Christiane Amanpour hosted an excellent roundtable this morning on This Week that explored the following observation: You'd be hard-pressed to find a sex scandal involving a female politician these days, which begs the question, what if there were more women in politics and in positions of power? Would they change the way business is done from Wall Street to Washington and … [Read more...] about Warning: When Gender Parity is Legislated, Voting For Female Candidates Based Solely on Gender Is Mistake
Anthony Weiner’s Necessary Lies: Let’s Get Honest About Deceit
I believed Anthony Weiner even as everyone else saw through his whopper of a lie. Now we can all agree that his actions were smarmy. The emerging consensus is he should resign or he'll be redistricted out even as we must also know that on the scale of slimy behavior by politicians, Weiner's offenses are no greater -- or even far less offensive -- than those of Arnold, John, … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner’s Necessary Lies: Let’s Get Honest About Deceit
Bachmann-Palin: Twilight of the Female Republican Gods? (News, Switzerland)
With Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann being seen by some as serious contenders for the presidency, are Republicans running the risk of damaging the chances of future Republican women seeking America's highest office? For Switzerland's News, columnist Patrik Etschmayer writes that the historic, history-related gaffes of both Palin and Bachmann may weigh very heavily on the … [Read more...] about Bachmann-Palin: Twilight of the Female Republican Gods? (News, Switzerland)
Peeping Tommys and Non-Thomists
We need to define our terms, here. [Note: there are a very few "bad" and uncomfortable words contained herein, and if such words cause you grief, please read no further. ~ HW] The Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli, 1486 Allow me to make a very late addition to Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary: Erotic, n.: MY sexual fantasies. Perversion, n.: YOUR sexual … [Read more...] about Peeping Tommys and Non-Thomists
A New Kind of Immigration in Alabama
As a native of Alabama, I'm accustomed to seeing my home state get in the national news for less than positive reasons. We've done it again with passage of a tough new illegal immigration law. In today's Birmingham News, see my latest editorial cartoon on what happens next in Alabama. … [Read more...] about A New Kind of Immigration in Alabama
More Weiner Photos: Used Congressional Gym As Backdrop
More photos of Rep. Anthony Weiner. Despite some Democrats insisting he should remain in place because GOPers who've had scandals are still there, it's increasingly hard to see how he can continue to serve since he is truly becoming a major distraction in terms of news media because he's obliterating his party's other, more important messages. He is the news story that … [Read more...] about More Weiner Photos: Used Congressional Gym As Backdrop
Gabrielle Giffords’ Progress: New Photos of Her Released
Recent reports suggest that Rep. Gabby Giffords' is unlikely to resume her political career soon -- but she has made progress. And her Facebook page now posts THESE PHOTOS her. And the photos are inspiring friends and strangers. … [Read more...] about Gabrielle Giffords’ Progress: New Photos of Her Released
Watch Tonight: ‘Book of Mormon’ Is a Problem for Tony Censors
You will want to watch tonight's Tony Aawards (8 P.M., CBS). This will be the second time Neil Patrick Harris is hosting. He won an Emmy for the last time (and another for a guest appearance on Glee). He's also hosted Spike’s Video Game Awards, the TV Land Awards and the Emmys. And he showed up in the opening number of the Oscars. On June 23, he will host at the LGBT … [Read more...] about Watch Tonight: ‘Book of Mormon’ Is a Problem for Tony Censors
Dog Gone Love Story
The death this week of a multimillionaire lapdog puts a furry period to the end of a greed-is-good tale that now seems ancient history. In the rare world of canine obituaries, the small Maltese named Trouble rates attention, not only for her wealth but as a reminder of the heartless rapacity that led to the depressed economy we now inhabit. Trouble was bequeathed $12 … [Read more...] about Dog Gone Love Story
Economic Outlook
So what's your economic outlook? … [Read more...] about Economic Outlook
Weiner To Take Leave From House
Word coming out now that Congresscritter Weiner is going to seek a leave of absence from the House to obtain professional help. This could be a step towards eventual resignation when he decides to step down 'on the advice of my doctors'. … [Read more...] about Weiner To Take Leave From House
Anthony Weiner’s Existing Democratic Support Collapses
It sounds like Rep. Anthony Weiner might start measuring the drapes -- not to move in but because he's getting political curtains. After it came out that he had been in contact with a 17-year-old girl online his existing support within the Democratic Party is now collapsing and this includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Although police, Weiner and the girl's parents … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner’s Existing Democratic Support Collapses
Has Target Lost Its Cool?
The great newsweekly The Week asks: Has Target Lost Its Cool? and gives us (as usual) an informative roundup. The point made about JC Penny is a good one. I'm increasingly drawn to that store, although I also like Target. But Target has lost some of its aura. When I worked as a staff reporter on the then-Knight Ridder newspaper The Wichita Eagle (which later merged with … [Read more...] about Has Target Lost Its Cool?
A Lithium Charge For The Auto Industry
Everyone knows about cocaine and Coca Cola. But are we equally aware of the history of lithium in 7-Up? Seth Fletcher, author of, "Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars and the New Lithium Economy," fills us in: [Lithium] was used as sort of a curative in the late 19th century. I mean, it was a mineral water. And it was added to soft drinks. Actually, 7-Up was … [Read more...] about A Lithium Charge For The Auto Industry
Trophy Wife Trouble vs. Quickie Thrills
A very un-Weiner problem arises as Newt’s campaign staff quits “in protest of what they felt was a takeover by Callista Gingrich, the candidate’s wife since 2000.” The partisan contrast is striking. The Gingrich rebellion recalls Fred Thompson’s 2008 implosion when interference by his young spouse (“the Jeri factor”) brought down his listless campaign, and even Rudy … [Read more...] about Trophy Wife Trouble vs. Quickie Thrills
More Weiner Problems: Admits He Had Online Contact With 17 Year Old Girl
Rep. Anthony Weiner's big political problems in the controversy swirling around his sending Twitters to women have just become worse with the news that he has confirmed that he had sent Tweets to a 17 year old girl. Even if the content was harmless the optics of this within the context of the other inappropriate Tweets are terrible: Representative Anthony D. Weiner said … [Read more...] about More Weiner Problems: Admits He Had Online Contact With 17 Year Old Girl
Coming in September: The U.N. ‘Train Wreck’ Over Palestine (El Pais, Spain)
Will the U.N. General Assembly recognize a Palestinian state when it reconvenes in September? And if it does, what will the fallout when the United States - as President Obama has said it will do - vetoes the resolution? For Spain's El Pais, columnist Louis Bassets warns that one of the consequences may be an even greater gulf between America and Europe. For El Pais, Louis … [Read more...] about Coming in September: The U.N. ‘Train Wreck’ Over Palestine (El Pais, Spain)
Qaddafi’s ‘Heartfelt’ Letters to Congress and to the President (UPDATED)
Would you---if you were a politician---be thrilled to get a thank you letter from Osama bin Laden? Well, according to the New York Times, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi has sent exactly such a letter to members of Congress. The three-page letter thanks members of Congress for criticizing President Obama last week over his involvement in the NATO-led military campaign in … [Read more...] about Qaddafi’s ‘Heartfelt’ Letters to Congress and to the President (UPDATED)
Europe’s Contributions to Afghanistan Should be Recognized
President Obama is to blame for the "hollowing out of the trans-Atlantic partnership", which has degenerated into "empty symbolism" to the effect that "there is no alliance on any of the major issues of the day." This is the thesis of Russell Berman, professor at Stanford and senior policy fellow at the Hoover Institution. Writing for the popular … [Read more...] about Europe’s Contributions to Afghanistan Should be Recognized
SARAH PALIN, MY GODDESS
A very smart and respected co-blogger on TMV (who happens to live a modest drive from me in Arizona) recently broached the subject of the former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate. I agree that she’s great at self-promotion . She’s a very successful self-made entrepreneur because she fully understands America’s 24/7 info-entertainment news Media. … [Read more...] about SARAH PALIN, MY GODDESS