My wife and I finally found enough free time to see the new musical First Date, a co-production of ACT-A Contemporary Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre. As we settled into our seats and perused the program, my wife whispered, "I wonder if anyone on a first date is seeing this show? That sounds like something you would have done." I whispered back, "Well, if anyone is, it'll … [Read more...] about First Date: A Review of the ACT Theatre and 5th Avenue Theatre Co-production
For the Good of All, China Must ‘Join the Scrum’ Against North Korea (Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Japan)
Has the threat posed by North Korea become so great, that Beijing will fully join the rest of the world in bringing the maximum pressure to bear against Pyongyang? Expressing friendly skepticism about geopolitical naivete on the part of President Obama and issuing a plea to China to get off the stick, this editorial from Japan's Nishi Nippon Shimbun laments that the signs … [Read more...] about For the Good of All, China Must ‘Join the Scrum’ Against North Korea (Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Japan)
Romney Mocks Obama’s Harvard Ties Despite His Own (and His Sons)
The time has come to ask it: 1. Who is ADVISING former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney? Is it a mole from John Stewart's company or SNL? 2. If this is the indicative of the Romney Presidential campaign to come the Republicans have a huge political problem. The reason: Romney has mocked Barack Obama for his Harvard ties -- despite his own and his sons. NO JOKE: Mitt … [Read more...] about Romney Mocks Obama’s Harvard Ties Despite His Own (and His Sons)
The Terrible Burden on ‘American Black Boys’ (Le Monde, France)
To many people in the outside world, the killing of Trayvon Martin seems to be stretching the fabric of American society to the breaking point. For France's Le Monde, U.S. correspondent Corine Lesnes writes with surprise of how the events of the past month could have occurred three years after the election of America's first Black president. For Le Monde, Corine Lesnes … [Read more...] about The Terrible Burden on ‘American Black Boys’ (Le Monde, France)
Watching November Shape Up
Although there will always be much talk of national polls, the only real way to understand the upcoming Presidential election is to look at the state-by-state electoral map. Real Clear Politics has just such a map. At the moment, the President looks to have a significant advantage there, although hardly an insurmountable one. We can also look for that map to change somewhat … [Read more...] about Watching November Shape Up
A Poll Or Pundit For Every Perspective
Are President Barack Obama and the Democrats political toast? There are signs that could be the case. Even signs that Democrats could lose the Senate, not win back the House and lose the Oval Office. But...WAIT! Welcome to our manic depressant election year where you can choose the poll or argument of your partisan liking and the only certainty will be: predictions are … [Read more...] about A Poll Or Pundit For Every Perspective
The Insidious Nature of Student Loan Debt (Guest Voice)
The Insidious Nature of Student Loan Debt by Scott Kirwin I have a BA degree in Political Science and in the decades since I got the degree it came in useful once: it allowed me to teach English in Japan, a university degree being the sole requirement at the time. Since then I’ve not used it during my career and I likely never will. I have no regrets getting the degree … [Read more...] about The Insidious Nature of Student Loan Debt (Guest Voice)
A Holy Week Entreaty (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- The Easter season is a celebration of deliverance and the liturgical calendar sets Easter Week up as a kind of catharsis. Holy Thursday and the Last Supper have an ominous feel because they are preparation for Good Friday and the dolorous story of Jesus' crucifixion. Yet two days later, the tale ends in triumph and resurrection. Whatever questions … [Read more...] about A Holy Week Entreaty (Guest Voice)
There Are Bigots In Both Parties
Yes, there are bigots in both parties -- and some fully deserve the "awards" they receive. P.S. There is NO excuse or justification for this kind of bigotry. … [Read more...] about There Are Bigots In Both Parties
Another Titanic Story
Hadn't posted one yet today and assuming somebody out there finds the stories interesting, here goes. This story revolves around a last minute crew change on the Titanic. Wanting to make sure the maiden voyage went well the powers that be decided to transfer the Chief Officer (aka 2nd in command) from the Titanic's sister ship Olympic to the Titanic for the first … [Read more...] about Another Titanic Story
Martin Luther King told us and told us how to create a successful movement. Most do not listen. It’s not too late
So. Today is the anniversary of a voice silenced by hatred. Martin Luther King was assassinated this day 44 years ago. Martin King, denounced hate. I love Martin. Mainly because he left in his Letter from Birmingham Jail the four points to overturn injustice time and again... and the foremost was "self-purify" ourselves before we go making demands. THis-- self … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King told us and told us how to create a successful movement. Most do not listen. It’s not too late
The Donald’s Grand Offer to a Woman
I thought I had seen all the self-promoting, self-obsessed, self-centered, self-aggrandizing, self-delusional, self-opinionated sides of egomaniac Donald Trump. (Did I mention self-aggrandizing, derived from the Latin/old French grand/ adj. “impressive in size, appearance, or general effect”?) But I had not -- until now. You can read this little man’s inflated offer to … [Read more...] about The Donald’s Grand Offer to a Woman
Class Warfare, Wisconsin-Style
Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is facing a recall fight for his job. A million voters in his state decided that after just a year or so in office, they'd had enough of the man and wanted him out. The main issue here, the main cause of anger toward the governor, involves his taking away collective bargaining rights from most state government workers. Sure, at a time when … [Read more...] about Class Warfare, Wisconsin-Style
The Primary That Wouldn’t Die
I'm out. I'm just all out. I can read more, talk more, opine more. But really -- how much more is there to actually say, that hasn't already been said, about the Republican candidates remaining in the primary battle to be the party's nominee for the 2012 general election? Even his three wins last night, in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, have failed to … [Read more...] about The Primary That Wouldn’t Die
Hate Crime: Killing Dr. King Again
Today marks the murder of Martin Luther King in 1968, even as a racial uproar does violence to his memory. The gulf between reactions to his death then, universal public grief, and that of Trayvon Martin tells much about how America has changed in those years. Even when still alive, Dr. King’s preaching of peaceful protest was being challenged by angrier voices of Black … [Read more...] about Hate Crime: Killing Dr. King Again
Team Romney Starts Shaking the Etch a Sketch
Yep. It has started. And for good reason: to win, candidates must move towards the center. The questions are whether the Republican base lets him, whether talk show hosts let him or give him a pass, and whether the issue really will matter if he changes positions and the Demos call him on it. But Romney's (politically necessary) inching towards the center and away from … [Read more...] about Team Romney Starts Shaking the Etch a Sketch
Romney Easter
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Romney Easter
The Dream Lives On
Forty four years ago today the Reverend Martin Luther King was murdered in Memphis by a man of hate. His dream however has endured to a day where a man who looks much more like King than his killer is the President of the United States. Take some time to remember one of his greatest speeches. … [Read more...] about The Dream Lives On
Hillary Mania
Rep. Nancy Pelosi has caught Hillary mania, which is sweeping the media and political class during the Republican circus lull, while everyone nods off until Mitt Romney can squeeze 1144 out of wingnut primary voters. I'd heard about this exchange, with Buzzfeed posting the video. "I would love to see Secretary Clinton become the nominee for President in 2016," Pelosi said … [Read more...] about Hillary Mania
A Titanic Love Story
Time for your daily (or semi-daily) dose of Titanic history, the story of Isidor and Ida Straus. The Straus' were in many ways a perfect symbol of the American dream. Born in Bavaria they emigrated to the United States in the 1850's. Starting out with a small general store they (along with Isidor's brother Nathan) eventually went to work at Macy's department store, running … [Read more...] about A Titanic Love Story