Portside

REWIND - A Week of Quotes and Cartoons

SUNDAY

Quote of the Day
December 29, 2013

'Months of investigation by The New York Times,
centered on extensive interviews with Libyans in
Benghazi who had direct knowledge of the attack
there and its context, turned up no evidence that Al
Qaeda or other international terrorist groups had
any role in the assault. The attack was led, instead,
by fighters who had benefited directly from NATO's
extensive air power and logistics support during the
uprising against Colonel Qaddafi. And contrary to
claims by some members of Congress, it was fueled
in large part by anger at an American-made video
denigrating Islam.

'A fuller accounting of the attacks suggests lessons
for the United States that go well beyond Libya. It
shows the risks of expecting American aid in a time
of desperation to buy durable loyalty, and the
difficulty of discerning friends from allies of
convenience in a culture shaped by decades of anti-
Western sentiment. Both are challenges now
hanging over the American involvement in Syria's
civil conflict.'

New York Times
December 29, 2013
 

Toon of the Day

Visitors' Info
Matt Davies
 

MONDAY

Quote of the Day

'Clearly, if we are going to save the middle class and
protect our planet, we need to change the political
dynamics of the nation. We can no longer allow the
billionaires and their think tanks or the corporate
media to set the agenda. We need to educate,
organize and mobilize the working families of our
country to stand up for their rights. We need to
make government work for all the people, not just
the 1 percent.'

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt)
Huffington Post
December 30, 2013
 

Toon of the Day

Crazy 2013
Tom Tomorrow
 

TUESDAY

Quote of the Day

'Social Security isn't the answer to all of our
retirement problems. We need to find ways to tackle
the financial squeeze that is crushing our families.
We need to help families start saving again. We need
to make sure that more workers have access to
better pensions. But in the meantime, so long as
these problems continue to exist and so long as we
are in the midst of a real and growing retirement
crisis -- a crisis that is shaking the foundations of
what was once a vibrant and secure middle class --
the absolute last thing we should be doing is talking
about cutting back on Social Security. The absolute
last thing we should do in 2013 - at the very
moment that Social Security has become the
principal lifeline for millions of our seniors -- is
allow the program to begin to be dismantled inch by
inch.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D - Mass.)
AlterNet
December 29, 2013
 

Toon of the Day

Living
Jeff Danziger
 

WEDNESDAY

Quote of the Day

'Obamacare can't be fixed by its namesake. It's up to
us to make it happen.'

Michael Moore, a documentary
filmmaker whose 2007 film "Sicko"
examined the US healthcare
industry

New York Times
January 1, 2014
 

Toon of the Day

Finish It
Clay Bennett
 

THURSDAY

Quote of the Day

'It was only one of many potent symbols of change
that dominated a ceremony unlike many before it.

'Gone was the more solemn air of inaugurations
past, replaced by the booming strains of disco, soul,
and dance music by the Commodores, Marvin Gaye
and Daft Punk, spun by a local D.J. stationed high
above the audience. (Even Hillary Rodham Clinton,
seated onstage, swayed with the music.)'

New York Times, on the inauguration
Wednesday of newly elected NY City
Mayor Bill de Blasio

January 2, 2013
 

Toon of the Day

The Concept
Tom Toles
Washington Post
 

FRIDAY

Quote of the Day

'Inequality entered mainstream public discourse
through the activism of Occupy Wall Street. The
cold, economic reality of it is hitting more homes
this week, as unemployment benefits expire.
Congress can, and should, renew them. Whether it
does depends on people who care speaking out.'

Amy Goodman
Democracy Now!
January 2, 2014
 

Toon of the Day

Poof
M. Wuerker
 

SATURDAY

Quote of the Day

'And denying families that security is just plain
cruel. We're a better country than that. We don't
abandon our fellow Americans when times get
tough; we keep the faith with them until they start
that new job.

'Instead of punishing families who can least afford
it, Republicans should make it their New Year's
resolution to do the right thing and restore this vital
economic security for their constituents right now.'

President Barack Obama
New York Times
January 4, 2014
 

Toon of the Day

U.S. Ed
Jeff Danziger