Does the case of Amanda Knox, acquitted yesterday in connection with the rape and murder of her British roommate, confirm once again the barbarity and injustice of the American death penalty? Asserting that in the U.S., people are put to death on the basis of evidence at least as flimsy as that against Knox, La Repubblica columnist Vittorio Zucconi writes that the Knox case is … [Read more...] about Amanda Knox and American Justice (La Repubblica, Italy)
Let’s Talk iPhone
Received wisdom (read, rumors and leaks) around today's Apple event... A Sprint exclusive. $20B for 30B iPhones. If it really is a white label deal I just might switch (and sell my old iPhones for top dollar). A $99 iPhone? iPhone 4S or 5? I'm guessing both. An expansive Facebook deal and a three screen strategy. Phone, tablet, big screen (formerly known as "the … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk iPhone
Republicans Are Trying Like Heck To Speed America’s Race To The Bottom
If you're of a certain age you might remember a time when the U.S. was preeminent among wealthy nation s in a number of respects,including providing educational opportunities for all of its citizens regardless of their ability to pay. The U.S. has already fallen from the top in other respects. It now incarcerates more people on a per capita basis than any country other than … [Read more...] about Republicans Are Trying Like Heck To Speed America’s Race To The Bottom
Meltdown
When it comes to financial collapse documentaries, the public canon has one well-deserving Oscar Winner, "Inside Job", and one straight to HBO exercise in ass kissing and name dropping which shall remain nameless. Ironically, just like during the Arab Spring, it is that "dubious" Al Jazeera that shows US media how coverage of various matters, either geopolitical or financial, … [Read more...] about Meltdown
Amanda Knox Acquitted
She is headed home after a jury acquitted her. … [Read more...] about Amanda Knox Acquitted
Are The Occupy Wall Street Protests A Harbinger?
The new millennium has spawned a sibling to the old adage that "You Can't Fight City Hall" -- "You Can't Fight Wall Street" -- a reflection of the hopelessness most of us feel about reforming let alone fighting back against the financial institutions that are a de facto shadow government that is responsible for the ongoing economic downturn. And so I have looked at the Occupy … [Read more...] about Are The Occupy Wall Street Protests A Harbinger?
Pastor Orders Congregation To Attack Gay Couple
A gay couple trying to attend church was attacked after the pastor of the church reportedly ordered the congregation to do so. As if that weren't enough, the Pastor is one of the men's father.. I'm not sure which makes me madder, the attack itself or the fact that as a Christian this is NOT what my faith is about. On the other hand I am slightly bemused the church is … [Read more...] about Pastor Orders Congregation To Attack Gay Couple
First Monday In October
While it may not come as big news to you that today is the first Monday in October, for those in the legal game it is a significant occassion. Every year on the 1st Monday of the month of October the United States Supreme Court opens for the annual session. Cases which have been working up the legal ladder have an opportunity for their fall (or spring) debut. Needless to … [Read more...] about First Monday In October
News Orgs Need To Model Blogger Ethics
Media and Technology Once-upon-a-time, long before blogging software became synonymous with digital publishing, a core ethic of those who blogged was "show the reader when you change an article." The resulting full disclosure was a boon to readers. Two recent incidents from the MSM illustrate why I think news organizations should rethink their publishing policy and … [Read more...] about News Orgs Need To Model Blogger Ethics
Enter Obama 2.0
As the GOP plods through its revival of last century’s Absurdist masterpiece, “Waiting for Godot,” (Christie, Palin, whoever), there are reminders that Americans have an actual president trying to govern in the real world. In his Weekly Address, Barack Obama says, “It’s been almost three weeks since I sent the American Jobs Act to Congress--three weeks since I sent them a … [Read more...] about Enter Obama 2.0
Have Barack Obama’s Policies Become Secondary To His Force Of Personality?
I can recall only three presidents in the last 75 years whose force of personality -- charisma and all that -- was so powerful that it was their most effective governing tool. They would be Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and, of course, Barack Obama. This tool, however, can be a double-edged sword. While all three presidents were able to accomplish a great deal, in … [Read more...] about Have Barack Obama’s Policies Become Secondary To His Force Of Personality?
Warts and All, ‘No Tolerance’ Policing Has Made America Much Less Segregated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is America's 'No Tolerance' approach to battling crime something for Europe and the rest of the world to emulate? According to Die Zeit columnist Dr. Eva Schweitzer, this may seem counter-intuitive and disturbing to European sensibilities, but cracking down on grand and petty crimes committed primarily by ethnic minorities is the very 'glue' that hold America's multicultural … [Read more...] about Warts and All, ‘No Tolerance’ Policing Has Made America Much Less Segregated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Can the Left Stage a Tea Party?
WASHINGTON -- Why hasn't there been a tea party on the left? And can President Obama and the American left develop a functional relationship? That those two questions are not asked very often is a sign of how much of the nation's political energy has been monopolized by the right from the beginning of Obama's term. This has skewed media coverage of almost every issue, … [Read more...] about Can the Left Stage a Tea Party?
Prom-Queen Anguish (Guest Voice)
Prom-Queen Anguish by Will Durst It's human nature. We mostly want what we can't have. Grass is greener. The romantic lure of the unattainable. Knowledge that high school girls have long-since weaponized. Nothing entices a hormonally imbalanced freshman like flouncing down a crowded hall, laughing through a gaggle of friends with a flip of the pony-tail and nary a backwards … [Read more...] about Prom-Queen Anguish (Guest Voice)
Incoming Slippers
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Incoming Slippers
Perry’s N-word Problem
It's about Texas, after all, where even wildflowers have names no longer acceptable in contemporary America. The elderly in Texas still call one of the many cone flowers "niggerheads." Look into the Texas Almanac and you'll find equal-opportunity insults built into most wildflowers' names. This isn't just a Texas problem -- these names proliferate across America. … [Read more...] about Perry’s N-word Problem
The Crime of Punishment: More From Caplan on Stuntz
Lincoln Caplan's full review of The Collapse of American Criminal Justice By William Stuntz is an absolute must read. Caplan calls the book brave and contrarian, utopian and powerful. You will remember I quoted a snippet earlier in the week. It's stuck with me; let's go back for more. Caplan explains that Stuntz believed too much discretion has led to the misrule of law and … [Read more...] about The Crime of Punishment: More From Caplan on Stuntz
The al-Awlaki Killing: Cheney’s Words vs. Obama’s Actions (UPDATES)
The one-word-man deviated from his standard one-word script this morning on CNN’s State of the Union when discussing the recent drone strike that killed American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki. But, first, credit where credit is due. Uncharacteristic as it is for him, Former Vice President Dick Cheney praised the U.S. drone strike that killed al-Awlaki and President Obama’s … [Read more...] about The al-Awlaki Killing: Cheney’s Words vs. Obama’s Actions (UPDATES)
It’s Looking Glass Time For Health Insurance.
It's that time of year again when folks have to try to figure out their health insurance plans for next year. I tell you, the Red Queen made more sense. … [Read more...] about It’s Looking Glass Time For Health Insurance.
Supporting Solar Power
I think there is a place for the government to support solar power but supporting supply, as in the case of Solyndra. is not the way to do it. The government should be encouraging demand. The most recent Energy Department loan guarantees are a step in the right direction. DOE said Friday it finalized a $1.24 billion loan guarantee to SunPower Corp. to help finance … [Read more...] about Supporting Solar Power