It now appears as if the Democratic Party has siezed defeat from the jaws of likely victory in the 2014 mid term election. A new CNN poll finds Republicans now have the edge: Democrats have lost their advantage and Republicans now have a slight edge in the battle for control of Congress, according to a new national poll. The problem? President Barack Obama is … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: Republicans now have edge in midterm elections
Thinking About Your Own Mortality
When you are a child you don't think about death. In your late teens and 20s you don't think death applies to you. By the time you reach your late 60s like me you have probably lost your parents, aunts and uncles and several friends and cousins. You start thinking about you own mortality. I just was looking at a list of celebrities that died in 2013 and suddenly realized … [Read more...] about Thinking About Your Own Mortality
A path to immigration compromise? (Guest Voice)
A path to immigration compromise? by Esther Cepeda Washington Post Writers Group CHICAGO -- Immigration reform is not dead -- it's just waiting for lawmakers to drop the politics, strike a compromise and get it done. The Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project seems to back up the idea that a pathway for achieving citizenship is not a make-or-break provision to … [Read more...] about A path to immigration compromise? (Guest Voice)
Japan PM’s visit to Yasukuni war shrine infuriates China
Japan PM's visit to Yasukuni war shrine infuriates China (via AFP) Nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an inflammatory visit to the Yasukuni war shrine Thursday, angering China which accused Japan of whitewashing a history of warmongering and said it must "bear the consequences". South Korea also blasted the… … [Read more...] about Japan PM’s visit to Yasukuni war shrine infuriates China
A Christian on Christmas
Bill King ponders the meaning of the season in The Houston Chronicle. I was listening to a certain news channel a few days ago, and a right-wing commentator was railing about how Republicans were just as bad as Democrats, primarily for passing the budget compromise. What caught my attention was the way he couched his argument. He said, "The problem with the Republicans in … [Read more...] about A Christian on Christmas
Scut Farkus Fights Bullying
The odds are pretty good that sometime this holiday season you sat down to watch the Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" and in doing so probably booed a bit for bully Scut Farkus. Well Zack Ward, the actor who played that role has decided to turn his part into something more positive by launching a campaign to fight bullying. What a cool way for an someone to give … [Read more...] about Scut Farkus Fights Bullying
“The Lord’s Bright Blessing”: a touching song from Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
Here's a wonderful, touching song from the 1962 TV hit "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" -- showing Tiny Tim and his family making Christmas great even though they have little money. Scrooge, accompanied by one of the ghosts, observes. Note that this limited animation cartoon was beautifully animated and drawn, with superb music and lyrics (by the Broadway team of Jule Styne … [Read more...] about “The Lord’s Bright Blessing”: a touching song from Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
Another Merry Christmas
I am still cruising through old pictures of Christmas past. This is a card board Santa ornament that my grandfather got when he worked for Standard Oil Company in the 30s. It was hanging on our family Christmas tree for as long as I can remember. This year it is in Texas, a long way from Eastern Washington where it became part of the family Christmas and a long way from … [Read more...] about Another Merry Christmas
Pope prays for South Sudan, Syria on first Christmas
Pope prays for South Sudan, Syria on first Christmas (via AFP) Pope Francis on Wednesday called for humanitarian aid access in Syria and "social harmony" in South Sudan on his first Christmas in the Vatican after months of shaking up the papacy with his humble style and common touch. Francis also pleaded for divine… … [Read more...] about Pope prays for South Sudan, Syria on first Christmas
Do You Hear What I Hear? (Guest Voice)
Do You Hear What I Hear? By Peter Funt LOS ANGELES — It was 73 and sunny, still two weeks before Thanksgiving, and I was stuck in traffic on the 405. Over the car radio a DJ on KOST-FM was extolling the "holiday spirit." Then he played "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry — a song so old that it doesn't rouse spirits so much as it conjures ghosts of Christmas … [Read more...] about Do You Hear What I Hear? (Guest Voice)
Germany: How Christmas survived communism
Germany: How Christmas survived communism (via GlobalPost) BERLIN, Germany — Once upon a time, when there was a communist East Germany, a real-life Grinch stole Christmas and turned it into a “socialist festival for peace.” However, the old tradition of Christmas markets continued behind the Berlin Wall… … [Read more...] about Germany: How Christmas survived communism
My 2013 Holiday Wish List (Guest Voice)
My 2013 Holiday Wish List By Tina Dupuy In this season of fighting over the true meaning of the season, I offer my short (and admittedly incomplete) list of things which could make the world a better place all year round: 1. End the War on Christmas and end it now What does a truce in the War on Christmas look like? How would the eight weeks we partition off to mark … [Read more...] about My 2013 Holiday Wish List (Guest Voice)
Christmas wish list (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed by Cagle Cartoons to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Christmas wish list (Cartoon)
Former N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer, Wife Announce Split (Video)
Former N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer, Wife Announce Split (via Repost Video News) In a statement released Christmas Eve Elliot Spitzer, who admitted to seeing prostitutes during his time as governor, is splitting from his wife. … [Read more...] about Former N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer, Wife Announce Split (Video)
The Power of Christmas (Guest Voice)
The power of Christmas By MICHAEL GERSON Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- 'Tis the season for creche display controversies and public school decoration debates and First Amendment argumentation, when all the ideologues get a little extra outrage or victimization in their stockings. The holiday is observed across the nation with injunctions and festive … [Read more...] about The Power of Christmas (Guest Voice)
Fournier: Obama = Bush
Andrew Sullivan fisks Ron Fournier's argument that Obama's second term is like Bush's on The Daily Dish. And the truth is: nothing this president has done compares even faintly with the damage wrought by his predecessor. Bush exploded the deficit in a time of growth; Obama has cut it dramatically in a time of near-depression. Bush gave us two disastrous wars; Obama has largely … [Read more...] about Fournier: Obama = Bush
Merry Christmas !
As many of us enjoy the day with family and friends I want to take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. For those who share my faith in celebrating the truly amazing blessing granted to mankind may your day be rich in deep spiritual significance. For those who do not share that faith, may you have a wonderful day with those you love and those who love you. For … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas !
“Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
I can’t gift-wrap this, but it’s a Christmas treasure I have to share. Decades ago, I published it twice in different magazines. Eric Sevareid was a talented writer who spent most of his life as a radio and TV journalist working with Edward R. Murrow during World War II as part of “a band of brothers” and later at CBS-TV in its glory days. He was a hero and a role model to … [Read more...] about “Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
A Christmas Treat from Doctor Puppet
Mashable gives us a link to a wonderful video of a Doctors' Christmas. Enjoy. Cross posted at The DemiGeek … [Read more...] about A Christmas Treat from Doctor Puppet
Huntsman on Gay Marriage
Jon Huntsman earns an Yglesias nomination (for those who actually criticize their own side, make enemies among political allies, and generally risk something for the sake of saying what they believe) on The Daily Dish. While serving as governor of Utah, I pushed for civil unions and expanded reciprocal benefits for gay citizens. I did so not because of political … [Read more...] about Huntsman on Gay Marriage