15
The Decline Of Newspapers and the ‘News’
Sadly, the decline of newspapers continues. I learned from an award-winning photographer who was just laid off that editors are asking reporters to use their i-Phone cameras to cover stories.
Yearly Archives: 2014
26
2nd Court Slams Brownback For Underfunding Education To Expedite Kochs’ Tax Cuts
Now that Republicans control both houses of Congress, Americans should brace themselves for a serious Koch-style assault on revenue and government agencies. Last year, Mitch McConnell told Kansas Governor Sam Brownback that Republicans were panting to enact a Koch-Kansas economic assault on America that Brownback imposed by giving the rich monumental tax breaks at…
127
Two Year-Old Walmart Shooter A Year-End Scream for Gun Law Reform
It’s the end of an eventful year and the beginning of a new one. I had visions of a fresh start as I sat down to write my final political words of 2014. I’ve had a lot to say about American gun culture over the past 12 months and figured it might be refreshing to…
27
Steve Scalise Voted Against Martin Luther King Holiday Twice
GOP Majority Whip Steve Scalise voted against making MLK. Day a state holiday twice while he was in the Louisiana state legislature.
NYPD Police Leader “We Are Now A Wartime Police Department and Will Act Accordingly”
Mayor de Blasio with the notion in the NYPD that they are engaged in a war against their superiors or law-abiding citizens
14
The Year of Intolerant Liberalism? Not so Much
A Religious Right list of 33 Examples of Intolerant Liberalism in 2014 turns out (surprise!) to be examples of conservative intolerance
28
Tea Party Congressman Steve King Compares Embattled GOP Whip To Jesus Christ
As Steve Scalise struggles to distance himself from David Duke, EURO and his involvement with a racist conference twelve years ago, he has found at least one ally who will vouch for his character — Rep. Steve King (R-IA).
35
Nancy Pelosi Blasts John Boehner For Supporting House GOP Leader Who Addressed Hate Group
Nancy Pelosi hammered John Boehner for not standing up to the extremists in his own party after it was revealed that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise gave a speech to a racist hate group.
24
Fox News Host Makes Unsubstantiated Claim That Obama And Eric Holder Are “Anti-Police”
While guest hosting Fox News’ Hannity Monday night, Katie Pavlich said during a panel discussion that President Obama “has a track record of being anti-police” without providing any concrete proof of that being the case.
17
Republican Congressman Michael Grimm To Resign From Office After Felony Conviction
New York Republican Congressman Michael Grimm is resigning, after pleading guilty to felony tax evasion.
21
GOP House Leader Was Honored Guest Speaker At White Supremacist Conference
This week it was revealed that the third ranking Republican in the House of Representatives is guilty of pandering to a white supremacist extremist organization founded by former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke.
13
A New Bush and an Old McCain Will Represent the Past in 2015
These men want to make 2015 about them, and Dems should be more than happy to grant their wish given the GOP desire to forget George W. Bush
4
Let’s Not Forget Democracy And Equality In The Income Inequality Debate
Although New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is tired of hearing about increasing the minimum wage, it is worth noting that this January 1, nine states, including New Jersey, will see their minimum wages rise because of indexed increases.
12
Pope Plans To Go All In On Addressing Climate Change
Pope Francis plans to issue an edict on climate change in 2015.
10
If Protesters Are Responsible For Officers’ Deaths, So Then Are The Tea Party
Are the protesters responsible for the death of the officers? If yes, then the Tea Party is responsible for the death of the two Las Vegas officers.
15
Bernie Sanders Slams The Trans-Pacific Partnership As A Disaster For Workers
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is speaking out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Vermont Senator listed ten ways that the TPP would harm working families.
24
NYPD Disrespects Mayor De Blasio By Booing And Heckling Him During Graduation Ceremony
Two days after hundreds of NYPD police officers turned their backs on New York Mayor Bill de Blasio as he spoke at Officer Rafael Ramos’ funeral, the mayor was heckled and booed at the NYPD graduation ceremony in New York Monday.
61
Barack H. Obama is the Greatest President of Modern Times
His list of accomplishments, even minus any opposition, would be staggering. Considering the odds against him, they are truly monumental
3
President Obama Explains That Discussion Regarding Race Issues Is Healthy For The Nation
During a comprehensive interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep that was released Monday, President Obama spoke at length on a number of hot-button topics and issues that have come to the forefront in 2014. One of the issues he touched on was race relations in this country.
67
President Obama Named The Most Admired Man In The World For The 7th Straight Year
The endless Republican anti-Obama campaign suffered another defeat as for the seventh consecutive year President Obama was named the most admired man in the world by Gallup.
13
Republicans Plan Another Bush Trickle Down Assault In 2015
Some Republicans are beginning to express little hope that the President will go along with the scam and may eschew raising taxes on the poor, for now, and instead set their sights on slashing corporate taxes.
28
The Incomprehensibly Stupid Things Said by Republicans in 2014
Shubhranshu Choudhary says “Journalism has to become everyone’s business,” but Fox News says journalism is nobody’s business, including, especially, their own
54
Tennessee Woman In Body Armor Shoots Up Suburban Neighborhood
A middle-aged Tennessee woman is under arrest after she drove around a suburban Chattanooga neighborhood, inexplicably shooting at people.
11
Obama Marks The End Of Combat In Afghanistan: 90% of U.S. Combat Troops Are Home
President Obama praised the brave men and women who fought in Afghanistan while marking the official end of combat operations. The president also noted that 90% of the combat troops that served in Iraq and Afghanistan have returned home.
14
CNN Dumps Rick Perry and Lindsey Graham For Coverage Of Missing AirAsia Plane
CNN was the only Sunday show to dump interviews with Republicans Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in order to cover the breaking news surrounding the disappearance of an AirAsia plane.
117
Chuck Todd Defends Not Challenging Republican Lies On Meet The Press
Chuck Todd explained that the mainstream media has sold out facts for access. Todd said that he allows guests to lie on Meet The Press, because if he didn’t, politicians (Republicans) would refuse to be on his show.
NRA-Republicans Blocked Treaty Banning Arms Sales To Terrorists
One might wonder what kind of malcontent opposes a worldwide treaty that limits the transfer of conventional arms and battlefield components to evil dictators who promote and commit genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and attack civilians or civilian buildings such as schools and hospitals. In America, it is Republicans indebted to, and serving, the National Rifle Association.
Conservatives Can’t Find Their Way to the Future Because They Can’t Understand the Past
Context is everything, and in willfully misrepresenting the past, Republicans create a false premise upon which to build their plans for the future
39
No, We Don’t Care If President Obama Goes to Church
Obama critics might take a moment to reflect that even though Obama does not go to church regularly, the economy is booming
16
#BlackLivesMatter And #NYPDLivesMatter Are Not Mutually Exclusive
As human beings we all have value, and Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos did not deserve to die. At a fundamental level, #BlackLivesMatter and #NYPDLivesMatter mean the same thing.
32
After N. Korea Called Obama A Monkey Their Internet and Mobile Networks Were Shut Down
After the N. Korean government called President Obama a monkey, and blamed him for the release of The Interview, the country’s Internet and mobile networks were attacked and shut down.
President Obama Is Finally Beginning To Get Credit For The Nation’s Economic Turnaround
It has been frustrating for supporters of President Obama, but it looks like the American people are beginning to give the president credit for the nation’s economic recovery.
17
Black Cops Feel Threatened By And Fear Other (White) Officers
Black New York City police officers admitted they are regularly racially profiled by white officers and worse
CNN Suddenly Seems to Notice Republican Reliance on Religious Right
CNN is reporting that the GOP moves early to court conservative Christians. We are told that, “The first votes of the 2016 campaign won’t be cast for another year but there’s already a race well underway: The Christian primary.” Republicans are actively courting white evangelical and born again Christian voters, knowing they will be crucial…
12
Friday Fox Follies – Post-Holiday Edition
Fox “News” has been slowly sliding into bat-guano-crazy territory ever since protests erupted following Michael Brown’s killing in Ferguson on August 9, 2014. After more incidents of Cops Gone Wild, more people took to the streets. Fox “News” pushed back harder.
24
Judge Rules America’s Fastest Growing Industry Is Exempt From Minimum Wage Law
While the Labor Department’s rule change was meant to protect worker’s rights, the Judge protected Home Care Associates, the International Franchise Association, and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice rights to make bigger profits. The rapidly-growing industry’s leaders convinced the judge that paying the minimum wage, and the outrageous idea of overtime pay, was an abomination and would have a “destabilizing impact” on the nation’s fastest-growing industry.
12
Ferguson Protesters Spend Christmas Night Rebuilding Vandalized Michael Brown Memorial
After midnight had struck and another Christmas had passed, activists and protesters in and around Ferguson got word that a memorial in honor of slain teenager Michael Brown had been run over by a car and basically destroyed. they spent the next two hours rebuilding it.
26
New York State Trooper Threatens Driver With Arrest For Video Recording Traffic Stop
A New York state trooper told a driver recording a traffic stop earlier this month that he’d “find a way for the DA’s office to arrest you” if the driver posted the video to YouTube.
As Economy Grows and Gas Prices Plummet, Obama’s Approval Rating Surges To 20 Month High
With gas prices on a record low decline, and the economy experiencing its best quarter in 11 years, President Obama’s approval rating has reached its highest level in 20 months.
5
Bernie Sanders Will Decide By March If He Will Run For President In 2016
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has announced that he will decide by March 2015 if he will run for president. If Sanders chooses not to run, Hillary Clinton may not have much of a challenge for the Democratic nomination in 2016.
6
Goodwill Towards Mankind Only During Winter Holidays
So, another December 25th has came and went and despite the religious right and Fox News pundits bemoaning a phony “war on Christmas,” the commercial holiday came to fruition as it has for generations.
24
More Heartache Around the Corner for God’s Own Party in 2016
Where once three-quarters had been Protestants alone, now barely three quarters are even Christian, and the numbers continue to drop
1
8
President And First Lady Michelle Obama Honor The Troops With Special Christmas Message
President and First Lady Obama sent all Americans, especially the troops overseas, a special Christmas greeting today.
7
Republican Warhawks And Arms Lobby Unite To Undermine US On World Stage
President Obama has been clear in his advocacy of sensible gun reform at home, as well as balanced global demilitarization. Shamefully, the President has been totally lacking in Congressional partners who want to make the world’s streets safer with him.
39
Fox News Condemns President Obama Over Ferguson Protester Attending DOJ Meeting
During Wednesday morning’s episode of Fox & Friends, Peter Johnson, Jr. and Tucker Carlson said the Department of Justice investigation into Michael Brown’s death was discredited because they “sought advice” from radical Ferguson protester and livestreamer Bassem Masri.
14
Obama’s War to Stop the GOP From Dragging America Into Irrelevance
icant advertising revenue.
Obviously, the President has preached at, begged, and cajoled Republicans to pass legislation addressing the income gap and there is no better way to start than allocating major funding to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.
7
Questions Arise As Another Black Teen Shot And Killed By White Cop Near St. Louis
Late Tuesday night a white police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old black male after an interaction at a gas station in Berkeley, Missouri.
42
David Barton Disciple Joining U.S. House Next Year Vows Holy War on Nonbelievers
Barry Loudermilk says he will fight against people who think they have a right to ruin Christmas by not being Christians like everybody else
64
Darrell Issa’s Report Blows Up In His Face and Destroys The IRS Scandal
As one of his final acts as chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) released a 226-page report that debunks his own claim that the White House was coordinating the IRS scandal.
41
Andrea Mitchell Not Rachel Maddow Named The Best Host On MSNBC
A poll of cable news hosts found that Andrea Mitchell, not Rachel Maddow, was voted the best host on MSNBC.
Mitch McConnell Blames Democrats For His Years Of Senate Obstruction
In what could be the lie of the year, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blamed Democrats for his years of Senate obstruction.
22
Thanks, Obama! Economy Surges Forward As GDP Growth Fastest In More Than A Decade
The federal government reported Friday that real GDP growth rose by 5.0% for the third quarter of 2014, marking the fastest growth in any quarter since 2003.
15
Blame N.Y. Officers Deaths On Convicted Criminal With A Gun, Not Obama
However, as Americans have witnessed more and more, when police kill citizens, especially unarmed African American citizens, no one is held accountable and failure to praise the killings is an outrage.
21
Protester Confronts Fox Affiliate Over False Story That Claimed She Said “Kill A Cop”
In response to a story Baltimore news station Fox45 ran Sunday, activist Tawanda Jones appeared on a news broadcast Monday evening to set the record straight and take the station to task for deceptively editing a video to make it appear she said “kill a cop” at a protest.
12
Media Matters Names George F. Will Misinformer of the Year
Will’s most egregious sin may have been his “attacking and dismissing rape victims” but climate denialism and ethical lapses also dogged him
20
Another Win For Obama As President Gets High Approval Rating For His Handling Of Cuba
A new CBS News poll released today found that the American people strongly approve of President Obama’s executive action to normalize relations with Cuba.
44
Obama Promised Revenge and Now North Korea’s Internet Is Totally Down
The U.S. government isn’t commenting, but it is probably more than a coincidence that after President Obama promised a proportional response to the Sony hacking, North Korea’s internet has been knocked down by an attack.
29
Fox Affiliate Deceptively Edits Protest Footage To Show Protesters Chanting “Kill A Cop”
Baltimore news station Fox45 ran a story Sunday night attacking protests against police brutality and racial disparity by running deceptively edited footage to suggest protesters were chanting “kill a cop” during a demonstration.
22
Obama Leads A Comeback For Labor With Biggest Protection Of Workers’ Rights In a Generation
The Obama administration is leading a huge comeback for labor by using two administration agencies to aggressively protect workers’ and unions’ rights.
27
Joe Scarborough Predictably Blames Protesters For Senseless Deaths Of Two NYPD Officers
During the Monday morning broadcast of Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough delivered a monologue where he specifically blamed the protests over the Michael Brown and Eric Garner deaths for the shooting deaths of two NYPD officers.
25
Dick Cheney and Evangelical Christians Epitomize Dark Age Barbarism
Instead of shame and humiliation that this government condoned and defended myriad human rights violations, one of the architects of torture, Dick Cheney and several Bush officials hit the airwaves defending torture with overwhelming support from the religious right.
24
New York Times Editorial Calls for Investigation and Prosecution of Torturers in Bush Administration
The Times says this is “about ensuring that this never happens again and regaining the moral credibility to rebuke torture by other governments”
8
Obama Asks The American People To Reject Violence After The Shooting Of 2 NYC Police Officers
President Obama strongly condemned the ambush killing of two New York police officers, while calling on the American people to reject violence.
54
Rudy Giuliani Lies While Blaming Obama For The Murder of Two New York Police Officers
In order to blame Obama for the murder of two New York police officers, Rudy Giuliani had to tell a massive lie about the president that had no relationship to reality.
5
NLRB Charges McDonald’s With Employee Rights Violations
The NRLB said that since last year, it received 181 complaints against McDonald’s, not individual franchises, and found clear cut and universal unlawful conduct by the company in 86 cases proving that McDonald’s does control individual franchisees as a “joint employers” of its “fast food workforce.”
17
Obama Turns The Tables On Republicans By Arguing That Gitmo Is Too Expensive To Keep Open
During an interview on CNN, President Obama used one of the GOP’s favorite arguments against them, but arguing that Gitmo is too expensive to keep open.
92
Ben Carson’s Embarrassingly Stupid Attack on Obamacare
Ben Carson thinks Obamacare is unconstitutional because it doesn’t help everybody. The only problem with that is that it DOES help everybody
40
The Religious Right’s Replacement for Obamacare: God!
Supposedly, we don’t need healthcare, we need only God. But we have to live according to God’s rules, unlike the Religious Right
1
Editorial Cartoon: Putin on the Blame
Bill Day on Putin blaming the West for the collapse of the Russian economy.
6
President Obama Preserved Women’s Reproductive Rights In Passing the CRomnibus
The recent appropriations bill known as the CRomnibus could have been a lot worse for women’s reproductive rights and it is very fortunate for women that Democrats and President Obama succeeded in getting it passed.
5
113th Congress Produces 22% of “Do-Nothing” 1947-1948 Counterpart
Similar to overpaid NFL “star” Jay Cutler’s reign of terror as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, the best thing we can say about the 113th session of Congress is that it’s over.
56
Payback Time: Obama Plans On Punishing All Of The Republicans Who Obstructed Him
It is being reported that President Obama is planning an active agenda for his final two years in office, and part of his plan is to punish all of the Republicans who have obstructed him during his time in office.
20
Obama Rips Congress For Violating The Constitution By Blocking Him From Closing GITMO
President Obama attached a signing statement to the 2015 NDAA that shredded Congress and accused the legislative branch of violating the constitutional separation of powers by passing provisions that block him from closing GITMO.
14
Oklahoma and Nebraska Marijuana Sales in Colorado are Against Foreign Laws, So Stop it!
Red States Nebraska and Oklahoma incredibly claim federal law trumps state law, and that foreign laws are more important than state laws.
5
Friday Fox Follies – The Holiday Edition
Friday Fox Follies examines The Colbert Report’s goodbye, Bill O’Reilly declaring victory in the War on Christmas and Megyn Kelly’s awkward encounter with President Obama.
41
Prosecutor Admits He Let Witnesses Who “Absolutely Lied” Testify Before Ferguson Grand Jury
In an interview with a St. Louis radio station Friday, St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch admitted he let witnesses who “clearly were not telling the truth” testify before a grand jury that decided not to indict former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
32
Bernie Sanders Pushes Back Hard Against The GOP Plan To Cut Social Security and Medicare
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is pushing back hard against a Paul Ryan inspired Republican idea to cut both Social Security and Medicare next year.
16
Neighboring States Suing Colorado Over Marijuana Legalization
Republican Attorneys General from Nebraska and Oklahoma filed a lawsuit against the state of Colorado for its law legalizing marijuana.
13
Obama Makes History As First President To Only Take Questions From Women At Press Conference
Today, President Obama became the first president in US history to only take questions from women at a White House press conference.
31
Obama Sends Strong Signal That He Would Veto Bill Authorizing Keystone XL Construction
President Obama was asked about Keystone XL during his year end press conference and the he responded by tearing the Republican Party’s Keystone XL lies to shreds while sending the strongest signal yet that he will veto the bill Republicans are expected to pass authorizing construction of the pipeline next month.
5
Obama Says Sony Made A Mistake By Caving to N. Korea and Canceling The Interview
President Obama said during his end of the year press conference that Sony made a mistake by pulling The Interview. The president explained that it was wrong to allow a dictator to impose censorship on the American people.
34
GOP On GOP Violence: Marco Rubio Slams Rand Paul For Agreeing With Obama’s Cuba Policy
During an appearance on Fox News’ The Kelly File Thursday night, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) criticized Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) for agreeing with President Obama’s decision to normalize the United States’ relationship with Cuba.
10
Republicans Condemn North Korean Human Rights Violations While Ignoring Their Own
The hypocrisy of this nation co-sponsoring a resolution condemning anyone country for human rights abuses (torture) is beyond the pale. Particularly in light of the recent Senate Intelligence Report verifying what the world has known for several years; America is guilty of committing gross human rights abuses on its own citizens and “suspected terrorists” held in captivity.
22
Obama’s New Muscular Approach Boosts Democrats While Painting Republicans Into A Corner
President Obama’s decision to use executive actions immediately after the election sent the spirits of those in his party surging, while splitting his Republican opposition before they could take power.
16
North Korea’s Attack on Sony is an Attack on Our First Amendment
For once there is something both liberals and conservatives can agree upon, that North Korea has no right to tell us what we can say, do, or watch
3
Editorial Cartoon: Pain and No Gain
One report can’t wipe away the stain on our nation caused by torture.
17
Bernie Sanders Calls Out Congress For Bailing Out Wall St But Not Helping Working People
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) delivered some harsh truth to his fellow members of Congress on MSNBC when he said, “If this country could bail out the crooks on Wall Street who destroyed the economy surely, the federal government can help the working people who are absolutely dependent on these pensions.”
12
New York Bans Fracking Due to Health Risks – Wisconsin Bans Fracking Regulation Due To Greed
Republicans depend on lies and deceit to convince their ignorant base to support dangerous policies, and it is why they criticize science and unbiased research so vehemently; particularly surrounding issues surrounding the fossil fuel industry and its risk to the environment; and Americans’ health.
4
ACLU Files Lawsuit Claiming Racial Discrimination In Ferguson School District Voting
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday is a St. Louis federal court in which it claims the Florissant-Ferguson School District is practicing racially discriminatory system in its election process.
Republicans Shattered As Obamacare’s Success Drives Level Of Uninsured To Historic Lows
A new study by the White House Council of Economic Advisers has found that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of Americans who lack health insurance is heading for a historic low.
29
John McCain Blames Obama For N. Korea’s Sony Hack That Killed The Interview
John McCain will blame President Obama for anything, but the Arizona senator showed how far he will go by blaming Obama for the N. Korean government’s hack of Sony.
42
Black Democratic Strategist Rips Fox Host For Saying Obama’s Making Things Worse For Blacks
During an appearance on Fox & Friends Thursday, Reverend Jacques Degraff, a Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor, shredded host Elisabeth Hasselbeck for arguing that black Americans lives have been made more difficult by President Obama.
1
Editorial Cartoon: Havana Daydreamin’
On Wednesday, President Obama announced a normalization in the relationship between Cuba and America.
48
The Insane Republican Reaction to Obama’s Cuba News
Tom DeLay said, “Frankly, I think this could also be payback by Obama to those Cubans who normally support Republicans”
9
Alan Gross Home Free After 5 Years in Cuban Prison, Thanks President Obama
Gross told the media, “In my last letter to President Obama, I said despite my five years of captivity I said I would not want to trade places with him.”
35
President Obama Outplayed Republicans Again – So Stop Complaining
Once again, President Obama has out-maneuvered Republican plans to further wreak havoc on the nation, and although a clean funding bill would have been ideal, it was never going to happen because Republicans.
66
President Obama’s Cuba Surprise Sends John Boehner and Mitch McConnell Reeling
President Obama’s December Cuba surprise has sent both John Boehner and Mitch McConnell reeling as the president has again demonstrated his tactical superiority over the Republican congressional leadership.
6
A Cuban Victim of the Cold War is Free Today Thanks to President Obama
Though there has seemed no reason for the two nations to remain at odds over the past 20+ years, old animosities die hard. Though a small step, this announcement is but one of many we will see in coming days, and it is a long overdue step, one refreshingly taken in the right direction.
35
Sen. Marco Rubio Leads Predictable Republican Whinefest Over Obama’s New Cuba Policy
After President Obama announced a new policy shift with Cuba Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) led the predictable Republican outrage. Specifically, Rubio called Obama a weak negotiator and said Congress will not lift the embargo.
