Jenny Sanford, South Carolina's former first lady, said she will not run for Congress. News swirled last week that should would run against her ex-husband, Mark Sanford, for the Congressional seat. Jenny Sanford, who has four sons with ex-governor Sanford, said her family comes first. "I think my job as mom right now is much more important, much more rewarding and much more … [Read more...] about Jenny Sanford Won’t Run Against Ex-Husband Mark Sanford to Fill Congressional Seat Held by Tim Scott
All Teachers Should Pack Heat
On 12/27/12 I posted on TMV to discuss in part the issue of gun control – and so have many other TMV writers since 12/14/12 when someone shot some very young kids and teachers at a Connecticut grade school. Most of our nation's 24/7 info-entertainment Media outlets obsessed on this subject for weeks and articles were written and published by every well-known and unknown … [Read more...] about All Teachers Should Pack Heat
Obama Warns of Crisis Unless Debt Ceiling is Raised
Obama warns of crisis unless debt ceiling is raised (via AFP) President Barack Obama warned of a new economic crisis Monday and said global stock markets would go "haywire" unless Republicans in Congress agree to raise the US sovereign debt ceiling. "To even entertain the idea of this happening, of the United States of America not paying its bills, it is … [Read more...] about Obama Warns of Crisis Unless Debt Ceiling is Raised
No Labels, Version 2.0 Seeks Problem Solvers
Founded in 2010, No Labels was originally designed to be a forum for political moderates for the purpose of fostering inter-party communication and cooperation. Its goals originally focused on long-range reforms such as redistricting and campaign finance reform. With its devotion to difficult long-range reform and its call only to those who considered themselves moderates, the … [Read more...] about No Labels, Version 2.0 Seeks Problem Solvers
Report: House Republican Majority Prepared to Default If Don’t Get Their Way (UPDATED)
I've noted here the past few years that rank partisanship and the idea that ideology and political triumph is the number one goal has made many "givens" in American politics "ungivens." Remove the "given" that House Republicans in the end will be unwilling to default. The Politico reports that House Republicans are fully prepared to do two things that could decimate the economy … [Read more...] about Report: House Republican Majority Prepared to Default If Don’t Get Their Way (UPDATED)
Anonymous Hacks MIT.edu; Tributes To Aaron Swartz Continue
Sunday evening, Anonymous posted a tribute (pdf) to Aaron Swartz on the MIT.edu website. It was hours after the university president had announced an internal investigation of MIT's involvement with the events leading up to his death and, in tone, represented many of the tributes flooding the web. Whether or not the government contributed to his suicide, the government's … [Read more...] about Anonymous Hacks MIT.edu; Tributes To Aaron Swartz Continue
‘Argo,’ ‘Les Miserables’ Win Big at Golden Globes
'Argo,' 'Les Miserables' win big at Golden Globes (via AFP) Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo" and musical "Les Miserables" were the big winners at the Golden Globes, while Steven Spielberg's presidential drama "Lincoln" won only one major award. Affleck won the top prizes of best dramatic film and director for his movie about a CIA mission to rescue … [Read more...] about ‘Argo,’ ‘Les Miserables’ Win Big at Golden Globes
We’re Not in Retreat
WASHINGTON -- We are about to have a major foreign policy debate in the guise of a confirmation battle over Chuck Hagel's nomination as secretary of defense and the related argument over how long American troops should stay in Afghanistan. President Obama should use this opportunity to stand up for his broader vision of how American power can be sustained and used, even if that … [Read more...] about We’re Not in Retreat
Hot Enough for You?
WASHINGTON -- All right, now can we talk about climate change? After a year when the lower 48 states suffered the warmest temperatures, and the second-craziest weather, since record-keeping began? Apparently not. The climate change denialists -- especially those who manipulate the data in transparently bogus ways to claim that warming has halted or even reversed course … [Read more...] about Hot Enough for You?
What to Expect from a Post-Chavez Venezuela (Guest Voice)
What to Expect from a Post-Chavez Venezuela by Daniel J. Graeber It's unlikely that ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will return to power after missing his Thursday inauguration because of ongoing cancer treatment in Cuba. That leaves Vice President Nicolas Maduro in de facto power of a country that has moved further away from Washington and closer to rogue regimes … [Read more...] about What to Expect from a Post-Chavez Venezuela (Guest Voice)
JSTOR Issues Statement About Aaron Swartz’ Suicide
Jstor is the company that Aaron was alleged to have stolen thousands of pages of files from. Aaron took his life this week. He was 26 years old, in the bloom of youth. He'd suffered from depression for a long time. He was going to go to trial on several allegations of illegal activity in April. JSTOR aggregates literally hundreds of journal literary and research articles and … [Read more...] about JSTOR Issues Statement About Aaron Swartz’ Suicide
MIT President Issues Statement about Suicide of Aaron Swartz: Orders Review of MIT’s Role
MIT's President has issued a statement in the wake of the suicide of renowed programmer and web activist Aaron Swartz, who killed himself last week awaiting federal trial on 13 felony counts. To the members of the MIT community: Yesterday we received the shocking and terrible news that on Friday in New York, Aaron Swartz, a gifted young man well known and admired by … [Read more...] about MIT President Issues Statement about Suicide of Aaron Swartz: Orders Review of MIT’s Role
The Battle for Gun Control Rages On (Guest Cartoonist)
The battle for gun control rates on. Two cartoons: Of related interest: Sweeping new gun laws proposed by influential liberal think tank NRA President: Americans Are Buying Firearms Because They Fear Obama Like Obama, Emanuel pivots on guns Guns Don't Kill People, Gun Culture Does Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists … [Read more...] about The Battle for Gun Control Rages On (Guest Cartoonist)
U.S. Military Bets $20 Million On 500 Electric Vehicles For EV-To-Grid Initiative (Guest Voice)
U.S. Military Bets $20 Million On 500 Electric Vehicles For EV-To-Grid Initiative (via Clean Technica) Among the many (many, many) sustainable energy programs recently launched by the U.S. military, the Defense Department’s new military electric-vehicles-to-grid initiative is especially worth noting. With the announcement of a $20 million, 500-vehicle leasing … [Read more...] about U.S. Military Bets $20 Million On 500 Electric Vehicles For EV-To-Grid Initiative (Guest Voice)
India Arrests Six in New Bus Gang-Rape Case
India arrests six in new bus gang-rape case (via AFP) Six men have been arrested over the rape of a passenger on a coach in India, police said Sunday, weeks after the gang-rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi sparked nationwide protests. The victim had boarded the service to her in-laws' home in the northern state of Punjab when she was… … [Read more...] about India Arrests Six in New Bus Gang-Rape Case
Anger at Suicide of Internet Activist Aaron Swartz Grows
Anger at suicide of US Internet activist (via AFP) The death of prominent Internet freedom fighter Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26 weeks before he faced trial, sparked grief and anger Sunday from online rights advocates. "Aaron did more than almost anyone to make the Internet a thriving ecosystem for open knowledge, and to keep… … [Read more...] about Anger at Suicide of Internet Activist Aaron Swartz Grows
More on RFK Jr’s JFK Assassination Comments
Yesterday we did this post about RFK, Jr. detailing his father's suspicions about who killed JFK. Two links: GO HERE to read about the coverage this got across the political spectrum. Then GO HERE to the main website on this -- one I suspect will be increasingly visited as we head to November 22, 2013, the 50th anniversary of JFK's murder. (VERY strange code appeared … [Read more...] about More on RFK Jr’s JFK Assassination Comments
Senator Barney Frank?
With it looking like Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts is going to leaving the Senate in order to become the new Secretary of State for the 2nd Obama administration, recently-retired Congressman Barney Frank is openly expressing interest in the job, with a number of progressive groups strongly supporting the move. For the progressive/liberal wing of the Democratic party, … [Read more...] about Senator Barney Frank?
Colin Powell: GOP Needs to do Political Soul Searching on “Deep Strain of Intolerance” (With Video)
I've often said and written that the views of former Secretary of State Colin Powell are dismissed at the political dismissers' peril because he does represent the views of many moderates -- polls show it, and when you talk to people who are moderates, centrists or independents his name frequently comes up. In fact, I've often said that Powell winds up saying what I've written … [Read more...] about Colin Powell: GOP Needs to do Political Soul Searching on “Deep Strain of Intolerance” (With Video)
NRA President: US Gun Lobby will ‘Defeat’ Assault Weapons Ban
US gun lobby will 'defeat' assault weapons ban (via AFP) The president of the top US firearms lobby said on Sunday that his organization has enough backing from lawmakers to defeat a plan to outlaw assault weapons and sales of high-capacity ammunition clips. David Keene, president of the National Rifle Association, told CNN's "State of the Union," such … [Read more...] about NRA President: US Gun Lobby will ‘Defeat’ Assault Weapons Ban