When Presidential campaigns this early in the election year start talking to reporters about why they feel confident they're going to win, it's usually a case of (a) spin, or (b)dangerous overconfidence. Nonetheless, the reasons Time's Mark Halperin reports as to why Camp Obama feels they'll win in the longrun make sense -- and make up our political Quote of the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why the Obama Campaign Is Confident About Defeating Mitt Romney
Putin-Medvedev Plan to Run the Gauntlet
Despite his dreadful human rights and anti-democracy record, Vladimir Putin’s first decrees as President could help to reverse centuries of socio-economic backwardness compared with the West and trigger better lives for Russians-in-the-street. They could also give cause for trepidation by triggering changes in the geopolitical balance among the US, Europe, China and Russia. … [Read more...] about Putin-Medvedev Plan to Run the Gauntlet
CIA Foils New Al Qaeda Underwear Bomb Airline Blow Up Plot
The CIA has folied a new Al Qaeda plot to use a new version of an underwear bomb to blow up an American airline: The CIA thwarted a plot by al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound airliner using a bomb with a new design, a U.S. counter-terrorism official tells CBS News. Officials, however, deny there was ever any immediate threat to the public. U.S. … [Read more...] about CIA Foils New Al Qaeda Underwear Bomb Airline Blow Up Plot
Book Review – The RX Factor
I read mostly non-fiction and when I read fiction is usually Science Fiction. But I also like a good suspense thriller once in awhile. The RX Factor by J. Thomas Shaw certainly qualifies. There is certainly enough suspense and enough murders and assassinations to qualify it as a thriller. In addition there is a lot of corporate and government malfeasance. Dr Ryan … [Read more...] about Book Review – The RX Factor
Greece Fails To Form Government
It looks like they may be having elections in Greece again if they cannot manage to form a government. So far efforts to do so have failed and prospects are not good. … [Read more...] about Greece Fails To Form Government
China’s ‘Resentful’ Leaders (The Manila Times, the Philippines)
Do Chinese leaders have a conception of themselves as being destined to govern the world - in other words, 'Chinese exceptionalism'? This editorial from The Manila Times outlines, from a Filipino point of view, how resentful Chinese Communist Party leaders are of America, and how little they understand about the meaning of moving from a uni-polar world, to a multi-polar … [Read more...] about China’s ‘Resentful’ Leaders (The Manila Times, the Philippines)
MSNBC Makes a Big Identification Mistake
On the other hand, he is in politics... … [Read more...] about MSNBC Makes a Big Identification Mistake
Quote of the Day: Lugar Likely Latest Trophy in Parties’ Hunt to Get Moderates
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who notes that Indiana Senator Richard Lugar is likely to be the latest trophy in the ongoing hunt by the bases of both parties to eliminate those hated moderates from their midsts. Here are some chunks of his piece: It's RINO hunting season, and Dick Lugar has a big target on his back. Boy does … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Lugar Likely Latest Trophy in Parties’ Hunt to Get Moderates
Obama Confident
Time Magazine has a fascinating look at the campaign to re-elect the President. Their basic mantra: "Be confident, but take nothing for granted." The President has fairly good reason to be confident. That said, Romney has not yet truly begun the general election campaign. While he is the presumptive Republican nominee, he doesn't have the nomination quite yet, and cannot … [Read more...] about Obama Confident
European Elections: And So the Left Was Right
The Economist, near the end of January, finally admitted that "austerity" is proven to be no cure for our troubles. Germany, France, Spain and Italy all managed to reduce their structural budget deficits, the latter three thanks to austerity. All are expected to reduce those deficits further this year, the International Monetary Fund said on January 24th. But this … [Read more...] about European Elections: And So the Left Was Right
Two Polls Show Presidential and Congressional Races Tighten Nationally and in Key Battleground States (UPDATED)
Two new polls show the 2012 Presidential election battle between Democratic President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has tightened -- and a shift in voters earlier decision to toss the Congress out. Some of the key findings in these polls: A virtual tie nationally with Romney having an actual edge. Obama's margin … [Read more...] about Two Polls Show Presidential and Congressional Races Tighten Nationally and in Key Battleground States (UPDATED)
Sarkozy Kicked Out
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sarkozy Kicked Out
The GOP, the Health Insurance Mandate and Insurance Exchanges
In America, politics trumps principles every time in this day and age, to the detriment of the democratic system. Even if a measure is consistent with a party’s principles, it will be rejected if it’s important to the opposition party and particularly if it’s part of their legislative agenda. The health insurance mandate and insurance exchanges are prime examples of this … [Read more...] about The GOP, the Health Insurance Mandate and Insurance Exchanges
Little Journals That Loom Large
WASHINGTON -- We know there are coffee lovers and tea lovers, as well as lovers of baseball, football, art, literature, music and cars. But many years ago, Father Richard John Neuhaus, a hero to conservatives who earlier was a guide to religious radicals, identified a category to which I proudly belong: He said there were lovers of opinions. I do love opinions -- those … [Read more...] about Little Journals That Loom Large
10 Terrific Summer Reads: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
DUST JACKET AND FRONT BINDING OF TURING'S CATHEDRAL I inhale books like moviegoers inhale popcorn, and am fortunate enough to have the time to devour about one book a week. The following 10 reads are particularly noteworthy, in my view, most are available in used paperback editions for a song through Amazon for or can be ordered from your local library through Inter … [Read more...] about 10 Terrific Summer Reads: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Start Off Your Day With a Little Music
Start off your day with a piece of music from the Great American Songbook. We couldn't get the real Frank, so here's a younger substitute: Here's a very talented 11 year old (who sounds like a talented teen) doing the song with a music track: And, yes, here is the original in a stage performance in 1971: The lip sync track on the first You Tube embed above comes … [Read more...] about Start Off Your Day With a Little Music
Have Beijing Leaders Absorbed Chen Guangcheng’s Message? (Le Monde, France)
What do the words 'rule of law' mean to China's leadership? This editorial from France's Le Monde expresses the hope that those charged with leading the world's most populous nation have learned something of the profound meaning of the phrase, from the struggle of Chen Guangcheng - a man who overcome all obstacles to fight for the rights of his own people - within the bounds of … [Read more...] about Have Beijing Leaders Absorbed Chen Guangcheng’s Message? (Le Monde, France)
Don’t Call Him “Dr. Shaq”: Shaquille O’Neal Earns A Doctorate Degree
After so many depressing stories about sports figures who've done drugs, got into legal trouble, become physically decimated due to their past athletic battles, it's refreshing to find an uplifting story about a famous athlete who is truly a great role model. And here it is: Shaquille O'Neal has earned his doctorate degree. But don't call him Dr. Shaq: The four-time … [Read more...] about Don’t Call Him “Dr. Shaq”: Shaquille O’Neal Earns A Doctorate Degree
Merkel sleepless over Hollande
Germany’s Angela Merkel will sleep less easy tonight because the French people have confirmed their opposition to her austerity programs for all Europeans except Germans by electing Francois Hollande as their new President. The Merkel-Hollande clash will occur soon since she is the first foreign leader he will meet after his swearing in by May 15. He is also likely to clash … [Read more...] about Merkel sleepless over Hollande
Left Kind Of Wins In France; Chaos Wins In Greece
In France the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has defeated incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy to become the first Socialist President of France since 1995. This will give him the power to name the new Prime Minister of France, though no clear front runner has yet emerged. But the victory for the left may not be as much as they had hoped. For one thing there is a debate as to … [Read more...] about Left Kind Of Wins In France; Chaos Wins In Greece