A lingering question over the years has been whether the Saudi Arabian government was tied to 9/11. Two former Senators are suggesting it was and are calling for more scrutiny of the Saudi's role: Now, in sworn statements that seem likely to reignite the debate, two former senators who were privy to top secret information on the Saudis’ activities say they believe that the … [Read more...] about Ex-Senators Graham and Kerrey Suggest Saudi Arabian Government Tied to 9/11
The Day James “Tony Soprano” Gandolfini Gave Out Big Bucks to the Cast’s Actors
As someone who worked in the news media fulltime, I can usually tell when celebrities are liked and disliked by those who cover them. Actors and comedians may not be who you see on the screen. And sometimes they are, or better. Years ago, when the Three Stooges got a star on Hollywood Boulevard and I did a story for my then-employer the San Diego Union, Milton Berle was … [Read more...] about The Day James “Tony Soprano” Gandolfini Gave Out Big Bucks to the Cast’s Actors
Tonight Is the Night at the White House (UPDATES)
UPDATE: While I am sure some contrarians will be able to find some obscure (or “opposition”) sources that claim otherwise, judging from last night’s and this morning’s media coverage, last night’s “A Nation’s Gratitude” Dinner has been well received by the press -- and by Americans. Here is a sampling. For Iraq Vets, A Thanksgiving Dinner Obama Salutes Iraq War Vets … [Read more...] about Tonight Is the Night at the White House (UPDATES)
‘Russia’s Place in a Changing World,’ By Vladimir Putin (Moskovskiye Novosti, Russia)
With Russia's presidential election this Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wrote this 7,500 word opus in Moscow newspaper Moskovskiye Novosti, outlining what the once and apparently future Russian president thinks of the United States and NATO, the use of NGOs in foreign lands (like Egypt), Afghanistan and drug trafficking, the civil conflict in Syria, human rights … [Read more...] about ‘Russia’s Place in a Changing World,’ By Vladimir Putin (Moskovskiye Novosti, Russia)
Headline of the Day on Romney and the GOP: “Is This What An Arranged Marriage Feels Like?”
The Headline of the Day comes from David Frum, on The Daily Beast. It refers to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and the GOP: "Is This What An Arranged Marriage Feels Like?" I lived in India from January 1972-May 1976 during my senior year in college, and from September 1973 through May 1975, as a freelance journalist. Many marriages in India were (and are) arranged … [Read more...] about Headline of the Day on Romney and the GOP: “Is This What An Arranged Marriage Feels Like?”
Stop Comparing Your Foes to Hitler
As America hurtles towards the November 2012 elections can you please stop comparing people with whom you disagree to Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin? If you consider my plea irrelevant, then just close our eyes and you might hear men, women, and innocent children butchered by the two regimes plead with you not to make light of those who caused their horrific deaths. The … [Read more...] about Stop Comparing Your Foes to Hitler
The Two Cadillacs Fallacy
WASHINGTON -- Maybe Rick Santorum is helping Mitt Romney after all: Santorum's wacky statements about college and snobbery, along with his upset stomach over a 52-year-old John F. Kennedy speech, are distracting attention from Romney's extremist economic ideas. Yes, Romney needs Santorum to keep doing his exotic fan dance on social issues because the stage act diverts … [Read more...] about The Two Cadillacs Fallacy
The Cartoonist’s View from Abroad: U.S. Primaries
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Cartoonist’s View from Abroad: U.S. Primaries
Santorum Primary Night Speech a Mea Culpa to Women?
Last night, in the Republican contest to be that party's presidential nominee, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney looked relaxed as he addressed supporters in Michigan (one of his multiple home states; New Hampshire and Massachusetts most often cited as the others). He sounded it, too.Then again, on Tuesday evening, Romney was in the needed winning position, having … [Read more...] about Santorum Primary Night Speech a Mea Culpa to Women?
Google’s Privacy Consolidation Starts March 1
Despite President Obama's call for a privacy bill of rights, attorneys general expressing their displeasure (pdf) and the fact that it doesn't meet EU standards, Google's consolidated privacy policy goes into effect Thursday, March 1. There are three things you need to do before midnight, if you haven't done so already. Log into every one of your Google account dashboards … [Read more...] about Google’s Privacy Consolidation Starts March 1
The Congress of the Forest
A parable for Leap Day, with apologies to Aesop or whomever. One momentous day, the Forest Congress assembled to debate the burning issue of the hour: a bill had been offered declaring every acorn a tree, and, thus, all criminal penalties should accrue to anyone disturbing an acorn just as they would to anyone cutting down a tree. The Animal Caucus The beaver delegation … [Read more...] about The Congress of the Forest
India’s Government Grudgingly Releases Report on Nuclear Power’s Effect on Human Health (Guest Voice)
India's Government Grudgingly Releases Report on Nuclear Power's Effect on Human Health by John C.K. Daly India is betting heavily on nuclear power to meet its surging energy needs. While India currently has six nuclear power plants (NPPs) with 20 reactors generating 4,780 megawatts, seven other reactors are under construction and are expected to generate an additional … [Read more...] about India’s Government Grudgingly Releases Report on Nuclear Power’s Effect on Human Health (Guest Voice)
Murdered Reporter Daniel Pearl Baptized by Mormons
I'm Jewish and a Reform Jew, not as devout as someone who is a Conservative Jew or an Orthodox Jew. But when I read this story, it heats up my blood like a bubbling pot of chicken soup: Members of the Mormon Church last year posthumously baptized Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was captured and killed by terrorists in Pakistan shortly after the Sept. 11, … [Read more...] about Murdered Reporter Daniel Pearl Baptized by Mormons
Santorum Swipes at Snobs
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Davy Jones Dead At 66
The last train has left the station for singer/songwriter Davy Jones. By all accounts a real class act. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU615FaODCg … [Read more...] about Davy Jones Dead At 66
Romney Faces Trouble in Ohio
For the moment, anyway, it's Santorum's state. Romney trails Rick Santorum by 11 points in the latest Ohio Poll from the University of Cincinnati. The poll finds Santorum with support from 37 percent of likely GOP voters surveyed. Romney is in second with 26 percent support, followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 16 percent and Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) … [Read more...] about Romney Faces Trouble in Ohio
Santorium Makes Him Want to Throw Up
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Santorum Won More Michigan Delegates
According to the MSM, and most people who blindly follow their reports, Mitt Romney won the Michigan primary last night by about 3 points, 41 to 38. However, like the Electoral College, the point of the contest is not to win the popular vote (Gore - 2000) but to win more delegates per state based on the apportionment of those delegates. Michigan's primary delegate system … [Read more...] about Santorum Won More Michigan Delegates
Santorum Feeds the Hungry
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Santorum Feeds the Hungry
Those Endless GOP Primaries: Are We There Yet?
I had a feeling I'd be called back to active duty today... the pull of a pivotal primary night has yanked me back to the blogosphere after a three-week respite from American politics. It was a pleasant three weeks, I have to tell you. I went on a sunset hike with my son, helped him build a World War II bomber out of imitation Lego blocks made in Poland (and consoled him when … [Read more...] about Those Endless GOP Primaries: Are We There Yet?