Nazi version of Wagner opera shut down in Germany (via AFP) A Nazi-themed production of Richard Wagner's "Tannhauser" opera has been cancelled in Duesseldorf after realistic death scenes distressed audience members, the opera house said Thursday. The Rheinoper said it was aware that the concept and its implementation would be "controversial". "But it was with… … [Read more...] about Nazi version of Wagner opera shut down in Germany
My Delusion or God’s Dream?
Lately I’ve been wrestling with a dream, a God-given dream I cannot shake. Or maybe it’s not a dream, maybe it’s an unrealistic expectation or an overactive imagination. Maybe it’s my dream, not God’s? No! It’s a God given dream! It must be His dream, the kind of dream that requires faith for outcomes not yet seen, and hope for doors not yet opened. Yes, it must be one of … [Read more...] about My Delusion or God’s Dream?
7 revelations from the Benghazi ‘whistle-blower’ hearing
As I noted here, the Benghazi "whistle blower" hearing yesterday did not produce proof of a cover up, although partisan websites and commentators are insisting it did. What it produced was some news that suggested at the least chaos in official decison making and at the worst incompetence. It also was clear that GOPers now view former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a … [Read more...] about 7 revelations from the Benghazi ‘whistle-blower’ hearing
Sanford’s Appalachian spring
WASHINGTON -- "I want to publicly acknowledge God's role in all of this," declared a victorious Mark Sanford as he celebrated an unlikely political rebirth Tuesday night with a sermon praising the Supreme Being and the many "angels" who helped the once-disgraced former governor along the way. Perhaps the Almighty did inspire those who drew the boundaries of South … [Read more...] about Sanford’s Appalachian spring
America Still Needs Affirmative Action
With the Supreme Court considering Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action and Fisher v. University of Texas, affirmative action has entered into the public eye again. Notably, The Economist’s cover story last week argues that its time for an end to affirmative action because, Before the 1960s, when the foundations of affirmative action were first laid … [Read more...] about America Still Needs Affirmative Action
Paranoid Politics: J. Edgar vs LaPierre
Seldom in history has file-keeping been a path to power, but last week’s NRA convention celebrated its chief clerk’s kind of national clout unseen since J. Edgar Hoover bullied the White House and Congress half a century ago. Hoover and Wayne La Pierre, two bombastic file-keepers who rose to control those elected by voters through fear and blackmail, seized and held on to … [Read more...] about Paranoid Politics: J. Edgar vs LaPierre
Limbaugh, Kurtz and the Bum’s Rush
Big news for those who think there aren't consequences in our media when professional talkers cross the line, or when famous reporters mess up and don't fix their mistakes without qualification, or do so begrudgingly. We now see proof of the law of consequences. Conservative talk show titan and de facto Republican Party strategist Rush Limbaugh is considering leaving his … [Read more...] about Limbaugh, Kurtz and the Bum’s Rush
In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness
In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Neighbor Charles Ramsey speaks to media near the home where three missing women were rescued in Cleveland May 6. Cheering crowds gathered on the street where police said Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were found. Ramsey helped one of … [Read more...] about In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness
Nasrallah vs. Qaradawi: Battling Sheikhs Turning Syria into Repeat of Iraq (Al Mada, Iraq)
With Sunnis and Shiites arrayed for a battle to the death in Syria, clerics on both sides are only making matters worse. Columnist Hazem Mubaidin of Iraq's Al Mada warns that rival shiekhs - Hezbullah's Hassan Nasrallah and Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi - are issuing religious fatwas for reasons having nothing to do with religion, and are leading their respective sides to … [Read more...] about Nasrallah vs. Qaradawi: Battling Sheikhs Turning Syria into Repeat of Iraq (Al Mada, Iraq)
Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
In this superb self-satire video, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie loses his famous fleece -- a video that pokes fun at his 2016 possible career hopes and features some well known music and political celebrities. Created for the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents' Dinner Tuesday night.' Christie is QUITE good on camera: … [Read more...] about Great Video: Governor Christie: Maybe There Is Something To This Fleece (Video)
Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up
If there's a consensus that seemed to be emerging from the Republican-hyped House hearings on the tragedy in Benghazi hears today it seems to be this: the hearings are revealing incompetence, but no cover- up. This is, of course, cutting out Fox News and conservative talkers but by most accounts (news coverage, news accounts, and the opinions of people not associated with … [Read more...] about Benghazi Hearings So Far: Consensus Incompetence But No Cover Up
Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs
Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs (via PBS News Hour) RAY SUAREZ: Now an update on the impact of federal spending cuts known as the sequester. The government must reduce spending in most programs across the board by $85 billion dollars this year -- the latest fallout, federal officials announced today they're postponing auctions for new oil … [Read more...] about Communities Prepare for Sequester Cuts to Staffing and Social Programs
Sanford and Son (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized use of cartoons without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sanford and Son (Cartoon)
Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder
Arizona jury finds Jodi Arias guilty of first-degree murder (via The Repository) PHOENIX ? Jodi Arias was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend in Arizona after a four-month trial that captured headlines with lurid tales of sex, lies, religion and a salacious relationship that ended in a blood bath. Arias was charged with … [Read more...] about Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder
Conservative Group Floats Obama Impeachment for Wrecking Stock Market, Really?
Right wing groups will stop at nothing to blast President Obama for just about anything, even the most preposterous. Conservative Capital Hill Daily sent the Citizen United’s listserv a query Tuesday, floating the idea of impeaching President Obama because he wrecked the stock market. Um, that was the very day the stock market hit 15,056 in a historic high. When Obama took … [Read more...] about Conservative Group Floats Obama Impeachment for Wrecking Stock Market, Really?
Watch Live: House Hearing on Benghazi Attack 11:30 a.m. ET (Live Video)
Watch Live: Hearing on Benghazi Attack on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET (via PBS News Hour) By: News Desk Gregory Hicks, deputy chief of mission in Tripoli, Libya, during the time of the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, reportedly told House investigators that U.S. officials in Libya knew the assault on the compound was a premeditated terrorist attack from the … [Read more...] about Watch Live: House Hearing on Benghazi Attack 11:30 a.m. ET (Live Video)
From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety
From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety (via AFP) Bangladesh's massive building collapse has horrified Western nations that buy its garments, but industry players expect incremental progress at best in encouraging better factory conditions. Initiatives by governments, corporations and unions to impose more stringent safety rules in Bangladesh have… … [Read more...] about From West, long road seen on Bangladesh safety
The Continued Political Ascent of Chris Christie
Poll numbers continue to show New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie one of the most popular Repoublican governors in the nation. NBC's First Read notes his ascent, how he's on the same wavenlength as voters in his state -- but also how voters in his state don't want him to run for President: *** In New Jersey, Christie is crushing his Dem opponent: In this year’s other … [Read more...] about The Continued Political Ascent of Chris Christie
Is Right-Wing Conservative Talk Radio Dying?
Is conservative talk radio dying? In many of my posts here and in my Cagle and The Week columns, I've noted that conservative talk seems largerly rooted in the ingrained 1960s polarization fixations of Baby Boomer talk show hosts. Younger people often shake their heads with dismay at the talk show rage, yelling, demonization of someone or a different party, and the often … [Read more...] about Is Right-Wing Conservative Talk Radio Dying?
Obama on Sexual Assault in the Military: “I Don’t Want Just More Speeches…”
Stung by a spate of sexual misconduct incidents in the military and probably quite embarrassed by the allegations of sexual misconduct against the Air Force officer in charge of the service’s sexual assault prevention and response effort, the President and the Pentagon have come out swinging on this important matter. On the day after the Chief of the U.S. Air Force’s Sexual … [Read more...] about Obama on Sexual Assault in the Military: “I Don’t Want Just More Speeches…”