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
That Exclusive Club Called CPAC (Guest Cartoonist)
That Exclusive Club Called CPAC by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Wayne LaPierre CPAC Speech: National Rifle Association Official Delivers Fiery Speech --CPAC bans mention of “the gay” to conference chairman --CPAC Chairman Defends Donald Trump Invitation, Chris Christie Snub --Donald Trump CPAC Speech: U.S. Is Run By 'Very Stupid People' Mike Peters is … [Read more...] about That Exclusive Club Called CPAC (Guest Cartoonist)
McConnell: Democrats’ 2016 Field Looking Like ‘a Rerun of The Golden Girls’ (Guest Voice)
McConnell: Democrats’ 2016 field looking like ‘a rerun of The Golden Girls’ (via Raw Story ) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) got in a few yucks during his 2013 CPAC speech Friday morning, telling a crowd that he thinks the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential field is looking like “a rerun of ‘The Golden Girls.’” “Don’t tell me the Democrats are … [Read more...] about McConnell: Democrats’ 2016 Field Looking Like ‘a Rerun of The Golden Girls’ (Guest Voice)
Family and The Sound of Music
I write a lot about my late father and that’s because a lot of my tastes, not only in film, but music and television shows stem from him. My father had an eclectic cultural pallet; my earliest happy memory is of him playing me Bob Marley’s Stir it Up - but I also remember him constantly playing Kenny Rodgers. But my mother has influenced on my love of film. I can only think … [Read more...] about Family and The Sound of Music
Questions from a ‘Dirty War’
WASHINGTON -- They are impolite questions, but they must be asked: What did Jorge Mario Bergoglio know, and when did he know it, about Argentina's brutal "Dirty War" against suspected leftists in which thousands were tortured and killed? More important, what did the newly chosen Pope Francis do? When a military junta seized power in 1976, Bergoglio -- elected Wednesday … [Read more...] about Questions from a ‘Dirty War’
Paul Ryan 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 Paul Ryan Budget (Cartoon)
Sugary-Drink Bans and Other Fads: When Pols Try to Nudge Good Behavior
Sugary-drink bans and other fads: When pols try to nudge good behavior (via The Christian Science Monitor) Copyright ImageClick to View New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks at a 64-ounce cup, as Lucky's Cafe owner Greg Anagnostopoulos, left, stands behind him, during a news conference at the cafe in New York March 12. New Yorkers were still free to gulp from huge sugary … [Read more...] about Sugary-Drink Bans and Other Fads: When Pols Try to Nudge Good Behavior
It’s Official: New Particle is the Higgs – But Which Kind?
It’s Official: New Particle is the Higgs – But Which Kind? (via Planetsave) Last year’s tentative announcement of a “Higgs-like” boson (a key fundamental particle) based upon preliminary data analysis from the Large Hadron Collider’s (LHC) two massive detectors (ATLAS and CMS) has been officially confirmed, CERN scientists announced earlier today. Despite the … [Read more...] about It’s Official: New Particle is the Higgs – But Which Kind?
The Greatest Fast Food Servers’ Song: The Car Hop Song from The Flintstones
The greatest song about fast food ever performed -- even though its by a cartoon. From the first season of The Flintstones: … [Read more...] about The Greatest Fast Food Servers’ Song: The Car Hop Song from The Flintstones
CPAC Chair Describes Small Tent He Envisions For Today’s Republican Party
Yep. You can't get more honest than that. American Conservative Union chairman Al Cardenas, by all accounts a very nice person, told reporters at the CPAC conference his vision of today's Republican Party tent. Essentially a pup tent. Some could argue it wouldn't fit New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, but Cardenas made it clear that a)Christie shouldn't be invited all the … [Read more...] about CPAC Chair Describes Small Tent He Envisions For Today’s Republican Party
Marine General on Karzai’s ‘Collusion’ Accusation: ‘We Have Shed too Much Blood over the Past 12 Years’
It never seems to end in Afghanistan -- now the longest war in our nation’s history. It never ceases to amaze us -- the twists and turns, the corruption, the backstabbing, the incompetence in, by and of that country’s leaders. It never ceases to sadden us -- the 2,000 plus lives we have already lost there, and continue to sacrifice. We continue to see the violation … [Read more...] about Marine General on Karzai’s ‘Collusion’ Accusation: ‘We Have Shed too Much Blood over the Past 12 Years’
Thrilled by Francis’ Call to Mission
Words spoken by the new Roman Catholic leader, Pope Francis 1, in an informal homily delivered to the College of Cardinals today, thrilled me. (Thrilled is not one of my usual verbs. But that's exactly how I felt.) From The Los Angeles Times account of the Mass at which Francis preached: Stressing the power of prayer, Francis told the cardinals, "He who does not pray to … [Read more...] about Thrilled by Francis’ Call to Mission
Jorel Hoffert’s Greatest You Tube Bar Mitzvah Video Ever (VIDEO)
WOW. And my family just sent out lousy invitations. Just watch Jorel Hoffert, a 12-year-old Toronto resident, in his bar mitzvah invitation on You Tube. The Week has more details here on other glitzy bar mitzvah videos. It's no longer "today I am a man." It's "today I am a You Tube rock star." … [Read more...] about Jorel Hoffert’s Greatest You Tube Bar Mitzvah Video Ever (VIDEO)
N. Korea Causes China, S. Korea, Japan 2 B Bedmates
North Korea's 'beloved leader' has done the near impossible with his threats to pulverize, vaporize and otherwise unwisely follow in the steps of sad Saddam who also promised to vaporize, pulverize in the 'mother of all wars' against all and any who dared to breathe against him. Just some facts about North Korea there are nearly 24.5 million people in North Korea There … [Read more...] about N. Korea Causes China, S. Korea, Japan 2 B Bedmates