After months of savaging the President for promoting class warfare in debates, the GOP race is down to a man who wants to be elected for amassing half a billion dollars against a rival riling low-rent rebellion to expose the social fault line in Republican ranks more clearly than ever. “You talk to most kids who go to college who are conservatives," Santorum tells George … [Read more...] about GOP Class Warfare Goes Nuclear
America and Japan ‘Too Hasty’ about Resuming Nuclear Plant Construction (Shimpo Hebei Shimbun, Japan)
Has enough time passed since the nuclear disaster in Japan for the world to resume nuclear plant building? Last week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a construction permit for the first nuclear power plant to be built in the United States since 1978. According to this editorial from Japan's Shimpo Hebei Shimbun, in Japan and the U.S., voices calling for a 'nuclear … [Read more...] about America and Japan ‘Too Hasty’ about Resuming Nuclear Plant Construction (Shimpo Hebei Shimbun, Japan)
Happy Birthday, Abeer Qassim Hamza
This is the story of how the three most powerful men in America were responsible for the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl, who was burned to a blackened char, and the murder of her parents and sister. The enablers of these heinous crimes were President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who conspired to invade Iraq for bogus … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday, Abeer Qassim Hamza
Santorum in the Extreme
WASHINGTON -- For all his supposed authenticity, Rick Santorum is not what he seems. Beneath that sweater vest beats the heart of a calculating and increasingly desperate politician who has gone beyond pandering all the way to shameless demagoguery. That's the charitable view. The uncharitable take on Santorum's incendiary rhetoric is that he actually believes this … [Read more...] about Santorum in the Extreme
The Santorum Surge Explained
The latest polling shows Romney with a tenuous lead in Michigan. There has been no measurable momentum for either Romney or Santorum. Meanwhile, Santorum could win with Democratic votes. His campaign is robocalling Michigan Dems asking for their votes. Last week David Plotz gave voice (@8:19) to an interest theory on the rise of Santorum. It goes something like … [Read more...] about The Santorum Surge Explained
Michigan Photo Finish? New Michigan Republican Primary Polls Show Romney Santorum Close
Will the headline that once seemed unthinkable materialize tomorrow night? It could be because five new polls suggest that former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney and former Senator Rick Santorum are now virtually neck and neck in Michigan on the eve of the Michigan Republican primary: Five new polls in Michigan, all conducted on Saturday or Sunday, point to a close finish … [Read more...] about Michigan Photo Finish? New Michigan Republican Primary Polls Show Romney Santorum Close
Matter Over Mind
Mitt Romney should have wrapped up the Republican nomination a long time ago. He has an enormous organizational advantage, the endorsement of a great majority of the Republican party establishment, and a huge money advantage in money raised by his campaign and his superPAC; yet, Romney is fighting for his political life in his birth state against Rick Santorum who was barely a … [Read more...] about Matter Over Mind
Quote of the Day: Mike Huckabee on “Toxic” Republican Primary Rhetoric
Our political Quote of the Day comes from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee whose name can be added to the growing list of GOPers dismayed and concerned about the kind of polemics used by those trying to get the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination: “I think that there is just such a toxic atmosphere right now, specifically in the Republican party. I would love to say … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Mike Huckabee on “Toxic” Republican Primary Rhetoric
Energy Independence for the U.S. May be Right Around the Corner
Not withstanding the political contention over the Keystone pipeline, and over whether or not the nation should be doing more drilling for oil and gas, it may be that energy independence for America is right around the corner. The current spike in oil and gas prices is due to the geo-political situation and speculative activities, and would not be improved by any immediate … [Read more...] about Energy Independence for the U.S. May be Right Around the Corner
New NPR Ethics Handbook Gets It Right
Jay Rosen on NPR's new ethics handbook: In my view the most important changes are these passages: In all our stories, especially matters of controversy, we strive to consider the strongest arguments we can find on all sides, seeking to deliver both nuance and clarity. Our goal is not to please those whom we report on or to produce stories that create the appearance of … [Read more...] about New NPR Ethics Handbook Gets It Right
Battleground Poll: GOP Primary Helping Obama’s Poll Numbers
A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground Poll suggests that President Barack Obama's poll numbers have risen due to a lot of work -- a lot of work Republicans running for their party's nomination have done on their own and their party's image. With polls like this, Team Obama must be praying for a long, drawn out, down to the wire convention fight: A new … [Read more...] about Battleground Poll: GOP Primary Helping Obama’s Poll Numbers
Fuel Prices
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Fuel Prices
Obama Hasn’t Won It Yet
WASHINGTON -- If the election were held right now, President Obama would likely win by about the same margin that propelled him into office in 2008. But how fragile are his current advantages? The biggest concern for the Democrats (and the best hope for the GOP) is that the president's lead is far from overwhelming, even though Republicans -- and particularly Mitt … [Read more...] about Obama Hasn’t Won It Yet
A Silent Picture Is Worth A Million Dollars: “The Artist” Big Oscar Winner
Who ever thought a silent movie would win the Oscar in 2012? And the big winner at the Oscars was...."The Artist" the first silent movie to win an Oscar in 83 years. "The Artist" was the big winner at the 84th annual Academy Awards, taking home Oscars for best picture, best director and its star Jean Dujardin, who won over George Clooney, in the battle of the … [Read more...] about A Silent Picture Is Worth A Million Dollars: “The Artist” Big Oscar Winner
Drum Roll, Please: The 1st Annual & Probably Last Moderate Voice Baker’s Dozen of Great Music
Life got you down, Bunky? Afraid that our Islamofascist president will send you to a reeducation camp? That Rick Santorum will be sitting in your marital bed when it's time to turn in tonight? That the price of gasoline will continue going through the roof? Well, we feel your pain. But don't fret because you can join us for the 1st Annual & Probably Last Moderate Voice … [Read more...] about Drum Roll, Please: The 1st Annual & Probably Last Moderate Voice Baker’s Dozen of Great Music
Syrian ‘Election’ Results Due Monday
Any guesses as to the outcome ? I'd say maybe 95% in favor of the reforms to limit the power of the great and glorious leader who can do anything he wants it's fine with me. … [Read more...] about Syrian ‘Election’ Results Due Monday
Gallup Tracking: Romney Now Ahead of Santorum Nationally
Perhaps former Senator Rick Santorum's increasingly over the top comments (the latest is that he said JFK's 1960 speech about separation of church and state made him want to puke) have started to catch up with him. A new Gallup tracking poll shows Romney has now inched ahead of the latest anti-Romney frontrunner, Santorum: Gallup’s tracking poll shows GOP presidential … [Read more...] about Gallup Tracking: Romney Now Ahead of Santorum Nationally
Anger, Frustration, and Celebrity-Worship: Live-Blogging the 2012 Oscars
For those of you who might be interested, we're live-blogging the Oscars over at my place. Why? Well, it's something to do. And against my better judgement I do actually care about this celebrity-worshipping, Hollywood-aggrandizing madness. So for some predictions, analysis, commentary, and outrage, go here. … [Read more...] about Anger, Frustration, and Celebrity-Worship: Live-Blogging the 2012 Oscars
About Afghanistan — Enough Already
Seven more Americans were wounded in Afghanistan today. Two high ranking American officers were killed yesterday in a government ministry that should have been the safest place in the country — and the killer got away. Angry local crowds are filling the streets demanding that we get out of their country and out of their lives, unquestionably the popular sentiment of most … [Read more...] about About Afghanistan — Enough Already
A Bedtime Story for the New Depression, redux
Naturally, given the "too big to fail" banks wild speculation in oil futures, even in the face of over-supply and under-demand, somehow it's Obama's fault, according to Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas: Hutchison also hit the president on the more recent issue of rising gas prices. “We can’t slow down global demand for oil and gas, but we can do a lot more here at home to … [Read more...] about A Bedtime Story for the New Depression, redux