Having immigrated to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream, I was intrigued by the title of the New York Times story “Many U.S. Immigrants’ Children Seek American Dream Abroad.” As the story’s introduction focused on a Mr. Samir N. Kapadia who had arrived in the United States from India as a young child, became a U.S. citizen and was apparently doing very well … [Read more...] about Our New Émigrés
Historical Polling Trends and Barack Obama
Historical polling trends suggest that President Barack Obama is in trouble. No wonder Mitt Romney is already offering donors access to an an "inaugural retreat" -- and predictions increase that this will be one nasty, negative campaign. … [Read more...] about Historical Polling Trends and Barack Obama
The Romneys’ Hot Mic Moment: Refreshing Candor or Cynicism?
Not for general reporting comments made by presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney and his wife Ann Romney were overheard and reported on. Did the comments show refreshing candor or outright cynicism and a penchant for hiding positions from the public? Here is a roundup. … [Read more...] about The Romneys’ Hot Mic Moment: Refreshing Candor or Cynicism?
Secret Service Secrets
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Secret Service Secrets
2012 Pulitzer Prize Winners
The New York Times, my favorite newspaper, has won two 2012 Pulitzer Prizes, one for its reporting on Africa (INTERNATIONAL REPORTING: Jeffrey Gettleman) and another for an investigative series on obscure tax code provisions that allow wealthy corporations and citizens to avoid paying taxes, (EXPLANATORY REPORTING: David Kocieniewski). I was also pleased that The Huffington … [Read more...] about 2012 Pulitzer Prize Winners
Gap Between Romney and Obama Closing Nationally, But At State Level…?
National polls are showing a narrowing of the gap between Romney and Obama, with more than one poll showing Romney slightly ahead and others showing him slightly behind. National polls, however, do not matter very much. What matters most is the state-by-state polls, and in that regard, the picture is hazy at the moment. Writing for the Washington Post, Chris Cillizza argues … [Read more...] about Gap Between Romney and Obama Closing Nationally, But At State Level…?
U.S. Supreme Court Stands Up for Laying Citizens ‘Bare’ (Le Figaro, France)
Is the 'conservative' U.S. Supreme Court caught in a web of its own contradictions? According to Le Monde columnist Jean-Sébastien Stehli, a recent court decision that allows citizens to be strip-searched for almost any reason is no way to run a democratic society. For Le Monde, Jean-Sébastien Stehli starts off this way: By a five to four vote, conservative judges on the … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court Stands Up for Laying Citizens ‘Bare’ (Le Figaro, France)
Time To Bury Old Tom
I was just watching the end of an old Andy Griffith episode. The episode deals with a husband and wife relationship where the wife constantly nagged the husband and he drank as a result. This led him to leave her and rather than admit she'd be dumped, she pretended he'd died. After a time the husband returned to town and he and his wife had to figure out how to deal with … [Read more...] about Time To Bury Old Tom
Multitasking Benefits?
I accept that multitasking is a myth (in actuality, we're switch-tasking). But I've refused to accept that it's bad for us. A tiny bit of vindication from Science Daily: Our obsession with multiple forms of media is not necessarily all bad news, according to a new study by Kelvin Lui and Alan Wong from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Their work shows that those who … [Read more...] about Multitasking Benefits?
Ending Fecklessness on Guns
WASHINGTON -- It's understandable if unfortunate that the controversy surrounding the killing of Trayvon Martin has polarized the country along both racial and ideological lines. But there is one issue that should not have any racial connotations: the urgency of repealing "Stand Your Ground" laws. And leave it to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to speak the blunt truth … [Read more...] about Ending Fecklessness on Guns
Karl Rove Confirms There’s No Recession
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Karl Rove Confirms There’s No Recession
Did Mitt Romney Insult Stay-at-Home Moms? (UPDATES)
UPDATE II: After the firestorm generated by Hilary Rosen’s remarks on stay-at-home moms (See post below), and after the deep and -- and sincere -- umbrage taken by Ann Romney and so many others, Mrs. Romney over the weekend said this about that: It was my early birthday present for someone to be critical of me as a mother …That was a really defining moment, and I … [Read more...] about Did Mitt Romney Insult Stay-at-Home Moms? (UPDATES)
The Big Game- Can America Compete?
As an avid sports fan who follows teams on a college and professional level, I find the skewed priorities favoring sports over education for allocation of resources by state and local governments disturbing. Support for sports teams at high schools and colleges has continued or expanded even as school funding has dwindled, with coaches and athletic programs as the tails wagging … [Read more...] about The Big Game- Can America Compete?
April: The Month Of History
While probably every day marks several historic occassions I am always struck by how certain times of year seem to mark a confluence of events. Consider the middle part of April April 12th marks the start of the Civil war, the death of FDR and the first man in space April 14th-15th marks both the Titanic and the Lincoln assassination April 18th marks the 1906 San … [Read more...] about April: The Month Of History
Barack Obama’s Secret Weapon: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
LILLY LEDBETTER & YOU KNOW WHO The 2012 presidential campaign, now underway with the withdrawal of Rick Santorum, promises to be a study in contrasts. All presidential campaigns are, of course, but the contrasts between presumptive Republican challenger Mitt Romney and President Obama are striking and nowhere more so than when it comes to populism, an ideology that I … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s Secret Weapon: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
The Beginning of the Taliban Spring Offensive?
In what may very well be the beginning of the much anticipated Taliban “spring offensive” in Afghanistan, the Taliban -- some believe it is the Haqqani network, an offshoot of the Taliban -- launched a coordinated series of attacks on the diplomatic quarter of Kabul, the Afghan Parliament and at least three eastern provinces on Sunday. Both the New York Times and the … [Read more...] about The Beginning of the Taliban Spring Offensive?
Evidence of Romney Etch a Sketch on Mothers at Home Controversy?
Unlike a lot of others I do NOT agree that this week's mini-firestorm over respecting mothers who stay at home was "manufactured" at all (and yes, I am in disagreement with MSNBC, some less partisan Republicans and almost all Democrats). I've known too many mothers (including my own) who raised children as not just a fulltime job but a fulltime job where they put in overtime … [Read more...] about Evidence of Romney Etch a Sketch on Mothers at Home Controversy?
Calls for Drug Decriminalization in Latin America
It appears that the President is facing some awkward pressure from Latin America leaders who advocate decriminalizing and regulating marijuana and possibly cocaine. Likely they're tired of having US military and law enforcement crawling all over their countries as well as the corrupt and violent influence of the Drug Cartel black market caused by interdiction. This is an … [Read more...] about Calls for Drug Decriminalization in Latin America
What War on Women? (Guest Voice)
What War on Women? by Kathleen McKinley Ann Romney had a very good two days. It all started with Hilary Rosen, Democrat strategist, saying Ann Romney couldn’t comment on economic issues because “she has never worked a day in her life.” Oh boy, for a PR girl, that was incredibly stupid. You don’t diss Moms. Any mother, working or not, will tell you how difficult it is to … [Read more...] about What War on Women? (Guest Voice)
Trayvon Martin Case Goes Beyond Race (Guest Voice)
Trayvon Martin Case Goes Beyond Race by Peter Funt We've all taken a crack at deciphering the Trayvon Martin case, so ponder this: George Zimmerman probably isn't a racist and, if that's true, then Zimmerman runs a greater risk of being convicted in Martin's death. That such a theory is viable underscores the complexity of the case -- thanks, in part, to Florida's … [Read more...] about Trayvon Martin Case Goes Beyond Race (Guest Voice)