Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is again demonstrating that for years he has managed to be a good p.r. person: there is no, way, shape or form that he deserves to be cast as a learned, thoughtful college professor in media reports. In fact, he continues to make assertions that must make many people of both parties and no party breathe a sigh of relief that his chances for … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Claims the Supreme Court is Not in the Constitution
Which Bills Would You Pay
At the water cooler today, some of my coworkers were under the impression having 306 billion dollars worth of bills and 172 billion to pay them would be a good thing. They said they knew this because Representative Michelle Bachmann and other politicians said so. One of those at the water cooler went on to say wholesale default would not happen and it was just a big lie made up … [Read more...] about Which Bills Would You Pay
McConnell gets out his box cutter
As business leaders are demanding that congress raise the debt limit the Republican leadership is realizing that the same Tea Party movement that swept them to power has placed them in a box that they need to get out of. Along comes Mitch McConnell with his box cutter. McConnell fall-back plan leaves debt ceiling hikes to Obama Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell … [Read more...] about McConnell gets out his box cutter
Eric Cantor, a New Nixon
When John Boehner pulled back from his Grand Bargain with the President last weekend, the cynical suspected that he and Eric Cantor were playing good cop-bad cop. But it’s clear now that Boehner was being undermined by his own sidekick. Cantor is looking more and more like a young Richard Nixon. In 1952, when Nixon was on the GOP ticket with Ike before the Checkers speech, a … [Read more...] about Eric Cantor, a New Nixon
UPDATED: News Corp Has Negative U.S. Tax Rate, But U.S. Is Its Cash Cow
UPDATED July 14, 2011: REUTERS RETRACTS claim about negative tax rate [Argh and apologies] Updated: A beleaguered News Corp announced Tuesday that it's using $3.2 billion to "to boost its share buy-back programme from $1.8bn to $5bn" in the face of a $7 billion drop in valuation over a four-day period. The company, which generates about 75 percent of its revenue in the … [Read more...] about UPDATED: News Corp Has Negative U.S. Tax Rate, But U.S. Is Its Cash Cow
More Consequences for Rupert Murdoch? Sales of His Other Papers In Great Britain Greatly Sag
Are there more consequences for global media baron Rupert Murdoch? Sounds that way. Sales of his other newspapers in Great Britain have notably sagged: While the final souvenir edition of the News of the World sold 3.8 million copies, the paper’s stablemates, The Sun, The Times and the Sunday Times, suffered some of their worst circulation figures this year. According … [Read more...] about More Consequences for Rupert Murdoch? Sales of His Other Papers In Great Britain Greatly Sag
2nd Living Medal Of Honor Winner Decorated
President Obama today presented the second Medal Of Honor awarded to a living recipient for service in the war on terror. During operations in 2008 Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry was leading a team of Rangers on a rare daytime operation in Afghanistan's Paktia Province. They came under heavy fire and Petry was shot in both legs but he continued to lead his team and helped a … [Read more...] about 2nd Living Medal Of Honor Winner Decorated
Farewell Gilligan and Mr. Brady
Part of our collective childhood is gone. Sherwood Schwartz, creator of Gilligan and the Brady's has died. Sing a little of Amazing Grace to the tune of Gilligan's Island theme.... … [Read more...] about Farewell Gilligan and Mr. Brady
Boehner Now Says Debt Ceiling is Obama’s Problem
WASHINGTON - Feeling hoodwinked? Bamboozled? Sen. Bernie Sanders was furious on the Stengthen Social Security conference call on Friday. When asked about conversations with the White House, Sanders said they'd been "less than effective" in reaching out. He also called out Obama for reneging on a campaign promise. Sen. Whitehouse went further, not only using the word … [Read more...] about Boehner Now Says Debt Ceiling is Obama’s Problem
Murdoch’s Hacking Scandal: The Man Behind the Curtain
The late ventriloquist Edgar Bergen once did a routine where he told his dummy Charlie McCarthy that someone noted what he “had done for ventriloquism.” Charlie corrected him: someone had noted what he “had done TO ventriloquism.” And so it is for Australian-born international media titan Rupert Murdoch: he has had an impact on journalism but he has done more to it than for it. … [Read more...] about Murdoch’s Hacking Scandal: The Man Behind the Curtain
Upset Brewing In California ?
Today voters in California's 36th district will go to the polls to elect a successor to former Congresswoman Jane Harman. The district is heavily Democratic (in 2008 President Obama won 64% of the vote) and most observers had expected it to be a dull affair from a partisan standpoint. In fact under California law it was possible for the race to boil down to 2 Democrats. The … [Read more...] about Upset Brewing In California ?
Neptune Completes First Orbit Since Discovery
Your moment of geek For the first time since it was discovered by humans in 1846 the planet Neptune has completed an orbit around the sun. … [Read more...] about Neptune Completes First Orbit Since Discovery
Obama Names First Openly Gay West Point Official
President Obama has named West Point graduate Brenda Sue Fulton to the Board of Visitors of West Point. The board, which operates under a 1972 law is empowered to "inquire into the morale and discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the academy that the board decides to consider.". It is made up … [Read more...] about Obama Names First Openly Gay West Point Official
The 112th Congress and a Lot of Nothing (Guest Voice)
The 112th Congress and a Lot of Nothing by Tina Dupuy In 1950 a largely unaccomplished lawmaker from Wisconsin, Senator Joe McCarthy, alleged that Commie sympathizers were infiltrating the U.S. Government and Hollywood. "Communist subversion!" was the claim; Red Scare, the aim. Televised hearings were held. Lives were ruined. No evidence of his accusations was found. … [Read more...] about The 112th Congress and a Lot of Nothing (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: Minnesota Government Shutdown Shows the Sad, Dreadful State of American Partisan Politics
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The New Republic's Walter Shapiro, who notes how the ongoig Minnesota government shutdown underscores the sad, dreadful state of America's mega-partisan politics. Here's the beginning and the end of his piece: It is not the kind of statistic commemorated on a brass plaque at baseball’s Cooperstown or certified by the exacting … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Minnesota Government Shutdown Shows the Sad, Dreadful State of American Partisan Politics
Today, a Grateful Nation Presents Its Highest Military Honor
At a White House ceremony today, Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry will receive the Medal of Honor. He’ll be the fourth soldier to receive that recognition for heroism in the Afghanistan War from President Obama and the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Iraq and Afghan wars, following the award of the Medal to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta last … [Read more...] about Today, a Grateful Nation Presents Its Highest Military Honor
Are They Serious?
The Coot Avengers visit the Moderate Voice. For more Coot Avengers cartoons please visit cootavenges.com. Thanks. Click on the image to make the cartoon larger. This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Are They Serious?
A Grand Bargain
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about A Grand Bargain
Pakistan Hurts U.S. Relations Some More: Threatens to Pull Troops Back from the Afghanistan Border
Pakistan truly seems in danger of creating such a backlash in the United States that even though it remains an important component for Washington in the war in Afghanistan and the war on terror it is on the verge of exploding as a political campaign issue. The latest self-inflicted blow to its worsening image here: an official says Pakistan could simply decide to pull its … [Read more...] about Pakistan Hurts U.S. Relations Some More: Threatens to Pull Troops Back from the Afghanistan Border
Pakistan Further Damages Itself: Holds Doctor Who Tried to Get Bin Laden DNA
Pakistan is now turning itself into a major issue in the United States on two fronts. The administration has held back on a chunk of funding due to some actions many think are not exactly in keeping with the definition of an ally. And it is losing friends quickly in Congress. The latest news that it is holding the doctor who tried collecting bin Laden DNA will make its position … [Read more...] about Pakistan Further Damages Itself: Holds Doctor Who Tried to Get Bin Laden DNA