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?
Declaration Disclaimer: How Fast Is Too Fast to Change?
The document Americans celebrate today starts with a cautionary note: “Prudence, indeed,” warns the Declaration of Independence, “will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by … [Read more...] about Declaration Disclaimer: How Fast Is Too Fast to Change?
Some Thoughts at the End of Our Independence Day Celebration
On previous Independence Days I have expressed my thoughts and feelings about the day’s significance in several forums. As the day of independence of my adopted country, this occasion has always been very special to me. This year, I happened to spend the weeks leading up to this Fourth of July weekend in my native country visiting relatives, enjoying its magnificent natural … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts at the End of Our Independence Day Celebration
The Real Guilt Of DSK
Three things immediately come to mind about the Dominique Strauss-Kahn Affair. The first is the question of who's handling the guy's public relations. Whoever they are they really knows their business. Between placements in high profile and usually qualify pubs, and feeds to the tabs, the media campaign to exonerate DSK and denigrate his accuser is one of the best I've ever … [Read more...] about The Real Guilt Of DSK
Coney Island Is Not on a Roll
There's a toilet paper shortage at Coney Island. … [Read more...] about Coney Island Is Not on a Roll
Helmetless Motorcyclist Dies Protesting Helmet Laws
On a NY ride with 550 other motorcycles, he fishtailed and flipped over the handlebars of his 1983 Harley Davidson. His head hit the pavement: “The medical expert we discussed the case with who pronounced him deceased stated that he would’ve no doubt survived the accident had he been wearing a helmet,” state Trooper Jack Keller told ABC News 9 in Syracuse. James Joyner is … [Read more...] about Helmetless Motorcyclist Dies Protesting Helmet Laws
Happy Fourth of July (Guest Voice)
Happy Fourth of July by Martha Randolph Carr It’s Independence Day again across America and it’s an interesting time for the idea of democracy. Perhaps more than at any other time in our relatively short history it’s become important how we talk about our grand American experiment and our collective experience. There’s a school of thought that says whatever you give your … [Read more...] about Happy Fourth of July (Guest Voice)
Clinton Advises Obama on Debt Ceiling Battle
"Don't blink!" is the advice. Former President Bill Clinton Saturday night urged President Obama not to "blink" at Republican demands to exclude revenue increases from any agreement to extend the government's debt ceiling. If Republicans maintain their opposition to revenue increases, Clinton said, Obama should pursue a short-term deal to extend the debt … [Read more...] about Clinton Advises Obama on Debt Ceiling Battle
What Our Declaration Really Means
WASHINGTON -- Our nation confronts a challenge this Fourth of July that we face but rarely: We are at odds over the meaning of our history and why, to quote our Declaration of Independence, "governments are instituted." Only divisions this deep can explain why we are taking risks with our country's future we're usually wise enough to avoid. Arguments over how much … [Read more...] about What Our Declaration Really Means
A Coot 4th of July
Happy 4th of July! 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 A Coot 4th of July
Fox News Twitter Account Hacked; Falsely Reports President Obama Shot
Not good. Robin Wauters at TechCrunch: [S]ome stupid kids – actual age unknown – have taken over the (verified) @FoxNewPolitics Twitter account and posted a series of messages declaring U.S. President Barack Obama dead on the eve of the Fourth of July, the national day of the United States. The ‘hackers’ appear to have taken over the account around 2 AM Eastern time, and … [Read more...] about Fox News Twitter Account Hacked; Falsely Reports President Obama Shot
On Being America
For the 4th of July weekend, On Being's Krista Tippett replayed a 2003 interview with author and philosopher Jacob Needleman. They discussed his book, The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders. The program was titled, The Inward Work of Democracy. From the transcript: Mr. Jacob Needleman: What's interesting about [Frederick] Douglass, why he should be an icon … [Read more...] about On Being America
Dueling Fireworks Shows (Cartoon)
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