Yet more evidence that America's Hispanic population is growing in numbers -- and will likely be growing in political clout: The US Census Bureau reported Thursday that the Hispanic population rose by 15.2 million between 2000 and 2010, accounting for more than half of the nation’s population increase of 27.3 million. Put another way, the Hispanic population grew by 43 … [Read more...] about Hispanic Half of U.S. Population Growth, Census Bureau Says
The Butcher (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to be on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Butcher (Cartoon)
Some Things Fishy
The NYTimes on a new report, “Bait and Switch: How Seafood Fraud Hurts Our Oceans, Our Wallets and Our Health:” Recent studies by researchers in North America and Europe harnessing the new techniques have consistently found that 20 to 25 percent of the seafood products they check are fraudulently identified, fish geneticists say. Labeling regulation means little if the … [Read more...] about Some Things Fishy
Slow-Motion Apocalypse
The world didn’t end last weekend as predicted, but tornadoes have made the middle of America look as if it did. Devastation fills TV screens, making those safe at home aware of how fragile the daily existence we take for granted really is. How do we reconcile going about our days as if we were safe and going to live forever with the knowledge deep in our bones that we walk … [Read more...] about Slow-Motion Apocalypse
Congress Renews Patriot Act, Obama Signs Remotely
Once again afraid to appear soft on terrorism, and evidence (if any was really needed) that the death of Osama bin Laden means nothing to the Beltway "War on Terrorism," Congress passed a four-year extension of the Patriot Act Thursday night. President Obama, in Europe for the G8 summit, "signed" the bill with an autopen machine. The post-9-11 legislation would have expired … [Read more...] about Congress Renews Patriot Act, Obama Signs Remotely
Sharing Means Clout : Urban Outfitters v Indie Artist
From the time an indie artist blogged (and tweeted) that Urban Outfitters had ripped off the design of her Etsy-based necklace line to the time that the ripped-off items were no longer on the Urban Outfitters website: one business day. Stevie Koerner (@imakeshinylove) explains that her United/World of Love line, sold on Etsy, enabled her to quit her day job. But, she told her … [Read more...] about Sharing Means Clout : Urban Outfitters v Indie Artist
Paul Ryan & The Republicans’ Cry Of Desperation
To say that the Republican Party has made a hash of things since its mid-term election victories six months ago is an understatement, and it's clear that the series of self-inflicted disasters it has suffered since then stem from the mistaken notion that the victories were a mandate. They were no such thing. What the victories were was a stew of anger, resentment and … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan & The Republicans’ Cry Of Desperation
Quote of the Day: What the Controversy Revealed About Ed Schultz and Laura Ingraham
Our political Quote of the comes from The Nation's John Nichols who echoes what I wrote in my post yesterday about conservative talker Laura Ingraham accepting liberal talker Ed Schultz's apology for calling her a "right wing slut" -- which led to his one week suspension from his MSNBC show. Here's the first part of his piece and I've boldfaced the relevant … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: What the Controversy Revealed About Ed Schultz and Laura Ingraham
Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real (Guest Voice)
Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real by Tina Dupuy According to Oakland, California’s Harold Camping, the Rapture was supposed to hit American Samoa (the location of the International Dateline) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Despite what all the billboards claimed, that would have been 11 p.m. PST on Friday for the west coast. And from there the Rapture was … [Read more...] about Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real (Guest Voice)
Sarah Palin “Fire in My Belly” (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin “Fire in My Belly” (Cartoon)
Scarborough Fair
Are you going ? … [Read more...] about Scarborough Fair
The Great Stagnation
From a terrific Business Week profile of economist, academic, and blogger Tyler Cowen: The Great Stagnation runs through three centuries' worth of what Cowen calls the "low-hanging fruit" of economic growth: free land, technological breakthroughs, and smart kids waiting to be educated. For developed economies, he argues, none of these remains to be plucked. Yet America, … [Read more...] about The Great Stagnation
We HAVE Gotten the Message
Karl Rove thinks Republicans need a more "populist" narrative on Medicare (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about We HAVE Gotten the Message
Did U.S. ‘Frame’ Strauss-Kahn Over IMF Economic Forecasts? (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Leave it to Beijing to raise the bar on Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy theories. When a publication run by the Chinese government publishes an article like this, it's a sure sign that U.S.-China economic and political relations are in the midst of a very rough patch. Did the United States 'frame' Dominique Strauss-Kahn because of IMF forecasts of U.S. economic frailty and … [Read more...] about Did U.S. ‘Frame’ Strauss-Kahn Over IMF Economic Forecasts? (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
This Memorial Day Weekend, Get Off the Beaten Path
Last fall we traveled throughout France, enjoying the beauty of her countryside, her idyllic villages and pastoral hamlets, her historic castles and abbeys, and the glitz of places like Cannes, Nice and St. Tropez. I could tell you all about it, but I am sure you’ve heard it all before. Instead, on this Memorial Day weekend, permit me to write a few words about a sight … [Read more...] about This Memorial Day Weekend, Get Off the Beaten Path
Reality Check for Paul Ryan and Palin: Their Move
In these Alice-in-Wonderland days, occasional signs of sanity emerge, such as the Democratic victory in a traditionally Republican upstate New York House district, fueled by voter worries about Medicare and a Tea Party candidate on the ballot drawing just enough votes to make the difference. This used to be known as shooting yourself in the foot, but that won’t deter John … [Read more...] about Reality Check for Paul Ryan and Palin: Their Move
The Aftermath of NY-26, Looking Ahead to 2012
A few quick hits as we all try to sort out the meaning of yesterday's Democratic victory in New York's heavily Republican 26th Congressional District: Politico: "Have Democrats cracked the code for 2012?" Nate Silver, NYT/538: "Six Months After Midterm Disaster, Hopeful Signs for Democrats." Steve Benen sums it up: "What we saw in Buffalo was a test -- how is the … [Read more...] about The Aftermath of NY-26, Looking Ahead to 2012
A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
THIS STATEMENT of support from an admirer of Paul Ryan will not help him with many independent voters, moderate voters and will probably re-energize Democrats everywhere. … [Read more...] about A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
The Corruption of the Gingriches
So you remember that huge no-interest revolving charge account Tiffany gave Newt Gingrich? Well, even with Tiffany's explanation and The Newt's dismissals, the story just doesn't make any sense. It's still not clear how it worked and why the Gingriches needed it (other than to buy lots of really, really expensive jewelry, though they surely have enough money of their own not to … [Read more...] about The Corruption of the Gingriches
Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)
This case has been closely watched by those involved on both sides of the illegal immigration debate. It involves an Arizona law known as the Legal Arizona Workers Act that requires employers to use E-Verify to ascertain the legal status of prospective employees and provides for sanctions, including revocation of state business licenses, for those who do not, and who … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)