As America faces the fiscal cliff with time running short, the specter of Grover Norquist looms over the negotiations, with the vast majority of Republicans who signed his no-tax pledge reluctant to consider raising taxes. While a few GOP dissidents have broken with him, most of the signatories to his pledge continue to hold the line. Who is Grover Norquist and who gave this … [Read more...] about Who Appointed Grover Norquist America’s Financial Watchdog?
The Beginning of Boehner’s Long Goodbye
All this has to end with tears, the Speaker’s tanned face crinkling with self-pity as he steps down from high office never imagined by a boy who swept out his grandfather’s saloon. Unlike his GOP predecessor Tom DeLay, John Boehner will be brought down not by corruption but ideological crossfire between a now-liberated President and an immovable Tea Party caucus led by his … [Read more...] about The Beginning of Boehner’s Long Goodbye
Samuel L. Jackson Floats Idea of Michelle Obama for President or a Supreme Court Justice
Samuel L. Jackson, who played Nick Fury in summer blockbuster "The Avengers," said First Lady Michelle Obama would make a fine president or a Supreme Court justice if she wants. Of course, Michelle Obama hasn't indicated she has political aspirations, but I guess Samuel L. Jackson wants to see the Obama legacy continue, like as in the case of George H. W. Bush and his sons or … [Read more...] about Samuel L. Jackson Floats Idea of Michelle Obama for President or a Supreme Court Justice
How You Can Help Reduce Our National Debt — At Least Symbolically
As we are bombarded 24/7 with gloom and doom about our nation’s national debt, budget deficit and other dire fiscal problems, including the doomsday prediction that we are about to go off the “fiscal cliff,” it is no wonder Americans are puzzled. confused and nervous. But besides worrying about it, firing off letters to our representatives, over-hyping it, pooh-poohing it … [Read more...] about How You Can Help Reduce Our National Debt — At Least Symbolically
Obama Warns Assad on Chemical Weapons
Obama warns Assad on chemical weapons (via AFP) President Barack Obama dramatically told Syria's President Bashar al-Assad Monday not to turn chemical weapons on his own people, following US warnings his forces were mixing deadly sarin gas. Obama publicly told the increasingly beleaguered Assad not to unleash the "worst weapons of the 20th Century… … [Read more...] about Obama Warns Assad on Chemical Weapons
Double Trouble?
I thought that this was interesting. [My personal blog can be found here.] … [Read more...] about Double Trouble?
17 Versions Of Jingle Bells
Tony DeSare is a genius … [Read more...] about 17 Versions Of Jingle Bells
A Few Good Men: Coincidences and Anomalies of the (Obscure) Men Who Shaped 13th Amendment
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