A final, final update for tonight -- and it has to be on the “unstoppable” Newt Gingrich. AJC.com reports: Newt Gingrich said he was rethinking his bid for the presidency after another series of disappointing primary showings Tuesday night, but he stopped short of dropping out. Gingrich, the former U.S. House Speaker from Georgia, maintained that he was … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Romney Wins in (Three States) All Five States, Including Delaware. Is this the End for Gingrich? (UPDATES)
American ‘Scandals’ Pile Up as Afghan Pullout Nears: (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is there some logic to the fact that as the date for America's withdrawal draws nigh, the number of atrocities and scandals involving U.S. troops seem to be increasing? For Germany's 'Die Zeit', columnist Ulrich Ladurner writes that the 'demon of war' is enjoying his final Afghan feast, and that if any further gross mishaps are committed by American forces, the departure of … [Read more...] about American ‘Scandals’ Pile Up as Afghan Pullout Nears: (Die Zeit, Germany)
The ‘Calamitous’ Results of America’s Iraq Withdrawal (Le Monde, France)
Are we only now beginning to see the consequences of America's invasion and ultimate withdrawal from Iraq? For France's Le Monde, columnist Christophe Ayad writes that the Shiite-Sunni civil war set in motion by the U.S. invasion is not only worsening in Iraq, it now threatens to engulf neighboring countries like Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen - with the Iranians and Saudis … [Read more...] about The ‘Calamitous’ Results of America’s Iraq Withdrawal (Le Monde, France)
I’M BACK AND I’M MAD
It has been very difficult to wade back into the many endlessly repetitive and totally dysfunctional national discourses that dominate the 24/7 info-entertainment news cycle in the U.S. I’ve been preoccupied with personal and family matters for the past month. My TMV postings have greatly diminished from my extensive 2009, 2010 and even early 2011 outputs. In 2012 it’s been … [Read more...] about I’M BACK AND I’M MAD
Told Jah So
Pundit on way to work Today, the sober analysts of the Pew Institute have lain the GOP Presidential Sweeps of 2012 to rest. (Although, it might be noted that there are still two other candidates in the race.) Journalism.org HOW THE MEDIA COVERED THE 2012 PRIMARY CAMPAIGN — LESS HORSE RACE THAN 2008 — By Tom Rosenstiel, Mark Jurkowitz and Tricia Sartor of PEJ — Mitt … [Read more...] about Told Jah So
Now Mexicans Returning to their Native Country
About a week ago I wrote about the recent phenomenon that highly skilled, highly educated first and second generation Indian-Americans, Chinese-Americans and others are returning to their native countries. They are the young sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, of Indian, Chinese, Russian, Brazilian immigrants — some born here in the United States, some … [Read more...] about Now Mexicans Returning to their Native Country
If Republicans get their way
The Big Belch is a graphic novel about a greedy oil company that causes a terrible oil spill and conducts a reckless experiment in hopes of diverting public attention from the disaster they recently caused — and ends up very nearly destroying the world in the process. The Big Belch addresses (in a zany fun way) what might come about if the Republicans get their way in gutting … [Read more...] about If Republicans get their way
Fox News’ Steve Doocy Corrects Embellished Obama Quote After Mini Firestorm
Fox News' Steve Doocy has finally corrected a quote he used from President Barack Obama or, rather, the embellishment of a quote. Or was it an innocent mistake? As someone who was a fulltime journalist, does blogging and writes a weekly column I full know how easy it is to mistakenly paraphrase someone (I even just submitted for my weekly column a piece where I offer a … [Read more...] about Fox News’ Steve Doocy Corrects Embellished Obama Quote After Mini Firestorm
Our Military Medical Personnel: Dedication and Courage (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: It is not clear from subsequent reports on the Blackhawk helicopter crash last Thursday in Helmand province, Afghanistan, whether the four crew members killed were medics or crew in a helicopter flying along a medevac helicopter on a mission to pick up Afghan policemen wounded in a bombing. Regardless, the helicopter was a “fallen angel” in aviation parlance … [Read more...] about Our Military Medical Personnel: Dedication and Courage (UPDATES)
Poll: Obama and Romney Virtually Neck and Neck in Arizona
More evidence that presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the GOP better make inroads in solving their problems with Latin voters -- and fast. Romney and Barack Obama are virtually neck and neck now in Arizona: The battle between President Barack Obama and all-but-certain GOP nominee Mitt Romney for Arizona's eleven electoral votes stands neck and … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama and Romney Virtually Neck and Neck in Arizona
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Helping Mr. B. Make A Major PAC Decision
Mr. B. You're back again. Nothing bad on the digestive front, I hope. No. Selig. I actually came by to talk with you about something important. To get your advice. Can we sit down and chat? Sit down, sir? This is a washroom. The only places where we could... Point taken. We can chat standing. Do you know what a political action committee is, Selig? A PAC? Yes sir. … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Helping Mr. B. Make A Major PAC Decision
Bill Clinton’s New Role as Pres. Obama’s ‘Campaign Whisperer’
WASHINGTON - Politico nailed the headline in the most important political article of the day Monday, penned by Glenn Thrush and Jonathan Martin. Team Obama has finally realized that talking about Mitt Romney as not having a "core" is a loser. Anyone who has looked at his life, which I have, knows this is well off the mark. Romney has a deep, foundational core, which … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s New Role as Pres. Obama’s ‘Campaign Whisperer’
Exploring The Political Blogosphere
One of my favorite sites for seeing what's hot in the political blogosphere is memeorandum. Fortunately, it's a favorite haunt of Andy Baio, too. Baio is a writer and tech entrepreneur in Portland, OR. He's fashioned a cool tool that illustrates the political leanings of the blogs featured in discussion on memeorandum. Research (Glance and Adamic) in the early days of … [Read more...] about Exploring The Political Blogosphere
The Devil We Don’t Know
WASHINGTON -- It may not be the economy, stupid. Then again, James Carville's famous maxim about the 1992 presidential campaign might well be valid in 2012. But it's quite possible that on Election Day, voters' most urgent concerns -- economic or not -- will be driven by overseas events that neither President Obama nor his Republican opponent can predict or control. … [Read more...] about The Devil We Don’t Know
Obama Piling Up Two Digit Lead in New Hampshire
If this keeps up, New Hampshire will be a write off for presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney: President Obama continues to hold a substantial lead over Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, despite the presumptive Republican nominee's heavy campaigning in the state. The WMUR/Granite State Poll shows Obama with a nine-point lead over Romney, pulling more than … [Read more...] about Obama Piling Up Two Digit Lead in New Hampshire
Mitt Romney Picks a Vice President
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Picks a Vice President
Justice Will Win in the Zimmerman Trial
I have made it a point not to get involved in the back-and-forth over the February 26 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. I have done so because, just as the author of what might have been one of the more objective pieces written on this tragedy, I also "[a]m not sure what happened the night [Zimmerman] … [Read more...] about Justice Will Win in the Zimmerman Trial
The Corruption of Wikipedia
I recently appeared on Celia Farber's Radio Free Science talk show, regarding the corruption of Wikipedia: Boy I say "um" a lot. I'm losing my public speaking mojo. But in any case, I think we discuss some important issues regarding what is probably the world's most widely-read and used reference resource. … [Read more...] about The Corruption of Wikipedia
Colombia Rejects U.S. Airline’s Secret Service ‘Sex’ Ad (El Tiempo, Colombia)
Has America's Spirit Airlines overstepped the bounds of propriety by producing an advertisement in which a man appearing to be a U.S. Secret Service agent surrounded by bikini-clad beauties suggests air travel to Cartegena, Colombia? According to this news item from Colombia's El Tiempo, the government of Colombia regards this as inappropriate subliminal advertising, and has … [Read more...] about Colombia Rejects U.S. Airline’s Secret Service ‘Sex’ Ad (El Tiempo, Colombia)
Moral Hazard, Health Care Coverage and the Individual Mandate
Whether the Affordable Care Act (ACA), now before the Supreme Court, will survive in its current form is in some doubt, with the individual mandate particularly in danger of being overturned. Though Congress has the power to regulate interstate commercial activity, opponents of the law believe it can not impose a tax or fee on inactivity, such as the failure of citizens to … [Read more...] about Moral Hazard, Health Care Coverage and the Individual Mandate