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
Kaiser Poll: 56 Percent Want Health Care Law’s Opponents To Stop Trying to Block Law’s Implementation
A new Kaiser Health Tracking poll finds that 56% polled want the health care law's foes to move on: This poll fielded following the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the heart of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) finds a majority of Americans (56 percent) now say they would like to see the law’s detractors stop their efforts to block its implementation and move on to other … [Read more...] about Kaiser Poll: 56 Percent Want Health Care Law’s Opponents To Stop Trying to Block Law’s Implementation
Anderson Cooper Formally States It to Andrew Sullivan in Email: I’m Gay (UPDATED with Blog Reaction Roundup)
Unless you've been on Mars, way out there living next to Donald Trump, if you watch TV, read news stories and read blogs, or do a Google i search on his name, it has been suggested and stated that CNN's Anderson Cooper is gay but he has never made any big announcement. And (for most Americans) it has been No Big Deal. Now, Cooper, in an email to Andrew Sullivan, has openly … [Read more...] about Anderson Cooper Formally States It to Andrew Sullivan in Email: I’m Gay (UPDATED with Blog Reaction Roundup)
Making Dems Smile? Top Romney Advisor Eric Fehrnstrom: Romney Does Not Believe Health Care Mandate Is A Tax
Why do I get a feeling that Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity will not be happy today -- and that the White House will be smiling? Here's why: After Chief Justice John Roberts handed down his ruling that the individual mandate requirement in the Affordable Care Act fell under Congress’ power to tax, the question of whether Republicans were taking advantage of calling it a tax … [Read more...] about Making Dems Smile? Top Romney Advisor Eric Fehrnstrom: Romney Does Not Believe Health Care Mandate Is A Tax
Economic Suicide?
Do we as a nation really want to commit economic suicide by continuing failed trickle down policies? Noble Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz stated unequivocally in a recent radio interview that "...trickle down economics does not work..." The June 29th interview on WHYY was about his new book, "The Price of Inequality, How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our … [Read more...] about Economic Suicide?
The ACA and Access to Care
With the Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, it is estimated that another 30 million Americans will have coverage for medical care. Though this may be considered progress towards the goal of universal coverage, it’s unclear who will be providing the care for all of these new patients. The fact there will be inadequate numbers of health care … [Read more...] about The ACA and Access to Care