"OMEN, n. A sign that something will happen if nothing happens." ~ Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary Tea Partiers protesting CNN's news, as it followed the astroturf "Tea Party Express" phony grass-roots circus act in 2010. We begin with the news about the news [emphasis added]: CNN's Primetime Ratings Sink to 20-Year Low 10:56 AM PDT 6/26/2012 by Michael O'Connell … [Read more...] about The News That Is Not Fact; The Fact That Is Not News
Hatch And Rangel Win
Two long time incumbents facing potential defeat in primary contests tonight have won renomination (and in effect re-election). In New York long time Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel easily defeated several contenders. In Utah GOP Senator Hatch beat back a challenge from a tea party candidate. Both will easily win in November. … [Read more...] about Hatch And Rangel Win
Chick Flicks For Everyone
I used to dread Saturday nights when my wife would drag me to a "chick flick." The exception was Nora Ephron films. When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle made me both laugh and cry and Julie and Julia was a real treat. Well RIP Nora Ephron: Nora Ephron, an essayist and humorist in the Dorothy Parker mold (only smarter and funnier, some said) who became one of her … [Read more...] about Chick Flicks For Everyone
Stockton California To File Bankruptcy (UPDATED)
UPDATE: After 5 plus hours of meeting the City Council has votes 6-1 to authorize the filing of a Chapter 9 bankruptcy petition. Said petition to be filed this week, most likely tomorrow. *********************************************************************************** The city council is still meeting to make it official but the city of Stockton will tonight authorize … [Read more...] about Stockton California To File Bankruptcy (UPDATED)
Watch the First Episode of HBO’s “The Newsroom”
WASHINGTON - THE FIRST EPISODE is brilliant, Aaron Sorkin at his finest. HBO has uploaded the entire episode on YouTube, though it's non-embeddable, so watch it while it lasts. Jeff Daniels reminds me of the image of Keith Olbermann when he last left Current TV, in the wake of MSNBC. The Daniel's character, Will McAvoy, this lumbering, over-sized ego and talent trying to … [Read more...] about Watch the First Episode of HBO’s “The Newsroom”
Romney Bus Circles and Honks At Obama Once Again
Talk about lowering the bar on the behavior of a major candidate. Here we go again: For the second time in as many weeks, Mitt Romney's campaign taunted President Barack Obama outside a speech. Romney's campaign bus circled Obama's fundraiser at Boston Symphony Hall Monday night several times, according to Romney deputy press secretary Ryan Williams and verified by … [Read more...] about Romney Bus Circles and Honks At Obama Once Again
Quote of the Day: After Initial Fumble On SCOTUS Arizona Immigration Law Ruling Romney Begins Moving Towards Center On Immigration Reform
Our political Quote of the Day comes from First Read which notes that after an initial fumble, presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney has begun to shift on immigration reform in light of the Supreme Court's slap-down of Arizona's immigration law, which Romney heartily endorsed during the primaries. *** Mitt be (not so) nimble, Mitt be (not so) quick: If there is a … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: After Initial Fumble On SCOTUS Arizona Immigration Law Ruling Romney Begins Moving Towards Center On Immigration Reform
Terrorism Against American Bloggers Continues?
Aaron Walker says he was SWATted again last night. Attorney Patrick Frey corroborates. If history is any guide, Walker will produce full documentation as soon as it's available. I have become increasingly alarmed at the hostile environment bloggers are finding themselves working under today. I recently purchased pre-paid legal services in part to be ready to defend myself … [Read more...] about Terrorism Against American Bloggers Continues?
The Mystery Unfolds of Poland’s ‘Extraterritorial’ CIA Prison (Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland)
It has been going on for years: Poland prosecutors have been looking into the issue of whether a secret CIA-run prison, in which 'renditioned' prisoners were subjected to 'enhanced interrogation techniques,' had the legal approval of Polish officials. According to this article from Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza, details of the long-sought agreement that made the prison possible have … [Read more...] about The Mystery Unfolds of Poland’s ‘Extraterritorial’ CIA Prison (Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland)
Challenging Preconceptions
...with an oft-unspoken reality. (Discussion, if desired, here.) … [Read more...] about Challenging Preconceptions
Defense Update: Tensions over Syrian Downing of Turkish Fighter Jet (UPDATED)
UPDATE: The Washington Post: NATO on Tuesday condemned the downing of a Turkish jet by Syria as “completely unacceptable,” and Turkey put Syria on notice that it would retaliate for any future violations along its border. The act was “another example of the Syrian government’s disregard for international norms of peace, security and human life,” NATO said in Brussels … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Tensions over Syrian Downing of Turkish Fighter Jet (UPDATED)
Arizona and US Immigration Policy
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Arizona and US Immigration Policy
Book Review: Fifteen Feet Beneath Manhattan (The Bizarre Adventures of Morey Caine) [Kindle Edition]
I've always been a huge fan of Michael Silverstein. I first read his wonderful political poetry on his site Wall Street Poet. We ran a little of it here on TMV. I then invited the former NPR poet and environmental advisor to the Clinton-Gore campaign to do Guest Voices and eventually he joined TMV, writing prose more often than poetry on Wall Street and economic issues. So when … [Read more...] about Book Review: Fifteen Feet Beneath Manhattan (The Bizarre Adventures of Morey Caine) [Kindle Edition]
Jonah Lehrer Turns 31
Jonah Lehrer, the wunderkind neuroscience writer who was a darling of the tech set until last week's self-plagiarism scandal, turned 31 today. It probably wasn't his happiest of birthdays. I've lost none of my tremendous respect and admiration for him; instead, I have great compassion and empathy for him. I tell young people hungry for success that getting there is easy. … [Read more...] about Jonah Lehrer Turns 31
Defense Update: Our Military Vying for Olympic Gold
When we think of our fighting men and women we do not necessarily think of them as athletes, sports enthusiasts and probably not as Olympic gold contenders. So, our readers might be pleasantly surprised to hear that the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) will send what it describes as its strongest contingent of athletes and coaches ever to the 2012 Olympic Games … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Our Military Vying for Olympic Gold
Political Refugee Assange Deserves His Freedom – and Our Nation’s Thanks (La Jornada, Mexico)
Do the world's lesser powers owe a debt of gratitude to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange? According to this editorial from Mexico's La Jornada, all nations that 'benefited' from the work of Mr. Assange and his organization must stand united behind Ecuador, and urge Quito to approve his request for protection from the 'politically bankrupt' world powers. The La Jornada … [Read more...] about Political Refugee Assange Deserves His Freedom – and Our Nation’s Thanks (La Jornada, Mexico)
The Other Supreme Court Rulings
While the Arizona immigration case certainly got the bulk of the attention from the press today there were a couple of other rulings to look at. In American Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Bullock the court, on a 5-4 ruling, basically upheld the prior ruling in Citizens United by striking down a Montana law which placed limits on corporate contributions to political … [Read more...] about The Other Supreme Court Rulings
Immigration Ruling
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Immigration Ruling
The Romney Camp Dodges Questions to Clarify Position on Supreme Court Arizona Immigration Ruling (UPDATED with VIDEO)
CLICK HERE for a truly amazing article. NO it is NOT from The Onion. It is not from a left-wing blog or an alternative newspaper. And YES it does involve a major candidate. With the Supreme Court ruling on Arizona's immigration law you'd think the the Romney camp would a)have an official statement (they did) b)have several pages of material to respond to other questions (they … [Read more...] about The Romney Camp Dodges Questions to Clarify Position on Supreme Court Arizona Immigration Ruling (UPDATED with VIDEO)
The Last Jews of Tunisia
Don't miss Michael Totten's The Last Jews of Tunisia. … [Read more...] about The Last Jews of Tunisia