Save Our Books! by Peter Funt DENVER — A protest by students at the University of Denver is eye-opening because of how it is being conducted, what it has so far achieved and, most of all, what it concerns. Students here are demanding more books. Activism at DU has a rich history, including the anti-war protest in 1970 known as Woodstock West, and the earlier Coffee … [Read more...] about Save Our Books (Guest Voice)
Worse Than 2008
I have thought for some time that those predicting another recession are overly optimistic. We are about to see a collapse of the world financial system and there is nothing anyone can do about it. The banks that were bailed out are still insolvent - zombie banks. Well IMF adviser Robert Shapiro has said what anyone paying attention knew already. In an interview with IMF … [Read more...] about Worse Than 2008
Resolution on Rick Perry’s Pet Rock Blocked by the House (UPDATED)
Republicans in the House of Representatives today blocked consideration of a resolution “calling on Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) to apologize for not immediately 'doing away' with a rock bearing the controversial name of his family’s West Texas hunting camp, 'Niggerhead.'” According to the Washington Post, The [Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.)] resolution calls the name … [Read more...] about Resolution on Rick Perry’s Pet Rock Blocked by the House (UPDATED)
The President’s Press Conference: Questions that Won’t Be Answered, Candidly
During his press conference this morning---one that focused on the economy and the American Jobs Act, the so-called Jobs Bill---president Obama showed some frustration with an obstructionist, just-say-no, do-noting Congress. In what became a recurring theme, he posed a number of rhetorical questions, preceded by the admonition: So as we look towards next week, any … [Read more...] about The President’s Press Conference: Questions that Won’t Be Answered, Candidly
Good Riddance To The Griftzilla From Wasilla
Despite a penchant for bombast, Sarah Palin has revealed little about her inner feelings over her three years in the national limelight. But her rationale in announcing that she was not seeking the Republican presidential spoke volumes, albeit unintentionally. "Not being a candidate, you are unshackled and able to be even more active," she explained. "I look forward to using … [Read more...] about Good Riddance To The Griftzilla From Wasilla
Sarah Says No
WASHINGTON - The clout Sarah Palin had in 2010 is long gone. There simply was no way to win, so she's out. After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this … [Read more...] about Sarah Says No
The Only Sane Way To Follow The 2012 Presidential Campaign.
I won't tell you about Gail Collins' column in the New York Times today. I will just strongly suggest that you read it. And then forget about the rest of the paper because everything else there is repetitive versions of things too often said in pretty much the same old ways signifying...well, you know what it's signifying. The photo of Ms. Collins that runs with her column … [Read more...] about The Only Sane Way To Follow The 2012 Presidential Campaign.
Mexico’s Inconvenient Truth: Governor Rick Perry is Right (La Vanguardia, Spain)
As uncomfortable is it may make people in the United States - and especially in Mexico - this editorial from Spain's La Vanguardia warns that with 30 percent of Mexico already in the hands of drug cartels, there may be no way other to take a President Perry up on his offer if Mexico is to avoid becoming a failed state. The La Vanguardia editorial says in part: Mexico … [Read more...] about Mexico’s Inconvenient Truth: Governor Rick Perry is Right (La Vanguardia, Spain)
My Life With Apple
In 1984, I convinced my about-to-be (then) husband not to buy a Macintosh ($2,495/$5,440 in 2011 $). It wasn't just because it was expensive. It wasn't interoperable, you see, and the dairy cooperative we worked for was an IBM shop. Mainframes and IBM PCs (not clones) didn't talk to Macs. Heck, Microsoft Word wasn't around yet! Instead, we bought an Epson cp/m machine with 5 … [Read more...] about My Life With Apple
Thank You Steve Jobs, For Everything
President Obama: Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. … [Read more...] about Thank You Steve Jobs, For Everything
Romney-Rubio? Uniting the GOP Divide
With Chris Christie and Sarah Palin folding, it looks like Mitt Romney has won the Republican tontine—-a survivor not a savior. As he celebrates on the campaign trail in Florida, he may be within shouting distance of his logical running mate, freshman Sen. Marco Rubio, the Tea Party favorite who would bring youth, Latino-ness and a few months of legislative experience to … [Read more...] about Romney-Rubio? Uniting the GOP Divide
Occupy Wall Street Rolls Across The U.S.
Almost a thousand people marched through the San Francisco financial district on Wednesday, in solidarity with 2,000 or more in Manhattan. New York police have arrested at least 700 since the movement began on September 17, with many of those arrests occurring over the weekend, an action that is being challenged in court. Media reports mention, usually in passing, other … [Read more...] about Occupy Wall Street Rolls Across The U.S.
Quote of the Day: Good Bye and Good Riddance to Sarah Palin
Our political Quote of the Day comes from GOPer David Frum, who quotes Sarah Palin's announcement that she would not jump into the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination race but would continue to "driving the discussion for freedom and free markets" and predicts it ain't gonna happen. Unlike some pundits are writing about how her moment may be passed but -- using journalistic … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Good Bye and Good Riddance to Sarah Palin
Further On Down The Road: An Update On The GOP’s Mission To Screw The Pooch
The knots that the Republican Party has tied itself in grow ever tighter as the shakeout continues in the race for the 2012 presidential nomination, but none is tighter than the jobs knot. Some 14 million Americans are unemployed as the aftereffects of the Bush Recession plague the country like a bad migraine. Opinion polls consistently show that Republican voters say jobs … [Read more...] about Further On Down The Road: An Update On The GOP’s Mission To Screw The Pooch
Cartoonists on the Death of Steve Jobs
Tributes are pouring in for Apple's Steve Jobs. And cartoonists honor him the best way they know how -- with memorable cartoons. Here are four of them: These cartoons are copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cartoonists on the Death of Steve Jobs
The Week Politics Changed
WASHINGTON -- American politics reached a pivot point this week. A new story line will now define how voters and the media see what's going on. Since Election Day in 2010, the prevailing narrative has been about a resurgent conservatism, a president on the defensive, big government under attack, the deficit as the dominant issue, and the tea party as the political … [Read more...] about The Week Politics Changed
US-China Policy Makes US Look Weaker
The US is the largest economy in the world. Sure China may be number two, but when you consider it in per capita terms the US is near the top and China is closer to 100 in rank. The US has the most integrated market, its labor force is highly skilled and flexible, it has innovative entrepreneurs that are the envy of the world, it has a smoothly functioning and reliant legal … [Read more...] about US-China Policy Makes US Look Weaker
Despite War on Terror Mistakes, Japan Needs U.S. More than Ever (Isen Shimbun, Japan)
How worried are Japanese about the rise of China? Hiroshi Kawamoto form Japan's Isen Shimbun, after closely examining what he considers the calamitous decade of U.S. behavior since 9-11, warns that closer ties to America is the only strategy that has any hope of preserving Japanese prosperity. For Japan's Isen Shimbun, Hiroshi Kawamoto writes in part: Trying to return … [Read more...] about Despite War on Terror Mistakes, Japan Needs U.S. More than Ever (Isen Shimbun, Japan)
Steve Jobs Dies
Apple has confirmed that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56. Not entirely shocking news given his long illness, but he is now in a better place. And he certainly changed this world before he left. And here is a little humor I am sure he enjoyed … [Read more...] about Steve Jobs Dies
It’s Official: Sarah Palin Won’t Run For President
It's now official what many people had predicted: former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has ended her political tease -- which helped her promote books and raise money for her political groups -- and has formally announced that she is not going to run for the 2012 Republican nomination: Sarah Palin is not running for president. Ms. Palin, the former governor of Alaska, ended … [Read more...] about It’s Official: Sarah Palin Won’t Run For President