Navy Yard shooting: What to do about attacks on US military at home? (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Navy Yard workers, evacuated after the shooting, are reunited with loved ones at a makeshift Red Cross shelter at the Nationals Park baseball stadium near the affected naval installation in Washington, September 16, 2013. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Countless… … [Read more...] about Navy Yard shooting: What to do about attacks on US military at home?
TMV’s Featured Stories Glitch
Due to a technical glitch today and yours truly being offline all day due to extensive airline travel, the big story of the day about the Washington D.C. shootings was not always on top. It has been rectified so all of TMV's posts are now in their proper order. … [Read more...] about TMV’s Featured Stories Glitch
1 Shooter Dead, 13 Victims Dead at Washington Navy Yard (UPDATED)
UPDATE: bio info on shooter: Aaron Alexis, suspected gunman, grew up in Brooklyn with his mother, Sarah, and father, Anthony Alexis, according to his aunt Helen Weeks. from WaPo “We haven’t seen him for years,” Weeks said of her nephew in a telephone interview. “I know he was in the military. He served abroad. I think he was doing some kind of computer work.” Alexis … [Read more...] about 1 Shooter Dead, 13 Victims Dead at Washington Navy Yard (UPDATED)
Civilian Contractor Aaron Alexis ID’d as Suspect in Washington Navy Yard Shooting
BREAKING: NBC News identifies the suspect in the Washington D. C. Navy Yard shooting as Aaron Alexis, 34, originally of Ft. Worth, Texas. He is a civilian contractor. He reportedly used the ID of a former employee to gain access into the facility. Twelve people are dead and several others wounded. The death toll is expected to rise. The potential shooter was described by … [Read more...] about Civilian Contractor Aaron Alexis ID’d as Suspect in Washington Navy Yard Shooting
Russian Official Alexey Pushkov Tweets Navy Yard Shooting ‘Confirmation of American Exceptionalism’
Russia's parliamentary foreign affairs chiec Alexey Pushkov mocks Washington D.C. Navy Yard shooting in sick tweet translated: “a clear confirmation of ‘American exceptionalism," Buzzfeed reports. Here's the actual tweet translated: “A new shootout at Navy headquarters in Washington - a lone gunman and 7 corpses. Nobody’s even surprised anymore. A clear confirmation of … [Read more...] about Russian Official Alexey Pushkov Tweets Navy Yard Shooting ‘Confirmation of American Exceptionalism’
The Miss America contest, origin myths and visual triggers
A 24-year old New York woman won the Miss America contest Sunday night, giving the Empire State back-to-back victories. Nina Davuluri, who wants to become a physician like her father, is an American. But her exotic appearance reflects her heritage, which is Indian. As in India. And it was her appearance -- her brown skin, as it were -- that was immediately called out in … [Read more...] about The Miss America contest, origin myths and visual triggers
Putin’s Letter to Americans a Guilty Pleasure for the World (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
Are Americans too thin-skinned about criticism of the notion of "American exceptionalism," most recently enunciated by Russian President Vladimir Putin? For de Volkskrant of the Netherlands, columnist Thomas von der Dunk writes that despite his being an imperfect messenger, Putin's analysis of the flaw in U.S. thinking is "entirely correct." For de Volkskrant, Thomas von der … [Read more...] about Putin’s Letter to Americans a Guilty Pleasure for the World (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
What Can’t Obama Do Better?
Less than a year ago, Americans elected a President who was clearly the better choice—-an experienced, gifted, humane man who had steered the country through a tumultuous four years. Why is Barack Obama in such distress now? Domestically and around the world, he is in less control than ever, the agenda being driven by events and ruthless antagonists. On major issues, even … [Read more...] about What Can’t Obama Do Better?
Interview: “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston with Jimmy Fallon (and the MASK)
Just to illustrate what an amazing actor Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston is, watch this interview with Jimmy Fallon and listen to his "real" voice and watch the "real" person -- and you'll appreciate what how he immersed himself in the role. And watch the mask: … [Read more...] about Interview: “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston with Jimmy Fallon (and the MASK)
GREAT Breaking Bad Spoof: “Joking Bad” (Jimmy Fallon)
There are comedy classic sketches and then there are comedy classic sketches -- and here is a comedy CLASSIC sketch for the 21st century: Jimmy Fallon's spoof of "Breaking Bad," called "Joking Bad." I won't give it away but look for LOTS of surprise appearances. And don't be deceived by the opening minute or two. Watch the whole 13 minute bit. It's clear by this that Fallon … [Read more...] about GREAT Breaking Bad Spoof: “Joking Bad” (Jimmy Fallon)
Colorado’s morality lesson on guns
WASHINGTON -- You have to hand it to the gun manufacturers lobby. Children may be slaughtered, the death toll from firearms may keep mounting, but these guys are unrelenting and know how to play politics. Last week's successful recalls of two state legislators in Colorado because they supported their state's new, carefully drawn gun law gave the National Rifle … [Read more...] about Colorado’s morality lesson on guns
Potholes in disarming Assad’s chemical weapons
The Kerry-Lavrov agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons is being hailed as the big broom that will speedily start clearing up the mess but there are several potholes, which could greatly lengthen the process and keep Bashar al Assad safe from US-led military intervention. The US, France and Britain will meet in Paris tomorrow (Monday) to work on the wording of a resolution … [Read more...] about Potholes in disarming Assad’s chemical weapons
Thank you, Mr. Summers
Larry Summers has withdrawn his name from consideration for the position of Fed Chairman. Without even addressing his qualifications for the job I have to consider this a good thing for precisely the reasons that Summers cited when he withdrew. Any hearings would be contentious and there just isn't that much support for him even among Democrats. Frankly, I hope that the Obama … [Read more...] about Thank you, Mr. Summers
An Appropriate Response to a Republican House Member
And we should hear it more often. When Rep. Justin Amash (R.-MI) said that the House would be doing Obama a favor by delaying the ACA for a year the panel on ABC laughed out loud at him. He deserved it not only for that reason but for his other statement on where negotiations should start. “You can’t start where the Democrats want us to start,” he opined. “You have to … [Read more...] about An Appropriate Response to a Republican House Member
Republican hawks coo like doves (Guest Voice)
Republican hawks coo like doves (via NewsWorks) National Interest Dick [email protected] September 13, 2013 By Dick Polman The flip flops on Syria, the rhetorical U-turns, the hubris and the hesitance...but this time, I'm not referring to Team Obama. This is about the Republicans… … [Read more...] about Republican hawks coo like doves (Guest Voice)
Syria: The ‘Framework’ — Follow-up and Fallout
The “Framework” has been agreed to among a lot of fanfare -- and criticism. Now comes the hard work: Agreeing on those pesky little details and putting some meat on those framework bones. Predictably, even before the framework is totally understood, some are already picking at what they believe is a carcass. More on that later… First some follow-up on the … [Read more...] about Syria: The ‘Framework’ — Follow-up and Fallout
Frog gets caught up in Nasa rocket blastoff
Frog gets caught up in Nasa rocket blastoff (via The Inquirer) AN UNSUSPECTING FROG has found itself suddently thrown into the air, and into the greater consciousness, after hitching a perhaps unfortunate ride on a Nasa rocket exhaust plume. The frog, and we do not know its name, was frozen in time in a Nasa photograph… … [Read more...] about Frog gets caught up in Nasa rocket blastoff
Colorado floods leave hundreds unaccounted for
Colorado floods leave hundreds unaccounted for (via AFP) More than 500 stranded victims of major flooding in Colorado braced for a new round of heavy rain Sunday that is threatening to impede rescue efforts. Officials noted that many of those unaccounted for may simply not be able to telephone loved ones… … [Read more...] about Colorado floods leave hundreds unaccounted for
(Updated) Syria: Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary Kerry Discuss the ‘Framework’
Update: The following is President Obama’s Statement on the U.S.- Russian Agreement on the Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons: I welcome the progress made between the United States and Russia through our talks in Geneva, which represents an important, concrete step toward the goal of moving Syria's chemical weapons under international control so … [Read more...] about (Updated) Syria: Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary Kerry Discuss the ‘Framework’
Syria applies to join chemical weapons ban
Syrian President Bashar al Assad's government formally applied today to join the international convention prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. Here is the official statement from the United Nations: "Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Syria’s instrument of accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention The Secretary-General, in his … [Read more...] about Syria applies to join chemical weapons ban