- Vertical Smart Slide 1
- It’s Harvey Milk Day
- Posted 8 hours ago
For those who don't know, May 22nd of each year is the day celebrated in loving memory of Harvey Milk, the gay rights activist who was murdered in 1978. Organised…
- Suicide as a Disease
- Posted 10 hours ago
The other day, I came across this article Suicidal behaviour is a disease, psychiatrists argue on the website of New Scientist. To my skeptical mind, this article is profoundly dishonest,…
- Taxman Redux
- Posted 2 days ago
Congressional Republicans are trying to keep alleged White House “scandals” simmering well past al dente doneness. As facts unfold, it’s more like vainly trying to keep a wave upon the…
- Wrapping Up the Week
- Posted 3 days ago
Another week, another wrap-up. The problem is that this past week feels like déjà vu all over again as the news cycle spit out one story after another about the…
The BK Dame Says
It’s Harvey Milk Day
For those who don’t know, May 22nd of each year is the day celebrated in loving memory of Harvey Milk, the gay rights activist who was murdered in 1978. Organised by the Harvey Milk Foundation, the day is meant to honour the accomplishments of Mr. Milk, a New York-born California politician who became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in that state when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.… [Read more]
Global March Against Monsanto – May 25
Hey…You gonna eat that? That’s the question that comes to mind for many of us when food is presented. We often make our decisions because of caloric levels, fat content and even pesticides used but, more and more, genetic modifications are a concern. Enter GMO giant, the Monsanto Corporation.
GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, have made their way into the nation’s fruit and vegetable supply and, recently, the Food and Drug Administration took public comments on so-called “Frankenfish.”
Monsanto has been in the news for a host of issues.… [Read more]
What would it have taken to vote Democrat, South Carolina?
Results of the South Carolina special election for the US House between the Republican candidate, former governor Mark Sanford, and his opponent, business woman Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, were tallied last night. Sanford won. The race that some predicted would be a toss-up actually turned out to be a sizeable victory for Sanford in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District special election.… [Read more]
NRA’s Annual Meeting in Houston
From May 3rd through May 5th, the National Rifle Association will hold its annual meeting in Houston, Texas. According to the NRA website,
With over 550 exhibitors covering over 400,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, educational seminars, celebrities, and fun filled special events, bring the whole family – there will be something for everyone! Spend the day exploring the products from every major firearm company in the country, book the hunt of a lifetime in our exclusive outfitter section, and view priceless collections of firearms in our gun collector area.… [Read more]
Transcending Borders
Spinning Hate: The New KKK
On April 24, 1867, the Ku Klux Klan held its first national meeting in a bid to organize and build structure among their many disparate often groups. In 2013, one hundred forty six years later, the klan still exists.
On Wednesday I spent the entire evening surfing through Ku Klux Klan affiliated websites. I read their literature, watched videos, and scanned through a ton of pictures. … [Read more]
Why our kids are “S.O.L.”
Earlier this month, my wife and did the three and a half hour trek from Virginia Beach, Virginia to our nation’s capital to see the annual Cherry Blossom Festival (in case you haven’t noticed from her articles, she has a penchant for all things Japanese). While exiting the Smithsonian along Constitution Avenue, we got to see something we don’t normally see in our sleepy little town: an old-fashioned organized protest.… [Read more]
We Say This
Suicide as a Disease, according to New Scientist
The other day, I came across this article Suicidal behaviour is a disease, psychiatrists argue on the website of New Scientist. To my skeptical mind, this article is profoundly dishonest, yet another example of self-serving opinions placed by vested interests with the goal of turning the debate on mental disorder in directions that suit themselves. In 1000 words, I can’t deal with every point it raises but we can have a look at some of the major inconsistencies.… [Read more]
#DoYourJobGOP!
The rhetoric that is coming out of Washington DC is so loud that the Republicans in House of Representatives and Senate cannot hear the American people. It seems there is nothing more important than stopping President Barack Obama from accomplishing anything. This, of course, comes at a time in American history when ideology is more important than jobs, unnecessary gun deaths and poverty, all of which affect the American economy.… [Read more]
I.R.S.: Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
The taxman is the Rodney “No Respect” Dangerfield of government employees. The latest hubbub over alleged Internal Revenue Service “targeting” of government-critical conservative groups is the latest ‘Tempest in a Teapot’ only Congressional Republicans could wail about. You’d think the President dug up ole Geo. Washington’s sacred bones and used them for White House Halloween decorations.… [Read more]
Don’t do it, sir…A Canadian plea to stay out of Syria
Readers of this space know that this Canuck is an admirer of President Obama. An easy call even if the President did not possess his many admirable qualities, given the sad state of his opposition, with knee-jerk abysmalism, and an always tried, never true policy of ‘well, shit, we’re not him’ its ragged, pathetic battle cry.… [Read more]
Benghazi Buffoonery
The continuing Benghazi debacle on Capitol Hill has all the marks of a Cecil B. DeMille Hollywood blockbuster. Starring the Marx Brothers.
“Impeachment,” hinted Sen. James “Lousy Okie Pilot” Inhofe (R-Okla.) as he made another pass at Runway ‘X’ and as construction workers scurried to safety. Inhofe is still mad at the Federal Aviation Administration for questioning his airmanship skills.… [Read more]
How Quickly They Forget
After this week’s congressional election between Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert-Busch it is hard to think of the Republican Party standing for anything. The Grand Old Party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Eisenhower has fallen to new lows in the election of often disgraced Mark Sanford, but it is the South, and politics below the Mason Dixon line is far from mainstream in any sense of the word.… [Read more]
Lifestyle
Avoiding words and phrases
Random musings…Watching what we say and when we say it can be tricky waters to navigate. I came across something recently that reminded me of Jim Romenesko’s post in March regarding Washington Post Outlook section editor Carlos Lozada’s list of Outlook words and phrases that should be avoided. Their editor’s comments are in parentheses and mine are also in parentheses but with “Ed:” in front of the comments.… [Read more]
Ask Mrs. Vera: Is there any way to stop Karl Rove?
Dear Mrs. Vera,,
Is there any way to stop Karl Rove from making-up stuff?
Regards,
Andrea “Tokyo Rose” Breitbart
Dear Endora Bombay,
Thank you for your inquiry into the chicken-egg philosophical mystery of cracked Super-Liars. I normally write this column while waiting for hours in the wind and rain for a series of busses that take me away from my house then eventually back to it so, often, this column can be quite wordy, but thanks to your question and the 22-Fillmore being less than a block away, I’m going to wrap up early and just go with “no”.… [Read more]
In the Spotlight
Closed Schools. Distraught Students. Stunned Teachers. Shocked Community. Buena Vista: An Education Fiasco
“How can you close school…isn’t that against the law?”
This question has been rolling around in my mind for a few days, as I come to the painful realization that we really don’t value education at all. We don’t take it seriously. We pay it lip service. Education is a long-term goal. We worship short-term gain.… [Read more]
Social Change
ObamaCare in Plain English: What it Means for You
This article was originally published in the Blue Street Journal. Since then the questions and misinformation about Obamacare haven’t faded and, in fact, there will be some changes as the law is implemented across the nation. Here’s an introductory primer:
There’s a lot of hype going around about ObamaCare, and by now you are probably getting mixed information about what the law actually is and how it will affect you. … [Read more]
Animal Rights: Saving Andalusians
Known throughout their centuries-long history as the Horse of Kings the Andalusian was prized for their kind, intelligent and courageous nature. They were war horses, tools of diplomacy and trusted companions of novice riders. Today they are the most elegant of dressagers. Now they are also known as dinner.
In the economic boom years of Spain breeders increased their herds as demand for this elegant horse skyrocketed.… [Read more]
Finance
Flogging the Taxman Redux
Congressional Republicans are trying to keep alleged White House “scandals” simmering well past al dente doneness. As facts unfold, it’s more like vainly trying to keep a wave upon the sandy beach.
Let’s remember last year’s GOP presidential primaries. Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) made a seemingly intoxicated tirade about a tax return the size of a postcard.… [Read more]
The next big financial bubble can be popped.
Education can be an individual’s or a nation’s greatest investment. We talk about the disparity between the public education provided to students with fewer economic resources and those who have greater financial means. We also talk about gender differences in that young women are often steered away from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields of study.… [Read more]
Immoral…
Religious leaders have called it immoral; some have even suggested that Jesus himself would oppose it. Various leaders of the Republican party have opposed it and even David Stockman, Ronald Reagan’s budget director, called it a fairy tale. Many on the left have referred to it as ‘austerity on steroids.’
What has all of these different people so upset?… [Read more]
Technology
American Drone Addiction
Being against the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as “drones,” for any situation with no exceptions is, to be frank, idiotic and pointless.
UAVs are more precise than conventional weaponry at reducing civilian casualties. They also intrinsically prevent the loss of American military life in combat.
To be anti-drone in our time is tantamount to being anti-tank or anti-fighter jet during the early 20th century.… [Read more]
CISPA Update: Senate v. House
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) passed in the US House of Representatives by a vote of 288 – 127. As a refresher in government 101, the bill would have had to pass the Senate and get President Obama’s signature before it could become a law. To update, in a nutshell the case is closed.… [Read more]
WTLF*?!?
What we see on broadcast TV
I’m dating myself (no, not that kind of “dating”!), but I used to watch “Gunsmoke” on TV and at the beginning of every show I’d see Marshal Dillon facing down some unknown bad guy in the street. Marshal Dillon would draw and fire, but I never saw the ”bad guy” die. To this day, I don’t know if he was shooting at a bad guy, Miss Kitty, Chester or Doc.… [Read more]
Another Child Lost
The AP carried a story about a 5-year-old boy accidentally shooting his 2-year-old sister to death in rural southern Kentucky. It seems that he had received the gun as a gift last year. The gun was a Crickett, a company that specifically makes guns, clothes and books for children. A little gun for a little kid and the little kid, who was used to shooting the little gun, picked it up and killed his little sister.… [Read more]
Wrap-Up
Polls, Politicians and Public Attention – Wrapping Up the Week
Another week, another wrap-up. The problem is that this past week feels like déjà vu all over again as the news cycle spit out one story after another about the “scandals” of Benghazi the IRS and even “umbrella gate.” Yeah, ‘umbrella gate’ — in which the far right has lost what remains of its senses by throwing yet another hissy fit over a Marine holding an umbrella for the President as he delivered a speech during the rain.… [Read more]
Tribute to Mothers
Whether she’s a married woman, a single mom, an empty-nester or a surrogate who steps in when needed, she deserves to be honoured. Happy Mother’s Day!
“A Very Special Tribute to a Very Special Mom”
If there is happiness in my heart,
it’s because you helped put it there.
If there is gentleness in my beliefs,
it’s because you showed me how to care.… [Read more]
Say It In Song
Cruisin’ for Bruisin’
Watching this week’s news cycle made me think of this song’s title. How often must we, the public, be subjected to the same nonsense spewed as ‘doing the work of the people’? This week it was revealed that the political wrangling disguised as an inquiry into the tragic events in Benghazi is nothing more than misinformation and twisted facts.… [Read more]
