Were the London riots just a hint of what is to come in the United States? Hafez al-Barghouty of the Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah in the Palestinian Territories writes that in the West, democracy is a thin veneer 'without soul' that cannot endure in the presence of scarcity, and that as prosperity diminishes, so will a way of life Americans take such pride in. For the Al-Hayat … [Read more...] about Do the London Riots Presage America’s Economic Collapse? (Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories)
Rick Perry, Manchurian Candidate?
A hard-boiled campaign is being run for the GOP’s most soft-headed aspirant by a group of political scientists. We learn this from a reporter’s electronic book about them, “Rick Perry and his Eggheads: Inside the Brainiest Political Operation in America.” For his 2006 Texas campaign, they ran experiments testing the effectiveness of campaign tools: candidate appearances, … [Read more...] about Rick Perry, Manchurian Candidate?
Book Review: A Narrative History Of The Real Tibet, Not The Tibet Of Our Imaginations
Where is Tibet? That depends upon which Tibet you are talking about. Is it the Tibet that the Chinese occupiers refer to as the Tibet Autonomous Region? Is it the larger ethnographic Tibet that share the same language? Or is it the larger still Tibet of yore that overlaps with four Chinese provinces and four other Himalayan kingdoms? And while we're at it, was … [Read more...] about Book Review: A Narrative History Of The Real Tibet, Not The Tibet Of Our Imaginations
Gaddafi Kicked Out
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Gaddafi Kicked Out
Quote of the Day: On Vacations Give the President a Break
Our poliitical Quote of the Day comes from GOPer David Frum who again illustrates why he is a must-read for independent voters, moderates or Republicans who are not enamored with 21st century conservatism or the country's talk radio political culture. He cuts away all the partisan silliness, posturing and outright hypocrisy to say this about the bro-ha-ha over Barack Obama's … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Vacations Give the President a Break
Virginia Earthquake Interrupts Filming of Commercial
Of all the bits on the East Coast earthquake so far, this tape is the most fascinating. An auto dealer is filming a commercial when the earthquake strikes: For years those of us in California have talked to worried relatives on the East Coast about living out here, or heard jokes about the unstable ground in the West. Now it's both coasts.. … [Read more...] about Virginia Earthquake Interrupts Filming of Commercial
Jack Layton Dies
Only months after making history by leading his New Democratic Party from fourth place to second, Canadian politician Jack Layton has died. His death comes a month after he announced his cancer had returned, and is a major shock to the Canadian political system Our deepest sympathies to his family and to all of our Canadian friends. … [Read more...] about Jack Layton Dies
Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Statement on Libya
Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's statement on Libya from Martha's Vineyard. We're giving it to you in full text (White House issued) so you can read it and analyze it yourself: 2:20 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I just completed a call with my National Security Council on the situation in Libya. And earlier today I spoke … [Read more...] about Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Statement on Libya
Paul Ryan Nixes Run for 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination
He's thinking of running (the headline last week). He's not anymore (the headline today). So much for baited-breath speculation -- and probably prayers -- in some GOP quarters that Rep. Paul Ryan would jump into the 2012 Republican nomination race and enter into a field that some GOPers feel is week and even alarming. Rule Ryan out: After much speculation and some … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan Nixes Run for 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination
More Foreign Policy Hypocrisy From Partisan Democrats
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article at TMV noting that the size and fervor of the anti-war movement has been significantly smaller since Obama entered the White House despite the fact that Obama has stepped up our presence in Afghanistan and intervened in Libya without a congressional declaration of war. I pointed out that while the libertarian wing of the anti-war … [Read more...] about More Foreign Policy Hypocrisy From Partisan Democrats
Justice, New York Style (A Perp’s View)
Ze women zey simply luv me, Zey can’t get enough of my stuff, Though I’m fat and I’m old and I’m ugly, And ze sex that I like, it is ruff. Ze ones zat I most like to favor, Ze ones for me most preferential, Are ze poor ones I peg as defenseless, Who can’t prove our sex ain’t consensual. And if zez ingrates still complain, Understand not ze honor bestowed, I got … [Read more...] about Justice, New York Style (A Perp’s View)
Game Up for Gaddafi? (Video animation)
Game up for Gaddafi? Another video animation from Taiwan's Next Media Animation: … [Read more...] about Game Up for Gaddafi? (Video animation)
Around the Sphere (Blog Roundup)
Our linkfest offering you a buffet of different takes on issues by a variety of websites. The Dictator is Falling in Libya and some folks can't say "I told you so" and in fact will want people to forget their words. And the question Republicans face now is how to respond: to cheer or not to cheer. I predict talk show hosts will not cheer and find some negatives and … [Read more...] about Around the Sphere (Blog Roundup)
Libyan People Win, Qaddafi & Bachmann Lose
It is gratifying that another Middle Eastern henchman appears about to get his just desserts, and that despite extensive U.S. involvement in the NATO mission not a single American life has been lost in the civil war. (How about them apples, Michele Bachmann? Time to retract your statement that President Obama "is not on our side" because the U.S. intervened? Of course you … [Read more...] about Libyan People Win, Qaddafi & Bachmann Lose
Too-Tired Terrorists and Other Mental Health Hazards
Half a century ago, there was a jokey bumper sticker: “Support Mental Health or I’ll Kill You.” Now British researchers into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are under physical attack and death threats for suggesting the disorder has psychological origins. Aside from the question of where victims find the energy for such violence, this fatigue-afflicted terrorism reflects nagging … [Read more...] about Too-Tired Terrorists and Other Mental Health Hazards
Quote of the Day: Libya: Huge Win for Libyans, A Win for Obama, but New Challenges Begin
Our Quote of the Day comes from Steve Clemons, Washington editor at large for The Atlantic and editor in chief of Atlantic LIVE, on the meaning of Libya if -- as expected -- Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and his regime are toppled. Here's a chunk of the must-read-in-full post: I was skeptical of the Libyan intervention by the US and the rest -- but the Tuesday night … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Libya: Huge Win for Libyans, A Win for Obama, but New Challenges Begin
America’s Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas (Guest Voice)
America's Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas by Susan Stamper Brown The hysterical reaction to Republican presidential hopeful Governor Rick Perry's faith is about as overblown as his home state of Texas is big. Perry is facing a federal lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) — purportedly because Perry prayed publicly for our … [Read more...] about America’s Judeo-Christian Roots are Bigger Than Texas (Guest Voice)
Fracking: A Tale Of Two States
A NATURAL GAS WELL NEAR DIMOCK, PENNSYLVANIA The states of Pennsylvania and New York share more than a common border. Areas of both lie atop an immense shale formation and energy companies are hard at work extracting natural gas from the formation through the use of a controversial method known as fracking, which is an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Yet … [Read more...] about Fracking: A Tale Of Two States
Does this mean I’ve been on The Daily Show?
It’s August and we’re into reruns. Two, in fact. Thursday's last Daily Show before a two-week hiatus featured a familiar graph: Recognize it? Yup, you saw it here first, on April 16, 2010 Why I even showed this chart on the overhead projector at Steve Candy's Political Science Class where I got to debate an actual Tea-Partier last year. But it's from "Let Them Eat … [Read more...] about Does this mean I’ve been on The Daily Show?
Start Over (Guest Voice)
Start Over by Craig Barnes On a Monday in early August, 2011, AIG (American International Group) filed claims in federal court against Bank of America alleging losses of $10 billion. The insurance giant claimed that the bank had intentionally disguised the risks of products to be insured. At the same time, Bank of America was already being sued for $82 billion in a … [Read more...] about Start Over (Guest Voice)