Some people are put off by America's obsessive commercialism. They point to the incredible levels of participation in specially designated shopping days such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday as proof of this obsessive excess. I don't share this view. I like this kind of over-the-top peddling. I believe it's socially as well as economically animating … [Read more...] about Let’s Start Celebrating Graphic Novel Tuesday
The Once and Future Republican Party
Once upon a time in America, there was a political party whose icons were Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was called the Republican Party and was born in Ripon, Wisconsin in March 1854 from remnants of the disintegrating Whig Party and other elements. This Grand Old Party, or G.O.P., was a strong believer in human rights and human dignity. Its … [Read more...] about The Once and Future Republican Party
What Is Next For The US And Iran
With the current tensions between Iran and Israel it seems likely that Iran-US relations will be a significant factor in the next Obama term. It is thus worth considering how the relationship might play out. Obviously we must insure that Iran is responsible as a world player and that the security of nations like Israel remain intact. The question is how we should deal with … [Read more...] about What Is Next For The US And Iran
Quote of the Day: Magician Penn Jillette on Donald Trumps Hair
Our Political Quote of the Day comes from magician Penn Jilette who writes about Donald Trumps hair in his new book: 'I wasn’t even going to say anything about Trump’s hair. I live in a glass house. I’ve always had ugly, out-of-style hair. Trump’s hair is a lot better than mine - but as I sat there for hours half listening to Donald carry on, it struck me exactly what his … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Magician Penn Jillette on Donald Trumps Hair
Republicans Ease On Tax as Fiscal Cliff Budget Talks Resume
Republicans ease on tax as US budget talks resume (via AFP) As Congress prepared to dive back into "fiscal cliff" talks on Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, there were encouraging signs that Republican intransigence on tax could be easing. For the second time in days, a leading Republican, this time Senator Lindsey Graham, edged toward violating … [Read more...] about Republicans Ease On Tax as Fiscal Cliff Budget Talks Resume
Morsi Seizes Broad Powers in Egypt: What Does US Do Now?
Morsi seizes broad powers in Egypt: What does US do now? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's decision this week to make himself above the rule of law has put the Obama administration in a tight spot. Mr. Morsi, who has links to Islamist groups looked upon with suspicion by the West, was never Washington's first choice to lead a … [Read more...] about Morsi Seizes Broad Powers in Egypt: What Does US Do Now?
Mohamed Morsi
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 Mohamed Morsi
Another GOPer Flees Titanic: Lindsay Graham Going to Spurn Norquist to Prevent Falling of “Fiscal Cliff”
Yet another passenger of the Norquist GOP Titanic is jumping ship before it -- and perhaps the country -- goes down: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said he is ready to violate conservative activist Grover Norquist's anti-tax pledge to reach a deal to avoid the looming "fiscal cliff." "I will violate the pledge, long story short, for the good of the country," … [Read more...] about Another GOPer Flees Titanic: Lindsay Graham Going to Spurn Norquist to Prevent Falling of “Fiscal Cliff”
Reaching Out (Guest Voice)
Reaching Out by Michael Reagan Forget Republican comebacks in 2014 or 2016. Unless it gets its head and its heart straight, the party might never win the popular vote or the White House again. The GOP today is not my father's party. And until the hierarchy of the GOP stops talking about how great Ronald Reagan was and starts embracing what he really stood for, … [Read more...] about Reaching Out (Guest Voice)
Secession (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 Secession (Cartoon)
Japan Loses Title of World’s Weirdest Pop Culture
"Gangnam Style" is now the #1 video in YouTube history, at 800 million views and climbing after only a few months. Eat South Korean dust Japan! The artist, Psy, has also given paunchy middle-aged geeks everywhere hope. Our hero! All hail Psy! … [Read more...] about Japan Loses Title of World’s Weirdest Pop Culture
Can Obama Avoid the 2nd Term Trap?
My short answer: no. George E. Condon, Jr. asks this question, and provides some history. Unfortunately he picks only three examples. He probably should have mentioned Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson, and spent more time on Reagan. In point of fact, every President who's served a second term ever since the Constitution was amended to limit Presidents to two terms has had a … [Read more...] about Can Obama Avoid the 2nd Term Trap?
Beyond Black Friday of Our Political Life
After a day of Gratitude, an orgy of Greed: Stuffing ourselves precedes buying stuff we don’t need. So much for Thanksgiving clichés, but this year cries out for more. In the month when America avoided a political cliff, what can we tell ourselves about the future? In his weekly address, the President stresses the outpouring of unselfishness in response to Sandy: “It … [Read more...] about Beyond Black Friday of Our Political Life
Larry Hagman’s “J.R.,” Pop Culture Icon
WASHINGTON - No one represented the good old excess of the 1980s better than "J.R. Ewing" in the soap opera mega hit Dallas. And no character actor made the the marauding oil tycoon come alive with the beating heart and soulless guile more thoroughly than Larry Hagman. Today, he's being remembered across social media, which of course begins with Twitter. In his memoir, … [Read more...] about Larry Hagman’s “J.R.,” Pop Culture Icon
TMV Thanksgiving Weekend
Most TMV writers are not posting this weekend due to the holidays. We still will have posts from some TMV writers and also a larger number of syndicated news and guest voice posts than usual. So there will be lots of news features. But stay tuned. Normal TMV postings by our writers will resume on Monday. … [Read more...] about TMV Thanksgiving Weekend
Santa Obama and the GOP (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 Santa Obama and the GOP (Cartoon)
Arafat Body ‘To be Exhumed Tuesday’ for Poison Tests
Arafat body 'to be exhumed Tuesday' for poison tests (via AFP) Palestinian officials said Saturday they would exhume the body of their leader Yasser Arafat next week to see if Israel poisoned him with a radioactive isotope. The controversial announcement came as a group of international experts arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah to take samples of the … [Read more...] about Arafat Body ‘To be Exhumed Tuesday’ for Poison Tests
US Worst-Case Scenario: Going Over Fiscal Cliff
US worst-case scenario: going over fiscal cliff (via AFP) Letting the US economy go over the fiscal cliff would push the United States, and probably other countries, into a new crisis that political leaders now say they are determined to avoid. The fiscal cliff, a combination of mandated tax increases and spending cuts, will occur in January unless … [Read more...] about US Worst-Case Scenario: Going Over Fiscal Cliff
Catalan Leader Seeks ‘Freedom’ in Snap Election
Catalan leader seeks 'freedom' in snap election (via AFP) The leader of Spain's Catalonia region has rallied crowds cheering for independence to fight for "freedom" in snap elections Sunday that he has cast as a vote for nationhood. Artur Mas, president of the northeastern region, is openly defying a furious Madrid by promising a referendum on sovereignty… … [Read more...] about Catalan Leader Seeks ‘Freedom’ in Snap Election
Egypt Judges Slam Morsi Over ‘Unprecedented Attack”
Egypt judges slam Morsi over 'unprecedented attack' (via AFP) Egyptian judges accused President Mohamed Morsi on Saturday of an "unprecedented attack" on the judiciary by assuming sweeping powers putting him beyond judicial oversight, with some going on protest strike. Earlier, anti-riot police fired tear gas to disperse anti-Morsi protesters camped out in … [Read more...] about Egypt Judges Slam Morsi Over ‘Unprecedented Attack”