Amid the dwindling attention in the media to independent voters after President Obama's re-election in November (below see who won independents' votes in 2012), I'm drawn to re-read Jacqueline Salit's Obama and Independents: The Micro, the Macro and the Forest -- A Post Election Independent Analysis addressed in memo form on IndependentVoting.org's website to The … [Read more...] about The Third Apparition and Independent Voters
White House Considering Removing All Troops from Afghanistan After 2014
It truly sounds as if President Barack Obama is looking for ways to tie up a lot of loose ends by the time he leaves office in 2016. And one of them is clearly Afghanistan: the White House is indicating it's seriously considering getting all troops out of Afghanistan by 2014: The Obama administration is considering the possibility of removing all U.S. troops in Afghanistan … [Read more...] about White House Considering Removing All Troops from Afghanistan After 2014
Comedy Voice: A GREAT, Loose, Vaudeville Comedy Team Act
A GREAT vaudeville act. If you thought SNL invented the zany, loose style of comedy, think again. My fellow performers and all comedy fans NEED to watch this incredible act. Vaudeville folks did the same act over and over from city to city, perfecting their timing. Note how loose this is -- yet smooth, perfectly timed. MUST VIEWING (before my time so this is NOT nostalgia but … [Read more...] about Comedy Voice: A GREAT, Loose, Vaudeville Comedy Team Act
Gun Ownership and ‘We Did It Because We Could’ Journalism (Guest Voice)
Gun Ownership and 'We Did It Because We Could' Journalism by Carl Golden In the mid-1950's, I began my career in the newspaper business on the daily paper in my hometown in Pennsylvania and, as the new kid in the newsroom, my assignments often required unearthing information that others wished to remain secret. I was instructed by my city editor to be vigilant in … [Read more...] about Gun Ownership and ‘We Did It Because We Could’ Journalism (Guest Voice)
The Political Implications of America’s Oil & Gas Boom – James Kwak Interview (Guest Voice)
The Political Implications of America's Oil & Gas Boom – James Kwak Interview by James Stafford As we begin a new year we wanted to take a look at the current energy landscape and see what the future holds for the global economy, America's oil and gas boom, whether renewables will continue to be a favourite amongst investors and whether we should be focusing more attention … [Read more...] about The Political Implications of America’s Oil & Gas Boom – James Kwak Interview (Guest Voice)
The Republican Race for Non-Compassionate Conservatism
Will the Republican Party's 2012 national rout have an impact? Will it become more a moderate (excuse the "dirty" word) conservative party that tries to inch back to George W. Bush's stated goal of a more "compassionate conservatism" that would appeal to growing, Democratic-inclined demographics? As Tony Soprano said: "Fuhgeddaboudit!" Amid signs of looming Republican … [Read more...] about The Republican Race for Non-Compassionate Conservatism
Hagel, Kerry on Last mission for Vietnam Generation
Hagel, Kerry on last mission for Vietnam generation (via AFP) America's Vietnam War generation has one, unlikely, final run at power, after President Barack Obama turned to his elders Chuck Hagel and John Kerry to run second-term national security policy. The societal poison stirred by Vietnam embittered almost every US election between 1968 and 2004, but … [Read more...] about Hagel, Kerry on Last mission for Vietnam Generation
Hagel Nomination: Israelis Ask ‘What’s the Big Deal?’
Hagel nomination: Israelis ask 'what's the big deal?' (via The Christian Science Monitor) President Obama’s choice of Chuck Hagel for secretary of Defense, hotly contested by the American Jewish community, has received a muted response in Israel. While some echo concerns that the former Republican senator is dangerous or anti-Semitic, others here … [Read more...] about Hagel Nomination: Israelis Ask ‘What’s the Big Deal?’
Moderate Power? Moderate Republican Group to Remove ‘Republican’ from Name and Welcome Democrats
They say for every action there's a reaction. The Tea Party, many contend, was at first a reaction to the big government policies of George W. Bush and the then-new President Barack Obama. Then GOPers came in and largely co-pted the movement, which became a potent force within the party after the 2010 elections. And now you have this: the moderate Republican group … [Read more...] about Moderate Power? Moderate Republican Group to Remove ‘Republican’ from Name and Welcome Democrats
David Brooks Takes A Sip Of Reality
David Brooks is usually clueless but he at least dips a toe in the cold sea of reality today. He rightly observes that voters like Medicare and Medicaid and that any serious cuts are unlikely. Americans don’t particularly like government, but they do want government to subsidize their health care. They believe that health care spending improves their lives more than any other … [Read more...] about David Brooks Takes A Sip Of Reality
Chuck Hagel, ‘A Touch Anti-Semitic’? A ‘Bugaboo Issue’.
In his announcement that he is nominating Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense, the President said: And Chuck recognizes that American leadership is indispensable in a dangerous world. I saw this in our travels together across the Middle East. He understands that America stands strongest when we stand with allies and with friends. I would assume that … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel, ‘A Touch Anti-Semitic’? A ‘Bugaboo Issue’.
PPP Poll: “Congress somewhere below cockroaches, traffic jams, and Nickelback in Americans’
This is actually a non-story about a poll (but we'll report it anyway). From Public Policy Polling: Our newest national poll finds that Congress only has a 9% favorability rating with 85% of voters viewing it in a negative light. We've seen poll after poll after poll over the last year talking about how unpopular Congress is but really, what's the difference between an 11% … [Read more...] about PPP Poll: “Congress somewhere below cockroaches, traffic jams, and Nickelback in Americans’
China Press Freedom Campaign Swells with New Rally
China press freedom campaign swells with new rally (via AFP) Protesters rallied Tuesday for a second day to call for press freedom in China, as social media users and celebrities backed a campaign which poses a test for the nation's new leaders. Scores of people, some carrying mourning flowers, gathered outside the Guangzhou offices of the Southern Weekly, … [Read more...] about China Press Freedom Campaign Swells with New Rally
Hagel in Your Face (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 Hagel in Your Face (Cartoon)
India Vows Response After ‘Ghastly’ Pakistan Attack
India vows response after 'ghastly' Pakistan attack (via AFP) India accused Pakistan of killing two of its soldiers in a "ghastly" attack Tuesday and mutilating one of the bodies along the tense disputed border between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said India would deliver a "proportionate response" to the killings in … [Read more...] about India Vows Response After ‘Ghastly’ Pakistan Attack
Talk Show Host Alex Jones on CNN Piers Morgan’s Show: Was Jones “an Argument for Gun Control”?
And now it's the stuff of instant media legend. And -- it's not hard to predict -- lots of $$$ for talk show host Alex Jones. Jones, who has led the petition drive to deport Piers Morgan for his strong anti-gun control stance, was on Morgan's show. And the sparks did fly. Prediction: even though comedians may mock it, even though moderates, liberals and centrists may feel … [Read more...] about Talk Show Host Alex Jones on CNN Piers Morgan’s Show: Was Jones “an Argument for Gun Control”?
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Gets A Lesson In The New American Capitalism
(The scene is the executive washroom of Goldman Sachs. Washroom attendant Selig Cartwright has been pacing nervously, awaiting his employer, Mr. B, who arrives in a huff) I got your message, Selig, and this better be important. I've been trying to get documentation on my new gardener, make sure he's legal, and the paperwork is fearsome. It is important, Mr. B. I think we … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Gets A Lesson In The New American Capitalism
Tarantino’s Dynamite “Django Unchained” and the Critics [Spoiler Alert]
... 75 percent of everyone polled said it isn't Congress' or the president's role to pressure Hollywood to make less-violent movies and TV shows. [...] Meanwhile, 68 percent of liberals say the NRA bears more blame than Hollywood, but 74 percent of conservatives blame Hollywood more than gun-ownership advocates. However, 60 percent of all respondents agree that mental illness … [Read more...] about Tarantino’s Dynamite “Django Unchained” and the Critics [Spoiler Alert]
Gabby Giffords Takes on Gun Lobby
Shot ex-congresswoman takes on US gun lobby (via AFP) Former US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a famous survivor of gun violence, launched a major initiative on Tuesday to challenge the nation's powerful gun lobby and press for tougher gun laws. Giffords, shot in the head in January 2011 while meeting constituents in her native Arizona, unveiled … [Read more...] about Gabby Giffords Takes on Gun Lobby
Death of a Journalistic and Literary Giant: Richard Ben Cramer Dies
The death of a journalistic and literary giant: Richard Ben Cramer has died at 62. The Daily Beast's John Avlon says it all: News that Richard Ben Cramer died swept through the Twitterverse on Monday night, even before a hint of his passing hit the Internet. It was oddly appropriate, because the cult of Richard Ben Cramer was always first a word-of-mouth initiation, as … [Read more...] about Death of a Journalistic and Literary Giant: Richard Ben Cramer Dies