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
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Forget Mitt
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)
Bishops & Republicans Sitting In A Tree K-i-s-s-i-n-g
BISHOP DOLAN IS GROUCHY In for a dime in for a dollar seems to be the modus operandi in the latest round of culture warfare and even when reasonable compromise is within reach it remains elusive. And so we have the sight of Catholic bishops locking horns with the Obama administration over its principled view that all women need affordable access to contraceptive services … [Read more...] about Bishops & Republicans Sitting In A Tree K-i-s-s-i-n-g
The Republican War On Women Continues Apace
A centerpiece of the Republican Party's social agenda in the new millennium has been to deny women new rights and take away old rights, but it stands to reason that everyone of every political stripe would be opposed to neutering laws that seek to combat domestic violence and sexual assault. But Republicans are less reasonable with every passing election cycle, and so we had … [Read more...] about The Republican War On Women Continues Apace
Weakening the STOCK Act- Stock and Trade of the House Republicans
Once again, House Republicans have been unwilling to take a strong stand against insider trading. Though a revised version of the STOCK Act (Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge) was passed yesterday by the House by an overwhelming margin, it was only after Republicans had weakened the bill. In December, Republican Spencer Bachus from Alabama, Chairman of the House Financial … [Read more...] about Weakening the STOCK Act- Stock and Trade of the House Republicans