Our 20 American active duty military and veterans have performed so magnificently at the London 2012 Paralympic Games that it has been difficult to keep up with the number of medals they have won. As of last count, and possibly subject to revision upwards, these 20 athletes have racked up at least 11 individual and team medals -- at least three of them gold. If one were … [Read more...] about U.S. Military Finish Proudly in the 2012 London Paralympics
Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (Guest Voice)
Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (via 21C Woman) Autistic spectrum disorders can be difficult for children to understand. An autistic child may look perfectly normal on the outside, but could behave in a way that seems aggressive, rude, unfriendly, or just plain odd to other children in the school yard. Adults, especially those trained in autism… … [Read more...] about Helping Your Child To Accept Autism (Guest Voice)
We’re In This Together (Guest Voice)
We're In This Together by Peter Funt The Democrats' convention in Charlotte tackled two key questions for undecided voters. Are we better off than we were four years ago? What can we expect in President Obama's second term? Central to both questions is the word "we." While individuals who have lost jobs or suffered serious personal setbacks are certainly worse off, … [Read more...] about We’re In This Together (Guest Voice)
The Manipulation of DNC Coverage by a Cabal of Bloggers
At Least One Other Journalist ‘Gets It.’ David Weigel is a self-described 'libertarian.' As such, media manipulation and blatant propaganda don't seem to bother him. He writes this reverential and even posterior-osculating piece that shows up on Memeorandum today: The Age of Trolling How a small band of conservatives generated half of the Democratic Convention’s … [Read more...] about The Manipulation of DNC Coverage by a Cabal of Bloggers
Why Have Millions of Americans Given Up Looking for Work?
Why have millions of Americans given up looking for work? (via The Christian Science Monitor) A day after Democrats finished their convention in Charlotte, “the hangover” began, quipped GOP nominee Mitt Romney. That would be the US jobs picture, which not only shows few signs of improving, but is starting to look to many economists like a new normal. New jobs … [Read more...] about Why Have Millions of Americans Given Up Looking for Work?
Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y’all? (Guest Voice)
Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y'all? by Danny Tyree According to the Associated Press, on November 6 Arkansas will become the first southern state to let voters decide whether they want to legalize medical uses for marijuana. Backers hope success in the Razorback State will lead to a domino effect of resistance fading in other parts of the old Confederacy. As a … [Read more...] about Medical Marijuana: Coming In The Fall, Y’all? (Guest Voice)
In Looming Federalism Fight, Three States Say Feds Can’t ‘Unmarry’ Gay Couples (Guest Voice)
In looming federalism fight, three states say feds can't 'unmarry' gay couples (via The Christian Science Monitor) Three states where members of the clergy and justices of the peace today marry gay couples argued on Friday that it’s a violation of states’ rights for the federal government to then “unmarry” those people under the 1996 Defense of … [Read more...] about In Looming Federalism Fight, Three States Say Feds Can’t ‘Unmarry’ Gay Couples (Guest Voice)
Romney, Kennedy Dynasty Watch
A not very American idea comes up as Joe Kennedy III goes from a tribute to his great-uncle Ted at the Democratic convention to a primary victory for Barney Franks’ House seat days after Mitt Romney accepts a nomination his father had sought before him. Our culture accepts inherited wealth but has mixed feelings about passing down political power. Yet here we are, with not … [Read more...] about Romney, Kennedy Dynasty Watch
Romney Plays God Card in Swing State Struggle (Guest Voice)
Romney plays God card in swing state struggle (via AFP) Republican Mitt Romney thrust God to the center of the White House race, in a culture war strike that prompted Barack Obama's team to brand him extreme and divisive. Romney appeared Saturday with televangelist Pat Robertson in the key swing state of Virginia, and seized upon the row at last week's… … [Read more...] about Romney Plays God Card in Swing State Struggle (Guest Voice)
Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Obama widens lead over Romney despite jobs data
More signs of a bounce for President Barack Obama in the wake of the Democratic National Convention. The latest poll: President Barack Obama, picking up support following the Democratic National Convention, widened his narrow lead over Republican U.S. presidential challenger Mitt Romney in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Saturday. The latest daily tracking poll … [Read more...] about Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Obama widens lead over Romney despite jobs data
The Way Back Machine
With all the talk about the economy I went back and found some of my posts before the collapse of the bubble - I told you so posts. These are from 2005 Booms are always followed by busts! Alan Greenspan, smoke and mirrors economics And this is a followup in 2008 just as the calamity was unfolding. Smoke and Mirrors … [Read more...] about The Way Back Machine
An Audacious Plan To Rescue The U.S. Economy
David Brooks, the New York Times' conservative columnist, wrote that President Obama's convention speech lacked audacity. I agree. So here's my own audacious plan that if actually implemented would cure most of this country's economic ills. Begin by making Social Security a pay-as-you-go system. The amount of money collected by the Payroll Tax would all go (no diversions) to … [Read more...] about An Audacious Plan To Rescue The U.S. Economy
Obama Beat Mitt Romney in the Acceptance Speech TV Ratings War
At least one result is definitively in for campaign 2012: Democratic President Barack Obama beat Republican former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the TV ratings war: President Barack Obama can beat rival Mitt Romney as a television draw, but can't eclipse his old self. The Nielsen company said 35.7 million people watched the final night of the Democratic … [Read more...] about Obama Beat Mitt Romney in the Acceptance Speech TV Ratings War
Eleven Years Since 9/11, We Continue a Legacy
Eleven years later, that’s the legacy of 9/11 – the ability to say with confidence that no adversary and no act of terrorism can change who we are. We are Americans, and we will protect and preserve this country we love. On this solemn anniversary, let’s remember those we lost, let us reaffirm the values they stood for, and let us keep moving forward as one nation and one … [Read more...] about Eleven Years Since 9/11, We Continue a Legacy
Convention Hangovers
Like all fever dreams, conventions leave irrational impressions that don’t fit an orderly pattern. Some Tampa and Charlotte hangovers: Do politicians have periodontal secrets? The smiles of Joe Biden, the Romneys and Obamas dazzle the senses of those who feel aging teeth rotting in their mouths. Did TV directors spin the crowds? Republican women were blonder. Panning in … [Read more...] about Convention Hangovers
Canada Breaks Off Relations With Iran (Guest Voice)
Canada breaks off relations with Iran (via AFP) Canada has closed its Tehran embassy and ordered Iranian diplomats expelled, in a damning severance of ties in which it accused the Islamic Republic of being the biggest threat to world peace. Canada did not cite a specific incident that caused the breakdown, but issued a strongly worded attack on… … [Read more...] about Canada Breaks Off Relations With Iran (Guest Voice)
“…Looks worrisome for Romney”
"...Looks worrisome for Romney" Why? What in particular? "Romney is targeting eight states," Jonathan Chait writes. "Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and New Hampshire. No Wisconsin, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. This is surely not because Romney is husbanding scarce cash." Campaign aides also told Fox News yesterday that they … [Read more...] about “…Looks worrisome for Romney”
NFL Sunday Service (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 NFL Sunday Service (Cartoon)
High Atop the Deep Bench (Guest Voice)
High Atop the Deep Bench by Will Durst And now a few words on the Democratic National Convention, which was ALSO interrupted by bad weather, and from this we can deduce that God is not overly fond of politicians. Proving that he/she indeed has something in common with a majority of the American public. We are special. The Dems opened their quadrennial confab headlining … [Read more...] about High Atop the Deep Bench (Guest Voice)
The Right to Vote Being Imperilled in America! (La Repubblica, Italy)
Are U.S. Republicans genuinely worried about voter fraud, or are the legal battles playing out across the country really about reducing the vote among segments of the population that usually vote for Democrats? For Italy's La Repubblica, columnist Frederico Rampini explains the differences between voting in Italy and America, and examines the motives of a party that opposes … [Read more...] about The Right to Vote Being Imperilled in America! (La Repubblica, Italy)