If there had been an Internet and TV during World War II, would we still be honoring the Greatest Generation? If there had been millions of voices beyond the newspapers, radio and movies that informed us back then, could there have been a nation united in a common cause? On the eve of Veterans Day, 60 Minutes issues an apology for its reporting on Benghazi, one incident in … [Read more...] about The Benghazing of Veterans Day
Ted Cruz: the guy no one likes
Given that reality, it will be interesting to see how far America lets a creep like this guy go. Will Ted Cruz, the guy about whom everyone has something bad to report, get into the big time? In the US Senate, the Tea Party Republican from Texas has continued to seek out a spot at center stage. His enemies — and he has many, including some in his own party — … [Read more...] about Ted Cruz: the guy no one likes
Bicyclists and the American right of way (Guest Voice)
The American right-of-way (via The Economist) ONION-LIKE though its title may be, Daniel Duane's opinion piece in Sunday's New York Times, "Is It OK To Kill Cyclists?", is in deadly earnest. As Mr Duane writes, motorists in America generally receive no punishment whatsoever for crashing into or… … [Read more...] about Bicyclists and the American right of way (Guest Voice)
To our Veterans: you honored us and you deserve better
Unlike my good friend Paul Elam, who is himself a US Army veteran, I do not believe the majority of wars America has fought in the last 75 or so years (the real ones, not the phony ones like the War On Drugs) have been fought for commerce or imperialism or any of those other things we commonly hear asserted in "liberal" and libertarian circles. Indeed, I find it incredibly … [Read more...] about To our Veterans: you honored us and you deserve better
Book Review: “The Kennedy Half-Century: The Presidency, Assassination, and Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy” by Larry Sabato
Editor's Note: This review will remain top left of TMV until Nov. 26. It has been 50 years since the Nov. 22 assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and the anniversary is marked by a flood of new books. Quite of a few are conspiracy theory books that make their case and seem almost dismissive of other theories or the official conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was the … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The Kennedy Half-Century: The Presidency, Assassination, and Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy” by Larry Sabato
Veterans Day: We Remember
Because of their war-incurred illnesses, injuries -- both physical and mental -- and many other consequences of our wars and conflicts, for many veterans there is not much to celebrate on their Day. But that should not keep us from remembering and celebrating their service, achievements, heroism and, certainly, their sacrifices. Co-blogger Ron Beasley remembers his … [Read more...] about Veterans Day: We Remember
The center strikes back
A mere month ago, it seemed as if America's political center was on life support, and maybe even dead. Not anymore. Today, the center is striking back. How did it happen? First, we saw a parade of polls showing the Republican Party and the Tea Party suffering devastating hits due to last month's 16-day Republican-engineered government shutdown, which Standard and Poor's … [Read more...] about The center strikes back
Thanks (Veterans Day Cartoon)
Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Thanks (Veterans Day Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: Sarah Palin on moderation
If you wondered why many who write here on The Moderate Voice and read TMV don't like Sarah Palin, you have the answer in this quote by Palin on the Today Show today: “If you look at the result of the election, isn’t the message to the tea party that the middle ground, not the far right, is the most fertile ground for upcoming elections?” the Today host asked. “When you … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Sarah Palin on moderation
Do you earn more money than a Somali pirate?
Do you earn more money than a Somali pirate? (via GlobalPost) Enlarge NAIROBI, Kenya — Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been at a low ebb this year but the boat-borne bandits have had a good run, raking in over $400 million in ransom payments since 2005. That's according to a new report authored by the World… … [Read more...] about Do you earn more money than a Somali pirate?
The Supreme Court Episode 2: Town Of Greece v. Galloway (1st Amendment)
This is the 2nd post in my series on the US Supreme Court, please feel free to go back and review last weeks posting and of course I welcome feedback on how to improve the series and make it more helpful to the reader. Today we will be taking a look at the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment and the issue of public prayer. As noted above the case name (should you wish … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Episode 2: Town Of Greece v. Galloway (1st Amendment)
Media Ghouls to Mark JFK’s Death Over His Life
Months after her husband was assassinated, Jacqueline Kennedy said to me, “It’s so sad he’s being remembered more for how he died than what he lived for.” A half-century later, her rueful remark is more apt than ever. Last October on its fiftieth anniversary, JFK’s greatest accomplishment, averting nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, passed with barely a public … [Read more...] about Media Ghouls to Mark JFK’s Death Over His Life
Veterans Day
It is another Veterans Day and as usual I would like to remember my late father. He served in the India/Burma campaign during WWII. He was there for over 3 years and was awarded a Bronze Star. ( he is the second one from the left) He didn't talk much about the war. He was not wounded but came back with multiple fungal diseases that took years to clear up. He received the … [Read more...] about Veterans Day
What’s the matter with motherhood?
WASHINGTON -- If you're a conservative strongly opposed to abortion, shouldn't you want to give all the help you can to women who want to bring their children into the world? In particular, wouldn't you hope they'd get the proper medical attention during and after their pregnancy? This would seem a safe assumption, which is why it ought to be astonishing that … [Read more...] about What’s the matter with motherhood?
Mariska Hargitay: A Hollywood star for an actress – and activist
Mariska Hargitay: A Hollywood star for an actress – and activist (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Mariska Hargitay is known by millions for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." For her 14 years on the NBC series (where she's won an Emmy and Golden Globe award), Hargitay was presented the 2,511th star on the… … [Read more...] about Mariska Hargitay: A Hollywood star for an actress – and activist
Republican civil war: Bring the whole party down
The Republican establishment went into last week’s off-year elections believing that the tea party insurrectionists who have ripped apart the GOP in recent years would suffer enough damage to force them into some kind of retreat. But no one thinks that happened. The expectation now is that the long-running internal battle for the soul of the party will continue deep into … [Read more...] about Republican civil war: Bring the whole party down
Bob Ford (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 Bob Ford (Cartoon)
Christie’s Jersey Win Belies Chinks In His National Armor
In New Jersey, Election Day has come and gone and for Governor Chris Christie, there was no "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment. The Governor was declared the winner at 8:01 PM, the moment after the polls closed, giving a formal rite of passage to what has been anything but under the radar before: speculation about his national future. But on a night of triumph, there were … [Read more...] about Christie’s Jersey Win Belies Chinks In His National Armor
Happy Sesame Street Day !
On November 10, 1969 a little show debuted and more than 40 years later the magic continues. Whether you watched this show on your own, watched it with your children or had the double pleasure of doing both it has certainly brought all of us plenty of sunny days. May it never go out of … [Read more...] about Happy Sesame Street Day !
Four Don’ts for Christie in 2016
Conservative columnist Ross Douthat issues four cautions to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for a potential 2016 Presidential run in The New York Times. Don’t be Jon Huntsman. For the next two years, you’re going to be hailed up and down the Acela Corridor as the Great Moderate Hope, the anti-Tea Party candidate, the Man Who Is Not Ted Cruz. But you can’t actively embrace … [Read more...] about Four Don’ts for Christie in 2016