A painstaking investigation into Romney's finances over the years -- the art and the dodges he used to make himself very, very rich -- reveals a man who may be acceptable to other crafty dodgers but not so much to the rest of us, the more we know about him. Nicholas Shaxson's article at Vanity Fair reveals a Mitt Romney who had been part of an investment world so … [Read more...] about Just Not a President We Want
Tom Cruise
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Tom Cruise
On Battle of Okinawa Anniversary, Okinawans Feel Abandoned By Mainland (Chunichi Shimbun, Japan)
The people of Okinawa are angry with their government and the United States for continuing to burden the island with 75 percent of the American military presence. On what is in Japan Memorial Day for the 82-day-long Battle of Okinawa, which resulted in the deaths of about 150,000 local residents, this editorial from Japan's Chunichi Shimbun excoriates the Japanese government … [Read more...] about On Battle of Okinawa Anniversary, Okinawans Feel Abandoned By Mainland (Chunichi Shimbun, Japan)
Occupy National Gathering – Independence Mall Philadelphia
July 3, 2012 My TMV post 1 — about the Gathering: A small number of Veterans for Peace at Independence Mall stood next to a tent on this broiling hot morning - the day before our country is to celebrate its Independence Day. People from the Occupy National Gathering stood nearby in support of the veterans, who have chosen to continue their protest past the 11:00 a.m. … [Read more...] about Occupy National Gathering – Independence Mall Philadelphia
Romney Balks At Using Health Care Issue: Upsetting Conservatives (UPDATED)
It now seems that all the suggestions by former Republican White House wannabies Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich during the campaign, the criticism from conservative talk show hosts and some of the cynicism displayed at Fox News were correct: the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney is proving to be a political jellyfish on a key issue GOPers feel can help … [Read more...] about Romney Balks At Using Health Care Issue: Upsetting Conservatives (UPDATED)
Joe Walsh’s Truly Disgusting Remarks
Though he never served a day in the military himself, Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) disparaged his Democratic opponent’s military service at a town hall on Sunday, saying that she’s not a “true hero.” His opponent happens to be Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee who lost both her legs in Iraq when insurgents hit her helicopter with an RPG in 2004. Tammy Duckworth “chose to become … [Read more...] about Joe Walsh’s Truly Disgusting Remarks
This Fourth of July, Open Wide
I certainly don’t ever want to be told that I am lying through my teeth, but at my age there may come a time when I would not mind hearing through my teeth. I am sure many have experienced the sensation that when one is crunching on, say a piece of hard candy, one can clearly hear the crunching -- sometimes so loud that it overwhelms other sounds. As we all know, the … [Read more...] about This Fourth of July, Open Wide
Andy Griffith Dies At 86
There seems something fitting that he would pass the week of Independence Day. Here Andy explains Romeo and Juliet to Opie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ACx8vBuZek Here is a clip from my favorite episode, Man In A Hurry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIcyRWlJHHY The copyrighted cartoon above by Rick McKee, The Augusta Chronicle, is licensed to runo n TMV. … [Read more...] about Andy Griffith Dies At 86
How Republicans Can Lose Independent Voters
Many independent voters consider the political rhetoric by political spinners truth challenged. It's like the old joke: "He's campaigning in outlying areas. He's out, lying in them." This fits the joke. … [Read more...] about How Republicans Can Lose Independent Voters
Air Force C-130 Crashes Fighting Fires ‘There Were Casualties’ (FINAL UPDATE)
FINAL UPDATE: The North Carolina Air National Guard has just announced: Four Airmen died and two others were seriously injured when a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules crashed July 1 while fighting a woodland fire in southwestern South Dakota. Dead are Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal, 42, of Mooresville, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of … [Read more...] about Air Force C-130 Crashes Fighting Fires ‘There Were Casualties’ (FINAL UPDATE)
(UPDATED) Obamacare & Why The Ability To Change One’s Mind Can Be A Mark Of Greatness
I have come, however circuitously, to the view that the ability to change one's mind about things that matter is a mark of maturity -- and sometimes greatness. Few pundits, let alone politicians, were able to change their minds about the Iraq War after the premises through which it was launched were revealed to be bogus and the body count grew and grew. Nobel laureate and New … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Obamacare & Why The Ability To Change One’s Mind Can Be A Mark Of Greatness
Coexisting with Predators is Neither Impossible Nor Rocket Science (Guest Voice)
Coexisting with Predators is Neither Impossible Nor Rocket Science By: Dr. Ronald Hinde Apparently cougars (also known as mountain lions and pumas) are … [Read more...] about Coexisting with Predators is Neither Impossible Nor Rocket Science (Guest Voice)
Feeling the Heat
WASHINGTON -- Still don't believe in climate change? Then you're either deep in denial or delirious from the heat. As I write this, the nation’s capital and its suburbs are in post-apocalypse mode. About one-fourth of all households have no electricity, the legacy of an unprecedented assault by violent thunderstorms Friday night. Things are improving: At the height of … [Read more...] about Feeling the Heat
Power Outage – Romney’s GOP
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Power Outage – Romney’s GOP
Good Guys vs. Bad Guys: Russia Today is the Latter (Gazeta, Russia)
Once again, we have a stinging rebuke of the Putin government from the Russian press. According to columnist Alexei Melnikov of Russia's Gazeta, the Kremlin has worked tirelessly to make the interests of influential businessmen tied to the Kremlin synonymous with the interests of the Russian people, alienating the country from civilized nations and making genuine friendship … [Read more...] about Good Guys vs. Bad Guys: Russia Today is the Latter (Gazeta, Russia)
John Roberts and the Reverse Judge Wilson Coda
There's a movie you need to see. It'll be on Turner Classic Movies this Fourth of July at 5 PM (EDT, 2 PM PDT), and is the film adaptation of the stage musical "1776." Independence Hall, Philadelphia (photo by author) In it, you will learn WHY today is actually Independence Day. John Adams presciently thought this was the day that would be celebrated with "fireworks, … [Read more...] about John Roberts and the Reverse Judge Wilson Coda
The Second Day Of July
Although certainly I will be posting this Wednesday it is worth noting that it was on this day 236 years ago, July 2nd, 1776 that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence thus giving birth to the greatest nation on Earth. John Adams wrote to his wife The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt … [Read more...] about The Second Day Of July
North Korea To Have More Pizzas And A-Bombs
A couple of nuggets out of the hermit kingdom today. On the (at least for some of the people) good news sign current nutjob leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly relaxed the rules to allow the people to have pizzas and cell phones. The young dictator has even gone so far as to endorse hamburgers and french fries, foods previously branded as too western. According to state … [Read more...] about North Korea To Have More Pizzas And A-Bombs
Gallup: Obama Widens Lead Over Romney 48% to 43%
The latest Gallup Poll has President Barack Obama widening his lead over presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney: President Barack Obama has maintained at least a slight margin over Mitt Romney in each of the last six Gallup Daily tracking averages, including a 48% to 43% lead among registered voters in the July 2 report, spanning June 25-July 1. Obama's current … [Read more...] about Gallup: Obama Widens Lead Over Romney 48% to 43%
Political Spin Debunked? Charts Suggest Health Care Law NOT the Biggest Tax Increase Ever
Are the charts and graphs debunking an important Republican attack line on the health care reform law? The GOP scuttlebutt is that the law represents the biggest tax increase ever. But it doesn't look that way. Talking Points Memo: Ezra Klein: But, as I've often noted here, facts now mean so little in our politics. Once upon a time people felt compelled to … [Read more...] about Political Spin Debunked? Charts Suggest Health Care Law NOT the Biggest Tax Increase Ever