January 2010 Archives

Two pieces of seemingly unrelated news hit the stands yesterday in baseball. First (and foremost), Mark McGwire admitted to using steroids throughout the 1990s. This included the magical 1998 season where McGwire broke the single season home run record. Then, ABC's Bob Allen reported that Drayton McLane was in negotiations with some investment bankers on the sale of the Astros. However, both of these stories are very related and point to a darker side of...

The latest on the airport body scanners:"A privacy group says the Transportation Security Administration is misleading the public with claims that full-body scanners at airports cannot store or send their graphic images...The TSA specified in 2008 documents that the machines must have image storage and sending abilities, the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) said...In the documents, obtained by the privacy group and provided to CNN, the TSA specifies that the body scanners it purchases...

I'm pretty well voiced in current events, and yet I have a confession to make.  I really hadn't a clue about Darfur.  I knew the "what":  Genocide.  However, I didn't know the "who" "why" "when" "how long" or any other details.  Tonight, I don't offer you political commentary and opinion - you already can gather that I think genocide is horribly wrong and we should do something about it.  This blog isn't about the 'do something about...

The Conservative Case For Gay Marriage by Ted Olson is a must-read, no matter where you side on the issue.And I'm not just saying this because I agree with every word. :)Olson's article in Newsweek is a window into the case he is about to make against Proposition 8 in California.  It is a glimpse of the future and a shot across the bow of those who would use a tyranny of the majority to...

Some conservative bloggers and talking heads, including Glenn Beck and Newt Gingrich, have accused President Obama of "ceding American sovereignty" over an executive order granting Interpol the same immunities and privileges granted other public international organizations with offices here in the US.This practice is an outgrowth of Ronald Reagan granting Interpol immunity from prosecution for official acts and from lawsuits in 1983 and the culmination of a request lodged with the Bush Administration when Interpol...

Okay, it's a pathetic attempt to garner some attention via Bobby Flay's popular show, but the challenge is real nonetheless.When you watch the video below, bear in mind that this is a 16-y-o boy who is willing to give up a big chunk of time on a Saturday and who gets nothing in return except quality time with his mom ;-), the undying gratitude of a committed but overburdened staff at the Arthritis Foundation, and...

Following up on Friday's post about Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the AIG e-mails, there was a response on 2 fronts--White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and the general counsel of the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Here is part of the exchange between Gibbs and CNN reporter Ed Henry at Friday's press conference:Q: Robert, Does the White House believe that Secretary Geithner should testify on the Hill, turn over any documents he has, to...

Vice President Joe Biden's Mom, Jean Biden, died on yesterday at age 92.  Then Senator Biden paid a touching tribute to her at the Democratic Convention last August in Denver.  Posted without further comment:Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy ...

Warning: This blog could be very controversial in nature and could inspire very strong feelings for some who read it. I ask those who comment to try to consider the delicate nature of the conversation. I was talking with a colleague of mine and the subject of culture came up. Now, for full disclosure's sake I should point out that I am in fact a white male. This should be obvious enough based on my...

As the search for an honest person in Washington, D.C. continues, there's no need to look inside the Department of Treasury. From Huffington Post (emphasis mine):"An arm of the Federal Reserve, then led by now-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, told bailed-out insurance giant AIG to withhold key details from the public about overpayments that put billions of extra tax dollars in the coffers of major Wall Street firms, most notably Goldman Sachs...The sordid tale unfolds in...