepared than many may actually realize. By talking to people locally and through various networks, I am discovering that the peoples’ distrust in a government that is suppose to be protecting them, has reached an all time high. I am talking about Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Union, Non-Union, and Christians alike. What I have discovered, is people are far more prepared with food, water, medical supplies,…

  • GUN Control Law – Options

    Wes Kets
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    .Here in the St. Louis area, a community called Chesterfield, attempted to impose an ordinance stating that it was unlawful for a homeowner to discharge a firearm within 150 feet of their home. What the city did not apparently anticipate was the community showing up to protest them in outrage. This law would have made it so that homeowners could not protect themselves or their homes from an invasion, robbery, rape, or attempted murder. Members of the community showed up and voiced their concerns and made sure the council understood that it violated not only the Missouri Constitution, but the…

  • Newspaper Calls for Obama Assassination

    Wes Kets
    21 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    .I must say that I was in complete shock that a newspaper would run such an opinion piece. This writer of the article is just looking to be the first citizen to be rounded up and detained under the newly adopted NDAA guidelines. Additionally, I hope and pray that nobody assassinates our president. Not only because he is our president, but because such a thing would be very, very bad for our country. The first and foremost reason is that he would go down in history as a good president. He would be listed with the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy. This president would truly enjoy…
 
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    The Mojito Corner

  • Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

    jdedenghy
    28 Jan 2012 | 7:24 am
    Since the news has been a bit slow lately, I'm going to deviate from current events and write about graffiti today. How did I come to this conclusion? I saw a picture of a friend of mine in Spain, remembered a wall sprayed with anti-american graffiti from when I was in Granada and decided that it would make for an interesting topic. In many parts of the US, graffiti doesn't seem to be as big of an issue as it is in other countries and regions - especially in Europe and South America and (I can only imagine), Africa and the Middle East. First of all, let's begin with the opposing points of…

  • Is it Falklands or Malvinas?

    jdedenghy
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:02 am
    Almost thirty years have passed since the British and Argentinians fought a dirty little war over control of the Falkland Islands in the southern Atlantic. It was a war which Britain decisively won after 255 British troops were killed. For the British which have been in possession of the islands since 1833, preserving them is more than a matter of national pride, it is a matter of national security since the islands provide the nation with an accessible port and military base in the south Atlantic. Only about 2,500 people live on the islands but it is the Mount Pleasant Military Complex that…

  • State of the Union: Divided

    jdedenghy
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:13 am
    For those of you who watched Obama give his "State of the Union" address last night, I hope you paid close attention to the details (because they say that's where the devil is). I for one, thought it was a very well laid out speech, even if overall it was a bit long and it was mostly political. One can criticize many things about Obama and his policies, but his oratory skills are beyond reproach. The man knows how to stir a crowd. As for the content ... Well, he basically laid out an agenda of what he'd like to see get done on a full range of domestic issues and called for bipartisan…

  • Book Recommendation: On China by Henry Kissinger

    jdedenghy
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:52 am
    If you know absolutely nothing about China, its history, and its culture do not read this book. At least, do not read it yet. Kissinger's On China requires that the reader have an understanding of Chinese culture in order to make sense of the conversations therein recorded. On the other hand, if the reader already possesses the basic prerequisite, this book becomes an engaging read in which a particularly thorny part of Sino-American relations comes to light through the transcripts of actual negotiations and conversations between the likes of Mao Zedong and Richard Nixon as well as numerous…

  • Arab League Observers to Leave Syria

    jdedenghy
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:40 am
    Not too long ago when the Arab League observers were being sent into Syria, the media was praising the effort as a sign of the Arab world internally handling their own affairs. Now that the Arab League has announced that it will withdraw its observers (after they failed to get President Bashar al-Assad to agree to elections) we can expect two things. The first is the continual vilification of Syria by the American press and to some extent the international press and the second is a renewed crackdown by al-Assad on dissidents. Crazy world we live in! I never put much faith in international…
 
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    politicalhook

  • Mobile phones in policing

    politicalhook
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:50 am
      An £80 million pound project, set up by the last Labour government, has been found to be of little benefit by the National Audit Office. According to the National Audit Office, while in many forces mobile devices enable officers to spend more time out of their stations, cash savings have been limited and only [...]

  • Thanks for the £7 Clegg

    john
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:09 am
      Nick Clegg is wanting to speed up changes to the tax system. He has said that he wants to ”rewire and rebalance the tax system” to make it work for those who “play by the rules”. In a speech to the Resolution Foundation today, he is expected to say that gradually raising the threshold is [...]

  • Voters in queue at close of poll should be allowed to vote

    politicalhook
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:39 am
      The House of Lords Constitution Committee has published a small report on the rights of voters who are in the queue when a polling station closes. The report calls upon the government to change the law to ensure a repeat of what was seen in 2005 is not repeated. In June, last year, the [...]

  • Compulsory military redundancies ‘grotesque’ says Defence Committee

    politicalhook
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:08 am
      The Defence Committee has called the fact that 40% of planned military redundancies are compulsory as ‘grotesque’ when the MoD’s planned civilian redundancies are entirely voluntary. The committee will publish its report into the MoD’s Annual Report and Accounts 2010–11 today. The target for military redundancies across all three of the armed forces is set [...]

  • Health reform a ‘train crash’ that can’t be stopped

    john
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:38 pm
    Andrew George MP has said that the health bill could be “a train crash“. I agree with him but in a slightly different way, I see the reforms as a train that is out of control, hurtling down the track waiting to crash. All we can do is wait and let it run its course. [...]
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