Robert Laurie

Chris Christie targets Rand Paul & GOP’s ‘dangerous Libertarian strain’

Of all the alleged 2016 GOP 'frontrunners,' Chris Christie is the one I will never understand. He's shown himself, time and again, to be an unpleasant Obama sycophant who's pro gun-control and eager to leap in bed with the Dems if it means a little extra TV time. Like John McCain, he's a go-along-to-get-along RINO, and everything the Republicans should avoid in a candidate. Yet, for some reason, he's still hanging around, making Presidential waves.

Pakistanimation: ‘Burka Avenger’ set to fight Taliban

Here in the States, super heroes fight criminals, alien invasions, power mad super-scientists, and super-powered killers. However, in some parts of the world, little girls just want to go to school without being harassed by the Taliban. All across Pakistan, radical Islamists have a long history of targeting young women who want to learn, and in many cities girls schools have faced constant persecution or outright destruction. Since Superman and Batman are apparently busy, who can Pakistani girls turn to? Enter the "Burka Avenger" - a new Pakistani super hero that will soon be fighting the Taliban in her own television show.

MSNBC: UK loves the royal baby because GOP economic policy has failed

If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom, the odds are you're excited about the birth of His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Not content to simply let the UK be a happy, proud nation, MSNBC wants you to know that the patriotism you're experiencing is the fault of Republicans in the United States. Specifically, it can be attributed to the "failed economic policies" of Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy.

Detroit City Council demands ‘Justice for Trayvon’

This piece initially ran this morning as my Detroit News column. The boss asked me to run it here, and when he says "jump," I say "how high?" Before reading you should know that - as a result of Michigan's Emergency Manager law - the Detroit City Council no longer has any real power. Despite that, they've been allowed to stay in their positions and collect their pay as the city circles the drain. They use their time in interesting ways... Detroit City Council has finally proven its worth. Not content with their image as a gaggle of worthless, backbiting has-beens, it members have stepped up to the plate and done. . . something. Let the record show that, when the chips were down, the Council was there – ready to make the tough calls.

US involvement in Syria could cost up to $1 Billion per month

If CNN sources are correct, President Obama is about to move ahead with plans to begin arming Syrian rebels. This has long been a desire of overly-hawkish politicians on both sides of the aisle, but it hasn't come to fruition due to a few ugly realities. Chief among them is the fact that many of the factions we'd be arming have direct ties to Al Qaeda.

GOP Rep. Peter King wants to protect Republicans from Rand Paul and Ted Cruz

For the last few months, rumors have been swirling the GOP Rep. Peter King (NY) had his eye on the White House. Yesterday, he confirmed that he was considering a 2016 run. Speaking to CBS News, he said "I'm looking at it. I have no committee or anything formed yet."

Mich. Judge: Detroit bankruptcy unconstitutional - doesn’t ‘honor’ Obama

Well, that was quick. Less than 24 hours after Detroit filed for bankruptcy, a Michigan judge has ruled that the filing is invalid. Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Aquilina said that Michigan state law has safeguards which prevent retirement pensions from being diminished. Normally, a federal bankruptcy would supersede those laws, but she decided that the Governor and city violated the state constitution because they "know" that pensions will be impacted as a result of their actions.

Justice’ is a fair trial - not your personally-preferred verdict

This piece originally ran this morning at The Detroit News. Unless further news warrants it, I'm done writing about the Zimmerman trial. It's an ugly story, made uglier by professional race-baiters and a "riot-desperate" national media. Still, a few of you have suggested I post this here, so I have.

Keith Olbermann has finally found a new job ...at ESPN?

Fifteen months after his Current TV program ended with a huge lawsuit, the enormous head mind of Keith Olbermann has managed to land a new job. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keith has inked a deal that will have him returning to ESPN - a channel he left 16 years ago when his relationship with the network devolved into what has been referred to as "a state of perpetual warfare."

Wow. MSNBC contributor says more white kids need to die to understand race in America

I don't even know where to start with this one.  We've heard some crazy, hyperbolic race-baiting in the wake of the Zimmerman verdict, but this just has to take the top spot.

U.S. to Egypt: Want our money? Stop arresting the Muslim Brotherhood

Each year, the U.S. sends $1.5 Billion in foreign aid to Egypt. About $1.3 Billion of that goes straight to the military. Despite the fact that Mohamed Morsi was threatening Israel over the Gaza situation, the Obama administration had no qualms about sending this money while his radical Islamist government was in charge. However, the Egyptian people decided that allowing the Muslim Brotherhood to hijack their country was a bad idea, so the military rose up and deposed Mohamed Morsi. Once he was out of power, they began arresting his Brotherhood allies.

Janet Napolitano resigns - Big Sis no more

California regularly faces flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides, and bankruptcy. Now, they have a new problem. Janet Napolitano has resigned from her post as Secretary of Homeland Security, and will be heading for the left coast.

In Washington D.C., Walmart shrugs

For the last three years, Walmart has been knee-deep in plans to build and open six stores in Washington DC. Once completed, the project would bring 1800 jobs, fresh produce, and inexpensive shopping to lower-income areas which, traditionally, were lacking all three. Half of the new stores are already under construction, with the first scheduled to open in the fall. Everything seemed to be going swimmingly.

Suddenly, John McCain wants to halt aid to Egypt

No matter what's happening in the world - no matter how bad things get - you can count on one thing. John McCain loves being in front of the cameras. Every weekend, like clockwork, he picks a topic and presents it to as many news shows as possible. This weekend it was aid to Egypt.

Islamists demand Morsi, march on military, military opens fire…maybe

Today, spurred on by the Muslim Brotherhood, thousands of Morsi supporters filled the streets in cities across Egypt. The Brotherhood is referring to it as a "Friday of Rage" designed to put pressure on the Egyptian military, which has placed Morsi under arrest, shut down Islamic TV stations, and taken temporary control of the country. In Cairo, a large mob pressed toward the compound where the military was thought to be holding the deposed President.

Anti-Morsi Egyptian protesters burn US ambassador’s photo, Muslim Brotherhood HQ

Be warned, there's some rough language in the photos below. Over the weekend, Egypt erupted as millions - across multiple cities - called for the resignation of Egyptian President and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi. The angry mobs are made up of Christians, secular Egyptians, and even moderate Muslims who believe that Morsi has overstepped his electoral mandate. Basically, they believe Morsi hijacked the movement that ousted Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Since then, he's been bent on crushing dissent, has decimated Egypt's economy, and has driven gas prices into the stratosphere.

Nancy Pelosi: On July 4th, we can celebrate ‘Health Independence’

Yesterday was a banner day for left coast crackpot Nancy Pelosi. In a single press conference, she managed to invoke Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, and original intent. On any normal day, a "progressive" queen like Pelosi would probably be screaming about how July 4th is a monstrous holiday celebrating the creation of a racist nation at the hands of wealthy slave owners. This year is different.

Obama orders CDC gun violence study, study shreds his position

Earlier this year, President Obama signed a set of executive orders targeting gun violence in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings. Among them was an edict commanding the CDC to do a comprehensive survey of studies regarding guns and gun violence in the United States. Clearly, once the CDC produced the hard evidence that the US was a violent nation of wild-west shootouts, the American people would be eager to approve and fund future research while embracing strict gun control legislation.

Chris Matthews: ‘Climate change’ will sink Miami ‘probably this century’

Back in 1988, Ted Danson warned us that in 10 years, the oceans would be dead. They'd be incapable of sustaining life, and shortly thereafter, mankind would be destroyed as well. That was 25 years ago and, last time I visited Hawaii, the ocean was still there, still full of fish, and the humans were still around to enjoy it.

Bill & Hillary praise SCOTUS for overturning DOMA

The former First Family has wasted no time in shoving their names into the news surrounding todays Supreme Court ruling. In a joint statement issued this afternoon, Bill and Hillary said: