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
Dick Cheney Updates “The Banality of Evil”
Half a century ago, Hannah Arendt made a scholarly argument that crimes against humanity, like those of the Nazis, are carried out not by brilliant fanatics or sociopaths but ordinary people who accept twisted social premises and pursue them as normal. A new documentary, “The World According to Dick Cheney,” updates that thesis with chilling echoes. Like Adolf Eichmann, the … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney Updates “The Banality of Evil”
Enter The Quick Buck Artiste
In the midst of the moral conflagration over the Steubenville Rape convictions, comes Nora Louise Kuzma, Steubenville Rape Victim to Bravely Speak Out Against Steubenville. It's time t0 pass Moral Judgement! If we are to be moral bastards, then let us be equally moral bastards in all directions, shall we? I might make the mistake of suggesting that we not use an event of … [Read more...] about Enter The Quick Buck Artiste
Special Report: How Power Companies Hoodwinked The National Park Service While Screwing Ratepayers
The 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, located on the middle section of the scenic Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is breathtakingly beautiful. Some 75 miles from New York City, it is visited by upwards of three million people a year. Within its boundaries is a stunning range of flora and fauna, waterfalls, the Appalachian Trail and … [Read more...] about Special Report: How Power Companies Hoodwinked The National Park Service While Screwing Ratepayers
Two Steubenville Teens Convicted in Viral Video Digital Rape Case
Two teens convicted in US viral video rape case (via AFP) Rick Gershon/Getty Images/AFP/FileThe town of Steubenville and the Ohio River are pictured in a file photo. Two Steubenville teenagers were found guilty Sunday of raping a fellow high school student -- a case made notorious when a video of boys laughing about the assault on the "dead" drunk girl went… … [Read more...] about Two Steubenville Teens Convicted in Viral Video Digital Rape Case
New Pope Young Turks (Guest Voice)
New Pope Young Turks by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Francis Charms Crowd on First Sunday as Pope --Pope Francis tests security detail as he wades into crowd before first Sunday window appearance --Pope must clean himself of history's stain --Pope Francis's critics in Argentina say document suggests he betrayed priests --Hamilton Catholics call Pope Francis "down … [Read more...] about New Pope Young Turks (Guest Voice)
How NOT to Honor St. Patrick (Guest Voice)
How NOT to Honor St. Patrick by Tom Purcell Ah, St. Patrick's Day is upon us. That means but one thing: time for Americans to over-celebrate the Irish tradition. I speak of the goofy Leprechaun hats, the gaudy green buttons and scarves and the propensity to drink excessive amounts of alcohol at fake Irish pubs while trying to be authentically Irish. Though I'm … [Read more...] about How NOT to Honor St. Patrick (Guest Voice)
Bank Run in Cyprus; Who’s Next?
Bank Run in Cyprus; Who’s Next? (via Market Shadows) Courtesy of The Automatic Earth. Overnight last night, the Eurogroup (Eurozone executive committee) negotiated a deal for a bailout of the banking system in Cyprus. As part of the deal, a one-time, one-off levy on depositors was agreed: deposits below €100,000 are subject to a 6.75% levy, while those… … [Read more...] about Bank Run in Cyprus; Who’s Next?
Source: Assassination Attempt on Kim Jong-un Assisted Hardliners (JoongAng Ilbo, South Korea)
Are recent North Korean moves to ratchet up the nuclear threat related to an attempt on the life of dictator Kim Jong-un? According to this news item from South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo, a well-placed intelligence source has told the newspaper that in the wake of an attempt on his life, the young leader has found it necessary to placate restive military hardliners by adopting … [Read more...] about Source: Assassination Attempt on Kim Jong-un Assisted Hardliners (JoongAng Ilbo, South Korea)