Supporters of Herman Cain have tried to explain away the implosion of his campaign to a variety of factors, including him being an outsider whose campaign was understaffed, but it should be obvious to anyone with elementary math skills that Cain's problems began with and his campaign ended over allegations of an extra-marital affair and incidents of sexual harassment that … [Read more...] about Extra-Marital and Harassment Allegations Did In The Cain Campaign Pure & Simple
Gingrich and Christie: A Contrast in Republicanism
The choice in 2012 is not only the path American voters wish to choose but the path Republicans as a party wish to choose. And this choice is presented aptly by the Washington Post's conservative blogger Jennifer Rubin who reports on the differences in the style and content of the current frontrunner for the 2012 Republican nomination former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the … [Read more...] about Gingrich and Christie: A Contrast in Republicanism
GOP Occupied with Amending the Constitution (Guest Voice)
GOP Occupied with Amending the Constitution by Tina Dupuy A perfect summary of the Grand Old Party's relationship with the U.S. Constitution comes from Texas Governor Rick Perry at Mike Huckabee's candidate forum on Fox News last Saturday. Governor Perry claimed as president he could overturn a law passed by Congress by executive order (he can't), and then to show his bona … [Read more...] about GOP Occupied with Amending the Constitution (Guest Voice)
Vladimir Putin Hocus Hocus
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. (And Russia's anti government protests grow...) … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin Hocus Hocus
Why Am I So Happy?
My profession is #1 on Forbes' list of the ten happiest jobs, among other things. [I blog regularly here.] … [Read more...] about Why Am I So Happy?
Selling the New Nixon – What Ailes US
In Part i. we talked about the GOP's cognitive dissonance and how they plan to invite everyone into the corner they've painted themselves into -- since there's no time to unpaint it. In Part ii. it was noted that we have moved "beyond freedom and dignity" into an utterly amoral world of Skinnerian rat conditioning and how Frank Luntz targets the message to the reptile brain, … [Read more...] about Selling the New Nixon – What Ailes US
How the Iraqi Resistance Saved Women from the Americans (Al Watan, Oman)
Could it be that part of America's plan for the Iraqi invasion was to undermine the Iraqi family by luring women and girls to work for the occupation? For Oman's Al Watan in an article reminiscent of the type of content we published at the height of the war, columnist Walid Al Zubaydi writes that the way U.S. immigration officers insult Iraqis granted asylum in the U.S. is a … [Read more...] about How the Iraqi Resistance Saved Women from the Americans (Al Watan, Oman)
Newt Gingrich Would Appoint John Bolton As Secretary of State
Former House Speaker and current front-runner for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination Newt Gingrich has announced that if he's elected he'd appoint John Bolton as Secretary of State, rather than someone who indulges in "appeasement" as he says Hillary Clinton is doing. Yes, it's the same John Bolton who ran into trouble being confirmed as UN ambassador under George Bush … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Would Appoint John Bolton As Secretary of State
CNN/Time/ORC Poll: Gingrich Picks Up Steam in Three Key Primary States (UPDATED)
New CNN/Time/ORC polling has more good news for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and more bad news for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Go to the link to read the full details. Here are the top five candidates in these surveys: Florida: Gingrich 48% Romney 25% Paul 5% Bachmann 3% Huntsman 3% Iowa: Gingrich 33% Romney 20% Paul 17% Perry 9% Bachmann … [Read more...] about CNN/Time/ORC Poll: Gingrich Picks Up Steam in Three Key Primary States (UPDATED)
Obama’s New Square Deal
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has decided that he is more likely to win if the election is about big things rather than small ones. He hopes to turn the 2012 campaign from a plebiscite about the current state of the economy into a referendum about the broader progressive tradition that made us a middle-class nation. For the second time, he intends to stake his fate on a battle … [Read more...] about Obama’s New Square Deal
Secretary Clinton: ‘Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights’
WASHINGTON - What Pres. Obama has done through this directive is historic. Having Secy. Clinton to deliver the message makes it resound. The United States will begin using American foreign aid to promote gay rights abroad, Obama administration officials said on Tuesday. President Obama issued a memorandum directing American agencies to look for ways to combat efforts by … [Read more...] about Secretary Clinton: ‘Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights’
Harry Morgan Dies at 96
A long time actor best known for his roles on Dragnet and M*A*S*H, Harry Morgan has died at the age of 96. … [Read more...] about Harry Morgan Dies at 96
Former Governor Soprano Gets 14 Years
Word just in that former Illinois Governor Soprano will spend 14 years in prison. He is likely to appeal but that is not expected to impact when he reports to prison. I would guess he will report after the holidays as they are usually more flexible with these types of convictions. … [Read more...] about Former Governor Soprano Gets 14 Years
(UPDATED) 30 Years On, Abu-Jamal Is Still Guilty As Sin
I don't remember why I had stayed after my 1 a.m. quitting time as night city editor of the Philadelphia Daily News early on the morning of December 9, 1981, but I do remember that I was talking to Tom Schmidt, the overnight editor, when a message crackled over one of the police radio scanners: "Officer down at 13th and Arch. Send back-up and assistance." Police Office … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) 30 Years On, Abu-Jamal Is Still Guilty As Sin
10 GOP Endorsements That Still Matter in 2012’s Presidential Election
The Daily Beast's Jon Avlon, who also is an independent voter commentator of CNN, lists 10 GOP Endorsements That Still Matter in 2012’s Presidential Election. One person who he didn't include on the list is this guy who thinks the whole Republican race hangs on his endorsement (apparently some Republican candidates think so, too). … [Read more...] about 10 GOP Endorsements That Still Matter in 2012’s Presidential Election
The Importance of Being Earnest and Anyone but Mitt Romney
The Importance of Being Earnest and Anyone but Mitt Romney DETROIT — Who would have thought it could come to this? Unless steps are taken, the city of Detroit’s financial crisis is so bad it could default and the state is on the verge of taking the city over. Unless Mayor Dave Bing gets concessions from labor unions, makes draconian budget cuts and other pieces quickly … [Read more...] about The Importance of Being Earnest and Anyone but Mitt Romney
Get a Life
This qualifies for an honorary chair in TMV's Get A Life Club. I mean really. But people make good livings playing these kind of tiresome partisan word games. Meanwhile, we do have some serious issues to be discussed in this country and serious questions to ask the White House. (Or most of us would, anyway...) … [Read more...] about Get a Life
Iran Claims Shooting-down of US Spy Plane (UPDATES)
Latest update from the BBC: The BBC reports that Iranian TV has shown the first video footage of the US drone that Tehran says it downed near the Afghan border. Images show Iranian military officials inspecting the RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft which appears to be undamaged. Iranian officials say its forces electronically hijacked the drone and … [Read more...] about Iran Claims Shooting-down of US Spy Plane (UPDATES)
How Many Votes Did Obama Lose Because He Was Black? A Whole Lot.
It should come as no surprise that racial animus was a factor in the historic 2008 presidential election, but until recently it was unclear how many votes Barack Obama lost because he was an African-American. The answer, according to a new study that analyzed data from nearly 200 media markets which included over 99 percent of voters, is dramatic: Racial prejudice cost Obama … [Read more...] about How Many Votes Did Obama Lose Because He Was Black? A Whole Lot.
Newt Gingrich’s Big Obstacle
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich may be soaring in the polls among Republicans but if he wants to grow and maintain that lead he will sooner or later have to deal with a big obstacle: Karl Rove. … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich’s Big Obstacle