Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's speech on Afghanistan as it is now appearing on various websites based on info provided by the White House: Good evening. Nearly ten years ago, America suffered the worst attack on our shores since Pearl Harbor. This mass murder was planned by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network in Afghanistan, and signaled a new … [Read more...] about Full Text of President Barack Obama’s Speech on Afghanistan
Watch President Barack Obama’s Speech on Afghanistan Live Here (Live Video)
Here's live video of President Barack Obama's speech on Afghanistan: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Watch President Barack Obama’s Speech on Afghanistan Live Here (Live Video)
When Doing Nothing Is The Best Thing To Do
Sometimes stalemate is a good thing. Today's fiscal report from the Congressional Budget Office makes that very clear, as Ezra Kline reports: The Congressional Budget Office just released the latest edition of its long-term budget outlook (pdf), and it shows the same thing as always: If Congress lets the Bush tax cuts expire or offsets their extension, implements the … [Read more...] about When Doing Nothing Is The Best Thing To Do
The Ultimate Facebook Addiction: Gunman Updates Facebook Page During Standoff With Police (VIDEO)
The ultimate Facebook addition: gunman ason Valdez updated his Facebook wall during standoff with Utah police. (Well, at least his Facebook updates were more thoughtful and clever than Anthony Weiner's Tweets.) … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Facebook Addiction: Gunman Updates Facebook Page During Standoff With Police (VIDEO)
Afghanistan (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Afghanistan (Cartoon)
Obama’s New Afghanistan Plan: 5 Predictions
When President Barack Obama announces his plan for the increasingly unpopular Afghanistan war will there be enough of something in it to please everyone or at least a majority of Americans? Or will it leave every one unhappy? Five predictions HERE. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he'd support the troop drawdown if General Petraeus does: Senate Republican … [Read more...] about Obama’s New Afghanistan Plan: 5 Predictions
Karzai Finally Awakens to American Treachery (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Is Washington stabbing Hamid Karzai in the back by holding meetings with the Taliban without the involvement of his government? According to this article from Pakistan's Frontier Post, it's probably too late for Karzai, who whether he knows it or not, has been nothing but a U.S. stooge since the fall of the Taliban. The Frontier Post editorial says in part: It should … [Read more...] about Karzai Finally Awakens to American Treachery (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Jon Huntsman: Unlikely Incoming on Foreign Policy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy WASHINGTON - Barack Obama has gone so far right channeling his inner Republican, especially on big presidential decisions like war and military, but including his timidity on economic issues that borrow from the Republican model, that he's actually set himself up to be challenged from the left by … [Read more...] about Jon Huntsman: Unlikely Incoming on Foreign Policy
More Bad Gingrich News: He Inflated His Online Resume
The hits are now coming faster for Newt Gingrich than with guests on The Jerry Springer Show. According to The Huffington Post, he has touted an honorific professorship in an inaccurate way: Not many Republicans play up their academic credentials. Count former House Speaker and struggling presidential candidate Newt Gingrich as one of the few who do. But has Gingrich … [Read more...] about More Bad Gingrich News: He Inflated His Online Resume
Making Sense Of Wal-Mart v. Dukes
Two days ago the U. S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes . In the time since, there has been a good deal of reaction and more than a little overreaction. In reality this is one of those cases that is less than meets the eye. Three women who believed they had gender discrimination claims against Wal-Mart initiated a lawsuit. They attempted … [Read more...] about Making Sense Of Wal-Mart v. Dukes
Around the Sphere Blog Roundup
Our linkfest taking you to websites of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of TMV or its many writers. Sarah Palin Quits Again: This time her bus tour. Hey, if the media were losing interest then why go on a non-political vacation with her family (especially when the media including Chris Matthews now seems fascinated with Michele Bachman and … [Read more...] about Around the Sphere Blog Roundup
More Desperate Than Ever For A Plausible Third Party Presidential Contender
Only three things need be said about a serious third party contender for the presidency in 2012. First, this person could win. Second, the issues that would let this person win are obvious. Third, money need not keep such a candidate from running. About the first thing. President Obama is not liked by most of the people who elected him in 2008 and not respected by those who … [Read more...] about More Desperate Than Ever For A Plausible Third Party Presidential Contender
Obama Likely to Call for 10K Cut in Troops From Afghanistan in Speech Today
Is America's seemingly unending nightmare of the loooooooong war in Afghanistan now drawing to an end? If news reports are correct, President Barack Obama today will take the first substantive step -- according to a few reports against the advice of some military advisors -- by announcing a two-phased withdrawal of an initial 10,000 forces with a total of some 30,000 over the … [Read more...] about Obama Likely to Call for 10K Cut in Troops From Afghanistan in Speech Today
Not Your Father’s GOP (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Not Your Father’s GOP (Cartoon)
U.S.-Listed China Firms are Ruining China’s Reputation (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Given what we're used to from China's state-controlled media, this article about the behavior of Chinese firms listed on U.S. stock exchanges stands out for being remarkably frank about the misbehavior of China's corporations. Are law-breaking Chinese firms getting themselves listed on U.S. stock exchanges to reap rewards from the good reputation developed by their more … [Read more...] about U.S.-Listed China Firms are Ruining China’s Reputation (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Remembering George Carlin (1937-2008)
Three years ago on June 22nd, American comedian, social critic, actor and author George Carlin died at the age of 71 from heart failure at a Santa Monica, CA hospital. He had a wickedly twisted yet objective take on life, politics, religion, and the English language. He understood the darker side of human nature and was always ready to explain life to his audiences from his … [Read more...] about Remembering George Carlin (1937-2008)
Some Thoughts On DADT
While the topic of marriage equality has dominated the media the last few days the issue of DADT remains important and I came across some comments that I thought worth sharing "Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution is pretty simple. It says, ‘Raise an army.’ It says absolutely nothing about race, color, creed, sexual orientation." How dare we, then, exclude a group of … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On DADT
A Good Way to Announce a Presidential Candidacy
Jon Huntsman, a guy with an impressive resume, announced on Tuesday that he is running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Whether the former governor of Utah and ambassador to China stands a chance is only a guess. But, if you believe that civility should infuse the process by which we elect a president in the United States, his announcement speech ought to … [Read more...] about A Good Way to Announce a Presidential Candidacy
Two Medals of Honor–Both Deserved, One Denied
I have bemoaned the fact that so very few Medals of Honor were being awarded to our deserving heroes, both during the peak of our fighting in Iraq and during the entire first seven years of the Afghanistan War. While nearly 250 of our troops received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War, only four heroes were so recognized for actions in Iraq during the Bush … [Read more...] about Two Medals of Honor–Both Deserved, One Denied
Drawdown Day, Afghanistan
No matter what the President announces tomorrow on Drawdown Day, nobody will be happy with his decision, especially if, in Obama tradition, it is a measured move. That will neither satisfy the growing bipartisan desire to get out completely or the McCainiacs who see every Middle East conflict as an outpost for defending American liberty. Yet... How do we keep fighting in … [Read more...] about Drawdown Day, Afghanistan