How Now, Brown Cloud: What Smog Hath Wrought by Michael Winship Have you heard about the great brown cloud? No, it’s not a new nickname for Donald Trump (his cloud is more an intergalactic nimbus of Aqua Velva and Tang), or the ominous menace in a new Stephen King novel. It’s almost as nasty, though . The Atmospheric Brown Cloud, formerly known as the Asian … [Read more...] about How Now, Brown Cloud: What Smog Hath Wrought (Guest Voice)
A Predator Drone in the USA Could be Spying On You (Guest Voice)
A Predator Drone in the USA Could be Spying On You by Floyd and Mary Beth Brown Americans are familiar with unmanned spy drones providing surveillance of Iranian nuclear complexes and Taliban armed militants combating American troops along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now the Obama administration has quietly authorized Predator Drone use by law enforcement … [Read more...] about A Predator Drone in the USA Could be Spying On You (Guest Voice)
Occupy Chanukah and Christmas (Guest Voice)
Occupy Chanukah and Christmas by Michael Lerner Chanukah was the first recorded national liberation struggle against Greek imperialism, and Christmas celebrates the birth of a hoped-for messiah to free the Jewish people from Roman imperialism. The symbolism of a homeless couple giving birth in a manger surrounded by animals because the more comfortable people have not … [Read more...] about Occupy Chanukah and Christmas (Guest Voice)
Powerful Des Moines Register Endorses Romney for GOP Caucus
Newspaper endorsements don't have the impact they used to -- and some never had the impact that journalists and editorial writers claimed -- but the Des Moines Register remains a highly respected newspaper both in terms of its reporting, thoughtfulness, and editorial writing. It's endorsement does carry some weight -- and it has just endorsed Mitt Romney for the GOP … [Read more...] about Powerful Des Moines Register Endorses Romney for GOP Caucus
Photography Without Silver
Photography has certainly changed. Just a few short years ago much of the silver mined went into photographic film and paper. Today most of the world camera makers don't even make film cameras. Point and shoot cameras have resolution that you could only get with large format cameras like the Hasselblad. I have been a photographer for over 40 of my 65 years but I retired my … [Read more...] about Photography Without Silver
Newt Gingrich Polls Are Going South: Nationally and in Iowa (Second Post)
It now seems as if there's a good chance Newt Gingrich will be the latest in the group of anti-Romneys to flame out. It's always instructive to follow Barack Obama's daily tracking poll but the numbers Gallup now has for Gingrich compared to Mitt Romney and others suggest a campaign on the descent. He is now only four points ahead of Romney among GOPers. He'll need that massive … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Polls Are Going South: Nationally and in Iowa (Second Post)
The Rich Have Suffered Long Enough (A Poem)
In other western countries, austerity measures include taxing the rich along with taking benefits for others. In this country, the ruling powers have decided that... The Rich Have Suffered Long Enough The rich have suffered long enough, They’ve known great taxing sorrows; It’s time class warfare laws to doff, They’ve earned their bright tomorrows. Unlike the poor or … [Read more...] about The Rich Have Suffered Long Enough (A Poem)
The Deal Averting a Government Shutdown: Who Achieved What?
The deal averting a government shutdown: Who achieved what? A guide HERE. … [Read more...] about The Deal Averting a Government Shutdown: Who Achieved What?
Gingrichs Polls Sliding (UPDATED)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's national and Iowa polls are sliding but the question is whether he is still high enough up there so that the impact will not be significant: Newt Gingrich's support in the race for the Republican nomination fallen quickly since national Gallup polls of Republican and GOP-leaning independent voters in early December. And as Republican … [Read more...] about Gingrichs Polls Sliding (UPDATED)
Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Shuts Down Free Cancer Screenings Through Planned Parenthood
One of the things that is utterly stunning to those of us who were once Republicans is the nearly complete death of the concept that "compassionate conservativism" was a lofty ideal. Now you have public officials such as Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker who seem to have no problem tossing the word compassionate out the window. One example here. I suspect this won't help him win … [Read more...] about Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Shuts Down Free Cancer Screenings Through Planned Parenthood
Has the Right Gone Mad? (Guest Voice)
Has the Right Gone Mad? by Michael Reagan They say they are all Reaganites and that they want my father to return -- my father, who lived by his so-called 11th Commandment that no Republican should speak ill of another Republican. What makes them think he would want to return to any party whose members use hatchets on their fellow Republicans? And do it in public? Ronald … [Read more...] about Has the Right Gone Mad? (Guest Voice)
Outrageous
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Outrageous
Hitler’s G.I. Death Camp
Our Copy Editor, Holly Robinson, forwarded me an announcement for an upcoming (tomorrow!) documentary on the National Geographic Channel. Although I am preparing for travel shortly, I would be remiss if I were not to at least -- using the text of the announcement -- make our readers aware of what promises to be an astounding, eye-opening program about our American Jewish … [Read more...] about Hitler’s G.I. Death Camp
Florida A&M Drum Major Hazing Death Ruled Homicide: The Triple Agony of Hazing
Now here's yet another example of the triple anguish of hazing -- a social rite of passage for some groups that has ended in death or permanent damage by those seeking to get into the group or forced to endure what in reality is a kind of exercise in group sadism: the death of a Florida drum major has been ruled a homicide: The drum major, Robert Champion, died of … [Read more...] about Florida A&M Drum Major Hazing Death Ruled Homicide: The Triple Agony of Hazing
Bachmann Does Norma Desmond
With debate leaders underplaying conflict, Michele Bachmann takes center stage to give an over-the-top performance worthy of Gloria Swanson in “Sunset Boulevard.” After Newt Gingrich twice accuses her of getting facts wrong, Bachmann harrumphs that “it’s outrageous to continue to say over and over through the debates that I don’t have my facts right when, as a matter of … [Read more...] about Bachmann Does Norma Desmond
Dear Father Christmas…
Dear Father Christmas, As a mythological being, I yet see your handiwork every year, see your representatives dressed as that Marketing Demigod, Santa Claus, see him on television and in movies, in print and hear him on the radio. As such, you are the PERFECT person for me to address my plea to. … [Read more...] about Dear Father Christmas…
A Lady — a Hero — Reflects on the End of the War in Iraq.
As our troops are finally coming home out of Iraq, and coming home for Christmas, many are penning down their thoughts -- their emotions -- welcoming our troops, thanking our troops, honoring them and reflecting on what this long, painful war has and has not accomplished. I am one of those and will publish my welcome, my thanks to our troops soon. There is, however, a lady … [Read more...] about A Lady — a Hero — Reflects on the End of the War in Iraq.
‘Stubborn’ Iraqis Mistaken to Demand America Withdraw (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
Now that U.S. forces are either out or about to leave, there is significant Iraqi hand-wringing over whether it was wise to force them to go now. For Sotal Iraq, columnist Amran Al-Obaidi writes that the decision-making process that has led to the American withdrawal was flawed, and that Iraqis who have demanded a complete U.S. pullout were more interested in scoring political … [Read more...] about ‘Stubborn’ Iraqis Mistaken to Demand America Withdraw (Sotal Iraq, Iraq)
A sad day for Oregon: Is this a future weather report on Medicare?
Oregon is a progressive state and is well represented by Senator Jeff Merkley. Ron Wyden has been slowly moving to the right but his latest move is a knife in the back of all Democrats running in 2012. Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Paul Ryan propose overhaul of Medicare WASHINGTON – In an unlikely partnership, Sen. Ron Wyden joined Rep. Paul Ryan on Wednesday in a plan … [Read more...] about A sad day for Oregon: Is this a future weather report on Medicare?
Those Intrepid Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP)
A missing chapter in the history of U.S. military aviation On the eve of this most recent Veterans Day, I had the privilege of accompanying World War II veteran John Tschirhart to a reception hosted by the Texas Veterans Land Board at the Capitol Visitors Center, in Austin, Texas. Tschirhart, a B-17 bombardier with 35 bombing missions over Nazi occupied Europe under … [Read more...] about Those Intrepid Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP)