Advertising genius Jerry Della Femina once wrote a gag slogan for a Japanese electronics client, “From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor.” Now in grim deliberations over Syria, the folks who gave us Iraq are back. Whatever venom the poison gas issue has sprayed over American politics, it has revivified some of George W. Bush’s cocky crusaders from that … [Read more...] about Bush Neo-Cons Return to Set Obama Straight
Here’s the Best Way to Tell Congress Your Opinion on Syria
Here's the Best Way to Tell Congress Your Opinion on Syria (via PBS News Hour) By: Jordan Vesey House Speaker John Boehner on Tuesday said he will support President Barack Obama's call for the U.S. to take action against Syria for alleged chemical weapons use. Do you agree with him? Tell your congressperson what you think.On Saturday… … [Read more...] about Here’s the Best Way to Tell Congress Your Opinion on Syria
On Syria, the wrong questions
WASHINGTON -- Congress is asking the wrong questions about Syria. The issue can't be who wins the civil war. It has to be whether the regime of Bashar al-Assad should be punished for using chemical weapons -- and, if the answer is yes, whether there is any effective means of punishment other than a U.S. military strike. Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of … [Read more...] about On Syria, the wrong questions
Yes: America Does Have Talent (Watch This Girl)
YES America DOES have talent. Watch a young girl with pizazz do "I Enjoy Being a Girl" from Flower Drum Song: The definitive version of this was done by Pat Suzuki in the original cast: And then Nancy Kwan did a great version of it in the 1961 box-office flop version of the musical: REPOSTED (publish date changed) by popular request from April 8, 2011 … [Read more...] about Yes: America Does Have Talent (Watch This Girl)
GOP Lawmaker Brings Fried Chicken to Poverty Hearing in ‘Silent Protest’
You have to increasingly ask yourself: do Republicans truly want to keep doing things, enabling, or refuse to repudiate actions and comments by their party members that will continue to work to brand them as a party with zero concern over the sensibilities of groups not in their coalition? And you have to ask yourself, do Republican Party establishment types realize how … [Read more...] about GOP Lawmaker Brings Fried Chicken to Poverty Hearing in ‘Silent Protest’
Reagan Revisionism. Does it have limits?
In yet another example of virtual worship of Ronald Reagan at the expense of the facts a Republican Reprentative claims that President Reagan would never have stood for Syria's use of nerve gas. In reality during the Reagan administration Iraq used various gas weapons against the Iranians during their long war without a peep being heard from the U.S. … [Read more...] about Reagan Revisionism. Does it have limits?
Alec Baldwin set to host weekly MSNBC show
MSNBC is continuing its branding as the anti-Fox: a network that offers to liberals (who have shunned the word and now call themselves progressives) what Fox News offers to conservatives (who repeat the word "conservative" as if that instantly means its good and wise, and whose efforts to discredit the word "liberal" apparently worked). Baldwin clearly has pizazz, an opinion … [Read more...] about Alec Baldwin set to host weekly MSNBC show
A few green shoots of reality
It appears that the U.S. Congress may not approve Syrian military actions as proposed by the Obama Administration. The Senate might ratify some type of limited authorization but many sources strongly indicate there are insufficient votes at this time in the House to approve limited air strikes against targets of the Assad Government. Last week in TMV, I wrote about my … [Read more...] about A few green shoots of reality
Mankind’s global warming plays role in extreme weather
Mankind's global warming plays role in extreme weather (via AFP) Climate change caused by human use of fossil fuels played a role in about a half dozen extreme weather events last year, international scientists said Thursday. A team of experts examined 12 wild weather episodes in 2012, from droughts in the United… … [Read more...] about Mankind’s global warming plays role in extreme weather
Report: War authorization likely to fail at this point
Is President Barack Obama's attempt to get Congress to authorize a limited missle strike on Syria doomed to defeat? According to a report in The Huffington Post, it is most assuredly heading that way: This sucker could go down. And unlike the Wall Street bailout, there is unlikely to be a do-over. A resolution authorizing military force against Syria barely made it out … [Read more...] about Report: War authorization likely to fail at this point
Is it John Bohener “to go”?
"Everybody around him thinks this is his last term."...HuffPo John Boehner, say some Congress watchers who usually know more than you and me, will leave next year. Not leave Washington, just move to the big money side -- according to commentators at HuffPo. Despite the effort by Boehner to tamp down speculation that he will depart the House after the 2014 … [Read more...] about Is it John Bohener “to go”?
Congress Comes Alive in Debating Mass Death
After six years of aimless dysfunction and deadlock about the lives of Americans, members of both parties are alert and attentive (even as McCain plays iPhone poker) while debating death, past and future, in a nation of 20-some million people half a world away. Suddenly gone from discussion are previously overriding issues of government power and spending in favor of such … [Read more...] about Congress Comes Alive in Debating Mass Death
Quote of the Day: Saving Obama from himself
We've run a wide variety of viewpoints on the proposed limited military strike on Syria here on TMV, and TMV writers are divided on the issue. Our political Quote of the Day is actually a full post by Andrew Sullivan who makes the case against the strike. Some key portions: The next couple of weeks will be full of surprises, twists and turns, as this country debates in its … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Saving Obama from himself
The I.R.S. and “Social Welfare” Groups
The uproar over the supposed targeting of conservative “social welfare” groups by the I.R.S. that came to light earlier this year appears to have died down a bit. Congressional Republicans have found other areas on which to focus their wrath such as the budget and extending the debt ceiling. However, questions remain about how the I.R.S. handles the tax obligations of the … [Read more...] about The I.R.S. and “Social Welfare” Groups
Gut feeling: Richard III had intestinal worms
Gut feeling: Richard III had intestinal worms (via AFP) "Thy broken faith hath made the prey for worms," evil Richard III is told by an accuser in Shakespeare's drama. The outburst turns out to be true in more ways than the playwright could ever have imagined. Scientists have discovered that the hunchback… … [Read more...] about Gut feeling: Richard III had intestinal worms
Obama and Putin’s seats will be separated at G-20
They do it in schools when little kids don't get along. So why shouldn't they do it at a big world leaders meeting when the big kids can't get along? President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin will now be sitting further apart than originally expected. Those eager for a potentially awkward photo op of President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir … [Read more...] about Obama and Putin’s seats will be separated at G-20
Syria and the return of dissent
WASHINGTON -- The debate over Syria is a jumble of metaphors, proof that every discussion of military action involves an argument about the last war. Yet beneath the surface, the fight in Congress over President Obama's proposed strike against Bashar al-Assad's regime is a struggle to break free from earlier syndromes to set a new course. Obama himself is using the … [Read more...] about Syria and the return of dissent
Boehner refuses to meet Russian lobbying group on Syria
Top US Republican rejects Russia meet on Syria (via AFP) John Boehner, the top Republican in the US House of Representatives, has rejected a request to meet a Russian delegation to discuss Syria, his spokesman said Wednesday. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed plans to send… … [Read more...] about Boehner refuses to meet Russian lobbying group on Syria
(Video) Bill Maher Slams “Racist” Donald Trump on Leno
The feud between comedian Bill Maher and America's Birther In Chief, millionaire and media celebrity Donald Trump goes on -- this time with Maher slamming Trump on Leno. Prediction: Trump will respond with dozens of cutting Tweets and Maher will likely get sued (again): … [Read more...] about (Video) Bill Maher Slams “Racist” Donald Trump on Leno
Pledge of Allegiance: ‘under God’ under legal challenge in Massachusetts
Pledge of Allegiance: 'under God' under threat in Massachusetts (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) First grade students recite the Pledge of Allegiance at Walton Rural Life Center Elementary School in Walton, Kansas, earlier this year. The use of the phrase 'under God' is being challenged in the Massachusetts Supreme Court. (Jeff Tuttle/Reuters/File… … [Read more...] about Pledge of Allegiance: ‘under God’ under legal challenge in Massachusetts