The only difference is that nobody's shooting: the secessionism is the same. Just ask the citizens of Minnesota. The free "Right Wing Doonesbury" doesn't even bother with humor on July 1. "When the just say 'no'"??!? Paranoid marxo-nazi fantasies are "just"??? But forget the idiocy of an unfunny comic strip predicated on "attractive young adults" lolling around in their … [Read more...] about The Civil Cold War
America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Is China the victim of a campaign mounted by the United States to turn the nations adjacent to the South China Sea against Beijing? According to columnist Liang Fengming of China's state-run Huanqui, the U.S. is seeking to demonize China by inflaming territorial disputes between China and other states like Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea and others - which are … [Read more...] about America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Major Quake Strikes New Zeland Region
A quake with a magnitudeof 7.8 has struck off the coast of New Zeland prompting a series of tsunami warnings for New Zeland and Tonga. The poor people have already suffered greatly, prayers that this does not result in any more suffering. … [Read more...] about Major Quake Strikes New Zeland Region
9th Circuit Lifts Stay On DADT Ruling
A 3 judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court Of Appeals has just ordered the stay on the court ruling that struck down be lifted. This could mean that the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy would have to stop within a matter of days, however oral arguments on the broader issue will be held at the end of August so things are not complete yet. Details to follow … [Read more...] about 9th Circuit Lifts Stay On DADT Ruling
Michele Bachmann, The EPA, And Environment-Related Idiocy That Never Seems To End
I haven't commented in print on Michele's Bachmann's rantings in the past because they seemed unworthy of the effort. One rant from the congresswoman from Minnesota and Republican presidential candidate, however, has been hitting too close to home. Her oft-repeated comment that the EPA is this country's worst "jobs killer." I spent more than a decade of my professional life … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann, The EPA, And Environment-Related Idiocy That Never Seems To End
World Order Restored – Paris Hilton Back In The News
Now that the brief diversion that was the Casey Anthony trial is over, order has been restored to our tabloid infotainment world. Paris Hilton has found her way back into the news. Paparrazi staking out the heiress’s Malibu home – who knew the paparrazi still staked her out – spotted 36 year old James Rainford on the property and called police. Rainford, who has long … [Read more...] about World Order Restored – Paris Hilton Back In The News
Obama’s ‘Deal of the Century’ for Republicans is Bad for Democrats
WASHINGTON - If you want one reason why Barack Obama doesn't deserve reelection this is it. If the Republican Party were a normal party, it would take advantage of this amazing moment. It is being offered the deal of the century: trillions of dollars in spending cuts in exchange for a few hundred million dollars of revenue increases. - The Mother of All No-Brainers Whether he … [Read more...] about Obama’s ‘Deal of the Century’ for Republicans is Bad for Democrats
Brain-Dead Politics
Newt Gingrich may be on to something by making Alzheimer’s a campaign issue, although he could be going too far in trying to make voters forget about his crackpot Contract with America, Tiffany tabs and his latest wife’s terror campaign that led an entire staff to quit. Mitt Romney, as always, is testing the waters with a little senior moment of his own, forgetting he had to … [Read more...] about Brain-Dead Politics
Fighting For His Freedom… And Yours
A wonderful article from CNN on why equality is so important. … [Read more...] about Fighting For His Freedom… And Yours
Nevada Supreme Court Upholds Election Ruling
The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that the Democrats and Republicans can choose one candidate to run in the special election to fill the vacancy in the 2nd Congressional District. This election came about when Congressman Heller was named to replace resigned Senator Ensign. In short the ruling says that the parties may each choose their nominee without a primary, which … [Read more...] about Nevada Supreme Court Upholds Election Ruling
The Cultural Cognition of Climate Change
Last year, I posted on research by Dan Kahan's "Cultural Cognition Project" which found, in effect, that increased political and social education is associated with increased political polarization. Contrary to conventional wisdom, where greater education should cause a convergence amongst political actors (as their greater factual knowledge reveals the "right" policy path), … [Read more...] about The Cultural Cognition of Climate Change
Creating the Smug Pundits’ Conventional Wisdom
President Barack Obama looks like he’ll win re-election. Obama looks like he can lose. Michele Bachman could never get the Republican nomination. Michele Bachmann could be the surprise GOP nominee. The political class would never allow a debt ceiling default. A debt ceiling default could happen. Where does the ever-shifting conventional wisdom come from? A little known … [Read more...] about Creating the Smug Pundits’ Conventional Wisdom
Casey Anthony Verdict: Not Guilty of Murder/Manslaughter
She was found guilty of providing false information to law enforcement officers but was found not guilty on the key murder, manslaughter and child abuse charges. Sentencing will be Thursday … [Read more...] about Casey Anthony Verdict: Not Guilty of Murder/Manslaughter
Historic Blink Time
At the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, just before the Soviets caved in, someone in the Oval Office exclaimed, “We’re eyeball to eyeball, and the other guy just blinked!” Now, as a deadline nears in the debt-ceiling staredown, Bill Clinton evokes that JFK era image and warns “the White House could blink. I hope that won't happen. I don't think they should blink." The … [Read more...] about Historic Blink Time
Mitt Romney’s Full Flop
I will admit it. As a former RINO (they no longer exist in the GOP) aka moderate Republican I was a huge admirer of former Massachesetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the incarnation he often seems to be trying to escape: his performance and persona as one of the country's top moderate Republican Governors. So I've often given him the benefit of the doubt on "flip flops." But there are … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney’s Full Flop
The Rich Are Different from You and Me. They Make More Money – and Lemonade (Guest Voice)
The Rich Are Different from You and Me. They Make More Money – and Lemonade by Michael Winship Washington, DC, is a Potemkin village of alabaster and marble where the perpetually stalled and broken escalators of the city’s subway system are a perfect metaphor for the government’s inability to generate positive, upward movement. Yet with all the calumnies that are committed … [Read more...] about The Rich Are Different from You and Me. They Make More Money – and Lemonade (Guest Voice)
Spain and Pain (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Spain and Pain (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: If the GOP Was a Normal Party It’d Accept Victories In Economic Debate (But Noooooo) UPDATED
Our political Quote of the Day comes from the New York Time's (traditional) conservative columnist David Brooks who notes that Republicans have actually already won significant victories in the debate over slicing government and how money should be spent -- but that part of the party will not accept any compromise. And the party is in danger of becoming more of a kind of … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: If the GOP Was a Normal Party It’d Accept Victories In Economic Debate (But Noooooo) UPDATED
Declaration Factoids
A few factoids to wrap up our Independence Day celebrations 1. The resolution on Independence was actually passed on the 2nd 2. The first public reading was on the 6th. 3. John Hancock, the first to sign, did so on August 2nd and nobody but the Congressional secretary was there to see it 4. The last signature didn't happen until as late as 1781. So really we can … [Read more...] about Declaration Factoids
Astroturf Alert: Guess Who Is Leading The Battle To Force Amazon To Pay Sales Taxes?
According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Home Depot and Best Buy have joined the Alliance for Main Street Fairness, a coalition reportedly originally comprised of mom-and-pop stores that believe "Internet merchants that aren't legally required to collect sales taxes enjoy an unfair advantage with shoppers." "The rules today don't allow … [Read more...] about Astroturf Alert: Guess Who Is Leading The Battle To Force Amazon To Pay Sales Taxes?