Year-end lists are not my thing, but 2013 undeniably places Barack Obama in a category that overcomes admiration with judgment. “They Must Know What They’re Doing or They Wouldn’t Be Where They Are” is the title of an imaginary volume a leading book publisher and I conceived half a century ago to show the captain of the Titanic, the designer of Ford’s ill-fated Edsel, LBJ … [Read more...] about In 2013, the President Joins a Pitiful Pantheon
The Singing Sergeants: ‘Ocho Kandelikas’
Continuing with The Singing Sergeants’ 12 Days of Christmas, here is a somewhat different song. For this one, the Singing Sergeants go Hanakkah as they sing the Hanukkah song, "Ocho Kandelikas” (translated, "Eight Little Candles")." The song is sung in Ladino, a Spanish-derived language traditionally associated with the Sephardic Jewish community, whose ancestors lived … [Read more...] about The Singing Sergeants: ‘Ocho Kandelikas’
Muslim fanatics guilty of murdering British soldier
Muslim fanatics guilty of murdering British soldier (via AFP) Two Muslim fanatics were found guilty Thursday of murdering a British soldier whom they butchered in broad daylight on a London street. Lee Rigby was knocked down by a car and then nearly decapitated as Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale,… … [Read more...] about Muslim fanatics guilty of murdering British soldier
Hillary Clinton to announce Presidential plans next year
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton doesn't plan to leave the political class and her supporters hanging much longer: she'll announce whether she'll run for the 2016 Democratic Presidential nomination next year: The nation may not have to wait much longer to learn the future plans of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former secretary of state who's considered the leading … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton to announce Presidential plans next year
The Best and Worst of 2013
The year 2013 was a roller coaster of contrasts with some surprises. Here's a best and worst list: The Worst Non Scandal, Self-Inflicted Political Damage: President Barack Obama. A new ABC News-Washington Post poll finds record numbers of Americans now disapprove of his job performance. The Post notes that these numbers are "all the more striking when compared with his … [Read more...] about The Best and Worst of 2013
The GOP’s fight has just begun
WASHINGTON -- The Republican civil war, like all civil wars, is even messier than it looks. It's a battle between two different conservative establishments complicated by philosophical struggles across many other fronts. Its resolution will determine whether we are a governable country. Because the GOP fight is so important, it's a mistake to dismiss the passage of a … [Read more...] about The GOP’s fight has just begun
Make Mine the Pooh Pooh Platter, Please: In DEFENSE of MSNBC’s Martin Bashir (Guest Voice)
Make Mine the Pooh Pooh Platter, Please: In DEFENSE of MSNBC's Martin Bashir by John F. McCarthy When is a mouth rinse not just a mouth rinse? Answer: When it is scatological in nature and nationally televised on MSNBC. Bad behavior is rewarded every night on our favorite premium TV shows like “Nurse Jackie,” “Weeds” and “Boardwalk Empire.” Why not … [Read more...] about Make Mine the Pooh Pooh Platter, Please: In DEFENSE of MSNBC’s Martin Bashir (Guest Voice)
Americans ache as Hillary banks: 5 reasons why voters should consider the GOP (Reader Guest Voice)
Americans ache as Hillary banks: 5 reasons why voters should consider the GOP in 2016 by Jordan Cooper Americans will be ready for a presidential nominee that happens to be female when she has proven herself as a full-fledged public servant. Hillary has proven herself as a faithful spouse, caring mother, and had success in her legal career. There are many females who can … [Read more...] about Americans ache as Hillary banks: 5 reasons why voters should consider the GOP (Reader Guest Voice)
Panel calls for sweeping reform of NSA eavesdropping
Panel calls for sweeping reform of US eavesdropping (via AFP) A White House-picked panel recommended curbing the secretive powers of the National Security Agency (NSA), warning that its mass spying sweeps in the war on terror had gone too far. The report said the NSA should halt the mass storage of domestic phone… … [Read more...] about Panel calls for sweeping reform of NSA eavesdropping
The Singing Sergeants’ 12 Days of Christmas: Silent Night
The Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force, is one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. Originally formed in 1945 from the ranks of The United States Army Air Forces Band, the chorus has a long heritage of excellence. It is comprised of 18 professional Airmen vocalists, recruited from the finest colleges, universities … [Read more...] about The Singing Sergeants’ 12 Days of Christmas: Silent Night
Bipartisan budget deal passes Congress
US budget deal passes Congress (via AFP) The US Senate passed a compromise two-year budget accord Wednesday, marking a truce in the fiscal wars that have plagued Washington and reducing the likelihood of a government shutdown in January. The measure, which already cleared the House and passed… … [Read more...] about Bipartisan budget deal passes Congress
India’s anger of arrest of diplomat by U.S. explodes
It's now a major story. Earlier this week TMV's New Delhi-based International Columnist Swaraaj Chauhan reported about India's anger over the arrest of one of its diplomats in the U.S. The controversy has since exploded and is now a major international story. GO HERE for an excellent summary and analysis by The Week's Peter Weber. Mailonline, one of the world's most … [Read more...] about India’s anger of arrest of diplomat by U.S. explodes
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is really really really sorry
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is really really really REALLY sorry. Really sorry. Super sorry. … [Read more...] about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is really really really sorry
Major consolidation in conservative media
There has been a major consolidation in the conservative media -- one that will likely mean a more cohesive voice and better funding for already well funded sites. Talking Points Memo: Last week, with two high-profile acquisitions, a conservative media company catapulted itself from successful but largely below-the-radar company to a player with a portfolio that could … [Read more...] about Major consolidation in conservative media
Are there any Republicans left who don’t wish Mitch McConnell would go away?
Jonathan Chait threads his way through the muddy thinking of Republican leaders. Remember: there aren't supposed to be any barriers to a debt ceiling deal. Well...here it comes... Mitch McConnell, too, says he “can’t imagine” passing a clean debt-ceiling hike. Are the Republicans really going to try this again?" Chait,DailyIntel This is yet another dead-end … [Read more...] about Are there any Republicans left who don’t wish Mitch McConnell would go away?
Streetcars Boost Local Economies, Light Rail Gets People Out Of Cars
Streetcars Boost Local Economies, Light Rail Gets People Out Of Cars (via Clean Technica) Confirming the claims of many a city planner (like myself), a couple of recent studies have shown that modern US streetcars have been able to stimulate economic development and shape land use development in their vicinity, and that light rail lines… … [Read more...] about Streetcars Boost Local Economies, Light Rail Gets People Out Of Cars
Santa NSA (Cartoon)
This copyrighted Cagle Cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction without licensing is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about Santa NSA (Cartoon)
We Need Some Non Partisan Partisanship
In recent weeks everyone from bloggers on the net to pundits on the networks have been discussing the issues of partisanship versus unity. Some have argued that it is more important for us to work together and to put partisan topics aside while others argue just as strongly that voters elect people to office to fight for the issues they believe in and thus it is necessary to be … [Read more...] about We Need Some Non Partisan Partisanship
Joan Fontaine: The Strangest Sister Act Ends
With the passing of Joan Fontaine at 96, a record for sibling rivalry is finally set in stone. In Hollywood’s heyday, she and Olivia de Havilland were movie stars who won Academy Awards and openly despised one another. At the 1941 Oscars, Fontaine beat out her sister, a year older, and later wrote in a memoir, "All the animus we'd felt toward each other as children, the … [Read more...] about Joan Fontaine: The Strangest Sister Act Ends
Quote of the Day: Is Obama’s Presidency really doomed?
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Week's Jon Terbush, who looks at the reports and polls and pundits suggesting that President Barack Obama's Presidency is doomed. This is the quintessential "conventional wisdom" that creates a narrative that's increasingly stated with certainty by print and Internet pundits and becomes the assumption of many on talk radio and cable … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Is Obama’s Presidency really doomed?