First we had Cain’s brain difficulties on handling the sexual harassment accusations; then we saw Cain’s brain malfunction on China having a nuclear capability; then we had Perry’s brain freeze on naming three departments he wanted to eliminate; today we have Cain’s total brain failure on remembering what Libya is or was and on explaining his position on Obama’s Libya policy. Even for someone who does...

Today is the day we honor those who have served our country, both the troops and their families. On days like this there are always debates about how to honor them, with views as diverse as the political spectrum. Some honor them by fighting for peace while others do so with flags. But there is one thing I think we can all agree on. Those who are killed or wounded in service to this country deserve the deepest...

It used to be that the drums of war would boost the economy.  When that war would involve the Strait of Hormuz not so much. To get the WTI oil price, please enable Javascript. Why? This: “every $1 per barrel rise in oil decreases U.S. GDP by $100 billion per year and every 1 cent increase in gasoline decreases U.S. consumer disposable income by about $600 million per year.” The rumors of an...

(PUBLISHED EACH YEAR ON THE DAY WE HONOR OUR VETERANS) I had the privilege of covering a good many big stories during a long newspaper career. The visit of a diminutive woman by the name of Phan Ti Kim Phuc to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Veterans Day 1996 would seem to pale in comparison to the Clinton impeachment circus or O.J. Simpson trials, to name two of the biggies, but it is...

by Rafael Jesús González, M.Div: University of Creation Spirituality, California ministry to the poor. Veterans Day When the First World War officially ended June 28, 1919, the actual fighting had already stopped the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the previous year. Armistice Day, as it was known, later became a national holiday, and in 1954 (the year I graduated from high school),...

The ring, a circle that has no beginning and no end, has been a symbol of undying love, fidelity, loyalty and of life itself through the ages. But the ring can also represent patriotism, bravery and sacrifice as in a military service academy ring, a combat aviator’s ring, the ring on a fallen soldier’s finger — a Ring of Honor. As we observe Veterans Day and honor all the men and women who...

Let us all take a few moments to remember that today, November 10th, is the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. For more than two centuries they have been fighting to defend our freedom in the air, on the land and on the sea. For all the sacrifices they have made in our defense, we all should say a huge thank you. So remember… hug a Marine today. OOOH RAH !

President Ahmadinejad inspects an Irani nuclear facility With United Nations weapons inspectors expected to say that they have substantial new evidence that Iran is developing a nuclear device in a much-leaked forthcoming report, is there a middle ground for the U.S. and its allies between going to war and trying to keep diplomatic channels open? The war option is favored by the usual suspects including most...

Chuck Pfarrer, a former Navy SEAL, who commanded the “same outfit” that carried out the strike on the Al Qaeda leader, has a new book out on the killing of Osama bin Laden titled Seal Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama Bin Laden. In it, he says he wants to eliminate some myths about the operation. Here are five “bombshells” in the new book. It’s likely some of...

This week is Veterans Day and a time for all of us to remember those who have served. But it is also worth remembering those who serve back at home. Families make HUGE sacrifices for our nation, they give up months and years with their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives. Beyond that many see their loved ones come home wounded, having to spend weeks or months in painful and difficult rehab...

As NATO formally ended its military campaign in Libya, Al Qaeda flag was proudly flying on Libyan roof tops. It was not flying just on ordinary roof tops – it was seen flying on the roof of Benghazi’s courthouse, the birthplace of the Libyan revolution and where the new rulers have imposed Sharia law since seizing power. While NATO successfully removed Gaddafi from power, the Libyan population now lives...

A letter to the editor I quoted in “Homeless Veterans” created a lot of discussion — the overwhelming majority of it on how we can honor and help our veterans. Several readers suggested ways in which we can help veterans both with volunteerism and with our wallets. USA TODAY says: There are many ways we honor members of the armed services. We rise and applaud them at sporting events, wiping our eyes...

Well, Ronald Reagan’s administration used arms money from sales to our enemy, Iran, laundered through Swiss bank accounts to try and stop him. Spreading freedom We shipped cocaine up from South America, tranferring it in Panama (which would cause us a quick, Christmas war to arrest and silence Noriega), glutted the market and midwifed the birth of crack cocaine (which brought the black market back to...

About three weeks ago, Reuters quoted Afghan President Hamid Karzai saying: “God forbid, if ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan,” Karzai also said: “Afghanistan will never forget the welcome, the hospitality, the respect, and the brotherhood showed by the Pakistani people towards the Afghan people…Pakistan will never betray their brother.” According...

With the remaining 33,000 US troops in Iraq preparing to leave, bomb blasts and a gasoline blaze in a market on this Muslim festival Sunday killed another 10 innocent persons and injured many others. The troop withdrawal was always known to be fraught with menace but things seems to be going from bad to worse. Bombings and killings occur daily as Sunni insurgents probably linked to al Qaeda and Shi’ite...

A year from today, Americans vote for a president again. Three years after the last ballot, even ardent Democrats and entranced Independents no longer have stars in their eyes. With no time for a honeymoon back then, how can voters be enthusiastic about renewing their vows with Barack Obama? For some, “consider the alternative” may be answer enough, but in fairness to the President—-and ourselves—-he...

Sometimes so much can be said with so few words. How about with 29 words: “Homeless veteran” should be a cultural oxymoron. The mere thought of it is profane. What kind of civil society leaves its defenders on winter streets, even for one night? * Just 29 little words. What a powerful, poignant message. Think about it this Veterans Day. * A November 5, 2011, Letter to the New York Times Editor by Mark...

UPDATE: I have just finished watching the CBS 60 Minutes special on Operation Proper Exit. If you have watched it, thank you. If you haven’t, please watch it when you can (I will try to have a video in the next update) It will change your outlook on these brave young men — these Wounded Warriors — who have given it their all; on war; perhaps on what life is all about … (Have a handkerchief...

OTB’s Doug Mataconis and I never agree on any thing economic or domestic – he is after all an immature Objectivist/Randian jerk; That said we usually do agree on foreign policy and war.  He has a good post today on the rumors of an attack on Iran’s nuclear installations. We have reports that Israel, Great Britain and the US are planning to attack Iran.  Doug: So, expect the drumbeat of war...

As the world is playing catch with the events in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria and other Arab Spring focal points, Iran is very busy. Trying to keep people oppressed in light of Arab Spring revolutions surely keeps the regime in Iran occupied. But more than that, viewing once strongman like Mubarak and Gadaffi defeated, jailed humiliated and assassinated is probably the strongest driver to Iran’s nuclear...

Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

I have pointedly refrained from commenting on the OWS protests now transpiring worldwide, prior to this date. The Antisemitic  ”Antisemitism” smear from the RNC last week There is a good reason for this: generally when I write about a topic, I like to know something about it. I like to THINK about it. The early reports and coverage presented us with a wealth of information, but a paucity of knowledge. Now,...

by WALTER BRASCH We know the names of every one of the 4,479 Americans who were killed and the 32,200 who were wounded, both civilian and military, between March 20, 2003 and Oct. 21, 2011, the day President Barack Obama, fulfilling a campaign promise, declared the last American soldier would leave Iraq before the end of the year. We know Second Lieutenant Therrel Shane Childers was the first American soldier...

I don’t remember anymore when I first started to seriously lament and write about the dearth of recognition received by our heroes whom we sent into harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan and who “gave it all,” including, at times, their lives. With the award of several Medals of Honor, President Obama has started to more justly recognize the many instances of ”conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity...

“The bodies of Gaddafi, his son Mutassim and former Defense Minister Abu Bakr Younis had been held in cold storage in the port city of Misurata since the dictator and members of his entourage were captured near his hometown of Sirte on Thursday. Gaddafi and Mutassim were captured alive, with some injuries, but died in unclear circumstances later that day. “Libya’s interim leaders have promised...