For an example of the coarsening of our political discourse read this “eloquent” clarion call by the Greene County, Virginia, Republican Committee to change “coarse” in November to “armed revolution” should things not turn out to one's liking at the ballot box. Of course, “coarse” should be “course,” but when one calls for such a coarse course change, who really … [Read more...] about If Things Don’t Work Out For ‘Ya’ in November, Change ‘Coarse’
Book Review – Guest of Honor
In 2008 the United States elected a black President – the result was a very negative reaction by about 25% of the population. It's not the first time there was a reaction to shifts in racial equality. In his concession speech in 2008 John McCain mentioned T.R, Roosevelt's dinner with Booker T. Washington in 1901. Like most of us this was the first time author Deborah Davis … [Read more...] about Book Review – Guest of Honor
Book Review: Celluloid Strangers by Eric Wasserman
This is probably the first book review you've ever read by someone killed off in a book. Well, not me exactly -- but my namesake. Joe Gandelman (a different one, assuredly not as good-looking, wise or modest as me) was killed off in a great book I found by accident in one of my periodic searches on Amazon.com to see if there is anything with the name "Gandelman" on the … [Read more...] about Book Review: Celluloid Strangers by Eric Wasserman
Lukewarm Endorsements
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Lukewarm Endorsements
Amendment One Passes In North Carolina
Update: AP and other networks are projecting that Amendment One has passed. With about 30% of the vote in the people of North Carolina seem to be voting in favor of prejudice. About 57% of voters are currently supporting legislation that would ban all legal recognition of any relationship other than male-female marriage. … [Read more...] about Amendment One Passes In North Carolina
Lugar Loses Primary (UPDATE 3)
One of the better members of the US Senate has been defeated in the GOP primary in Indiana. From what I can tell his defeat is partly attributable to the perception that he has lost touch with voters and a poorly run campaign, so I can accept that in many ways he blew it. At the same time I am deeply troubled by the campaign run against him, attacking him for working with … [Read more...] about Lugar Loses Primary (UPDATE 3)
BREAKING: Latest Would-be Suicide Bomber a Double Agent
The New York Times is reporting that the "would-be suicide bomber dispatched by the Al Qaeda branch in Yemen last month to blow up a United States-bound airliner was actually a double agent who infiltrated the terrorist group and volunteered for the suicide mission," according to American and foreign officials. The Times: In an extraordinary intelligence coup, the … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Latest Would-be Suicide Bomber a Double Agent
Gold – a Most Civilized Investment
On Friday last, Warren Buffett's right-hand man and Berkshire vice chairman, Charles Munger, told CNBC, "Gold is a great thing to sew into your garments if you’re a Jewish family in Vienna in 1939," "but I think civilized people don’t buy gold; they invest in productive businesses.” Your meaning is well taken, Charles, but your two dichotomies are surely false. Civilized … [Read more...] about Gold – a Most Civilized Investment
Obama’s Gay Marriage Position: Is it All About Suburban Voters?
President Barack Obama continues to be under from many in his exasperated party base for not coming out squarely in favor of gay marriage. But there may be a political method to what some Democrats consider his political madness. MSNBC's First Read: Women, African Americans, independents, and suburban voters have all moved more in favor of same-sex marriage just over the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Gay Marriage Position: Is it All About Suburban Voters?
Romney Campaign
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Romney Campaign
Romney’s Birds Start to Roost
Did the winner of a year-long Obama bashathon in the Republican debates think it would go away once he won the nomination? Did Mitt Romney think he could swerve back from high-volume hyperbole and turn his rational attention to traditional GOP voters and Independents? Not so easy . He may no longer be battling the likes of those weird Ricks, Santorum and Perry, but he … [Read more...] about Romney’s Birds Start to Roost
Killing Fighter Pilots By Incompetence?
It appears that there may be a serious safety problem for pilots of F-22 Raptors, and it looks like there's some butt-covering by the brass over it. A full PDF of the official Air Force report on the crash of Capt. Jeffrey Haney is available here. The most chilling note, to me, is in the conclusion: "By clear and convincing evidence, I find the cause of the mishap was … [Read more...] about Killing Fighter Pilots By Incompetence?
Nonsensical new Voter ID laws
While working today, a show came on the radio about how cruel and nonsensical the new Voter ID law is and I just had to stop and do a movie. http://youtu.be/i3Bm4QuJE54 PS - If you want to see the follow up movie to "Little Stuff" I posted earlier on TMV, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNkT3aQtqkM … [Read more...] about Nonsensical new Voter ID laws
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Composing The Music Of The Markets
Mr. B. You're looking radiant. Today's visit to Stall #8 seems to have touched you in a very positive way. It has, Selig, It has. What was that wonderful music I was listening to with my headphones in there? It was so...so... Strangely recognizable, sir? Uplifting? A perfect something to go with your reading of this month's cover story in Bloomberg Markets … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Composing The Music Of The Markets
Eisenhower On Centrism
“I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center.” –Dwight Eisenhower … [Read more...] about Eisenhower On Centrism
Rick Santorum Endorses Mitt Romney — by Email
Former Pennsylvania Senator and former GOP Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has finally endorsed his bitter rival for the Republican nomination -- by email. So in the end Santorum did indeed endorse Romney but in a seemingly offhanded, low-key-as-possible way. The endorsement seems as joyous as trip to the dentist. A reader forwards this email Rick Santorum is sending … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Endorses Mitt Romney — by Email
Make Every Vote Count, Abolish the Electoral College
WASHINGTON - Mark Halperin provides what he calls the "informal slogan" of Obama reelect: "be confident, but take nothing for granted." One reason team Obama is confident is that the Electoral College helps him tremendously. Halperin's insider-itis and penchant for dishing out insipid Beltway baloney cannot be shaken, but even he gets one thing right when he analyzes the … [Read more...] about Make Every Vote Count, Abolish the Electoral College
Thurston Howell IV* on How To Beat A Rap
[* Thurston Howell III's kid.] Seems that Mitt Romney tired of abusing dogs and turned his attentions to boating. Buzz Feed reports [emphasis added]: Mitt Romney Was Arrested For Disorderly Conduct In 1981 According to what Romney told the Boston Globe in 1994, he had taken his family off to Wayland, Mass.’s Lake Cochituate, about an hour outside Boston, for a summer … [Read more...] about Thurston Howell IV* on How To Beat A Rap
Great Musical Voices: Aerosmith: Janie’s Got A Gun
Truly a classic: Aerosmith's Janie's Got A Gun: … [Read more...] about Great Musical Voices: Aerosmith: Janie’s Got A Gun
Austerity as a Bridge to Nowhere
WASHINGTON -- Economic austerity is a dangerous, self-defeating intellectual fad. Perhaps I should say that's what it was, given Sunday's election results in Europe. Perhaps I should also say good riddance. Voters in France, Greece and even Germany -- a hotbed of the austerity cult -- told their political leaders, in no uncertain terms, that boosting economic growth is … [Read more...] about Austerity as a Bridge to Nowhere