Joe Gandelman had a post today consisting of a single word, “Sigh,” appropriately linked. The piece I read today in the Washington Times, really doesn’t deserve even a single word of commentary, but, hey, I am a sucker, so here are a few. I remember during my military days -- in the U.S. military, not the Soviet Army -- that many of our instructions, motivational … [Read more...] about Forward to Idiocy
‘Manifest Destiny’: Prepare for U.S. Preventive War on Mexico (La Jornada, Mexico)
Do Mexican citizens need to prepare themselves for a preventive war from across their Northern border? For Mexico's La Jornada, former Mexican general and governor Jorge Carrillo Olea warns that given Mexico's continuing weakness and the danger criminal gangs and general disorder pose to the the United States, the U.S. notion of 'Manifest Destiny', which is responsible for the … [Read more...] about ‘Manifest Destiny’: Prepare for U.S. Preventive War on Mexico (La Jornada, Mexico)
Viral Video: If I Wanted America To Fail
My son asked me to watch this and to tell him what I thought. I have to think about this. Clearly the piece is propaganda, although that is not a dirty word and my son also understands it's not a dirty word. My initial reaction is I think that parts of the criticisms here are right. Other parts of it are dead wrong, or twisted. Leaving out the absolutely critical … [Read more...] about Viral Video: If I Wanted America To Fail
Wisconsin: A Case Study In The Politics Of How Not To Create Jobs
Jobs aren't coming back rapidly in most parts of the country. They are, however, coming back slowly in most places. One major exception is Wisconsin. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that Wisconsin was the only state in the country to experience "statistically significant job losses" in the 12 months ended in March. And though most of these loses were in the … [Read more...] about Wisconsin: A Case Study In The Politics Of How Not To Create Jobs
Department of Political Grassy Knolls
A Lost Generation
Mitt Romney and George Bush the Elder share at least one characteristic. As former governor Anne Richards used to say, each "was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Last week, Romney advised the young to “take a shot, go for it, take a risk, get the education, borrow money if you have to from your parents, start a business.” It's nice to be able to borrow money from your … [Read more...] about A Lost Generation
Obama Possible Campaign Slogan “Forward” a Mistake: Gift to Talkers and Comedians?
The Los Angeles Times reports that Barack Obama's campaign may use the word "Forward" as a campaign slogan. At first glance, that may be a nice sounding idea. But you have to wonder: have they been watching the cable news TV wars? Get ready for the slogan itself to be a topic if it does seems to become official or used repeatedly in ads. The reason: in the ongoing battle of … [Read more...] about Obama Possible Campaign Slogan “Forward” a Mistake: Gift to Talkers and Comedians?
A Reminder- How Government Helps Make the “Self-Made” Man
There are myths proclaimed by some right-wing partisans and Ayn Rand acolytes that “rugged individualists” working alone have been responsible for America’s great accomplishments and that government is the enemy of progress. In their quest to reduce taxes, particularly for the wealthy, and cut the size of government, this myth has been promulgated by ideologues to gain support … [Read more...] about A Reminder- How Government Helps Make the “Self-Made” Man
Arrogant Amnesia on ‘Mission Accomplished’ Anniversary
WASHINGTON - AN INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA in the Situation Room with Brian Williams on the bin Laden raid exploded this past weekend. That it happened just days before tomorrow's disastrous "Mission Accomplished" anniversary worked like salt in a wound. Sen. John McCain had a hissy fit. Breitbart's Ben Shapiro is either the dumbest political writer on planet earth … [Read more...] about Arrogant Amnesia on ‘Mission Accomplished’ Anniversary
Mitt Romney & The Republican Party’s Impossible Balancing Act: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
It must be hard getting up every morning trying to decide who you’re going to be that day. ~ John F. Kennedy on Richard Nixon, 1960 With the primary season pandering finally behind them, the Republican Party in general and presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney in particular face an all but impossible balancing act: Being mindful of the interests of a party base … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney & The Republican Party’s Impossible Balancing Act: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Sinking Economy
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sinking Economy
Connecticut’s Death Penalty Message
GREENWICH, Conn. -- Since the 2010 elections, the activism of newly empowered conservative and Republican state legislatures has gained national attention with their wars on public employee unions, additional restrictions on abortion, and new barriers to voting. Against this backdrop, the little state of Connecticut has loomed as a large progressive exception. Last … [Read more...] about Connecticut’s Death Penalty Message
More Reaction Pours In About Young Barack Obama’s Dog Food (VIDEO)
President Barack Obama joked about it at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, but reaction is still pouring in about the revelation that he ate dog as a kid. Here's the latest: … [Read more...] about More Reaction Pours In About Young Barack Obama’s Dog Food (VIDEO)
Obama Has Held More Fundraisers Than Last Five POTUS Combined
This according to a new book about campaigns and fundraisers. … [Read more...] about Obama Has Held More Fundraisers Than Last Five POTUS Combined
Are We Now in the “Brain Circulation” Era? (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Related in more ways than one to the “brain drain,” especially as it affects our young people, is a “brain waste.” Paul Krugman addresses how some of our policies are contributing to “wasting the minds of a whole generation.” Please read it here == Original Post: The unemployment in Spain “just hit a depression-level 24.4 percent.” Portugal, and … [Read more...] about Are We Now in the “Brain Circulation” Era? (UPDATED)
Quote of the Day: Obama and Illegal Immigration
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon in a post on Barack Obama and illegal immigration that needs to be read in full. Here's the beginning: The headline should be striking: "U.S.A. Stops Illegal Immigration from Mexico" in its tracks. That’s an underlying insight in a study by the Pew Hispanic Center released days before the Supreme … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama and Illegal Immigration
French Presidential Elections Turning Into Nasty Brawl
The final week of electioneering for the 6 May Presidential vote between incumbent Nicholas Sarkozy and Social Francois Hollande is turning into a foul-mouthed brawl between right and left in France. Both sides are running populist campaigns instead of providing solutions to the country’s very troubled economy worsened by mounting job losses, recession and stagnation in … [Read more...] about French Presidential Elections Turning Into Nasty Brawl
Voices Of Liberty
With the recent announcement that Disney will be bringing The Voices Of Liberty to Disneyland in California I thought I'd post a couple videos of these truly amazing performers. Enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvM4r9Hw5LA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0ro6sWcx0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjeWWLQntAQ … [Read more...] about Voices Of Liberty
Austerity and Spain’s Economic Crisis
Have austerity moves in Spain made that great country's crisis worse? … [Read more...] about Austerity and Spain’s Economic Crisis
Romney Advisors: Election Will Be About Competence on Economy Not Coolness
It sounds as if presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney's camp has given up on trying to make him more likeable and made the argument that is logical but has often not worked in American politics: It's not about personality, likeability. It's all about issues. In this case, the economy. It doesn't sound like they will try to make Romney seem "cool" (which … [Read more...] about Romney Advisors: Election Will Be About Competence on Economy Not Coolness