Each week, the U.S. Air Force publishes a set of photographs called “Air Force Week in Photos.” These photos are normally superb, depicting our Air Force and other Services’ men and women in action around the world. This week the set of photos -- 56 of them -- is “extra superb” as the photos represent the winners from the 2012 Military Photography of the Year … [Read more...] about Defense Update: The Best of the Best in Images
Banking at Heart of Cyprus Economic Collapse
Banking at heart of Cyprus economic collapse (via AFP) The Cyprus banking sector, which has driven prosperity on the Mediterranean island for two decades, has in the end been the trigger for the collapse of the country's economy due to its exposure to the Greek debt crisis. "Unfortunately we took a wrong decision to accept (in 2012) a haircut" on Greek… … [Read more...] about Banking at Heart of Cyprus Economic Collapse
HISTORIC MEETING: Two Popes Meet (Video)
This is truly a wonderful, historic story. The meeting of two Popes: Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict embraced today in a historic meeting of two popes at Castel Gandolfo. The men met on the helipad at the papal summer retreat, before praying together in the chapel. Benedict offered Francis the kneeler traditionally used by the pope when he prays. But Francis … [Read more...] about HISTORIC MEETING: Two Popes Meet (Video)
The GOP Autopsy (Guest Voice)
The GOP Autopsy Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Normally you don't expect to see the words "Republicans" and "introspection" right next to each other. Like supermodel and barbecue. Physicist and polka. Gazelle and ophthalmology. You catch my drift. But that's exactly what happened last week, when the Republican Party released a 100-page report detailing why their last … [Read more...] about The GOP Autopsy (Guest Voice)
Democrats New Budget (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 Democrats New Budget (Cartoon)
Presidential Deceptions on Iraq Led US to Abandon Core Values (Guest Voice)
Presidential deceptions on Iraq led US to abandon core values (via GlobalPost) Commentary: Torture and killing innocents with drones continue to haunt Americans. Alan Gilbert DENVER, Colo. â?? In 2002 and early 2003, the Bush administration rolled out a campaign to promote an invasion of Iraq. Condoleezza Riceâ??s statement, the â??smoking gun might be a mushroom cloud… … [Read more...] about Presidential Deceptions on Iraq Led US to Abandon Core Values (Guest Voice)
Rembrandt Republican Autopsy (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 Rembrandt Republican Autopsy (Cartoon)
If the Republicans are all but Dead, are the Dems also in Trouble?
If the Republicans are all but dead, are the Dems also in trouble? Kevin Drum does a nice job on the state of our two main political parties, including the possibility that the Republican party's near-death experience and/or possible death. Thing is, he reminds us, none of this means the American voter is about to switch to all-Dem all the time. So are the Republicans … [Read more...] about If the Republicans are all but Dead, are the Dems also in Trouble?
Schoolkids Grill Chris Christie on His Political Ambitions (VIDEO)
Everybody is grilling New Jersey Chris Christie about his political ambitions. And I mean everybody: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Schoolkids Grill Chris Christie on His Political Ambitions (VIDEO)
Senate Approves Budget, its First Since 2009
US Senate approves budget, its first since 2009 (via AFP) The US Senate reached a milestone early Saturday when it overcame partisan gridlock to approve its first budget resolution in four years, setting up a political duel with the Republican-held House. The sweeping plan for fiscal year 2014, the first budget blueprint passed by the Democrat-led Senate… … [Read more...] about Senate Approves Budget, its First Since 2009
New Song, New Singers (Guest Voice)
New Song, New Singers by Michael Reagan I love talk radio; I love Fox News. If it weren't for the arrival of their strong conservative voices, Americans would still have nothing to listen to but the one-sided news and opinions of the left-liberals who run the mainstream New York-D.C. media. But I'm frustrated. Talk radio and Fox are getting so boring, so … [Read more...] about New Song, New Singers (Guest Voice)
Dominican Prosecutors Say Conservative Website Tied to Menendez Prostitution Setup
Dominican prosecutors say conservative website tied to Menendez prostitution setup (via NJ.com) Barbara L. Salisbury/For The Star-Ledger TRENTON — In a story with more twists and turns by the day, Dominican police said today an attorney linked to three women who claimed — and then recanted — that they had been paid to have sex with U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, now alleges he was … [Read more...] about Dominican Prosecutors Say Conservative Website Tied to Menendez Prostitution Setup
Did We Just Have a Lucky Escape?
Sometimes we are taunted by the great counterfactual possibilities of history. One of those possibilities is that Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, rather than dividing up the “I did not invent Obamacare, and I am also a carbon-based life form” vote, could have joined forces to possibly bring down Mitt Romney. And now, via Josh Green, it can be told: The two giants held long … [Read more...] about Did We Just Have a Lucky Escape?
Pollster: Numbers Show Republican Party Out of Step With America
An Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post by Andrew Kohut, founding director and former president of the Pew Research Center, pretty much confirms it: today's Republican Party is indeed out of step with America -- a seeming prison of its conservative base which help it cling to power in gerrymandered House districts, but suggests it has a long way to go to win over more Americans … [Read more...] about Pollster: Numbers Show Republican Party Out of Step With America
The Better Bond
Hi there. Just to let everyone know who follows my blog over here at TMV that I'm going to take a short break for a month or so. Real life is kinda getting in the way. I'm starting a new job in London, which has led to me finding a new place near London (the rent is ridiculous), all of which is trumped by packing and preparing for the big move with my very young and very new … [Read more...] about The Better Bond
New Shake Up in Late Night TV Coming
US late-night TV hosts set for new shake-up (via AFP) America's late-night TV hosts appear set for a new shake-up, with veteran "Tonight Show" presenter Jay Leno said to be hanging up his microphone after falling out with his NBC bosses. In the latest reshuffle in the prized late-night slots, 62-year-old Leno is expected to hand over next year to hip… … [Read more...] about New Shake Up in Late Night TV Coming
Tragedy Strikes the Marine Corps Again (Updated)
UPDATES: The commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico held a press conference this morning. The following is the transcript: Col. David W. Maxwell, MCB Quantico base commander: “Good morning. It has been a long night as we have begun to deal with the tremendous loss which we have suffered last night. On behalf of Marine Corps Base Quantico and Officer … [Read more...] about Tragedy Strikes the Marine Corps Again (Updated)
How Much Power Does The Government Really Have Over The Economy ?
In this posting I wanted to discuss how I think that really no President has the chance to have much impact on the economy no matter how long they serve. It’s simply too complex and variable for one person or even one administration to have much effect. For example right now we are dealing with the housing market and the many programs in place to try and improve the … [Read more...] about How Much Power Does The Government Really Have Over The Economy ?
Our B-52 Bombers on the Korean Peninsula: ‘Nuclear-Capable’ or ‘Nuclear-Armed’? (Update)
UPDATE: The U.S. Navy says: "On any given day, in your Navy, our team of more than 600,000 professional Sailors and civilians are working together around the globe to perform our mission: deter aggression and, if deterrence fails, win our Nation’s wars." Putting teeth into those words, the U.S. and Republic of Korea's navies and other Services are participating in … [Read more...] about Our B-52 Bombers on the Korean Peninsula: ‘Nuclear-Capable’ or ‘Nuclear-Armed’? (Update)
The Iraq War in Numbers
The disaster and the shame that is -- still -- the Iraq War can be described, measured and quantified in many ways. Over at Foreign Policy, Neta C. Crawford, a Professor of Political Science at Boston University, has put together a list of numbers that “help put the past 10 years [since the start of the War] in perspective.” Below are some of the numbers I found the most … [Read more...] about The Iraq War in Numbers