For the aged, waking up every morning comes as a gift. Yesterday had a ribbon on it. The TV screen was a flood of flags, bunting, crowds, Inaugural stands, Lincoln Bibles and all the other patriotic paraphernalia of the day. Best of all was the realization that it was not Mitt Romney being sworn into the Oval Office. After a year of haunting fear that in my final years … [Read more...] about How Romney Spent Day One of the New Term
Surprise! Virginia Republicans Redraw State Senate Districts
On a day that is a holiday for many United States citizens, Republicans in the Commonwealth of Virginia redrew state senate district lines Monday afternoon. The Virginia Senate is tied at 20-20. This move -- redrawing district lines approved in 2011 (pdf) -- is designed to tilt the numbers to 21 Republican-19 Democratic. If signed by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell, the … [Read more...] about Surprise! Virginia Republicans Redraw State Senate Districts
The Relevance of Chuck Hagel’s Combat Service
I have in the past defended Senator Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s choice for Secretary of Defense, against allegations that he is “anti-Semitic,” against attacks for his lack of appetite for “elective” wars, etc. That has been easy because those accusation are either unfounded or -- in the case of Hagel’s reluctance to take our nation into unnecessary wars -- because they … [Read more...] about The Relevance of Chuck Hagel’s Combat Service
A Memory of Senator Proxmire
I watched the Inauguration and Lunch, and await the Parade. I have nothing to add to the festivities, save that it was a great speech. It is also, appropriately, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I have nothing as valuable to add as undoubtedly an army of other, more eloquent writers will say. So I will pass on that. Instead, let me tell a story that only I can tell, though it is a … [Read more...] about A Memory of Senator Proxmire
This Just In!
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Congressional Republicans heaped fulsome praise on President Obama’s second Inaugural Address today, saying that it had given them a detailed list of things to thwart over the next four years. “My big fear was that the speech would be full of vague platitudes that wouldn’t be … [Read more...] about This Just In!
The Amazing Grace of It All
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Hussein Obama's second inauguration was every bit as historic as his first -- not because it said so much about the nation's long, bitter, unfinished struggle with issues of race, as was the case four years ago, but because it said so little about the subject. Reflect for a moment: A black man stood on the Capitol steps and took the oath … [Read more...] about The Amazing Grace of It All
State Department Releases Names of American Casualties in Algeria
Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the State Department has just issued the following statement: We can now confirm the death of three U.S. citizens in the terrorist attack in Algeria: Victor Lynn Lovelady, Gordon Lee Rowan, and Frederick Buttaccio. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends. Out of respect for the families' privacy, we have no … [Read more...] about State Department Releases Names of American Casualties in Algeria
Obama: It’s More Than “…Made for this Moment”
At request from several commenters to augment Obama's recent remark about the American people being 'made for this moment.' The letter below was written in 2001 for people struggling in many ways across the world, and perhaps fills out a bit the idea of being made for a moment-- and to my mind, beyond the moment... well into a complete era. That's my understanding... we are … [Read more...] about Obama: It’s More Than “…Made for this Moment”
Obama Issues Inaugural Call for Unity, Equality
Obama issues inaugural call for unity, equality (via AFP) President Barack Obama issued a impassioned call for national unity and equality on Monday, warning political "absolutism" must not thwart change and renewal, as he was inaugurated for a second term. Obama was publicly sworn in for another four White House years before a crowd of hundreds of … [Read more...] about Obama Issues Inaugural Call for Unity, Equality
Video: President Barack Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address
Here's a video of the full 2013 inaugural address of President Barack Obama: This will remain on the top of TMV throughout the day. … [Read more...] about Video: President Barack Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address
Text of President Barack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's second inaugural address, which the White House has released to news organizations. This is via the Wall Street Journal: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring … [Read more...] about Text of President Barack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama’s Celebration
Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama's celebration (via NJ.com) President Barack Obama was officially sworn in to his second term in a private ceremony Sunday. But the public celebration is today. Obama's second inauguration ceremony includes a speech, a parade, and performances from James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce. Here is a … [Read more...] about Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama’s Celebration
We The People…
I have long had a fantasy that at a Presidential inaugural, someone will approach the great Lynn Ahrens to come and perform this classic song from my youth. I have been able to recite the preamble to the US Constitution by heart since childhood because of that lovely little song and cartoon. I would like to think that whether you like this President, hate this President, … [Read more...] about We The People…
MLK’s Instruction for Successful OverThrows
Problem is, many movements fail, because they do not follow ALL of his tenets. In Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin wrote the four premises to successful overthrow of egregious laws, circumstances, and prejudicial actions that did direct harm to an entire race of persons. His tenets are only four, but each is built on the other, like links holding a suspension bridge … [Read more...] about MLK’s Instruction for Successful OverThrows
Giving Credit
Over the last four years, Paul Krugman has been a harsh critic of the Obama administration -- not because it has failed to cut the deficit -- but because it has not made job creation its prime objective. However, as Obama starts his second term, Krugman praises Obama for his accomplishments: He hasn’t delivered everything his supporters wanted, and at times the … [Read more...] about Giving Credit
(Breaking Updates) Panetta: Terrorists ‘Will Have No Place to Hide’
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street in London, Jan. 18, 2013. Panetta is on a six-day trip to Europe to visit with defense counterparts and troops. (Photo: DOD) UPDATE IX, Jan 21, 11:00 AM EST The New York Times: In his first official tally of the deadly scope of the Algerian hostage … [Read more...] about (Breaking Updates) Panetta: Terrorists ‘Will Have No Place to Hide’
Bill Clinton is Wrong
WASHINGTON - It hardly matters, but I seriously doubt Bill Clinton knows squat about guns. I understand the culture he's talking about, because I live amidst it too, especially considering to whom I'm married (a firearms expert, though not by profession). It also doesn't matter that Mr. Clinton likely doesn't own a gun or know how to shoot one either. What does matter, … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton is Wrong
Martin Luther King’s Old Age
If he were alive, the man whose birthday we celebrate today would be 84, heavy with the years denied him by a bullet at age 39. What is the moral worth of that lost time for generations of Americans who were deprived of Martin Luther King Jr. walking the earth and working for a just and nonviolent world? If he were here, what would he be thinking and saying about the … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King’s Old Age
The Liberation of Barack Obama
WASHINGTON -- Barack Hussein Obama can begin his second term liberated by the confidence that he is already a landmark figure in American history. His task is not to manufacture a legacy but to leave his successors a nation that is more tranquil because it finally resolved arguments that roiled it for decades. Whatever happens in the next four years, Obama will forever … [Read more...] about The Liberation of Barack Obama
Stop Funding Creationist School Vouchers (Guest Voice)
Stop Funding Creationist School Vouchers by Zack Kopplin School voucher programs in the United States have long sparked controversy over the question of whether public tax dollars should be used to enable students to attend private and parochial schools. They should not. School vouchers are corporate welfare for creationist schools. My research in Louisiana … [Read more...] about Stop Funding Creationist School Vouchers (Guest Voice)