Category Archives: In the news

The Filibuster Is Going Down! Er, partly.

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Ampersand

From the New York Times: Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, is prepared to move forward with a vote that could severely limit the minority party’s ability to filibuster presidential nominees, possibly as early as this week, Democrats said Tuesday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections and politics, In the news | 8 Comments

Obama Lied, And He Deserves To Be Slammed For It

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Ampersand

Ezra Klein sums it up well: President Obama promised that “if you like your plan, you can keep it.” This is true for the vast majority of Americans, but the small fraction for whom it isn’t true still represent millions … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections and politics, Health Care and Related Issues, In the news | 80 Comments

Legalizing Pot Supported By 59% Of Americans

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Ampersand

This chart (hat tip to Kevin Drum) says it all: Mark Kleiman has some caveats, but still, this is a milestone. It won’t be long before supporting legal pot will seem so safe and mainstream that politicians will be sprinting … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police | 30 Comments

My Wacky Alternative Plan For How The GOP Can Get Its Santa List

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Ampersand

From the New York Times: Also behind closed doors in the Capitol, House Republican leaders laid out their demands for a debt-ceiling increase to the Republican rank and file. They include a one-year delay of the president’s health care law, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., In the news | 8 Comments

Thorstein Veblen Was Right

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Ampersand

Gov. Bob McDonnell is not commenting on a $6,500 Rolex watch that published reports say he received from a major campaign donor who has lavished his family with thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts he has not disclosed publicly. I … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news | 33 Comments

Some Thoughts On The George Zimmerman Trial

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Ampersand

I think it’s important that George Zimmerman has had a trial. I don’t know if George Zimmerman is guilty of murder under Florida’s laws or not. That’s partly a subjective determination which can only properly be made by a judge … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news | 467 Comments

Kickstarter Shows What A Real Apology Looks Like

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Ampersand

“We were wrong.” None of this “we’re sorry if anyone had their feelings hurt” nonsense. And the $25,000 to RAINN (a charity I admire and have given to) goes a long way, too.

Posted in In the news, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | Comments Off on Kickstarter Shows What A Real Apology Looks Like

Partisan Bias And NSA Surveillance

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Ampersand

Pew has the numbers: Basically, very large portions of both parties alter their view on NSA surveillance based on who’s in the White House. Good thing that we can be sure the opposing party will never, ever win an election … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news | 24 Comments

Texas Jury Acquits Man For Killing Escort Who Wouldn’t Have Sex With Him

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Ampersand

(UPDATE: Make sure to read the update at the end of the post, which puts a very different spin on the jury’s decision.) From Vanity Fair: Frago went outside where her driver, Christopher Perkins, was waiting. Gilbert came out and … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police, Sex work, porn, etc | 36 Comments

Boy Scouts Vote To Admit Gay Boys, But Not Adults

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Ampersand

Ron writes: So National Council passed – 62:38 – a resolution stating that a youth who openly proclaims themselves as homosexual cannot be denied membership in a unit solely on that ground. 1) This actually goes beyond “local option”. Regardless … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 23 Comments