George W. Bush never admitted a mistake. It’s time for his successor to save a crumbling presidency by admitting his own while going head-to-head with Tea Party treason that is subverting his and America’s future. “These guys are playing a different game than the president’s playing,” Vice President Biden tells Democrats about the intransigence of Congressional Republicans. … [Read more...] about How Obama Can Reboot His Presidency
When Socialism Saves Capitalism
WASHINGTON -- Have you noticed that one of the Obama administration's most successful programs is also its most "socialist" initiative? OK, the bailout of General Motors and Chrysler was not socialist in the classic sense: the government was not looking to hold onto the companies over the long run. Their turnaround was accomplished in significant part by tough, … [Read more...] about When Socialism Saves Capitalism
Top Ten Cloves: Things Peyton Manning Might Be Doing While He Recovers From Neck Surgery
Quote of the Day: How Far Should a Party Go to Defeat the Other Party’s President?
Our Quote of the Day is actually one that has been a long time coming in its perfect form...and here it is. Andrew Sullivan on Republicans' to-the-mat campaign against Barack Obama whether it's on the Federal Reserve front or doing speeches about Israel literally hours before Obama has to deliver a delicate one at the UN: Every time you think the ultras in the current GOP … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: How Far Should a Party Go to Defeat the Other Party’s President?
A Just Society?
The phrase was Pierre Trudeau's, and it caught on. Canadians like to think of themselves as citizens of a Just Society. Certainly, they believe, things are better here than in the United States. But, Carol Goar wrote recently, we have been emulating our southern neighbours. In fact, Since the mid-1990s, income inequality has been rising faster in Canada than the U.S. … [Read more...] about A Just Society?
TROY ANTHONY DAVIS EXECUTED
"May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls." -- Troy Davis' last words to his executioners. "I did not personally kill your son, father, brother. I am innocent." -- Troy Davis to victim's family just before execution. Devastating. Not unexpected. SCOTUS rejected the stay. The order read simply: DAVIS, ANTHONY TROY V. HUMPHREY, WARDEN … [Read more...] about TROY ANTHONY DAVIS EXECUTED
Quote of the Day: Rick Perry’s fantasy about Obama, Israel
Rick Perry continues to make a big new and old media splash with his rhetoric. He is having little trouble getting ink, digital coverage or radio/cable buzztime. Our Quote of the Day comes from CNN's John Avlon, who has a must-read column on Perry's comments on Obama and Israel. Many commentators have noted that Perry delivered this hours before President Barack Obama was to … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Rick Perry’s fantasy about Obama, Israel
State of Georgia Delays the Execution of Troy Davis
The State of Georgia has delayed the execution of convicted killer Troy Davis, who was to be executed at 7 p.m. ET, awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on a request by Davis' lawyers for a stay of execution. Jow Windish will update this story later tonight. … [Read more...] about State of Georgia Delays the Execution of Troy Davis
Thomas W. Benton – Artist/Activist
There are many ways to study history. We have written history but that always reflects the philosophy of the individual writing it and that history and will change over time. Even the memories of those who lived the history changes over time. There is one thing that is constant – the art that was created in response to the world as the present became history. Thanks to … [Read more...] about Thomas W. Benton – Artist/Activist
Did NORAD ‘Conspire’ on 9/11?
FORWARD: The recent 10th anniversary of 9/11 once again gave rise to questions about NORAD's role and performance during the attacks and to the now-familiar conspiracy theories. Hence this writing. === The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was officially established on Sept. 12, 1957, during the Cold War---during the “innocent years.” A couple of … [Read more...] about Did NORAD ‘Conspire’ on 9/11?
Barack Obama and America’s Pretzel Politics
YORK, Pa. — It’s fitting that Pennsylvania is land of the pretzel — where “Pennsylvania Dutch” Swiss and German immigrants introduced the food to America in the 19th century. Citizens of nearby Philadelphia reportedly consume 12 times the national average of the twisted, baked delight. A gas station here has pretzel sandwiches and inexpensive bags of broken pretzels. Both … [Read more...] about Barack Obama and America’s Pretzel Politics
Credit, Debt, Coinage or Barter, Coinage, Credit?
I've only just begun what will no doubt be a long exploration of the ideas put forward by anthropologist (and anarchist) David Graeber, author of Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Graeber supposes that our traditional reading of history, that debt followed barter, is backwards. He posits that debt comes first, here in a much discussed interview with naked capitalism: [W]hat … [Read more...] about Credit, Debt, Coinage or Barter, Coinage, Credit?
Book Review: S.C. Gwynne’s Magisterial ‘Empire Of The Summer Moon’
The desert wind would salt their ruins and there would be nothing, no ghost or scribe, to tell any pilgrim in his passing how it was that people had lived in this place and in this place had died. ~ CORMAC McCARTHY The horses weren't much to look at in comparison to the immense steeds ridden by the royalty and cavalries of England, France and Germany. They were light … [Read more...] about Book Review: S.C. Gwynne’s Magisterial ‘Empire Of The Summer Moon’
Damned if He Does
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Damned if He Does
Jamal Simmons Says “Broadband Technology Can Help Spur Economic Development” & “We’re Moving into a Technologically Driven World” (Guest Voice Interview)
Jamal Simmons Says "Broadband Technology Can Help Spur Economic Development" & "We're Moving into a Technologically Driven World" by Janet Shan Jamal Simmons, co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance, principal at The Raben Group and former strategist for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, continues to make the case for the urgency and importance of broadband … [Read more...] about Jamal Simmons Says “Broadband Technology Can Help Spur Economic Development” & “We’re Moving into a Technologically Driven World” (Guest Voice Interview)
Today, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Is ‘Finally and Formally Repealed.’
Today---it is still September 20 here in Texas---"the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed." This is President Obama's entire statement on the occasion: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release September 20, 2011 Statement by the President on the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't … [Read more...] about Today, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Is ‘Finally and Formally Repealed.’
Politics Schmolitics: Ten New Laws Worth Fighting For (Guest Voice)
Politics Schmolitics: Ten New Laws Worth Fighting For by Leslie J. Sachs 1) FLAT TAX: a. 6% for all earning less than $40,000 per year (amazingly over 46% of Americans currently pay no income tax whatsoever). b. 12% for all earnings thereabove, no exceptions. c. 24% for those earnings above $100,000. d. This flat tax to include worker’s … [Read more...] about Politics Schmolitics: Ten New Laws Worth Fighting For (Guest Voice)
LET REPUBLICANS HAVE IT ALL
WE DIDN’T LEARN ANYTHING FROM PRIOR REPUBLICAN POLICIES BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T GO FAR ENOUGH Perhaps Republicans have been correct in asserting that the eight years of President George W. Bush didn't go far enough in enacting conservative policies. The current Republican presidential candidates argue that the nation must take all their proposals to their logical conclusions in … [Read more...] about LET REPUBLICANS HAVE IT ALL
What’s A Scientist?
If I asked you to close your eyes and conjure up a scientist, would would you see? Would it be an aging Einstein, a dapper Doctor Who, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Madam Curie? What if I then asked you, "What do scientists do?" Could you answer? With science and math scores at abysmal levels in the US, perhaps this entertaining chat with six (very non-stereotypical) … [Read more...] about What’s A Scientist?
How do you spell enthusiasm in the age of Obama? RELIEF.
WASHINGTON - This is what happens when Candidate Obama is unleashed. From Art, who covers the movement progressive beat over at my place and runs a Democratic group in Texas. color me relieved frankly by his debt details... Relief isn't exactly a rousing call to action, but perhaps it's a new beginning. For David Brooks, it's decidedly not. I’m a sap, a specific kind … [Read more...] about How do you spell enthusiasm in the age of Obama? RELIEF.