Should any of us be alarmed that Japan's new government wants to amend the constitution imposed on it in 1945 under U.S. occupation? As we have been following, neighboring nations that got clobbered by pre-war Japan aren't the only parties concerned. This editorial from Japan's Hokkaido Shimbun joins in the concern, charging that the administration of Shinzo Abe is using the … [Read more...] about Abe Must End Gamesmanship Over Post-War Constitution (Hokkaido Shimbun, Japan)
Is Portman’s Conversion an LBJ-Cronkite Moment for Same-Sex Marriage
Historic Tidbit: William McKinley, our nation's 25th President,took an early interest in women's suffrage, as his wife's family, prominent in Canton, Ohio, were strong backers of women's rights. Before becoming President, he had already received two honorary degrees from women's colleges. When McKinley's fellow Ohioan, Victoria Woodhull, became the first woman to be nominated … [Read more...] about Is Portman’s Conversion an LBJ-Cronkite Moment for Same-Sex Marriage
Department of Oh, Give Me A Break
What further proof do you need that saying no, opposing, obstructing is a political way of life -- the definition of "being" for some shrill partisans. What you are about to read is NOT a piece from the Onion or another tepid effort at satire from The Politico's Roger Simon. But it is from The Politico. And it is a real report: In an unusual move, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) … [Read more...] about Department of Oh, Give Me A Break
Rob Portman’s Selective Empathy Is a Start
Cynics are having a field day with Rob Portman’s sudden conversion to gay marriage based on his son’s sexuality: If only more Republicans could discover close relatives who are poor, Latino or otherwise disadvantaged... Yet selective empathy is better than none and deserves more than a reflexive sneer. Contrast Portman’s response with another. Asked what he would do if a son … [Read more...] about Rob Portman’s Selective Empathy Is a Start
Why I Can’t ‘Come Out of the Closet’ as a Muslim Republican Quite Yet (Guest Voice)
Why I can't 'come out of the closet' as a Muslim Republican quite yet (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal speaks at the 40th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., March 15. Mr. Jindal called on Republicans to 'stop being the stupid party' earlier this year. Op-ed … [Read more...] about Why I Can’t ‘Come Out of the Closet’ as a Muslim Republican Quite Yet (Guest Voice)
Awakening from the American Dream, Part 2
Photo Credit: Jennifer McMillan So, then, to ever man his chance- to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity- to every man the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood an his vision can combine to make him- this, seeker, is the promise of America. Thomas Wolfe Yesterday I delved into questions … [Read more...] about Awakening from the American Dream, Part 2
Rand Paul and the New Isolationism (Guest Voice)
Rand Paul and the New Isolationism by Dick Polman The Republican civil war has so many factions, you need a scorecard to sort them out — tea partyers versus the establishment; conservatives versus moderates; gubernatorial wing versus congressional wing; religious rightists versus tolerants — and even the despairing Republican National Committee, in its newly released … [Read more...] about Rand Paul and the New Isolationism (Guest Voice)
Terrorist Victim Daniel Pearl’s Family Hails Pakistani Arrest
Daniel Pearl's family hails Pakistani arrest (via AFP) The family of slain US journalist Daniel Pearl welcomed Monday the arrest in Pakistan of a former leader of a banned militant outfit allegedly involved in his 2002 murder. Qari Abdul Hayee, popularly known as Asadullah and from Karachi's eastern Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood, was detained in a raid… … [Read more...] about Terrorist Victim Daniel Pearl’s Family Hails Pakistani Arrest
A Cartoonist’s Letter to Israel’s Ambassador (Guest Voice)
A Cartoonist's Letter to Israel's Ambassador by Daryl Cagle On the occasion of President Obama's visit to Israel, most Americans think of the dramatic changes happening in the Middle East and the threat Iran poses to Israel. The world is a frightening place for Israel -- but American cartoonists have something else on their minds, a Palestinian cartoonist who is jailed in … [Read more...] about A Cartoonist’s Letter to Israel’s Ambassador (Guest Voice)
Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law (Guest Voice)
EDITOR'S NOTE: We've run Guest Voice columns here on TMV by Zack Kopplin HERE and HERE. Here's his latest project: Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana's Creationism Law Since 2008, the Louisiana Science Education Act Has Been the Subject of National and International Criticism and Ridicule Baton Rouge, LA -- (March, 18, 2013) -- Senator Karen Carter … [Read more...] about Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law (Guest Voice)
Women in Combat — In Images
We are still in the month of March -- Women’s History Month -- and just fresh off the lifting of restrictions on women serving in combat positions. A double reason to dedicate this Defense in Images post to our brave women in combat U.S. female soldiers secure an Afghan compound while other soldiers meet with Afghan elders in the Spin Boldak district in … [Read more...] about Women in Combat — In Images
Rebranding Republican Barbour Calls Obama “Socialist”
It's time to be blunt: seemingly with each hour, the Republican rebranding effort seems to be in shambles. The latest counterproductive comment comes from Republican National Committeeman Henry Barbour who is supposed to be involved in the rebranding of the GOP. Exactly how is calling President Barack Obama a "Socialist" rebranding the GOP? It's confirming the 2012 brand of the … [Read more...] about Rebranding Republican Barbour Calls Obama “Socialist”
Are Republicans Poised to Turn Off MORE Latino Voters?
Is the Republican Party poised to turn off MORE Latino voters? It certainly sounds that way. It's clear Republican branding, no matter what the RNC says, is in big trouble. (How do you spell rebranding problems? C-P-A-C). But now it sounds as if GOPers -- hard-line conservatives, of course -- are about to do more damage to tattered GOP imagery. To wit: This morning the … [Read more...] about Are Republicans Poised to Turn Off MORE Latino Voters?
Hillary Clinton Announces Support for Gay Marriage: Does It Announce More? (Video)
The political and pundit class are buzzing strong today. Hillary Clinton announced her strong support of gay marriage. Is this just an announcement about that (they ask)? Or something more? YOU decide: … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Announces Support for Gay Marriage: Does It Announce More? (Video)
RNC GOP “Autopsy” Fuels War Between Establishment and Far Right
As that historical figure Bugs Bunny once said, "Of course you know, this means war." The RNC's long-awaited "autopsy" on what went wrong in 2012 is being seen by some on the right as the RNC throwing down the gauntlet to try and short circuit the far right grass roots, including the Tea Party. And don't expect powerful, polarizing conservative talk show hosts to be much … [Read more...] about RNC GOP “Autopsy” Fuels War Between Establishment and Far Right
Does History Channel’s Devil in “The Bible,” Played by Mehdi Ouzaani, Resemble President Obama?
The right wing will stop at nothing to compare President Obama to the Devil. How else would you explain people like Glenn Beck saying the Devil in the hit mini-series "The Bible" resembles President Obama? What do you think? Some viewers of Sunday evening's episode said they noticed the remarkable resemblance to the 44th president. Is this much ado about nothing? Seems that way … [Read more...] about Does History Channel’s Devil in “The Bible,” Played by Mehdi Ouzaani, Resemble President Obama?
Republicans Blame Themselves in 2012 poll ‘Post-Mortem’
Republicans blame selves in 2012 poll 'post-mortem' (via AFP) Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP/FileFormer Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney delivers remarks March 15, 2013 in National Harbor, Maryland.US Republicans released a scathing report Monday on their disappointment in November's presidential vote, urging their party… … [Read more...] about Republicans Blame Themselves in 2012 poll ‘Post-Mortem’
Differences Between Republicans And Democrats Explained
Are you confused about the differences between this country's two major parties? Perhaps this simple guide will help. Republicans have a set of firmly held beliefs. Democrats have things they kind of like if no one objects too much. Republicans never knew better. Democrats once did but forgot. Republicans like the economy to be run by Goldman Sachs. Democrats prefer … [Read more...] about Differences Between Republicans And Democrats Explained
Conservatives and American Power
Conservatives and American power By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Do conservatives still believe in American greatness? The question is not intended to discourage the healthy debate being pushed by Rand Paul and his allies over whether Republicans in the George W. Bush years were too eager to deploy our country's armed forces overseas. After the steep … [Read more...] about Conservatives and American Power
Why the GOP’s Rebranding Effort will Fail
Does it look like the highly touted effort by some in the Republican Party to do a major "rebranding" will work? I answer the question in my first column for The Week Online: Don't believe all the talk about a major rebranding of the Republican Party. Because if there's a serious attempt at rebranding, it's off to a barely discernable start. Today's Republican Party … [Read more...] about Why the GOP’s Rebranding Effort will Fail