TMV readers have been clamoring (well, “clamoring” may be too strong a word) for a constructive discussion and debate on the recently revealed NSA excesses. Hoping to generate/encourage such a discussion, I have been quoting from and summarizing the superb essays on this issue written by none other than Geoffrey R. Stone, one of the five members of the President’s Review … [Read more...] about Liberty and Security in a Changing World: Room and Time for Debate
The Big Freeze: ‘Polar vortex’ slams US with record cold weather
'Polar vortex' slams US with record cold weather (via AFP) A "polar vortex" dropped over a huge section of the United States on Monday, sending temperatures plunging across the Midwest as the East Coast braced for the bitter Arctic blast. Meteorologists predicted the lowest temperatures in two decades in some… … [Read more...] about The Big Freeze: ‘Polar vortex’ slams US with record cold weather
Cold Weather Scream (Cartoon)
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 Cold Weather Scream (Cartoon)
A hidden consensus for justice
WASHINGTON -- Why are we arguing about issues that were settled decades ago? Why, for example, is it so hard to extend unemployment insurance at a time when the jobless rate nationally is still at 7 percent, and higher than that in 21 states? As the Senate votes this week on help for the unemployed, Democrats will be scrambling to win support from the handful of … [Read more...] about A hidden consensus for justice
Crocodile tries to eat piece of Australian tour guide (Video)
Here's one instance where you might think twice about your mother's criticism "Don't talk with your hands." It could be risky. To many tourists, a tour guide is an instant expert -- the keeper of wisdom about a place or an event. To a crocodile, a tour guide could look like a moving buffet. Here's a tour guide on Australia's Adelaide River in the Northern territory who got … [Read more...] about Crocodile tries to eat piece of Australian tour guide (Video)
Politics and the Generational Divide
New Year, same problems. In America, as in many other developed nations, older members of society have been robbing the young. Not outwardly and blatantly, but in the way governments distribute benefits. Unfortunately, the needs of older people do not mesh with those of younger citizens and political power rests in the hands of those who are older. The problem in the U.S. is … [Read more...] about Politics and the Generational Divide
Liz Cheney quits Senate campaign to oust Mike Enzi: cites “serious health issues” in family (UPDATED)
Liz Cheney, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, is dropping her bid to unseat Wyoming's respected conservative Senator Mike Enzi in a primary challenge, citing "serious Serious health issues have recently arisen in our family." Whether this proves to be the case or one more instance of someone quitting something to "spend more time with their family" will … [Read more...] about Liz Cheney quits Senate campaign to oust Mike Enzi: cites “serious health issues” in family (UPDATED)
Bucks Dynasty (Cartoon)
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 Bucks Dynasty (Cartoon)
The Blame Obama Era Is Starting to End
For Republicans with brains, the handwriting is clear. Five years of bashing the President on everything have left the GOP in opinion poll hell, and their frontrunner for the White House in ’16 is Chris Christie, no Tea Party icon. Little surprise, then, that the disloyal opposition is in rebranding mode: Paul Ryan makes a budget deal with Democrats and edges toward other … [Read more...] about The Blame Obama Era Is Starting to End
What if … the solution to poverty in the world was simply giving poor people money?
Without strings? That's the argument presented in a story from Holland making the social media rounds: Why we should give free money to everyone. It's from the Dutch crowd-sourced startup, De Correspondent, and is the infant publication's most popular article. There are almost no links and few named sources, but there are several global examples. All, the author claim, … [Read more...] about What if … the solution to poverty in the world was simply giving poor people money?
Chargers continue surprising NFL playoff run
Chargers continue surprising NFL playoff run (via AFP) San Diego, who snuck into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, took advantage of three second-half turnovers from Andy Dalton to upset Cincinnati 27-10, on Sunday. And in the National Conference wild card game, the San Francisco 49ers… … [Read more...] about Chargers continue surprising NFL playoff run
Peggy Noonan backtracks on calling De Blasio a ” former Sandinista”
The problem with broadcast journalism today is that many anchors or reporters on political talk shows have a political axe to grind and hold up their axe for all to see. There are fewer on-the-air personalities now who will challenge an outright falsehood. And one of those few is CBS's Bob Schieffer, a journalist from the Edward R. Murrow/Walter Cronkite school of journalism. … [Read more...] about Peggy Noonan backtracks on calling De Blasio a ” former Sandinista”
Romney accepts apology of MSNBC’s Harris-Perry for comments about grandchild (Video)
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a Fox News appearance has accepted the apology of MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry for comments she and her panel guests made about his African-American grandson. Perry's comments had set off a firestorm of criticism and she apologized several times, culminating in a tearful on-the-air apology yesterday. Romney today said he accepted … [Read more...] about Romney accepts apology of MSNBC’s Harris-Perry for comments about grandchild (Video)
The Big Freeze strikes
US braces for record lows in big freeze (via AFP) Authorities urged Americans to stay indoors and stock up on food after a fierce winter storm killed 11 people and forecasters said the Arctic blast could bring record low temperatures. There was no sign of respite Saturday from the brutal chill that… … [Read more...] about The Big Freeze strikes
More than 1,000 chosen for one-way Mars reality-TV mission
More than 1,000 chosen for one-way Mars reality-TV mission (via AFP) More than 1,000 candidates -- from 200,000 hopefuls -- have been chosen to train for a private Mars colonisation mission to be partly funded by a reality-TV show following their training and subsequent steps, organisers said Thursday. They are to be… … [Read more...] about More than 1,000 chosen for one-way Mars reality-TV mission
Is the GOP’s growing confidence about taking the Senate justified?
The term "the grown ups" can be infuriating depending on whether it's your side being dismissed as immature. But there's little question that "the grown ups" in the Republican Party are the ones who seek to win elections first and then bring about change (as Michael Reagan argues here). Now we're seeing an example of the grown ups running to shussh the kids who may say … [Read more...] about Is the GOP’s growing confidence about taking the Senate justified?
Detroit Police Chief James Craig: Good Gun Owners Can Deter Crime, Sounds Like NRA’s Wayne LaPierre
Detroit Police Chief James Craig believes that if more citizens were armed, criminals would think twice before attacking them. He said responsible gun owners would likely deter crime, the Detroit News reports. During a press conference Thursday at police headquarters, Craig siad, “When we look at the good community members who have concealed weapons permits, the likelihood … [Read more...] about Detroit Police Chief James Craig: Good Gun Owners Can Deter Crime, Sounds Like NRA’s Wayne LaPierre
Denver marijuana bakery could make big dough
Here's a baker that'll make a lot of dough. Love's Oven bakery in Denver will be selling baked goods with a special ingredient: marijuana, which is now legal in Colorado. … [Read more...] about Denver marijuana bakery could make big dough
Chris Christie’s bridge over troubled political waters (Guest Cartoon)
Chris Christie's bridge over troubled political waters by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Did New Jersey governor Christie go a bridge too far? --Documents raise new questions in Christie bridge controversy --The New, Not Necessarily Improved, Chris Christie --Chris Christie actually had a bad year. Here’s why. Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s bridge over troubled political waters (Guest Cartoon)
India’s elusive Manmohan Singh to step down as Prime Minister
As Americans remain fixated with their own partisan politics, in the world's largest democracy -- India -- a major political transformation is taking place: India's long-serving and elusive Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced he'll step down, opening the door for a new era that could one day end in a political dynasty's restoration. India's veteran prime minister, … [Read more...] about India’s elusive Manmohan Singh to step down as Prime Minister