Tea Time for the end of 2012

As the year comes to an end, I decided to end it with a Tea Time. There are quite a few articles that talks about what to expect next year along some reviewing 2012. I couldn't help but adding a mix of both US Politics and world news as well. Enjoy!

2012 and 2013

10 things that will excite in 2013 -- USA Today

The Top 10 Global Stories To Watch In 2013 -- The Guardian

The top 10 political quotes of 2012 -- Aaron Blake, Washington Post

Zeitgeist -- Google
2012: The Year Our Sports Broke -- David Zirin, The Nation
Bond King’s Fearless Forecasts for 2013 -- Min Zeng, Wall Street Journal

Politics

Budget Compromise Takes Shape -- Janet Hook & Carol E. Lee, Wall Street Journal

Make Your Own Deficit-Reduction Plan -- Wall Street Journel

The ‘fiscal cliff’s’ Most Valuable Republicans -- Aaron Blake, Washington Post
Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot -- Matthew Lew, USA Today

World

Al-Qaida Carves Out Own Country in Mali -- Rukmini Callimachi, Real Clear Politics
Vietnam’s Blogosphere: The Battleground for Rival Factions of the Ruling Communists -- Patrick Boehler, Time
India Demands Change as It Mourns Gang-Rape Victim -- Nilanjana Bhowmick, Time
The Hunt for the Vicuña: Can This Andean Creature Be a Cash Cow? -- Jean Freidman-Rudovsky

Syria’s descent into hell -- John McCain, Joseph I. Lieberman and Lindsey O. Graham, Washington Post

Friday Morning Breakfast Menu 12/28

Here’s your Friday morning primer of breakfast links.

Obama Still Holds the Cards - Joan Walsh, Salon
Republicans Rejecting Their Own Ideas - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies - POLITICO, STEPHANIE GASKELL
9 Wildest Things Fox News Said In 2012 - Huff Post, Hunter Stuart
Markey to Seek Kerry’s Senate Seat - The Hill, Jonathan Easley
Chuck Hagel and His Enemies - The New Yorker, Connie Bruck
One-Stoplight Town Seeks Mayor - New York Times, ROBBIE BROWN
How Obama Can Beat the GOP Fanatics - Robert Reich, Business Insider
2012: Good For Stocks, Bad For Pundits - David Weidner, Wall Street Journal

Sports
More Jets Drama: Sanchez Gets Job Back - Brian Costello, New York Post
Phil Jackson 'intrigued' by Nets job - CBS Sports, Ken Berger
Previewing Friday's bowl games - USA Today, Eddie Timanus

Editorials
Time to Confront Climate Change - New York Times
Kerry Well-Suited for Secretary of State - Washington Post

Freshman Introductions: Deb Fischer and Angus King

Angus King

Angus King is the first ever Independent elected to serve in the Senate from Maine. He follows in the footsteps of Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, who announced she would not run for re-election earlier this year, citing frustration due to partisanship. King previously served as the two term Independent Governor of the state between 1995 and 2003. King will caucus with the Democrats once sworn in; meaning there will be 55 Senators in the caucus a pickup of two seats from the 112th congress. Before serving as Governor, King was the host of a statewide political talk show on public television and served as an assistant on the staff of Maine Democratic Senator William Hathaway in the mid 70’s. During the 80’s King worked for several companies that were developers of alternative and renewable energy including founding his own company which worked to conserve electricity at commercial and industrial businesses throughout New England. A major focus of King’s Campaign was his promise to fight for government reforms including campaign finance, filibuster reform, and the No Budget, No Pay Act.

Deb Fischer 

With the retirement of Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Democrats basically lost all hope at being able to retain his seat. In a last ditch effort Democrats persuaded former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey to come home to his native state and run for his former seat. It was a short-term fix as Kerrey was pegged as out of touch with his former constituents because he had since moved away from his native Nebraska. The Republican nominee, Deb Fischer, easily won the election. Fischer was born, raised, and educated in Nebraska and has worked since College on her husband’s Cattle Ranch. She was first elected to political office in 2004 when she was elected to the Nebraska State Legislature. She was vastly outspent (10 to 1) in her primary but managed to pull off a major upset in part due to a last minute endorsement from Sarah Palin. She is in favor of disbanding the EPA, repealing Obamacare, and helped lead the opposition in the State Legislature against imposing a statewide smoking ban. She is strongly prolife and anti-gay marriage. The election of Fischer marks the end of an era of a moderate voice in Nebraska politics; she will bring what is a growing feature of Republican Party -- hardline tea party ideology.

Evening Tea 12/26/12

To read as you curl up with some tea on this cold winter's night. Enjoy

The Anecdotal Presidency -- Victor Hanson, The National Review
In tragedy, an opportunity -- Joesph A. Califano Jr., Philadelphia Inquirer
Don’t Let Pro-Israel Extremists Sink Chuck Hagel -- James Besser, NY Times
Schatz chosen to replace Inouye -- Katie Glueck, Politico
13 people to watch in politics in 2013, Mackenzie Weinger, Politico
Creamed by Congress: Farm Bill Inaction May Mean Higher Dairy Prices -- Alex Rogers, Time
Why Are People Hoarding Coins? -- Investopedia

Tea Time Wishes you a merry Christmas!

A handful of non political heartfelt stories to cheer up anyone's day! Merry Christmas from FPP!!!
26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year - Stopera, BuzzFeed
Pets In Holiday Outfits Warm Our Hearts (SLIDESHOW) - Huffington Post
Hurricane Sandy 'Miracle' For Long Island Family Who Lost Home Brings Holiday Smiles - HELEN O'NEILL, Huffington Post
Muslims And Catholics Come Together For Christmas Donations In London, Ontario - Sarah Medina, Huffington Post
Price Check on Kindness, Lane Four, Please -Rob White, Huffington Post

Freshman Introductions: Jeff Flake and Ted Cruz

Jeff Flake

Jon Kyl’s replacement has been found for the Arizona Senate Seat -- Congressman Jeff Flake. Congressman Flake, a Mormon, represents a largely Mormon and affluent area of Phoenix – the eastern suburbs. Flake attended Brigham Young University and then worked in Africa at various Mormon and other philanthropic organizations. He then served as Executive Director of Goldwater Institute in Arizona. He was elected to the US House in 2000 and has been reelected easily every time sense then. Congressmen Flake is known for being “rogue” on many issues voting frequently against his own party. For instance, he was one 15 republicans to vote in favor of ending DADT, but he is opposed to gay marriage. Flake is strong anti-abortionist being highly regarded and rated by Right to Life. He is most known, though, for his ardent opposition to pork barrel spending and earmarks going so far as publishing a newsletter with what he thinks is the pork barrel project of week. He is also known for instituting what is called “the flake hour” in which he forces congressmen to explain why congress should pay for those pet projects; he is strong fiscal conservative who voted against Bush’s TARP. Flake is a fierce fighter for privacy along with one of the few republicans to come at against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq voting against Obama’s surge in Afghanistan.

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada to a couple that had met at the University of Texas Austin. His mom was from Delaware and his father was a Cuban immigrant who had fought in the Cuban Revolution for Castro but would later come to oppose the Castro regime. Ted Cruz proved to be an excellent debater and parliamentarian wining or placing in many high level competitions while attending Princeton undergrad or Harvard Law where he received a J.D. Magna Cum Laude. After a number of years working in private practice, teaching at UT Austin, or working various federal Government jobs, Mr. Cruz became the Solicitor General of Texas, a position he held until 2008. While serving as Solicitor General, Cruz successfully defended the state in many cases that showcased his and his state's social conservatism such as the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the state capital or “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Monday Breakfast Menu 12/24

 

Here’s your Monday morning primer of breakfast links.

Idaho Senator Charged With DUI - Rosalind S. Helderman, The Washington Post
Chelsea Clinton's Next Act - MAGGIE HABERMAN, Poltico
David Gregory Hammers Wayne LaPierre - Andrew Kirell, Mediate
Behind the Ugly Attacks on Hagel - Amy Davidson, The New Yorker
The NRA Gets Downright Offensive - Ana Marie Cox, The Guardian
GOP Brings Politics to a Crisis Point - Michael Tomasky, The Daily Beast
Kerry's Lifelong Training to Be A Diplomat - Al Hunt, Bloomberg
NRA Fires Blank on Gun Violence - Denver Post
Mark Sanford — Ready For A Comeback? - Associated Press
Benghazi Questions, State Dept. Answers - Debra Saunders, SF Chronicle
NFL Sunday Recap - Matt White, Eonline

Freshmen Introductions

The following are some of the freshmen of the 113^th Congress. There are 12 new senators: 1 independent, 3 republicans, and 8 democrats. There will be 2 additional senators joining the list as well to replace former senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Daniel Inouye (D-HW). Inouye’s replacement is yet to be decided while DeMint is being replaced by Tim Scott. These 14 senators will be introduced to FPP’s readers in the next week in a new segment called Freshmen Introductions. I have also listed the names of members of the house to be who won seats currently held by members of the other party.

US Senators
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Chris Murphey (D-CT)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Angus King (I-ME)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Deb Fischer (R-OK)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)

Change of Party  House Freshmen
Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ1)
Tom Cotton (R-AR4)
Ami Bera (D-CA7)
Julia Brownley (D-CA26)
Raul Ruiz (D-CA36)
Scott Peters (D-CA52)
Patrick Murphy (D-FL18)
Joe Garcia (D-FL26)
Tammy Duckworth (D-IL8)
Brad Schneider (D-IL10)
Bill Foster (D-IL11)
Cheri Bustos (D-IL17)
Jackie Walorski (R-IN2)
Andy Barr (R-KY6)
John Delaney (D-MD6)
Rick Nolan (D-MN8)
Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH1)
Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH2)
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY18)
Dan Maffei (D-NY24)
Chris Collins (R-NY27)
Richard Hudson (R-NC8)
Mark Meadows (R-NC11)
George Holding (R-NC12)
Markwayne Mullin (R-OK2)
Keith Rothfus (R-PN12)
Pete Gallego (D-TX23)

Breaking News: Kerry Nominated

President Obama today announced the nomination of Massachusetts senator John Kerry (D) to the office of Secretary of State replacing a retiring Hilleary Clinton. This leaves Massachusetts with an open seat in the US senate and a large cast of interesting characters eager to fill it

Tea Time Goes Global

For a little international flare in your evening. A great selection of articles about what's happening in the world.

South Korean President-Elect Calls for Reconciliation After Tight Race -- Choe Sang-Hun, NY Times
Putin Defends Position on Syria and Chastises U.S. on Libya -- David M. Herszenhorn and Nick Cumming-Bruce , NY Times
U.N. Vote Planned on Mali Security -- Rick Gladstone, NY Times
The Swiss Difference: A Gun Culture That Works -- Helena Bachmann, Time
Must-Reads from Around the World -- Time
Is Narendra Modi a Step Closer to Being India’s Next Prime Minister? -- Krista Mahr, Time
Politics this week -- The Economist
A healthier menu -- The Economist
Coming out swinging -- The Economist

Tea Time

Here is the stories to read with your Tuesday cup of tea

Congressman Is Chosen to Succeed DeMint as South Carolina Senator -- Jeff Zeleny, NY Times
Obama Expected to Name Kerry as Secretary of State -- David E. Sanger, NY Times
Daniel Inouye, Hawaii’s Quiet Voice of Conscience in Senate, Dies at 88 -- Robert D. McFadden, NY Times
Grand old white male party gets diversity memo -- Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen, Politico
Rick Snyder's right-to-work poll crash -- Katie Glueck, Politico
Affleck's name floated for Senate -- Caitlin McDevitt, Politico
The GOP's Voter Suppression Strategy -- Ari Berman, The Nation
Newtown -- Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journel

Falling Over the Cliff

By: Katie Beemer, Guest Contributor Fourth Party Politics

The budget cliff. It slowly looms over us, threatening to overcome the United States. Part of me wonders if this problem could be overturned simply, without all of the fuss. Groups in Washington need to man up and get past their differences long enough to solve the looming crisis. 

While both Democrats and Republicans have many differences, this is a petty one. Both sides refuse to compromise. The Democrats just want to raise taxes, and the Republicans just want to cut spending. It will take a combination of both techniques to solve our budget crises. We must raise taxes while simultaneously cutting spending. Remember what we learned in Kindergarten? “Sharing is caring.” So, the people on the Hill need to learn how to share in a way so that everyone does not lose. The way we are going, the entire country will lose, not to mention it will probably send the world markets into a spiral. This conundrum we face is indeed difficult to solve, but not impossible. If Americans can get past the partisanship of politics, the United States would be a much happier place. Hopefully, we will not ring in the new year with the tragedy of falling over the fiscal cliff hanging over our necks.

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court agrees to take up DOMA and Prop 8, NBC's Pete Williams reports.

The Supreme Court announced Friday that it will take up two same-sex marriage cases. The first is a case stemming from California’s Prop 8 ban on gay marriage and the second is a case from New York challenging the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

Arguments are expected in the spring and decisions in the cases are likely near the end of the court’s term in June.