WASHINGTON - Having begun my life as a performer, by way of decades of study and Broadway, it's something that never leaves you. When the next half of your life is dedicated to the politics of sex and powerful girls, my preferred word for women regardless of age, and a breakout hit blasts into the entertainment stratosphere smashing the "Sex and the City" barrier, it's going to … [Read more...] about What Happened This Week on HBO’s Smash Hit ‘GIRLS’?
Chen Guangcheng is West’s Latest ‘Tool’ to Undermine China’s Political System (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Based on this column from China’s state mouthpiece, the Global Times, Beijing seems oblivious to how heroes are made. Why is it that Chen Guangcheng, who began as a local activist battling forced abortion and sterilization, has become a worldwide concern? Whether Beijing is willfully ignoring the obvious, or just seeking to discredit a brave man standing up for his principles, … [Read more...] about Chen Guangcheng is West’s Latest ‘Tool’ to Undermine China’s Political System (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Deceit and Betrayal
From the John Edwards trial: GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- A former adviser to John Edwards recounted Wednesday how the former presidential candidate's now-deceased wife indignantly confronted her husband, baring her chest in front of staff members the day after a tabloid reported that he was cheating on her. .................. "'You don't see me anymore,'" Reynolds quoted … [Read more...] about Deceit and Betrayal
Missouri Republican Comes Out, Opposes Don’t Say Gay Bill
Agree with him or not it is a bold move in a state not known for being gay friendly. And everyone should oppose the bill as an attack on free speech and intrusion of state government into local affairs … [Read more...] about Missouri Republican Comes Out, Opposes Don’t Say Gay Bill
It’s More Than Bin Laden
WASHINGTON -- We expect some hypocrisy in politics, but it was still jaw-dropping to behold Republicans accusing President Obama of politicizing the anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Wasn't it just eight years ago that the GOP organized an entire presidential campaign -- including the choreography of its 2004 national convention -- around the attacks of Sept. 11, … [Read more...] about It’s More Than Bin Laden
Men of the People
Men of the people. Until the photo op is over. … [Read more...] about Men of the People
Take A Billionaire Out To Dinner — It’s The Least You Can Do
The New York Times today reported that a former associate of Mitt Romney at Bain Capital is writing a book that purports to show why greater income inequality is good for the economy, and also benefits the 99 percent-plus who haven't been cunning or well connected enough to become super-rich. His argument, in brief, is this: most of the money garnered by these super rich … [Read more...] about Take A Billionaire Out To Dinner — It’s The Least You Can Do
Marriage and the State: It’s Time For a Divorce
After a lifetime of fighting debilitating shyness and social anxiety I have found a life that permits me to avoid human contact except on the rare occasions when I initiate it. Modern technology is perfect for people like me. I can be social without actually being social, leaving me to focus on what people are doing or saying without worrying or thinking about myself. Facebook … [Read more...] about Marriage and the State: It’s Time For a Divorce
New Obama Anti-Romney Ad Is All Newt Gingrich
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is poised to (belatedly...frustratingly for many Republicans) endorse presumptive Republican nominee Mitte Romney so his words will be in the news. In more ways than one. The Obama campaign has put out a web ad (which I'm sure will be recycled as a TV ad in the post-conventions general election campaign later in the year) comprised … [Read more...] about New Obama Anti-Romney Ad Is All Newt Gingrich
Obama’s Afghanistan Visit, Speech and Agreement: U.S. Winding Down or Digging In?
President Barack Obama's lightning trip to Afghanistan to address the nation about ending a war that has lasted longer than Veitnam, sign a long-term partnership pact with the Afghanistan government, and mark the the anniversary of Al Qaeda terrorism chief Osama bin Laden's death with American troops could re-ignite Afghanistan as an issue on several fronts. The trip and news … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Visit, Speech and Agreement: U.S. Winding Down or Digging In?
Osama on Our Minds: Everyone Gets Into the Act
Osama bin Laden was so depressed about Al Qaida's low favorability ratings in the Arab world, we now learn, that he considered a name change for the franchise and a new career. No word as to whether he was mulling a Donald Trump invitation to host "The Apprentice: Boardroom Terrorism" or to be the subject of a Comedy Central Roast, which would have certified him as a … [Read more...] about Osama on Our Minds: Everyone Gets Into the Act
Swift Boat Narrative Holds Dynamite for Obama
WASHINGTON - Michael Hastings knows the meaning of being swift-boated, as does Buzzfeed boss Ben Smith. The Buzzfeed swift boat headline is a winner, even if the usage and examples are incorrect, with the most important element of this story a buried lede that has nothing to do with swift-boating and could be a blockbuster if Pres. Obama's opponents pick it up. Of … [Read more...] about Swift Boat Narrative Holds Dynamite for Obama
Paradigm Lost: Why the rEVOLution Has Not Been Televised
To those who care about such things, the silence of the media about the extraordinary events around Ron Paul's campaign is deafening. Some see conspiracy. I don't. I see the expected reaction to a paradigm shift -- a complete change in the concepts we use to make sense of our politics and culture. An excellent illustration of the power of a "paradigm" is the Perceptions … [Read more...] about Paradigm Lost: Why the rEVOLution Has Not Been Televised
The Ghost of Joe McCarthy Slithers Again (Guest Voice)
The Ghost of Joe McCarthy Slithers Again by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We’ve talked at times about George Orwell’s classic novel 1984, and the amnesia that sets in when we flush events down the memory hole, leaving us at the mercy of only what we know today. Sometimes, though, the past comes back to haunt, like a ghost. It happened recently when we saw Congressman … [Read more...] about The Ghost of Joe McCarthy Slithers Again (Guest Voice)
Witch Hunt for the Zombie Voter
WASHINGTON -- Republicans are waging the most concerted campaign to prevent or discourage citizens from exercising their legitimate voting rights since the Jim Crow days of poll taxes and literacy tests. Four years ago, Democrats expanded American democracy by registering millions of new voters -- mostly young people and minorities -- and convincing them to show up at … [Read more...] about Witch Hunt for the Zombie Voter
2012 Presidential Campaign Could Be Ugliest and Silliest Ever
Get ready for the 2012 Presidential campaign to be one of the ugliest — and possibly silliest — ever. Actually, the campaign has been unofficially underway. It's all but completely launched now that Mitt Romney is the last Super PAC standing and presumptive Republican Party Presidential nominee, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has finally folded a campaign that … [Read more...] about 2012 Presidential Campaign Could Be Ugliest and Silliest Ever
Chen Guangcheng ‘Deluded’ by Western Media Attention (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Was the escape of China’s blind dissident Chen Guangcheng from house arrest to the U.S. Embassy the failed attempt by a discredited man to enlist the help of a foreign power? This editorial from China’s government mouthpiece, the Global Times, not only seeks to diminish Mr. Chen’s significance as a global human rights champion, but hopes to persuade readers that seeking any … [Read more...] about Chen Guangcheng ‘Deluded’ by Western Media Attention (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Obama Returning Home After Secretive Trip to Afghanistan
It is now “wheels-up” at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, for Air Force One taking the President of the United States home after a secretive, whirlwind trip to the war front to salute the troops, sign an agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on post-war expectations and make an address the nation on the future of that long war. For those who were not able to watch … [Read more...] about Obama Returning Home After Secretive Trip to Afghanistan
Laughingstock
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Laughingstock
Romney, Obama and the Future of Europe (Die Welt, Germany)
Given the two candidates for the U.S. presidency, what do Europeans and in this case, Germans, have to look forward to? According to Die Welt columnist Alan Posener, "The good news for Europeans is also the bad news: it won’t make much of a difference who wins." To put it another way, American leadership as Europeans have come to expect it is over - and weary-sounding Germans … [Read more...] about Romney, Obama and the Future of Europe (Die Welt, Germany)