Recently in Issue Framing Category

Perhaps you've heard. Our CongressNerds are doing the "gavel in/gavel out" thing and holding pro forma sessions trying to prevent the POTUS from making recess appointments for positions which have been vacant for months.From Wiki: "The term pro forma is a term applied to practices or documents that are done as a pure formality, perfunctory, or seek to satisfy the minimum requirements or to conform to a convention or doctrine."The use of the pro forma...

I ran across something interesting and rather provocative recently - a website called www.ghettophysics.com.It came through from a "What the Bleep" link that I've had for a while, so if this kind of quantum physics, one-world, personal accountability, make-it-happen-yourself philosophy isn't for you, then you may be on the wrong blog. :-)Ghetto Physics aligns pretty well with the Occupy movement that is going on right now. As a matter of fact, if you're participating in...

On this, the anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech, I would like to suggest that we take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished since 1963, and the work that we still need to do. We are still not at the point where "content of character" means more than anything else, so I would say we still have much to strive for.I would also like to talk about a dream of...

The good Americans you see in the picture above were protesting today outside the Houston office of Republican U.S.  Senator John Cornyn.These loyal Americans were demanding tax increases for the most wealthy, good jobs, and a federal budget that invests in America. They were out protesting because they know that the work of freedom is up to each of us.Our Tea Party/Republican Party foes never rest in helping the rich get richer, and in making...

The Fourth of July will be here soon.(Above--Black Americans observing the Fourth in 1939 in St. Helena Island, South Carolina.)What books would be helpful to learn more about the American Revolution and about America?As I've said before, I don't believe the Revolution was a liberal or conservative event in the sense we think about such things today.Some of the Founding Fathers were religious. Others were not.  The Revolution had some aspects of a tax revolt. But who...

I've made an observation about myself lately, and a friend mentioned this morning that what I'm going through might be described as a mid-life crisis. No, I haven't gone out and bought a little red convertible nor have I scheduled any cosmetic procedures nor broken off any long-term relationship to attach myself to someone 20 years my junior. I have instead come to the realization that I'm finally imposing the boundaries and filters that should...

With the Fourth of July just over a month away, it's time we take back our history from the right-wing Tea Party extremists who have been allowed to commandeer some portion of our past. The so-called Tea Party wants to use our shared American history in the service of the very un-American ideals of exclusion, and of benefiting the rich over the working man and woman.One such Tea Party cell in my part of the country is...

When we hear statements like "most of Planned Parenthood's funding goes to abortions" it shouldn't surprise us. In polite company I would call this riffing. In more private company we call it something by a different name. It isn't the fact that it happens that is so distasteful, but the fact that is actively encouraged at such an early age. I made a comment on the afforementioned thread about winning a debate tournament with that...

Yes, I have blonde moments and maybe I don't feel quite sharp some days but please ... 'splain to me how Congress can get paychecks (I heard some a-hole R-senator this morning say "we aren't allowed to take reduction in pay for what we do" when asked if they were still going to get their checks) but the troops will have to wait until things are resolved to get paid again if the government shuts...

Jimmy Carter delivered this televised speech on April 18, 1977. Still relevant? I think so.   Tonight I want to have an unpleasant talk with you about a problem unprecedented in our history. With the exception of preventing war, this is the greatest challenge our country will face during our lifetimes. The energy crisis has not yet overwhelmed us, but it will if we do not act quickly. It is a problem we will not...