Republican Party a Disaster when It Comes to Disasters by Karl Frisch You've got to hand it to the Republicans. They're doing a heckuva job when it comes to their political posturing on emergency response and disaster preparedness. You know, like Michael "Heckuva Job Brownie" Brown did as George W. Bush's FEMA chief during Hurricane Katrina. At least Brownie had an … [Read more...] about Republican Party a Disaster When It Comes to Disasters (Guest Voice)
Christine O’Donnell’s 15 Minutes Of Fame Is Over
Christine O'Donnell's 15 minutes of fame is officially over. Politico reports that the Tea Party darling, who deftly blew a guaranteed Republican Senate seat pick-up in Delaware last November, has been stricken from the guest list at an Iowa event being headlined by Sarah Palin, whose 15 minutes of fame has been extended but also will soon expire. Fame, of course, can be … [Read more...] about Christine O’Donnell’s 15 Minutes Of Fame Is Over
The Bachmann Sound Bite Six-Shooter
This column is long but, the issues are complex and demand full development Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) brought a talking point and a sound bite to a real policy discussion again today. The former IRS tax attorney continues to exhibit a complete lack of understanding of how our government works. Additionally, she continues to be fearless when it comes to wading … [Read more...] about The Bachmann Sound Bite Six-Shooter
Obama’s Paradox Problem
WASHINGTON -- Call it the Party-of-Government Paradox: If the nation’s capital looks dysfunctional, it will come back to hurt President Obama and the Democrats, even if the Republicans are primarily responsible for the dysfunction. Then there is the Bipartisanship Paradox: No matter how far the president bends over backward to appeal to or appease the Republicans -- no … [Read more...] about Obama’s Paradox Problem
Reuters: Condoleeza Rice Says She Resents Dick Cheney’s Attack On Her In His Book
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has responded to former Vice President Dick Cheney's best selling -- and grudge settling -- book that contains passages not flattering to her by firing back. Bigtime. A Reuters exclusive: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday she resented what she viewed as an attack on her integrity by former Vice … [Read more...] about Reuters: Condoleeza Rice Says She Resents Dick Cheney’s Attack On Her In His Book
School Administrator Gives Up $ 800,000
In a world where so many people are out for themselves, a Fresno California superintendent has made an amazing gesture. Larry Powell has agreed to 'retire' and in doing so give up nearly $ 800,000 in salary and benefits over the next three years. He will then be 'hired' back at a base salary of just $ 31,000 a year. And now he's announced he's giving that salary to … [Read more...] about School Administrator Gives Up $ 800,000
John Boehner Refuses President Barack Obama’s Request for a Special Session of Congress to Talk about His Jobs Bill
NOTE: This was substantially revised as new information came in. In this post I was not cheering on President Barack Obama for timing his planned address to a special session of Congress on his jobs plan in a time of severe economic crisis to the time when GOPers were holding a major Presidential debate. It raised eyebrows to say the least. But Speaker of the House John … [Read more...] about John Boehner Refuses President Barack Obama’s Request for a Special Session of Congress to Talk about His Jobs Bill
Is Obama’s Upcoming Jobs Speech Partially Motivated to Overshadow Republican Debate?
President Barack Obama has requested time to speak before a joint session of Congress on his jobs plan ideas -- a request that if granted (it will be a major story if House Speaker John Boenher refuses his request) would plop him on the tube around when Republicans were to have a debate. And, as CBS points out, some liberal commentators are already applauding the timing. … [Read more...] about Is Obama’s Upcoming Jobs Speech Partially Motivated to Overshadow Republican Debate?
Eric Cantor and Virginia Governor Split Over Disaster Relief Having to Be Offset in Budget
House Majority Leader and Tea Party movement favorite Eric Cantor is now effectively at odds with his state's Republican Governor over the idea that providing emergency federal disaster relief should now be given on the condition that there are budget cuts elsewhere in the budget. It turns out that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is where the vast majority of American leaders of … [Read more...] about Eric Cantor and Virginia Governor Split Over Disaster Relief Having to Be Offset in Budget
Cheney Book Torture
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cheney Book Torture
The Case for Separation of Church and Weather (Guest Voice)
The Case for Separation of Church and Weather by Tina Dupuy The Moche lived in northern Peru from about 100-700 A.D. Their molded ceramics are still a highlight in the annals of human accomplishment. If you walk through a museum of pre-Columbian art, it's easy to spot a Moche piece — the faces are so realistic you expect them to wink at you. Around 500 A.D., the world … [Read more...] about The Case for Separation of Church and Weather (Guest Voice)
The Voter Gender Gap Between Perry, Bachmann and, If She Sets In, Palin
According to two CNN polls, Texas Governor Rick Perry has gone from having a significant deficit with women Republican voters to a double-digit lead with them. First, about the July poll (Perry was not yet an official candidate seeking the Republican nomination for the presidential race): Perry leads among male voters with 20%, but he’s tied for fifth place with Ron Paul … [Read more...] about The Voter Gender Gap Between Perry, Bachmann and, If She Sets In, Palin
Is Book A Verb? The Social Future of the Book… Finally!
The final video version of the presentation I did last month at Florida State University's Future of the Book conference held at Turnbull Conference Center in Talahassee, FL. Its central idea is that we are in the process of moving from a literal tradition of sharing and passing on culture to a social tradition. I used Prezi, the zooming online presentation program. Thanks … [Read more...] about Is Book A Verb? The Social Future of the Book… Finally!
Canada: The Alternative
No one delivers a speech the way Stephen Lewis does. His diction is crisp and clear and his passion is absolutely authentic. But a Lewis speech is more than just a performance. It always clarifies a situation. And, most of the time, it places alternatives in stark relief. Such was the case on Saturday, during Lewis' eulogy for opposition leader Jack Layton. If you required … [Read more...] about Canada: The Alternative
Is There a President Jeb Bush in the White House’s Future?
Is there a President Jeb Bush in the White House’s future? Many pundits think he’ll run after 2012 — and could have a chance of winning despite having the same last name as you-know-who. But a lot will depend on the 2012 race’s outcome — whether the Republican Party repudiates the conservatism of his brother, former President George W. Bush, and father, former President … [Read more...] about Is There a President Jeb Bush in the White House’s Future?
Christine O’Donnell’s Notably Nonmagical Mystery Book Signing Tour
What a shock! Former Republican candidate for Senate Christine O'Donnell has apparently found out that walking off Piers Morgan, suggesting his quite orthodox questioning was sexual harrassment, and hanging up on a talk show host because she didn't like the questions has helped her sign her book. People were not exactly standing in line in Naples, Florida to have her sign … [Read more...] about Christine O’Donnell’s Notably Nonmagical Mystery Book Signing Tour
See Dick Settle Scores
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about See Dick Settle Scores
Nutty Republican Logic Explained
In a recent post I used the term "nutty Republican logic" in regard to issues such as benefit programs and taxes. I didn't really explain why this logic is "nutty," however. So let me do so here, beginning with an allusion to a logical conclusion once reached by Aristotle. The great Greek philosopher believed men had more teeth than women, and believed this for a very … [Read more...] about Nutty Republican Logic Explained
Hurricane Irene and Global Climate Change
The hype and hoopla about Hurricane Irene this past weekend offers a potential window into understanding the global climate change debate … but not because of claims that this is evidence of climate change itself but rather because the reaction to the hurricane represents a natural human response in this day and age. As the hurricane developed and approached there was an … [Read more...] about Hurricane Irene and Global Climate Change
Quote of the Day: Barack Obama’s Three Biggest Mistakes as President
GOPer David Frum, who does NOT march lockstep with his party's talk radio political culture of the Tea Party movement, ponders Barack Obama's three biggest mistakes as President. This comes into this context: it is now the consensus that Barack Obama has not been one of our history's most successful or even inspiring Presidents -- even to many in his own party. He seems the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Barack Obama’s Three Biggest Mistakes as President