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
CNN Names Barack Obama Its “Most Intriguing Person of the Year”
First Time named President Barack Obama is "Person of the Year" -- and now CNN has named him its most "Intriguing Person of the Year." Who voted? Readers of CNN.com, the news organization's highly popular website: A year ago, President Barack Obama was under fire. Today, he is being feted. In just 12 months, the 51-year-old lawyer and former U.S. senator raised by a … [Read more...] about CNN Names Barack Obama Its “Most Intriguing Person of the Year”
‘Well, Mr. Potter, In My Book He Died A Much Richer Man Than You’ll Ever Be.’
Sixty-seven years ago on Christmas eve, George Bailey was at the end of his rope and was about to jump off a bridge in Bedford Falls, New York. So began the beginning of the end of It’s A Wonderful Life, a movie that I never tire of seeing this time of year. Even when I was at my most cynical, It’s A Wonderful Life was never corny. On one very lonely Christmas Eve, it … [Read more...] about ‘Well, Mr. Potter, In My Book He Died A Much Richer Man Than You’ll Ever Be.’
Sen. Michael Crapo Arrested in DUI
Something must be in the water (or the beer). First we got the news that ABC's veteran newsman Sam Donaldson was arrested for DUI, now we get Sen. Mike Crapo -- who has issued an apology: Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued a public apology after being arrested for drunken driving in Alexandria, Va., early Sunday morning. Jody Donaldson, a spokesperson for the Alexandria … [Read more...] about Sen. Michael Crapo Arrested in DUI
Antarctic Ice Sheet Warming Faster Than Thought: Study
Antarctic ice sheet warming faster than thought: study (via AFP) The West Antarctic Ice Sheet, whose melt may be responsible for 10 percent of the sea-level rise caused by climate change, is warming twice as quickly as previously thought, a study said Sunday. A re-analysis of temperature records from 1958 to 2010 revealed an increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius … [Read more...] about Antarctic Ice Sheet Warming Faster Than Thought: Study
Wayne LaPierre (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 Wayne LaPierre (Cartoon)
A Primer On Gun Technology And Weapons Bans
Updated When I started posting articles on Facebook related to gun control, my gun-toting friends -- in the main -- weren't happy with me. They told me in no uncertain terms that I didn't know what I was talking about. They said I was being inflammatory and had a responsibility to not share inaccurate news stories or commentary. But the more they posted, the more it felt … [Read more...] about A Primer On Gun Technology And Weapons Bans
Finding The Christmas Star
With Christmas Eve upon us I thought I’d offer my annual post on the origins of the Christmas Star (per astronomy) and thus offering thoughts on when he was really born. Most of us know that Christ was not really born in December or the year zero. A number of people have tried to look first to the Bible for clues about what the star did and when, then they went outside the … [Read more...] about Finding The Christmas Star
When Silent Comedians Tried Sound (Harry Langdon with Vernon Dent)
A GEM FOR THREE STOOGES FANS, SILENT COMEDIAN FANS AND STUDENTS OF COMEDY: Silent movie star comedian Harry Langdon tried sound movies but didn't catch on. Here's a clip from a sound short he did. And YES his foil with the moustache is the great Vernon Dent, who appeared in many Three Stooges flicks (he was the best of their foils). A very very funny bit: … [Read more...] about When Silent Comedians Tried Sound (Harry Langdon with Vernon Dent)
Washington’s Revolving Door: As Old as Lincoln (Guest Voice)
Washington’s Revolving Door: As Old as Lincoln by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We recently talked about the infernal revolving door between government and big business and how one person in particular, Liz Fowler, has spun through it so many times she may need to take something for motion sickness. Which makes it a good thing that she’s going back to work as a … [Read more...] about Washington’s Revolving Door: As Old as Lincoln (Guest Voice)
It’s Our System on the Cliff
WASHINGTON -- The United States faces a crisis in our political system because the Republican Party, particularly in the House of Representatives, is no longer a normal, governing party. The only way we will avoid a constitutional crackup is for a new, bipartisan majority to take effective control of the House and isolate those who would rather see the country fall … [Read more...] about It’s Our System on the Cliff
Still Here? Happy New Bak’tun
WASHINGTON -- If you're reading this, the Maya were wrong. Rather, they would have been wrong if they'd actually predicted the end of the world, which scholars are pretty sure they didn't. On the other hand, if there's nobody around to thumb through the morning newspaper -- if, indeed, there are no more scholars, newspapers, mornings or thumbs -- then I guess it was a … [Read more...] about Still Here? Happy New Bak’tun
India: Gang Gape, Politics and Sonia Gandhi (UPDATED)
Sonia Gandhi, the Teflon-coated puppeteer behind the Indian government may have met her Rubicon. Police tried to push it back again today with tear gas, water cannons and batons. But it refuses to quell. The fateful choice came to a head with a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, who was so brutally gang raped and beaten in the capital city of Delhi last Sunday that she is … [Read more...] about India: Gang Gape, Politics and Sonia Gandhi (UPDATED)
Our Eighth Annual Christmas Podcast!
Welcome to his vorpal sword's Eighth Annual presentation of "The Saint Nick Case," a Christmas radio play of approximately one-half hour, which originally appeared on KOPT-AM, live (In other words, it's an actual old time radio drama, performed live in front of an invisible audience of, potentially, trillions.) Click for the radio play For a special treat, The KOPT Radio … [Read more...] about Our Eighth Annual Christmas Podcast!