I am told that in my “Cain’s ‘Simple’ 9-0-9 Plan Variation and ‘Opportunity Zones‘” I was a little tough on Mr. Cain. So to balance things out, let me review an article that comes — somewhat — to the defense of Mr. Cain and his x-x-x Plan. It is from an unlikely source, TIME’s Fareed Zakaria. Starting with the premise that “Herman Cain’s “9-9-9” plan isn’t perfect, but it’s less crazy than you might think,” Zakaria laments the “universal...

As we all knew he would, and after weeks of stubbornly and condescendingly defending it, Mr. 9-9-9 is now changing that “simple,” magic combination. After finally admitting that his plan to impose a flat 9 percent income tax on low-income Americans would in fact result in a tax increase for those Americans, Cain has now modified his “simple” plan to a 9-0-9 plan for those below or at poverty level. How magnanimous of him. Furthermore, Cain’s “simple” plan now would also include provisions...

As I was getting ready to brag about our President’s national security and foreign policy accomplishments in the wake of Libya’s Moammar Qaddafi’s ouster and death, USA TODAY beat me to it. So let me take the easy way out and just summarize what they have to say today about how “Obama builds on national security record.” The article starts with what President Obama said in December 2009, when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize while leading two wars: I face the world as it is and cannot...

The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration has decided to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of the year after failing to reach an agreement with the Iraqi government. The agreement would have left several thousand troops there for special operations and training. President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki spoke Friday morning to cement that agreement in a scheduled telephone call, according to people familiar with the agreement who spoke on the condition...

Part of the U.S. military strategy during the Vietnam War was to remove the heavy foliage that provided cover for the enemy through the use of herbicides. “Agent Orange” is the name given to a blend of herbicides the U.S. military sprayed from 1962 to 1971 in Vietnam to remove such foliage. The name “Agent Orange” comes from the orange identifying stripe used on the 55-gallon drums in which it was stored. The military sprayed other herbicide combinations in the so-called Rainbow...

I have made it perfectly clear in my posts and comments that I disapprove of Rick Perry for his performance as Texas governor, for his poor and petty performance in the presidential debates and for the policies he would pursue should he be elected President. I may have made some fun of him, such as with his Pet Rock at his family’s ranch and I may have used some less than kind words to express my dislike and disapproval. However, I am a Democrat, and I could be forgiven for such. But I find it...

As reported here at TMV and several other sources, including the BBC, commanders for Libya’s transitional authorities say they have captured a wounded Col Qaddafi after claiming control of Sirte, Qaddafi’s birthplace. If true, this would come exactly two months after Libyan rebels captured the Libyan capital and overran Qaddafi’s fortified compound in Tripoli. In a post reporting on the Libyan rebels “rolling into Tripoli” two months ago, I said, “I personally feel and hope that Qaddafi’s...

As has been apparent from previous posts (here and here), I support the Obama administration’s decision to take out American-born, terrorist-turned, traitor Anwar al-Awlaki before he could do any more harm to America and Americans. My opinion was reinforced when I read that al-Qaeda—the same gang of terrorists that massacred more than 3,000 innocent American men, women and children; the same organization that has vowed to kill more Americans, to destroy America—is very concerned about...

The killing of American-born, al-Qaeda-affiliated, terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki has sparked anger among civil liberties groups and has set-off a lively and legitimate debate in our country. In response to an article decrying the killing of American born al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist Al-Awlaki, I disputed the contention that the killing of the terrorist was Unconstitutional, illegal or amoral, or that it represented the “death of America.” Since then, over the weekend, word leaked out about a secret...

Way too many times have I cringed when the religious right uses the Bible to justify evil and prejudice in our lives. Way too many times have I been infuriated when the political right has used the Constitution to support and justify acts of war, torture and rampant violations of civil rights. Way too many times have I been incensed when the Bush administration used Office of Legal Council (OLC) memoranda, or opinions, to justify and approve what I felt were clearly unconstitutional, illegal and...

Republicans in the House of Representatives today blocked consideration of a resolution “calling on Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) to apologize for not immediately ‘doing away’ with a rock bearing the controversial name of his family’s West Texas hunting camp, ‘Niggerhead.’” According to the Washington Post, The [Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.)] resolution calls the name of the hunting camp “morally offensive” and cites businessman Herman Cain as “the only Republican...

During his press conference this morning—one that focused on the economy and the American Jobs Act, the so-called Jobs Bill—president Obama showed some frustration with an obstructionist, just-say-no, do-noting Congress. In what became a recurring theme, he posed a number of rhetorical questions, preceded by the admonition: So as we look towards next week, any senator out there who’s thinking about voting against this jobs bill when it comes up for a vote needs to explain exactly...

Love her or hate her, Maureen Dowd certainly knows how to put things into political/partisan perspective—take your pick. Her eagerly anticipated post-mortem of Chris Christie’s equally eagerly awaited “I have told you before, I am telling you now, ‘the answer was never anything but no’ announcement” will not disappoint fans or foes. From the opening paragraph of her “Man in the [Big] Mirror” in today’s New York Times, it is hard to tell how the rest of the post-mortem will...

Washington National Cathedral officials announced today that they plan to reopen the cathedral on Nov. 12, but that short-term repairs and continuing cathedral operations through the end of 2012 would cost $25 million. Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi immediately called dueling press conferences. At her conference, Pelosi stated that repairs of the National Cathedral should be paid for by raising the so-called “sin taxes.” At his...

Now that Chris Christie—potential savior of the Republican primaries—is expected to announce in a couple of hours his decision not to seek the presidency, Republicans are left with a slate of candidates they still wish they could improve upon. Among them, Obamacare “prototypist” Mitt Romney; Rick Perry and his Pet Rock; Congressional witch hunt proponent Michele Bachmann; homophobe Rick Santorum; impeach-Obama Ron Paul; family-values-Newt and others. But Republicans need not...

The one-word-man deviated from his standard one-word script this morning on CNN’s State of the Union when discussing the recent drone strike that killed American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki. But, first, credit where credit is due. Uncharacteristic as it is for him, Former Vice President Dick Cheney praised the U.S. drone strike that killed al-Awlaki and President Obama’s decision to carry it out: I do think this was a good strike. I think the president ought to have that kind of authority...

I recently received an e-mail from a dear Republican friend. You know, one of those e-mails that float around cyber space for years—in this case for more than 10 years—and are sent to the world as being fresh off the cyber press and as containing startling new revelations, usually political and politically motivated. Surprisingly, I happen to totally agree with this one as being timely, almost timeless and spot-on, albeit ignoring the nuanced “modifications” made to the original message...

Since Rick Perry stepped out of the protective shade provided by the beautiful Texas Live Oak trees onto the harsh, unforgiving light of the national stage, much has been said and written about his obvious unpreparedness—perhaps inability—to face the scrutiny of the national electorate or even of a relatively friendly and forgiving Republican audience. But while some may have been surprised by the recent fumbling, stumbling and tumbling, like Texas tumbleweed, of the previously swaggering,...

I strongly disagree with Senator John McCain’s politics and policies—especially his almost fanatic opposition to ending “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and his stubborn support of the Iraq war. I have also been disappointed with the Senator’s seriously flawed judgment on several issues and decisions, such as his deplorable posturing on the new GI Bill of Rights during the Bush administration and his abominable pick of Sarah Palin to be his running mate. But, at the same time, I respect...

The State of Georgia has delayed the execution of convicted killer Troy Davis, who was to be executed at 7 p.m. ET, awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on a request by Davis’ lawyers for a stay of execution. Jow Windish will update this story later tonight.