This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP Vote on Obamacare Again
No-Charisma Contest for Mitt’s VP
Sarah Palin’s shadow is over Romney’s campaign in the final stages of selecting a running mate. Mindful of lessons from “Going Rogue” and “Game Change,” the search is producing a short list of those who won’t overshadow the nominee with their charisma. This tallest dwarf contest is said to be down to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. … [Read more...] about No-Charisma Contest for Mitt’s VP
A Great One
I have a hard time mourning when someone dies at 95. Ernest Borgnine died at 95 and had a long good life. I first remember him from McHale's Navy, a show I couldn't miss while I was in high school and college. It was latter I discovered his brilliant and Academy Award winning performance in Marty. Thank you Ernest Borgnine for the decades of great … [Read more...] about A Great One
When Bad Things Happen To Good Dogs. Yes, Yours Too: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
A photo montage of some of the Golden Retrievers in the author's life Some 71 million American households have at least one dog and the number is growing. We are increasingly making provisions for them in our wills, buying health insurance for them and pampering them with a dizzying array of special foods and nutritional supplements. Although all breeds of dogs, and … [Read more...] about When Bad Things Happen To Good Dogs. Yes, Yours Too: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
How Do You Lose Credibility?
How do you lose credibility? You lose it when you give awards like this one. … [Read more...] about How Do You Lose Credibility?
Bill Kristol Warns Romney Campaign Again: Offer Specifics
Presumptive Republican nominee is looking more presumptive every day -- even as leading conservatives and conservative news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal express concern to how he is running his campaign. Or not running it. The latest comes from The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, still a highly influential figure in top GOP circles. Kristol has offered warnings … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol Warns Romney Campaign Again: Offer Specifics
An Economics of National Pride
DENVER -- The path to the White House passes through the blue-collar communities in Ohio where President Obama campaigned last week -- and the middle-class suburbs of Colorado where he did well four years ago. The two states illustrate the imperative for both parties to assemble coalitions that cross class lines. Obama did precisely this in 2008. In Colorado, 58 … [Read more...] about An Economics of National Pride
Beyond Fundamentalism and Relativism
[This is the 8th in the series Religion and Science: A Beautiful Friendship.] The public…demands certainties… But there are no certainties. – H. L. Mencken, American journalist When we hear the word fundamentalist, images of fanatical proselytizers, religious extremists, and suicide bombers leap to mind. But I shall use the word more broadly to refer to any true … [Read more...] about Beyond Fundamentalism and Relativism
Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnine Dies At 95
Veteran actor Ernest "Ernie" Borgnine has died at the age of 95. Borgnine had one of the longest careers in Hollywood, from his first credited role in 1951 (playing a merchant marine/nightclub owner named Hu Chang) to a yet to be released role in the 2012 film The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (in which he plays Rex Page, a man bitter that he never became … [Read more...] about Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnine Dies At 95
Police State Chronicles
What would we say if these things happened in another country? Arrested for dancing in a subway station: “We were doing the Charleston,” Stern said. That’s when two police officers approached and pulled a “Footloose.” “They said, ‘What are you doing?’ and we said, ‘We’re dancing,’ ” she recalled. “And they said, ‘You can’t do that on the platform.’ ” The cops asked … [Read more...] about Police State Chronicles
So, Was Morgan Freeman ‘Wright’?
Evidently, in the post-racial America of President Barack Obama, only a black man can be a racist. Faux-KKK's greatest hit of 2008 We've see that too many times to count, and recounting here would be pointless. I'm going to reprint some clueless comments, but first I want to ask you: WHY were these picked up with such relish by the Rightie Blogosmear (understandable) and … [Read more...] about So, Was Morgan Freeman ‘Wright’?
Jonathan Krohn’s Journey: From Kid Conservative Perceived Hero to Teen Conservative Perceived Traitor
If you are someone disgusted with the often hateful way our ideological and partisan politics now operates, you need look no further for a shining -- or should I say "reeking"? -- example of the treatment of one Jonathan Krohn. Once upon a time he was a kid-young-teen political prodigy who was on TV, spoke before convervative groups, and wrote a fast-selling political book. He … [Read more...] about Jonathan Krohn’s Journey: From Kid Conservative Perceived Hero to Teen Conservative Perceived Traitor
Adventists Live Longer
Who knew? Dr. Gary Frazer conducted a survey comparing lifestyles of Adventists to non-Adventists. "The men were living about seven years longer, and the women about four-and-a-half years longer than their non-Adventist neighbors," Frazer said. And how come? "We believe that there's about four or five different factors that we were able to identify," he said. "Being a … [Read more...] about Adventists Live Longer
Scalia and Politics
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Scalia and Politics
Gallup: Little Support for Third Party Candidates This Year
The many Americans who dream of the day when voters in this country will have more authentic, viable, winnable Presidential candidate choices than the two major political parties offer still have a lot of groundwork to do, according to a new Gallup poll. There's little support for third parties this year, even as polls show disillusionment over how both parties have … [Read more...] about Gallup: Little Support for Third Party Candidates This Year
The Magnitsky List, America’s ‘Secret’ Weapon! (Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia)
As has become quite apparent in recent weeks, a new law about to be passed by Congress has Russian officials nearly hysterical. Call it gallows humor - or call it foolhardy bravery - columnist Alexander Goltz of Russia's Yezhednevniy Zhurnal has written this stinging bit of satire on the Kremlin's reaction to the soon-to-be-passed Magnitsky Act. Goltz writes that the law, named … [Read more...] about The Magnitsky List, America’s ‘Secret’ Weapon! (Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia)
Westboro Hate Group Brings Rivals Together
In Texas there is a common understanding that nothing can bring the Aggies and the Longhorns together. Well almost nothing. When word came out that the Westboro Hate Group was planning to protest the funeral of a dead soldier (and former Aggie) the students and alumni decided to form a human barrier to protect the family from the idiots. As it turns out the Westboro … [Read more...] about Westboro Hate Group Brings Rivals Together
Gabriel García Márquez ‘Suffering from Dementia’?
I am not what you would call a voracious reader. As a matter of fact I am a slow, haphazard reader who sometimes has six or seven books half-started, half-read, half-finished. This becomes a vicious cycle in itself because when I finally pick up a half-read book after several weeks, I pretty much have to either start all over again, or at least keep extensively referring … [Read more...] about Gabriel García Márquez ‘Suffering from Dementia’?
California Gov Brown and New Taxes
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Gov Brown and New Taxes
Looking Beyond Google Glass
Andrew Sullivan points to Sam Biddle's doubts about Google Glass: Google thinks that we're all ready to walk around wearing the things. Which, you know, we aren't. Not everyone is a somewhat eccentric data maven billionaire, too rich and lost in a world of giant ideas to care how he looks walking around all day. Are you? This presents not just a leap in technology, but in … [Read more...] about Looking Beyond Google Glass