I recently saw Steven Spielberg’s much acclaimed “Lincoln .” It was an unbelievable film that deserves every accolade it will receive. And there’ll be many. And for the many Lincoln experts who believe they know all of the intricacies and enigma relating to Lincoln the man, the movie will open many new windows about our 16th President. My respect for his leadership, abilities, … [Read more...] about A Few Good Men: Coincidences and Anomalies of the (Obscure) Men Who Shaped 13th Amendment
Report: The Republicans’ “Doomsday Scenario”
If this report is true, the so much for all the reports indicating that after the November elections it was going to be somehow different and that the United States and poorer citizens wouldn't find themselves pawn in a high stakes political power play. To wit: Republicans are seriously considering a Doomsday Plan if fiscal cliff talks collapse entirely. It’s quite … [Read more...] about Report: The Republicans’ “Doomsday Scenario”
Syria Mixing Chemicals for Sarin Gas: US Official
Syria mixing chemicals for sarin gas: US official (via AFP) Syria has begun mixing chemicals that can be used to make deadly sarin gas, a US official told AFP Monday, amid fears that President Bashar al-Assad's forces could attack rebels with chemical weapons. "We've picked up several indications which lead us to believe that they're combining chemical … [Read more...] about Syria Mixing Chemicals for Sarin Gas: US Official
Adelson Spent $150 Million on US elections: Report
Adelson spent $150 million on US elections: report (via AFP) US casino magnate Sheldon Adelson spent $150 million, much more than previously thought, on funding Republican hopefuls in an unsuccessful bid to stop Barack Obama winning a second term, a report said Monday. Adelson, 79, whose Las Vegas Sands Corp. also operates casino resorts in the Chinese … [Read more...] about Adelson Spent $150 Million on US elections: Report
Romney Back to Work: Rejoins Board of Marriott
Romney back to work: rejoins board of Marriott (via AFP) Mitt Romney stepped back into the top reaches of the US corporate world Monday, rejoining the board of hotelier Marriott International a month after losing the presidential race. Romney, a career investment company chief and former Republican Massachusetts governor before his challenge for the White… … [Read more...] about Romney Back to Work: Rejoins Board of Marriott
Female Sexual Predators: A Frank Discussion
We had a simply incredible discussion of male victims and female perpetrators of sexual abuse, violence, and rape on Huffington Post last week, which you can watch here: (Warning: Frank and explicit language.) Furthermore, the chat room had many useful links you can find here. Kudos to Huffington Post for having the courage to take this issue on in a genuine … [Read more...] about Female Sexual Predators: A Frank Discussion
Benghazi Monkeys (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 Benghazi Monkeys (Cartoon)
Why the Fiscal Cliff Should Not be a Problem But is One (Guest Voice)
Why the Fiscal Cliff Should Not be a Problem but is One by Robert P. Coutinho It's time for another lesson in my ongoing saga of teaching people about how money (in the Federal Government sense) actually works. The reason for this lesson: the Fiscal Cliff. The government of the United States of America [hearafter referred to as USG] issues its debt in dollar … [Read more...] about Why the Fiscal Cliff Should Not be a Problem But is One (Guest Voice)
Can GOP Outgrow Grover’s Playpen?
When one of my grandkids was four, we played ferocious card games. He took losing hard, even after I pointed out that if he always won no one would play with him. He is a young man now with a decided gift for nuanced political analysis, but Congressional GOP members seem stuck where he was then, bent on winning at all costs and oblivious to the give-and-take of mature … [Read more...] about Can GOP Outgrow Grover’s Playpen?
Considering Bias
Recently I was listening to the radio and the caller was discussing that, in his opinion, all white people were biased and prejudiced against minorities. Even the host of the show, a pretty hard core liberal, was taken aback at the statement. But the caller refused to yield, citing examples of alleged prejudice where pretty much anything a white person said was deemed … [Read more...] about Considering Bias
How To ‘Not Get It’ About Race, Part LXVII
adapted from a print at the Library of Congress Having spoken in unmistakable code about takers and makers and lazy sponges and gifts to minorities, etcetera, the brain trust of the GOP seems to have hit on a novel new idea: J.C. Watts for RNC chair? John Bresnahan / Politico Former GOP Rep. J.C. Watts says he is being “encouraged” by supporters to run for chairman of the … [Read more...] about How To ‘Not Get It’ About Race, Part LXVII
Why Sane Bargaining Looks Strange
WASHINGTON -- An entirely new political narrative is taking shape before our eyes, yet many here are still stuck in the old one. President Obama's victory blew up the framework created by the 2010 elections, which forced him to play defense. Now, he finally has room to move. That's the only way to understand the ongoing budget talks. This has several … [Read more...] about Why Sane Bargaining Looks Strange
3 People Fighting Hunger
Their inspiring stories are here. … [Read more...] about 3 People Fighting Hunger
Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) (Guest Voice)
Washington’s Biggest Lie (via Market Shadows) Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) Normal people have no trouble defining how they measure inflation in their own lives. They compare what the same exact purchases of goods and services cost them today versus one-year earlier. It would include everything they spend money on… … [Read more...] about Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) (Guest Voice)
Timothy Geithner, John Boehner Edge Toward the ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Timothy Geithner, John Boehner edge toward the 'fiscal cliff' (via The Christian Science Monitor) The political game of chicken continued Sunday as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and House Speaker John Boehner offered no signs of give, no hints of deceleration as official Washington barreled toward the January 1 “fiscal cliff” when automatic tax … [Read more...] about Timothy Geithner, John Boehner Edge Toward the ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Israel Settlement Bid a ‘Fatal Blow’ to Peace: Ban
Israel settlement bid a 'fatal blow' to peace: Ban (via AFP) UN leader Ban Ki-moon warned Sunday that if Israel implemented its latest plan for new settlements it would deal an "almost fatal blow" to any prospects for peace with the Palestinians. Israel's announcement about the 3,000 Jewish settler homes, whose planned location was not revealed, came in … [Read more...] about Israel Settlement Bid a ‘Fatal Blow’ to Peace: Ban
India’s ‘Dancing Bears’ Retire in Animal Rights Victory
India's 'dancing bears' retire in animal rights victory (via AFP) The sight of poorly fed and badly treated bears being forced to dance on the streets of India is a thing of the past as a campaign to wipe out the practice has finally borne fruit, activists say. The tradition of forcing sloth bears to dance for entertainment dates back to the 13th century, when … [Read more...] about India’s ‘Dancing Bears’ Retire in Animal Rights Victory
Real Psychic Predictions 2012: Politics and More: SO HOW DID THEY DO?
DECEMBER 2, 2012: So how did the psychics do? Read the full post with updates. UPDATE: November 3: "Psychic Nikki" is starting to see an Obama win in an extremely close election: As of this past week, Nikki was “feeling stronger about Obama” but added it was going to be “a very tight race, almost too close to call.” “It’s very tight between Mitt Romney and Obama but … [Read more...] about Real Psychic Predictions 2012: Politics and More: SO HOW DID THEY DO?
Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (Guest Voice)
Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (via Planetsave) New research has found that the Grand Canyon was largely created around 70 million years ago. This pushes back the accepted date for its formation by more than 60 million years. The new finding was thanks to an analysis of mineral grains found at … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (Guest Voice)
Geithner Says No US Budget Deal Without Tax Hikes
Geithner says no US budget deal without tax hikes (via AFP) Lead White House negotiator Timothy Geithner insisted Sunday there would be no deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" unless Republicans allowed tax rates on the wealthiest Americans to rise. Talks to avoid the dreaded "fiscal cliff" are at a dangerous impasse after President Barack Obama's opening … [Read more...] about Geithner Says No US Budget Deal Without Tax Hikes