'It's not relief work in Sudan': Streep on acting (via AFP) Meryl Streep is brilliant as a domineering, drug-addicted, cancer-suffering grandmother in her latest film "August: Osage County" but she won't pretend to have the worst job in the world. Star of the film and given a standing ovation at a pre-release… … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not relief work in Sudan’: Streep on acting in “August: Osage County”
Thanksgiving
Since my mother passed away over 10 months ago and the rest of my family lives thousands of miles away I will spend this Thanksgiving alone. It's a far cry from the Thanksgivings when I was growing up. My father had 10 brothers and sisters and we would all descend on my grandparents house on Thanksgiving. As you can imagine there were times that we numbered over a hundred. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving
Holiday Tip From JFK’s Pain Doctor
Lost in the flood of John F. Kennedy images last week was the physician who took him off crutches and into the ubiquitous Oval Office rocking chair. Janet Travell kept JFK from being bed-ridden and went on to write a two-volume medical text that has relieved the pain of millions since, “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual,” to become the bible of … [Read more...] about Holiday Tip From JFK’s Pain Doctor
A Holiday Service
The DNC offers a guide to those pesky holiday conversations with Republican relatives: http://www.yourrepublicanuncle.com/ The holiday season is filled with food, traveling, and lively discussions with Republican relatives about politics — sometimes laced with statements that are just not true. Here are the most common myths spouted by your family members who spend too much … [Read more...] about A Holiday Service
Blessed Thanksgiving To All from TMV
Dear All, we are thankful for you, the minds and hearts that fly with us on a pretty daily basis, and we wish for you a good holiday, with good memories, and for thanks to come from you about various matters of your life, but also we hope others will thank you for being in their lives, as well. This is for us all: MAY WE LAUGH Dear Brave Souls: For family dinners at … [Read more...] about Blessed Thanksgiving To All from TMV
Happy Thanksanukkah
This year we celebrate both Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah on the same day. This is the first time it has happened in over 100 yrs and it is the last time it will happen for over 75,000. So Jewish or not, have a little fun with both holidays. Spin a dreidel while waiting for the turkey to cook or nibble on some chocolate and cheese. Or, since in many … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksanukkah
Martin Bashir Crosses the Line
Is it possible to go over the already distant line of acceptable discussion often nearly crossed by polarizing left and right talkers? MSNBC's Martin Bashir did in an incident that shows us how far American political "debate" has sunk. But it's not entirely surprising. It all started when Bashir -- the journalist-turned commentator criticized by analysts for being among … [Read more...] about Martin Bashir Crosses the Line
Thanksgiving – In My Son’s Words
I was thinking of wishing our readers a Happy Thanksgiving with another one of my rambling yarns. Fortunately, my son came to your rescue by writing in his blog a little piece explaining what he is thankful for this Thanksgiving. Of course I am very biased, but I find his words very touching and appropriate, and -- with his permission and with the editors’ indulgence -- … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving – In My Son’s Words
Lara Logan and “60 Minutes” Take a Fall
In the days of Mike Wallace, “60 Minutes” was anything but tame in its reporting, going after “bad guys” with shove-a-mike-in-the-face fervor. That kind of activism got Wallace sued but never fired. Now we have Lara Logan leaving the show, along with her producer, for a “now discredited account of an important story.” Benghazi again. Logan, who was sexually assaulted by … [Read more...] about Lara Logan and “60 Minutes” Take a Fall
Report: NSA tracked online porn habits of suspected Muslim “radicalizers”
The latest report via The Huffington Post co-authored by Glenn Greenwald suggests that NSA was watching an activity of suspected Muslim "radicalizers" online -- and got an eyefull. The agency was following their online porn-viewing activity, in the hopes to discredit them: The National Security Agency has been gathering records of online sexual activity and evidence of … [Read more...] about Report: NSA tracked online porn habits of suspected Muslim “radicalizers”
Angst With Historic Precedent
David Runciman traces our current political angst back to de Tocqueville in the Chronicle of Higher Education (h/t Andrew Sullivan). The history of modern democracy is a tale of steady success accompanied by the constant drumbeat of anticipated failure. The intellectual commentator who first spotted this distinctive feature of democratic life (and who did most to explain it) … [Read more...] about Angst With Historic Precedent
Dinesh D’Souza: Thankful America Will Survive ‘Grown-Up Trayvon’ in White House
commentator and author of "2016: Obama's America" Dinesh D'Souza tweeted his thankfulness that America will recover from having who he considers as the adult version of the late Trayvon Martin in the White House. “I am thankful this week when I remember that America is big enough and great enough to survive Grown-Up Trayvon in the White House!” Never mind the fact that … [Read more...] about Dinesh D’Souza: Thankful America Will Survive ‘Grown-Up Trayvon’ in White House
Why the N.S.A. May Know More Than You Think
If you thought your search history, text messages or anything else on your devices was private, think again. Recent reports suggest the N.S.A. could know virtually everything about us — especially things that can be found out from our activity online and on our phones. This may not come as a surprise to some of us. With ramped up airport security and invasive T.S.A. screenings, … [Read more...] about Why the N.S.A. May Know More Than You Think
Obama Administration Seeks to Rein in ‘Dark Money’ Groups Like Crossroads GPS
The Obama administration is seeking to rein in the 'dark money' groups that spend millions in political campaigns without divulging their donor information. It's about time. In draft guidance to be issued by Treasury and the IRS, the administration proposes new standards for tax-exempt groups like the Karl Rove-linked Crossroads GPS and Organizing for Action, the offshoot of … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Seeks to Rein in ‘Dark Money’ Groups Like Crossroads GPS
“Wag the Dog” Revival Over Iran Talks
Devious is the new normal in Washington, which is replaying a movie satire with a straight face over the Iran talks. In 1997 Hollywood made the hilarious “Wag the Dog,” about its own spin doctors trumping up a fake war to save a real President from scandal. Now the clowns in DC are redoing the script with a nuclear future at stake instead of a phony confrontation with … [Read more...] about “Wag the Dog” Revival Over Iran Talks
Revisiting Presidential Succession
This is a topic I have been posting on over the last few years and I thought it time to one again revisit the issue since it has still not been resolved. Specifically the concept of Presidential succession and the need to reflect the reality of the post 9/11 era Under the terms of the 1947 act if there is no President or Vice President the office next passes to the Speaker … [Read more...] about Revisiting Presidential Succession
Sea Level Likely To Rise One Meter By 2100, Threatening Coastal Cities (Largest Ocean Science Survey Ever)
Sea Level Likely To Rise One Meter By 2100, Threatening Coastal Cities (Largest Ocean Science Survey Ever) (via Planetsave) If greenhouse gas emissions remain at current levels, global sea-level rise will by 70 to 120 centimeters by 2100, according to the results of a new survey of 90 of the world’s most active ocean and climate scientists. The survey was conducted by… … [Read more...] about Sea Level Likely To Rise One Meter By 2100, Threatening Coastal Cities (Largest Ocean Science Survey Ever)
Who’s The Driver? Benghazi, Laura Logan, Woodward & Bernstein [Guest Voice]
Opinion By J. Gordon Mills [a/k/a commenter from TMV] : I blame Woodward and Bernstein. Well, almost. Since those two intrepid reporters latched onto a story – a real story – about corruption at the highest levels that led to the unprecedented resignation of a President, journalistic hacks have been attempting to duplicate their success. If you could find a story … [Read more...] about Who’s The Driver? Benghazi, Laura Logan, Woodward & Bernstein [Guest Voice]
Obama’s foreign forays: risky but worth it
In measured steps, President Barack Obama is taking big foreign policy risks that could literally change the world and America’s position in it -- if navigated to safe harbor. The first risk was Secretary of State John Kerry’s seemingly unrewarding entry into the Israel-Palestine hornet’s nest. The second was the reopening of conversation with Teheran after over three … [Read more...] about Obama’s foreign forays: risky but worth it
Pope Francis Calls Unfettered Capitalism ‘Tyranny’ (Guest Voice)
Pope Francis Calls Unfettered Capitalism ‘Tyranny’ (via Moyers & Company) Earlier this month, Laurie Goodstein reported for The New York Times that Pope Francis’ softer rhetoric on hot-button social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage were causing conservative Catholics no small amount of chagrin. It looks like they… … [Read more...] about Pope Francis Calls Unfettered Capitalism ‘Tyranny’ (Guest Voice)