WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
Biden vacations in Aspen amid Libya questions and Florida reporter's detainment
On the eve of President Barack Obama's address to the nation on U.S. military action in Libya and a recent story about a local Florida reporter who was locked in a storage closet during a fundraiser he attended for Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, Vice President Joe Biden can only be found vacationing in the ritzy resort city of Aspen, Colorado, reports the Aspen Times.
(Video) Bloomberg swings out as Spider-Man at annual NYC roast
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg appeared as Spider-Man in the annual Inner Circle performance, an event that includes the roasting of both New York politicians and press alike.
Westboro church plans protest of Ferraro funeral
It looks like the notorious Westboro Baptist Church, known for picketing military funerals and public persons, plans on protesting recently deceased New York Congresswoman and Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferarro.
Geraldine Ferraro passes away at 75
Geraldine Ferraro, a New York Congresswoman and first female vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, died last night. Ms. Ferraro was 75 years old. According to reports Ms. Ferraro died of blood cancer.
Rangel on Libya: 'Congress should have been consulted'
Congressman Charlie Rangel, New York Democrat, joined a growing number of members in his party who are critical of President Barack Obama for not consulting Congress before the President ordered the U.S. military to take action against Libya
(video) Obama to Bush '07: You do not have Congressional authorization to attack Iran
In the video above, then Senator Barack Obama gave his thoughts on the Bush administration's possible military action in Iran that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, later introduced in the Senate for Mr. Obama on November 1, 2007. Mr. Obama is making his speech, on September 12, 2007 in Clinton, Iowa.
Atheist Newdow ditches six year anti - 'under God' pledge of allegiance lawsuit
Dr. Michael Newdow, an Atheist activist, has given up his six year legal fight that he hoped would have restricted California school children from saying "under God" when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, reports Catholic Lane
I was bullied
Stopping bullies has become a prime focus on the political front, recently. It is no surprise people worldwide reacted to an Australian student who stood up for himself after being bullied by another. Bullying is a practice that has existed since the beginning. The Jewish and Christian faiths reference the biblical stories from Genesis of Cain and Abel as well as Joseph and his brothers as the earliest examples of bullying. Individuals are likely able to remember a time when he or she was bullied, was the bully, or witnessed someone being bullied. The experience for the bullied victim can take not only a physical toll but also an emotional one that will last long into adulthood. I should know. I clearly recall the days of being bullied and harassed during my grade school and middle school years.
Obama to Boehner on Libya : The U.N. gave us the ok
President Barack Obama sent Speaker of the House John Boehner, Ohio Republican, a letter stating the administration's move to begin muliti-lateral military operations in Libya as a result of authorization from United Nation's Security Council. I have bolded areas in the letter to show Mr. Obama's justification for this military operation as a result of only U.N. authorization.
Believing fairy tales about civil-rights law enforcement
If the federal government will be prosecuting bullying cases under civil rights laws going forward, how can all American people be so confident that the cases will be considered fairly, given the history of both the Justice Department in recent years and the point of view about the intention of civil rights laws from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Commission? Believing everyone should get a fair shot under the law is nice to think, but it is not the reality.
DOJ to white male bullying victims: Tough luck
The viral video sensation showing a bullying incident at an Australian school has brought the issue of bullying back into the spotlight. Here in the United States, the Obama administration has made school bullying a federal issue. Last week, President Barack Obama addressed an anti-bullying conference with First Lady Michelle Obama at his side. The administration's anti-bullying campaign has been ongoing since the beginning of Mr. Obama's term. The Department of Justice announced in December 2010 its intention to hold liable school districts that fail to protect students that are bullied.
(video) Dem Congressman attempts to ban federal spending on Fox News
Rep. James McGovern, Massachusetts Democrat, argued that Fox News should not receive federal funding through ad campaigns from the federal government. His amendment to do so failed in committee. The bill to defund NPR passed the House 228 to 192 on Thursday afternoon.
Video: Rep Slaughter concerned for Big Bird's safety
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, New York Democrat, went to the floor of the House on Thursday to argue against the bill that would remove federal funding of NPR. Ms. Slaughter equated the defunding of NPR to killing Sesame Street characters like Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie. The bill to de-fund NPR passed the House 228 to 192.
Liberal appeasement only emboldens bullies
In the midst of the Obama administration’s move to crack down on school yard bullying, by DOJ prosecutions and local school sensitivity programs, designed to protect only those covered in the 1964 civil rights act and otherwise known as “anti-bullying campaigns,” a web video from Australia showing a bullying victim standing up for himself surfaces.
Chaffetz introduces bill to return federal lands to the private sector
Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Utah Republican, introduced a bill on Thursday likely to have environmentalists up in arms. According to a statement from Mr. Chaffetz's office, the Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act (H.R. 1126) "would responsibly dispose of the nearly 3.3 million acres of land the federal government reported it does not need."
