You're Not Supposed to Be Happy by Tina Dupuy The whole idea of a democracy is accepting you'll never fully get your own way in government. Yes, I know we celebrate the imagined rugged individual pulling on his sole-proprietorship bootstraps fully autonomous while enjoying socialized infrastructure and tax subsidies - it's what makes America great....and charmingly … [Read more...] about You’re Not Supposed to Be Happy (Guest Voice)
Fair Use is Fair Only To The Rich
Everything is a Remix. Don't try telling that to famed photographer Jay Maisel. When Andy Baio released a chiptunes tribute to Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, Kind of Bloop, he used a pixellated re-creation of the original's Maisel cover photo. Maisel, who lives in a six-story, 72-room, 35,000-square-foot lower Manhattan Beaux Arts Gilded Age mansion (for $5,000 you can go … [Read more...] about Fair Use is Fair Only To The Rich
The Month of the Hacker
Almost unnoticed -- save for the front page headlines day after day -- the month of June 2011 has turned into the "Month of the Hacker." Major cyber-attacks have been leveled at the Pentagon, CIA, Sony, PBS, CitiGroup, etcetera (hard to keep up, frankly) and, on Thursday, a major leak of sensitive Arizona police information exposed undercover agents, informants, ongoing … [Read more...] about The Month of the Hacker
Gay Divorce
Amid all the celebrating at the Stonewall Inn and elsewhere, the advent of same-sex marriage in New York stirs in the spouse of and co-author of a book by a divorce lawyer memories of how archaic and brutal that state’s divorce laws have always been. It was only a year ago that New York, which now recognizes the inhumanity of denying legitimacy to those who want to share … [Read more...] about Gay Divorce
A Shark Jumps the Surfer (Video)
You've heard about "jumping the shark?" How about a shark jumping the surfer? Watch this video from Florida: … [Read more...] about A Shark Jumps the Surfer (Video)
Empire State Building Went Rainbow Less Than An Hour After Marriage Bill Passage
How? They were ready to flick the switch because the lights had been changed or installed more than six months ago when the building was last seen sporting that fabulous purple and red glow. Not for Gay Pride, which is celebrated in June across the United States, but for a Further show, according to Phish message boards. A rock band founded in 2009 by Bob Weir and Phil … [Read more...] about Empire State Building Went Rainbow Less Than An Hour After Marriage Bill Passage
Peter Falk (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Peter Falk (Cartoon)
NY Newspapers Herald Historic Change In Same Sex Marriage Bill Passage
Poytner: At least 50,000 people watched the vote via live stream from the Senate, according to a tweet from the legislature’s account. Brian Stelter tweeted: “For the record, per TVEyes: NY same-sex marriage vote was covered for 60+ mins by MSNBC & CNN. It was covered for 2 min by Fox News.” As gathered by Poytner from the Newseum: Several New York … [Read more...] about NY Newspapers Herald Historic Change In Same Sex Marriage Bill Passage
Liberation Animation: Non-Aggression Principle
I recently came across an interesting video clip that does a pretty good job at explaining the Non-Aggression Principle, which is the central principle upon which libertarianism is based. The video was created by Dan, who is the creative director of a website called Liberation Animation. If you like the video, feel free to post it on your own blogs (with proper attribution, … [Read more...] about Liberation Animation: Non-Aggression Principle
Marriage Round-Up
I'm overjoyed this historic Saturday morning; sad only not to be in NYC for Pride weekend. Some other reaction... Steve Benen, the arc of history bends towards justice in N.Y.: The political twists of this process were rather unusual. When Democrats ran the state Senate in the last session, infighting doomed a similar proposal. Now, there’s a Republican majority in … [Read more...] about Marriage Round-Up
New York Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill; Governor Signed Before Midnight
New York has joined Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C., in making same-sex marriage the law of the state. Friday night, the NY Senate passed the historic bill by a 33-29 vote; just before midnight first-year Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law. The law becomes effective July 24, 2011. Thirty-two votes were needed for … [Read more...] about New York Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill; Governor Signed Before Midnight
Be careful what you wish for!
I have said all along that if we were able to drive all the illegal immigrants of of the US we would all starve to death. In May Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed an Arizona like illegal immigrant law which sent illegals fleeing the state. Well guess what? It's looks like I was right. The resulting manpower shortage has forced state farmers to leave millions of dollars’ … [Read more...] about Be careful what you wish for!
New York To Vote On Marriage Equality
It isn't done but it's over. The 33rd Senator just confirmed a YES vote New York stands up for freedom ! ************************************ Amendment has passed 36-26 AP reporting 'Veteran GOP Senator to vote Yes' That should give us vote #33 ************************************************ The debate is currently proceeding on an amendment to provide … [Read more...] about New York To Vote On Marriage Equality
NY Conservative Party Leader: “The Bill’s Going To Pass”
Andy Towle talked to Mike Long, chairman of the NY Conservative Party, earlier this evening: "I'm sorry to say that the bill's going to pass," Long told me in a phone interview minutes ago. He said that the recently released religious liberty amendment would serve as an "excuse for some Sepublican senators to hang their hat on." "I know they've got the 32nd vote, and I … [Read more...] about NY Conservative Party Leader: “The Bill’s Going To Pass”
Slip-n-Slide Concussions and Other Childhood Fun
When I was a child, slip-n-slides were fastened to lawns with large boulders. Consequently, the definition of summer fun was sliding headfirst between 10 pound rocks, at breakneck speeds, on a moistened strip of plastic runway. Currently, this activity is more commonly categorized as child endangerment. The use of boulders built a natural time limit into our wet and wild … [Read more...] about Slip-n-Slide Concussions and Other Childhood Fun
Sec. Clinton Hits a Low, Sen. McConnell Follows
WASHINGTON - The battle over Libya just got uglier, including Gadhafi assassination allegations. But it's the rhetoric of Sec. Clinton and majority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell that sheds light on how we got in this mess in the first place. When Sec. Clinton was first chosen for her job at State some were skeptical she'd have Pres. Obama's back when it was needed. There was … [Read more...] about Sec. Clinton Hits a Low, Sen. McConnell Follows
Fukushima Reconstruction Committee Issues Urgent Global Appeal (Niigata-Nippo Shimbun, Japan)
It may have been largely forgotten by the global media, but the nuclear catastrophe in Japan has not been concluded. This editorial from Japan's Niigata-Nippo Shimbun, packaged with video on the latest assessments on the disaster from both in and out of Japan, offers a glimpse of the ongoing nuclear turmoil confronted by the Japanese people. The Niigata-Nippo Shimbun … [Read more...] about Fukushima Reconstruction Committee Issues Urgent Global Appeal (Niigata-Nippo Shimbun, Japan)
Cantor To Obama: Do As You’re Told
Dear President Obama: We've been very patient with you and your Democratic pals. We've given you plenty of time to do exactly what we want done — stiff the poor and middle class big time without bothering the rich in any way. But even our patience has limits, and these limits have now been reached. So here are your instructions. We've taken taxing the rich off the table. … [Read more...] about Cantor To Obama: Do As You’re Told
Inevitable Catastrophe: The Fruits of Moral Hazard on a Global Scale
Our political and economic systems are de-legitimizing themselves before our very eyes through massive fraud, manipulation, and pervasive governmental intervention on behalf of a small number of citizens and corporations. These current public policies intend to prop up bankrupt corporate entities, bloated bureaucracies, and endless narcissistic speculation on a global … [Read more...] about Inevitable Catastrophe: The Fruits of Moral Hazard on a Global Scale
RIP Peter Falk
The greatest detective ever to work for the LAPD has passed. Feel free to share your favorite episodes and films by the great Mr. Falk … [Read more...] about RIP Peter Falk