I have written early and often that the Tea Party will be a flash in the pan and its toxic brand of politics will never appeal to a larger constituency while at the same time dragging the Republican Party further into the electoral wilderness. Several recent polls make my point: The Tea Party's negatives have more than doubled -- in one poll from 18 to 40 percent in 14 … [Read more...] about When Politics Turn Toxic: Why 2012 Is Like 1972 & History Will Repeat Itself
Debt Crisis in West is Just a ‘Prelude to War’ (Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria)
Have the United States and the West hit such a dead end in terms of economic policy that war, as a way of economic recovery, is inevitable? Columnist K. Selim of Algeria's Le Quotidien d’Oran warns his readers that given the dire economic state of the world and America's huge military, it is time to prepare for a new world war. For the Le Quotidien d’Oran, K. Selim writes … [Read more...] about Debt Crisis in West is Just a ‘Prelude to War’ (Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria)
Welcome To The Brave New World Of Higher Education
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence is being offered online this fall, free of charge, to "students" around the world. The introductory class is historically one of the largest at Stanford University, with about 200 students. In a YouTube overview of the online class, professor Sebastian Thrun explains that his goal is to have about 200,000 online students and make it "the … [Read more...] about Welcome To The Brave New World Of Higher Education
European Economy is More of a Global Threat than America’s (O Globo, Brazil)
Which is worse: the debt crisis and partisan bickering in the United States, or the debt crisis and dysfunctional confluence of national political systems in Europe? This editorial from Brazil's O Globo asserts that despite the dark clouds over America, Europe lacks the historic dynamism and resilience repeatedly demonstrated by America. The O Globo editorial says in … [Read more...] about European Economy is More of a Global Threat than America’s (O Globo, Brazil)
Rick Perry “Walks Back” to His Conservative Base
GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry reversed himself---some say “walked back, I say “ran back””---on an executive order he issued as Texas governor in Feb. 2007, mandating that young girls receive the expensive HPV (human papillomavirus ) vaccine Gardasil, a vaccine against some strains of a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer. A measure that, … [Read more...] about Rick Perry “Walks Back” to His Conservative Base
Quote of the Day: Texas Governor Rick Perry Saying Bernake Would Be Guilty of Treason if He Printed More Money
Texas Governor Rick Perry is off to a good start if his goal is to become the quintessential talk radio political culture candidate -- someone who talks in the most polarizing language possible. His comments about Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke coupled with comments on his comments by people associated former President George W. Bush make up our Quotes of the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Texas Governor Rick Perry Saying Bernake Would Be Guilty of Treason if He Printed More Money
Why Iowa Is Sarah Palin’s Waterloo
PALIN CAME, SAW, BUT DIDN'T CONQUER Sarah Palin has always been a little too smart for her own good, which is to say that she believes that she has more on the ball than anyone else when it comes to making the decisions that determine the course of her political career. This explains why she openly resented the handlers dispatched by the people running John McCain's … [Read more...] about Why Iowa Is Sarah Palin’s Waterloo
I Knew a Guy Who Named His Dog ‘Cujo’
As we wait for the results from the last round of Wisconsin recall elections, something needs to be said about the fundamentally nutty state of our Narrative. Example the first: How did so many "Christians" end up marching under the sign of the Serpent? And how come nobody's noticed? … [Read more...] about I Knew a Guy Who Named His Dog ‘Cujo’
Wither Google News Archive ?
One of my favorite places on the web has been the Google News Archive, a wonderful storehouse of digitized newspapers, some of them stretching back 150 years or more. It was fascinating to just pick a year and go back and see what life was like. In May Google announced they would no longer be updating the site with new resources but that the search feature would remain … [Read more...] about Wither Google News Archive ?
Exploding Cigars
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Exploding Cigars
Say Goodbye to Michele
A new national poll of Republican voters gives pro-life Texas Gov. Rick Perry a big lead over his GOP presidential competitors despite Michele Bachmann’s victory in the Iowa Straw poll on Saturday. The survey has Perry with a double digit lead following his entrance into the Republican race Saturday evening after a speech at the Red State gathering of conservative political … [Read more...] about Say Goodbye to Michele
Fiscal Blindness (Guest Voice)
Fiscal Blindness by Robert A. Levine. M.D. Washington legislators have been afflicted with a new and terrible disease, fiscal blindness, which has spread throughout the city in epidemic proportions. In addition, Senators and members of Congress are disseminating the illness around the United States when they hold meetings in their home districts. Ideologic rigidity is a … [Read more...] about Fiscal Blindness (Guest Voice)
Arab Spring, American Fall
The overthrow of despotic Middle East governments is followed by an insurrection in the U.S., not against decades of tyranny but to destroy centuries of democracy that have served the national well. Today’s “hyper-connected world” cuts both ways, empowering both the oppressed in the Arab world and the over-entitled and ignorant here. As Barack Obama’s approval ratings … [Read more...] about Arab Spring, American Fall
MEDIA: Mainstream-Embracing Disappointingly Ignorant Advocates
My first choice for the "A" word in the title was not "Advocates," but I settled on it because it is more conducive to intelligent discussion than the word I wanted to use. There is nothing more tiresome than the imputation of intent where none exists. For example, as I have become a political writer at an increasing number of publications, I have often had to defend a … [Read more...] about MEDIA: Mainstream-Embracing Disappointingly Ignorant Advocates
Money and Politics, An Old Game With Big Players
From the LA Times: Perry has received a total of $37 million over the last decade from just 150 individuals and couples, who are likely to form the backbone of his new effort to win the Republican presidential nomination. The tally represented more than a third of the $102 million he had raised as governor through December, according to data compiled by the watchdog group … [Read more...] about Money and Politics, An Old Game With Big Players
Remembering Elvis
Thirty four years ago today my parents took my sister and I on our first trip to Disneyland. When we arrived at the hotel there were the banner headlines.. Elvis Dead. At the time, I didn't really realize what it meant, but my Mom sure did. If anything demonstrates the tragedy of drug addiction, this was it. A once in a generation talent lost in his 40's. Here is a … [Read more...] about Remembering Elvis
What Happened in the Republican Party Didn’t Stay in the Republican Party
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — By most measures, Las Vegas looks the same. You drive into town and see glitzy billboards announcing shows such as Celine Dion at Caesar’s Palace. But it’s a time of stress and change here, as it is in America’s economy — and on our political scene. Like everywhere, Vegas grapples with the dream-killing recession. Less spending means less gambling and … [Read more...] about What Happened in the Republican Party Didn’t Stay in the Republican Party
Rick Perry’s Brand of Birtherism
WASHINGTON - It's the lazy summer season of August politics, bringing with it the usual flame-throwin', g-droppin' GOP wingnut that fuels the presidential primary season, but doesn't offer the leadership so desperately needed to get the country out of the Obama economic malaise. Rick Perry's low-wage race to the bottom certainly isn't the answer for the middle class. 19. It … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s Brand of Birtherism
Obama’s Next (Last?) Chance To Show Presidential Leadership
One of the truly surprising things about our president is his seeming inability to jump in front of a wave that's already peaking. He failed to do this early this year when he let the Republicans extend the Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthy, though the public clearly wanted them ended. He did it again, big time, when he caved to the Tea Party House members in negotiations … [Read more...] about Obama’s Next (Last?) Chance To Show Presidential Leadership
Indian Government Throws Top Anti-Corruption Activist in Jail
Anna Hazare, 73, is no ordinary social activist. Hazare has emerged as a sort of national hero battling against the government that has been reeling under mind-boggling corruption scandals. An Indian government attempt to head off a political crisis by arresting him appeared to backfire Tuesday when parliament's opposition members walked out and demonstrations broke out across … [Read more...] about Indian Government Throws Top Anti-Corruption Activist in Jail