Listening to Mitt Romney's interview with CBS and reflecting on his campaign, it becomes all to clear that his mantra is "trust me" and that he promises, if you buy a pig in a poke, all your porcine dreams will come true. But that's really an analogy from another time and another place. What he's REALLY saying is that he's a lottery scratch-off. You know (if you're of a … [Read more...] about The Scratch-Off Candidacy
“What Are We Going To Do About This?”
My apologies for going so long without a post. Part of it has to do with me being a bit more cynical about politics these days. But something has made me want to write a post, so I'm back at least for a little bit. As the Romney campaign seems to be behind in the polls, there has been a raft of articles about the state of conservatism and the Republican party. Here's … [Read more...] about “What Are We Going To Do About This?”
Replacement Refs (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 Replacement Refs (Cartoon)
Bloomberg National Poll: Romney’s Negatives Keep Weighing Him Down
Mitt Romney's negatives continue to weigh him down, like an anchor thrown into the sea. And a new Bloomberg National poll finds it's costing him, bigtime: Republican Mitt Romney’s negative ratings are preventing him from capitalizing on President Barack Obama’s vulnerabilities in the race for the White House, according to a new poll that gives the incumbent a lead heading … [Read more...] about Bloomberg National Poll: Romney’s Negatives Keep Weighing Him Down
Some Media Exaggeration
Today I noticed a prime example of how the media can exaggerate a story. The charitable interpretation is that they do so merely to provoke viewer interest. The cynical view is that they do it to provoke a popular bias. Regardless of the motivation though, its effects perpetuate gross misunderstandings of news events and taints the popular discussion of important policy … [Read more...] about Some Media Exaggeration
‘It Gets Better’ in Austin, Texas
As most readers know by now, I live in Texas. As in any state of the Union, good and bad things happen in Texas. As in any city or town in our country, things happen in Austin that can make one feel ashamed and that can make one feel proud. Within the span of five days, I experienced both emotions -- shame and pride -- and I hope that most Texans shared them with … [Read more...] about ‘It Gets Better’ in Austin, Texas
Voter ID Delays (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 Voter ID Delays (Cartoon)
‘Legitimate Rape’ Senate Hopeful Todd Akin Isn’t Quitting Race
'Legitimate rape' Senate hopeful says isn't quitting race (via AFP) Republican Todd Akin said Tuesday he would not drop out of his US Senate race, despite sparking outrage last month when he declared a woman's body can prevent conception in cases of "legitimate rape." "I have one purpose going into November, and that's replacing Claire McCaskill," the Democratic … [Read more...] about ‘Legitimate Rape’ Senate Hopeful Todd Akin Isn’t Quitting Race
Voter ID Delays (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 Voter ID Delays (Cartoon)
Dueling Speeches: Obama, Romney Offer Different Foreign Policy Visions
Dueling speeches: Obama, Romney offer different foreign policy visions (via The Christian Science Monitor) Bill Clinton is holding court in New York this week at his Clinton Global Initiative, a high-powered event that drew both presidential candidates. President Obama was in town to speak Tuesday morning at the United Nations, and Mitt Romney made a quick stop … [Read more...] about Dueling Speeches: Obama, Romney Offer Different Foreign Policy Visions
California Death Row Inmates Oppose Ban on Death Penalty In California
One of the ballot measures in California is Proposition 34 which would ban the death penalty in California. Interestingly a poll came out today showing that a majority of death penalty inmates oppose the measure. As you might imagine there are some internal reasons to the opposition which have to do with the impact of the measure on government appointed attorneys and the … [Read more...] about California Death Row Inmates Oppose Ban on Death Penalty In California
Let Us Boycott and ‘Put on Trial’ Those Who Mock Muhammad (Gomhuria, Egypt)
Is Western mockery of the Prophet Muhammad part of an organized plot to drive Muslims into an angry frenzy? For Egypt's Gomhuria, columnist Galaa Gaballah advises readers not to fall into the Western trap. Instead, Gaballah suggests a two-pronged approach. First, put the West on public trial for all of its crimes 'through the ages'; and second, boycott all products from any … [Read more...] about Let Us Boycott and ‘Put on Trial’ Those Who Mock Muhammad (Gomhuria, Egypt)
Mona Charen On Alleged Press Bias
Mona Charen takes a look at what she sees as bias in the press. Agree with her or not it's an interesting read. … [Read more...] about Mona Charen On Alleged Press Bias
A Community I Can Touch
A Community I Can Touch By Doug Bursch This portal to community, smooth to the touch. Touch, touch, touch; one finger to navigate, investigate, communicate and explore. Two fingers to zoom in and out, to center your eyes with your interests. Seeking interest as you endlessly filter; through updates, posts and tweets. Updates, posts, and tweets; endlessly searching for … [Read more...] about A Community I Can Touch
Israel Government’s Unwise Move
Correctly or not, the Israeli is giving the impression that it's taking sides in the current U.S. Presidential election. The latest incident has an aroma of plausible deniability. Very unwise (a) Democrats won't appreciate it b)the government may still have to work with Barack Obama after the election c) polls still show Jewish voters behind Obama and the Democrats. … [Read more...] about Israel Government’s Unwise Move
Report: Romney Was Only Truly Joking About Airplane Windows
New York Magazine's Dan Amira reports that it turns out that Republican Presidential candidate MItt Romney was only truly joking in his comment about airplane windows. Here's his intro: The Internet was tickled silly yesterday when it learned that Mitt Romney lacks an even basic understanding of the airplanes he has flown on probably thousands of times at this point in his … [Read more...] about Report: Romney Was Only Truly Joking About Airplane Windows
Walking Wounded in a Debate Preview
It produces an old Monty Pythonesque picture--a one-armed Barack Obama jousting with Mitt Romney on one leg as crippled caricatures of themselves. In parallel interviews, the candidates are caught in campaign clichés, denying vulnerabilities while trying to avoid further injury. Asked about the vagueness of his tax reforms and exactly which deductions and exemptions he … [Read more...] about Walking Wounded in a Debate Preview
Eurocrisis Spurs Italy’s ‘Big Baby’ Boom: Grown Children Living with Parents
Eurocrisis spurs Italy's 'big baby' boom: grown children living with parents (via The Christian Science Monitor) Gently mocked as "bamboccioni" – literally, “big babies” – or "mammone" – momma's boys – for their reluctance to fly the nest, Italian adults are living with their parents in huge numbers. But it's not simply the warm embrace of the … [Read more...] about Eurocrisis Spurs Italy’s ‘Big Baby’ Boom: Grown Children Living with Parents
A Voting Issue That Isn’t
WASHINGTON -- When Michelle Obama called voting rights "the movement of our era" in a speech Saturday night, she didn't specifically mention the Republican-led crusade for restrictive voter identification laws. She didn't have to. Her audience at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual gala dinner fully understood the context. It's hard to believe that in … [Read more...] about A Voting Issue That Isn’t
The Hypocrisy of the Bible Thumpers
Yes, I'm addicted to the blogs at The American Conservative because as a progressive I find myself in agreement with them more often than not. In most cases my agreement involves foreign policy but this is an exception: Ancient (and Modern) Ignorance Mr. Gardner, may I introduce you to Leviticus 19? Yes, I know, that’s the chapter with the funny stuff about clothing made … [Read more...] about The Hypocrisy of the Bible Thumpers