Dr. C: The Unpleasant Exclusivity in Our Educational System
Wolraich: The Grim Possibility Of War With Iran
Heat Win Game Six, Disappointing Nation of Heat-Haters
|
Dr. C: The Unpleasant Exclusivity in Our Educational System Wolraich: The Grim Possibility Of War With Iran Heat Win Game Six, Disappointing Nation of Heat-Haters |
Shuts & |

Mitt Romney shares a laugh with new Black friend "Herman."
MASSACHUSETTS — After essentially sewing up the GOP nomination this week, Mitt Romney has begun the long process of connecting with the American public. Earlier this week, Romney strengthened his appeal with women by having wife Ann tell the world that her life is just like theirs and that she doesn’t even feel wealthy despite a family fortune of a quarter-billion dollars.
With the women vote taken care of, Romney has now moved on to another potential electoral weakness – African-Americans. After a recent story came out that showed Romney has no African-Americans on his staff, the former governor came out today announcing that he had recently made a Black friend.
“I met a guy named Herman earlier this year, and let me tell you, he’s just a delight,” said Romney. “He’s really one of the good ones.”
Romney’s new friend “Herman” is a businessman and amateur economist. Romney said that he will use his new friend to keep him updated on the needs of African-Americans.
“More than once, Herman and I have sat down for a traditional African-American meal of pizza,” said Romney. “I really will depend on him to let me know about the needs of the African-American community.”
Reached for comment, “Herman” said that Romney will be a better friend to African-Americans than President Barack Obama, and that Romney’s economic plans will create opportunities for Blacks.
“I believe these words came from the Pokémon movie,” said Herman. “Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, it’s never easy when there is so much on the line. But you and I can make a difference.”
With the women and African-American issues out of the way, Romney said he will now focus the rest of his campaign on real Americans, noting that he already has close experience with Mexican-Americans, having employed hundreds of them over the years to mow his lawn and clean his pool.
–WKW
Reuters, June 19, 2013
CAIRO - Egypt's tourism minister tendered his resignation on Tuesday over President Mohamed Mursi's decision to appoint as governor of Luxor a member of a hardline Islamist group blamed for slaughtering 58 tourists there in 1997.
Prime Minister Hisham Kandil did not accept the resignation of Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou, who remains in the post for now. However, the move pointed to a split in government over an appointment that one critic called "the last nail in the coffin" of the tourism industry.
Mursi appointed Adel Mohamed al-Khayat, a member of al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, as Luxor governor this week, a move seen as a sign of a deepening political alliance between the once-armed group and the...
By Robert Mackey, The Lede @ nytimes.com, June 18, 2013
Includes lots of images and videos.
Last Updated, 6:57 p.m. As my colleague Simon Romero reports from São Paulo, more than 200,000 Brazilians filled the streets in cities across the country on Monday to protest the high cost of living and lavish spending on soccer stadiums ahead of next year’s World Cup, in demonstrations that have intensified as images of police brutality against peaceful protesters spread on...
How Obama's pick to lead the FBI tried to put the brakes on the NSA's surveillance dragnet.
By Marc Ambinder, Foreign Policy, June 18, 2013
[....] Comey, who is said to be President Obama's choice to be the next director of the FBI, has never publicly disclosed exactly what he refused to sanction when he was briefly acting attorney general during Ashcroft's hospital stay, but people briefed on the program who have spoken to Comey say it was the legal rationale giving the NSA quick access to un-sifted telecom and service provider-collected metadata that "drove him bonkers," not the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program. There was just no way, Comey thought, to justify an effort that simply...
'Peace and reconciliation' milestone comes after US drops request for formal rejection of al-Qaida as precondition to talks
By Dan Roberts in Washington and Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul, guardian.co.uk, 18 June 2013
[....] White House officials say they believe the Taliban delegation at the talks represents the movement's leadership, and includes more radical groups such as the Haqqani network. Officials said the US would have a direct role in the talks starting starting this week in Doha, but the substantive negotiations over the future of Afghanistan would then be led by the Afghan government.
"The core of this process is not going to be US-Taliban talks – we can help the process – but the core is going...
I see Romney with Herman Cain. Where's the Black friend? Aw Shucky Ducky Now!
Is this black-and-white crime?
In a Mitt administration Herman Cain would be a top candidate for a position commensurate with his upstanding, erect profile, perhaps as Ambassador to Uzzbekkibekkibekkistan.
Long live Pikachu!
" ... a traditional African-American meal of pizza ... "
I take it, this is /snark.
Does his close experience with Mexican-Americans include a home cooked meal from Taco Bell?