Is Putin's Kremlin focused on the wrong adversary-competitor? For Russia's Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, columnist Alexandr Golz writes that given Russia's incredibly long border with China and Beijing's growing wealth and skyrocketing military budget, Russia would be well-advised to keep a closer eye on China than on the United States or NATO. For Russia's Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, … [Read more...] about Putin is Mistaken to Favor China Over the United States (Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia)
The Al Sharpton School of Law
Whatever happened to innocent until proved guilty? Are we deciding murder cases now by taking polls? As Trayvon Martin’s parents call for calm, debate heats up in the media itself, not about the Florida teenager’s shooting death, but about Al Sharpton’s multiple roles in the case as cable news host, racial agitator, judge and jury. A quarter of a century ago, the Reverend … [Read more...] about The Al Sharpton School of Law
Narendra Modi: India’s Next Prime Minister?
Who would be the next Prime Minister of India where the General Elections are due in 2014? Indian leaders, ‘public intellectuals’ and the media are showing little interest in this subject as the national electoral exercise in the world's largest democracy is still two years away. But is this a hypothetical question? However, it is important to note that strong signals have … [Read more...] about Narendra Modi: India’s Next Prime Minister?
Georgia Republicans Resuscitate Abortion Bill
At the 11th hour, Republican leadership reached a compromise on Georgia's controversial "fetal pain" bill. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, HB954, appeared to be derailed after the Senate "practically gutted" the bill on Monday. But, like the zombies in The Night of the Living Dead, the bill came back to life and "passed with just minutes remaining in the … [Read more...] about Georgia Republicans Resuscitate Abortion Bill
Moderate Conservative Nathan Fletcher Leaves the Republican Party in San Diego
A little news from my home city of San Diego (I've been largely away from it since Sept. 4 on a national car tour in my other incarnation). Nathan Fletcher, a moderate conservative who wants to run for Mayor of my home city, has now left the Republican Party. He joins a growing club of former moderate to moderate conservative Republicans (like yours truly who has been in both … [Read more...] about Moderate Conservative Nathan Fletcher Leaves the Republican Party in San Diego
Great Musical Performances: “Some Enchanted Evening” (“Live” TV Ezio Pinza 1954)
I admit it: I am absolutely blown away by the superb score of "The Book of Mormon," the CD of which I've almost worn out as I continue my 9 month car trip across the U.S. I'll review it at a later date (and post a song from it) and note how it brings together the best of classic American musical theater scores with the 21st century. But years before TBoM, before yours truly … [Read more...] about Great Musical Performances: “Some Enchanted Evening” (“Live” TV Ezio Pinza 1954)
Apple, Foxconn and Fair Labor Standards
The titles of yesterday’s news stories offer an unambiguous condemnation of unfair labor practices at Apple’s Foxconn assembly plants in China: Apple's factories in China are breaking employment laws, audit finds; Update: Apple supplier Foxconn hit on poor working conditions; Illegal overtime reported on Apple assembly line; Apple supplier audit finds major wage and … [Read more...] about Apple, Foxconn and Fair Labor Standards
Site Alert: Incorrect comment spam
Hello TMV readers. There have been a sizable number of comments being marked incorrectly as SPAM thus not appearing on the site. These comments have been placed in a PENDING status and in many cases, once approved, get sent right back into PENDING. After a long investigation (aka "digging") looks like the problem is isolated to the spam filters over-zealousness at random … [Read more...] about Site Alert: Incorrect comment spam
Trayvon Martin: Picking Sides, Seeking Justice
WASHINGTON - CBS "This Morning" continues breaking interviews since it was launched, besting many of the cable infotainment shows, getting Mayor Michael Bloomberg who spoke out today. "It doesn't make any sense because you don't want people being vigilantes... "They don't have the training. They don't have the expertise. There is no oversight. That is the police … [Read more...] about Trayvon Martin: Picking Sides, Seeking Justice
Beware of What You Wish For- Big Business and the Republican Congress
In the realm of beware of what you ask for…was the desire of Big Business and its lobbyists, including the Chamber of Commerce, to elect a Republican Congress in 2010, providing millions of dollars that went to support GOP candidates. According to a New York Times article, “the return on investment has not always met expectations.” (http://nyti.ms/Hm2k9s) This may be somewhat … [Read more...] about Beware of What You Wish For- Big Business and the Republican Congress
An American’s Selflessness and Heroism in Afghanistan
After several depressing stories coming out of Afghanistan, this one certainly deserves telling and should make us feel proud. It is about Sgt. Dennis Weichel Jr., 29, a Providence, Rhode Island guardsman, who recently deployed to Afghanistan and who was serving with the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 56th Troop Command, in Laghman Province, in northeast … [Read more...] about An American’s Selflessness and Heroism in Afghanistan
Iran, Iraq and Our ‘Common Enemy’ (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
Are reports that Iranian influence in Iraq is growing by the day, true? According to columnist Abdullah al-Etabi of Iraq's Sotal Iraq, the Iraqi people find the assertions of Iranian President Ahmadinejad that the two countries have a 'common enemy' offensive, and he painstakingly outlines why Iran and Iraq do not share a common enemy, and the many ways in which the interests … [Read more...] about Iran, Iraq and Our ‘Common Enemy’ (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
Promised Day Brigade Asserts Released Hostage Was U.S. Soldier (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
The murky story about the American kidnapped by an Iraqi militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtad al-Sadr has yet to breath its last breath. Is Washington too embarrassed to admit that the man taken captive last year and released last week by The Promised Day Brigade, Randy Michael Hultz, is an American soldier? According to this news item from Iraq's Sotal Iraq, the Brigade, … [Read more...] about Promised Day Brigade Asserts Released Hostage Was U.S. Soldier (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
The Political Obituary of Newt Gingrich? (UPDATED)
When a friend caught iconic comedian W.C. Fields reading a Bible shortly before his death, he asked Fields what he was doing. “I’m looking for loopholes,” Fields replied. In recent weeks, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — one of American politics’ most colorful and unlikeable political figures — has seemed like someone frantically looking for loopholes as he slides to the … [Read more...] about The Political Obituary of Newt Gingrich? (UPDATED)
If the Health Law Is Struck Down…
Obama-the-constitutional-law professor is said, by reporters, to be fascinated by the Supreme Court's discussion -- sitting in Air Force One on his return to the US, glued to the Court's arguments. Obama-the-president knows, the Times points out, that "there will be substantial political fallout no matter how the court rules." And not just for the Obama administration. … [Read more...] about If the Health Law Is Struck Down…
Florida Stand Your Ground Law Threatened
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduc tion prohibited. … [Read more...] about Florida Stand Your Ground Law Threatened
Romney’s Hilarious Joke Bombs
Mitt Romney might leave the standup to Jay Leno, David Letterman and the other comedians and late night talk show hosts. He told what he felt was a really humorous story....about his father closing a factory. And most people did not find it funny. Democrats found it instructive and some on "Morning Joe" found it dismaying. Morning Joe excerpt: … [Read more...] about Romney’s Hilarious Joke Bombs
Activist Judges On Trial
WASHINGTON -- Three days of Supreme Court arguments over the health care law demonstrated for all to see that conservative justices are prepared to act as an alternative legislature, diving deeply into policy details as if they were members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Senator, excuse me, Justice Samuel Alito quoted Congressional Budget … [Read more...] about Activist Judges On Trial
I Hate Spring
I hate spring. I hate it because it means the end of an exciting basketball season and the start of a dreadfully long and intensely dull baseball season. I hate it because it means summer reruns, which now begin long before summer arrives. Most of all, I hate spring because its most distinctive and wide spread characteristic is the reawakening of plant lust. Don’t get me … [Read more...] about I Hate Spring
The “Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction, Prevention and Return Act” (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Please read the text of H.R.1940, “SEAN AND DAVID GOLDMAN INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION, PREVENTION AND RETURN ACT” here == Original Post: By the time I started writing (in February 2009) about “the unbelievably tragic—and exasperating—story of an American father’s brave fight to bring his son home, an 8-year old boy who is being held in Brazil in … [Read more...] about The “Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction, Prevention and Return Act” (UPDATE)