Our political and economic systems are de-legitimizing themselves before our very eyes through massive fraud, manipulation, and pervasive governmental intervention on behalf of a small number of citizens and corporations. These current public policies intend to prop up bankrupt corporate entities, bloated bureaucracies, and endless narcissistic speculation on a global … [Read more...] about Inevitable Catastrophe: The Fruits of Moral Hazard on a Global Scale
RIP Peter Falk
The greatest detective ever to work for the LAPD has passed. Feel free to share your favorite episodes and films by the great Mr. Falk … [Read more...] about RIP Peter Falk
Quote of the Day: Is Jon Huntsman the New Wesley Clark?
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The New Republic's Walter Shapiro, in a post that needs to be read in full. He asks whether Jon Huntsman will become the new Wesley Clark. He writes: While the pyrotechnics accompanying the presidential rollout were impressive (two dozen TV cameras chronicled a GOP candidate hovering at 1 percent in the national polls), … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Is Jon Huntsman the New Wesley Clark?
Cantor and the Perils of His Egotism
James Fallows rightly calls Eric Cantor "the least valuable player" on his team. Visibility usually coincides with worthlessness, at least in our current political games. James Fallows, usually a mellow fellow, has this to say about those games and one team in particular. I've complained in the past about Sen. Richard Shelby's willful veto of Peter Diamond's … [Read more...] about Cantor and the Perils of His Egotism
Technical Glitch: Post Mistakenly Deleted
Due to a system hiccup, a post that just went up about Eric Cantor was deleted. We will repost it, graphic and all. … [Read more...] about Technical Glitch: Post Mistakenly Deleted
Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reason Sarah Palin Cancelled Her Bus Tour
NOTE: Sarah Palin has cancelled her national bus tour, leading critics to say it was one more thing she has quit. These criticisms were followed by Palin insisting the tour hasn't been scuttled, just put on hold while she serves jury duty. Some believe the bus tour will never resume. Regardless we offer you THIS: Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reason Sarah Palin Cancelled Her Bus … [Read more...] about Top Ten Cloves: Possible Reason Sarah Palin Cancelled Her Bus Tour
Osama bin Laden’s Seized Cellphone: Indirect Links to Pakistani Intelligence?
Osama bin Laden's seized cellphone has increased informed speculation that he was linked to some elements of Pakistan intelligence due to contacts on it with a group that is linked to the ISA. The cellphone of Osama bin Laden’s trusted courier, which was recovered in the raid that killed both men in Pakistan last month, contained contacts to a militant group that is a … [Read more...] about Osama bin Laden’s Seized Cellphone: Indirect Links to Pakistani Intelligence?
Drawdown Directions (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Drawdown Directions (Cartoon)
Not Afraid Of Life — Or Making Lots of Money
Bristol Palin says in her new memwow that she lost her virginity to Levi Johnston after becoming squiffed on wine coolers on a camping trip. Many of the usual anti-Palin suspects have declared that she was raped, which under a literal reading of the Alaska rape statute she may well have been. But that is beside the point. The point is that Bristol chose to continue to have … [Read more...] about Not Afraid Of Life — Or Making Lots of Money
Huntsman: Great White-Haired Hope?
Reaction to the newest GOP 2012 entry is a symptom of how far the politics of paralysis has gone. Virtually unknown, Jon Huntsman Jr. causes a media ripple by bringing something new to the race—-a note of sanity and civility. That he is on speaking terms with the President and has even served in his Administration makes him either (1) a hopeless outsider in Republican … [Read more...] about Huntsman: Great White-Haired Hope?
Why Have Our Dear American Golden Retrievers Become Cancer Time Bombs?
(This week alone Kiko's House, my home blog, received two more emails from people whose Golden Retrievers had died much too young. Portions of this post were first published in 2006.) It's not hard to see why Golden Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in the U.S. year in and year out. They're cuddly cute as puppies and beautiful as adults. They're great around … [Read more...] about Why Have Our Dear American Golden Retrievers Become Cancer Time Bombs?
Corporate Court (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Corporate Court (Cartoon)
Dear Marketing Folks: Leaving A Blog Comment Does Not Mean I Want Your Email
I was added to a Breitbart Report mailing list today (without opting in). The announcement mail assured me that I would be the beneficiary of Breitbart's "timely news and other information, independent of media bias" and that I was receiving the mail based on my "past interest" which was reflected by my having commented on one of his sites. Breitbard told the marketing … [Read more...] about Dear Marketing Folks: Leaving A Blog Comment Does Not Mean I Want Your Email
The Contract Legal Firm Employment Act
Trial lawyer used to be the two dirtiest words in the Republican Party vocabulary. The party loved sitting around railing against trial lawyers and torts. The GOP, given enough time, could blame most any societal problem on those pesky lawyers. You name it, healthcare, insurance, transportation or just about anything all were too expensive because of litigation. Passing tort … [Read more...] about The Contract Legal Firm Employment Act
V.P. Joe Biden Won the Afghanistan Debate
WASHINGTON - It's all about Pakistan now. Pres. Obama felt compelled to tell the whole history of why we're in Afghanistan in a bloated, if shorter than usual address to the nation, but this is where he should have started: By the time I took office, the war in Afghanistan had entered its seventh year. But al Qaeda’s leaders had escaped into Pakistan and were plotting new … [Read more...] about V.P. Joe Biden Won the Afghanistan Debate
A Good Day At The Supreme Court – If You’re PHARMA
Those with an interest in reducing health care costs will need to assess the impact of this case. Not every impact on health care costs is the responsibility of legislators. In Sorrell v. IMS Health, Inc., the Supreme Court struck down a Vermont law intended, among other things, to help control health care costs. The case may also be far reaching in numerous other regulatory … [Read more...] about A Good Day At The Supreme Court – If You’re PHARMA
Tired Feet (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tired Feet (Cartoon)
Leaving Afghanistan
America has reached a crossroads. And Barack Obama has a difficult road ahead, because it is his task to lead the nation into a world of limits. From the very beginning, Americans have seen their country as a land of infinite opportunity. And, as long as the frontier beckoned, anything seemed possible. It was the frontier, after all, which nurtured Abraham Lincoln. Now … [Read more...] about Leaving Afghanistan
Ready For The Confession Of The Century?
Perhaps no one knows when O.J. Simpson hit bottom -- probably not even The Juice himself -- but it probably occurred sometime in the run-up to the 1995 slaying deaths of his wife and Ron Goldman, which I concluded as a journalist who covered the story nonstop from murders to acquittal were a consequence of a cocaine-fueled binge, a fit of jealousy, or most likely both. In … [Read more...] about Ready For The Confession Of The Century?
Obama’s Afghanistan Troop Drawdown Draws Applause from Europe and Karzai
President Barack Obama's announcement of troop drawdowns in Afghanistan on a schedule reportedly faster than some in the Pentagon wished and clearly aimed at America's political middle has not satisfied many on America's right or left but it is being praised in Europe and by Afghanistan's top leader: America’s European allies welcomed President Obama’s announcement of … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Troop Drawdown Draws Applause from Europe and Karzai