One of the key tools in the media age is being able to not just be on TV, but look relaxed on TV and be someone the camera seemingly loves (as someone who has paid to have videos shot in my other incarnation and over the years been on MSNBC and CNN as a talking head the camera can't make up its mind about ME). New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is someone the camera loves and you … [Read more...] about Chris Christie Does His Schitck with CBS’ David Letterman (Video)
US Memo Gives Broad Legal Rationale for Targeted Killings
US memo gives broad legal rationale for targeted killings (via AFP) A newly revealed Justice Department memo finds that US citizens believed to be senior Al-Qaeda operators may lawfully be killed, even if no intelligence shows they are actively plotting an attack. The disclosure by NBC News, which posted a link to the white paper on its web page, comes amid … [Read more...] about US Memo Gives Broad Legal Rationale for Targeted Killings
Less Frequent Elections and Term Limits = Better Congress
Congress has consistently low public approval ratings because citizens perceive the institution as a highly politicized body that gets little important legislation enacted. One of the reasons is that elections every two years to choose members of Congress (MOC), as mandated in Article One of the Constitution, are too frequent, negatively impacting the functioning of the … [Read more...] about Less Frequent Elections and Term Limits = Better Congress
On Guns, Unfinished Business
WASHINGTON -- The moment that most deserves to be remembered from Sunday's thrilling Super Bowl came before the game, when Jennifer Hudson joined students from the Sandy Hook Elementary School in singing "America the Beautiful." It was a heart-rending elegy for the fallen -- and a stirring call to action. The brave students, in khakis and white polo shirts, survived the … [Read more...] about On Guns, Unfinished Business
Quote of the Day: Jay Rosen on Newsroom “Traditionalists” and Changing Journalism
Our Quote of the Day comes from NYU's Jay Rosen, a journalism professor who never fails to make many think about media issues who might not normally seriously think about media issues -- or who might considering seriously thinking about media issues. He has this MUST READ post on the tensions between media traditionalists the new media. Here's his headline: Look, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Jay Rosen on Newsroom “Traditionalists” and Changing Journalism
Can Vigilante Justice Save Mexico?
Can vigilante justice save Mexico? (via GlobalPost) With law and order stretched thin in Mexico, citizen posses have stepped up, rounding up accused drug dealers and other criminals. Dudley Althaus AYUTLA DE LOS LIBRES, Mexico â?? For almost a month now, hundreds of masked men wielding old shotguns, rifles, revolvers and machetes have claimed to… … [Read more...] about Can Vigilante Justice Save Mexico?
Do Super Bowl Commercials Drive People (Especially Kids) to Drink? (Video)
Do Super Bowl commercials drive people to drink -- particularly kidsSan Diego's Dr. Michael Mantell discusses on his TV appearance on San Diego's CW 6: … [Read more...] about Do Super Bowl Commercials Drive People (Especially Kids) to Drink? (Video)
Is Former Republican Party South Carolina Bigwig Trying to Provoke Twitter?
Is a former Republican Party bigwig from South Carolina trying to provoke Twitter by doing Tweets that cannot be confused with thoughtful discussion -- and in fact will bring him charges of racism? Is he perhaps trying to set himself up as a conservative political martyr?GO HERE AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. NOTE: My own view is that American politics and media "success" (hits, … [Read more...] about Is Former Republican Party South Carolina Bigwig Trying to Provoke Twitter?
Power Outage (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 Power Outage (Cartoon)
Gallup Poll: Hispanics’ Approval of Obama 70%, Up 12 Pts. Since August
A new Gallup Poll finds President Barack Obama's stock is rising among Hispanic voters when compared to August, although down a bit from last month: In January, 70% of Hispanics approved of the job President Barack Obama was doing, down slightly from 75% in December. However, the January measure still represents an increase of 12 percentage points since last August, just … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Hispanics’ Approval of Obama 70%, Up 12 Pts. Since August
Richard the GOP (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 Richard the GOP (Cartoon)
Alabama Hostage Situation Ends with Child Safe, Kidnapper Dead
Alabama hostage situation ends with child safe, kidnapper dead (via NJ.com) Seven days after an Alabama man killed a school bus driver, stole a child and held him in a bunker, the situation has been resolved and the child is free, according to a report on AL.com. Law enforcement officials confirmed to AL.com that 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes was dead, but declined … [Read more...] about Alabama Hostage Situation Ends with Child Safe, Kidnapper Dead
Tagg Romney Says “No Thanks” to Those Floating His Name for Senate for Massachusetts
Tagg Romney has flatly said: "Tagg -- I'm not it." It'll be a Romney-less election in April to fill now-Secretary of Defense John Kerry's senate seat after all. Trial balloons trying to get losing Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney's wife Ann to enter the fray fizzled. And you could say that a Boston Herald report flatly saying he was seriously considering entering … [Read more...] about Tagg Romney Says “No Thanks” to Those Floating His Name for Senate for Massachusetts
I’m Back
This is kind of a follow up to John's excellent post at Middle Earth Journal. About 2 weeks ago my my 90 year old mother died. She had been in home hospice for over 2 months. I had a caregiver come in 5 hours a day but for the rest of the time I was her caregiver. Those caregivers were not covered by medicare and it cost my sister and I about $12,000 for those two months. … [Read more...] about I’m Back
Walt Whitman to Obama about Guns/ Hunting
When people hunt, so much happens, stories unfold as they seldom do in 'shooting in a gallery, all standing in one place.' The difference is between 'still life' and 'moving cinema.' Here is the master poet Walt Whitman on just a portion of a hunting life and firearms... from "Song of Myself" which sees 'the self' as both a personal and universal self... If Whitman could fly … [Read more...] about Walt Whitman to Obama about Guns/ Hunting
Sen. John McCain Called Racist for ‘Space Monkey’ Tweet About Iran Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Sen. John McCain sparked outrage with a tweet calling Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a "space monkey" over his desire to be the first Iranian in space. Some are accusing Sen. McCain of racism. You will recall John McCain also mumbled "bomb, bomb Iran" during the 2008 presidential campaign. This is the same man who has serious reservations about Chuck Hagel becoming our next … [Read more...] about Sen. John McCain Called Racist for ‘Space Monkey’ Tweet About Iran Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Quote of the Day: On Publicity Seeking Donald Trump (Yes, Really) Suing Bill Maher
Oh, please mommy, mommy, can't you make that man with the big hair and a mouth bigger than his big hair go away? Oh, please mommy? Make him go away, make him go AWAY!! Yes, you can almost hear people of all ages, sexes, political and sexual orientations, and ideologies (well, maybe not a segment of one) coming together in a historical bond of national unity, uttering or … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Publicity Seeking Donald Trump (Yes, Really) Suing Bill Maher
Obama as A Shootist: Har
Some of the blogosphere commentary about the right/wrong way to hold a certain firearm, makes me smile. Especially when the opiner is trying to dun Obama for what is for the Prez a newbie hobbyist pursuit. Many comments across the blogosphere seem to be from rankle-ankles unhappy-with-Obama ... and wanting to critizise his whatever, whenever they can. Good enough. But/and... … [Read more...] about Obama as A Shootist: Har
Take a Peek at Andrew Sullivan’s Relocated Blog (UPDATED)
Take a Peek at Andrew Sullivan's relocated blog. It's no secret that many writers at TMV are huge fans of his site, visit him often, and have linked to him through the years. He describes the new features HERE. Last month the always-independent Sullivan again showed his independence by leaving his plum spot on the lively and content-packed website The Daily Beast to set up a … [Read more...] about Take a Peek at Andrew Sullivan’s Relocated Blog (UPDATED)
Super Bowl brought to you by former Axis Powers
To workers I'm just another drone To Ma Bell I'm just another phone I'm just another statistic on a sheet To teachers I'm just another child To IRS I'm just another file I'm just another consensus on the street ... ~ Bob Seger I have seen every Super Bowl ever played. I remember the empty stands at Super Bowl I in the Los Angeles Coliseum. But this year's … [Read more...] about Super Bowl brought to you by former Axis Powers