January 2015 was marked by significant global and domestic events, with a mix of political maneuvering, international terrorism, and social debates shaping the narrative. The month began with heightened political activity in the U.S. as the 2016 presidential election cycle loomed. Jeb Bush took concrete steps toward a potential candidacy, severing business ties and forming a PAC, while Mitt Romney signaled interest in another run, though he ultimately decided against it by month’s end. Other Republicans, including Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul, and Sarah Palin, also made early moves, highlighting a crowded GOP field. Democrats, meanwhile, saw Hillary Clinton as the frontrunner, though some expressed hesitancy, and Elizabeth Warren gained attention for blocking an Obama nominee. The GOP, newly in control of Congress, focused on challenging Obamacare, pushing conservative legislation, and addressing immigration, though internal divisions, such as opposition to House Speaker John Boehner, surfaced.
Internationally, the month was dominated by the horrific Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris on January 7, where 12 people were killed by gunmen linked to Al Qaeda, sparking global outrage and debates over free speech, Islam, and terrorism. France responded with a massive unity rally, though the U.S. faced criticism for its low-profile presence. Subsequent hostage crises and police operations in Paris underscored the ongoing terrorist threat, with Al Qaeda in Yemen claiming responsibility. Other global stories included Boko Haram’s deadliest massacre in Nigeria, ISIS’s execution of captives, and tensions in Yemen as Houthi rebels seized control, prompting U.S. embassy staff reductions.
Domestic issues included economic and social policy debates. President Obama proposed tax hikes on the wealthy to fund middle-class relief, a plan met with GOP resistance. The Supreme Court agreed to hear cases on same-sex marriage, signaling a potential landmark ruling, while debates over abortion, Obamacare, and climate change persisted. The death of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, allegations against Prince Andrew, and the arrest of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for corruption added to the domestic news cycle. Social issues, such as transgender rights, police-community tensions following NYPD incidents, and poverty in public schools, also gained attention.
Globally, diplomatic tensions arose, notably between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over a planned congressional address, seen as undermining Iran nuclear talks. Saudi Arabia’s new king, Cuba policy shifts, and concerns over ISIS and global terrorism further shaped the international landscape. The month closed with ongoing discussions about U.S. debt, privacy concerns over surveillance, and cultural debates, reflecting a nation and world grappling with complex challenges.
**01/01/2015**
Jeb Bush severs ties to most firms with eye on 2016
Bush won’t attend Steve King summit
Leelah Alcorn, Transgender Teen’s Reported Suicide Note Makes Dramatic Appeal
The Origins of the Alleged “Dead Cops” Chant
GOP legislators thwart bids to expand Medicaid
Supreme Court, in Big Leap, Plans to Put Filings Online
**01/02/2015**
Mario Cuomo, New York Governor and Liberal Beacon, Dies at 82
Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo Dead at 82
Mario Cuomo, former New York Governor, dies at 82
Jeb Bush donates $10k to fund for families of slain NYPD officers
Prince Andrew named in US lawsuit over underage sex allegations
Cops: Mass. man killed wife in argument over Christmas gift
California’s chicken-cage size law expected to increase egg prices
Taco Bell is Giving Away Free Doritos Locos Tacos for a Month, Starting Tomorrow
**01/03/2015**
President Obama Sanctions North Korea After Sony Cyberattack
More Sanctions on North Korea After Sony Case
GOP focus for Congress: Cut deficit, don’t stumble
Republicans in state governments plan juggernaut of conservative legislation
Pence Visits Israel as Potential 2016 Candidates Polish Foreign-Affairs Resumes
Bratton warns NYPD not to turn backs on mayor at cop’s funeral
Mario Cuomo, a Thinker in Public
Affordable Care Act Creates a Trickier Tax Season
**01/04/2015**
Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz are Named in Suit Alleging Sex with Minor
Protestors slam Oprah over comments that they lack ‘leadership’
Sex Reassignment Surgery at 74: Medicare Win Opens Door for Transgender Seniors
Is Perry eying White House?
Huckabee to end Fox News show to mull 2016
How Sharpton gets paid to not cry ‘racism’ at corporations
The Senate’s 46 Democrats got 20 million more votes than its 54 Republicans
Democrats’ Narrow Path Back to Controlling the Senate
EXCLUSIVE: David Cameron on fixing the U-bend, making Boris wait, asking Sam before saving hostages.. and why this is the biggest Election for a generation
**01/05/2015**
The Boehner for speaker whip count
Boehner ally: GOP challenges to Speaker ‘unprofessional’
David Brat: Next House Speaker Must Tackle Trillion-Dollar Problems
Chris Christie On WFAN: I’ll Trade The ‘Abuse’ For Cowboys Playoff Wins
Is Life Better in America’s Red States?
Top Iowa Democrats Slow to Rally Around Hillary Clinton
**01/06/2015**
Jeb Bush filing paperwork Tuesday for new PAC, in big step toward 2016 bid
Boehner Facing Dissent and Defections in Vote to Remain Speaker of House
WHIP LIST: Boehner opposition grows
Jeb Bush in ’94: “Sodomy” Shouldn’t Be Given Same Protections As race, Religion
Jeb Bush fundraising apparatus ready for takeoff
Christie Faces Scrutiny Over Gifts From Cowboys Owner
GOP needs to pump new blood: Column
Two cops shot by armed robber sparking massive manhunt
Mysterious Beasts’ Spotted by Arizona Highway Cameras
This post shamelessly uses Frederick County (Md.) Council Member Kirby Delauter’s name without authorization
The Secrets of the Toxic Disco Clam
**01/07/2015**
Terror Attack on Charlie Hebdo Newspaper in Paris Kills 12
Gunmen Kill At Least 12 In ‘Terrorist Attack’ At French Satirical Newspaper
Gunmen storm Paris satirical newspaper, killing at least 12
At least 11 killed in shooting at office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo
Charlie Hebdo: Gun Attack on French magazine kills 11
Charlie Hebdo shooting; eleven dead at Paris office of satirical magazine – live updates
At least 11 dead in Paris shooting: police
Shooting at Parris Office of Charlie Hebdo Magazine Kills 12
Boehner defectors booted from panel
Boehner takes revenge
House rule sets up election-year battle over Social Security
Ben Carson’s History Book Plagiarizes SocialismSucks.net and Many Other Sources
**01/08/2015**
Two Brothers Suspected in Killings Were Known to French Intelligence Services
Police hunt three Frenchmen after 12 killed in Paris attack
Paris Attack Suspect Dead, Two in Custody, U.S. Officials Say
Pictured: Female police officer killed in second Paris shooting was ’27-year-old rookie who dreamed of serving her country’
Paris terrorist attack draws questions about Obama policies
Europe Is Under Seige
Don’t let murderers pretend their crimes are about cartoons
Internal CNN memo: ‘We are not at this time showing the Charlie Hebdo cartoons’
Christie’s Re-Election Campaign Gets Supboena
**01/09/2015**
Paris Terror Attack: 2 Hostage Situations in France Linked, Paris Prosecutor Says
French police close in on Paris attack suspects
Charlie Hebdo attack: Suspected extremist gunmen surrounded?
Charlie Hebdo attack; new hostage situation at Paris shop – live updates
Gunman killed, 4 hostages feared dead at Paris market
Pen vs. sword: Cartoonists unite against Islamic terror
Charlie Hebdo attack: Jyllands-Posten will not print Prophet Mohammad cartoons
Bush Team Sets Bold Fundraising Goal: $100 Million in Three Months
House votes down Obama Care’s 30-hour workweek, 252-172
U.S. Economy Added 252,000 Jobs in December; Unemployment Rate at 5.6%
Nebraska court clears obstacle for Keystone Pipeline
**01/10/2015**
Paris Terror Attack: 4 Hostages Killed Before Police Staged Final Assault
Amnesty: Nigeria massacre deadliest in history of Boko Haram
Britain’s MI5 chief warns al Qaeda in Syria planning mass attacks on West
Prosecutors Said to Recommend Charges Against Form Gen. David Patraeus
Romney to GOP donors: ‘I want to be president.’
Mitt Romney says he’s considering a 2016 run
Romney Tells Donors He Is Considering 2016 White House Bid
Steyer edges closer to Senate run
George Zimmerman arrested on domestic violence with a weapon charge
**01/11/2015**
French Premier Declares ‘War’ on Radical Islam as Paris Girds for Rally
Paris terroris attacks raise stakes for looming immigration fight
White House Plans Conference on Countering Violent Extremism
A signal of distaste for dynasties bodes ill for Bush, Clinton
Eyeing 2016, Jeb Bush Applies Old Lesson From Florida Run
Free Speech comes with responsibilities
Two anti-torture protesters arrested at Dick Cheney’s house
NYPD cops told no vacations until work slowdown ends
Berlin bunker where Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide at end of WW2 to be re-built
Running or not, Harry Reid ramps up fundraising
**01/12/2015**
Huge Show of Solidarity in Paris Against Terrorism
Criticism mounts over thin US presence at Paris rally, Kerry schedules France visit
America snubs historic Paris rally: Holder was there but skipped out early, Kerry was in India, Obama and Biden just stayed home
Obama, Kerry absent from unity rally in Paris
US officials nowhere to be seen at Paris unity rally
Barak Obama’s French kiss-off
The Conspicuous U.S. Absence From Paris Solidarity March
Democrats, in a stark shift in messaging, to make big tax-break pitch for middle class
Health reform a plus for Dems, at last
Saudi prince: $100-barrel oil ‘never’ again
Nigeria’s Horror in Paris’s Shadow
**01/13/2015**
Charlie Hebdo’s New Issue Has Muhammad on the Cover
Charlie Hebdo: first cover since terror attack depicts prophet Muhammad
France Finds Potential Terror Accomplice in Handcuffs in Bulgaria
White House: ‘It’s fair to say’ we were wrong on Paris unity rally
Romney moves to reassemble campaign team for ‘almost certain’ 2016 bid
The selling of Mitt 3.0
Paul Ryan Won’t Run for President in 2016
Elizabeth Warren, Progressives Sink Obama Treasury Nominee Antonio Weiss
Moroccan-born mayor of Rotterdam tells fellow Muslims who do not appreciate the ‘freedoms’ of living in the West to ‘pack your bags and f*** off’ on live TV
Obama’s College Plan Bows to Elites
The Genius of Obama’s Two-Year College Proposal
White House to meet with college athletics officials
Lafayette, We Are Not Here — It was not a missed public relations opportunity.
**01/14/2015**
Al Qaeda in Yemen Claims Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack
France arrests 54 for defending terror; newspaper sells out
Charlie Hebdo print run raised to 5m as copies in France sell out
Millions of copies of Charlie Hebdo sell out within minutes
Ohio Bartender Charged with Threatening to Murder John Boehner
Rand Paul announces campaign manager for likely 2016 campaign
Romney Recycled — Mitt would have to explain why he’d be a better candidate now.
Obama’s approval rating ticks up in 2015
Senate to vote on whether climate change is happening
Apple, Google reach new deal to end U.S. lawsuit over poaching
**01/15/2015**
Pope on Charlie Hebdo: There are limits to free expression
Terrorism doesn’t justify insulting Islam
GOP frets over immigration 2016 backlash
Justin Bieber accidentally joins meeting of gay Republicans… and they just think he’s just a ‘butcher version of Miley Cyrus’
Mitt Romney backlash intensifies
U.S. Easing Decades-Old Restrictions on Travel to Cuba
Indianapolis Colts linebacker accused in rape case due in court Tuesday
Not Everyone’s Internal Clock Is Set for the 9-to-5
Shunning ObamaCare
**01/16/2015**
Kerry Brings Paris a ‘Big Hug’ and James Taylor after Attacks
That time John Kerry got James Taylor to sing ‘You’ve got a friend’ to France
Kerry offers ‘big hug’ to Paris after attacks
European counterterrorism officials scramble to identify potential threats
Belgium Verviers plot ‘aimed to kill police’
EXCLUSIVE: How the FBI foiled a 2012 Plot to Bomb the US Capitol
Obama and Senator Robert Menendez Spar on How to Handle Iran
GOP tactics on ObamaCare move away from full repeal
Obama to Senate Dems: ‘I’m going to play offense’
Key Obamacare Official Stepping Down
At The Oscars Nominations, It’s A Good Year To Be An Indiosyncratic Man
Don’t Do It, Mr. Romney
**01/17/2015**
Supreme Court agrees to rule on gay marriage
Supreme Court Will Hear Four Cases Challenging Same-Sex Marriage Bans
Supreme Court Will Take Up Gay Marriage
The Supreme Court and Gay Marriage
French Prime Minister: ‘I Refuse to Use This Term Islamophobia’
McConnell to House GOP: Don’t expect miracle on immigration
Analysis: CBO contradicted the latest case against Obamacare 68 different times
Holder limits seized-asset sharing process that split billions with local, state police
2015: It’s time to fire the IRS
RNC’s Priebus looks at 2016 as ‘do or die’
**01/18/2015**
Obama Will Seek to Raise Taxes on Wealthy to Finance Cuts for Middle Class
Obama to Propose Tax Hikes on Wealthy, Breaks for Middle Class
Obama to Propose Capital Gains Tax Hikes to Benefit Middle Class
GOP pounces on Obama’s tax plan
Romney, moving toward 2016 run, outlines vision to eradicate poverty
Mitt Romney jokes about 2106 “speculation” at RNC meeting
Mitt Romney’s 2016 pitch: I’m a foreign policy prophet
More than half of US public schools students live in poverty, report finds
Officers respond to shooting at a Florida mall: injuries reported
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Planning Trade Mission to Cuba
**01/19/2015**
Obama Proposes New Tax Increases on Wealthy to Help Middle Class
Obama Will Focus on Wealth Inequality — Not Just Income
France Was Attacked by Islamic Fundamentalism
Islamic State threatens two Japanese captives in video
ISIS executes 13 teens for watching soccer
German Embed Reporter: ISIS Plans on Killing ‘Hundreds of Millions’ in ‘Religious Cleansing’
Israel lobbies foreign powers to cut ICC funding
NYC may yank terrorism report to appease mosque ‘spying’ critics
U.S.-built Ebola treatment centers in Liberia are nearly empty as outbreak fades
MLK was ‘divisive’, DHS secretary recalls
GCHQ captured emails of journalists from top international media
9-month-old dies after being shot in the head by 5-year-old brother in NW Mo.
Pope: Catholics need not breed ‘like rabbits’
Should Judicial Candidates Be Allowed To Solicit Campaign Money?
**01/20/2015**
In State of the Union Address, Obama is to Move Past Hardship and Reset Goals
Obama uses his tax proposal to taunt the GOP
Obama tries to steal GOP thunder
Just another Obama speech
Pope’s climate-change stand deepens conservatives’ distrust
Poll: No Bump for Romney, Bush After ’16 Hints
Up to 50,000 gallons of oil spilled in Yellowstone River; residents told not to drink water
**01/21/2015**
At the State of the Union, a President Outgunned in Congress is Still Combative
Obama Challenges Republicans in State of Union Speech
The most important sentece in Obama’s 2015 State of the Union
A fantasy for tweens: Obama’s State of the Union Address
Shiite Insurgents control Yemen’s presidential palace and residence
Yemen’s President ‘has no control’ as Houthi rebels storm palace
Rep. Steve King decries ‘deportable’ in Michelle Obama’s balcony
1,700 Private Jets Fly to Davos to Discuss Global Warming
Poll Finds Agenda Gap Between Leaders, American People
**01/22/2015**
Sheldon Silver, New York Assembly Speaker, Is Accused of Taking Millions in Graft
Boehner snubs WH, invites Netanyahu to address Congress
Pelosi warns Netanyahu: Speech to Congress will hurt Iran talks
Israeli Mossad Goes Rogue, Warns U.S. on Iran Sanctions
Federal charges unlikely for Darren Wilson in Ferguson case
Town votes to demolish Sandy Hook killer’s Connecticut home
Abortion bill dropped amid concerns of female GOP lawmakers
Hillary does best Putin imitation
Here’s the “Willie Horton” Ad Romney Almost Ran Against Mike Huckabee
US Senate votes that climate changes is real but Republicans stop short of attributing that to human activity
The Debt-Free State of the Union
Civil War Brewing for the Cultural Left
**01/23/2015**
After Arrest, New York Speaker Sheldon Silver Should Step Down
Sheldon Silver to resign as Assembly speaker
Obama to Pass on Meeting Netanyahu During Washington Visit
U.S. pulls more staff from Yemen embassy amid deepening crisis
Wisconsin governor touts drug testing for aid recipients
China harassing and imprisoning Chinese working for foreign news outlets
Barrett Brown sentenced to 63 months for ‘merely linking to hacked material’
Will Democrats Spoil Obama’s Trade Initiatives?
Rape controversies return to haunt GOP
A Republic of Disrespect
**01/24/2015**
Sarah Palin on 2016: ‘Of Course’ She’s Interested
Jeb Bush previews 2016 run, promising ‘adult conversations’ on big issues
Federal Judge Strikes Down Gay-Marriage Ban in Alabama
Supreme Court will review use of lethal injection
For Auschwitz Museum, and Survivors, a Moment of Passage
Rapper Tiny Doo facing long prison sentence over lyrics
Why Republicans can’t stop talking about rape
GOP may abolish Supreme Court filibusters
**01/25/2015**
Palin says she’s ‘seriously interested’ in 2016 campaign
Sarah Palin ‘seriously interested’ in 2016 bid
For Republicans at Campaign Kickoff, Sideshows Precede Big Show
Ben Carson pulls crowd to its feet
De Blasio, Obama and a Flawed Vision of Liberalism
4chan founder ‘Moot’ bids farewell: ‘This is it for me. This is goodbye’
**01/26/2015**
Middle Class Shrinks Further as More Fall Out Instead of Climbing Up
White House chief of staff: No let up in focus on middle class
Small drone crashes at White House complex, origin unclear
Rand Paul on Possible Mitt Romney Run: ‘No, No, No, No’
Chris Christie Joins Crowded GOP Fight for Donors
Obama Gets a Warm Welcome, but Indians Pine for Bush
End Obamacare, and people could die. That’s okay.
Endlessly slapped by ObamaCare
White House: Release of hostage names not ‘constructive’
**01/27/2015**
Koch-backed network aims to spend nearly $1 billion on 2016 elections
Poll: For 2016, many Republicans but just one Democrat
Exclusive: Rubio Says 2016 Decision Coming By Spring
Pelosi: I hope Romney is the GOP nominee
C.I.A. Officer Is Found Guilty in Leak Tied to Times Reporter
Saudi Arabia’s New King Refused to Intervene in a Controversial Beheading
Obama Defends US Ties as He Pays Respects in Saudi Arabia
Democratic Congressman: A Lot of Strong GOP Support For Israel “Has To Do With Fundraising”
Obamacare program costs $50,000 in taxpayer money for every American who gets health insurance, says bombshell budget report
Russians charged with plotting to recruit NYC co-eds as spies
Obama Films Anti-Oil Drilling Video – From a Jet
U.S. Spies on Millions of Cars
**01/28/2015**
Jordan agrees to Release Terrorist in Exchange for Pilot Held by ISIS
Michelle Obama navigates limits on women in Saudi Arabia
Michelle Obama’s uncovered head draws Saudi Twitter critique
Anti-tank missile fired at Israeli military vehicle on Lebanon frontier: army
Hillary Clinton Willing to Testify, Again, On Benghazi
Congressman: Hillary Clinton agrees to testify to House’s Benghazi panel
Obama drops proposal to cut tax benefits of 529 college savings plans
Jindal Warns of Sharia “Colonization,” “Invasion” Of America That Would Lead To Lone Wolf Attacks
Republican leaders look for escape plan on immigration
Would a U.S. Strike Against Iran Actually Work?
Indiana Governor to Expand Medicaid Coverage
**01/29/2015**
Administration Official Criticizes Israeli Ambassador Over Netanyahu Visit
Pelosi warns Netanyahu: Speech to Congress will hurt Iran talks
Raul Castro: US must return Guantanamo for normal relations
Sarah Palin and her onetime fans on the right: It’s so over
Obama Rallying Democrats to Fight for Spending Boost in Budget
A better way for the Kochs to spend their millions
Loretta Lynch Says She Doesn’t Support Marijuana Legalization Or Obama’s Views on Pot
Big GOP field unfazed by Hillary Clinton
**01/30/2015**
Former GOP nominee Romney will not run for president in ’16
Romney to tell supporters his 2016 plans Friday
Why Mitt Romney Thinks He Can Win (and Jeb Bush Can’t)
President Obama: Mitt Romney cares about poverty? ‘That’s great… Let’s do something about it.”
Obama Mocks Mitt Romney For Being ‘Suddenly Deeply Concerned About Poverty’
Fox News Poll: Romney remains top of GOP field, Clinton leads Democrats
Netanyahu Is Talking to Leading Democrats to Little Effect So Far
Israeli Ambassador: Netanyahu Never Meant to Disrespect Obama
Commissioner Bratton Unveils Plans For New High-Tech Anti-Terror Police Unit
A grim warning cry on soaring US debt
In Strategic Shift, U.S. Draws Closer to Yemeni Rebels
**01/31/2015**
A Strained Alliance: Obama-Netanyahu Rift Grew Over Years
Kill our pilot and we’ll execute ALL your prisoners’: Jordan ‘says it will hang its ISIS captives’ if airmen hostage is dead
New Iowa Poll: Romney Would Have Faced Many Campaign Hurdles
The Republican Congress Meets Reality
Mary Cheney: Why is drag ‘socially acceptable’ and blackface isn’t?
George RR Martin’s The Winds of Winter: no plans for publication in 2015