WASHINGTON -- Memorial Day is a peculiarly appropriate holiday for our times. Its origins lie in the Civil War, which resulted from the failure of a deeply polarized political system to settle the question of slavery. Reading the history of the period leading up to the war is jarring because its political conflicts bear eerie similarities to our own -- for the sharp … [Read more...] about Memorial Day’s calling
Memorial Day 2014: Some Closing Images
~.~ As yet another Memorial Day weekend draws to a close, and after so many have so eloquently expressed their thoughts on the meaning and history of Memorial Day, perhaps a few images is all that is left to “say” -- after watching and listening to President Obama’s Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, below. A soldier salutes the grave of a … [Read more...] about Memorial Day 2014: Some Closing Images
The Theft of Decoration Day celebrated To-Day!
My Great Great-Grandpa. He served under Thomas at Chickamauga (Turchin's Brigade). My wife's great grandfather served under Sherman at Vicksburg. For Memorial (originally Decoration) Day. Photo is © Decoration Day was the day that we Union descendants and relatives remembered those who gave their lives in defense of the Union and ended slavery. Congress stole this day … [Read more...] about The Theft of Decoration Day celebrated To-Day!
(Video – Updates) Breaking: President Obama Visits U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
Update II: Just could not resist sharing this photo, referred to by DOD as "the happy hugger." And guess who is being hugged... A U.S. soldier hugs President Barack Obama following his remarks on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 25, 2014. Good for you, Mr. President. We need more moments like these. Update I(The White House): Following an opening … [Read more...] about (Video – Updates) Breaking: President Obama Visits U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
Mad Men Concludes First Half Of Final Season With Personal Victories Coming Out Of Waterloo
The first half of the final season of Mad Men was often disappointing, but this turned around in Waterloo, which was actually a victory to hold us over until the final episodes are shown next year. The manner in which Mad Men has divided up the final season has led to comparisons to Breaking Bad, another AMC show to recently conclude. Prior to Waterloo, the comparison was often … [Read more...] about Mad Men Concludes First Half Of Final Season With Personal Victories Coming Out Of Waterloo
Memorial Day
While it's true that Memorial Day was originally intended to be a day to remember those who died in combat in my lifetime (68 years) it has morphed into a day to remember and memorialize all loved ones who have died. Some have a problem with that - I don't. As I was growing up I remember going to several cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of deceased parents, … [Read more...] about Memorial Day
This Week in Hillary-World: Could the Big Announcement be Upon Us?
This Week in Hillary-World: Could the Big Announcement be Upon Us? by Nikki Gloudeman Each week, we explore Hillary Clinton's universe to provide a round-up of the week's most compelling news, while providing analysis on media commentary, punditry, polling and more. Yes, the election is still a bazillion years away, but when it comes to the story of the potential first … [Read more...] about This Week in Hillary-World: Could the Big Announcement be Upon Us?
A Happy — Reflective — Memorial Day
It's Memorial Day. Be happy-- and remember. … [Read more...] about A Happy — Reflective — Memorial Day
Cartoons on Isla Vista Shootings
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license these cartoons for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoons on Isla Vista Shootings
Mad Men’s Pitch Perfect Bert Cooper Robert Morse Send-off (Videos)
SPOILER ALERT: Don't read any further if you haven't seen last night's mid-7th-season finale of Mad Men. But, trust me, you won't be able to escape the news. Mad Men, AMC's consistently excellent drama about 1960s-1970s era advertising pros and their turbulent lives, gave a send off to one of its key characters -- and actors -- that will likely go down as one of the top … [Read more...] about Mad Men’s Pitch Perfect Bert Cooper Robert Morse Send-off (Videos)
(Update) Memorial Day – Every Day – Take Good Care of Old Glory
Update: Watch President Obama during his surprise Memorial Day visit to our troops in Afghanistan refer to the American flag recovered at the Twin Towers site and now on display at the National September 11 Memorial Museum (discussed below) as “Our flag is still there” in the video below at the 18:21 mark. One of the most solemn, gut-wrenching … [Read more...] about (Update) Memorial Day – Every Day – Take Good Care of Old Glory
SciFi Weekend: Hannibal, The Americans, Orphan Black
The second season of Hannibal ended with Mizumono exactly as shown at the start of the season with a fight between Hannibal and Jack Crawford. The fight scene, which left four characters potentially bleeding to death, lasted eighteen minutes. It was preceded by a set up to attempt to make sense out of Jack being in Hannibal's home with no back up, along with plenty of dialog to … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Hannibal, The Americans, Orphan Black
The Brutally Murderous Madness of UCSB Shooter Elliot Rodgers’s 140 Page Manifesto
It'll be studied for years. When 22-year-old Isla Vista shooter Elliot Rodgers mailed his 140 page manifesto detailing his life and his evolution to deciding to kill woman for rejecting him and guys for getting the women, he clearly felt it would live as a testament to himself since killing himself in the end was a longstanding part of his plan. Instead, it'll be studied for … [Read more...] about The Brutally Murderous Madness of UCSB Shooter Elliot Rodgers’s 140 Page Manifesto
Innocence Stolen and Unbridled Abuse (Guest Voice)
Innocence Stolen and Unbridled Abuse By Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam Behind the green curtain is where my world began to end. It was where my innocence was forever washed away in a porcelain pan filled with developer. Grainy images brought into strong relief on white paper that would become forever etched on my soul. It all began at the age of eight when my mother … [Read more...] about Innocence Stolen and Unbridled Abuse (Guest Voice)
Remembering My Grandfather
My grandfather was too old to serve in the military during WWII but that doesn't mean he didn't serve. While my father served in India/Burma he put in long hours at the Kaiser ship yards in Portland. He too was a hero. He wasn't awarded a Bronze Star like my hero father but he still gave it his all. The picture is is from a newspaper article on him in the local paper. I … [Read more...] about Remembering My Grandfather
Isla Vista Killer Rodger began spree by stabbing to death three roommates
More info is flowing about Elliot Rodger and his killing spree apparently motivated by feeling he was rejected by women that ended in seven deaths, including his own. The latest tidbit: he stabbed three roommates to death in his apartment before he went on his shooting spree: Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bob Brown confirmed the suspect was Rodger, a Santa Barbara City … [Read more...] about Isla Vista Killer Rodger began spree by stabbing to death three roommates
Beware of the signs of drowning
To many, Memorial Day weekend symbolizes the start of the outdoor swimming season and also means it's time to take care to a)not drown b)recognize the signs of someone who is drowning. Mario Vittone in Slate has a must-read about the signs and how actual drowning doesn't resemble the stereotype of someone drowing. To wit: In some of those drownings, the adult will actually … [Read more...] about Beware of the signs of drowning
Cartoon: Memorial Day
This cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction without licensing is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Memorial Day
California Drive by in BMW in Santa Barbara: Son of “Hunger Games” Assistant Director suspected of drive by “mass murder of six. Left video threat on You Tube (Video) UPDATED
The joy and security young people and families feel on a holiday weekend was shattered Friday night in what may eventually be seen uniquely California drive-by mass murder shooting: a drive by shooting spree in Isla Vista that took the lives of six, allegedly done in a pristine, black BMW by the 22-year-old son of a prominent Hollywood assistant director (credit anna). And, … [Read more...] about California Drive by in BMW in Santa Barbara: Son of “Hunger Games” Assistant Director suspected of drive by “mass murder of six. Left video threat on You Tube (Video) UPDATED
Obama Responds To Myth That Both Parties Are Responsible For Current Gridlock
There has been a lot of back and forth on line recently regarding whether Obama deserves blame for the gridlock in Washington. Ezra Klein explained the fallacies once again in the Green Lantern view of the presidency as a character with near infinite powers. Ron Fournier continues to play the false equivalency game in trying to blame both the left and right, ignoring the … [Read more...] about Obama Responds To Myth That Both Parties Are Responsible For Current Gridlock