A new NBC/WSJ poll has some bad news for presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney: Barack Obama still leads, Romney's pick of Rep. Paul Ryan has given him no bounce, and voters are uneasy with him due to his income tax questions and plans to overhaul Medicare. The poll is not good news for Romeny heading into a convention in an era where chances in communcation … [Read more...] about NBC/WSJ Poll: Romney Has Problems Including No Bounce From Ryan Pick (UPDATED)
Republicans And The Far Right – Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Without ‘Em
The recent flap surrounding the mushy thinking – no he did not simply misspeak – of Todd Akin brings into view yet again the Republican Party’s dilemma with its right wing. They cannot win elections without the energy and turnout of their radical right wing. But, to energize that radical core means pandering to it, and pandering to it means that the Todd Akin’s of the world … [Read more...] about Republicans And The Far Right – Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Without ‘Em
GOP Plays Trump Card for the Convention
Now that conventions are TV miniseries with no suspense, politicians desperately need big-name cameos for ratings. On opening night Republicans reach for the master of hype, the Donald himself. Trump promises to be “really amazing,” but may, as usual, just grab attention and embarrass his hosts. Ann Romney is the featured speaker of the evening, but can she compete with … [Read more...] about GOP Plays Trump Card for the Convention
WikiLeaks: From ‘Torch of Democracy’ to Anti-American ‘Cudgel’ (Die Presse, Austria)
Is anti-Americanism on the part of Julian Assange at the heart of WikiLeaks? For Austria's Die Presse, columnist Michael Laczynski asserts that what seemed to have begun as an effort to give whistle blowers a safe place to expose corruption and malfeasance, the behavior of Julian Assange shows that 'this development was not mere coincidence - but by design.' For Die Presse, … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks: From ‘Torch of Democracy’ to Anti-American ‘Cudgel’ (Die Presse, Austria)
TODD AKIN and ‘RAPE ME’ Kerfluffle about Intent
"Rape me, go ahead, rape me, beat me. You'll never kill me. I'll survive this and I'm gonna f/n rape you one of these days and you won't even know it." Todd Akin said what he said. He claimed that women who are "legitimately raped" [two words that in no way go together in any decent world whatsoever] have, you know, 'ways' that 'their bodies,' um shut down and … [Read more...] about TODD AKIN and ‘RAPE ME’ Kerfluffle about Intent
Afghanistan: Nothing But Grim Milestones and Ominous Trends
A U.S. paratrooper pulls security during a combat operation in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, June 2, 2012. Helicopters delivered fellow paratroopers and Afghan soldiers into the rugged mountain terrain. (Photo DOD) Milestones are significant events in our personal lives, in projects and in war and peace. Generally we celebrate those milestones but sometimes they come … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Nothing But Grim Milestones and Ominous Trends
Iran and Illegal Wars
Daniel Larison brings this post by Paul Pillar. The Value of Obeying International Law. The charter of the United Nations is very clear in prohibiting the offensive use of military force, regardless of the nature of the underlying dispute. An armed attack conducted in the name of setting back a technical program that possibly could lead in the future to development of a weapon … [Read more...] about Iran and Illegal Wars
Todd Akins Clarifies ‘Legitimate Rape’ Comment, Now Says Women Make ‘False Claims’ About Being Raped
Rep. Todd Akin continues to dig himself deeper in the 'legitimate rape' fall-out. He clarified his despicable remark by saying women make 'false claims' about being raped. He said the following on Mike Huckabee's show: Think Progress: You know, Dr. Willke has just released a statement and part of his letter, I think he just stated it very clearly. He said, of course Akin … [Read more...] about Todd Akins Clarifies ‘Legitimate Rape’ Comment, Now Says Women Make ‘False Claims’ About Being Raped
GOP Platform Rejects Civil Unions
In another move to shove all but the most conservative out of the party the GOP platform committee voted today to reject an amendment supporting Civil Unions for both straight and gay couples. Rhode Island delegate Barbara Ann Fenton introduced the amendment, saying: “As a Roman Catholic, there’s nobody in this room who believes [more than I do] that the definition of … [Read more...] about GOP Platform Rejects Civil Unions
Rep. Steve King on Rep. Todd Akin: Never Heard of a Girl Getting Pregnant from Statutory Rape or Incest
GOP House wingnut Rep. Steve King (R-IA) is coming to embattled Rep. Todd Akin's rescue. You will recall Akin is under fire for saying 'legitimate rape rarely leads to pregnancy,' now King's comments go a step further -- he has never heard of a girl getting pregnant from statutory rape or incest. Um, this man said he will play a prominent role in the Romney-Ryan administration. … [Read more...] about Rep. Steve King on Rep. Todd Akin: Never Heard of a Girl Getting Pregnant from Statutory Rape or Incest
Akin Vows To Remain In Senate Race
In a move that pretty much insures the re-election of Senator Claire McCaskill (D) , GOP Congressman Todd Akin announced today he will remain in the US Senate race despite his idiotic comments on rape and pregnancy. Like many on both sides of the political fence, I cannot express how much his conduct and comments have revolted me and I will certainly do everything I can to … [Read more...] about Akin Vows To Remain In Senate Race
More Problems for GOP Brand? Rep. Steve King Says Never Heard of Pregnancy Due to Statuatory Rape or Incest
NOTE: This post has been modified to reflect Rep. Steve King's remarks. Not Rep. Peter King. It is the policy of TMV to correct errors. We regret the error.. You have to wonder if some GOPers are secretly trying to purge their party not just of RINOS, or conservatives who dare to (GASP!) compromise with the other side, but also purge their party of getting votes from … [Read more...] about More Problems for GOP Brand? Rep. Steve King Says Never Heard of Pregnancy Due to Statuatory Rape or Incest
A Few Non-joking Words About Phyllis Diller
A few non-joking words about the great comedienne Phyllis Diller, who died yesterday at at 95: I heard over the years what a wonderful person she was from many people who had contact with her, when I'd do my shows in the Los Angeles, Hollywood area, and from two comedy writers who had dealt with her. I never forgot the old You Bet Your Life game show episode hosted by … [Read more...] about A Few Non-joking Words About Phyllis Diller
Republicans: Plenty of Money, More Crazies, and Bigger Deficits
Mitt Romney is now so far ahead of Barack Obama in cash-for-campaigning-and-conquering that it's hardly worth talking about. ... It is not unusual for challengers to outraise incumbents late in the campaign, and while Mr. Obama is being outraised now, he raised far more than Mr. Romney through 2011 and early this year. But Mr. Romney’s extraordinary two-month run … [Read more...] about Republicans: Plenty of Money, More Crazies, and Bigger Deficits
Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan Kills 11 (Updates)
UPDATE II: The Department of Defense announced today the names of the of seven service members who died Aug. 16 in the Black Hawk helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Killed were: Chief Warrant Officer Brian D. Hornsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, … [Read more...] about Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan Kills 11 (Updates)
The really really BIG savings with Obamacare
"Addiction costs the nation over $480 billion each year..." according to a radio show I was half listening to the other day, mainly because I was too lazy to go over and turn it off. I was stunned by that number. Just stunned. I mean I knew it was a lot, but so much? The show was a discussion about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the WHYY radio program "Voices In The … [Read more...] about The really really BIG savings with Obamacare
Can Congress Get Any Crazier?
Can Congress get any crazier? In a word, yes. A Tea Party wannabe for Senate, Todd Akin of Missouri, opines on abortion that in cases of “legitimate rape...the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” His pronouncement sets off a GOP scramble to distance Romney-Ryan and eventually even Akin himself from such loony tunes medicine but succeeds only in … [Read more...] about Can Congress Get Any Crazier?
Time To Update The Declaration Of Independence?
In the last lines of the Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, the signers, in support of the document's contents, stated that "we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Would a contemporary group of this country's leaders, aspiring leaders, our best and brightest, make the same sort of pledge today? I've been wondering that of … [Read more...] about Time To Update The Declaration Of Independence?
Video: Todd Akin Ad Asks Missouri Voters for Forgiveness (UPDATED)
Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican running for Senate in Missouri who set off a firestorm after talking about "legitimate rape" and who is under intense Republican pressure to pull out of the race by today's deadline, has made it clear he's not going anywhere (for now). Here's his new ad asking Missouri voters for their forgiveness as polls show a majority of Missouri voters want … [Read more...] about Video: Todd Akin Ad Asks Missouri Voters for Forgiveness (UPDATED)
The First-Ever White House Kids’ State Dinner (Updated)
UPDATE: (Source: WhiteHouse.gov) The first-ever Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House, welcoming 54 budding chefs to a formal luncheon in the East Room was a great success. The guests, all between the ages of 8 and 12, represented all U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia. Each of the guests, along with their parents, had submitted a healthy … [Read more...] about The First-Ever White House Kids’ State Dinner (Updated)