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!
NRA Says “NO!” on More Gun Control
US lobby issues point-blank 'no' on gun control (via AFP) The NRA, the most powerful gun lobby in the United States, ruled out any support Sunday for greater regulation of firearms or ammunition magazines after the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said planned legislation… … [Read more...] about NRA Says “NO!” on More Gun Control
Tagg Romney: My Father Never Really Wanted To Run For President Anyhow
Will this be perceived as the truth finally coming out -- or a nice, big batch of sour grapes? Read it, and you decide: Mitt Romney's son Tagg Romney, in a report in the Boston Globe, now says his Dad didn't really want to run for President anyway: Romney’s eldest son, Tagg, drew up a list of 12 people whose lives had been helped by his father in ways that were publicly … [Read more...] about Tagg Romney: My Father Never Really Wanted To Run For President Anyhow
USING THE WRONG NUMBERS TO DELUDE OURSELVES
In many political and economic discussions over the past decade and longer, when we try looking at facts instead of turning to reality-denying emotional responses, there are many studies available that objectively compare the U.S. to other advanced nations in Europe and Asia. Unfortunately this might be as pointless for Americans as comparing apples to Twinkies. Any … [Read more...] about USING THE WRONG NUMBERS TO DELUDE OURSELVES
Dedicated Public Servant (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 Dedicated Public Servant (Cartoon)
Where’s Mitch McConnell?
So far, the Senate minority leader has remained in the shadows. That has led some lawmakers to wonder if he will play the dealmaker this time. Democrats question whether McConnell’s 2014 reelection bid will impede his ability to support a deal. ...WaPo He's taking his reelection in Kentucky seriously, as he should. But how does he feel about the fall his party has taken … [Read more...] about Where’s Mitch McConnell?
And A Partridge In A Pear Tree (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 And A Partridge In A Pear Tree (Cartoon)
Conn. School Shooting: South Jersey Mental Health Experts Discuss Adam Lanza’s Possible Condition
Conn. school shooting: South Jersey mental health experts discuss Adam Lanza's possible condition (via NJ.com) As the nation searches for explanations and preventive measures following Adam Lanza’s shooting spree in a Connecticut elementary school, speculation abounds concerning the 20-year-old’s inner workings. Though there are little to no facts to … [Read more...] about Conn. School Shooting: South Jersey Mental Health Experts Discuss Adam Lanza’s Possible Condition