Historic Tidbit: Perhaps the nastiest race in South Carolina came in 1978, as Max Heller, the enormously popular Democratic Mayor of Greenville faced State representative Carroll Campbell for an open Congressional seat. Heller had escaped Austria shortly before Hitler had invaded. Campbell's consultant Arthur Finkelstein, who is Jewish, conducted surveys for Campbell, which … [Read more...] about John Buchanan an Alabama GOP Rarity: A Conservative Who Moderated
Morton Downey, Jr.: The man who set the stage for Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity
What do right-wing gabbers Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh have in common with cacophonous passion-play reality shows like Jersey Shore? The answer: combative TV talk show pioneer Morton Downey, Jr., the chain-smoking son of a famous early 20th century Irish tenor. For two years in the late 1980s, Downey soared to TV stardom and then crashed and burned — leaving … [Read more...] about Morton Downey, Jr.: The man who set the stage for Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity
Hillary’s Lively Hibernation is Paying Off
The former First Lady/Secretary of State may be out of the news, but she’s not lolling around on a hammock to catch up on summer reading. Hillary Clinton’s hibernation includes time in New York and Washington offices, working on Obama-years memoirs and traveling around the country giving speeches at $200,000 each, arranged by the same agent who wheels out Dick Cheney at … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Lively Hibernation is Paying Off
Leading Brazilians Condemn U.S. Surveillance Against the Nation (O Globo, Brazil)
The Snowden affair is more than a potential film for people abroad, who, if we are to believe the NSA, are the sole targets of its newly-exposed alphabet-soup of surveillance programs. Last week, Brazil became the latest nation highlighted in documents released by Edward Snowden, and people in that country are genuinely angry about it. This column from O Globo quotes some … [Read more...] about Leading Brazilians Condemn U.S. Surveillance Against the Nation (O Globo, Brazil)
Surveillance and F.I.S.A.
With Edward Snowden’s release of government data on the surveillance of American citizens and those abroad, people have been concerned about invasion of their privacy, with ”big brother” snooping on their emails and phone calls. Government officials have claimed that what they are doing is legal and that in order to actually look at specific communications they have to have … [Read more...] about Surveillance and F.I.S.A.
Chapman and Snowden in: ‘The Ghost of Sheremetyevo’ (Gazeta, Russia)
There is little doubt that the real-life story of Edward Snowden - to the degree that we know what that is - is worthy of cinema. Last week we translated 'Edward Snowden is No Enemy of Our State' from the Wiener Zeitung of Austria, which likened the saga to Enemy of the State starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Today, for Russia's Gazeta, columnist Natalia Gevorkyan offers … [Read more...] about Chapman and Snowden in: ‘The Ghost of Sheremetyevo’ (Gazeta, Russia)
The Barney Generation
One of the hallmarks of a civilized society is how they treat their less fortunate members. From the earliest days of American society we have tried to meet that noble goal. There has always been an unspoken understanding that ‘Society should provide the less fortunate with their basic needs’. This goal is correct and proper and I strongly support the basic premise. However … [Read more...] about The Barney Generation
Some Thoughts On Love
From the wisdom of Kahlil Gibran Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love. When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, I am in the heart of God.” And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Love
Summer 2013: Successes and Setbacks Of The Anti-Choice Movement
Anti-choice leadership has had several legislative wins across the United States this summer as well as court setbacks. When the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v Wade, it made abortion legal "until the fetus is viable outside the womb, which is often around 24 weeks into pregnancy." Opponents to all abortion, which has remained steady at about 1-in-5 Americans … [Read more...] about Summer 2013: Successes and Setbacks Of The Anti-Choice Movement
Ready for Hillary? Courting a candidate for 2016
Ready for Hillary? Courting a candidate for 2016 (via AFP) How formidable a potential candidate is Hillary Clinton? A group laying groundwork for her possible 2016 presidential campaign said it is being offered million-dollar donations -- before she has even announced a run. "We have turned away seven-figure… … [Read more...] about Ready for Hillary? Courting a candidate for 2016
(Amazing Video): The Cat and the Dolphins
Friendships can spring up anywhere -- even when some dolphins meet a cat and one wants to kiss it. An amazing video (from a Facebook page posted Nov. 2012) … [Read more...] about (Amazing Video): The Cat and the Dolphins
The Musical Genius of “Mad Men’s” Robert Morse
Many younger fans of AMC's "Mad Men" (and many younger TMV readers) may not know it, but the highly popular Robert Morse in his role as crusty top-boss Bertram Cooper was an award winning musical comedy star -- who won a Tony award in 1962 for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical in 1962 for his role in Tony J. Pierrepont Finch in the Pulitzer Prize-winning How to … [Read more...] about The Musical Genius of “Mad Men’s” Robert Morse
President Barack Obama’s Statement on Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman Trial
The White House has issued this statement from President Barack Obama on Trayvon Martin and the trial that ended in George Zimmerman being found "not guilty" of the 17-year-old's murder: The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the … [Read more...] about President Barack Obama’s Statement on Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman Trial
JK Rowling revealed as author of The Cuckoo’s Calling
Here's a delicious development. A crime novel that has gotten good reviews and was ostensibly written by a male author now turns out to have been written written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who didn't want the secret out so soon. But now sales of the book are rising: JK Rowling has secretly written a crime novel under the guise of male debut writer Robert … [Read more...] about JK Rowling revealed as author of The Cuckoo’s Calling
Getting an abortion in Texas is still pretty easy
Before Rick Perry signed the new antichoice bill into law? Well, in what we'll soon look back at as the good old days, McAllen, Texas, a border town, has a women's health clinic offering safe, accessible, cheerful, and often free treatment for women. That will now be lost. In a tour of the Whole Woman’s Health clinic here, Ms. Ferrigno noted some of the design and … [Read more...] about Getting an abortion in Texas is still pretty easy
Snails face: Japan beauty treatment offers slime power
Snails face: Japan beauty treatment offers slime power (via AFP) Having live snails crawling on your face sounds like the thing of nightmares, but in Japan one company is hoping people will be prepared to pay for it. Starting Monday, women who want to slough off dead skin, clear their pores or roll back the years… … [Read more...] about Snails face: Japan beauty treatment offers slime power
Trayvon Martin (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 Trayvon Martin (Cartoon)
Not Letting Trayvon Martin Rest
Despicable. And predictable. … [Read more...] about Not Letting Trayvon Martin Rest
(Update) ‘The U.S. government should be on its knees every day begging…’
Update: Melissa Harris-Perry at MSNBC has posted a letter to Edward Snowden. The letter has received very mixed reactions. It is at the bottom of this post. === Original Post: I believe that a vast majority of Americans want the surveillance activities conducted by the National Surveillance Agency (NSA) -- now or in the past -- debated, examined and … [Read more...] about (Update) ‘The U.S. government should be on its knees every day begging…’
Cory Booker, other N.J. figures react to Zimmerman verdict (Guest Voice)
Cory Booker, other N.J. figures react to Zimmerman verdict (via NJ.com) George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges Saturday night in the death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old who was shot to death by Zimmerman last year in his Sanford, Fla., neighborhood. A six-woman jury found that Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer… … [Read more...] about Cory Booker, other N.J. figures react to Zimmerman verdict (Guest Voice)