Category Archives: In the news

In Defense Of The Tax Cut Compromise

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Ampersand

There’s a lot I’d criticize Obama for: His Bush-like despotic abuse of civil liberties and presidential powers when it comes to US prisoners, for example, is nothing less than loathsome. His ridiculous habit of making concessions to Republicans in return … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like, Elections and politics, In the news | 15 Comments

Krugman: Let The Tax Cuts Die

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Ampersand

The Republicans have filibustered tax cuts for all Americans who pay income tax, because they want the extra-large cuts only for those who earn more than $250,000 a year extended. Paul Krugman argues that rather than compromising, Obama should veto … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like, In the news | 32 Comments

Quite Possibly the Most Important Discovery Ever

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Jeff Fecke

I’m not being hyperbolic. This is something that will have a dramatic impact on biology, the search for extraterrestrial life, and evolutionary thought: Hours before its special news conference today, the cat is out of the bag: NASA has discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news | 13 Comments

Judge Rules "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Unconstitutional

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Ampersand

[Crossposted on “TADA.” Defenses of DADT should go on “TADA,” not on “Alas.”] A federal judge in Riverside declared the U.S. military’s ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional Thursday, saying the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy violates the 1st … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 7 Comments

"Now excuse me, I have to go." Satoshi Kon's Last Words.

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Ampersand

Anime director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millenium Actress, Paprika) died of cancer earlier this week, age 46. He wrote a long statement about his death, which his family posted on his blog, and which blogger Makiko Itoh has … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news | 3 Comments

Federal Judge In California Rules Proposition Eight Unconsitutional

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Ampersand

(Crossposted on Alas and on TADA. Arguments in against recognizing SSM legally should be taken to TADA, not posted on Alas.) 1) First reaction: HELL fuzzy yes! 2) As nice as this feels now, like Scott Lemieux, I’m not optimistic … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news, Same-Sex Marriage | 14 Comments

Mosque Quotes: Mayor Bloomberg and Iman Feisal Abdul Rauf

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Ampersand

I express my heartfelt appreciation for the gestures of goodwill and support from our Jewish friends and colleagues. Your support is a reflection of the great history of mutual cooperation and understanding that Jewish and Muslim civilizations have shared in … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Free speech, censorship, copyright law, etc., In the news | 21 Comments

Convenient Double Standard on Drug Use

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Guest Writer

(This post by Kevin Keith is crossposted, with Kevin’s kind permission, from Sufficient Scruples.) USAToday reports a study of the high rate of suicide and drug-related deaths in the military. The report concludes that such deaths have increased because soldiers, particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news | Comments Off on Convenient Double Standard on Drug Use

The Democrats Are Now The Home Of Market-Based Solutions

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Ampersand

(Crossposted on “Alas” and on “TADA.”) In an op-ed in the Boston Globe, Richard Schmalensee and Robert Stavins (of MIT and Harvard, respectively) lament the Republican Party’s newfound opposition to market-based environmental solutions. LAST WEEK, the Senate abandoned its latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., crossposted on TADA, Environmental issues, In the news | 4 Comments

Dems Give Republicans De Facto Control Of Next Congress; or, how I wish the Democrats had a nose so I could punch it; or, why Amp might vote Republican

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Ampersand

(Crossposted between Alas and TADA.) From The Washington Independent: Recognizing that Democrats would be reluctant to record “yes” votes for a budget that would augment the deficit, the House leadership opted to deem as passed a “budget enforcement resolution” instead, … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Elections and politics, In the news | 33 Comments