I had a dear friend who died way too young of alcoholism. Actually, he fell down a flight of stairs and ruptured his spleen, but was so weak because of a decades-long diet of Rolling Rock beer that he never recovered. I've wondered for many years about when my friend "turned the corner." That is, when was the moment he stopped being a smart and sociable guy with a steel-trap … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Is It Time To Get Hysterical Over Donald Trump? Yes, It Probably Is.
Pew Report: 40 Percent of U.S. Millennials Favor Limits on Speech Offensive to Minorities
More than any other generation, Millennials are militant about the use of offensive language towards minorities, and are rejecting the idea of a blanket right to “free speech.” A Pew report published on Friday revealed that 40 percent of Millennials in America (aged 18 to 34) were in favor of the government limiting hateful speech offensive… … [Read more...] about Pew Report: 40 Percent of U.S. Millennials Favor Limits on Speech Offensive to Minorities
Cartoon: The Crescent of Donald Trump
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: The Crescent of Donald Trump
Weekend Picture
I have a couple of posts in the works but will probably wait until Monday to put them up so here is a weekend picture. … [Read more...] about Weekend Picture
Brussels on highest terror alert as hunt for Paris terror attacker continues
The Brussels metro was closed on Saturday as the Belgian capital was placed on the highest level of terror alert. Police believed that one of the Paris attackers, Salah Abdeslam, could be in Belgium. "We have enough elements to believe that the threat is specific and imminent," Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Didier Reynders said as he… … [Read more...] about Brussels on highest terror alert as hunt for Paris terror attacker continues
Military Weekend: ‘War Photography?’
Each time I publish a post in my “Military Weekend” series with photographs of our troops “doing what they do best” -- serving our country -- I am well aware that some may see this attempt to honor and thank our military men and women as an act of “glorifying war” or of promoting the “military-industrial complex.” While “my” photos very seldom depict the actual violence of … [Read more...] about Military Weekend: ‘War Photography?’
Who was Larry Semon? New bio details silent clown’s life (Guest Voice Book Review)
Who was Larry Semon? New bio details silent clown's life Review by Doug Gibson When ever the subject of Larry Semon turns, I unconsciously think of that also-forgotten movie, “The Comic,” that Dick Van Dyke starred in almost 50 years ago. It dealt with a silent comedian, who after years of hard work attained fame, let his ego intrude, fell hard and lived out his life … [Read more...] about Who was Larry Semon? New bio details silent clown’s life (Guest Voice Book Review)
The Bunny Hop (Dance) VIDEO
And here it is...back on TMV by popular demand: The (dance) Bunny Hop. This is the DANCE Bunny Hop. This YouTube video is of a family (all ages) doing the dance and MAN are they having fun: … [Read more...] about The Bunny Hop (Dance) VIDEO
Putin says seeks global anti-terrorism fight after 19 killed in Mali terrorist attack
By Tiemoko Diallo and Adama Diarra BAMAKO (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he wanted global cooperation to combat terrorism in the wake of an Islamist militant attack on a luxury hotel in Mali that killed 19 people including six Russians. Friday's assault came a week after militants killed 130 people in gun and bomb attacks in Paris claimed by … [Read more...] about Putin says seeks global anti-terrorism fight after 19 killed in Mali terrorist attack
No licence to thrill – Indian censors cut Bond’s kisses short
New Delhi (dpa) - Fictional spy James Bond has seen his amorous clinches cut short by India's film censors in the latest installment of the long-runnning series, prompting a lively reaction from local fans Thursday. India's Board of Film Certification cleared the film Spectre only after two kissing scenes were shortened and two swear words removed,… … [Read more...] about No licence to thrill – Indian censors cut Bond’s kisses short
Have You Heard of ‘CVE’?
CVE stands for “Countering Violent Extremism.” I have seen the term or expression used, but never paid much attention to it. In light of the Paris attacks, it is now getting the attention it deserves. CVE is, according to the State Department, “a broader approach to address the underlying forces that make people vulnerable to violent extremism.” Under Secretary for … [Read more...] about Have You Heard of ‘CVE’?
Sanders Explains That He Supports Principles Of FDR & LBJ In Major Economics Speech
In a speech at Georgetown University yesterday, Bernie Sanders explained his economic views, showing that Democratic Socialism is not a form of socialism which opposes free enterprise, and that he is definitely not a Communist as Donald Trump claimed. Full transcript here and the video can be viewed here. NPR has posted six key clips. Sanders also spoke about his approach to … [Read more...] about Sanders Explains That He Supports Principles Of FDR & LBJ In Major Economics Speech
Medicade Expansion Coming to the Deep South
The red states in the deep south may be ready to accept Medicade expansion reports Sarah Kliff at VOX. The Deep South might finally be warming up to Obamacare. Both Alabama and Louisiana are inching toward expanding Medicaid to cover thousands more Americans. Taken together, the two states could expand coverage to more than 330,000 low-income people. And they could mark the … [Read more...] about Medicade Expansion Coming to the Deep South
Terrorists: How they got our number
Tom Engelhardt writes that America walked right into the trap bin Laden constructed for us. Plenty of Americans recognized this. We're not altogether stupid. We are just in the habit of electing really bad leaders. The outcome? Too many of us don't even know we're in a trap. But Paris -- part of our world -- has just experienced another snap-crack of the trap … [Read more...] about Terrorists: How they got our number
Winners, Losers and Leaders
Winners, Losers and Leaders Michael Reagan President Obama's reaction to the horrible terrorist attacks in Paris has been strange — and disturbing. Instead of rallying the country and calling for the United States to lead the fight to wipe out the Islamic State, what did he do first? He took pot shots at Republicans for their reluctance to open our borders to … [Read more...] about Winners, Losers and Leaders
20 Persons Murdered At Radisson Hotel in Mali: al-Qaeda Takes Credit
from WaPo "One Senegalese guest, Aïssatou Gueye, was in her room when the attackers entered. Like many other guests, she was there to attend a large mining conference. "They were asking people to recite the Koran and if they do, nothing will happen to them," she told a reporter outside the hotel. Aissatou saw one person shot dead before she ran to safety." one can read … [Read more...] about 20 Persons Murdered At Radisson Hotel in Mali: al-Qaeda Takes Credit
On Those Pesky Syrian Refugees
Tempers have been flaring, fear mongering has been absurd, compassion has been absent and the dog whistles have been not so subtle and not so ultrasonic recently in the “debate” over whether our nation should continue to accept Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Without naming names and without mentioning the (obvious) political Party affiliation of those making them, here is a … [Read more...] about On Those Pesky Syrian Refugees
Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Our memories are lousy, as mounting evidence against eyewitness testimony details. We're subject to memory biases. Add other cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, and it's clear that our brains tend to whimsy more than fact. Then there's the frequency illusion (Baader-Meinhof phenomenon). That's when you become aware of something new -- or, maybe, decide to buy a new … [Read more...] about Is the world as frightening a place as media portray?
Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
IN WAYNE LaPIERRE THE REPUBLICANS DO TRUST This is the point in the movie where it was assumed that the Republican Party would come to its senses. But, as it is turning out, the movie isn't Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or The American President or even Wag the Dog. It's more like The Manchurian Candidate. Times of crisis like the Paris attacks tend to bring … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Crisis Sure Has A Way Of Bringing Out The Worst In Republicans
Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation
Since its inception, Kickstarer has help companies launch games and make movies, and even a potato salad can earn way more than it should. That's why it is a logical choice for Don Bluth to turn to when thinking about a potential Dragon's Lair animated movie. If you are unfamiliar with Don Bluth by name, you… … [Read more...] about Animation Legend Don Bluth Talks Dragon’s Lair Kickstarter Movie, Revival Of Traditional Animation