WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
Evangelicals rate only so-so press treatment
Not a single evangelical leader thinks that members of his or her faith always get decent treatment by the press. Not one. And many hope that journalists would stop using "evangelicals" as a generic political label.
'Most democratic': U.S. is 15th on the list
Surely the Unites States of America would make the top 10. But no.
Poll: Obama policy 'will move' U.S. 'toward socialism'
A Fox News year-end poll finds that a hefty majority of American voters are noting changes in the nation: 61 percent of U.S. voters are concerned that Obama administration policies "will move the country toward socialism"; 89 percent of Republicans and 38 percent of Democrats agree with that.
Media coverage of Newtown shootings draws criticism
Many Americans say an invasive, exploitative press is going too far in its coverage of the Newtown tragedy.
Mayor Bloomberg on Newtown killings: 'Meaningful action' not enough
"With all the carnage from gun violence in our country, it's still almost impossible to believe that a mass shooting in a kindergarten class could happen. It has come to that. Not even kindergarteners learning their ABC's are safe. We heard after Columbine that it was too soon to talk about gun laws. We heard it after Virginia Tech. After Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek. And now we are hearing it again," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking as co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition of 700 mayors around the nation.
Food assistance program bloated to $110 billion
A decade ago, the federal government spent $43 billion on food assistance. That figure is is now projected to be $113 billion in 2013, funding 80 programs overall, says Sen. Jeff Sessions, a ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee.
Ladies: Don't forget your pants
All Enlist, a new breed of Mormon feminists seeking gender equality, have emerged as the holiday season nears its peak, declaring Sunday to be worldwide "Wear Pants to Church Day."
Conservatives demand justice for Michigan attack
They haven't forgotten the events that transpired 48 hours earlier. Now they want justice. And an explanation.
PICKET: Sec. Clinton to testify on Benghazi attack report
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican and Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released the following statement announcing that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify at an open hearing on the Benghazi attack report.
PICKET: Gallup - U.S. payroll population rate drops to 43.7 percent
Gallup is reporting that the U.S. payroll population employment rate (P2P) for the month of November dropped 2 percentage points from October to November.
PICKET: Gallup - U.S. Unadjusted unemployment rockets back up
Gallup released it's latest U.S. unemployment report, and the seasonal unadjusted rate has shot back up to 7.8 percent for the month of November. October's seasonal unadjusted rate was 7.0 percent.
PICKET: DeMint says taking helm at Heritage Foundation is a 'big promotion'
Senator Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican, announced on Thursday that he will be leaving the U.S. Senate to become the new president at Washington D.C. conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation.
PICKET: Speculation grows around GOP'er Tim Scott to become only African American in Senate
Senator Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican, announced on Thursday before Heritage Foundation staffers that he would be the new president of the conservative Washington D.C. think tank. Since making the announcement that he would be resigning from his seat, speculations as to who would replace him has already grown around Capitol Hill. According to The Hill, DeMint would like to see Rep. Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican, succeed him.
PICKET: (VIDEO) Reid slams NY Jets and GOP -Asks Romney supporter Rex Ryan-'Who's the quarterback?'
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, slammed the New York Jets and Republicans on Thursday asking on the Senate floor NY Jets coach Rex Ryan, a GOP supporter, who he would choose for a starting quarterback. He compared the NFL coach's dilemma to the Republican Party during the fiscal debate talks.
PICKET: Ariz. authorities seize chemicals, weapons, and bomb making instructions from Iraqi refugee home
More details are emerging about the Iraqi refugee, Abdullatif Ali Aldosary, accused of bombing Social Security Administration building in Casa Grande, Arizona last Friday. The Phoenix New Times is reporting that the probable cause affidavit, released yesterday, was written by an FBI agent in the Phoenix division's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Despite, the arrest, the FBI is not charging Aldosarry with an act of terrorism:(bolding is mine).
