South-East Europe faces 'disturbing' rise in human trafficking (via AFP) Government officials and NGOs this week warned against a 'disturbing' rise in human trafficking in South-East Europe with minors increasingly becoming a target for criminals. "We see an increase of human trafficking in South-Eastern Europe for different purposes, not only for sexual … [Read more...] about South-East Europe faces ‘disturbing’ rise in human trafficking
Obama Shouldn’t Back Down
WASHINGTON -- It is said after every election that the victors should put politics aside and work for the good of the country. If President Obama believed this pious nonsense, he would put his second term in jeopardy. Asking politicians to ignore politics is like insisting that professional hockey players switch to basketball. In a system with national elections every … [Read more...] about Obama Shouldn’t Back Down
The Romney Legacy
Gary Wills compares Romney to other men who have lost the presidency and the comparison is brutal. What differentiates Romney from the likes of Goldwater, McGovern, Carter, Kerry and Dukakis? They didn't sacrifice their principles and disavow earlier convictions to get the nomination. As a result they continued to play a part on the U.S. and world scene. Unlike Romney: None … [Read more...] about The Romney Legacy
GOP Shifting? Bill Kristol Says Not End of World If GOP Lets Millionaires be Taxed More
The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol has an excellent record of signalling a Republican Party shift -- and whether this is due to his suggestions or him articulating sentiment he sees about to shift is another question. So when he talks, many pundits listen. And he's now saying Republicans shouldn't be falling on their swords to defend millionaires from being taxed more on Fox … [Read more...] about GOP Shifting? Bill Kristol Says Not End of World If GOP Lets Millionaires be Taxed More
Veterans Day: The Highest Recognition
I run this image each year at TMV, for instead of describing military war service from the outside, this iconic photo describes something most have few words for. As in Corinthians... 'but the greatest of these... prophesying, speaking with the angels, even the power to move mountains, to say Mountain, move! and the Mountain moves... nonetheless of all of those powerful powers, … [Read more...] about Veterans Day: The Highest Recognition
Is the Death of Newspapers the End of Good Citizenship? (Guest Voice)
Is the death of newspapers the end of good citizenship? (via The Christian Science Monitor) One Saturday in June, the Pinstripe Brass Band played a traditional jazz funeral in the lakeside Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. When "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" gave way to a livelier tune, dozens of mourners danced. But there was no coffin. Black frosting on a … [Read more...] about Is the Death of Newspapers the End of Good Citizenship? (Guest Voice)
Veterans Day 2012: In Honor, In Hope For All the Wounded
Some are still missing. As we know, there are many ways to be missing. Some are here but have not yet been completely 'found.' As we know, there are many ways to be found and to find oneself again. Some are still hoping to find or be found. As we know, there are many ways to 'come home again.' May it be so for all, those waiting, those on their way. The loved … [Read more...] about Veterans Day 2012: In Honor, In Hope For All the Wounded
Sad Finale to Petraeus’ “Fatal Attraction”
So it all turns out to be the script of a bad movie. Instead of a boiling a bunny rabbit, a jealous woman sends steaming e-mails that bring the FBI into the plot and bring down a straying man. “The collapse of the impressive career of CIA Director David H. Petraeus,” reports the Washington Post, “was triggered when a woman with whom he was having an affair sent threatening … [Read more...] about Sad Finale to Petraeus’ “Fatal Attraction”
The Obama Campaign’s Narrative: The Condition of Romney’s Soul
I've been looking for someone who can describe the Obama campaign's recipe for success -- a recipe that demands that exact measurements are used in the mixture of flavors. It looks as though perfectionist David Axelrod and team managed to create a narrative that not only carried them through but to which the Republican themselves contributed. The Romney campaign+Rove & Co.+ … [Read more...] about The Obama Campaign’s Narrative: The Condition of Romney’s Soul
Cook And Rothenberg Observations On Obama And Congress
Watching the Charlie Cook/Stuart Rothenberg recap of the campaign and the look forward. They have made an interesting point about how Obama deals with Congress. Cook began by urging people to read the newest Caro book on LBJ because it shows how much he worked with Congress, including the GOP (at a time when the GOP had much smaller numbers than they do today). He then … [Read more...] about Cook And Rothenberg Observations On Obama And Congress
Disagreement Versus Hatred
In looking back at the campaign I am struck by the two different ways at which people looked at the candidates. One segment looked at the other side and saw decent people who they simply disagreed with, they thought their policies were bad but that their intent was good. The other looked at the other side and saw someone evil, they didn't just dislike the policy they … [Read more...] about Disagreement Versus Hatred
Mystery second woman tied to CIA chief’s downfall
Mystery second woman tied to CIA chief's downfall (via AFP) The plot surrounding the shock resignation of CIA chief David Petraeus thickened Sunday with reports that his affair was exposed when the FBI investigated threatening emails from his lover to a mystery second woman. Republicans, meanwhile, demanded more answers, pointing to the fact that Petraeus … [Read more...] about Mystery second woman tied to CIA chief’s downfall
Happy Veterans Day !
I posted some of these thoughts back on Memorial Day but felt it fitting to repost them today. Happy Veterans Day ! Remember that there are many brave men and women who are away from those they love, standing watch so that you can spend time with yours. Remember that their families give up so much in order to help protect yours Remember those who have made so many … [Read more...] about Happy Veterans Day !
Pieces of the Petraeus Puzzle That Don’t Fit
From what we know now, the C.I.A. director’s resignation does not compute. Four decades of brilliant service to the nation end abruptly in a late Friday news dump over a consensual affair with a woman who neither worked for Gen. David Petraeus nor posed any apparent national security threat. Why? In a letter, he writes, "Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and … [Read more...] about Pieces of the Petraeus Puzzle That Don’t Fit
As minorities gain electoral power, Supreme Court asks: Why the Voting Rights Act?
As minorities gain electoral power, Supreme Court asks: Why the Voting Rights Act? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Is it time, after nearly 50 years, to gut the Voting Rights Act? That’s the question the US Supreme Court is poised to take up in a case out of Shelby County, Alabama, in which local officials, backed by a bevy of Southern states, will argue that … [Read more...] about As minorities gain electoral power, Supreme Court asks: Why the Voting Rights Act?
Fears blight ‘Malala Day’ in schoolgirl’s hometown
Fears blight 'Malala Day' in schoolgirl's hometown (via AFP) Pakistan marked "Malala Day" Saturday on a global day of support for the teenager shot by the Taliban for promoting girls' education, but in her home town security fears meant her schoolmates could not honour her in public. Taliban hitmen shot Malala Yousafzai on her school bus a month ago in … [Read more...] about Fears blight ‘Malala Day’ in schoolgirl’s hometown
Trickle Down Economics (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 Trickle Down Economics (Cartoon)
General Petraeus Affair Raises Deep Personal and Public Questions
General Petraeus affair raises deep personal and public questions (via The Christian Science Monitor) The news that shocked Washington this week – the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus because of an extra-marital affair – leaves a string of unanswered questions. How and why was the FBI led to investigate suspicions that Gen. Petraeus’s personal e-mail … [Read more...] about General Petraeus Affair Raises Deep Personal and Public Questions
The American Presidential Election Is (Finally) Over
The Hill reports: Florida vote count: Obama wins state Daniel Strauss Four days after Election Day, a final count of votes in Florida shows President Obama defeated Mitt Romney, bringing the president's total count in the Electoral College to 332. — Romney won 206 Electoral College votes. — The Associated Press called Florida for Obama on Saturday. And, since AP are … [Read more...] about The American Presidential Election Is (Finally) Over
NY Times Asks, “Are Conservative Christians Biggest Losers of Election?”
I hope so. I hope the same for liberal Christians. See here. Be warned: The post is explicitly Christian, but might be of general interest. If not, that's okay too. … [Read more...] about NY Times Asks, “Are Conservative Christians Biggest Losers of Election?”