Sunday Afternoon Respite: Open Thread

The news seems to go from bad to worse.  In the midst of all of this we need to step back and refresh our spirits by contemplating life’s pleasures.  So, pour yourself a glass of your best Chardonnay and sink down into the comfiest chair in the house.   Admire the crystal clear golden nectar; swirl, [...]

Peter Galbraith Tells His Side of the Afghan Election Story

A couple of days ago, I predicted we would be hearing more from Peter Galbraith on his recent firing from his post as deputy special representative of the United Nations in Afghanistan, by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Today Galbraith tells his side of the story in The Washington Post. Galbraith says he was ordered [...]

Your Breakfast Read, Sunday Edition

Health Care Mess You mean this nightmare could come to a close soon? Health Overhaul Is Drawing Close to Floor Debate With the Senate Finance Committee set to approve its health care bill this week, Democrats are tantalizingly close to bringing legislation that would make sweeping changes in the nation’s health care system to the [...]

Message to Obama from Left, Right, and Center: Cool It!

Talk about pearls before swine, true lefty Harvey Wasserman, author of Harvey Wasserman’s History of the United States, has a diary up at the Cheeto today. It hasn’t been very well received so far–only four recs, including mine; and the tip jar has two HRs (troll ratings). Like lots of other people across the political [...]

Your Breakfast, Saturday Edition

Health Care Reform Nightmare Nice going Congressmen. The whole thing is just some playground shoving. War of Words Over Health Care Cools Another storm over health-care rhetoric blew through the House this week, prompting Republicans and Democrats to trade accusations that the other had crossed the line marking good taste and civility in the chamber. [...]

Barack’s Very Very Bad Day

h/t Larry Johnson at No Quarter for the CNN video. The American media is stunned, horrified, shocked at Europe’s failure to bow down to America’s “rock star” President. Here’s USA Today: It started with a jaw-dropping first-round defeat for Chicago, the United States and President Barack Obama. It ended with an overwhelming final-round rout for [...]

PSA on H1N1: I am going to be harsh

This morning’s New York Times has a disturbing report about the spread of the H1N1 virus.  This strain of flu is proving to be especially dangerous for pregnant women: Dr. Schuchat expressed particular worry about pregnant women. As of late August, 100 had been hospitalized in intensive care, and 28 had died since the beginning [...]

Thank Goodness It’s Frigg’s Day!

This morning, I was inspired by myiq2xu to investigate the origins of “Friday.” It turns out the day is named for the Norse goddess Frigg, or Frigga, the patron of marriage and motherhood and the goddess of love and fertility. Frigg was the wife of Odin, the All-Father. She was responsible for weaving the clouds [...]

The Tide of Public Opinion Appears to be Turning on Polanski

I admit to being really angry that so many people have been defending Polanski around the world and on the ‘net. I got really worked up yesterday and even snapped at a a couple of commenters. So I’m very happy to see that the tide seems to be turning–especially in the media. Perhaps the overwhelming [...]