Tag Archive

The NRA Reaches Out to The Nation’s Homicidal Madmen

At a press conference held earlier today at the Fairfax, Virginia, headquarters of the National Rifle Association, NRA President Wayne LaPierre issued a plea for “restraint” in the “rampaging-gunman community” while the United States Congress prepares to debate new firearms regulations.

“As most cold-blooded spree killers know, this is a very sensitive time for gun rights… full story HERE »

Surly Bartender – Absolutists In Context

There’s an old saying back in the States that I just made up and it goes something like this: “If there is a zombie in the well, you probably shouldn’t drink the water.” Apropos of which, for all the buzz in El Norte regarding a civil war brewing within the ranks of the Republican Party, I’m… full story HERE »

The Surly Bartender – Beyond Newtown

Just over two months ago, we all heard the same soul-gouging news from Newtown, Connecticut. In a nation that has seen more than its share of firearm-related atrocities, a crime had been committed that was so dark, so unrelentingly awful, that none of us could look away — and few of us could shake off a… full story HERE »

Special Commentary Health Care Reform in the United States – Part XII

In recent installments of this series, we have employed the metaphor of horse racing’s Triple Crown to describe the challenges faced by the Affordable Care Act. The ACA, known perhaps more widely as ObamaCare, became law in 2010, but in many ways it has faced even greater challenges over the past twelve months. The first test… full story HERE »

The Surly Bartender – The Star Trek Election

Captain’s Log, Stardate 050511.1. Primary Alpha One, Preparatory Exercises for the Newtral Zone War — My suspicion has grown that the other officers on this training mission may actually be insane. Don’t they understand that our prime directive is to determine the fittest, most square-jawed leader in our coming battle with the rebellious Admiral Gingrich? The… full story HERE »

Special Commentary – Health Care Reform in the United States, Part XI

Well after midnight in the early hours of November 7, 2012, President Barack Obama strode on stage at McCormick Place in Chicago. America’s First Lady was radiant. Their daughters, having grown so much and so beautifully in four years, joined them with grace and poise. His audience, representing the new diversity of the nation, felt relief…. full story HERE »

The Surly Bartender – When The Loonies Take Over

The Surly Bartender has spent far too little time slinging mezcal and far too much time watching CNN International in the past few weeks and he has one burning question: Am I the only one who finds CNN International to be physically painful to watch? It’s like resting your eyeballs on a bed of nails while some… full story HERE »

Special Commentary Health Care Reform in the United States – Part X:

When this series of commentaries began, almost four years ago, there was no specific conclusion in sight, just a challenge to tell the story of a major public policy debate in America, as it unfolded, from the perspectives of competitive politics and through an analysis of policy choices, hopefully comprehensible to the informed reader.

We found more… full story HERE »

New Music – Legitimate Rape

We came across this post today, and have lifted it with love from YouTube. Without too much additional commentary, I’ve got to ask: When are the remaining (and dwindling) percentage of rational Republicans going to realize that they’ve lost the battle and abandon the crazy-ship? Come on! We know you’re not all transvaginal ultrasound fetishists,… full story HERE »

Special Commentary – Health Care Reform in the United States – Part IX:

On June 28, 2012, two dozen colleagues were gathered in a Washington conference room to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. There were Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republicans gathered together in the knowledge that history was to happen in the next hour. A few friends of the group had… full story HERE »