Weary Throat

Using the Beslan tragedy as a pretext, Putin publicly put forward a plan, already long discussed in the upper reaches of government, to further centralize control over Russia's oblasts (regions) and affect the hiring and dismissal of judges. Proposed constitutional reforms will make the post of governor appointed by the president rather than elected. In the face of Putin's growing power, most governors publicly endorsed the curtailment of their autonomy despite well-known private unhappiness with the plan. The Duma, where Putin's Unity Party commands more than a two-thirds constitutional majority, is expected to vote in favor of these changes that reduce public voice.

After the 2004 Beslan siege, the deadliest school shooting in history, Putin consolidated his power by eliminating elections and cracking down on the press, courts, etc. The following year, Freedom House classified Russia as "not free," acknowledging the end of its brief experiment with democracy.

Using the Beslan tragedy as a pretext, Putin publicly put forward a plan, already long discussed in the upper reaches of government, to further centralize control over Russia's oblasts (regions) and affect the hiring and dismissal of judges. Proposed constitutional reforms will make the post of governor appointed by the president rather than elected. In the face of Putin's growing power, most governors publicly endorsed the curtailment of their autonomy despite well-known private unhappiness with the plan. The Duma, where Putin's Unity Party commands more than a two-thirds constitutional majority, is expected to vote in favor of these changes that reduce public voice.

After the 2004 Beslan siege, the deadliest school shooting in history, Putin consolidated his power by eliminating elections and cracking down on the press, courts, etc. The following year, Freedom House classified Russia as "not free," acknowledging the end of its brief experiment with democracy.

During the 2014 Ebola panic, Trump flexed his influencer power on Twitter to help elect a Republican Senate, which blocked Obama from appointing a Supreme Court justice. The mainstream media was complicit. thehill.com/homenews/sta...

Trump broke Cuban embargo, report says, roiling Miami politics Donald Trump’s hotel and casino company secretly violated the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, according to a Newsweek report. Cuban-American Republicans said they’re concerned about it.

In 2016, Marco Rubio was too chickenshit to say anything about Trump’s illegal dealings in Cuba.
"Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts paid at least $68,000 to a consulting firm in late 1998 in an attempt to give Trump’s business a head start in Cuba if the U.S. loosened or lifted trade sanctions."

Trump broke Cuban embargo, report says, roiling Miami politics Donald Trump’s hotel and casino company secretly violated the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, according to a Newsweek report. Cuban-American Republicans said they’re concerned about it.

In 2016, Marco Rubio was too chickenshit to say anything about Trump’s illegal dealings in Cuba.
"Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts paid at least $68,000 to a consulting firm in late 1998 in an attempt to give Trump’s business a head start in Cuba if the U.S. loosened or lifted trade sanctions."

During the 2014 Ebola panic, Trump flexed his influencer power on Twitter to help elect a Republican Senate, which blocked Obama from appointing a Supreme Court justice. The mainstream media was complicit. thehill.com/homenews/sta...

Trump became a major right-wing influencer in 2014, when his fearmongering about Ebola helped Republicans retake the Senate. "In all, the self-admitted germaphobe tweeted about Ebola nearly a hundred times over the next three months." thehill.com/homenews/sta...

Everywhere I go in our state I hear the same thing: Texans are ready for change.

After 12 years of Greg Abbott's corrupt reign, it's time to take our power back.

5 Big Issues With President Trump's Putin Meetings The White House has lost credibility on Trump-Russia relations

"And I can tell when I have great interpreters." Meeting with Putin and a Russian interpreter, with no Americans present, is the best.

Pete Seeger Take It From Dr King Live Letterman 2008 YouTube video by Fabio Antonio Usala

They were singing in marches, even singing in jail.
Songs gave them the courage to believe they would not fail.
youtu.be/Eea-vGaBUXU
The singing generations learned an important truth: it can be done.

Because of his position in Iowa, which hosts the first primary caucus, Steve King used to act as a kingmaker. Trump spoke at his Freedom Summit in January 2015 alongside other presidential hopefuls. www.p2016.org/photos15/sum...

Because of his position in Iowa, which hosts the first primary caucus, Steve King used to act as a kingmaker. Trump spoke at his Freedom Summit in January 2015 alongside other presidential hopefuls. www.p2016.org/photos15/sum...

We’re about to take back Texas.

Join us: jamestalarico.com

From the archives: the open society and its enemies revisited In 1988 The Economist invited the philosopher Karl Popper to write an article on democracy. It appeared in the issue of April 23rd that year and made the case for a two-party system. As America’s pres...

According to Karl Popper, democracy is not the answer to the question "Who should rule the state?" It is the answer to the question "How is the state to be constituted so that bad rulers can be got rid of without bloodshed, without violence?" This makes it clear why democracy is worth fighting for.

Chuck Berry with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band "Johnny B. Goode" | Concert for the Rock Hall YouTube video by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
youtu.be/6swgiM9vSEE
Leonard Cohen famously said, "All of us are footnotes to the words of Chuck Berry."

As the laid off Middle East News Editor, I concur. Management eliminated the positions of every single staff correspondent and bureau chief in the Middle East.

After four years of war in Ukraine, Russia's economy could fall into recession The Russian economy, fueled by the country's military-industrial complex, had long posted growth rates above the European average. Today, however, the country's economic indicators are all in the red.

Russia’s economy was in free fall because of the combined toll of war and sanctions. Only a rise in oil prices could save it.

After four years of war in Ukraine, Russia's economy could fall into recession The Russian economy, fueled by the country's military-industrial complex, had long posted growth rates above the European average. Today, however, the country's economic indicators are all in the red.

Russia’s economy was in free fall because of the combined toll of war and sanctions. Only a rise in oil prices could save it.

The Therapeutic Joy of Purim | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Read The Therapeutic Joy of Purim from The Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

Rabbi Sacks: "Precisely because the threat was so serious, you refuse to be serious – and in that refusal you are doing something very serious indeed… You are declaring that you will not be intimidated… You surround yourself with the single most effective antidote to fear: joy in life itself."

The Therapeutic Joy of Purim | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Read The Therapeutic Joy of Purim from The Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

Rabbi Sacks: "Precisely because the threat was so serious, you refuse to be serious – and in that refusal you are doing something very serious indeed… You are declaring that you will not be intimidated… You surround yourself with the single most effective antidote to fear: joy in life itself."

Rudy Went to Albania to Hang Out with A Iran Regime Change Cult (Really) Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) is a notorious cult-like group of Iranian exiles which...

Giuliani has been on the MEK payroll for years.

Hillary Clinton played a significant role in securing the deal that prevented war with Iran. It was an utter travesty to elect instead a moron who has neither skills nor temperament for diplomacy.

Hillary Clinton played a significant role in securing the deal that prevented war with Iran. It was an utter travesty to elect instead a moron who has neither skills nor temperament for diplomacy.

It was a story about rape that catapulted Stephen Miller into his career. The same story helped Richard Spencer, a fellow Duke student, become a professional Nazi.

It was a story about rape that catapulted Stephen Miller into his career. The same story helped Richard Spencer, a fellow Duke student, become a professional Nazi.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - 2011-08-22 - The World's 10 Worst Dictators Strongman may in fact be the people's choice. Read Full Story

In 2011, Forbes published a list of the world’s ten worst dictators. With Khamenei (#10 on the list) gone, Putin (#9) is the only one left standing.

Edith Piaf "L'accordéoniste" | Archive INA YouTube video by Ina Chansons

Elle a envie de pleurer, c'est physique
Tout son être est tendu, son souffle est suspendu
C'est une vraie tordue de la musique
youtu.be/Vhu-0IBZm5s
Music has the power of lifting spirits because it speaks directly to the heart.

Sharansky Is Quitting Israel's Cabinet (Published 2005)

Sharansky’s books, "The Case for Democracy" and "Defending Identity," continue to be important. He knew that there would be no lasting peace until places such as Russia and Gaza became free, democratic societies.