As yet another Independence Day draws to a close, it is only fitting to see what some of those who continue to help preserve our independence and who were "not otherwise engaged" did to help us celebrate this Fourth of July. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, flies over USS Constitution during the ship's annual turn-around cruise on July 4th … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Another Fourth of July
Stolen Valor, Purloined Patriotism
In a decision last week, the Supreme Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act, making it a crime to claim unearned military honors, as a California man did in falsely representing himself to be a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. The majority decided such statements cannot be criminalized unless they involve “a legally cognizable harm” and must be allowed “if there is to be … [Read more...] about Stolen Valor, Purloined Patriotism
Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at White House for U.S. Service Members
President Barack Obama listens as Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano administers the Oath of Allegiance during a military naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House, July 4, 2012. White House Photo by Pete Souza Having had the privilege and the honor to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization while in the … [Read more...] about Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at White House for U.S. Service Members
Lonesome George is Dead! Long live Diego!
Photo by author, circa 1997 Less than two weeks ago, the ecological world mourned the passing of the last surviving member of the (Pinta) Giant Tortoises, or the Galapagos: 100-year-old Lonesome George. George departed this world without leaving any offspring behind to carry on his lineage. George was a descendant of the Pinta Island Giant Tortoises and both his … [Read more...] about Lonesome George is Dead! Long live Diego!
A Couple Independence Day Tidbits
As we celebrate Independence Day, be it with family at a BBQ or just as a quiet day of relaxation it is worth taking a little time for reflection on the history behind the holiday. We've all read books or watched movies about the Founding Fathers but have you ever wondered about the average colonist in those days ? The Wall Street Journal gives us an interesting look at … [Read more...] about A Couple Independence Day Tidbits
Powerful words for Independence Day
Yesterday I posted about the protests going on at Independence Mall. This is a follow up. The young man I spoke with at the Veterans for Peace demonstration at Philadelphia's Independence Mall wore a black bandanna and a baseball cap as he held a sign proclaiming "When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty." I think he believes it fervently. I was struck with how … [Read more...] about Powerful words for Independence Day
This Justice Roberts “Switch In Time” Preserves The Legitimacy Of Nine
American democracy is in a woeful state. The chief executive job may well be decided by which candidate squeezes the most contributions from Wall Street and Hollywood. The Congress is deservedly held in disdain by the vast majority of Americans. Its Republicans are in thrall to a wacky fringe Its Democrats seem more concerned about keeping their cushy jobs a bit longer than … [Read more...] about This Justice Roberts “Switch In Time” Preserves The Legitimacy Of Nine
Black and Latino Men, Fatherhood, and Their Health
A dynamite presentation video you should watch and share. More here. (This item cross-posted to Dean's World.) … [Read more...] about Black and Latino Men, Fatherhood, and Their Health
NJ ACLU App “Stealth Mode” Secretly Records Police
The New Jersey state chapter of the ACLU’s has released an app that can secretly record police stops, prevent the recordings from being deleted and report the incidents: The arrival of the app, called Police Tape, follows some high-profile cases in which police have clashed with citizens over their recording of officers. It also speaks to the notion that, anywhere, any time — … [Read more...] about NJ ACLU App “Stealth Mode” Secretly Records Police
When In The Course Of Human Events
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a … [Read more...] about When In The Course Of Human Events
“But Mr. Adams”: From the Musical 1776
:"But Mr. Adams" -- a song from a stage production of the musical 1776. This number is about the writing of the Declaration of Independence … [Read more...] about “But Mr. Adams”: From the Musical 1776
John Roberts and America’s Political Center
You see few authentic political shockers anymore, and when Supreme Court Justice John Roberts sided with the court's liberals to uphold President Obama's health care reform law, that was one of them. But, merits of the law aside, an underlying truth about the resulting shock is that there is utter disbelief in 21st century America that a partisan can truly change his mind … [Read more...] about John Roberts and America’s Political Center
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
All of us here at TMV wish our many readers -- and non-readers, and the entire United States of America -- the very happiest 4th of July. And many more happy 4ths to come. Graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
This Is What Global Warming Looks Like
Commenter Davidpsummers responds to my Garfield & Global Warming post from the other day: The use of partisan tactics has damaged the public understanding of climate change. For example, while blaming a heat wave or other weather event on climate change helps “sell” the idea to the public, the fact is that climate change simply can’t be linked to any one weather event. The … [Read more...] about This Is What Global Warming Looks Like
GOP View of Chief Justice Roberts
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP View of Chief Justice Roberts
Just Not a President We Want
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)