(PORTIONS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 2007) Shinichi Tetsutani loved to ride his beloved tricycle outside his house in Higashi-Hakushima-Cho, a neighborhood in the Japanese port city of Hiroshima. Shin-chan, as his family affectionately called the three-year-old, was doing just that on the morning of August 6, 1945 when there was a brilliant flash in the … [Read more...] about Shiniki’s Trike & The Lessons Of War
Remembering Fukishima
Here in the US of A we have all but forgotten the nuclear disaster in Fukishima because our own political kabuki dance is less threatening and more entertaining. But it's not forgotten in Japan and it shouldn't be here either. The reality is the situation at Fukushima Daiichi is still out of control and no one knows what's going on or what to do about it. August 3, … [Read more...] about Remembering Fukishima
8 Facts About Spending That Republicans Forgot About (Guest Voice)
Eight Facts About Spending That Republicans Forgot About by Business Loans Infographic courtesy of Business Loans … [Read more...] about 8 Facts About Spending That Republicans Forgot About (Guest Voice)
Excuse Me? Stock Market Is Down So Barack Obama Should “Resign?”
Just today I was talking by phone with some folks about how polarized, negative and toxic our political scene is -- coupled by a bad barrage of economic news which included the big Dow plunge today. And then a TMV reader send me THIS LINK with a commentator suggesting that since the stock market is down Barack Obama might think about resigning. Did I miss something? Were … [Read more...] about Excuse Me? Stock Market Is Down So Barack Obama Should “Resign?”
The Diminishing Power of Money (Die Welt, Germany)
Are we witnessing a collapse in faith in paper currency - and hence, the very social contract society is based on? For Germany's Die Welt, historian Michael Sturmer warns that unless a way is found to restore confidence in the currency, the days are numbered for democracy and the way of life we have all come to expect. For Germany's Die Welt, Michael Sturmer writes in … [Read more...] about The Diminishing Power of Money (Die Welt, Germany)
Gulp. The World’s Largest Stop-Motion Animation Set
As my Maine vacation winds down, a friend from sweltering Georgia sent me this wonderful stop-motion animation... It was shot on a beach in South Wales using 3 Nokia N8s mounted on a 118 ft crane to showcase the camera's 12 megapixel sensor and Carl Zeiss lens. Everything in it is life-size. The making of... … [Read more...] about Gulp. The World’s Largest Stop-Motion Animation Set
For World’s Sake, Obama Must ‘Provide Leadership’ on U.S. Debt (The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan)
Now that the White House and Congressional lawmakers have agreed to raise the debt ceiling, there is considerable concern in other nations about the bipartisan "super committee" that will be charged with the next round of budget cuts. According to this editorial from the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japanese are not only concerned that the lawmakers will be unable to agree, but that … [Read more...] about For World’s Sake, Obama Must ‘Provide Leadership’ on U.S. Debt (The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan)
Deal on U.S. Debt Ceiling Shows American ‘Strength’ (O Globo, Brazil)
Does the acrimonious process of raising the U.S. debt ceiling demonstrate the genius of the American system in action? According to this editorial from Brazil's O Globo, the deal arrived at by feuding Republicans and Democrats was a lesson for other nations - particularly Brazil - about getting ahead of debt and tax-related issues. The O Globo editorial says in … [Read more...] about Deal on U.S. Debt Ceiling Shows American ‘Strength’ (O Globo, Brazil)
The Astroturf on Lambeau Field
To understand the attack on Wisconsin, we need to perform a little "thought experiment." Take this test with me, OK? (You, too CNN.) Here, in fig. 1 is Frank Zappa: Now, who is this in fig. 2? (Take your time. Relax. Focus. Concentrate.) … [Read more...] about The Astroturf on Lambeau Field
Obama’s Unhappy Birthday
In less than three years since his election was seen as the nation’s triumph over its own history, a combination of his own shortcomings, crushing economic challenges that destabilized the electorate and residual racism has put Barack Hussein Obama in danger of becoming a one-term president. At his birth 50 years ago, his parents’ marriage was illegal in 16 states of the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Unhappy Birthday
UPDATED: Dow Going Down: Closing Number is Down 513
More bad news on the economic front. The Dow is going south: U.S. stocks plunged, with the Dow losing more than 350 points Thursday, as investors remain on edge about the global economy. [UPDATE: It's closing number was down 513: The only good thing to say about today's stock market is that it's finally over. The Dow fell a staggering 513 points, or 4.3%, to close … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Dow Going Down: Closing Number is Down 513
Taking the GOP Back From the Radical Right (Guest Voice)
Taking the GOP Back From the Radical Right by Michael Stafford With the debt ceiling crisis resolved, it is appropriate to pause and reflect on how America was brought to the precipice of a potential catastrophe. The answer can be found in two lines from William Butler Yeats' famous poem "The Second Coming." In the poem, Yeats' wrote: "The best lack all conviction, while … [Read more...] about Taking the GOP Back From the Radical Right (Guest Voice)
Did President Obama Get Independent Voters Wrong?
The Misreading of Independent Voters According to the MSM, President Obama's efforts to bring about a bi-partisan deal on the deficit were meant to appeal to independent voters. The drop-off, according to the polls, among independents is even more dramatic since the deal. What went wrong? Independents, who elected Obama in 2008, don't like political deals. They want a fair … [Read more...] about Did President Obama Get Independent Voters Wrong?
Letter From The Eastern Cape
It is easy to forget that there are people whose lives don't include cable television and shopping at malls. And that 11 years after Nelson Mandela's release from prison, South Africa might as well be in another solar system as far as most Americans are concerned. These are among my motivations for publishing Letter From the Eastern Cape, a regular feature debuting today … [Read more...] about Letter From The Eastern Cape
On Eve Of Film Festival, Tongue-In-Cheek Ads Poke Fun At Stereotypes
The New York International Latino Film Festival, which shines in two weeks, has launched an audacious advertising campaign poking fun at Hollywood stereotypes. Speaking to the New York Times, Elizabeth Gardner, an executive director of the festival, said, “It was really intended to poke fun, but underneath there’s some truth to [the ads].” The ad campaign -- print, TV and … [Read more...] about On Eve Of Film Festival, Tongue-In-Cheek Ads Poke Fun At Stereotypes
Too Many Notes, Too Many Laws
it's not like in the film Amadeus, wherein the dunderheaded Emperor pettishly snaps to Mozart about his newest composition, "Too many notes, too many notes." The Emporerr didnt know what he was talking about. But, a sizeable group of people in the USA do know when there are Too many laws, Too many laws! I have been thinking for some time when our local congressman asked … [Read more...] about Too Many Notes, Too Many Laws
Jerry Lewis Out At MDA
Not sure if we will learn the whole story but it is the end of an era. Say what you will, I know he's not the nicest person around, but he raised billions of dollars for research … [Read more...] about Jerry Lewis Out At MDA
America’s New Chinese Torture Politics
“May you live in interesting times,” reputedly an ancient Chinese curse, comes to mind in the aftermath of this week’s fiasco as all signs point to hostage-taking as the new political norm rather than an aberration. “The debt ceiling should not be...used as a gun against the heads of the American people,” the President says, but Mitch McConnell sees it differently. “Never … [Read more...] about America’s New Chinese Torture Politics
Helping The Economy Without Spending Anything
The recently passed and signed legislation – increasing the debt limit and outlining various complex procedures for future spending reductions – severely limits the federal government’s ability to initiate new spending programs, raise taxes, or take any active role in the economy. The Federal Reserve is also constrained in its ability to address high unemployment because all of … [Read more...] about Helping The Economy Without Spending Anything
Panetta Reassures, Thanks and Cautions ‘the Troops’
Trying to both caution and reassure his Department’s personnel, and beyond, that Pentagon spending cuts won’t be done in a hasty, irresponsible way at a “time of considerable fiscal challenge in our country”---i.e. at a time when defense hawks are suffering from angst and uncertainty--- “Defense Secretary Leon Panetta penned a letter to them today. The letter, titled … [Read more...] about Panetta Reassures, Thanks and Cautions ‘the Troops’