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
Michigan Republican State Senator: Let Foster Kids Buy All Their Clothes in Thrift Shops
I'll be very interested to see in 2012 how the tone of what some Republicans are suggesting will play with independent voters. Here's the latest idea that a mainstream elected public official would never have dare voiced even two years ago: Foster children in Michigan would use their state-funded clothing allowance only in thrift stores under a plan suggested by State … [Read more...] about Michigan Republican State Senator: Let Foster Kids Buy All Their Clothes in Thrift Shops
A Harsh Light But No New Revelations On Guantánamo & Bush Torture Regime
For those of us who have written extensively about the so-called War on Terror and its demented bastard child, the Bush Torture Regime, the latest revelations about the detainees at Guantánamo Bay break little new ground but are a reminder that while things have gotten better under the Obama administration, the president has not broken completely with the past despite campaign … [Read more...] about A Harsh Light But No New Revelations On Guantánamo & Bush Torture Regime
A Black Icon Seen In A New Light: Manning Marable’s ‘Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention’
The greatest compliment anyone can pay me is to say I'm rresponsible, because by responsible they mean Negroes who are responsible to white authorities. ~ MALCOLM X There is a lingering fallacy among white people that there has to be a single African-American who can speak for all blacks. Were that true, Dr. Martin Luther King and W.E.B. Du Bois would qualify as the black … [Read more...] about A Black Icon Seen In A New Light: Manning Marable’s ‘Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention’
On The Economic Front
Even the old Reagan people are worried about the Tea Party lawmakers. Bruce Bartlett: As the almost inevitable debt default is perhaps only weeks away, Wall Street types are finally becoming nervous. They should have known that supporting a bunch of not-too-bright, ignorant Tea Party members to Congress was not going to work out well. I tried to warn them. David Stockman … [Read more...] about On The Economic Front
Gabrielle Giffords Cleared to Attend Husband’s Endeavour Launch
Several sources are reporting that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will attend her husband’s Endeavour space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral on Friday---a launch that President Obama and the first family are also expected to attend. This would be the first time that Giffords is allowed to travel since she was flown from Tucson to Houston more than three months ago to recover from … [Read more...] about Gabrielle Giffords Cleared to Attend Husband’s Endeavour Launch
The Brutality of the Syrian Regime in Video
It's hard to put into words the reaction to seeing a video that shows a young boy with a horrorific head wound -- from which he will never recover, let alone survive. But that's just part of what is now going on in Syria as the regime bloodly clamps down. Go to the link HERE to see that video and others. … [Read more...] about The Brutality of the Syrian Regime in Video
California Governor Jerry Brown and Taxes (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized publication prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Governor Jerry Brown and Taxes (Cartoon)
The Real Story of Gabriella Giffords’ Progress
There's been a lot of speculation, tidbits and just plain guessing about the condition of Arizona Rep. Gabriella Giffords, who was shot in January. And now the Arizona Republic, in an extensive report, details exactly where she is and isn't. It is progress -- and she has a way to go. Here's some of the beginning of the article: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is left-handed … [Read more...] about The Real Story of Gabriella Giffords’ Progress
The Big Historic Event: Syria’s Biggest Crisis in 40 Years
The Big Historical Event: Syria's Biggest Crisis in 40 Years by Barry Rubin Yesterday Syria entered its biggest internal crisis since 1970. The regime has come out to crush the insurrection. Either it will succeed by killing many people or the insurrection will build into a real potential revolution. And the Western states are doing...precisely zero. One Syrian expert … [Read more...] about The Big Historic Event: Syria’s Biggest Crisis in 40 Years
Happy Easter (Guest Voice)
Happy Easter by Martha Randolph Carr There are certain times throughout the year that lend themselves to reflecting on what has been and creating a new plan for what will come next. Easter is one of those natural defining moments for many Americans everywhere. We forgive a little more easily and wonder just what might be possible. However, unlike the New Year’s … [Read more...] about Happy Easter (Guest Voice)
Comical Corrections
Jack Shafer tweets this doozy from the NYTimes Week In Review section: … [Read more...] about Comical Corrections
Trump’s Mixed Blessing: A Flashback
Billy Graham's son and successor says the Donald may be his "candidate of choice" for the Presidency, stirring memories of how the fabled minister got his start as the spiritual advisor to Presidents. In backing Trump, the Grahams would be coming full circle on gambling casinos from a founder of Las Vegas to the honcho of Atlantic City. In 1940s after starting out as a … [Read more...] about Trump’s Mixed Blessing: A Flashback