UPDATE: While the New York Times column quoted below reports that, at least in some "green-on-green" attacks, personal grievances may be involved, the Washington Post claims in an earlier (Dec. 18) report that in the case of "green on blue" attacks, “the largest percentage of such incidents probably stemmed from personal motives rather than enemy infiltration,” referring to … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: First ‘Green on Blue,’ Now ‘Green on Green’ (Updated)
Obama ‘Modestly Optimistic’ for Fiscal Deal
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal (via AFP) US President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a deal could be agreed with Republicans to head off a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could trigger a recession and rock global markets. Obama said after meeting top congressional leaders that Senate Democrats and Republicans would work… … [Read more...] about Obama ‘Modestly Optimistic’ for Fiscal Deal
Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part I)
As we approach the New Year, it is customary for individuals, organizations and of course the media to take a look at the “old year.” The American Forces Press Service is doing exactly that. In its "The Year in Photos 2012" the Press Service offers the best photographs taken in 2012 by U.S. military photographers: Photos “of troops as they conduct operations around the … [Read more...] about Military Year in Photos – 2012 Review (Part I)
Indian Gang-Rape Victim Dies in Singapor
Indian gang-rape victim dies in Singapore: hospital (via AFP) An Indian gang-rape victim died Saturday in Singapore after suffering from severe organ failure, the hospital treating her said. "We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully at 4.45 am (local time) on 29 Dec 2012," Kelvin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth Hospital, … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim Dies in Singapor
Anger + Popcorn= A Mess…
Anger + Gun= A Tragedy. Rev. Dr. Dwight Moody, a Baptist pastor and a professor, wrote several years ago of how people taking guns into their misunderstandings and disagreements elevates the stakes in conflict situations. Here, anyway, Moody doesn't touch the subjects of gun control or people's Second Amendment rights. He objects to the "gun culture," which means, I take … [Read more...] about Anger + Popcorn= A Mess…
Music Industry Caught With Hand In Cookie Jar
The recording industry has been ripping off YouTube, at least according to Google. I don't know why I find this explosively funny, but I do. … [Read more...] about Music Industry Caught With Hand In Cookie Jar
Putin Signs Law Banning US Adoptions
Putin signs law banning US adoptions (via AFP) President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed into law a ban on the adoption of Russian children by American families that activists slammed for making orphans pawns in a diplomatic row between Moscow and Washington. The law -- retaliation for a US law punishing Russian officials implicated in the 2009… … [Read more...] about Putin Signs Law Banning US Adoptions
Gun Control: Is David Gregory’s On-Air Stunt Proof of Media Bias? (Guest Voice)
Gun control: Is David Gregory’s on-air stunt proof of media bias? (via The Christian Science Monitor) When NBC News reporter David Gregory held up a high-capacity rifle magazine during a “Meet the Press” interview with National Rifle Association chief lobbyist Wayne LaPierre on Sunday, he not only got himself in trouble with Washington, D.C., police, he … [Read more...] about Gun Control: Is David Gregory’s On-Air Stunt Proof of Media Bias? (Guest Voice)
Indian State Plans 65 All-Women Police Stations
Indian state plans 65 all-women police stations (via AFP) The woman chief minister of India's West Bengal state unveiled plans Friday for 65 all-female police stations, as authorities tried to assuage growing anger over a gang-rape in New Delhi. "Sixty-five all-women police stations will be set up across West Bengal to deal with crimes against women," … [Read more...] about Indian State Plans 65 All-Women Police Stations
Indian Gang-Rape Victim ‘Fighting for Her Life’
Indian gang-rape victim 'fighting for her life' (via AFP) An Indian gang-rape victim was "struggling against the odds" to survive on Friday after suffering a heart attack and brain injuries, as medics criticised a decision to fly her to Singapore. In a bulletin issued the day after her arrival in Singapore, doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital said the… … [Read more...] about Indian Gang-Rape Victim ‘Fighting for Her Life’
Happy Fiscal Cliff (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 Happy Fiscal Cliff (Cartoon)
Holding Their Breath
It's truly remarkable. The Republican Party will not move away from its one big idea: No new taxes. Ever. After losing in November, Republicans appear to have chosen David Farragut as their source of inspiration. "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead," they shout. Then, like children, they hold their breath until they turn blue -- or red. Public opinion isn't on their … [Read more...] about Holding Their Breath
Gallup Poll: Support for Gun Control Surging Americans Want Stricter Gun Laws, Still Oppose Bans
A new Gallup Poll finds support for gun control is now literally surging: In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., Gallup finds 58% of Americans in favor of strengthening the laws covering the sale of firearms, up from 43% in 2011. Current support for stricter gun laws is the highest Gallup has measured since January 2004, but still … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Support for Gun Control Surging Americans Want Stricter Gun Laws, Still Oppose Bans
Fiscal Cliff Gattle Heats Up, White House Meeting Friday
Fiscal cliff battle heats up, White House meeting Friday (via AFP) US President Barack Obama will host top congressional leaders including his bitter Republican rivals on Friday in a last-ditch bid to halt America's slide over the so-called "fiscal cliff." A White House official said he will meet his Republican foes House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority … [Read more...] about Fiscal Cliff Gattle Heats Up, White House Meeting Friday
BREAKING NEWS: Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Dead at Age 78
BREAKING NEWS: The Associated Press is reporting retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf died Thursday in Tampa, Fla. He was 78 years old. Gen. Schwarzkopf served as commander of the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait in 1991. Schwarzkopf, widely known as "Stormin Norman" because of his explosive temper, was a decorated soldier, having … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Dead at Age 78
Bhutto’s Son Launches Political Career on Mother’s Death Anniversary
Bhutto's son launches political career on death anniversary (via AFP) The son of Pakistan's slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto launched his political career Thursday on the anniversary of his mother's death, vowing to continue her fight for democracy. More than 200,000 people gathered at the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in the southern … [Read more...] about Bhutto’s Son Launches Political Career on Mother’s Death Anniversary
THE NRA HAS PROPOSED A MUCH-NEEDED NATIONAL JOBS PROGRAM
Since the Newtown Children’s Massacre on December 14th, the U.S. press, media, and blogosphere has been quite busy discussing gun control, mental health, the NRA, and overall American society. I have been slow to issue any comments as I wanted more facts to become known and to hear many more arguments from well-educated people. Two respected TMV writers, Kathy Gill and Elijah … [Read more...] about THE NRA HAS PROPOSED A MUCH-NEEDED NATIONAL JOBS PROGRAM
Indian Teen Kills Self After Pressed to Drop Rape Case
Indian teen kills self after pressed to drop rape case (via AFP) A 17-year-old Indian girl who was gang-raped committed suicide after police pressured her to drop the case and marry one of her attackers, police and a relative said on Thursday. Amid the ongoing uproar over the gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi earlier this month, the latest case has … [Read more...] about Indian Teen Kills Self After Pressed to Drop Rape Case
This Is What ‘They’ Did for Christmas
Afghan girls enjoy new winter jackets they received from U.S. soldiers and Afghan police in the Khoni Kwar area of Afghanistan's Khowst province, Dec. 14, 2012. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to Company A, 3rd Special Troops Battalion. I have a general idea of what most of us did this Christmas. Thought you would like to see what “they” -- our troops far away from home … [Read more...] about This Is What ‘They’ Did for Christmas
Did Mitt want to be President? Or…
I'm with Charles Pierce on this. It's not about want, contrary to what Tagg Romney said about his father in an interview with the Boston Globe. ... "He wanted to be president less than anyone I've met in my life. He had no desire... to run. If he could have found someone else to take his place... he would have been ecstatic to step aside...(Willard) is a very private … [Read more...] about Did Mitt want to be President? Or…