WASHINGTON -- When we talk about hypocrisy in politics, we usually highlight personal behavior. The multiply-married politician who proclaims "family values" while also having affairs is now a rather dreary stock figure in our campaign narratives. But the hypocrisy that matters far more is the gap between ideology and practice that has reached a crisis point in … [Read more...] about Ideological Hypocrites (Guest Voice)
About that Ticker-Tape Parade for our Iraq War Veterans
I like the idea of expressing the nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices of the brave troops who served in Iraq by inviting 64 of them to a formal state dinner at the White House -- “an unprecedented event by the White House, normally reserved for foreign dignitaries.” Of course there are many who disapprove or who have reservations: “A politically motivated gesture by the … [Read more...] about About that Ticker-Tape Parade for our Iraq War Veterans
Foster Friess, Fake Cowboy, Fools the Foils
Frustrating, that's what it is. I started covering Foster Friess -- albeit unknowingly -- in 2007. So, to see that our postmeridian and matutinal media mavens, our profound political pundits, our fulminating famous frothy photonic philologists haven't even gotten to square one ... well, it's frustrating oh YOUR behalf. fake cowboys are nothing new in American popular … [Read more...] about Foster Friess, Fake Cowboy, Fools the Foils
“One Test Tube Hamburger to Go”
If you thought fast-food restaurant hamburgers were a little plastic tasting when compared to what you grill at home, you may soon be in for a new taste. Forget meat, forget plastic -- how about test tubes? Yes, test tube hamburgers may be on the way: By generating strips of meat from stem cells researchers believe they can create a product that is identical to a real … [Read more...] about “One Test Tube Hamburger to Go”
Santorum: Did He Do Nuance, Backtrack Or Spin On Comments Dissing Obama’s Christian Beliefs?
Was it nuance, backtrack -- or spin? Up and coming anti-Romney Republican Presidential nomination candidate former Senator Rick Santorum got into some hot water in the media due to one of his red meat comments this weekend that elicited a satisfied, loud belch from sated conservatives. It was a comment that should win him some votes in GOP primaries but also risks scaring … [Read more...] about Santorum: Did He Do Nuance, Backtrack Or Spin On Comments Dissing Obama’s Christian Beliefs?
On Moving The Same-Sex Marriage Goalpost
Apparently, same-sex marriage opponents have settled on the referendum as the only legitimate democratic means of settling civil rights issues. They have no fear about tyrannical majorities - yet (see below). Doug Mataconis calls it moving the goalposts: When the Courts started ruling against them, they decried judicial tyranny. Now that the legislatures, the democratically … [Read more...] about On Moving The Same-Sex Marriage Goalpost
GOP Hear Them Roar (Guest Voice)
GOP Hear Them Roar by Cliff Schecter As I watch this Republican presidential primary season proceed in a manner roughly consistent with the course of the Costa Concordia, it has led me to a suspicion I feel honor-bound to share: I think the Republicans are throwing this thing. I'm not yet sure why. It could be that it better sets them up for a president they actually … [Read more...] about GOP Hear Them Roar (Guest Voice)
ESPN Under Fire for Linsationally Bad PC Headline About Knicks Loss “Chink in the Armor” (UPDATED)
ESPN got into a a linsational tub of hot water over a racially tinged Lin headline: Intentional? As someone who worked for some years in the media both cabling (before internet) stories from abroad as a freelance correspondent for newspapers from Europe and Asia, and as someone who worked on the staff of two newspaper chais, I'd guess this is more due to an oversight … [Read more...] about ESPN Under Fire for Linsationally Bad PC Headline About Knicks Loss “Chink in the Armor” (UPDATED)
The World’s Oldest Photographs
A look at the world's oldest photographs: … [Read more...] about The World’s Oldest Photographs
Liberal Homeschoolers
Writing in response to an essay by liberal filmmaker Astra Taylor, Dana Goldstein on why they shouldn't: Drawing upon her own upbringing, as well as on the traditions of the radical private school the Albany Free School, Taylor calls on parents and students to “empty the schools,” which force students to endure “irrational authority six and a half hours a day, five days a week, … [Read more...] about Liberal Homeschoolers
Greece: Ten and Out?
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Greece: Ten and Out?
Happy Endings: Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gets Married In Hawaii
Yes, kids, in real life sometimes there are happy endings, even when the earlier story at times made you want to cry and you felt fearful about how an earlier chapter would end. Kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart got married in Hawaii -- speeding up her planned date to avoid media disruption and is now said to be radiant: Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at the age of 14 … [Read more...] about Happy Endings: Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gets Married In Hawaii
Obama the Almighty Conjures up the Female Vote (Guest Voice)
Obama the Almighty Conjures up the Female Vote by Susan Stamper Brown Sometimes, the very thing that could serve to become our demise becomes our pathway to victory when we choose to face it head-on and humble ourselves long enough to ask for a little help from the Almighty. Moses had his Red Sea, George Washington his Valley Forge, and Barack Obama has his 2012 … [Read more...] about Obama the Almighty Conjures up the Female Vote (Guest Voice)
America is a Woman
Mama's pleased. This whole free contraceptive mandate has the First Lady written all over it. ...and maybe we just found out the value of Valeria Jarrett. Or not, but we know women made it possible for Pres. Obama to stand up. The bishops’ opposition to contraception is not an argument for a “conscience exemption.” It is a way of imposing Catholic requirements on … [Read more...] about America is a Woman
The Great Artists: Ray Charles – Georgia On My Mind (From “Live At Montreux 1997”) (VIDEO)
An email from a younger TMV reader talking about music involved the name of Ray Charles. So here are two videos that may be of interest. 1) From 1997, towards the end of his life, Ray Charles singing Georgia On My Mind (From "Live At Montreux 1997"): 2) Then go back to Feb 1973 and enjoy this very funny video of Charles guest starring on NBC's "Flip Wilson Show." … [Read more...] about The Great Artists: Ray Charles – Georgia On My Mind (From “Live At Montreux 1997”) (VIDEO)
The 2012 Political Animal Awards
The 2012 Political Animal Awards by Will Durst Don't mean to overreact and risk boosting everybody's blood pressure higher than opening offers on Facebook's upcoming IPO, but this might be a halfway decent time to seek out a nice, safe steel bunker to hunker down in or behind, because it's awards season and heavy metal statuettes are being tossed around like dimes at a … [Read more...] about The 2012 Political Animal Awards
Remembering Whitney Houston
The cable news networks yesterday were dominated by either long pieces of or live broadcasts of the star-studded Houston funeral of Whitney Houston. CNN has this excellent short video showing some key highlights: … [Read more...] about Remembering Whitney Houston
Santorum’s Cherry Picking
Because of his Catholic faith Rick Santorum opposes birth control. But just how strong is Santorum's faith - how often does he actually listen to the Bishops? Juan Cole reminds not very often. Top Ten Catholic Teachings Santorum Rejects while Obsessing about Birth Control So for instance, Pope John Paul II was against anyone going to war against Iraq I think you’ll … [Read more...] about Santorum’s Cherry Picking
America’s First Internet/Facebook Addiction Rehab Clinic
Challenges that the internet poses to health, economic and social well-being of people, especially the young, is becoming a major topic of concern worldwide. The first internet addiction rehab clinic in the United States of America, reStart, has opened in the state of Washington. The clinic works mainly with young adults who have lost control of their internet, gaming, … [Read more...] about America’s First Internet/Facebook Addiction Rehab Clinic
Harris Poll Presidential Rankings: Reagan Best President Since World War II, Nixon Worst
A new Harris Poll of presidential rankings is fascinating, especially when viewed along side a new and somewhat similar Gallup Poll. It finds Americans believe Ronald Reagan was the best President since World War II (ahead of Franklin D. Roosevelt) and Richard Nixon the worst: Twenty-five percent of Americans rank Reagan as the best president in a survey conducted by The … [Read more...] about Harris Poll Presidential Rankings: Reagan Best President Since World War II, Nixon Worst