Obama’s Broken Promise

Bo, the new White House dog, is cute, alright. And he fits the need to have a hypoallergenic pet in light of daughter Malia’s allergies.  However, of great importance to animal lovers, myself included, was the vow to adopt from an animal shelter, rather than to acquire a breeder dog, when so many animals are in need of good homes.

He originally made this promise to Dr. Jana Kohl, the author of “A Rare Breed of Love” — a book about a three-legged rescue dog and puppy mill survivor named Baby.

So touched was he by Baby’s …

George Santayana Was Correct

Roger Cohen in the NY Times runs down the missed opportunities with Iran. International Atomic Energy Commission Director General Mohamed ElBaradei says the squandered opportunities under Bush were because of “a combination of ignorance and arrogance.”  ElBaradei recounts how BushCo. told him Iran would just buckle eventually, and says, “That was absolutely a mistake.”

Because Cheney pushed the “axis of evil” mantra instead of building upon Iran’s offer to help us in Afghanistan in 2001, an offer to negotaiate in 2003, or another plan on the table in 2005, Iran went forward to create 5,500 centrifuges and 1000 kilos of …

What Will They Say About Obama Now?

For days we’ve heard from the right how Obama was doing nothing about captured American hostage Captain Richard Phillips.  (At right, the crew members of the Maersk celebrate his release).   The Wall Street Journal headlined a story, “The Pirates Challenge Obama’s Pre-911 Mentality,” going after him for refusing to comment. Even the liberal Huffington Post critically called a story, “Obama On Pirates: Declines To Answer Question.”  Another site blared “No Balls Obama” claiming he has no backbone.  None of these venues, along with the predictably critical right-wing talk radio had the sensibility to acknowledge that …

Are We Really In Such Dire Shape?

Listening to the rabid right these days, you’d think doomsday is nigh.  They want you to believe that Obama will confiscate guns.   They’re having militia-backed tea parties. They want you to think, as Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia warned, that Obama will create a Marxist dictatorship and will do what Hitler did.

I love when he says “I’m not fear mongering; I’m just trying to be vigilant to defend freedom.”

And James Dobson, stepping down from day-to-day activities as head of Focus on Family, says, “We are awash in evil.”  Dobson says the world has …

Obama Not Accomplished Enough To Get Honorary Degree From ASU

Arizona State University is working to overcome the PR error of asking the president to deliver the commencement address while not offering him an honorary degree because, said the university, “His body of work is yet to come.”  It is customary for a dignitary to receive an honorary degree upon speaking to a graduating class.

The school has been mocked in various online forums since the student-run State Press newspaper first reported that ASU decided against awarding an honorary degree to the president at May 13 graduation ceremonies. A series of statements by university officials followed as the story refused …

Happy Easter!

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The Billy Bob Thornton Meltdown

CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi kept his cool Wednesday morning when an agitated Billy Bob Thornton objected to his line of questioning.  Thornton objected to references to his acting career when he appeared to promote his band the Boxmasters.

The Oscar winner lost his temper with presenter Jian Ghomeshi when questioned about his passion for singing and how he finds time for music in between his acting jobs.

Thornton snapped, “Would you say that to Tom Petty?” and went on to blast his host for broaching subject matter the star had allegedly warned show producers was off-limits.

A …

Enjoy Tea Party Day By Having A Blast. Literally

That’s what the Michigan Militia wants you to do, during what it is calling “A Shooting Event Open To The Public.”  The oh-so-inviting poster says to “Come Spill Some Tea With Us.  Use You Rifle, Shotgun Or Pistol And Have A Blast.”  And yes, they say “You Rifle.”  Someone should have put his gun down long enough to proofread the thing.

Nice that they can combine filling out tax forms, a tea party, and some family fun with guns.  And can someone explain to me just what it means to teabag Congress?  I mean, really, who would want to …

The FFA

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Texas Rep Suggests Asians Change Their Names To Ones “Easier For Americans To Deal With”

Texas State Republican Rep. Betty Brown was taking testimony from Ramey Ko of the Organization of Chinese Americans on the issue of voter ID legislation.

Ko testified that people of Asian descent frequently have difficulties voting due to differences in their legal transliterated names and the English name shown on their driver’s licenses.

Brown asked Ko: “Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?”

Brown later …

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• A new poll shows that only 53 percent of Americans think capitalism is better than socialism. NYU Politics Professor Bertell Ollman joins Alan to analyze the shocking study.

• To some, conspiracy theorists are crusaders for truth. But to others, they’re dangerous kooks. Alex Jones, the grandfather of the “9/11 Truth Movement,” defends his controversial claims.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…