Swiss tourist gang-raped in India: police (via AFP) /AFP/FileA Indian policeman patrols Ganjbasoda in Madhya Pradesh state on January 15, 2003. A Swiss female tourist was gang-raped in Madhya Pradesh -- the latest victim of sexual violence against women in the South Asian nation.A Swiss female tourist was gang-raped in rural central India, police said… … [Read more...] about Swiss Tourist ‘Gang-Raped in India’
Maryland Is Latest To Abolish Death Penalty
Following on the heels of New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Illinois and Connecticut, Maryland has become the sixth state in the last six years to abolish the death penalty. Following earlier State Senate approval the Maryland House of Delegates on Friday voted by a strong 82-56 vote to do away with the state’s death penalty in favor of life in prison without the possibility … [Read more...] about Maryland Is Latest To Abolish Death Penalty
Report: House GOP Would Need $5.7 Trillion in Tax Hikes to Offset Ryan Rate Cuts
To many GOPers, Paul Ryan is a kind of mantra, whether what he says adds up or doesn't. It increasingly is clear his budget doesn't add up: House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) fiscal plan promises to balance the federal budget in 10 years, make major cuts in income tax rates for both individuals and corporations, and raise the same amount of revenue as current … [Read more...] about Report: House GOP Would Need $5.7 Trillion in Tax Hikes to Offset Ryan Rate Cuts
New Pope’s Control/Obama’s Old Chaos
What would that clichéd anthropologist from another planet make of the doings on ours this week? One gaggle of aging men selects an infallible leader for multitudes while another hobbles the choice of millions into political impotence. As Barack Obama expresses hope that new Pontiff will have “a tremendous and positive impact on the world,” he admits discouragement about … [Read more...] about New Pope’s Control/Obama’s Old Chaos
What Rob Portman Teaches Republicans if They’re Watching. (But They’re Not.)
The web is chuck-full of Americans who have noticed, as you and I did, that Rob Portman's "acceptance" of gay marriage was as much a sign of godawful narcissism as anything. Funny, we were all thinking, at his age it still took a personal experience to wake him up to the suffering and frustration of many right in front of his eyes for years. Here's part of Matt Yglesias's … [Read more...] about What Rob Portman Teaches Republicans if They’re Watching. (But They’re Not.)
Bloomberg Weighs In (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. 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 Bloomberg Weighs In (Cartoon)
I Should be Happy About the Drone Debate, But I’m Not
During my junior year of college I was interning at a news show and we were filming a bit on 47th street when a young Pakistani man walked up to me. He said that he and some friends were holding a vigil for those who had died in a recent drone killing, and wanted to know how to get press coverage. I didn’t know the number, but a co-worker did, and gave it to him. I was in a … [Read more...] about I Should be Happy About the Drone Debate, But I’m Not
Behind the Historic Shift in Poverty
Behind the historic shift in poverty (via The Christian Science Monitor) Customers shop in a shoe store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the economy is booming with a rising middle class. (Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor ) The share of the world’s people living in extreme poverty has fallen by half – from 43 percent in 1990 to 21 percent in 2010… … [Read more...] about Behind the Historic Shift in Poverty
In Sadness, I Refute Pope’s Judgementalness About World Religions
My father from the Old Country used to say, the first things said by the new groom to his bride would set the tone for their entire marriage. Therefor, it was advised that the groom who had never been a groom before, praise his bride with sincerity for works well done, for beauty that is inextinguishable, for her kindness of touch, for her foresight and … [Read more...] about In Sadness, I Refute Pope’s Judgementalness About World Religions
What CPAC Teaches Us about the Republican Worldview (Guest Voice)
What CPAC teaches us about the Republican worldview (via GlobalPost) Analysis: The conservative gathering projects a strictly America-centric view of the world. Jean MacKenzie BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. â?? â??We donâ??t need a new idea,â? said Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida. â??The idea is called America, and it still works.â? Rubio was one of… … [Read more...] about What CPAC Teaches Us about the Republican Worldview (Guest Voice)
Defense Update in Images and in a Few Words
It is the weekend and time again to dedicate a few words, and images, to our troops. Usually there is a “theme.” This time, just my favorite images. (“So there...”) But seriously, I hope you like them and, more important, I hope you’ll spend a few minutes thinking of our troops. Personal privilege: I love the C-130 Hercules, the “workhorse” of the Air Force, an … [Read more...] about Defense Update in Images and in a Few Words
CPAC GOP Branding Damage: Participant Defends Slavery as Good (UPDATED)
If there is "rebranding" going on in the GOP, the imagery that's going out now is not exactly what Republicans who talked about rebranding had in mind. It is a bit of a disaster when someone seemingly longs for the days of slavery and desegration. Not the best way to attract African-American voters -- and moderates and independents -- don't you think? But here's the polemical … [Read more...] about CPAC GOP Branding Damage: Participant Defends Slavery as Good (UPDATED)
People Will Try to Steal Anything These Days
People will try to steal anything these days. And I mean anything. … [Read more...] about People Will Try to Steal Anything These Days
A Senator’s Heart-Searching Discovery – and a Change of Heart
My very first column at The Moderate Voice five years ago -- I was not even a regular contributor then -- was titled “I, Too, Am a Flip-Flopper". The more elaborate sub-title was “I, too, am a Flip-Flopper — And I am in good company.” Let me quote the opening paragraphs: People change their minds. Some change their entire way of life–sometimes for the better, … [Read more...] about A Senator’s Heart-Searching Discovery – and a Change of Heart
Charlie Cook: the GOP Keeps Getting Whiter
In 1964 it was said about conservative icon Barry Goldwater, "He'd rather be right than President." In 2014 the new slogan may be: it seems as if the Republican Party would rather be White than win the Oval Office. That's the gist of political wiz Charlie Cook's analysis: After Republicans won only 48 percent of all votes cast for the House in 2012 but 54 percent of the … [Read more...] about Charlie Cook: the GOP Keeps Getting Whiter
More Republican Branding
More Republican branding. Note I didn't say "re-branding." Branding. Reinforcement of a widely perceived and in 2012 rejected brand: House Republicans unanimously voted down a measure Friday that would have raised the federal minimum wage, from its current $7.25 per hour to $10.10 by 2015. Six Democrats joined 227 Republicans in voting it down; 184 Democrats voted … [Read more...] about More Republican Branding
Yes, Mitt Romney Addressed CPAC With Dignity
So much for predictions that former Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney would address CPAC and throw out a bunch of political red-meat or go on the attack. Or be met with indifference. In fact, he gave a dignified and constructive speech: And he was embraced. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney appealed for the Republican Party to learn from the mistakes of … [Read more...] about Yes, Mitt Romney Addressed CPAC With Dignity
Ohio Senator Rob Portman Comes Out for Marriage Equality
The big political news today -- apart from often predictable, red-meat filled speeches at CPAC -- is that Republican Ohio Sen. Rob Portman has now changed his position and supports marriage equality. Why he shifted to supporting gay marriage is as significant as the shift. In an op-Ed in The Columbus Dispatch he wrote: I have come to believe that if two people are prepared … [Read more...] about Ohio Senator Rob Portman Comes Out for Marriage Equality
Arkantucky: Two Key Senate Races In Land of Near Democratic Extinction
Historic Tidbit: John Nance Garner, serving in his duel role as Vice-President and President of the U.S. Senate, was tired of fending off constant parliamentary inquiries from Huey Long, who could be eloquently loquacious. One time, Long said Senators should be required to sit through filibusters, which Garner replied would be "cruel and unusual punishment." But in the latest … [Read more...] about Arkantucky: Two Key Senate Races In Land of Near Democratic Extinction
My Farewell To The Democratic Party
There are two major parties in this country. And both of them are Republican parties. There's a traditional, old-line, conservative Republican Party, which now operates under the name the "centrist" Democratic Party of Barack Obama. And there's the new Republican Party that's a Tea Party confection. Both variants of Republican, though different in many ways, share some … [Read more...] about My Farewell To The Democratic Party