Politicians running for office have promised constituents the moon from time immemorial, believing it’s necessary to get elected. If they’re victorious, they can decide later whether or not to follow through on the promises they’ve made. At times, the pledges are so outlandish that neither the candidates nor the electorate have any expectations they will be fulfilled. In other … [Read more...] about Campaign Promises and the Budget Deficit- A Reality Check
Premiere Pulls Rush Limbaugh Barter Ads, As Kinder, Gentler Mike Huckabee Prepares
WASHINGTON - Rush Limbaugh has been officially occupied. From David Frum: ...on April 2, Limbaugh will face a more-serious challenge. That’s when the new Mike Huckabee show launches on 100 stations in Limbaugh’s very own noon-to-3 time slot. Huckabee’s competition threatens Limbaugh not only because Huckabee has already proven himself an attractive and popular TV … [Read more...] about Premiere Pulls Rush Limbaugh Barter Ads, As Kinder, Gentler Mike Huckabee Prepares
Mike Huckabee’s Excellent Timing
Rush Limbaugh's problems continue: Radio-Info.com reports that Premiere Networks, which syndicates the Rush Limbaugh show, told its affiliate radio stations that they are suspending national advertising for two weeks. Rush Limbaugh is normally provided to affiliates in exchange for running several minutes of national advertisements provided by Premiere each hour. These … [Read more...] about Mike Huckabee’s Excellent Timing
Strange Doings Under Manhattan Streets in 1973
Early this month I published a new comic novel, an e-book now featured on Amazon. The book chronicles strange doings under the streets of Manhattan in 1973 — doings that bring together a pollution-spawned new chain of life and a well-planned coup d’état. Its main characters include a bumbling alternative newspaper reporter with rent problems who is unhappily partnered with … [Read more...] about Strange Doings Under Manhattan Streets in 1973
Bring the Troops Home Now
WASHINGTON -- It was clear before Sunday's horrific massacre of civilians that it's past time for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan to end. Now the only question should be how quickly we can get our troops onto transport planes to fly them home. What are we accomplishing, aside from enraging the Afghan population we're allegedly trying to protect? How are we supposed to … [Read more...] about Bring the Troops Home Now
Technical Glitch
Yours truly is on the road and due to a technical glitch I've been unable to get online this morning and have to get off very shortly. My own posts will resume later in the day. TMV WILL have posts on the GOP primaries tonight. Keep checking TMV for posts from other writers. … [Read more...] about Technical Glitch
Of ‘Sluts,’ Gigolos and — yes — Limbaugh
Last night, when writing about reactions by our military to Rush Limbaugh’s most recent faux pas, I silently pledged to myself that I would not give that person or that subject the time of day again. Alas, this morning there was that great article by Frank Bruni in the New York Times that I just must share with you. I rationalize doing so for two reasons: First, it … [Read more...] about Of ‘Sluts,’ Gigolos and — yes — Limbaugh
Santorum Too Liberal To Be VP Says Romney
OK. Let’s say you’re running for the Republican nomination for president. And, let’s say you’re doing this in an era when getting the nomination requires that you be uber-uber conservative. (Well, radical right wing actually since conservatism has nothing to do with current right wing politics – oh, but that’s a different rant.) And, let’s say you’re the former governor of … [Read more...] about Santorum Too Liberal To Be VP Says Romney
Taliban Claim Afghan Killing Spree not Work of Lone U.S. Soldier (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
As Afghans boil over with rage after a U.S. soldier reportedly left his base in the middle of the night to murder 16 Afghan civilians in their homes, according to this news account from Pakistan's Frontier Post, the Taliban are claiming that the operation was the work of a group of soldiers, and that far more people were killed. Propaganda it may me. But in the fog of war, … [Read more...] about Taliban Claim Afghan Killing Spree not Work of Lone U.S. Soldier (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Rush Limbaugh, the Armed Forces Network and Women in the Military
I know. You say, not another story about Limbaugh and his faux pas; not another example of selective outrage; not another piling on Rush. Perhaps, perhaps not. Because Limbaugh is -- I believe -- quite popular with our military; because his show is broadcast to our troops overseas via the Armed Forces Network (AFN) radio and, last but not least, because his unfortunate … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh, the Armed Forces Network and Women in the Military
Are We Seeing the Political Wind Shift In the South?
In many ways, the Deep South isn't the South anymore -- no more than Texas is still Texas. Here in Texas, "real Texas" is slowly becoming a Disneyization of its former self. Canadians in RV's spend their long winter here. Techies from all over have moved to Houston and Austin. Non-Texans have retired to what used to be "where Texans go to die" -- the hilly, cooler … [Read more...] about Are We Seeing the Political Wind Shift In the South?
Mormon Posthumous Baptism
' This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mormon Posthumous Baptism
Two Polls Show Obama’s Numbers Going South
Two new polls show President Barack Obama's approval numbers are going south -- numbers that should give more impetus to GOPers running for President and will likely spur Obama and Democrats to accelerate a defenses of the administration and look for ways to hammer Republicans. The Washington Post reports on a poll indicating Obama is suffering from gas … [Read more...] about Two Polls Show Obama’s Numbers Going South
Santorum Surge Continues
The latest national polls show Rick Santorum to be in a statistical dead heat with Barack Obama. Although national polls are inferior to state-by-state polls, this should be a sobering reality check to those who claim Rick Santorum could "never" defeat Barack Obama. The latest ABC News/Washington post poll shows Obama ahead of Santorum by only 3 points and the latest Rasmussen … [Read more...] about Santorum Surge Continues
The Nearly Forgotten U.S. Military Mission to “Stop Kony” (UPDATES)
UPDATE: As promised yesterday, Invisible Children has released a new 8-minute video to answer some of the criticism the organization has received. Video courtesy Fox News: UPDATE: CNN's Don Lemon interviewed 'Kony 2012' directors Jason Russell and Ben Keesey this afternoon about allegations by critics. Russell and Keesey revealed that they are preparing a … [Read more...] about The Nearly Forgotten U.S. Military Mission to “Stop Kony” (UPDATES)
The Primary Motivation for My Life
(Thought I'd share with TMVers the motivation behind anything I say, do, or write. . . . I don't always succeed, but I try). God wants to guard my heart. He desires to protect me from pursuing a path that will hurt myself and others. He is continually asking me to consider his way, his perspective. God is reality. He is the author of beauty, love, and life. God … [Read more...] about The Primary Motivation for My Life
No Moderates Need Apply
Juan Williams does a nice piece today at The Hill on the diminishing number of moderates in Congress. Moderates like Olympia Snowe are retiring from elective office out of frustration while others are being driven out of office in primaries and party purification rituals. The result is that voices of moderation, reason and civility continue to ebb. Williams reasons that … [Read more...] about No Moderates Need Apply
Santorum’s Dutch Ignorance (UPDATES)
UPDATE: Here's a different take on this story. UPDATE III: Santorum’s press secretary Alice Stewart repeatedly refused to answer questions by Dutch television station RTL4 about Santorum’s outrageous and false claims about euthanasia in the Netherlands. Asked at least three times by the RTL4 reporter to clarify Santorum’s incorrect figures and totally distorted … [Read more...] about Santorum’s Dutch Ignorance (UPDATES)
Taliban Vows Revenge After U.S. Soldier Murders 16 Afghans, Including 9 Kids
It sounds like a new cycle of violence is about to begin in Afghanistan, making efforts of the U.S. and Afghanistan government to do an orderly pullout and work out future ties much more difficult: NATO troops in Afghanistan are on high alert after the Taliban vowed to avenge the deaths of 16 innocent civilians - including nine children and three women - who were shot and … [Read more...] about Taliban Vows Revenge After U.S. Soldier Murders 16 Afghans, Including 9 Kids
China Versus the United States: Economics and Fair Play (Guest Voice)
China Versus the United States: Economic and Fair Play by Robert Coutinho Recently, I tried to comment on an article concerning the capacity of the U. S. worker to compete with foreign counterparts. The comment was too long. When I mentioned this to Joe Gandelman he suggested I write a Guest Voice column. I will post what I had been trying to say: You are under … [Read more...] about China Versus the United States: Economics and Fair Play (Guest Voice)