Not too harsh (via The Economist) WHEN a judge last month convicted Bradley Manning of violating the Espionage Act, she seemed to be siding with those who view the army private as a duplicitous traitor, rather than a patriotic whistle-blower. Sure, she cleared him of the gravest charge… … [Read more...] about Not too harsh (Guest Voice)
Inside the ‘ALEC Universe’ (Guest Voice)
Inside the ‘ALEC Universe’ (via Moyers & Company) Representative Chris Taylor is a Democrat elected to the Wisconsin legislature in 2011. Last week, she attended the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) annual conference in Chicago. Writing about her experience at The Progressive magazine’… … [Read more...] about Inside the ‘ALEC Universe’ (Guest Voice)
Kirchick blasts Russia’s anti-gay laws, on Russian-funded network (Video)
It was a scene right out of a movie. But, no, if it was in a movie you'd think it was too dramatic. Real life could never unfold that way, but it did. American reporter, columnist and activist James Kirchick was on government-funded Russia Today from Sweden, brought on as talking head to discuss the then-upcoming verdict on Bradley Manning for leaking documents to Wikileaks. … [Read more...] about Kirchick blasts Russia’s anti-gay laws, on Russian-funded network (Video)
Iowa County GOP Official Quits Because the Party is too Conservative
Chad Brown resigned from his position as co-chairman of the Polk County Republican Party in Iowa, telling the Des Moines Register "the GOP has become too conservative and is condoning “hateful” rhetoric". He believes the Christian Right and the NRA have undue influence in the party and is disappointed that too few Republicans are expressing public disapproval of Steve King's … [Read more...] about Iowa County GOP Official Quits Because the Party is too Conservative
Dentist attempting to clone John Lennon with a tooth
Could murdered onetime Beatle John Lennon rise again -- due to an old, decaying tooth? Yes, if Canadian dentist Michael Zuk has something about it. This deals with the dentist looking at cloning (you know the drill): A rotten tooth from the mouth of former Beatles member John Lennon has made its way into the hands of Canadian dentist Michael Zuk, who, in what sounds like … [Read more...] about Dentist attempting to clone John Lennon with a tooth
Senate Landscape Portends Close Battle For Control
At this point in 2011, I was fairly convinced a 50-50 tie in the Senate would result. Massachusetts, I surmised, would go the Democrats way but Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota would fall, thereby creating a 50-50 split. The Democrats did pick up Massachusetts, but, defying most odds, held everything but Nebraska. And Olympia Snowe's retirement in Maine gave … [Read more...] about Senate Landscape Portends Close Battle For Control
WikiLeaks source Manning sentenced to 35 years
WikiLeaks source Manning sentenced to 35 years (via AFP) A military court sentenced US army soldier Bradley Manning to 35 years in jail Wednesday for passing WikiLeaks the biggest leak of official secrets in American history. Manning could be freed on parole within a decade and his lawyer David Coombs said… … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks source Manning sentenced to 35 years
Holy Mother, Hear My Prayer, Clapton & Pavarotti
Eric Clapton wrote it, sings it, Pavarotti the Great, joins in half way through with his voice of such towering power and majesty. The guitar riffs are perfection, the tone and cri de coeur -- there are words, but there are no words to describe. For all the innocents of our world. May they be kept safe. May those who have died, remember no pain, only beauty and Love. Holy … [Read more...] about Holy Mother, Hear My Prayer, Clapton & Pavarotti
What I have been reading since February 2013
My last post on TMV was on January 14, 2013. I now have returned after a lengthy hiatus. Two months ago in June, my spouse, our 14-year-old son and I moved within the city of Phoenix to another high school district, which also happened to be closer to her employer of the past 5 years. Last week, our son started high school despite the weather in Phoenix being consistently … [Read more...] about What I have been reading since February 2013
Damascus, Syria, Gassing of Innocents. Give Us Names of Perpetrators, Witnesses, the Murdered
The news comes in today; we wait for verifications. Yet, we could go back five years, ten, twenty, seventy years and see the images of the innocent dead in most every country of the world. Today, yesterday, since forever, the death of one child, let alone many children is devastating to my soul. As it is a blowtorch to the minds and hearts and spirits and souls of many … [Read more...] about Damascus, Syria, Gassing of Innocents. Give Us Names of Perpetrators, Witnesses, the Murdered
Poll: Louisiana Republicans blame Katrina response on Obama
This is no joke. It is not from The Onion and not written by Andy Borowitz. And it shows you how hateful, illogical, and demonizing partisanship has gotten in this country. I can't even run the usual "Twight Zone" graphic here since its troubling for our democracy. A poll finds a good chunk of Louisiana GOPers blame the governments poor response to Hurricane Katrina on Barack … [Read more...] about Poll: Louisiana Republicans blame Katrina response on Obama
Phone Call from Coco Chanel, Fashion Icon
Nothing can make you feel more ancient than a celebration of the 130th birthday of someone you knew. So it is with fashion icon Coco Chanel, remembered not only for her elegant clothes and the scent Chanel No. 5 but her wisdom about women’s lives that I helped spread with a monthly column in an America magazine half a century ago. It started during the “youthquake” of the … [Read more...] about Phone Call from Coco Chanel, Fashion Icon
BREAKING: 1200 killed in Damascas chemical attack Syrian opposition charges (Video footage)
A new report coming out of Syria suggests an escalation in the method of brutality the Syrian government will use against it's citizens: according to CBS News, and other reports (including some graphic ones from eyewitnesses), the Syrian opposition says the governnment killed 12000 in a chemical attack in Damascas: The Syrian opposition said Wednesday that state security … [Read more...] about BREAKING: 1200 killed in Damascas chemical attack Syrian opposition charges (Video footage)
The Looming Pension Crisis
States, counties, cities, and other public entities face huge deficits in pensions and promised health care benefits that cumulatively add up to trillions of dollars. Detroit’s bankruptcy was fueled to a large degree by its pension and health care shortfalls, with billions owed to its workers and retirees that were not supported by adequate funding. All of the major cities in … [Read more...] about The Looming Pension Crisis
Three Oklahoma teens shot Australian baseball player because they could
Everybody has moments when they're bored. But according to police in Oklahoma, three teens in Duncan, Oklahoma, decided to shoot Australian baseballer Chris Lane who was jogginb nearby. Because, police said, they were bored. Because they could. When police asked why they murdered Lane, one of the teens said the motive was "We were going to kill somebody." And now … [Read more...] about Three Oklahoma teens shot Australian baseball player because they could
Lyme Disease: More Common Than Once Thought?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, Lyme Disease may be 10 times more prevalent than once believed. Although according to their report, most of the cases are still to be found primarily in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. … [Read more...] about Lyme Disease: More Common Than Once Thought?
Enter the Real Racists, Masks Off
The news from Oklahoma isn't good. Three teenage thugs allegedly murder an Australian baseball player. But that is NOT what our Right Wing blogging klansmen see (highlighted in pink): (And, please note that I'll be proving that "klansmen" is not a slur, but an accurate usage below). click for original The one that really jumps out, of course is: "Greg Pollowitz … [Read more...] about Enter the Real Racists, Masks Off
Conservationists, Scientists Outraged by Japanese Dolphin Hunt
Conservationists, Scientists Outraged by Japanese Dolphin Hunt (via Environment News Service) Conservationists, Scientists Outraged by Japanese Dolphin Hunt WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2006 (ENS) – Conservationists, scientists and zoo and aquarium professionals have renewed efforts to stop Japan’s annual dolphin hunt, which began this… … [Read more...] about Conservationists, Scientists Outraged by Japanese Dolphin Hunt
GOP isn’t dying, but it will have to reach moderate voters to survive (Guest Voice)
GOP isn't dying, but it will have to reach moderate voters to survive (via The Christian Science Monitor) Sen. Rand Paul (R) of Kentucky addresses the 114th annual VFW National Convention in Louisville, Ky., July 22. Mr. Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie recently swapped insults on each other's view for the GOP. Op-ed contributor Amy E. Black writes… … [Read more...] about GOP isn’t dying, but it will have to reach moderate voters to survive (Guest Voice)
Are Republicans finally giving up their mission to kill ObamaCare?
Are Republicans finally giving up their mission to kill ObamaCare? Many in the party won't come out and flatly say it, but it sounds as if it's moving in that direction. … [Read more...] about Are Republicans finally giving up their mission to kill ObamaCare?