Forty-eight years ago this Sunday and in weather far more auspicious than the hurricane-driven winds and rain expected to lash the nation's capital, the 34-year-old son of a Georgia preacher, his back to the Lincoln Memorial, delivered a 17-minute speech to 200,000 people gathered around the Reflecting Pool that was not just the defining moment of the civil rights movement but … [Read more...] about ‘I Have A Dream’: Reflecting On The Greatest Speech In American History
Fracking, The DC Earthquake and Unclean Water
I'm the first to remind folks that correlation isn't causation, but the rise in earthquakes after oil companies use contemporary hydraulic fracturing methods (fracking) to extract oil, natural gas and coal seam gas is giving me pause. Add to that the nature of the beast (millions of gallons of "mystery liquids") and it seems to me that re-examination of current law and … [Read more...] about Fracking, The DC Earthquake and Unclean Water
Bachmann’s Silence and the Waterloo Murder of a Gay Teen (Guest Voice)
Bachmann's Silence and the Waterloo Murder of a Gay Teen by Karl Frisch Earlier this summer, Michele Bachmann took to an outdoor podium in front of her "friends and family" and entered the race for President telling those assembled, "It's great to be in Iowa and even better to be in Waterloo where I was born." The fact that Bachmann was born in Waterloo has become … [Read more...] about Bachmann’s Silence and the Waterloo Murder of a Gay Teen (Guest Voice)
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture Speaks Out on Cheney’s Memoir
One of the disgraces that, in my opinion, will continue to stain the image and reputation of our nation for years to come, and which belies---betrays---the true character of our people, is the authorization and execution of torture during the Bush-Cheney administration. What is even more troubling and pathetic is the continuing defense of, even praise for, those techniques … [Read more...] about The National Religious Campaign Against Torture Speaks Out on Cheney’s Memoir
Beck Mission to the Jews
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Beck Mission to the Jews
Surprise Surprise: John McCain Was Wrong About Arizona Fires
Surprise, surprise! Arizona Senator John McCain (and talk show hosts who touted his accusations) were wrong about the Arizona fires. They weren't caused by illegal aliens (don't expect to hear that on the shows that repeated McCain's allegation as a political attack point). … [Read more...] about Surprise Surprise: John McCain Was Wrong About Arizona Fires
Is Glenn Beck Fizzling Out?
Is Glenn Beck fizzling out? It certain seems like the noise we hear is a fizzle and not steam coming out of a teapot. To wit: One year after hosting a mega rally in Washington, D.C, conservative pundit Glenn Beck gathered supporters near a holy site in Israel Wednesday. The event, which was not without controversy given its location and host, was smaller than some of his … [Read more...] about Is Glenn Beck Fizzling Out?
Middle Class: It’s NOT the Economy…
As I promised TMV readers earlier today, I would feature other bloggers from around the Internet while I am suffering from “writer’s block.” Another reason for reprinting or quoting other writers is that they have written succinctly what I may have already thought and started to write into a TMV post that was abandoned. Alternatively, even if I do not fully agree with them, … [Read more...] about Middle Class: It’s NOT the Economy…
THE ROT GOES DEEP AND WE’RE IN DENIAL
There is an excellent business/economics blog that has a “big-picture” outlook. It’s called “Jesse's Café Américain.” (JCA) The author has numerous interests and he is a professional trader in stocks, bonds, gold, and silver. However he is not beholden to the corrupt status quo of global capitalism. He posts at least daily and he writes in a very objective, knowledgeable, … [Read more...] about THE ROT GOES DEEP AND WE’RE IN DENIAL
Book Non-Review: In My Time by Dick Cheney
A few words about Cheney's latest, upcoming, true or not-so-true confessions, "In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir." No, I haven't had access to the book, and, no I am not going to pay the already discounted price of $19.25 (or the $15.75 "pre-order price") so that I can read it, just as I didn't read Cheney's earlier blockbuster and still commented on it---even … [Read more...] about Book Non-Review: In My Time by Dick Cheney
Getting 20 Million Unemployed Back to Productive Work: Here’s How
As I promised TMV readers (to the possible chagrin of TMV editors) this is another authorized reprint of someone else’s excellent work who writes on the blog “Of Two Minds.” I have reprinted other opinions written by Mr. Smith in prior posts at TMV. Mr. Smith admitted recently that he’s taking a hiatus from writing – also due to burnout and other pressing business. Luckily … [Read more...] about Getting 20 Million Unemployed Back to Productive Work: Here’s How
Fallen Navy Seal’s Dog Refuses To Leave His Side
We here at TMV often have vigourous debates over a number of topics but from time to time there are stories that simply merit our respect. If this one doesn't touch you then you might check with a cardiologist. … [Read more...] about Fallen Navy Seal’s Dog Refuses To Leave His Side
GIVE UP NOW – OUR YOUTH IS CLUELESS
I haven’t posted on TMV for a while due to various personal and business factors. I’ve sort of burnt out my brain with the overall inanity of our public discourse. However I still read Internet blogs of many other writers. A friend from Cleveland, OH sent me an email recently and I thought it was rather humorous and sad at the same time. I have reprinted it below … [Read more...] about GIVE UP NOW – OUR YOUTH IS CLUELESS
Quake!
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Quake!
Buffet’s Righteous ‘Slap in to Face’ to America’s Super-Rich (Sol, Portugal)
Were the 2001 Bush tax cuts more damaging to the United States that the September 11 attacks? Columnist Cesar Avo of Portugal's Sol newspaper praises billionaire investor Warren Buffet for his assertion that America's wealthy should give up the Bush tax cuts and pay more - for the good of the nation. For Portugal's Sol newspaper, Cesar Avo starts out this way: In the … [Read more...] about Buffet’s Righteous ‘Slap in to Face’ to America’s Super-Rich (Sol, Portugal)
Did Gaddafi Have a Crush on Condoleeza Rice: Photo Album Suggests He Did
Did Libyan dicator in hiding Moaamar Gaddafi have a thing for former Secretary of State Condoleeze Rice? A photo album found in his compound suggests he did: The ransacking of Moammar Gadhafi's compound is turning up some bizarre loot. Following on from the Libyan leader's eccentric fashion accessories and his daughter's golden mermaid couch, the latest discovery is a … [Read more...] about Did Gaddafi Have a Crush on Condoleeza Rice: Photo Album Suggests He Did
It is Time for China to Use its ‘Financial Weapon’ on America (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Should China use its massive holdings of American debt to interfere in U.S. domestic politics? According to this column by Senior Editor Ding Gang of the state-controlled People's Daily, American arms sales to democratic Taiwan undermine China's sovereignty, and must be countered regardless of the financial losses to both the U.S. and China. For the China Daily, People's … [Read more...] about It is Time for China to Use its ‘Financial Weapon’ on America (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Winning a Wizard-of-Oz War
It’s all over but finding Qaddafi, yet freeing Libya leaves not only all kinds of questions about its future but a dizzying dissatisfaction over exactly how a ragtag rebellion morphed into a fighting machine that stormed into Tripoli and brought down a heavily armed regime with such apparent ease. The superficial answer is air power, with NATO and particularly France leading … [Read more...] about Winning a Wizard-of-Oz War
Obama Can’t Win for Winning
WASHINGTON -- You have to ask: If unemployment were now at 6 percent, would President Obama be getting pummeled for not having us back to full employment already? The question comes to mind in the wake of the Libyan rebels' successes against Moammar Gaddafi. It's remarkable how reluctant Obama's opponents are to acknowledge that despite all the predictions that his … [Read more...] about Obama Can’t Win for Winning
Slate Lays Off A Fearless Media Critic, Jack Shafer, Three Others
AdWeek broke the story; Politico follows up: “We did a small reduction in our fulltime staff and in our contractors, and we are, like everybody in the business, constantly looking at the competitive landscape and trying to be as responsive and agile as we can," David Plotz, Slate's editor, told POLITICO. The others: associate editor Juliet Lapidos, foreign editor June Thomas … [Read more...] about Slate Lays Off A Fearless Media Critic, Jack Shafer, Three Others