Network Archives

Obama rodeo clown: People have lost their ability to laugh

"A rodeo clown at the Missouri State Fair who sparked outrage earlier this month by wearing an Obama mask is speaking out about the controversy. Tuffy Gessling told KCTV people have threatened to burn down his house and run him over with a car since the incident at the fair. Gessling said the irreverent spectacle wasn’t meant to be 'hating on anyone.' 'This clown bit has been around for generations,' he added. 'I didn’t think anything more of it than what we’ve done 15 years ago, 10 years ago, five years ago, when we’ve done it with Bush, Clinton and Ronald Reagan.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama rodeo clown: People have lost their ability to laugh

Wisconsin Capitol police tackle man for photographing progressive protest

"A photographer and activist was aggressively arrested at the Wisconsin Capitol on Monday during a daily singalong protest. Video of the incident uploaded to YouTube showed two police officers approaching Damon Terrell, who can be heard saying, 'This is not illegal.' As Terrell backed away, one of the officers grabbed him. Terrell ended up on the ground with three officers on top of him. Another video uploaded to YouTube showed four officers carrying Terrell out of the rotunda by his arms and legs. Christopher J. Terrell, Damon’s brother, was also arrested for participating in the 'Solidarity Sing Along' demonstration in the Capitol." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWisconsin Capitol police tackle man for photographing progressive protest

Wisconsin Capitol police tackle man for photographing progressive protest

"A photographer and activist was aggressively arrested at the Wisconsin Capitol on Monday during a daily singalong protest. Video of the incident uploaded to YouTube showed two police officers approaching Damon Terrell, who can be heard saying, 'This is not illegal.' As Terrell backed away, one of the officers grabbed him. Terrell ended up on the ground with three officers on top of him. Another video uploaded to YouTube showed four officers carrying Terrell out of the rotunda by his arms and legs. Christopher J. Terrell, Damon’s brother, was also arrested for participating in the 'Solidarity Sing Along' demonstration in the Capitol." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWisconsin Capitol police tackle man for photographing progressive protest

Young, Old, Democrat and Republican Agree: The Federal Government Sucks

"The Gallup organization polled Americans across the partisan divide, and ranging in age from pimply and arrogant to wrinkly and bitter, about their opinions of various sectors of American society. When it comes to the federal government, it's probably no surprise that starry-eyed youth and White House-haunting Democrats had the most affectionate sentiments. What is surprising is that the sort of affection they show is less akin to a passionate embrace and more like, 'it's not you, really, it's me. We're just not working out.' That's right, even among the young and the Democratic, warm feelings for the federal government are hard to find." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYoung, Old, Democrat and Republican Agree: The Federal Government Sucks

Young, Old, Democrat and Republican Agree: The Federal Government Sucks

"The Gallup organization polled Americans across the partisan divide, and ranging in age from pimply and arrogant to wrinkly and bitter, about their opinions of various sectors of American society. When it comes to the federal government, it's probably no surprise that starry-eyed youth and White House-haunting Democrats had the most affectionate sentiments. What is surprising is that the sort of affection they show is less akin to a passionate embrace and more like, 'it's not you, really, it's me. We're just not working out.' That's right, even among the young and the Democratic, warm feelings for the federal government are hard to find." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYoung, Old, Democrat and Republican Agree: The Federal Government Sucks

A Long List of What We Know Thanks to Private Manning

"The debate in the media, and in political circles over Edward Snowden—Right or Wrong—often doubles back on references to Pfc. Manning, who was sentenced to thirty-five years in prison on Wednesday. Too often (that is, most of the time), the value and import of the Manning/WikiLeaks disclosures are ignored or dismissed, just as Snowden’s NSA scoops are often derided as 'nothing new.' So for those who either suffer from memory loss or ignorance on this particular score, here is a partial accounting of some of the important revelations in the Manning leak, drawn from my book—with Kevin Gosztola—on the Manning case, Truth and Consequences." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Long List of What We Know Thanks to Private Manning

Obama Encourages Rabble Rouser Sharpton

"Do you know what Obama said about not circulating the photo of the dead Obama bin Laden? This: 'It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool.' It’s sad, very sad, to find Trayvon Martin being made an issue and symbol in the 50th anniversary March on Washington. [..] King was investigated and surveilled by the FBI. Where was there even a single mention of the surveillance state? A key feature of King’s preaching was his anti-war views. Where was there an echo of this in this anniversary celebration? Where was there some anti-Drug War sentiment?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama Encourages Rabble Rouser Sharpton

Chicago ‘Safe Passage’ routes put to test amid more shootings

"Six hundred newly hired Safe Passage workers in yellow vests fanned out early Monday along 53 new routes marked with bright yellow 'Safe Passage' signs. The new routes are an expansion of an already existing program that Emanuel has touted as a success. The routes, released less than three weeks ago, are meant to offset any hazards that could arise as children walk unfamiliar sidewalks and, many parents worry, cross gang boundaries to get to their new schools. The program has garnered negative news coverage for what critics say is an ill-thought-out plan that was hatched at the last minute. CPS approved in June the closure of 49 elementary schools and a high school program." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChicago ‘Safe Passage’ routes put to test amid more shootings

Missouri Democrat busted for marijuana possession

"A Missouri Democrat was arrested on Sunday after police officers discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his car. State Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City) was pulled over by police for failing to respond to a previous charge that he had driven with an expired license tag and without insurance. The lawmaker was booked into the Boone County jail and released after posting bond. The Missouri Republican Party has called on LaFaver to resign, citing his 'open disrespect for the law.' But he told local media networks that he has no plans to quit. Unlike other lawmakers arrested for marijuana, LaFaver supported legislation that would have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMissouri Democrat busted for marijuana possession

‘The U.S. effect’: Researchers encouraged to report exaggerated or eye-catching results

"Scientists who study human behaviour are more likely than average to report exaggerated or eye-catching results if they are based in the United States, according to an analysis of more than 1,000 research papers in psychiatry and genetics. This bias could be due to the research culture in the US, authors of the analysis said, which tends to preferentially reward scientists for the novelty and immediate impact of a piece of work over the quality or its long-term contribution to the field. One of the authors said that there was intense competition in the US for research funds and, subsequently, pressure to report novel findings in prestigious, high-impact scientific journals." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘The U.S. effect’: Researchers encouraged to report exaggerated or eye-catching results