It was a different Christmas - no tree or presents and other that my sister who came up from Houston not much family. Mom is transitioning as the hospice people describe it. Of course that means she is dying. Christmas started early for my sister and I as we had to deal with a couple of events in the early hours of Christmas day that included a call to hospice. It was good … [Read more...] about Ghosts Of Christmas Past
Reverse Brain Drain: Thais Ditch the American Rat Race (Guest Voice)
Reverse brain drain: Thais ditch the American rat race (via GlobalPost) Bangkok flavors, brought to you by US-schooled techies. Patrick Winn BANGKOK, Thailand â?? Chinawut Chinaprayoon and his Thai pals have nearly enough diplomas between them to wallpaper a living room. His resume is worthy of Silicon Valley: a masterâ??s in science and technology from Georgia … [Read more...] about Reverse Brain Drain: Thais Ditch the American Rat Race (Guest Voice)
Russia’s Image Smeared By Law Punishing Orphans (Kommersant, Russia)
From the look of it, things are not going as planned in the Kremlin. Russia's parliament, the Duma, with the instigation of Russia President Vladimir Putin, has passed a bill in retaliation for an American law that targets Russian officials involved with human rights abuse. The trouble is, according to Kommersant columnist Konstantin Eggert, the Duma bill, by prohibiting the … [Read more...] about Russia’s Image Smeared By Law Punishing Orphans (Kommersant, Russia)
The Fruitcake Chronicles (A Re-Gifted Christmas Story)
(The Following is a re-post of The Fruitcake Chronicles. I first published this six installment short story in the Auburn Reporter Newspaper. Like a good fruitcake, I regift it every year. Merry Christmas!) The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Old Fashioned Christmas (Part 1 of 6) “Sir, I’m not going to ask you again. Put the fruitcake down and step away from the Santa.” The … [Read more...] about The Fruitcake Chronicles (A Re-Gifted Christmas Story)
Quote of the Day: An African Christmas
Our Quote of the Day actually is a post by Greg Gross, from his award-winning blog "I'm Black and I Travel." Here's a small part of it: The true meaning of Christmas can reveal itself anywhere — including a pair of predominantly Muslim countries in West Africa. At some point before the end of this Christmas Day, after you’ve opened all the presents, stolen your … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: An African Christmas
Message of Hope for Alienated Dads
I know it's just a video, but I know some of you badly need to see this right now: It happened to my dad too, just so you know. Merry Christmas to all of you. You can subscribe to Aimee C Nicholls here. Via Fathers 4 Justice, an organization that everyone should support. Keep up the fight, guys. … [Read more...] about Message of Hope for Alienated Dads
Pope Urges End to Syria Bloodshed in Christmas Message
Pope urges end to Syria bloodshed in Christmas message (via AFP) Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called for an "end to the bloodshed" in conflict-wracked Syria in his traditional Christmas message that touched on several other of the world's conflict zones and attacks on Christians. "There is hope in the world... even at the most difficult times and in the most … [Read more...] about Pope Urges End to Syria Bloodshed in Christmas Message
Duma Reaction to Magnitsky Bill Deals Blow to Russian Orphans – and Duma (Izvestia, Russia)
Merry Christmas to one and all. The Kremlin is angry at Washington over a piece of legislation called the Magnitsky Bill, which punishes Russian officials thought to be involved in a murder cover-up. So Russia's parliament, the Duma, has passed a bill in retaliation. Unfortunately, according to Russian poet Igor Karaulov, the Russian law, which he calls 'not very … [Read more...] about Duma Reaction to Magnitsky Bill Deals Blow to Russian Orphans – and Duma (Izvestia, Russia)
Christmas 2012 (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 Christmas 2012 (Cartoon)
A Christmas Angel: Tattooed Nanny Hands Out Scores of Presents to Sandy Victims
A Christmas angel: Tattooed nanny hands out scores of presents to Sandy victims (via NJ.com) This is a Christmas story about a tattooed nanny; a girl given up for adoption when she was 6; two women displaced from their homes by Sandy; fleece pajamas, a Crock-Pot and a pink Schwinn bike; and three people who met for the first time the other night and now sound as … [Read more...] about A Christmas Angel: Tattooed Nanny Hands Out Scores of Presents to Sandy Victims
Merry Christmas To All !
As many of us enjoy the day with family and friends I want to take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. For those who share my faith in celebrating the truly amazing blessing granted to mankind may your day be rich in deep spiritual significance. For those who do not share that faith, may you have a wonderful day with those you love and those who love you. For … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas To All !
Christmas 2012 (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 Christmas 2012 (Cartoon)
Your 21st Century Ideological Politics at Work: Thousands Sign Petition to Get CNN’s Piers Morgan Deported Due to His Anti Gun Views
There's a pattern to 21st century American partisanship and ideology. It's this: if someone is a threat, try to discredit them or remove them. And, no, this isn't referring to those who overstep the bounds of traditional public discourse, almost slander someone, or even demonize someone. After all: without demonization how could the talk show industry (right and left) even … [Read more...] about Your 21st Century Ideological Politics at Work: Thousands Sign Petition to Get CNN’s Piers Morgan Deported Due to His Anti Gun Views
Some Christmas Inspirations
WASHINGTON -- There is much dispute and dialogue among scholars over what to make of the Christmas narratives in the Scriptures and the connection between what was written and what we can know about what happened. As the Rev. Daniel J. Harrington has noted: "The New Testament contains two Christmas stories, not one. They appear in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. They have some points … [Read more...] about Some Christmas Inspirations
4 Firefighters Shot Responding To A Fire; AMA on Gun Research Silence
Will Wayne LaPierre take to the Sunday chat shows calling for every fire truck in America to have an armed guard to protect our firfighters from being shot when responding to a fire? On Christmas Eve. In Webster, NY: A 62-year-old Webster man suspected of setting a trap that killed two firefighters and injured two others was previously in prison for beating his grandmother … [Read more...] about 4 Firefighters Shot Responding To A Fire; AMA on Gun Research Silence
“Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
I can’t gift-wrap this, but it’s the closest thing to a Christmas treasure I have to share. Decades ago, I published it twice in different magazines. Eric Sevareid was a gifted writer who spent most of his life as a radio and TV journalist working with Edward R. Murrow during World War II as part of “a band of brothers” and later at CBS-TV in its glory days. He was a hero … [Read more...] about “Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
Merry Christmas, My Friends
Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Here at TMV there are many religious variants from Christian to atheist, agnostic to eastern, mystic to Jewish. I even have a little of the latter in my bloodline, though my family and I live and regard and celebrate Christmas as a Christian family. Like many, we have our own Christmas traditions. Our daughter developed a beautiful … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas, My Friends
Happy Christmas From Yes Minister
What is amazing is that they memorized these monologues.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW7EL3_xL9s … [Read more...] about Happy Christmas From Yes Minister
Out in the Garden, Eating Worms (UPDATED)
That's what schoolkids used to say about people who were "for nothing and against everything." "For nothing and against everything" is what former Bush and McCain advisor, Mark McKinnon, is saying about his own party. He's probably not the only wavering member of the GOP who's disillusioned. Like many onlookers, he's singling out the whole party's inability to face … [Read more...] about Out in the Garden, Eating Worms (UPDATED)
Afghan Policewoman Shoots Dead Foreign Adviser
Afghan policewoman shoots dead foreign adviser (via AFP) A female Afghan police officer shot dead a NATO civilian adviser inside Kabul police headquarters on Monday, officials said, in the first "insider" attack by a woman. It was the latest in a series of such attacks that have seriously undermined trust between NATO forces and their Afghan allies in the… … [Read more...] about Afghan Policewoman Shoots Dead Foreign Adviser