The odd set of circumstances that has led to a credit downgrade of U.S. debt, a weakened dollar and hence a stronger yen, is setting off alarm bells in Tokyo and around the world. This editorial from Japan's Asahi Shimbun explains the phenomena to readers and comes close to begging Washington to do something to reverse the trend, which is damaging Japan's post-quake … [Read more...] about Washington Must Act to Strengthen the Dollar (Asahi Shimbun, Japan)
Before Preaching to Other Nations, the United States Must Reform Itself (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Is it time for the United States to stop standing up for human rights and democratic reform in other nations and start taking its own advice at home? According to this article by the thought-to-be-fictitious Communist Party columnist Ding Gang, U.S. presidents should stop inflaming China by meeting the Dalai Lama and selling weapons to democratic Taiwan, and start figuring out … [Read more...] about Before Preaching to Other Nations, the United States Must Reform Itself (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
(UPDATED) Why The Global Financial Meltdown Is Like A Conflagration On A Distant Planet
I haven't invested in stocks since the dot com bubble burst in March 2000 and my 401(k) was pretty much wiped out even though my investments were toward the conservative side. When the dust had settled, I was out about $60,000, a not inconsiderable sum that would have come in handy when it came time to retire in 2009. Well, I'm still working. Nearly half of American … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Why The Global Financial Meltdown Is Like A Conflagration On A Distant Planet
The Look Of Rage
Back in February 1994, the height of my Black Nationalism days, I remember Time Magazine came out with an article about Minister Louis Farrakhan called "Ministry of Rage". I was livid yet pleased. How dare Time Magazine called the man that I used to idolized a man of rage? I thought then "Yeah he has righteous rage against those that look at we black folks as less than … [Read more...] about The Look Of Rage
The Heartbreak of the Navy Seals’ Deaths in Afghanistan: Faces Behind the Numbers
And so we remember -- but never forget there were human beings behind the cold numbers of the 30 who died when insurgents shot down there helicopter. Faces behind the names. And here they are. … [Read more...] about The Heartbreak of the Navy Seals’ Deaths in Afghanistan: Faces Behind the Numbers
Inherit the Wind
Forty two years ago, I was preparing to teach my first classes. I had spent the summer at the University of North Carolina, studying John Dewey, Jerome Bruner, Carl Rogers and American Literature. I was one of about fifty students who were about to enter the public schools as teacher interns. We taught during the day, went to school at night, and were visited frequently by the … [Read more...] about Inherit the Wind
Agencies Such as Jewish Federation Struggle With Debt Ceiling Limit Deal Impact: Budget Cuts
The debt ceiling limit deal will be felt in many ways, and it's already being felt in one area: social agencies such as the Jewish Federation are feeling the financial pinch more than ever -- and it raises some other issues as well. Here's a must-read article from the Jewish Daily Foward: The budget deal in Washington and the near certainty of steep declines in federal … [Read more...] about Agencies Such as Jewish Federation Struggle With Debt Ceiling Limit Deal Impact: Budget Cuts
Our Politicians, Downgraded and Degraded
Our political warriors today have an instinct for their own jugulars, bleeding America with self-inflicted wounds in a time of turmoil. A century ago, Theodore Roosevelt famously said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. “The credit belongs to the man who is … [Read more...] about Our Politicians, Downgraded and Degraded
Quotes of the Day: In Stock Market Plunge Crisis Is Obama Showing Lack of Leadership and Lack of Fire In Belly?
Our political Quotes of the Day indicate big trouble for President Barack Obama as the stock markets plunge in light of Standard & Poors sticking it to the United States -- and the United States' elections-obsessed political class -- on its credit rating. He's under renewed political fire. But not from expected quarters which engage in 24/7 fire, even over the most trivial … [Read more...] about Quotes of the Day: In Stock Market Plunge Crisis Is Obama Showing Lack of Leadership and Lack of Fire In Belly?
Intransigence Rewarded: Same Ole from Cantor
Today in the wake of the second day of the Wall Street blood bath, House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA) told his troops to stand firm: "Over the next several months, there will be tremendous pressure on Congress to prove that S&P's analysis of the inability of the political parties to bridge our differences is wrong. In short, there will be pressure to compromise on … [Read more...] about Intransigence Rewarded: Same Ole from Cantor
An Anxious Man for Anxious Times
My anxiety abides within my gut, within my skin, within countless compromises and desperate attempts to be accepted. My anxiety abides. My anxiety abides within my biology, within my earliest memories, within restless sleep and twisted dreams, within racing thoughts, shifting eyes, fidgeting legs, and perpetual foreboding anticipations. My anxiety abides. My anxiety is … [Read more...] about An Anxious Man for Anxious Times
Doom Tune from the Bugging Burgling of June – Redux
Thirty-seven, thirty-seven, thirty-seven. Today, 37 years ago, the 37th President, Richard Milhous Nixon, resigned in his 37th address from the Oval Office. I happened to catch, by accident, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in All The President's Men, in the wee hours this morning. I had not known of the anniversary, and, as per usual, all the "premium" channels were filled … [Read more...] about Doom Tune from the Bugging Burgling of June – Redux
House Ends Page Program
I do understand the logic that they are not as needed in a modern era but it is a shame to see the 200 year old program end. … [Read more...] about House Ends Page Program
Dow Closes Down Roughly 635 Points
The Dow Jones Average is down about 635 points at closing, finishing at right around 10,810. This of course is hardly news as the market has been on a steady downslope for about a week now. Just to give perspective, on July 21st the market closed at 12,724 so the DJIA has lost almost 2,000 points in about two weeks or 15% down. However just to look at things in full … [Read more...] about Dow Closes Down Roughly 635 Points
How Much is the Tea Party to Blame for the Downgrade?
There are times I want to grab some tea party folk by the neck and try and shake some sense in them. Many of them are, indeed, unreasonable and illogical. Advocating not raising the debt ceiling, forcing the government to cut about 40% of the budget in one year, may not be terrorism but they might as well support detonating an atom bomb in New York City considering the similar … [Read more...] about How Much is the Tea Party to Blame for the Downgrade?
Going Forward: More Fiscal Stimulus or Debt Reduction? (Guest Voice)
Going Forward: More Fiscal Stimulus or Debt Reduction? by Steve Suranovic As we come out of the debt ceiling debate in the US Congress and face the prospect of a world economy that seems destined to remain in the doldrums for some time to come, the debate over what to do next is heating up. Should we ignore the budget deficit and debt issues and go all in for anther massive … [Read more...] about Going Forward: More Fiscal Stimulus or Debt Reduction? (Guest Voice)
Rick Perry’s Path (Guest Voice)
Rick Perry's Path by Matt Mackowiak You're always strongest when you're "thinking" about running for president. Gov. Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in the history of the nation's second-largest state, is unquestionably the "flavor of the month." And his likely entrance into the 2012 campaign has many excited, but, as a recent Politico story reported, some in … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s Path (Guest Voice)
Going Down
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Going Down
Can America Still Lead?
LONDON -- The first week of August 2011 will be remembered as a singularly irrational, wasteful and shameful moment in the political and economic history of the United States. It reflected much of what is wrong with the priorities of our political elites and the obsessions of those who now hold effective veto power over our government. It began with the world hanging … [Read more...] about Can America Still Lead?
Diagnosing Obama’s Failure to Lead
Distressed by George W. Bush, even those of us who try to resist psychobabble eventually succumbed to seeing him as a reformed drunk who had found God and was punishing the nation with his uncomprehending new-found piety. Now Drew Westen, a practicing psychologist and political consultant, offers a diagnosis of Barack Obama that, in all fairness, deserves similar … [Read more...] about Diagnosing Obama’s Failure to Lead