Why we hesr so little about Japan these days, from On The Media: BROOKE GLADSTONE: Steve Coll covered his fair share of natural disaster and war in his decades as foreign correspondent at The Washington Post, and he found that there is a template for many stories, no matter how harrowing. In his experience, earthquake and disaster coverage, in general, follow a 12-day … [Read more...] about Disasterous News Cycle
Prime Minister Layton ?
Polls in the Canadian elections show the NDP surging to an unexpected 2nd place finish with Conservatives in 1st place, Liberals in 3rd. If true this would likely mean a coalition government with the NDP and Liberals and as leader of the bigger party NDP leader Jack Layton would be in position to become the first NDP Prime Minister. It would also mean a sharp leftward … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Layton ?
Canada: The Wasteland
If a new Angus Reid Poll is an accurate snapshot of where the country is today, then we are -- as the first George Bush used to say -- "in deep doo-doo." According to the poll, the majority of Canadians believe that "the worst are full of passionate intensity," while "the best lack all conviction." Jaideep Mukerji, the vice president of Angus Reid, summarized the results of the … [Read more...] about Canada: The Wasteland
Did Prop 8 Advocates Make A Mistake ?
The latest in the Proposition 8 battle is a filing by supporters which argues that the ruling by Judge Walker should be set aside because he is gay and has a partner. The logic being that he could have benefited from the ruling by marrying and thus he should not have ruled, or at least should have disclosed his sexuality and relationship status (both from what I understand … [Read more...] about Did Prop 8 Advocates Make A Mistake ?
Mississippi Handles Westboro Idiots
The next time you feel like calling all Southerners prejudiced maybe you ought to check this story out. What a remarkable series of coincidences.... … [Read more...] about Mississippi Handles Westboro Idiots
What in Hell Is Going On?
Or perhaps I should ask, “What is going on with hell?” In a macabre way, Hell has always been popular. But it seems that recently more and more people are hell-bent on talking and writing about that lovely piece of real estate “down under.” For example, Ross Douthat at the New York Times, afraid that “belief in hell lags well behind and the fear of damnation seems to … [Read more...] about What in Hell Is Going On?
Realist Haley Barbour Won’t Run for President in 2012
Haley Barbour remains one of the most fascinating characters in American politics. He is the quintessential insider, political operative, lobbyist -- but above all he is a hard-nosed pro, hard-nosed and smart enough to make Karl Rove look like his intern. So today Barbour did what many analylsts (including me) expected he'd do: he looked at the cards in his hand, saw what he … [Read more...] about Realist Haley Barbour Won’t Run for President in 2012
TWIDDLING OUR THUMBS UNTIL 12/21/12.
There might be an explanation for our society’s massive disinterest in sanely talking about – yet alone tackling - any and all major issues. Our society is stuck on a broken status quo that needs a complete overhaul but too many of us are afraid of change. Thus a small minority among us continues their incredibly avaricious, greedy, nihilistic, out-in-the open fraudulent … [Read more...] about TWIDDLING OUR THUMBS UNTIL 12/21/12.
Barack OJimmy (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Barack OJimmy (Cartoon)
Donald Trump’s New Campaign Venue
Donald Trump has a new campaign venue: his show The Celebrity Apprentice. And so far NBC seems to be turning the other way on equal time rules or even how it treated another celebrity who wanted to run for President. … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s New Campaign Venue
Iran Rescue Attempt Plus 30
Just a little historical footnote, it was 30 years ago that we tried, and failed, to rescue the hostages in Iran Video of the President's statement on the attempt. … [Read more...] about Iran Rescue Attempt Plus 30
America’s Economy — From Best Of The Best To Not The Worst Of The Pack In A Single Generation
Let me start by noting a few things about myself. I'm not the ugliest guy on the planet. Not the dumbest, Not the most indigent. I'm not the most devoid of any characteristic usually thought of as desirable. Does that make me a world class kind of guy? Alas, no. Now let's see how this personal evaluation formula stacks up against an evaluation of the present U.S. … [Read more...] about America’s Economy — From Best Of The Best To Not The Worst Of The Pack In A Single Generation
Will Trade with ‘U.S. Imperialists’ Damage Colombian Interests? (Semana, Colombia)
Will the free trade deal recently agreed to by the Colombia and the White House actually hurt Colombia? According to this roundup of Colombian reaction by columnist Antonio Caballero of Semana, some Colombians sense a 'whiff of imperialism' in concessions that force Colombia to protect trade unionists, which will diminish the one real trade advantage Colombia has - cheap labor. … [Read more...] about Will Trade with ‘U.S. Imperialists’ Damage Colombian Interests? (Semana, Colombia)
Donald Trump Calls Karl Rove A “Loser” and Says It’s Time For Rove To Retire
And now, kiddies, the latest chapter in American's unfolding leap into the politically beneficial politics of outrageousness as Donald Trump calls GOP political maven Karl Rove a "loser" in a statement to the conservative news site Newsmax.com, continues to wave the flag of birtherism, continues its expansion and says Rove should retire: "Karl Rove is a loser. He is … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Calls Karl Rove A “Loser” and Says It’s Time For Rove To Retire
“US Budget Scylla And Charybdis” cartoon by Kay Wood
Just click on the cartoon and it’ll show the cartoon full size. This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about “US Budget Scylla And Charybdis” cartoon by Kay Wood
Supreme Court Nixes Considering Health Care Reform Law At This Time
The U.S. Supreme court has nixed a request by Virginia to rule on the controversial health care reform law -- which means the case will continue to work its way through lower courts and most likely be considered later. It's not a surprise that the court rejected it but this ruling suggests the issue could come for a ruling in 2012 -- election year. The Supreme Court on … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Nixes Considering Health Care Reform Law At This Time
Arab Spring, End of Long American Winter?
In this season of renewal, the American spirit is still bleak, but there are small signs of brightness ahead. New polls show a "dour public mood is dragging down ratings for both parties in Congress and for President Obama," with lawmakers' approval rating at 17 percent, near an all-time low. In contrast to an Arab Spring, no matter what daffodils and forsythia are … [Read more...] about Arab Spring, End of Long American Winter?
GOP Peeps (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about GOP Peeps (Cartoon)
A Baby Laughing at Half Speed (Video)
What is more infectuous than the sound of a baby's laughter? How about the sound of a baby's laughter a HALF SPEED? … [Read more...] about A Baby Laughing at Half Speed (Video)
Why “False Choices” Still Matter
WASHINGTON -- The idea that "false choices" are distorting our politics is under attack. I want to defend the concept for both substantive and personal reasons. The canary in the coal mine was my colleague Ruth Marcus' column on March 31 in which she argued directly: "It's time to retire the false choice." "As a rhetorical device, particularly as a political … [Read more...] about Why “False Choices” Still Matter