The U.S. Falls Behind in Higher Ed. What Ever Are We To Do?

by Stuart Shapiro

New data shows that U.S. Higher Education is falling behind international rivals:

the College Board warned Thursday that the growing gap between the United States and other countries threatens to undermine American economic competitiveness.

The United States used to lead the world in the number of 25- to 34-year-olds with college degrees. Now it ranks 12th among 36 developed nations.

Higher education is in the midst of a major transition.  Data like this point toward a greater governmental role (championed by both the Bush and Obama Administrations) in college and university policy.  Part of the problem is …

Obama To Liberals: “Keep Up The Fight”

Addressing the Netroots Nation convention, President Obama wanted them to know he is committed to their cause.

“Change hasn’t come fast enough for too many Americans. I know that,” Obama said in a surprise video appearance at the annual Netroots Nation convention. “I know it hasn’t come fast for many of you who fought so hard during the election.”

…

In his remarks, the president said the combat mission in Iraq would soon end, and that the administration is working to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays and close the U.S. prison for terrorism suspects at …

Two U.S. Soldiers Captured In Afghanistan

A military official says two U.S. soldiers were captured in Afghanistan, and one is feared killed.

A NATO statement Saturday said the two service members left their compound the previous day in Kabul but did not return.
The statement did not identify the pair by nationality but U.S. officials said they were American.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.
The military has dispatched vehicles and rotary-winged aircraft to search for them and their vehicle.

Reuters is reporting that they are being held in Logar province, and that a $20,000 reward is …

Debunking The Center-Right Myth: A Response To Mark Murray

By Yashwanth Manjunath

With Netroots Nation 2010 in full swing, one of the biggest topics for discussion among online progressive activists continues to be disappointment with Barack Obama and his failure to live up to his rhetoric. Progressives expected “change they could believe in.” Instead, they’ve barely received pocket change. While The Nation‘s Eric Alterman wrote a brilliant essay stating that our broken political system where special interests and corporate cash rule the day making the kind of sweeping change Obama promised impossible, Mark Murray at NBC news (pictured) had a different take. In his Memo to liberals written …

Congressman Zach Wamp Contemplates Secession — I Say Let Him Go

by Stuart Shapiro

The quote pretty much says it all.

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-03) suggested TN [his state] and other states may have to consider seceding from the union if the federal government does not change its ways regarding mandates.

“I hope that the American people will go to the ballot box in 2010 and 2012 so that states are not forced to consider separation from this government,” said Wamp during an interview with Hotline OnCall.

Well if y’all want to give up your federal subsidies, Medicare, Medicaid, highway funding, school funding, social security etc., then feel free to …

Sarah And Kate Plus 8

Kate Gosselin is headed to Alaska with her kids where they’ll go camping with Sarah Palin.

“Sarah, Kate and the kids will go camping,” a source says, adding that Sarah’s father, a retired science teacher, and brother, a third-grade educator, will conduct a hands-on natural history lesson for 9-year-old twins Mady and Cara, and 6-year-old sextuplets Aaden, Joel, Collin, Leah, Hannah and Alexis. A mother of a big family herself, former vice presidential candidate Sarah is thrilled about the upcoming visit. “She’s excited because it will be fun and educational for the children. Sarah will even teach Kate how …

Demonstrations Planned For Day Immigration Law Scheduled For Arizona

Rallies, vigils and marches will take place in Arizona Thursday, the day the new immigration law is scheduled to take affect. The law is the subject of seven lawsuits and counting.

“Events are happening all over the state because the eyes of the nation and the world are on Arizona,” says Jennifer Allen, executive director of Border Action Network, one of the activist groups planning events to protest the law.

The protests will extend beyond Arizona, as well. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) has 56 partners signed up to protest – from Action Langley Park in …

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• A Republican Congress? Alan warns what could happen if they win.

• Alan confronts Ryan Murdough, a Republican candidate for New Hampshire State House who says he “stands for the interests of white Americans.”

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

Mark Kirk Caught “Embellishing The Truth” Again

by Sandi Behrns

The Republican candidate running to fill President Obama’s former Senate seat has endured a rough few months. A respected and accomplished Naval Reserve officer,  he has nonetheless racked up a long list of falsehoods and/or embellishments of his record. Now the Chicago Tribune reports on yet another.

…Mark Kirk for a decade has told the story of how he nearly drowned when he was 16 while sailboating on Lake Michigan and how his rescue by the Coast Guard inspired him to pursue a career in public service.

The story is sprinkled with attention-grabbing details, but there

…

Bus Driver Refuses To Take Woman To Planned Parenthood Because They Do Abortions

Texas bus driver Edwin Graning, of the Capital Area Rural Transportation System, refused to transport a woman to Planned Parenthood. At first he said it was because his wife called them and heard a message that women having abortion complications should call 911.  Then he claimed he called and heard abortions listed among the services.  Graning is suing his former employer for being dismissed for, he claims, his religious beliefs. (h/t Right Wing Watch)

“He called up his supervisor and said, ‘You know, I’m an ordained minister…and Planned Parenthood does abortions. And I don’t know if this lady’s going …

Obama Tightens America’s Belt While Congress Spends $1 Billion In Ten Months

by The River Wanders

Since taking office in January 2009 President Obama has taken many steps to control government waste. Without fanfare, the president signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (IPERA) into law on Thursday. While this event claimed little media attention, it’s proof again that the Obama administration takes specific action to enact prudent financial policies by cutting wasteful government spending to the tune of $50 billion by 2012. President Obama commented that “The bipartisan bill I’m signing today will help ensure that our government serves as a responsible steward for the tax dollars of the American …