What Simpson-Bowles has to say about health care spending reform (it's less than you think), by Greg Dworkin The American System: the economic genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Mark Sumner No, raising the Social Security retirement age is not a good idea, by Laura Clawson Norquist's loss is not the Democrats' gain, by Dante Atkins Ending racism – one person at a time, by Denise Oliver Velez Take military and veterans benefits off the Grand Bargain table, by brooklynbadboy Hey America: Can you please stop killing our innocent Black male children now, by Shanikka Lucky to have a job, by Mark Andersen Can adoption of the 'Kill the Gays' bill in Uganda be avoided, by Scott Wooledge
Americans’ opinion of congressional honesty has improved over the last year, but lawmakers are still more distrusted than even used car salesmen, according to a poll released Monday. More than half of Americans — 54 percent — have a low or very low opinion of congressional honesty and ethics, Gallup found. That’s improved from 2011, when 64 percent had a low or very low opinion.
More than half of Americans — 54 percent — have a low or very low opinion of congressional honesty and ethics, Gallup found. That’s improved from 2011, when 64 percent had a low or very low opinion.
Four years after telling Carper, Frank told his mentor, House Speaker Tip O’Neil (D-Mass.), because former Rep. Bob Bauman (R-Md.) was on the verge of publishing a book that indirectly implied Frank’s homosexuality. Concerned that the book might cause a stir, Frank went to see O’Neil, who initially dismissed the news as a bad rumor. “But I said, ‘Well, in this case it’s true,’” Frank recalled, adding that O’Neil responded with some sadness and told him: “I thought you might be the first Jewish speaker.” O’Neil then alerted his press secretary, future talk show host Chris Matthews, that Frank soon “may be coming out of the room.” Aides had to explain to O’Neil that in fact Frank was coming out of the closet.
“But I said, ‘Well, in this case it’s true,’” Frank recalled, adding that O’Neil responded with some sadness and told him: “I thought you might be the first Jewish speaker.”
O’Neil then alerted his press secretary, future talk show host Chris Matthews, that Frank soon “may be coming out of the room.” Aides had to explain to O’Neil that in fact Frank was coming out of the closet.
It's official. Pope Benedict's handle on Twitter will be @pontifex. [...] The Vatican said on Monday that the pope will start tweeting on December 12, the feast of the Madonna of Guadalupe.
The Vatican said on Monday that the pope will start tweeting on December 12, the feast of the Madonna of Guadalupe.
Cadet Chapel, the landmark gothic church that is a center for spiritual life at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was hosting its first same-sex wedding Saturday. Penelope Gnesin and Brenda Sue Fulton, a West Point graduate, were exchanging vows in the regal church in an afternoon ceremony attended by around 250 guests and conducted by a senior Army chaplain.
Penelope Gnesin and Brenda Sue Fulton, a West Point graduate, were exchanging vows in the regal church in an afternoon ceremony attended by around 250 guests and conducted by a senior Army chaplain.
“Look, again, it’s way too early to talk about 2016, [Montana Gov. Brian] Schweitzer said on CNN’s “State of The Union.” “I’m governor of Montana until January. At that point, I will no longer have a governor’s mansion. I won’t have a driver, I won’t have security, so I will have a little time on my hands. I think I did mention that I have a warm regard for the people of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
Congress and the President must forfeit their pay and healthcare benefits until the fiscal cliff is resolved. And they must pass a solution, not a stop-gap. And, if they miss the Jan 1 deadline, all of Congress and the President must take a permanent 15% pay cut. Their pay cannot be raised for two years.
And, if they miss the Jan 1 deadline, all of Congress and the President must take a permanent 15% pay cut. Their pay cannot be raised for two years.
Musician Kid Rock, who was a celebrity surrogate for Mitt Romney, said President Barack Obama wasted no time in jokingly acknowledging their campaign rivalry Sunday. "It was nice. I saw the president tonight. He said, 'I'm still here.' I said, 'No hard feelings,' " Rock said, laughing.
"It was nice. I saw the president tonight. He said, 'I'm still here.' I said, 'No hard feelings,' " Rock said, laughing.