After a terrible political week, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has gotten some good news in terms of imagery and the argument he's making that he is conservative and was a "severely conservative" governor: he has won the highly touted Washington Times/CPAC straw poll, which many had expected former Senator Rick Santorum to win: Mitt Romney won The Washington Times/CPAC … [Read more...] about Romney Gets Good News: Wins Washington Times/CPAC Straw Poll
Viguerie Calls Romney a “Severe Conservative Impersonator”
How is former Massachusetts Mitt Romney doing among some conservatives? To be sure, he seems to be winning some over, but not all. For instance, add conservative icon Richard Viguerie to those who are skeptical. Here's his latest e-press release in full: Richard Viguerie Says Mitt Romney is a Severe Conservative Impersonator Manassas, VA -- Richard A. Viguerie, the … [Read more...] about Viguerie Calls Romney a “Severe Conservative Impersonator”
PPP Poll: Santorum Opens Up Big National Lead Over Romney
First polls showed former Godfather CEO Hernan Cain surging in the polls as conservative GOPers felt they found their viable alternative to former Massachusetts Mitt "I-was-severely-conservative" Romney. Then he fizzled. Then polls showed former House Speaker Newt Gingirch surging in the polls as conservative GOPers felt they found their viable anti-Romney. And now a PPP … [Read more...] about PPP Poll: Santorum Opens Up Big National Lead Over Romney
Raids on Offices of American NGOs Reveal Scheme to ‘Partition’ Egypt (Al Ahram, Egypt)
Is it possible that American citizens, now under arrest in Cairo, were involved with a plot to partition Egypt into four smaller states? According to columnist Muhammad Dunia of Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram, maps that were discovered during a raid on the Cairo offices of the U.S.-based International Republican Institute prove that at least some of the foreign NGOs operating in … [Read more...] about Raids on Offices of American NGOs Reveal Scheme to ‘Partition’ Egypt (Al Ahram, Egypt)
UPDATE — The Prosecution of Judge Baltasar Garzón: Spain’s “Lo Pasado, Pasado Está” Attempt
UPDATE: A wave of unusually severe cold is gripping Europe. But the weather is not the only thing that is chilling over there. Under the headline “A Chilling Verdict in Spain,” the New York Times reports that “The enemies of Judge Baltasar Garzón have finally gotten their way” as Spain’s Supreme Court has found Judge Garzón guilty of misapplying the country’s wiretap law … [Read more...] about UPDATE — The Prosecution of Judge Baltasar Garzón: Spain’s “Lo Pasado, Pasado Está” Attempt
Quote of the Day: Romney’s “Severely Conservative” Self-Label Raises New Doubts
Did former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney just put his food in what seems to be his most accustomed spot again when trying to convince conservatives he's one of them at the big conservative gathering in Washington, D.C.? It certainly seems so. Our political Quote of the Day typifies the raised eyebrows a particular quote of Romney's has generated among many movement … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Romney’s “Severely Conservative” Self-Label Raises New Doubts
When Dad is a One Percenter (Guest Voice)
When Dad is a One Percenter by A Daughter My father, who is 85, grew up believing that all Americans can succeed through hard work and education, and that people who didn’t weren’t trying hard enough. He still believes that. I grew up with the same belief, but its implicit promise of reward based on merit didn’t turn out to be true for my generation or its children. Our … [Read more...] about When Dad is a One Percenter (Guest Voice)
The Iranian Hand In Syria’s Bloodshed
As the crisis -- and brutality -- continues to unfold in Syria, keep an eye on Iran, its role and its designs. Michael Youhana has a must read in the NYU Local. Here's part of it: The Syrian regime’s appalling crackdown — which has left around 6000 dead — has been one of the most violent government responses to the Arab Spring’s wave of uprisings. On Friday, bad became … [Read more...] about The Iranian Hand In Syria’s Bloodshed
Mitt Valentine
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mitt Valentine
A Little More Heat (Guest Voice)
A Little More Heat by Michael Reagan It seems to me that what is missing in the top two contenders for the Republican presidential nomination is passion. While Ron Paul speaks with passion of the Federal Reserve and Rick Santorum speaks with passion about life, Newt Gingrich speaks passionately mostly about Mitt Romney; and Mitt, it seems, merely speaks in sound bites. … [Read more...] about A Little More Heat (Guest Voice)
In Syria, the U.N. Security Council Fails the World (The Kochi Shimbun, Japan)
When it comes to the oppression of dissent in Syria, are the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council undermining global peace and security by issuing 'reckless vetoes'? According to this editorial from Japan's Kochi Shimbun, by concerning themselves with the interests of their own countries rather than what is best for the world, China, Russia, America, Britain and … [Read more...] about In Syria, the U.N. Security Council Fails the World (The Kochi Shimbun, Japan)
A Review of the 5th Avenue Theater’s Oklahoma! It’s “wonderfully disconcerting.”
The 5th Avenue's new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is a wonderfully disconcerting pleasure to enjoy and digest. Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong has referred to Oklahoma! as ". . . truly the quintessential American musical." The 5th Avenue embraces this truth by weaving a quintessential American tension throughout the production. … [Read more...] about A Review of the 5th Avenue Theater’s Oklahoma! It’s “wonderfully disconcerting.”
Mitt Romney: “Severely Conservative” Conservative
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivered his long awaited address to CPAC today. Most commentaries noted the following: 1. He used the word "conservative" so many times you could swear he was trying to hypnotize the audience (and perhaps he was). 2. He used a teleprompter almost completely in the style of President Barack Obama. Which raises the obvious question now … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney: “Severely Conservative” Conservative
Meme Chasing: Literacy In America
The data points sound horrifying: 46 percent of American children enter kindergarten lacking the basic language skills they need to learn to read 61 percent of low-income children have no children's books in their homes The verbs convey urgency (currency is an intentional affect, as the factoids are used for fundraising, establishing organizational mandates) and … [Read more...] about Meme Chasing: Literacy In America
Forget Mitt
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Unwise Facebook Parenting for the Troubled Teen
This video, apparently made by angry father Tommy Jordan, has "gone viral" and had more than a million views in under 72 hours, with a torrent of commentary. Most of the commentary seems to express either enthusiastic support or simple shock. I suspect it will get a few million more hits before it dies down or the father pulls it down. I am assuming this is real and not … [Read more...] about Unwise Facebook Parenting for the Troubled Teen
Male “Other Types of Emotions” May Endanger Military’s Mission
Do people really not pay attention to what is said anymore? Yesterday, while being interview by John King about possible questions Santorum may face as Commander-In-Chief, Santorum was asked about having women in combat roles. Santorum responded with this answer: "Look, I want to create every opportunity for women to be able to serve this country, and they do so in an … [Read more...] about Male “Other Types of Emotions” May Endanger Military’s Mission
The Electability Question
Who can beat President Obama in the fall on the Republican side? The question of electability is the main point of concern among Republicans so far in this cycle. To date, a handful of former first-tier candidates have succumbed to the specter of electability including Rick Perry, Tim Pawlenty and yes, even the "perfect candidate" Michelle Bachmann. With only four candidates … [Read more...] about The Electability Question
White House Contraception Announcement Set as GOP Candidates Address CPAC **UPDATED**
WASHINGTON - The White House compromise on the contraceptive mandate is set for 12:15 pm EST, sandwiched in between the CPAC speeches of Santorum, Romney and Gingrich. But if you want to know what this debate is about, see Joe Scarborough from yesterday. "... I think women should be deacons as well as men. ...But if the federal government, if the Justice Department offers a … [Read more...] about White House Contraception Announcement Set as GOP Candidates Address CPAC **UPDATED**
The USS Enterprise: Sacrificial Trigger for War Against Iran? (Wprost24, Poland)
Would the United States, utilizing what is known as a 'false flag' strategy, sacrifice a nuclear aircraft carrier to persuade the world that a war against Iran must be waged? According to columnist Anna Pinderak of Poland's Wprost24, a theory is making the rounds that the Pentagon has sent the famed USS Enterprise to the Persian Gulf - to sink it - and then to blame Tehran for … [Read more...] about The USS Enterprise: Sacrificial Trigger for War Against Iran? (Wprost24, Poland)