I never thought The Newt ever had a realistic shot at the Republican presidential nomination, for a variety of reasons that I'll get to shortly. But I thought he'd be in the race at least through the early primaries, if only to reinforce the Gingrich brand that has been so profitable to him. Actually, I'm not sure if I thought that. Given that there's really no good reason … [Read more...] about Implosion: Newt Gingrich’s Train Wreck of a Campaign
A Tough Update on Gabrielle Giffords
E. J. Montini in The Arizona Republic on Giffords' return to Congress: Is she ready to do that? No. Is she close? No. [...] "The only firm timetable is the legal timetable, and that is May of 2012, when petitions are due for re-election," [Pia Carusone, Giffords' chief of staff] said. "That's a firm timetable. Short of that, we'd love to know today what her life … [Read more...] about A Tough Update on Gabrielle Giffords
A Newer World
I have to admit that there have been times in the last few years when I have been deeply saddened by the cynicism of young people. I also have to admit, however, that their cynicism was -- or is -- entirely understandable. They have grown up in an age in which the institutions and the elites who dominate their world have failed them utterly. I write this as someone who taught … [Read more...] about A Newer World
Texas’ Perry, Possible Presidential Candidate, Embraces Anti-Gay Group
Let's just get something straight. For all the sound and fury on the right, two of its biggest issues -- gay marriage and abortion -- are now in the "approved" column for a majority of Americans. For all the sound and fury from the right, the opinions about the abortion issue have remained fairly steady for years, while gay marriage has surged ahead in … [Read more...] about Texas’ Perry, Possible Presidential Candidate, Embraces Anti-Gay Group
The Coming Crisis in the Middle East (Guest Voice)
The Coming Crisis in the Middle East by Barry Rubin The gap between dominant Western perceptions of the Middle East and the region's reality is dangerously wide. While the "Arab Spring" is celebrated as an advance for moderation and democracy, in fact the advance is going to revolutionary Islamists. Developments in Turkey and Egypt especially threaten to plunge the Middle … [Read more...] about The Coming Crisis in the Middle East (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: The Impact of Newt Gingrich’s Implosion on the Republican Presidential Race
Our political Quote of the Day comes from the Los Angeles Times' Andrew Malcolm who analyzes the impact of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's implosion on the race for the 2012 Presidential nomination: The real import of Thursday's aide walkout from Newt Gingrich's flailing presidential campaign has little to do with the former House speaker himself. It's like a … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The Impact of Newt Gingrich’s Implosion on the Republican Presidential Race
Weapon of Mass Distraction
Anthony Weiner’s penis has dominated the news longer now than the death of Osama bin Laden in a media world more transfixed by texting antics of a horny Congressman than the demise of a mass murderer who changed the world. When I was teaching journalism, that would have been unthinkable. In those benighted days, sex scandals lasted a few days and headline writers went back … [Read more...] about Weapon of Mass Distraction
What’s Next for Newt Gingrich?
In a political development that was shocking -- and in a way was not -- all of Newt Gingrich's campaign top campaign staff quit. What's next for Newt Gingrich? What's behind what TMV coblogger Dorian de Wind has called "Mutiny on the Gingrich?" Here's the take of one of my favorite pundits, The Huffington Post's Howard Fineman, who has excellent sources: Visit msnbc.com for … [Read more...] about What’s Next for Newt Gingrich?
Huffington Post Website Surpasses New York Times Website In Unique Visitors
Yet another sign of the growing important of the "new media": The Huffington Post, now married to AOL, has a website getting more unique visitors than The New York Times: The Huffington Post received more traffic than the website of The New York Times in May, the first time it has surpassed NYTimes.com in unique visitors, tracking firm comScore said Thursday. ComScore … [Read more...] about Huffington Post Website Surpasses New York Times Website In Unique Visitors
Santorum on Climate Change (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Santorum on Climate Change (Cartoon)
Risks of a Debt Default Spiral in Europe Starting with Greece
Current signs are that European efforts to save Greece from defaulting on its debt will be too feeble to prevent new financial tensions. They may grow into a global crisis equal to or worse than the fall of 2008. The latest indication came today from the European Central Bank’s blunt refusal to back a German plan to force creditors to take a haircut (accept less than 100 … [Read more...] about Risks of a Debt Default Spiral in Europe Starting with Greece
Mutiny on the ‘Gingrich’
Fellow contributor Patrick Edaburn has just reported on the breaking news that Newt Gingrich’s Presidential campaign top staffers have resigned en masse. (Other news sources call this an “implosion” of his campaign---the end.) While Edaburn gives a couple of possible reasons for this collapse---a badly timed two-week Greek vacation and a possible Perry run---the media is … [Read more...] about Mutiny on the ‘Gingrich’
MPs Call for Arrests of Kissinger, Cheney, Bush at 2011 Bilderberg Conference (Suedostschweiz, Switzerland)
Along with the Freemasons, the Illuminati, and the Zionists, the Bilderberg Group is a member of that august club of organizations that in the minds of conspiracy theorists around the world, are at the helm of global affairs. According to this article from Switzerland's Suedostschweiz, which includes a letter from Swiss MP Dominique Baettig calling for the arrest of U.S. … [Read more...] about MPs Call for Arrests of Kissinger, Cheney, Bush at 2011 Bilderberg Conference (Suedostschweiz, Switzerland)
(UPDATED) There Is A God: Run, Rudy, Run! And Other Tales From The GOP’s Presidential Crypt
A COUPLE OF LOVE BUGS: RUDY AND BERNIE In yet another sign of the weakness of the field of Republican presidential wannabes, America's Mayor is making noises that he might throw his hat in the ring and Bill Kristol, whose almost unblemished record of getting stuff wrong as the doyen of what remains of the neocon movement, is all warm between the legs in a way he hasn't been … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) There Is A God: Run, Rudy, Run! And Other Tales From The GOP’s Presidential Crypt
Breaking News: Gingrich Campaign Aides Resign En Masse
According to reports from Associated Press the top staffers to Newt Gingrich's Presidential campaign have resigned en masse. No reported reason yet for the resignations but you would have to assume there is a story there. CNN indicates his campaign manager Rob Johnson and 'other top aides' have resigned. Some say it relates to his taking time off for a vacation. If so it … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Gingrich Campaign Aides Resign En Masse
KILLING ANY AND ALL REFORMS – NO MATTER HOW SMALL – IF THEY MIGHT HURT OUR CORPORATE MASTERS
Recent political developments in Washington DC indicate that our elected officials are having very strong second thoughts about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) created in the incredibly weak Dodd-Frank banking reform legislation passed in 2010. Republicans are completely against the new agency’s very existence. President Obama shows no interest in appointing … [Read more...] about KILLING ANY AND ALL REFORMS – NO MATTER HOW SMALL – IF THEY MIGHT HURT OUR CORPORATE MASTERS
It’s Imperative for Japan to Look Outward Again (Nishinippon Shimbun, Japan)
After months of scrambling to contain an astonishing series of natural and manmade catastrophes, this editorial from Japan's Nishinippon Shimbun warns Japanese officials that while they've been overwhelemed with domestic issues, the global situation has been evolving rapidly and mostly without any influence being applied by Tokyo. The Nishinippon Shimbun editorial says in … [Read more...] about It’s Imperative for Japan to Look Outward Again (Nishinippon Shimbun, Japan)
Thank the Gods for Griswold v. Connecticut
WASHINGTON - There is no case that means more to modern women than Griswold v. Connecticut, at least that's my take. June 7th, 2011 marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark 1965 Supreme Court decision Griswold v. Connecticut, which legalized family planning and the right to individual privacy in family planning decisions. But nearly 50 years later, women in the United … [Read more...] about Thank the Gods for Griswold v. Connecticut
More Evidence Muammar Qaddafi Is a Real Villain
More evidence has surface that Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi is truly one of history's bad guys: The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor says there is now evidence hei ordered the rape of hundreds of women to spread fear of his regime and curb dissent. … [Read more...] about More Evidence Muammar Qaddafi Is a Real Villain
Weiner Scandal Has Immediate Impact On Congressmen
The scandal involving Rep. Anthony Weiner has had an immediate impact on members of Congress: there is a notable decrease in their number of Tweets. … [Read more...] about Weiner Scandal Has Immediate Impact On Congressmen