This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Murdoch Phone Hacker (Cartoon)
After DSK Affair, Feminists Issue New Political Demands (Le Monde, France)
Although rape charges against former IMF chief Dominique-Strauss Kahn may be dropped, the case has triggered a reawakening among French feminists, and according to Le Monde special correspondent Catherine Simon, they have issued a set of demands to put to all candidates in France's 2012 presidential election. For Le Monde, from the Summer conference of Feminist Movements in … [Read more...] about After DSK Affair, Feminists Issue New Political Demands (Le Monde, France)
Last Shuttle Launch
The last shuttle launch is on the horizon. The schedule calls for a launch at 11:23 am on Friday (Eastern Time) but the weather does not look to cooperate (70% chance of a scrub). But I do expect a launch this weekend Details can be found at the NASA website … [Read more...] about Last Shuttle Launch
Media Mughal Murdoch Feels The Heat: Editor Arrested (UPDATED)
More trouble for the Australian-American media mughal Rupert Murdoch and his family. It is likely that Andy Coulson, a former News Of The World editor who most recently worked as the chief spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron’s government, would be arrested Friday on suspicion of illegally paying the police for information during his editorship of Murdoch-owned … [Read more...] about Media Mughal Murdoch Feels The Heat: Editor Arrested (UPDATED)
Is Any Way To Run A Railroad? (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Is Any Way To Run A Railroad? (Cartoon)
A Republican Party Torn Apart
A Pew Poll just out this morning reports has some numbers showing that a really surprising number of Republican voters want to keep Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. It's more important to keep these two programs than it is to reduce the deficit. On the broad question of whether it is more important to reduce the budget deficit or to maintain current Medicare … [Read more...] about A Republican Party Torn Apart
What Do You Do With A Busted Rupert?
What do you do with a busted Murdoch What do you do with a busted Murdoch What do you do with a busted Murdoch Earl-aye in the mor-nin? YouTube video here Astonishing as it is to believe, Rupert Murdoch's organization finally managed to commit an act of sleaze so egregious that it even offended public morality. Ironic, that. You already know the tale: after a long, … [Read more...] about What Do You Do With A Busted Rupert?
Get Out of Afghanistan & Iraq, Tax Mil-Billionaires, Then We’ll Talk About Entitlements
WASHINGTON - Shooting for another accomplishment, Pres. Obama expects his "broader deal" bravery to impress Independents, while pundits and elites nod seriously saying, "It had to be done." Meanwhile, the House Progressive Caucus is sending Obama another message: no, we won't. As you know by now, Lori Montgomery's reporting broke big news today: As part of his pitch, … [Read more...] about Get Out of Afghanistan & Iraq, Tax Mil-Billionaires, Then We’ll Talk About Entitlements
Become a “Blue Republican” (Just for a Year)
The world lost its goodwill toward the USA when Americans voted for George W. Bush the second time around. I don't endorse the idea that American politics should be dictated by foreign opinions but a reading of the foreign press over the last six years reveals that the first election of President Bush Jr. was largely excused around the world since no one could have known … [Read more...] about Become a “Blue Republican” (Just for a Year)
Murder, the New Soap Opera
In 17 years since the O.J. trial, media fascination with murder has morphed from classic elements as fame, race and sexual rage to pathetic obsession with the death of a little girl and the guilt of her possibly disturbed young mother. Now the Casey Anthony verdict brings into focus the extent to which reality TV has infected the daylight hours, supplementing inexpensive … [Read more...] about Murder, the New Soap Opera
Debt Ceiling Negotiations: Of Third Rails
As the debt ceiling chicken game gets closer to the wire (four weeks from... today?), the Obama Administration now proposes significant reforms (read "cuts") to Medicare and Social Security. And even Eric Cantor seems to have "gone crazy" by considering closing tax loopholes. Desperate times/measures? Rather than jump on the President for selling out once again, on this … [Read more...] about Debt Ceiling Negotiations: Of Third Rails
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)
Mavericks (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Mavericks (Cartoon)
John Adams: ‘It Is More Important That Innocence Be Protected Than It Is That Guilt Be Punished’
Twitter reaction to the verdict is stark. Just one percent agree with it. Casey could be set free today. This John Adams quote is worth remembering: It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, … [Read more...] about John Adams: ‘It Is More Important That Innocence Be Protected Than It Is That Guilt Be Punished’
Washington Dysfunction: A Scorecard
WASHINGTON -- Here's why getting to a deal on the debt ceiling is so complicated. President Obama's main goal is to get through this fight with the government still running and his support from the political center intact, even if this means substantial concessions to Republicans. House Republican leaders want to get by without inciting a revolt among … [Read more...] about Washington Dysfunction: A Scorecard
Microsoft + Skype + Facebook : Cause For Celebration, Yawn or Alarm?
In 2007, Microsoft invested $240 million to buy 1.6 percent of Facebook (preferred stock purchase; FB has yet to go public). The deal bought Microsoft closer access to Facebook's ad revenue; at the time MySpace was still the largest online social network. Facebook attracted 30.6 million U.S. visitors during September [2007] compared with 68.4 million at MySpace. … [Read more...] about Microsoft + Skype + Facebook : Cause For Celebration, Yawn or Alarm?
European Union Mustn’t Allow China to Fill U.S. Military Void (El Semanal, Spain)
In what has been cropping up as a pretty consistent narrative from Europeans since President Obama announced that U.S. forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan, Enrique Arias Vega of Spain's El Semanal writes that after all that America has done for Europe, Europe must step up and fill the security void the U.S. is about to create - or cede the ground to Beijing. For El … [Read more...] about European Union Mustn’t Allow China to Fill U.S. Military Void (El Semanal, Spain)
The Civil Cold War
The only difference is that nobody's shooting: the secessionism is the same. Just ask the citizens of Minnesota. The free "Right Wing Doonesbury" doesn't even bother with humor on July 1. "When the just say 'no'"??!? Paranoid marxo-nazi fantasies are "just"??? But forget the idiocy of an unfunny comic strip predicated on "attractive young adults" lolling around in their … [Read more...] about The Civil Cold War
America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Is China the victim of a campaign mounted by the United States to turn the nations adjacent to the South China Sea against Beijing? According to columnist Liang Fengming of China's state-run Huanqui, the U.S. is seeking to demonize China by inflaming territorial disputes between China and other states like Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea and others - which are … [Read more...] about America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Major Quake Strikes New Zeland Region
A quake with a magnitudeof 7.8 has struck off the coast of New Zeland prompting a series of tsunami warnings for New Zeland and Tonga. The poor people have already suffered greatly, prayers that this does not result in any more suffering. … [Read more...] about Major Quake Strikes New Zeland Region