WASHINGTON - Anyone in the public arena knows how this works. It's unsurprising that the Washington Post decided to dig into the details, especially as the 2012 election season unfolds. Regardless of Sen. Rubio's denial he wants to be vice president, the fact remains that he is seen by many, especially in the media, to be a rising star. For good reason, especially as we … [Read more...] about The Marco Rubio Myth vs. Truth
Jindal Wins, GOP Heading For Sweep in Louisiana
Governor Bobby Jindal of Lousiana was easily re-elected tonight with about 67% of the vote. The GOP also appears to be headed for a sweep of the rest of the statewide races, indeed in several cases the contest was between two Republicans as the Democrats did not field any candidates. The Republicans also appear likely to retain control of both houses of the … [Read more...] about Jindal Wins, GOP Heading For Sweep in Louisiana
Saudi Crown Prince Dies
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has died at the age of 80 to 85 depending on what source you follow. Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz was successor to the current monarch King Abdullah who is himself in his late 80's and in poor health. Sultan was part of a faction of the ruling family which had fought reforms promoted by Abdullah (minor as they may be by our standards). … [Read more...] about Saudi Crown Prince Dies
The Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street Natural Enemies? No! Natural Allies
A headline in today's New York Times reads: "Occupy Wall Street Not Like Us, Tea Party Says." The subhead then goes on to read: "Where Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party differ is in where they place the blame." Nonsense. The Tea Party blames government for the country's present economic problems. The Occupiers blame the heavies in the financial community. But these … [Read more...] about The Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street Natural Enemies? No! Natural Allies
Mr. Cain’s “Let Them Eat Used Cake” Plan
I am told that in my “Cain's 'Simple' 9-0-9 Plan Variation and 'Opportunity Zones'” I was a little tough on Mr. Cain. So to balance things out, let me review an article that comes -- somewhat -- to the defense of Mr. Cain and his x-x-x Plan. It is from an unlikely source, TIME’s Fareed Zakaria. Starting with the premise that “Herman Cain’s “9-9-9” plan isn’t perfect, … [Read more...] about Mr. Cain’s “Let Them Eat Used Cake” Plan
A Weird Death for What’s-His-Name
News from Libya provokes reactions as weird as the man himself: “CBS: Qaddafi. ABC: Gadhafi. NBC: Khaddafy," tweets a White House correspondent. A satellite radio reporter adds: “Gadhafi is dead--someone reach into his wallet and look at his driver’s license so we finally know how to spell his last name!" Along with death jokes, a tyrant’s last minutes are on prime-time in a … [Read more...] about A Weird Death for What’s-His-Name
Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reasons Moammar Gadhafi Is Not Being Buried At Sea
Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reasons Moammar Gadhafi Is Not Being Buried At Sea News Item: … [Read more...] about Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reasons Moammar Gadhafi Is Not Being Buried At Sea
Global Warming Skeptics Confirm Temperature Rise
Here's another study -- this one conducted by global warming skeptics -- that global warming skeptics will try to ignore and discredit (who cares if those who agree with them conducted the study? Who cares if the Koch brothers money was involved in funding it? Our politics is now all around making assertions and cherry picking). From Newsy: … [Read more...] about Global Warming Skeptics Confirm Temperature Rise
Cain’s Half-Baked Candidacy
Cain's Half-Baked Candidacy by Peter Funt Barack Obama has a permanent place in history as the man who proved Americans would elect, and likely re-elect, a black president. Whatever else historians conclude about Obama, the racial breakthrough is certain to grow in significance over time. Herman Cain's legacy, although lesser, will also be noteworthy because he has … [Read more...] about Cain’s Half-Baked Candidacy
Fox News Hypnotize
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Fox News Hypnotize
Cain’s ‘Simple’ 9-0-9 Plan Variation and ‘Opportunity Zones’
As we all knew he would, and after weeks of stubbornly and condescendingly defending it, Mr. 9-9-9 is now changing that “simple,” magic combination. After finally admitting that his plan to impose a flat 9 percent income tax on low-income Americans would in fact result in a tax increase for those Americans, Cain has now modified his “simple” plan to a 9-0-9 plan for those … [Read more...] about Cain’s ‘Simple’ 9-0-9 Plan Variation and ‘Opportunity Zones’
USA TODAY on Obama’s National Security Accomplishments
As I was getting ready to brag about our President’s national security and foreign policy accomplishments in the wake of Libya’s Moammar Qaddafi’s ouster and death, USA TODAY beat me to it. So let me take the easy way out and just summarize what they have to say today about how “Obama builds on national security record.” The article starts with what President Obama said … [Read more...] about USA TODAY on Obama’s National Security Accomplishments
The Meaning of the Libyan Revolution and Qaddafi’s Death
Guest post by Ali Ezzatyar Ali Ezzatyar is a journalist and American attorney practising in Paris, France. He is a frequent contributor to TMV and The Reaction. Qaddafi's death well and truly spells the end of another Arab dictatorship. Three out of the four out-and-out Arab dictatorships in North Africa have fallen in the last year. Now is a good time to take a step back … [Read more...] about The Meaning of the Libyan Revolution and Qaddafi’s Death
President Obama Declares: ‘Mission Not Accomplished’ & It Never Would Have Been
After eight and a half deeply tragic years highlighted by the deaths of nearly 4,800 U.S. and coalition forces, at least 100,000 Iraqis and millions of people displaced, the Iraq war finally is over. President Obama, on a military and foreign policy roll, announced yesterday a complete drawn-down of U.S. troops at year's end after he failed to reach agreement with Iraqi … [Read more...] about President Obama Declares: ‘Mission Not Accomplished’ & It Never Would Have Been
BREAKING NEWS: All U.S. Forces to Leave Iraq by Year’s End (UPDATED).
The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration has decided to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of the year after failing to reach an agreement with the Iraqi government. The agreement would have left several thousand troops there for special operations and training. President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki spoke Friday morning to … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: All U.S. Forces to Leave Iraq by Year’s End (UPDATED).
Saving Aimee Shines (A Review of Kathie Lee Gifford’s New Musical)
I just witnessed the official premiere of Saving Aimee at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater. First breath requires I honor the spectacular radiance of Saving Aimee's lead, Carolee Carmello. Her portrayal of Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson is best categorized as anointed. It would be inappropriate to avoid religious imagery in relaying her gloriously captivating performance. … [Read more...] about Saving Aimee Shines (A Review of Kathie Lee Gifford’s New Musical)
Quote of the day
Romney’s rhetoric is more informed than Michele Bachmann’s, less nutty than Ron Paul’s, and less self-admiring than Newt Gingrich’s, but his line on Obama’s record on national security and foreign policy is a sham. Obama is responsible for an aggressive assault on Al Qaeda, including the killing of bin Laden, in Pakistan, and of Anwar al-Awlaki, in Yemen. Beginning with his … [Read more...] about Quote of the day
Remember, Sometimes Facts Don’t Matter
On The Media remembers a study last year finding that sometimes misinformed people become more convinced of their opinions even when given the facts: Mr. BRENDAN NYHAN (Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in Health Policy Research, University of Michigan):... it's threatening to us to admit that things we believe are wrong. And all of us, liberals and conservatives, you know, have … [Read more...] about Remember, Sometimes Facts Don’t Matter
10 Observations On The Death of Quaddafi
A Yemeni boy watches the funeral of people killed this week in protests Observations in the wake of the death of Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi: * The victory of middle-class professionals, rag-tag militias and tribal forces over a well-equipped, well-trained military in a relatively brief civil war is enormous. * Given the many conflicting stories, a full accounting of … [Read more...] about 10 Observations On The Death of Quaddafi
Gallup Poll: Obama Job Approval Rating Slides to New Low in 11th Quarter
A new Gallup poll has more bad news for President Barack Obama, who would be pronounced burnt political toast if there was a strong Republican alternative facing him today: President Barack Obama's 11th quarter in office was the worst of his administration, based on his quarterly average job approval ratings. His 41% approval average is down six percentage points from his 10th … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama Job Approval Rating Slides to New Low in 11th Quarter