News Reports, Studies, Research and Cop-Outs by Peter W. Johnson I recently wrote a letter of complaint to the Editor of a newspaper who insisted I give proof of my claim that early voting, and absentee voting, largely consists of demographic groups who would normally tend to vote for Democrats (especially in critical swing states). This, even though this Editor had … [Read more...] about News Reports, Studies, Research and Cop-Outs (Reader Guest Voice)
Through The Looking Glass (Guest Voice)
Through the Looking Glass by Peter Funt What compromises must we make when it comes to our security on the one hand, and our privacy on the other? Personally, I'm far less concerned about being tracked by the National Security Agency than I am about being monitored by, say, Google. According to the latest headlines, the NSA is gathering cellphone records from around … [Read more...] about Through The Looking Glass (Guest Voice)
One view of Bobby Jindal (Reader Guest Voice)
From an early age I began to understand Louisiana a lot like South Carolina had many intricate minds, athletes, and musical inspirations. Ranging from Percy Miller to Bob Livingston. And today in the political world people are questioning the antics of Governor Bobby Jindal. What is Jindal stirring up? I do not know but I know it should not be bitter. But his adrenaline and … [Read more...] about One view of Bobby Jindal (Reader Guest Voice)
Netanyahu skips Mandela memorial. Israelis say ‘are you kidding?’ (Guest Voice)
Netanyahu skips Mandela memorial. Israelis say 'are you kidding?' (via The Christian Science Monitor) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem Nov. 17. Fresh off a series of scandals over his high-flying lifestyle and expensive habits, the prime minister said Monday he would skip Nelson Mandela’s funeral… … [Read more...] about Netanyahu skips Mandela memorial. Israelis say ‘are you kidding?’ (Guest Voice)
We’ll Hate You for Christmas
Two weeks and one day until Christmas in this "Christian" country with its "Christian" agenda and all its oppressed Republican "Christians." And what do these fine "Christians" see this cold morning? [emphasis added] Obama, Cuban President Raul Castro Shake Hands at Nelson Mandela Memorial ABC News President Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro today at a … [Read more...] about We’ll Hate You for Christmas
GOP Rumsfeld Shakes Saddam Hussein’s Hand/ More
Political calvary arriving? Ex-Clinton Aide Podesta to join Obama
Is the first member of the Democratic Party political calvary galloping in to try and rescue President Obama's second term so Obama doesn't only shore up public support, but administers and strategizes in a way that helps him and his sagging party? It sounds that way: President Obama, after a rocky year that leaves him at the lowest ebb of his presidency, is bringing into … [Read more...] about Political calvary arriving? Ex-Clinton Aide Podesta to join Obama
Obama Urges World: Act on Mandela Legacy (Video)
Obama Urges World: Act on Mandela Legacy (via AP Video) President Obama spoke of former South African President Nelson Mandela's legacy of making peace by getting them to trust each other. Obama spoke at the memorial for Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Dec. 10) … [Read more...] about Obama Urges World: Act on Mandela Legacy (Video)
Nelson Mandela Memorial: Right Wing Freak-Out Over Obama and Raul Castro’s Handshake
#MandelaMemorial: The right wing is freaking out over President Obama shaking the hand of Cuban leader Raul Castro at Nelson Mandela's memorial at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Tuesday morning. Um, exactly what was President Obama supposed to do? Be rude? Isn't the essence of Nelson Mandela the very reason both men attended the ceremony? Obama stopped to shake Castro's hand as he … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Memorial: Right Wing Freak-Out Over Obama and Raul Castro’s Handshake
Gerson Gets It
Former Bush staffer Michael Gerson on Pope Francis in The Washington Post. Some American conservatives, issuing a different sort of papal bull, have accused the pope of “pure Marxism” and being “the Catholic Church’s Obama.” In the process, they are demonstrating how ideology can become a consuming substitute for faith. Defenders of market economics — and I count myself one — … [Read more...] about Gerson Gets It
Time announces Person of the Year top ten finalists
Time magazine has announced its top ten finalists for its Person of the Year. Now it has to twerk..I mean, tweek, the list. Actually Miley Cyrus is one of the finalists: Bashar Assad, President of Syria Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder Ted Cruz, Texas Senator Miley Cyrus, Singer Pope Francis, Leader of the Catholic Church Barack Obama, President of the United … [Read more...] about Time announces Person of the Year top ten finalists
What Netanyahu Is Made Of
Now admittedly the left of center Israeli newspaper Haaretz rarely has anything good to say about Bibi Netanyahu. But they really take him to task for not attending Nelson Mandela's funeral. Nixing Mandela funeral as too costly, Bibi shows world what he's truly made of In his eleventh-hour decision against attending the funeral of Nelson Mandela, Benjamin Netanyahu proved … [Read more...] about What Netanyahu Is Made Of
Don’t blame religion for poltical violence
I haven't posted at TMV for a while, which is a shame, because it is where I got started writing earlier this year. I'm posting today because another TMV blogger enjoyed an article I wrote for Salon that is published below. The piece has sparked a great and fascinating (for me) debate. You can read my ripostes here, here, here and here. Religion has once again become the … [Read more...] about Don’t blame religion for poltical violence
(Update) It is Time to Play that Same Broken War-on-Christmas Record
Update: Came across this graphic on Facebook that really captures the message I tried to convey and the concept of "a picture is worth a thousand words." With credit and thanks to the unknown originator. Original Post There is nothing new about “The Faux Rage About a False War on Christmas,” by the so-called Religious Right. We had it in 2004 when Bill … [Read more...] about (Update) It is Time to Play that Same Broken War-on-Christmas Record
Book Review, Murdoch’s world: The Last of the Old Media
Murdoch’s world: The Last of the Old Media Empires’ by David Folkenflik gives us a look at Rupert Murdoch from the time his father died to the middle of 2013. Rupert Murdoch was 21 when his father died and he inherited a small regional Newspaper in Adelaide, Australia. He continued to buy other media properties over the next few years in both Australia and New Zealand slowly … [Read more...] about Book Review, Murdoch’s world: The Last of the Old Media
Waiting for Mr. Cheney’s Statement on Mandela’s Death
In a comment on a post on the death of Nelson Mandela, our Managing Editor asked for some follow-up on an article linked-to by the comment. The article in question, “Dick Cheney Didn't Regret His Vote Against Freeing Nelson Mandela, Maintained He Was A 'Terrorist',” dealt with the U.S. Congress’ efforts in 1986 to pass the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, legislation that … [Read more...] about Waiting for Mr. Cheney’s Statement on Mandela’s Death
Kremlin spin: does media overhaul herald new propaganda push? (Guest Voice)
Kremlin spin: does media overhaul herald new propaganda push? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Cars pass by the Russian RIA Novosti information agency headquarters in Moscow on Monday. The news organization, widely considered Russia's most balanced state outlet, will be folded into a newly restructured state news agency, the Kremlin announced… … [Read more...] about Kremlin spin: does media overhaul herald new propaganda push? (Guest Voice)
Adam Lanza Wrecked Obama’s Second Term
There is one certainty: at this point historians will not be calling President Barack Obama's second term "stellar." Rather, it has been the unfolding of breaking events that led to an action that had consquences. And when Adam Lanza burst into Sandy Hook Elementary and murdered 20 children and 6 adults, it set in chain a series of consquences that decimated Obama's original … [Read more...] about Adam Lanza Wrecked Obama’s Second Term
A Review of the New California Adventure and the Old Overcrowded Disneyland
I recently found myself alone with a free day in Southern California. Since I host a daily radio talk show, Disney has, on occasion, provided me free tickets to review the pleasures of all things Disney. Although I’ve visited Disney on many occasions, I had not yet seen California Adventure since the completion of its extensive remodel and the opening of Cars Land. After a long … [Read more...] about A Review of the New California Adventure and the Old Overcrowded Disneyland
Carrie Underwood: ‘Mean people need Jesus’ (Video)
Carrie Underwood: 'Mean people need Jesus' (via CNN Video) Country Superstar Carrie Underwood fires back at critics of her "Sound of Music" performance on Twitter. … [Read more...] about Carrie Underwood: ‘Mean people need Jesus’ (Video)