The German publication Der Spiegel has published yet another revelation from the Edward Snowden documents. These reveal that the NSA and the British GCHQ have been spying on the OPEC countries. [Read more…]
People who speak in public but want to avoid dealing with pesky questioners use two techniques. One is to say that they will not take any questions. But that would reveal that they are scared or cannot defend their position and few people choose to do that. What they sometimes say instead is that they have another engagement immediately after the allotted time for the event and then they speak so long as to fill up the time. But another tactic is to demand that people submit their questions in writing in advance to a moderator and then have the moderator select only the friendly ones. [Read more…]
On The Daily Show Jon Stewart and Larry Wilmore have one of their periodic discussions on the state of race relations in America and how black Americans who become successful (and in the US this means rich) are confronted with having to deal with conflicts that set their personal financial interests against taking a stand for what is right. [Read more…]
I am sure that I don’t have to tell readers about the mayor of Toronto Rob Ford’s shenanigans. Each day seems to bring some revelation of outlandish behavior of drug and alcohol abuse and uncontrolled rages, with increased public incredulity at the fact that he seems determined to not only not resign but also plans to run for re-election. He seems to be increasingly detached from reality. [Read more…]
The Guardian has a nice feature story that brings us up to date on all the Snowden revelations and what it all means for us, the ordinary person. [Read more…]
The US Senate yesterday easily passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by a vote of 64-32, with 10 Republicans voting with 54 Democrats. The bill bars workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity but got the necessary Republican support to break the filibuster only after an amendment was added that “would prevent retaliation against religious organizations that don’t hire someone because of sexual orientation or gender identity”, because of course it is taken for granted that religious groups must be allowed to discriminate against gays. [Read more…]
The fight between the Tea Party and establishment wings for the control of the Republican party is now well out in the open. It was hoped by the GOP establishment that the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races would break decisively in their favor. [Read more…]
As I said before, I think that the problems with the Affordable Care Act are technical and therefore soluble. It is already the law and is not going to be repealed. While it is true that the implementation of the ACA has problems, some of them serious, The Daily Show wonders why those opposed to it feel the need to exaggerate and even flat-out lie about them. [Read more…]
Without too much fuss or national publicity, on Tuesday the Illinois state legislature approved a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage and the governor has said he will sign it, with such marriages beginning next June. [Read more…]
Did you know that men and women are being treated equally when it comes to setting premiums for the health care plans under the Affordable Care Act? Yes, that is the awful injustice being perpetrated on us that has some members of the right wing in an uproar.
Stephen Colbert understands their pain. [Read more…]