Thursday, April 17, 2014 Published Weekday Mornings   To see the full version of today's cartoon, click on the preview graphic of the cartoon (below the Commentary) to be taken to the full version in your favorite web browser. Tin-Eared On Immigration In message, President Obama chides House GOP on immigration Obama, Cantor spar over House GOP inaction on immigration Eric Cantor Torches Immigration Reform After Call With Obama White House Denies Cantor Blasted Obama Over Immigration During Call Court-Ordered Deportations Drop 43 Percent in Past Five Years Alan Gomez: President Obama, deporter in chief? The numbers say 'Far from it.' Greg Sargent: How Jeb Bush crystallized the GOP dilemma on immigration GOP Rep. Diaz-Balart: If we don't move on immigration, Obama will go it alone Uncivil Disobediance U.S. officials end standoff with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy over grazing rights Paul Waldman: Bundy Ranch, Uncivil Disobedience, and the Opposite of Patriotism Rachel Maddow: Why is the U.S. so reluctant to confront its own right-wing terrorists? Reminder: In U.S., right wing extremists more deadly than jihadists Tim Noah: Cliven Bundy is part of a long tradition: corporate mooching Danny Vinik: Renegade Rancher Cliven Bundy Is Nothing Like Mahatma Gandhi Russian Roulette Pro-Russian militants killed in clash at Ukraine port city Citing Russian Moves, NATO Plans New Deployments Russian Economy Worsens Even Before Western Economic Sanctions Hit Invading Crimea May Have Cost Russia $200 Billion So Far Ukraine prepared to offer autonomy to eastern regions if Russia pulls back troops War on Women Federal judge overturns North Dakota's extreme 6-week abortion ban as unconstitutional Ed Kilgore: "Personhood" As a Campaign Issue For The GOP Guns & America Former NYC Mayor Bloomberg Plans $50 Million Challenge to the N.R.A. Michael Bloomberg's new gun control group sets up long term battle The Spying Game During annual Q&A, Edward Snowden Asks Russian Pres. Putin About Russian Surveillance Energy, Climate & Environment Bombshell Study Ties Epic California Drought, Frigid Winter To Manmade Climate Change Susannah Locke: Nuclear fusion could be the perfect energy source - why can't scientists make it work? Nations In Turmoil As Syrian army steps up Homs offensive, rebels look for exit or prepare for final fight Syrian War Takes Heavy Toll at a Crossroad of Cultures International News Almost 300 missing in South Korean ferry disaster; death toll expected to rise Divers struggle in search for South Korean ferry survivors IAEA confirms: Iran cuts sensitive nuclear stockpile, key nuclear power plant delayed Money in Politics America the Voiceless: Study confirms voters now have no way to compete fairly with big campaign cash Steve Benen: About that supposed Democratic 'outside money advantage'? It isn't real. Midwest Roundup Water sustainability bill signed into law by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman Nebraska Legislature wraps up contentious but productive session Republican-led Iowa House approves tax break for Knoxville's NASCAR Raceway Bipartisan group of Iowa lawmakers want to know more about growing scandal behind black-listed ex-state workers Robots Versus Humans As we were winding ourselves up to put together Thursday's edition, our staff noticed a curious yet telling difference in the way many candidates of both major parties are handling complex issues this election cycle. As the outside funding and dark money groups wind up their candidates for 2014 - candidates that are overwhelmingly Republican - key facts on issues like Obamacare, unemployment insurance, birth control, and the minimum wage seem to have completely bypassed many of those running for office. We say this because of the ridiculous robotic rhetoric we're hearing bleated by candidates, like the comments by GOP Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on the Affordable Care Act, or GOP Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida on making the minimum wage a living wage. It doesn't seem to matter to these candidates that more Americans want to keep Obamacare and fix the few things that aren't perfect with it, or that Americans from all parties overwhelmingly support raising the minimum wage. They just keep repeating their talking points like little robots, as we're sure their dark money donors want them to do. This robotic reaction phenomenon isn't only happening to less well-known politicians - or just on the local level... To continue reading... click here. And now, for your Daily Felltoon preview for April 17, 2014 (Click the preview cartoon above to see the full version of the cartoon) Jobs & The Economy Jobless Claims in U.S. Rise Slightly, Continue To Hover Near Lowest Level Since 2007 Yellen: Employers Will Hire Long- Term Unemployed as Economy Recovers Wall Street Watch Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen makes careful forecast on economy; Says full recovery is coming John Aziz: Janet Yellen's 3 key questions for the economy Economic Inequality Our American Corporatocracy: When 'Liking' a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue Paul Waldman: The economic culture war over the minimum wage | Florida Rep. Dennis Ross Tells Minimum Wage Worker That A Real Living Wage Would Cost Too Much Charles Blow: Minimum Wage, Maximum Outrage Health Care Checkup Gallup survey: 12 million previously uninsured have gained coverage since fall thanks to Obamacare More Encouraging Numbers About Obamacare, Uninsured Down 4 % Sam Baker: Obamacare Is On a Winning Streak Sarah Kliff: 15 charts that show our American health care prices are still totally insane vs other countries Race In America Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves receive racist hate mail after Aaron tells the truth about race in interview Jonathan Capehart: Hammerin' Hank for speaking a racial truth Judge rules First Amendment doesn't protect racist bankers who called Indians 'chimps' Race & McCutcheon: John Roberts and the Color of Money Ethics & The Media ABC News Publicly Shamed After Demanding Credit On Pulitzer Story Director of Center for Public Integrity On ABC Pulitzer Feud: 'I Don't Take Well To Being Bullied' Media Matters Journalist Chris Hamby joins Buzzfeed, Pulitzer in hand Rick Ungar: Has Rush Limbaugh Finally Reached the End Of The Road? Signs say yes. Your Cap News Toon for April 17, 2014 (Click the preview cartoon above to see the full version of the cartoon) White House Update President Obama announces $600 million in grant programs to prepare workforce for jobs Obama Administration has low expectations ahead of its meetings with Russia, Ukraine SCOTUS Brief SCOTUSblog Denied Senate Press Credentials To Cover The Supreme Court, May Sue SCOTUSblog says it will appeal Senate's denial of press pass On The Left For 2014, defend 'Obamacare' unabashedly, some Democrats say The Country's Biggest Union Leader Wants Elizabeth Warren to Be President Nichols: Randolph Was Right: Workers Must Continue Fighting If We Want Fair Treatment On The Right 5 Popular High-Profile Republican Governors Are Facing Serious Legal Trouble Dave Weigel: As polls roll in, Midterm Republican races have party faithful worried GOP Establishment Declares War On Rand Paul's 2016 Ambitions States Of Confusion New York's Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs 'National Popular Vote' Bill Mississippi 'religious freedom' law faces business backlash | Oklahoma House passes bill charging those who put solar on their house Tennessee Passes Mind-Boggling Ban on Bus Rapid Transit We hope you enjoy "The Daily Felltoon" every business day. Thanks for continuing to be a member! Paul Fell Shawn "Smith" Peirce Paul Fell Cartoons, Inc.