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.
Couple Marries After End of DADT
Today marks the first day of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. There are many issues to be explored on that topic, ranging from the ability of brave men and women to openly defend their country to the generally positive reaction from the rank and file. But perhaps this story tells it best. Shortly after midnight, 33 yr old Navy Lt.Gary Ross and his partner of 10 … [Read more...] about Couple Marries After End of DADT
Israel is not alone: Thomas Friedman and The Israel Lobby
Rarely, these days, do I bother with the NYT's Tom Friedman. (While he occupies a lofty perch in the punditocratic universe, he is essentially the master of myopic, self-absorbed ignorance masquerading as sophisticated internationalism. And I say that as someone who occasionally agrees with him.) But let's take a look at his column from Saturday, a piece on the current state … [Read more...] about Israel is not alone: Thomas Friedman and The Israel Lobby
Prediction: Mine’s As Good As Yours. Or Theirs.
Freakonomics did an hour on prediction. It's well worth a listen. Some excerpts... Philip Tetlock, a psychology professor at Penn and author of Expert Political Judgment (here’s some info on Tetlock’s latest forecasting project), on just how bad we are at predicting: TETLOCK: That experts thought they knew more than they knew. That there was a systematic gap … [Read more...] about Prediction: Mine’s As Good As Yours. Or Theirs.
Obese America
Ouch: Back in 1991, there were zero states in the U.S. that had an obesity level over 15 percent. Today, Colorado is the only state with an obesity rate below 20 percent. Another 12 states have levels over 30 percent. SEE -- F for Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011 … [Read more...] about Obese America
Michelle Bachmann Is A Very Bad Person
I am fairly conversant in the history of presidential campaigning and cannot recall an era, let along a larger number of candidates, that believe that telling lie and after lie will get them elected. Exhibit A in this regard is Michele Bachmann, whose stock has most fortunately fallen as fast as Rick Perry's has risen. Call them lies, obfuscations, fibs or whatever, but … [Read more...] about Michelle Bachmann Is A Very Bad Person
Obama’s Line in the Tea Party Sand
The President has finally stepped up to deal with his personal pushback deficit by promising to veto any bill that cuts Social Security and Medicare without raising taxes on “millionaires and billionaires.” Until now, the White House has been threat-free as the Boehner-McConnell gang holds the government hostage and sends all the ransom notes. The turnaround is long … [Read more...] about Obama’s Line in the Tea Party Sand
If The Rich Are Jobs Creators, Where Are The Jobs?
In the founding days of the Republic, a highly literate and very politically savvy American citizenry would spend hours arguing the pros and cons of various governing ideas presented in a flood of pamphlets, and in tightly reasoned works such as The Federalist and The Anti-Federalist. The kind of political arguments impossible to fit in a 30-second TV special interest rant or a … [Read more...] about If The Rich Are Jobs Creators, Where Are The Jobs?