A third option changes the negotiation  —  The conventional wisdom on the fiscal cliff is that there are two options: (1) an Obama-Boehner deal; or (2) no deal, in which case there is no legislation before the end of the year and we “go off the fiscal cliff.”

You have the right to not pay union dues  —  Labor groups should have to convince members that their goods and services are worth the price demanded — and not just take the money and run … The battle between unions and state governments continued this week — just as it has for the last two years …

Union Thugs Demolish Clint Tarver's Iconic Lansing,Michigan Hot Dog Cart [Photo-Donation Link] Update: Thugs Yelled “N*gger Uncle Tom”  —  I support Clint: … Beyond the Cart: The Story of Clint Tarver: … DONATE HERE  —  Update: Racist, violent, destructive monsters.

North Koreans Launch Rocket in Defiant Act  —  SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Wednesday morning that appeared to reach as far as the Philippines, an apparent success for the country's young and untested new leader, Kim Jong-un, and a step toward the nation's goal …

Lie of the Year: the Romney campaign's ad on Jeeps made in China  —  It was a lie told in the critical state of Ohio in the final days of a close campaign — that Jeep was moving its U.S. production to China.  It originated with a conservative blogger, who twisted an accurate news story into a falsehood.

Scientists May Have Finally Unlocked Puzzle of Why People Are Gay  —  Lesbians get it from fathers, gay men from mothers?  —  Scientists may have finally solved the puzzle of what makes a person gay, and how it is passed from parents to their children.  —  A group of scientists suggested Tuesday …

Obama Suggests Raising Medicare Eligibility Age Is On The Table In Fiscal Cliff Talks  —  President Obama didn't rule out raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as part of a comprehensive package to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” during an interview with ABC News on Tuesday.

Obama Wins Almost 50% Republicans on Tax Mandate in Poll  —  President Barack Obama won the public argument over taxes so decisively that almost half of Republicans now say he has an election mandate to raise rates on the rich.  —  Majorities of about 2-to-1 also read the election results …

Breitbart Folks Appear to Fake Violence in Lansing  —  When I saw this video-claiming that a “violent mob” destroyed the tent the Koch brothers had paid for in front of the Michigan Capitol-I knew right away it was likely a false flag.  After all, Stranahan, James O'Keefe's buddy, first posted it.

Draft Army Handbook Wades Into Divisive Afghan Issue  —  U.S. troops mourn a comrade killed in October by an Afghan policeman.  A draft Army manual blames some attacks on cultural chasms.  —  WASHINGTON—American soldiers should brace for a “social-cultural shock” when meeting Afghan soldiers …

Ravi Shankar obituary  —  Indian virtuoso who took the sitar to the world  —  Ravi Shankar, who has died aged 92 in San Diego, was the Indian maestro who put the sitar on the musical map.  George Harrison called him “the godfather of world music” and it was Shankar's vision that brought …

Eric Holder: Time To Consider National Voting Standards  —  Attorney General Eric Holder said during a speech on Tuesday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library that it's time to consider setting national standards for how elections should be handled.

New marijuana laws cause confusion  —  Laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado and Washington state have exposed a wide disconnect between Congress, the administration and voters on an increasingly controversial issue.  —  The newly enacted laws put President Obama in a tricky spot …

The fall and rise of Rockaway  —  We are still recovering from superstorm Sandy  —  An American flag stands on a sand hill in the middle of the street on Beach 127th St. as Rockaway residents rebuild and clean their homes from the devastation caused by superstorm Sandy.

Sandi Jackson not resigning council seat … Ald.  Sandi Jackson opted to clarify a few points Tuesday: She won't resign from the Chicago City Council unless “something catastrophic happens,” she's not a candidate to replace her husband in Congress and she's undecided about whether to move back to Chicago permanently from Washington.

Ron Paul Will Charge $50,000 To Speak  —  The libertarian charges more than Mike Huckabee.  Accepts fiat money.  —  Ron Paul will follow the well-trod path of hitting the paid speaking circuit after his retirement from Congress — and will charge $50,000 per appearance, BuzzFeed has learned.

Time and Punishment: Mandatory Sentences Face Growing Skepticism  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stephanie George and Judge Roger Vinson had quite different opinions about the lockbox seized by the police from her home in Pensacola.  She insisted she had no idea that a former boyfriend had hidden it in her attic.