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Archives for April 2015

Read Round-up: Race for the White House

04.24.2015 by rhood // Leave a Comment

Since I last wrote about the race for the White House, several candidates have joined Sen. Ted Cruz as 2016 contenders. Things are starting to heat up, especially in light of the upcoming release of the already-controversial book by Peter Schweizer, Clinton Cash.

And though the Clinton campaign camp would like everyone to think that Schweizer’s some rabid partisan member of the press out to get the only current Democratic candidate for 2016, you should know the following facts reported this week in The Hill:

  • Schweizer has said that his next book will investigate the finances of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) who is expected to enter the presidential race soon.
  • “Schweizer was a vocal advocate for reforms to prohibit members of Congress from using nonpublic knowledge to profit from the stock market. He was centrally featured in a CBS ’60 Minutes’ report on the issue. Reformers’ efforts eventually reached fruition when President Obama signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act into law in 2012.”
  • Schweizer gave The New York Times and the Washington Post early copies of Clinton Cash on the understanding that they could use his work as the foundation for new reporting. A) That tells me he doesn’t have anything to hide, and B) neither media outlet is exactly known for their right-leaning work.

Now, here’s a brief round-up of some of the more interesting pieces (and some simple summary pieces for those of you who may need to get caught up) I’ve been reading about the presidential race’s current candidates:

Sen. Marco Rubio (R)

  • “The talented Mr. Rubio” by David Brooks – The New York Times
  • Rubio calls on Americans to “saddle up”-  by Jesse Byrnes – The Hill
  • “Here’s what Marco Rubio thinks about the issues” by Andrew Prokop, Vox.com

Sen. Rand Paul (R)

  • “Paul’s 2016 bid banks on DC ire” by Jonathan Easley – The Hill
  • “Rand Paul’s Internet army” by Tom Bartlett – POLITICO
  • “Rand Paul is right to demand reporters ask Democrats about late-term abortions” by Michael Barone – Real Clear Politics

Hillary Clinton (D)

  • “Hillary Clinton struggles to contain media barrage on foreign cash” by Nick Gass – POLITICO
  • “What does Hillary Clinton believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues” by Rachel Wellford – PBS Newshour
  • “Hillary wants a piece of the Elizabeth Warren love fest” by Patrick Caldwell – Mother Jones

A read that mentions all of the above

“Not another Bush or Clinton: political dynasties reach for ‘regular Joe’ status” by Dan Roberts – The Guardian

And just because you probably need a good laugh after all of that:

Cover photo credit: Diego Cambiaso, Flickr

Categories // Media, Posts Tags // Democrats, GOP, politics, presidency

Lack of passion for the persecuted

04.24.2015 by rhood // Leave a Comment

Kirsten Powers has done it again. She’s taken my thoughts and feelings and put them to print perfectly in this week’s article boldly entitled, “Kirsten Powers: Christians thrown overboard left to drown by Obama.”

When three North Carolina Muslims were gunned down by a virulent atheist, Obama rightly spoke out against the horrifying killings. But he just can’t seem to find any passion for the mass persecution of Middle Eastern Christians or the eradication of Christianity from its birthplace.”

This lack of response, or at best an unemotional nearly apathetic response, to Christians’ murders and torment (and other minorities like the Yazidis) in the Middle East is becoming an all-too-familiar practice for our current president and our country.

An old Christian church in Lebanon. Photo credit: n.karim, Flickr
An old Christian church in Lebanon. Photo credit: n.karim, Flickr

Don’t get too comfy on your couches with your Netflix, folks. Don’t think this persecution of Christians could come to America, the supposed “land of the free and home of the brave?” Guess again.

If a blind eye is turned to what’s happening overseas, it’ll be that much easier to grow numb to the issue and turn a blind eye to it once it’s in our own backyards. It’s time to be brave and stand up for those who are being killed for their religious beliefs. No matter your religion, you should not be murdered for it. That’s just wrong, plain and simple.

America has intervened around the globe to help the starving, the sick — those dying from AIDS and Ebola, for example — as well as the impoverished, those suffering in the aftermath of natural disasters. When do we intervene to lend a hand to the innocently hunted?

Related Story:

Go here to watch Lara Logan’s story from a March episode of “60 Minutes” on what life has been like for Iraqi Christians as of late. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

Categories // Musings, Posts Tags // Christianity, Islam, Middle East, Obama, terrorism

Incredible Robin Williams tribute

04.16.2015 by rhood // Leave a Comment

If you haven’t yet, you’ve GOT to check out this incredible tribute to the late Robin Williams by actor Jamie Costa.

With just three days on YouTube, this video already has racked up more than two million views, and it’s easy to see why. If you close your eyes (or even if you don’t, because this guy is eerily the spitting image of Williams) it’s like you’re hearing Williams himself. I mean, REALLY.

Go here to see two other impressions by Costa that are also extremely impressive.

I’m guessing the YouTube video above was this guy’s “big break,” and we’ll be seeing more of him in the future.

Categories // Media, Musings, Posts Tags // Hollywood, viral video

Rebekah is an award-winning journalist and social media maven. She’s worked for some of the best in the news biz, but her current boss is an energetic two-year-old boy. Still, she’s passionate about national news and politics. Historic dramas (“Downton!” “Poldark!”) and anything related to a “clean” lifestyle (foodscaping, non-toxic makeup, eco-friendly household products, etc.) are her love languages.

Learn more about Rebekah.

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