April 2009 Archives

Here’s a number for the Republican Party to remember for future reference, 21. Twenty-one, that’s the percentage of Americans who identify themselves as Republicans according to the latest Washington Post poll, the lowest that figure has been in 26 years. Remember that number at the next meeting of the RNC, when you propose another stupid resolution like the one to brand the opposition as Socialists instead of Democrats. Remember that number before you send Newt...

Torture is a war crime, I don’t think there’s much debate about that. The Geneva Conventions say so, the United Nations Convention Against Torture says so. What constitutes torture, and whether or not waterboarding qualifies, may be debatable for some, but that’s not the topic for today. In my opinion, recent revelations have uncovered a greater war crimes than torture. That is the Bush administration taking this country into war in Iraq on false and...

I saw this video as part of a story about youTube today on CBS  Sunday Morning.  It is a fascinating mashup of hundreds of paintings over the last 500 years put together by Philip Scott Johnson.  I thought you might also enjoy it on this Sunday morning:...

UPDATED WITH A THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT: If you are a regular reader, you already know this has been a long week that started Monday with us losing our old 4 legged friend, Hank.  I've laid low for a few days and will be back into full swing next week blogging live from the Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles.  In the meantime, I feel like a little Stones to lighten the load on...

There are a couple of articles in the news this morning that are bringing cries of ‘See, we told you so’ from the defenders of the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques.” One is from CNS News, which says that the waterboarding of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed yielded information that prevented a terrorist attack on Los Angeles. The other is from the New York Times, which contains this quote from a memo sent by national intelligence director Admiral...

Hank, 1996-2009A few short years is all we have:One day we'll have to part...But you my pet, will always haveA place within my heart.- Hope Marrington MolbHe raised three little ones with endless patience.He was a Good Dog.UPDATE:A couple of memories from my boys:"...he's the best 110 lb lap dog I ever had.""One of the most sweetheart dogs I'll ever know.  I'll never forget how much he made me laugh and his big heart. Remember how...

Last week, one of my readers (who disagrees with my political writings about 99% of the time) sent me probably one of the best music videos I've ever seen.  It was produced by Playing for Change, a foundation established to promote peace through music by connecting musicians from around the world and providing resources to musicians and their communities.They have recorded musicians around the world in their documentary series, are building a music school in...

To prosecute or not to prosecute, that is the question. With the release of the Justice Department memos last week detailing the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” (aka torture) used by the CIA, the debate has begun over what to do to those who were involved. I fully understand the desire of the administration to, as the President said, “look forward and not backward.” We are facing the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression...

Somebody in the Republican Party please put an end to this insanity before it’s too late. Let’s look at what has happened since January 20th: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann from Minnesota has said she wants the people of her state to be “armed and dangerous.” Former Senator Rick Santorum wrote in an opinion piece in the Philadelphia Enquirer that President Obama “has a deep-seated antipathy toward American values and traditions.” Former Speaker of the House Newt...

The Republican hypocrisy train rolls on. Today’s two shining examples are Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and House Minority Leader, Mr. Spray-On Tan himself, John Boehner of Ohio. The subject is whether or not government spending creates jobs. Here’s what Sen. Chambliss had to say in February about the economic stimulus package: “The majority in Congress has been in runaway mode when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars. This legislation is yet another sign that...