Our Editor-in-Chief mentioned that he will be doing a series of “capsule” book reviews. Joe Gandelman's reason for such is the backlog of books and DVDs that need to be reviewed. Apparently Joe is an avid and fast reader. Probably as a consequence of years of painstaking technical writing and reading, I have become a very s l o w reader. By "slow" I mean that it … [Read more...] about (Capsule) Book Review — Unbroken
2013 And TMV
Now that we are moving into a new year it is time for all of us to review and consider changes we might want to make in our lives, and I suppose that ought to apply to TMV as well. I am working on a new weekly series on history and politics that will I hope readers will find interesting (I hope to start that in the next couple weeks) but I'd love to hear from the readers … [Read more...] about 2013 And TMV
Two People Shot at Taft High School in CA, Suspected Gunman in Police Custody
TAFT HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: Two people were shot at Taft High School in Taft, Calif., Thursday morning. The suspected shooter is in police custody. KABC: Authorities say the shooting was reported at about 9 a.m. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was taken into custody at about 9:20 a.m. Parents were asked to pick up their students at the football field. It … [Read more...] about Two People Shot at Taft High School in CA, Suspected Gunman in Police Custody
Guns, Republicans and the New Left
Oh, of course it's about guns. But what's coming in the struggle to limit access to aggressive military weaponry is in one sense the ongoing story of the Republican party and whether it really does want to get out of the mess it's in. Let's not forget that in the recent past, Republicans have been supporters of the assault-weapons ban. Greg Sargent is reasonably … [Read more...] about Guns, Republicans and the New Left
Common Sense
It was on this day in 1776 that Thomas Paine first published his pamphlet "Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, on the Following Interesting Subjects" (better known to us as Common Sense). This document is widely credited with pulling many colonists (and a fair number of founding fathers) off the fence and into the cause of American Independence Among the … [Read more...] about Common Sense
Book Review: “Marketing Me: The Complete Plan for Keeping Your Job in Any Economy” by Douglas J. Wolf
When Douglas J. Wolf sent me a copy of his new book "Marketing Me: The Complete Plan for Keeping Your Job in Any Economy" in 2009, he asked me for my reaction. I emailed him that I thought the book would have far greater appeal to me if he had titled it: "Marketing Joe Gandelman." But, actually, "Marketing Me" is a book where anyone who buys it can insert their name in place … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Marketing Me: The Complete Plan for Keeping Your Job in Any Economy” by Douglas J. Wolf
Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ Tops Oscar Nods with 12
Spielberg's 'Lincoln' tops Oscar nods with 12 (via AFP) Steven Spielberg's taut political drama "Lincoln," about the 16th US president's drive to abolish slavery during the American Civil War, is in the driver's seat for the Oscars with 12 nominations. Taiwan-born Ang Lee's visually stunning 3D adventure "Life of Pi," based on the novel by Yann Martel,… … [Read more...] about Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ Tops Oscar Nods with 12
“Capsule” Book and DVD Reviews Starting on TMV
We've run book reviews for many years on The Moderate Voice. Starting this week I'll be doing a series of what I call "capsule" book reviews: book reviews that will run a few short paragraphs. This is due to a backlog of books and DVDs that need to be reviewed but also because on some reviews I personally feel a short review says it better than a long detailed one. Each will … [Read more...] about “Capsule” Book and DVD Reviews Starting on TMV
A Silver Bullet Solution for Gun Control
It takes a split second and pennies to end a life but hours of surgery and months of rehab, often hundreds of thousands of dollars to save someone struck by a bullet. Gabrielle Giffords, living proof of this lopsided human cost accounting, visited Newtown this week with her husband former astronaut Mark Kelly to rally support for efforts to prevent future gun violence In … [Read more...] about A Silver Bullet Solution for Gun Control
The Redistricting Process Undermines Democracy
The First Article of the Constitution states that members of the House of Representatives shall be elected every two years, provides the qualifications for these offices, and how the number of Representatives each state elects shall be apportioned on the basis of population. The times, place, and manner of these elections is to be determined by each state legislature. However, … [Read more...] about The Redistricting Process Undermines Democracy
Organic Farmers Argue Patent Case Featuring Roundup
The case is Organic Seed Growers and Trade Asscociation et al. vs. Monsanto. The argument, slated January 10, 2013, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, contends that the farmers have standing in this case that protects "farmers from genetic trespass by Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) seed, which can contaminate organic and non-GE farmers’ … [Read more...] about Organic Farmers Argue Patent Case Featuring Roundup
Gun Sanity Needs Bipartisanship
WASHINGTON -- The first and most important victory for advocates of sensible gun laws would, on almost any other matter, seem trivial. But when it comes to firearms, it's huge: Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, attention to the issue has not waned and pressure for action has not diminished. Please don't dismiss this achievement. Consider that until so … [Read more...] about Gun Sanity Needs Bipartisanship
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo: Stop the Gun ‘Madness’
NY governor : stop the gun 'madness' (via AFP) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday proposed the "toughest assault weapons ban in America" in response to a rash of shooting massacres, including the tragedy last month at a Connecticut school. Cuomo, a possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, called for legislation in his annual "State… … [Read more...] about NY Governor Andrew Cuomo: Stop the Gun ‘Madness’
Nixon At 100
Today marks Richard Nixon's 100th birthday. Say what you will he was one of the most complex figures of the 20th century and one of the sharpest foreign policy minds around (which is why Presidents and politicians of both parties quietly consulted him in the 80's and 90's) MSNBC's Chris Matthews (who has written on Nixon) had an interesting segment on RMN's legacy today. … [Read more...] about Nixon At 100
US National Cathedral Opens Doors to Same-Sex Weddings
US National Cathedral opens doors to same-sex weddings (via AFP) The Washington National Cathedral, a focal point of Christian worship in the United States, said Wednesday that, effective immediately, it will officiate same-sex weddings. In a statement, its dean, Gary Hall, said the cathedral -- one of the biggest in the nation -- would marry gay and lesbian … [Read more...] about US National Cathedral Opens Doors to Same-Sex Weddings
Chris Christie Talking Truth: Compromise NOT a Dirty Word
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie today said what many centrists, moderate, independent and traditional Republican conservatives have long wanted to hear a member of the current Republican Party say: “Compromise: it’s not a dirty word!” Here's the segment on Morning Joe: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy But here's the … [Read more...] about Chris Christie Talking Truth: Compromise NOT a Dirty Word
Lana Del Rey is Holding Me Captive
I don't know if I actually like Lana Del Rey's music or perhaps her voice is holding me hostage. I first heard her on Saturday Night Live. Her performance seemed to contrast the "live" aspects of the show. While watching her "sing" it appeared to me that a highly sedated villain from a 1970's bond film was participating in some sort of open mic rap karaoke. She kind of … [Read more...] about Lana Del Rey is Holding Me Captive
Elegy for a Poet of JFK, MLK and Bygone Times
On Thanksgiving Day, I suddenly realized it was also November 22, the anniversary of JFK’s assassination. Missing from the family table and in the hospital was Harvey Shapiro, whose son is married to my daughter-in-law’s sister, a man of my own age who also fought in World War II and spent his working life as a teacher and editor, most notably for prompting Martin Luther … [Read more...] about Elegy for a Poet of JFK, MLK and Bygone Times
Health Care and Private Enterprise
Interesting read from the New York Times on America's health care system: Patients entering church-affiliated nonprofit homes were prescribed drugs roughly as often as those entering profit-making “proprietary” institutions. But patients in proprietary homes received, on average, more than four times the dose of patients at nonprofits. Writing about his colleagues’ … [Read more...] about Health Care and Private Enterprise
Some Heads Explode: Biden Says Obama Exploring Executive Orders to Combat Gun Violence
Mark today as the day when Vice President Joe Biden made many conservative Republicans', NRA officials', and no-on-any-gun-regulation NRA members' (who don't reflect the opinion of many other NRA members) heads explode: he said that President Barack Obama is considering using executive orders to stem mass shootings in America. The police better get ready for a host of calls … [Read more...] about Some Heads Explode: Biden Says Obama Exploring Executive Orders to Combat Gun Violence