No doubt the folks at the Heritage Foundation will pillory Paul Krugman for his column in this morning's New York Times. Their disrespect for him matches his own disrespect for them. On the subject of the national debt, Krugman writes: Perhaps most obviously, the economic “experts” on whom much of Congress relies have been repeatedly, utterly wrong about the … [Read more...] about The Wrong Analogy
Best Wishes For A Directionless, Cowardly & Courage-Free New Year
This is the sixth year that I am kicking off a new year with a post on the overall state of affairs in the U.S. Some three of these posts riffed on the cowardice of our political elite while a fourth was on what I called The End of an Error, the merciful conclusion of the eight-year Bush-Cheney interregnum, which was as visceral an example of cowardice masquerading as courage … [Read more...] about Best Wishes For A Directionless, Cowardly & Courage-Free New Year
The Truthiness Of John Boehner
Sometimes, albeit rarely, politicians speak truths. They don't mean to do so, but the words come tumbling out. And so it was with House Majority Leader John Boehner, who in his last press conference of the year following the House's reluctant passage of the extension of pay roll tax deductions and unemployment benefits, spoke the following truth: "Sometimes it’s hard to … [Read more...] about The Truthiness Of John Boehner
Obama: Can a Messiah Win Twice?
WASHINGTON -- Four years ago this week, a young and inspirational senator who promised to turn history's page swept the Iowa caucuses and began his irresistible rise to the White House. Barack Obama was unlike any candidate the country had seen before. More than a mere politician, he became a cultural icon, "the biggest celebrity in the world," as a John McCain ad … [Read more...] about Obama: Can a Messiah Win Twice?
PSA: Ticketmaster Customers, Double-Check Your Email
Jump Links Back Story How Much Does Ticketmaster Charge In Fees? What About The Competition? What Do Competing Ticket Companies Charge? How Should Fees Be Structured? Text of Settlement Email From the "you may have missed this in real time" department: If you are an online Ticketmaster customer, you may be eligible for a $1.50 per purchase discount on … [Read more...] about PSA: Ticketmaster Customers, Double-Check Your Email
Heaven’s Rap Sheet in Iowa
The new year brings news of a 16-year-old girl named Heaven Chamberlain, arrested with Occupy the Caucus protesters in Des Moines along with her mother. Heaven, detained once before at an Occupy rally in October, says her rap sheet is like lines on a résumé (“It shows that I’m active with the community and that I care about people’s opinions”) and that she plans to run for … [Read more...] about Heaven’s Rap Sheet in Iowa
Ron Paul Tries To Defuse Accusations That He’s a 9/11 Truther
Rep. Ron Paul continues to zoom in the polls in Iowa, although the latest news is that as he undergoes more scrutiny former Sen. Rick Santorum is picking up steam and he is stalling. But the bottom line is this: Paul has a solid organization in Iowa so the polls could be misleading. On the other hand, an allegation that continues to dog him are accusations that in the … [Read more...] about Ron Paul Tries To Defuse Accusations That He’s a 9/11 Truther
The Best Political Cartoons of the Week
Here's a collection of the best political cartoons of the week. … [Read more...] about The Best Political Cartoons of the Week
New York Times Sunday Dialogue: Does America Need a New Centrist Political Party?
Has America's political system now become so broken with two major political parties that indulge in politics, polemics and legislate almost by rote that the country desperately needs a new centrist party? The idea has come up over the years and analysts -- speaking from the conventional wisdom -- have usually labeled it a pipe dream. But the idea is becoming more popular … [Read more...] about New York Times Sunday Dialogue: Does America Need a New Centrist Political Party?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Iowa Caucuses (Guest Voice)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Iowa Caucuses Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Q. A little help here. Exactly what are the Iowa Caucuses? A. The Iowa Caucuses is a method of choosing a presidential nominee. Held every four years. Usually in Iowa. Q. Why is it so important? A. Number one in the batting order. Opening stanza of an epic poem. The recorded preamble … [Read more...] about Frequently Asked Questions About the Iowa Caucuses (Guest Voice)
Poll: Santorum Surging Bigtime in Iowa
Is Rick Santorum about to pull of yet another surprise in the battle for the 2002 Republican nomination? A? A new poll finds him surging -- which could be bad news for Rep. Ron Paul and perhaps even former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: The Des Moines Register’s latest Iowa Poll shows a surprise three-way match-up in contention to win the Iowa Republican caucuses: Mitt … [Read more...] about Poll: Santorum Surging Bigtime in Iowa
About the 2012 ‘end of world’ Rumor: Though The World is Ever Fissioning, Just This from an Actual Mayan
For much of the world, this is New Year's Eve and is now officially 2012... and just this: My friend Rigoberta Menchu Tum, of the Mayan K'iche tribe, and Nobel peace prize winner, says of 2012, it marks the ending of an era, and beginning of a new 40 year period of an unprecedented time to bring all strength and goodness into the world. Many of us will live and give through … [Read more...] about About the 2012 ‘end of world’ Rumor: Though The World is Ever Fissioning, Just This from an Actual Mayan
“Una Vez Más: The Old Man and The Baby, New Year’s Iconology: A Lost Story”
The Lost Story About What The Old Man and the New Baby Used to Mean for Human Renewal of Body, Mind, Spirit, Heart and Soul... at New Year’s We’re led to believe that New Year’s images are about the Old Year going out as a bent over old man… and the New Year toddling in as a grinning infant. That’s what the buycandy buywine buybeer folks would have us believe. But those … [Read more...] about “Una Vez Más: The Old Man and The Baby, New Year’s Iconology: A Lost Story”
New Year Must-Read: Greenwald On Ron Paul
Actually, Glenn Greenwald's rant is much deeper than a discussion of Ron Paul, which is why I'm suggesting that you read it. He opens with criticisms of our presidential election season which reflect my core beliefs: America’s election season degrades mainstream political discourse even beyond its usual lowly state. The worst attributes of our political culture — … [Read more...] about New Year Must-Read: Greenwald On Ron Paul
Happy New Year 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR! To all TMV readers, writers and contributors and to everyone all over the world, all of us here at TMV wish you the happiest of Happy New Years in 2012. Graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Happy New Year 2012
Bachmann: If Campaign’s End Isn’t in Tea Leaves It’s In Coffee Grinds
No, her campaign is not officially over since this guy has not sung, but if it isn't now in the tea leaves that Rep. Michelle Bachmann's campaign is going nowheresville, it is in the coffee grinds: EARLY, Iowa – During a swing through a conservative pocket of the state Friday, with only four days before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus, Michele Bachmann visited a local restaurant to … [Read more...] about Bachmann: If Campaign’s End Isn’t in Tea Leaves It’s In Coffee Grinds
Romney: Death and Taxes
The candidate’s son Matt steps into a brouhaha by answering a question about his father’s refusal to release tax returns by being flip about Obama’s birth certificate. Bad move. The elder Romney has a valid Michigan birth certificate, but there is also the question of a death certificate, officially stamped on his passport ("He is dead") by the French police after a lethal … [Read more...] about Romney: Death and Taxes
A Brief Summary Of The Determining Factor in Upcoming 2012 Elections (With Special Thanks to The American Judiciary):
Newt Gingrich’s Tears
Let's face it. Politics is a brutal game that takes every ounce of the energy for a Presidential wannabe, with incoming political missiles and the threat of sudden political death present at all moments. Throughout American political history, politicians under pressure have cried. Today it was Newt Gingrich's turn. Early reports suggest women voters in the room were highly … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich’s Tears
NBC Poll Shows Drama in Iowa: Romney, Paul Near Tie First, Gingrich Drops to Fifth
A new NBC Poll shows the growing political drama shaping up in Iowa in the race for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul are in a near tie -- and once-politically-hot former House Newt Gingrich is dropping so fast that you could swear he had been talking about a "nahn nahn nahn" plan. Former Massachusetts Gov. … [Read more...] about NBC Poll Shows Drama in Iowa: Romney, Paul Near Tie First, Gingrich Drops to Fifth