Category Archives: In the news

Obama’s Gun Control Proposals and Executive Orders

Prominent Republicans, including members of Congress, have responded by calling for impeachment. It’ll be interesting to see if any of Obama’s proposals make it through Congress. If any do, I expect they will be considerably watered down. Executive Orders, of … Continue reading

Posted in In the news | 3 Comments

Using Photoshop To Alter A Photo Isn’t Deceptive If There’s Full Disclosure. Also, “Reverse Sexism” Raises Its Annoying Ugly Head

So Nancy Pelosi, wanting to commemorate the record-breaking 61 female members of the Democratic House Caucus, had the above photos taken. But four women were not present for the photo, and so were Photoshopped into the back row (and rather … Continue reading

Posted in Elections and politics, Feminism, sexism, etc, In the news | 16 Comments

Three Updates on the Gallaudet University Story

1) Angela McCaskill, the suspended Gallaudet University Diversity Officer at the heart of this story, is being used in an anti-same-sex marriage TV ad. According to CBS news, “McCaskill’s attorney says his client would like the ad to stop running,” … Continue reading

Posted in Disabled Rights & Issues, In the news, Same-Sex Marriage | 9 Comments

Mitt Romney Reveals His Contempt For Half Of America

Well, 47% of America, to be accurate. This is a video of Romney, at what he thought was a private, unrecorded fundraiser: There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, … Continue reading

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Elections and politics, In the news | 67 Comments

Romney Mocks Trying To Address Global Warming

I wasn’t interested in the GOP convention this year, and I don’t expect to be interested in the Democratic convention. It’s not like I’m sweating who to vote for; of the two viable candidates, Obama, despite horrible flaws, is the … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues, In the news | 4 Comments

The Southern Poverty Law Center Is Not The Problem

Dana Milbank argues that it is irresponsible for the Southern Poverty Law Center to classify the Family Research Center as a “hate group.” Milbank’s main argument, used twice, is that it’s wrong to include the KKK and the FRC on … Continue reading

Posted in Civility & norms of discourse, In the news | 17 Comments

Guard at Family Research Council Shot and Injured

This is horrifying. From The Washington Post: A security guard at the Family Research Council was shot and wounded Wednesday morning after a scuffle with a man who expressed disagreement with the group’s conservative views in the lobby of the … Continue reading

Posted in In the news | 5 Comments

RIP, Ray Bradbury

RonF has commented twice, now, that Ray Bradbury’s passing has passed without comment here. I have to admit I’m a little puzzled, myself. Here we celebrate, among other things, creative endeavor, including writing and speculative fiction. If this non-commentary state … Continue reading

Posted in Fiction, In the news, Popular (and unpopular) culture, Recommended Reading, Uncategorized, Writing | 14 Comments

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act

Still not much time for posting, but I do want to point out that — much to my surprise — the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, with Roberts voting with the four relatively liberal Justices, and Kennedy … Continue reading

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, In the news, Supreme Court Issues | 26 Comments

Obama and Pot

David Maraniss‘ forthcoming biography of President Obama reports that in high school and college, Obama not only inhaled, he was a rather intense user. This quote from Penn Jillette is apropos: Do we believe, even for a second, that if … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police, Race, racism and related issues | 18 Comments