The College of Cardinals has chosen the new successor to St. Peter in The Vatican. As of this writing the name has not been announced but live updates are being shown streaming here on the Vatican YouTube channel. Watch this space for an update as soon as we have it. *Update*: Changed live stream link to go directly to the Vatican's own live stream. *Update 2*: The … [Read more...] about New Pope Chosen
From Soda to Guns: Michael Bloomberg’s Hubris, and the Politics of Prohibition
Is the bloom off New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg? A roundup. 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 From Soda to Guns: Michael Bloomberg’s Hubris, and the Politics of Prohibition
Democrats Worry About Obama’s Falling Poll Numbers
Democrats are worried about President Barack Obama's falling poll numbers, US News & World Report's Ken Walsh reports: Democratic strategists are increasingly worried about the decline in President Obama's job approval ratings. "We aren't panicking but it's a source of concern," a senior Democrat told me. The latest example is Wednesday's Washington Post/ABC News … [Read more...] about Democrats Worry About Obama’s Falling Poll Numbers
The Drone Nation (Guest Voice)
The Drone Nation by Joseph Camacho We are in the era of a new kind of war. In places that our government does not recognize that we are engaged in conflict - there is another type of warfare being waged. Those that declare war against the US are meeting this (not-so) secret war-fighter when and where they least expect it. The drone. Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles … [Read more...] about The Drone Nation (Guest Voice)
Sheryl Sandberg’s Revolutionary “Lean In”
WASHINGTON - Critics like Anne-Marie Slaughter, but especially Maureen I-Love-My-Pearls Dowd, and others [most of whom didn't read the book or do their homework] who are blaming Sheryl Sandberg for being a billionaire Ivy League graduate, while accusing her of letting corporations and government off the hook, are missing a major point. Unless women speak up and confront their … [Read more...] about Sheryl Sandberg’s Revolutionary “Lean In”
FL Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Resigns Amid Federal Probe into Internet Cafes Used as Gambling Fronts
Trouble in Florida as Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigns amid a federal investigation into an internet cafes used as fronts for gambling. The one-time rising star of Florida politics tendered her resignation Wednesday morning. This is very serious because arrests have already been made on racketeering charges. Jennifer Carroll is involved because a firm she owned, 3N & JC, … [Read more...] about FL Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Resigns Amid Federal Probe into Internet Cafes Used as Gambling Fronts
Is the “Sequester” a Win for Republicans?
Hell, no, says Greg Sargent at the Washington Post. Look at the latest Washington Post/ABC poll. Despite the Post's misleading headline and opener making it look like Obama is on the downslide, that's not the poll's conclusion. ... Dig deeper into the poll and you find something striking: Public disapproval of the sequester is running high — and more Americans hold … [Read more...] about Is the “Sequester” a Win for Republicans?
Old Mickey Mouse Cartoons to See New 2D Settings on Disney (VIDEO)
TMV Editor's Note: Here's an embed of a new 2d cartoon from Disney.com: Croissant de Triomphe on Disney Video GLOBAL POST REPORT: Old Mickey Mouse cartoons to see new 2D settings on Disney (via GlobalPost) Mickey Mouse & Co. will return to television -- in two dimensions. Kristin Deasy Disney's time-honored Mickey Mouse cartoons are making a high-tech return to … [Read more...] about Old Mickey Mouse Cartoons to See New 2D Settings on Disney (VIDEO)
Why the Right ‘Hates’ Latin America (Carta Maior, Brazil)
If you think the chasm between the right and left in the U.S. is wide - read this from a Latin America perspective. For Brazil's Carta Maior, columnist Emir Sader explains why the interests of the Latin American right lay squarely with those of the United States, which as far as the left is concerned, is hostile to Latin America. For Carta Maior, columnist Emir Sader starts … [Read more...] about Why the Right ‘Hates’ Latin America (Carta Maior, Brazil)
Much Trite Coverage of Pope-Voting Sidesteps Serious Analyses
I'm a Catholic. Much of the coverage of the resignation of the old pope and election of the new pope couldnt be more unobservant or trite. In both cases, the lack of noting the black underlayment of issues and lack of acute analyses, are significantly missing. I've been following the 'live bloggings' about pope election. Some of it perhaps ought be called 'dead blogging.' … [Read more...] about Much Trite Coverage of Pope-Voting Sidesteps Serious Analyses
Australia Defends Media Reforms Amid ‘Stalinism’ Claims
Australia defends media reforms amid 'Stalinism' claims (via AFP) Greg Wood/AFPA billboard showing the front page of Sydney newspaper the Daily Telegraph is seen in the business district on March 13, 2013. The paper likened Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, seen right on the page, to famous despots including Kim Jong-Un and Stalin, after he unveiled… … [Read more...] about Australia Defends Media Reforms Amid ‘Stalinism’ Claims
Ryan’s Tin Ear (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 Ryan’s Tin Ear (Cartoon)
Rand Paul: GOP’s National Salvation or Doom?
A national political star is born. Kentucky's' Republican Senator Rand Paul became the political Justin Beiber of libertarians everywhere and a role model for GOPers who want to grab media attention by staging a dramatic "talking filibuster." And, suddenly, Republicans who had steadfastly resisted the idea of bringing back talking filibusters were falling all over themselves to … [Read more...] about Rand Paul: GOP’s National Salvation or Doom?
Papal Vote (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 Papal Vote (Cartoon)
(Updated) Cyber Terrorism, Real and Serious or Overblown?
UPDATE: Call it coincidence, call it a sign of things to come, but as I was writing this post on cyberattacks, the website of Chase Bank was experiencing a denial-of-service attack and was inaccessible. The initial service interruption to Chase.com lasted about 90 minutes, from about 5 to 6:30 p.m. ET. According to NBC News: Chase confirmed that the outage was … [Read more...] about (Updated) Cyber Terrorism, Real and Serious or Overblown?
Governor Christie: My First Job Is For New Jersey Not My Political Party
New York Gov. Chris Christie is talking the talk for Americans sick of rank partisanship -- which doesn't mean he can't be partisan. But can someone who talks about the importance of compromise EVER get the nomination in today's Republican Party (despite talk of "rebranding.) Watch..and YOU decide: It used to be country, then party. Used to be... … [Read more...] about Governor Christie: My First Job Is For New Jersey Not My Political Party
Live Blogging: Papal Conclave Begins
Live Report: Papal conclave begins (via AFP) Gabriel Bouys/AFPCardinals attend mass at the St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican before the start of the papal conclave on March 12, 2013. There is no clear frontrunner for pope after Benedict XVI's historic resignation as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics left behind a Church beset by scandals… … [Read more...] about Live Blogging: Papal Conclave Begins
Quote of the Day: Ryan Vows to Persist in “Destroying the Health Care System” (Department of Oops!)
Our political Quote of the Day is a particularly delicious one, via Rep. Paul "Cut Help to the Poor So Taxes Don't Have to Go Up" Ryan, whose slip of the lip perhaps said more than a nonslip of the lip: "This is something we will not give up on because we are not going to give up on destroying the health care system for the American people." (This is one promise I do … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Ryan Vows to Persist in “Destroying the Health Care System” (Department of Oops!)
Hagel ‘Has Heard the Concerns,’ Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal
As one of his last acts as Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta authorized a new Medal, the Distinguished Warfare Medal (DWM), to be awarded to service members whose extraordinary achievements, regardless of their distance to the traditional combat theater, deserve distinct department-wide recognition. Some of the recipients of this new medal who Panetta had in mind were the … [Read more...] about Hagel ‘Has Heard the Concerns,’ Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal
Canada’s Judicial Activism (Guest Voice)
Canada's Judicial Activism by Jared Milne For years, conservative writers have been complaining about what they call “judicial activism”. Writers like Ted Morton, Rainier Knopff and Robert Martin sharply criticize judges whose rulings, based the Charter of Rights, make social policy that elected politicians are reluctant to challenge. Social activists use the courts to try … [Read more...] about Canada’s Judicial Activism (Guest Voice)