[Note: This column was released August 1 but inadvertantly didn't get on TMV.] WASHINGTON -- It's not your imagination. The Republican Party really does seem to have taken leave of its senses. The House GOP majority has decided that its final act before the summer recess will be to take its 40th vote to repeal all or part of the Patient Protection and … [Read more...] about The party of (nutty) ideas
Kremlin Cannot Promise to Lift ‘Gay Propaganda Ban’ at Sochi (Kommersant, Russia)
Can Russia hold the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi without enforcing local laws against 'homosexual propaganda'? According to this news item from Russia's Kommersant, not only is it unlikely that such laws can be legally abrogated, but at least some local political leaders defiantly insist that events like the Olympics are precisely the time to enforce them. For Kommersant, … [Read more...] about Kremlin Cannot Promise to Lift ‘Gay Propaganda Ban’ at Sochi (Kommersant, Russia)
Iran’s Rouhani could help against al Qaeda
Hopes that new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will defuse nuclear tensions with the White House are overdone but he could be a back door to containing al Qaeda in Syria and improving prospects for Secretary of State John Kerry’s Mideast peace talks. At his inauguration today, Rouhani very clearly stated his position towards the US and Europe. “To have interactions with … [Read more...] about Iran’s Rouhani could help against al Qaeda
CNN: Intercepted al Qaeda message led to shuttering embassies, consulates
CNN reports that an intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closings of embassies and consulates. Again, as I noted in another post, the reports how about the "chatter" is eerily similar to news stories leading up to 9/11 -- stories that didn't get major play at the time but most assuredly will in a post-911 world: An intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives in … [Read more...] about CNN: Intercepted al Qaeda message led to shuttering embassies, consulates
(Video) How to make a big sausage milk shake
This is definitely not kosher. Instructions on how to make a "big sausage milk shake." ENJOY! … [Read more...] about (Video) How to make a big sausage milk shake
Snowden’s Journey (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 Snowden’s Journey (Cartoon)
State Department Update Statement on Embassy and Consulate Closure (Full Text)
Here's the full text of an update statement issued by the State Department on today's embassy and consulate closures: Press Statement Jen Psaki Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC August 4, 2013 Given that a number of our embassies and consulates were going to be closed in accordance with local custom and practice for the bulk of the week for the … [Read more...] about State Department Update Statement on Embassy and Consulate Closure (Full Text)
In India, lawbreakers are lawmakers
In India, lawbreakers are lawmakers (via GlobalPost) Enlarge NEW DELHI, India — To ensure a quorum, India's legislature ought to consider moving its sessions to the local clink. A staggering 162 out of 543 honorable members of India's lower house face criminal charges, according to a new report by the… … [Read more...] about In India, lawbreakers are lawmakers
Mitch McConnell, Alison Lundergan Grimes make the cases at Fancy Farm
In Kentucky it's the day today for the 113rd Fancy Fram political forum -- not to be confused with the funny arm (Congress). The political class has been waiting with Listerine-required baited breath for this event, because it is pitting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell against his Democratic challenger Allisan Lundergran Grimes. Would McConnell make short work of … [Read more...] about Mitch McConnell, Alison Lundergan Grimes make the cases at Fancy Farm
Compelling view that Republicans are screwed… long term
Howell Raines reviews an analysis of the 2012 campaign by the Washington Post's Dan Balz. Balz is clear about the Dems' current political assets, including a serious lead in the party's use of technology. Balz argues that the 2012 “collision” between President Obama and Romney set the pattern for future contests in several ways, starting with a nation hatefully and … [Read more...] about Compelling view that Republicans are screwed… long term
Climate Change Will Exacerbate Violence Around The World, Research Finds
Climate Change Will Exacerbate Violence Around The World, Research Finds (via Clean Technica) Climate change will exacerbate violence around the world, increasing levels of both personal violence and social upheaval, according to new research from Princeton University and the University of California–Berkeley. Throughout history, even slight… … [Read more...] about Climate Change Will Exacerbate Violence Around The World, Research Finds
Snowden’s New Home (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 Snowden’s New Home (Cartoon)
Digital company buying Newsweek
Digital company buying US publication Newsweek (via AFP) The once-influential US publication Newsweek is being sold to the all-digital news publisher IBT Media, the company said. Terms of the deal were not disclosed as the transaction is expected to close "in the coming days," the IBT statement read. IBT… … [Read more...] about Digital company buying Newsweek
Sen. Charles Schumer: Russian President Vladimir Putin “Behaving Like a School Yard Bully” on Snowden Asylum
Sen. Chuck Schumer accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of "behaving like a school yard bully" in granting fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden temporary asylum, and urged President Obama to cancel a bilateral meeting between the two leaders next month. Does calling out Putin accomplish anything? “The relationship between the United States and Russia is more poisonous than … [Read more...] about Sen. Charles Schumer: Russian President Vladimir Putin “Behaving Like a School Yard Bully” on Snowden Asylum
Official: Al Qaeda Planned “Big” and “Stragetically Significant” Attack (UPDATED)
As two dozen American embassies are closed in the wake of an intercepted Al Qaeda threat, an official has told ABC News that the terrorists had been communicating about a "big" and "strategically significant" attack. Deja vu: during the summer of 2011 there were reports about chatter about a big attack -- ending in 9/11. Is the U.S. prepared this time? (UPDATE) And CBS News … [Read more...] about Official: Al Qaeda Planned “Big” and “Stragetically Significant” Attack (UPDATED)
Excuse our posting glitch
Due to some scheduling and travel glitches, TMV is late in being updated this morning. Please excuse the delay in providing our usual mix of content offering a buffet of stories and viewpoints. Refresh TMV often today to see the latest. … [Read more...] about Excuse our posting glitch
New York Times sells Boston Globe to baseball team owner
New York Times sells Boston Globe to baseball team owner (via AFP) The New York Times Company announced on Saturday that it has agreed to sell The Boston Globe newspaper for $70 million cash to the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. The Times, the premier US newspaper, is selling The Globe for a fraction… … [Read more...] about New York Times sells Boston Globe to baseball team owner
Full Text of State Department’s Worldwide Terrorism Travel Alert
Here's the full text of the State Department's worldwide terrorism travel alert: August 02, 2013 The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated … [Read more...] about Full Text of State Department’s Worldwide Terrorism Travel Alert
Despite an absence of groundswell, drawing a line in the sand and reaping the whirlwind
House Republicans will go down in ignominy, battered by a foul wind of metaphors, if nothing else. The Hill reports on the effort to destroy Obamacare. So far, a groundswell in favor of drawing a line in the sand over healthcare has yet to emerge. In interviews, several members cited a finding by the Congressional Research Service that because the healthcare law’s … [Read more...] about Despite an absence of groundswell, drawing a line in the sand and reaping the whirlwind
Could Mitch McConnell actually lose?
There has been a sea of stories about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's mounting political problems in his home state. But could he really lose? GO HERE for a balanced take on it. … [Read more...] about Could Mitch McConnell actually lose?