Laser focus on jobs

The good news as Wall Street gives a thumbs-down to the “No taxes, No jobs” deficit-ceiling-deal (with its built-in automatic spending cuts virtually certain to kick in amid more Congressional gridlock) is that U.S. crude oil futures ended Thursday at $86.63 a barrel in New York — down $5.30! The bad news is that oil … Read more

Might Romney or Bachmann unseat President Obama?

Not in 2012. The debate last night showed there’s still room for national-caliber candidates, which is probably why Ambassador Huntsman is set to jump in. While Huntsman comes as no surprise to pundits, he needs the national exposure now if he’s to have name recognition to run for 2016. And that’s what last night was … Read more

MN GOP back-pedalling from anti-gay preacher

The GOP majority in the MN state legislature invited controversial “Reverend” Bradlee Dean, who advocates the killing and or incarceration of gays, to make the opening “prayer” for today’s session. Dressed in a track-suit, Dean used the time to question the religious affiliation of U.S. President Barack Obama. Bradlee Dean, opening 20 May 2011 MN … Read more

Dr. Cornel West moved the conversation

The activist Professor Cornel West has goals and agendas that are, at best, only partially apparent to the rest of us despite his academic prominence and countless interviews; it’s reasonable to assume that his priorities and tactics fluctuate dynamically.   Editor, journalist, entrepreneur, political consultant, photographer, and former Congressional Campaign Manager, Thomas Hayes I’ve been … Read more

Boehner under fire

Editor, journalist, political consultant, and former Congressional Campaign Manager Thomas Hayes According to Reuters, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Behner, is becoming a target for Tea Partiers who may resort to “primary” challenges for Republicans who have failed to adhere to absolute ideals while working in Congress. “Born in the days … Read more

Don’t Tread On Me

Did you know Dick Armey makes $500,000 per year to lead the allegedly leaderless, so-called grassroots Tea Party? Add this to the Koch Brothers insinuating themselves into control of faculty appointments at colleges and universities in the United States and you have to wonder just what’s up on the extreme fringes of the right. The … Read more

My thoughts on Trump versus Romney

I think it’s safe to assume that there will remain a certain non-trivial segment of the electorate that isn’t so much “for” anything as they are, to put it in plain words, “against President Obama.” Their numbers will fluctuate some, and their fervor (which is to say, willingness to make noise) is likely to increase … Read more

What to see at Tribeca Film Fest

Following wildly enthusiastic reviews for the World Premiere at the Full Frame Film Fest last weekend, “The Loving Story” has made the Daily Beast’s list of Hottest Films of Tribeca 2011 in New York City this week… check out their entire list! Tribeca features awards for independent films in six (6) categories: World Narrative World … Read more

Clean coal? Really?

The extraction, transport, processing, and combustion of coal, the predominant fuel on the planet for electricity generation including roughly 50% of the electricity in the U.S., also creates multiple hazards for human and environmental health — external costs downplayed by the champions of coal. According to a study published earlier this year, “Accounting for the … Read more

World Premiere: THE LOVING STORY @ Full Frame Film Festival

April 15th marks the world premiere of a moving documentary of the famous case of Mildred and Richard Loving a landmark civil rights struggle resolved in 1967 by the United States Supreme Court declaring Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute – which had been used to arrest the Lovings – unconstitutional. The Elisabeth Haviland James/Nancy Buirski film premieres … Read more

Obama’s stand

The President made a compelling case for his vision of the future of the United States, putting the GOP on notice that he is committed to the quality of life for every citizen. The debate over deficits and the federal budget, he said, is about more than just cutting and spending, characterizing the conversation as … Read more