2014’s Fickle News Cycle

The news cycle in 2014 seemed to be dominated by a series of real and phony “crises” that grabbed our attention for short periods of time.

Only One Person Has ‘Blood On His Hands’ In The Deaths Of Officers Ramos And Liu, And He’s Already Dead

NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot dead while sitting in their patrol car In Brooklyn. And those suggesting that anyone other than the killer has “blood on their hands” are being absurd.

Oberlin College Student’s Request For Ferguson-Related Exam Delay Gets Epic Response

An Oberlin College student makes it clear just why she needs an education.

Despite Last Minute Drama, House Narrowly Passes Bill To Fund Most Of The Government

Despite opposition from both Republicans and Democrats, the compromise budget resolution passed narrowly last night, but not without some last minute drama

Columbia Law School To Let Students Postpone Exams Due To “Trauma” Over Ferguson, Garner

Apparently, law schools are in the business of coddling their special snowflake children now.

Congress Reaches Budget Deal, Delays Immigration Fight For Another Day

It looks like Congress has averted a budget fight for the second straight year.

Independent Prosecutors For Police Misconduct Cases Is An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Many have suggested that prosecution of cases involving police misconduct should be handled by prosecutors who don’t work with local police departments on a regular basis. They’re right.

Poll Find Wide Racial Divisions Over Confidence In Law Enforcement And The Justice System

Not surprisingly a new poll finds that African-Americans perceive the American justice system far differently than whites.

Blue Trumps Black and White

A former RNC chair says a black man’s life isn’t worth a ham sandwich.

Staten Island Grand Jury Refuses To Indict NYPD Officer In Chokehold Death

A New York City Grand Jury refuses to indict a cop who appears from all available evidence to choked a guy to death for no good reason.

No, Michael Brown’s Stepfather Should Not Be Charged With Incitement To Riot

Michael Brown’s stepfather made incendiary comments in the wake of the Grand Jury announcement, but they do not amount to a crime.

Darren Wilson Resigns From Ferguson Police Department, But That’s Unlikely To Quell Protests

The man who shot and killed Michael Brown has resigned, but that’s unlikely to satisfy protesters who still seem to be demanding criminal charges that are never going to come.

Egyptian Court Drops Charges Against Mubarak, Further Cementing Renewed Military Rule

Well, so much for that “people’s revolt” that brought down a military dictator.

Supreme Court To Try To Draw Line Between Free Speech Online And Criminal Threats

Next week, the Supreme Court will be asked to determine the line between free speech online and criminal threats

Regardless Of The Grand Jury Decision, Ferguson Raises Issues Americans Need To Address

Regardless of the outcome of the Michael Brown investigation, there are legitimate problems that need to be addressed.

Violence Erupts In Wake Of Decision To Forego Indictment In Shooting Of Michael Brown

Not surprisingly, last night’s announcement that there would be no state court indictment in the Michael Brown shooting led to violence and confrontations with police. That’s not going to solve any of the real problems that face Ferguson, or any other community in the United States.

Ferguson Grand Jury Returns No Indictment In Michael Brown Shooting

A not unexpected decision from the Grand Jury that investigated the Michael Brown shooting.

House Intelligence Committee Benghazi Report Debunks Benghazi Conspiracy Theories

The House Intelligence Committee has concluded that the conspiracy theories regarding the 9/11/2012 attack in Benghazi are not supported by the evidence. That’s unlikely to change anyone’s mind, though.

Warnings Of Violence In Ferguson Could Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

All the warnings of violence in the wake of an expected imminent announcement from the Grand Jury in the Michael brown case could become self-fulfilling prophecy.

Ferguson, Missouri Braces For Probability Of No Indictment In Michael Brown Shooting Case

We appear to be just days away from an announcement from the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting, and the consensus seems to be that there will be no indictment at all.

White House Hints At Content Of Obama’s Executive Action On Immigration

The White House is now leaking out details of what seems like an inevitable decision by the President. How it plays out politically, though, is the big question.

Evidence Presented To Michael Brown Grand Jury Appears To Support Officer’s Version Of Events

What if the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting fails to indict Officer Darren Wilson? We may find out if newly leaked evidence is accurate.

Crossfire Canceled Again

CNN’s effort to bring back a show that had outlived its prime years ago has, predictably, failed.

The Supreme Court Has A First Amendment Problem Right At Its Front Doorstep

The Roberts court has been very good on First Amendment issues, but it needs to address the First Amendment issue right outside its front windows.

Turkish Forces Bomb Kurdish Positions

The Turks have entered the conflict in Syria. Unfortunately for the United States, it’s not on the side we would prefer.

NBC Courted Jon Stewart For Meet The Press

A desperation move by NBC News?

F.C.C. Set To Ban The Word “Redskins” From The Airwaves?

The F.C.C. will be considering a petition to ban the word “Redskins” from the airwaves.

The U.S. Should Stay Quiet About The Protests In Hong Kong

In the current situation, speaking out forcefully as some are demanding can only do more harm than good.

Hong Kong Rocked With Protests As China Tries To Limit Political Rights

The streets of Hong Kong have been filled with protesters upset over China’s efforts to control the city’s political future.

Yemeni Rebels Seize Portion Of Capital

While the world pays attention to Syria and Iraq, Yemen is once against lurching into chaos.

What If “Justice” In The Mike Brown Case Doesn’t End In A Conviction?

There is a good possibility that Darren Wilson could be acquitted in the shooting of Michael Brown.. Are the protesters ready to accept that reality?

Public Opinion On Ferguson Shows Deep Racial Divisions

What you think about the events in Ferguson depends quite a lot on whether you’re black or white.

Another Night Of Unrest In Ferguson, And An Assault On Journalism

The situation in Ferguson, Missouri isn’t calming down.

The Michael Brown Shooting And The Militarization Of American Police

The shooting of Michael Brown is just another example of an ongoing problem.

Hillary Clinton Attacks Foreign Policy She Helped Create And Implement

Does Hillary Clinton remember that she was Secretary of State for four years?

Social Issues Now Benefiting Democrats

Once something that generally benefited Republicans, social issues are now becoming a wedge issue for Democrats.

Israel Rejects Temporary Cease Fire Plan As Gaza Conflict Continues To Rage

Hopes for a temporary respite in the Gaza conflict faded away today.

The Border Crisis: Many Causes, No Simple Solutions

Trying to make sense of a very complicated issue.

Ashraf Ghani Declared ‘Winner’ Of Afghan Election Plagued By Fraud Allegations

There’s a declared winner in Afghanistan’s Presidential Election, but a cloud hangs over the results.