Although conspicuous by its absence, I did not specifically mention in my “2012 Pulitzer Prize Winners” that the Pulitzer Prize board did not award a Pulitzer Prize in fiction -- the first time in 35 years. (There was no Pulitzer prize awarded for editorial writing either) I am sure that most of our readers noticed it and it is also likely that some were quite upset about … [Read more...] about No 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction: Why Not?
Two More Signs of the Dumbing Down of American Politics: Obama’s Dogmeat and Romney’s Cookies
Oh, Mommy, I know this campaign has not formally begun but can't it be over already? Please, Mommy, make them stop! Political junkies are salivating, cable hosts are visitbly chomping at the bit ("We can have great TV! More than ever we can get both sides to line up and yell at each other. This is going to be an ugly campaign. Great stuff!!!"), but to many other Americans … [Read more...] about Two More Signs of the Dumbing Down of American Politics: Obama’s Dogmeat and Romney’s Cookies
Note To Democrats In 2012: Pick The Right People To Demonize
If Obama loses the presidency this fall, it will probably be because he ran against the wrong opponent. He ran against Mitt Romney. Democrats used to know who and how to demonize Republicans in order to win elections. When FDR ran for reelection in 1936, he didn't run against his official Republican opponent that year, Kansas Governor Alf Landon. He ran against Herbert … [Read more...] about Note To Democrats In 2012: Pick The Right People To Demonize
America’s Oldest Teenager
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about America’s Oldest Teenager
Turning Back the Clock Politics
The gridlock in Washington and the difficulty Congress has in passing significant legislation does not require intricate analysis and pontificating by pundits over its cause. Conservative initiatives that would have Americans live in the past are the main divide between conservatives and liberals or moderates. It’s the reason conservatives want to expel moderates from the … [Read more...] about Turning Back the Clock Politics
Michelle Obama’s Quote
WASHINGTON - Resurrecting the feeling of 2008 will be near to impossible, but First Lady Michelle Obama proved good to her word, campaigning for her husband in a way she once rejected. But the job of first lady is now something she wears effortlessly, which can be seen most fully in her campaign for military families, which she talked about on Monday on NPR. On Tuesday, she … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama’s Quote
“Obama,” Year’s Greatest Fiction
Pulitzer Prize judges should reconsider their decision. By declining to name an award-winning novel this year, they have overlooked the greatest creation of all, a huge work of collective fiction titled “Obama.” In other categories, the Board expanded its vista beyond the printed page to Politico and the Huffington Post. Why not recognize an achievement that brings … [Read more...] about “Obama,” Year’s Greatest Fiction
Money Struggles, Not Mommy Wars
WASHINGTON -- Instead of fighting a phony mommy war over what Hilary Rosen said about Ann Romney, we should face the fact that most families these days cannot afford to have one parent stay home with the kids. This is not about "lifestyle" or "values." This is an economic struggle highlighting yet again the social costs arising from decades of stagnating or declining wages and … [Read more...] about Money Struggles, Not Mommy Wars
Which Presidential Candidate Will Most Turn Off Independent Voters?
The 2012 Presidential election campaign is now shaping up as a political life and death battle over independent voters, where the losing candidate will be the one who turns them off the most. Comedian-columnist Will Durst likened the 2012 Presidential primary race to the mania surrounding the video game Angry Birds: "The object of 'Angry Birds' is to use a slingshot to fling … [Read more...] about Which Presidential Candidate Will Most Turn Off Independent Voters?
Partying Federal Workers
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Partying Federal Workers
The Race is Either Dead Even or Really Tight
A New York Times report today shows the Obama-Romney race is already very, very close. Mitt Romney has solidified support within his party for the presidential nomination after Rick Santorum’s exit from the race, but is locked in a tight race with President Obama as attention turns to the general election phase of the campaign, the latest New York Times/CBS News poll … [Read more...] about The Race is Either Dead Even or Really Tight
Egyptians Can Learn from American Presidential Race (Amal al-Oumma, Egypt)
With Egyptians headed to the polls on May 23 to choose the nation's first democratically-elected head of state, columnist Dr. Hamdi Radwan of Egypt's Amal al-Oumma (Voice of the Nation) offers his readers a look at the U.S. presidential race, using it to highlight what is lacking in Egypt's nascent democratic system. His misconceptions are as interesting as his factual … [Read more...] about Egyptians Can Learn from American Presidential Race (Amal al-Oumma, Egypt)
Dick Clark Dies Of Heart Attack At 82
Word just breaking today that Dick Clark has died of a heart attack at the age of 82. Clark was an institution in the music and television industries, hosting American Bandstand for 30 years (the day the show debuted nationally his guest was Elvis Presley). He also hosted numerous game shows, including a several versions of the pyramid. For many years Dick Clark was a … [Read more...] about Dick Clark Dies Of Heart Attack At 82
The Failing Rhetoric of Bitter America
"We must remember our history so we can find new reasons to justify the same mistakes." I hope this is that election. The moment when it finally crumbles. . .the moment when all this righteous rhetoric is seen for what it is. . .political pandering and meaningless shell game shuffling. The tired narrative has been the claim of past Christian nation, past noble foundations, … [Read more...] about The Failing Rhetoric of Bitter America
Who Is Media Matters?
The Daily Caller sheds light on Media Matters' founding. No great surprises there, although there seems to be some room for parsing the phrase "conservative, Christian-influenced." … [Read more...] about Who Is Media Matters?
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders — Only Five Remain
Today, April 18 (April 19, Japan time), is the 70th anniversary of one of the most daring, dangerous and heroic aircraft raids in American history. The Washington Times: Nothing like it had ever been done before. But faced with an enemy that already had proved its ability to strike the U.S. homeland, 80 brave men volunteered for what had all the makings of a suicide … [Read more...] about The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders — Only Five Remain
Good Regulation
One of the great problems with publicly-traded corporations (which, I will never stop pointing out, are a creation of government and not the free market) is what's known in economics (and political science) as the Principle-Agent problem. Once a corporate entity becomes publicly traded, in most cases those running the corporation do not own it, and thus no matter how honorable … [Read more...] about Good Regulation
Napoleon Was Not Short
This and other amazingly common misconceptions are analyzed by the always-wonderful CGP Grey: 5 Historical Misconceptions Rundown! (This item cross-posted to DeanEsmay.com.) … [Read more...] about Napoleon Was Not Short
The War on Moms — Once More, with Feeling
I know some of our readers don’t like New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd. But sometimes you have to -- begrudging as it may feel to some -- give credit where credit is due. Starting with the title of her Times column today, “Phony Mommy Wars,” even our conservative friends will have to agree that they are phony -- no one would dare go to war against our own … [Read more...] about The War on Moms — Once More, with Feeling
Team Obama Finds The Slogan and The Message
WASHINGTON - This year, it will take more than First Lady Michelle Obama's lofty campaign rhetoric to reelect Pres. Obama, which drew a lot of attention from Republicans yesterday. Polls don't mean much now, but everyone in the polling business has got one, with the snap shot of today revealing Romney and Obama are near even with registered voters in a CBS/New York Times poll, … [Read more...] about Team Obama Finds The Slogan and The Message