It takes balls to execute an innocent man ~ PERRY SUPPORTER When Barry Goldwater, in accepting the 1964 Republican presidential nomination declared that "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice," the conservatism he represented bore scant resemblance to the extremism of 2012 GOP wannabes Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, whose singular talent appears to be really … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Rick Perry: Ultra-Extremism In A Ten-Gallon Hat
Turning Against the Tea Party
Wishful thinking perhaps, but the tide of madness that has washed over Washington may be ebbing. A new CNN poll shows even more Americans want tax increases for the wealthy (63 percent) than major cuts in domestic spending (57 percent), leaving Republicans with the highest unfavorable ratings since the Clinton impeachment 13 years ago and Democrats gaining slightly in … [Read more...] about Turning Against the Tea Party
Just Call Barack Obama “Mr. Disappointment”
Democrats' disappointment and concern over Barack Obama grows as Hillary Clinton's former backers say "I told you so." … [Read more...] about Just Call Barack Obama “Mr. Disappointment”
A 10 Year Old Boy’s Ode to His Fallen Father Who Died in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash
I do a lot of programs for kids and see frequent evidence of their compassion. Here is an example -- about a 10 year old boy who wants to make sure that his Navy Seal father, who was taken from him abruptly in the recent helicopter crash in Afghanistan, is not forgotten: Here's the LINK to his iReport. And here is the text: iReport — My father was one of the … [Read more...] about A 10 Year Old Boy’s Ode to His Fallen Father Who Died in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash
Gallup Poll: Americans Want New Debt Supercommittee to Compromise
A new Gallup Poll finds that a big chunk of America wants the new debt supercommittee to compromise -- and the one demographic that doesn't is composed of tea party members. Six in 10 Americans say members of the new bipartisan "supercommittee" mandated to find new ways of reducing the federal budget deficit should compromise, even if the agreement reached is one they … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Americans Want New Debt Supercommittee to Compromise
CNN Poll: Majority Want Tax Increase for Wealthy and Deep Spending Cuts
The new special Congressional super committee could pose additional political risks for one of the political parties: the one that overreaches first. The reason: a new CNN poll shows that the majority of Americans want a mix of decisions -- in effect a compromise: Most Americans want a special congressional committee tasked with drafting a long-term solution to the … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: Majority Want Tax Increase for Wealthy and Deep Spending Cuts
The First Colbert SuperPAC Ad (Video)
The ad parodies the National Organization for Marriage’s “Gathering Storm” ad, which has been ridiculed repeatedly since its 2009 debut. Colbert asks voters to write-in Rick Parry -- not a typo, "That's with an 'A' for America and Iowa" -- at the Ames straw poll on Saturday. More here. Memeorandum discussion. … [Read more...] about The First Colbert SuperPAC Ad (Video)
Dylan Ratigan: A Pox On Both Parties Riff (VIDEO)
In a political rant reminiscent of Howard Beale's famous "mad as hell" rant in the classic eerily accurate film "Network," MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan, who has been increasingly critical of President Barack Obama and the Democrats, lambasted both parties: the Democrats with being focused almost solely on 2012 and the GOP for wanting "to burn the place to the ground." It was one of … [Read more...] about Dylan Ratigan: A Pox On Both Parties Riff (VIDEO)
Heck of a Job, Timmy
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Heck of a Job, Timmy
How Could the Riots Change Great Britain?
How could the riots change Great Britain? The Telegraph's Robert Colvile gives us this list of 10 ways. Meanwhile GO HERE and watch two almost giddy teen rioters explaining why they're doing what they're doing (to "show the rich people").' UPDATE: Meanwhile, the (always must read) Christian Science Monitor reports that the British government is now moving towards tougher … [Read more...] about How Could the Riots Change Great Britain?
Wisconsin: Conservatives Win Progressives Gain
WASHINGTON -- There will be no magic potion, no instant formula for Democrats and progressives struggling to come back from their disastrous 2010 election losses. They had hoped that Tuesday's recall elections in Wisconsin would provide a narrative-changing breakthrough, proof-positive that the overreaching conservatives who now dominate the Republican Party had … [Read more...] about Wisconsin: Conservatives Win Progressives Gain
After 300 Hundred Years, Representative Democracy is Imperiled (Les Echos, France)
With the economic crisis/collapse and the incapacity of leaders to effectively resolve it, there is a profound and existential fear gripping the modern world. According to columnist Jean-marc Vittori of France's Les Echos, Western-style democracy, which has long been considered the most advanced system of governance, may be irretrievably unraveling. For Les Echos, Jean-marc … [Read more...] about After 300 Hundred Years, Representative Democracy is Imperiled (Les Echos, France)
Staunch Republican Conservatives Picked for Deficit Committee
The outlook for the special committee -- or Super Congress -- tied in with the controversial debt limit ceiling deal is...g-r-i-d-l-o-c-k. The reason: staunch conservatives who've all signed Grover Grover Norquist's no tax pledge and who are not exactly known as best buds of Social Security, Medicare, etc are the ones who've been named. And the names on the Democratic side … [Read more...] about Staunch Republican Conservatives Picked for Deficit Committee
This Summer’s Riots In London And Manchester; Next Summer In Big American Cities?
As I watch the riots, looting and burning in English cities like London and Manchester this summer of 2011, I have the sickening feeling I'm seeing something that will be replicated on these shores in the summer of 2012. Here, however, if the sparks catch, the eruptions are likely to be bigger, nastier, far more violent, far more destructive. And they are also likely to shape … [Read more...] about This Summer’s Riots In London And Manchester; Next Summer In Big American Cities?
“Anti Fraud” Commercials Promoted By Unions ?
Here in California we've been hearing a series of radio ads talking about how it is terrible to sign any ballot petition because many of those who do the gathering are crooks and will use the info to steal your identity. When the ads first began I wondered what the story was and it turns out that the ads are sponsored by labor unions who oppose several initiatives that are … [Read more...] about “Anti Fraud” Commercials Promoted By Unions ?
Beast in the Jungle
... Obama has spent a lifetime creating his persona — superior, wise, above all parties and interests, all-seeing, calm, unflappable. But as Drew Westen, a liberal psychology professor at Emory University wrote in The Times on Sunday, puzzling about what has happened to his former hero’s passion, the president never identifies the villains who cause our epic … [Read more...] about Beast in the Jungle
NATO Attack Kills Taliban Responsible for Downing Navy Seal Helicopter
It was payback time in Afghanistan: An air strike by NATO-led forces in Afghanistan killed Taliban fighters, including a local leader, who were responsible for a weekend helicopter crash that killed 38 troops, the worst single incident in 10 years of war. "The strike killed Taliban leader Mullah Mohibullah and the insurgent who fired the shot associated with the August … [Read more...] about NATO Attack Kills Taliban Responsible for Downing Navy Seal Helicopter
Right All Along
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Will Rumsfeld Finally Be Held Accountable For Authorizing The Use of Torture?
The upshot of the Bush Torture Regime -- the systematic use of Nazi-like interrogation techniques against foes and friends like -- has been deeply dissatisfying. The mainstream news media has been studiously uncurious about the criminal behavior of top administration officials and their lackies, and none have been held accountable. But that may be about to change. A … [Read more...] about Will Rumsfeld Finally Be Held Accountable For Authorizing The Use of Torture?
President Romney?
It’s looking like 1976 again. A nation suffering from political post-traumatic stress syndrome (Watergate then, the economy now) is shying away from more of the same in Washington and ready for a less polarizing president or, in a more cynical view, open to the idea of keeping the Oval Office vacant. Back then, enter Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer who had gone to the Naval … [Read more...] about President Romney?