Bhutan aims to be first 100% organic nation (via AFP) The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, famed for seeking "happiness" for its citizens, is aiming to become the first nation in the world to turn its home-grown food and farmers 100 percent organic. The tiny Buddhist-majority nation wedged between China and India has an unusual and some say enviable approach… … [Read more...] about Bhutan Aims to Be First 100% Organic Nation
In Boost to Campaign, Obama takes in $181 million
In boost to campaign, Obama takes in $181 million (via AFP) President Barack Obama raised $181 million in September, his campaign said Saturday, in a huge boost for his re-election bid following a limp debate performance against White House rival Mitt Romney. The haul was Obama's biggest monthly cash take of the 2012 race, and was revealed just a day after… … [Read more...] about In Boost to Campaign, Obama takes in $181 million
Defense Update: While We Enjoy the Weekend…
Ah, the weekend. Time to relax. Time to enjoy the family. Time to lay off the political snarls -- I’ll try. Time to watch your favorite college football game -- Gig’em Aggies Also, time to think of and honor the truly important things and people, such as our troops in far away, God-forsaken places, sacrificing -- getting maimed and sometimes getting killed -- … [Read more...] about Defense Update: While We Enjoy the Weekend…
Rocky Mountain Low (Guest Voice)
Rocky Mountain Low by Peter Funt Talk about broken election promises. Four years ago, after moderating his 11th debate, Jim Lehrer, the highly respected PBS veteran, said he would retire. Wednesday night in Denver he broke that promise, and the result was one of the most poorly moderated presidential debates in U.S. history. Lehrer, 78, said he decided to take the helm … [Read more...] about Rocky Mountain Low (Guest Voice)
In Blow to Romney, Court says Ohio Can’t Restrict ‘Souls to the Polls’ Voting by Blacks
In blow to Romney, court says Ohio can’t restrict 'souls to the polls' voting by blacks (via The Christian Science Monitor) The Obama administration scored another voting rights win on Friday when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit said the key swing state of Ohio can’t single out military voters for special treatment – a ruling that … [Read more...] about In Blow to Romney, Court says Ohio Can’t Restrict ‘Souls to the Polls’ Voting by Blacks
Conservative Republicans See Political Conspiracy in New Positive Jobs Report Numbers
As I noted in my post yesterday, the once unthinkable political attitude that if information normally considered politically neutral comes out and it's not good to your side you immediately charge (without evidence) a political conspiracy and immediately spread (without evidence) a new political narrative has struck again. First, it was Republicans including Republican … [Read more...] about Conservative Republicans See Political Conspiracy in New Positive Jobs Report Numbers
Was Romney a Good Governor of Massachusetts?
Was Romney a good governor of Massachusetts? Well, he got that state's new health care up and running. Sort of. Actually, he was just "pushing on an open door, " as the Times analysis puts it, a door left open by an earlier Democratic initiative. And he can claim another substantial achievement, "notably joining a Democratic legislature to cut a deficit-ridden budget by … [Read more...] about Was Romney a Good Governor of Massachusetts?
Latin American Nations Push UN to Drop Zero Tolerance on Drugs
Latin American nations push UN to drop zero tolerance on drugs (via The Christian Science Monitor) ?The world has watched the crescendoing pushback, coming mostly from Latin America, against the United States-dominated "war on drugs" for the past three years with incredulity as the drug policy debate continues to mark new firsts.? First, in 2009, it was former … [Read more...] about Latin American Nations Push UN to Drop Zero Tolerance on Drugs
Obama Debate Performance (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 Obama Debate Performance (Cartoon)
Debate Do-Over: Biden Backs His Sidekick
Did Sundance ever bail out on Butch Cassidy? Not on your tintype, the President’s loyal sidekick is ready to draw down on Romney and Paul Ryan to undo some of this week’s debate damage. On the campaign trail, the VP aims the kind of zingers Obama eschewed in confronting the ever-changeable Romney: “Last night we found out he doesn’t have a $5 trillion tax cut. I guess he … [Read more...] about Debate Do-Over: Biden Backs His Sidekick
India’s Top Court Orders Toilets for Every School
India's top court orders toilets for every school (via AFP) India's Supreme Court has ordered that schools nationwide must be provided with toilets and drinking water within six months, calling it part of children's right to an education. The court said in the judgement seen by AFP on Saturday that research showed wherever toilet facilities are inadequate,… … [Read more...] about India’s Top Court Orders Toilets for Every School
The Audacity of Mendacity (Guest Voice)
The Audacity of Mendacity Raging Moderate, by Will Durst A surprisingly large segment of America tuned into the first presidential debate, but for some odd reason, President Obama did not appear among them. Who was in charge of his debate prep, Clint Eastwood? Even an empty chair would have provided a sturdier obstinacy. The Committee to Re- Elect the President will … [Read more...] about The Audacity of Mendacity (Guest Voice)
Mitt Gets His Stuff Together (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 Mitt Gets His Stuff Together (Cartoon)
Good Jobs Number Electrifies Obama Campaign
Good jobs number electrifies Obama campaign (via AFP) A relieved Barack Obama basked Saturday in shock good news as unemployment dipped below eight percent to the lowest point of his presidency, stealing headlines from Mitt Romney's thumping debate win. Unexpected data showing the jobless rate fell to 7.8 percent electrified Obama's re-election campaign… … [Read more...] about Good Jobs Number Electrifies Obama Campaign
Site Maintenance Tonight 10-05-2012
Starting at 9pm ET/6pm PT, The Moderate Voice will be undergoing significant behind the scenes upgrading and optimization. TMV is growing and has outgrown it's current platform. So it's high-time for some turbocharging. We anticipate this to take roughly 3 hours. During that 3 hour period, you may see the following: 1. A slightly older version of the site without … [Read more...] about Site Maintenance Tonight 10-05-2012
Substance, sizzle and television
What is the goal of the televised political presidential "debate"? I put the word in quotations for a reason. This made-for-TV event, wrenched away from the League of Women Voters (a non-partisan organization devoted to civic education) and handed over to an organization run by the Democratic and Republican parties, bears little resemblance to formal debates, which center … [Read more...] about Substance, sizzle and television
You Can Wonder About The Unemployment Numbers Without Being Partisan
While I am not going to take the conspiracy route I do think it is reasonable to wonder about the seeming disconnect in the employment figures today Every month the government does two surveys, one where they ask employers how many people they hired and one where they ask households who is working (it is this latter number they use to calculate the unemployment rate) As … [Read more...] about You Can Wonder About The Unemployment Numbers Without Being Partisan
Bomb Iran – Don’t Do It
Bomb Iran? Ex Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says don't do it. Painting a picture of internal political dysfunction in a dangerous world, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Wednesday night that a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran would have disastrous consequences. Neither the United States nor Israel is capable of wiping out Iran's nuclear capability, he said, … [Read more...] about Bomb Iran – Don’t Do It
Remembering Steve
On the Apple homepage this morning, a remembrance Steve of Jobs' passing one year ago, on October 5, 2011, from Apple CEO Tim Cook: Steve’s passing one year ago today was a sad and difficult time for all of us. I hope that today everyone will re?ect on his extraordinary life and the many ways he made the world a better place. One of the greatest gifts Steve gave to the … [Read more...] about Remembering Steve
How Romney “Won” the First Debate
I want to clarify something. I was angry the other night. Mitt spent the better part of the debate lying, and you could see in his eyes how hard he was trying, and I even saw signs of rage and desperation, and the president, while pointing out some of those lies and misrepresentations, never really found his stride. And then there was the post-debate commentary, which was … [Read more...] about How Romney “Won” the First Debate