The United States Constitution requires that before the Commander-in-Chief, the President, can go to war, Congress must declare war. Congress has done so five times in US history. In the latest issue of The Week, there's a discussion of whether, by precedent, especially since World War II, Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution has been effectively abrogated. You can find … [Read more...] about Congress, the President, and the Power to Make War
Another Letter from Donald Trump?
After New York Times columnist Gail Collins wrote a blistering yet candid column in the Times mocking Donald Trump's presidential aspirations and debunking the tenets of his sudden "birther" epiphany, Trump immediately fired back a letter to The Times lashing out at Collins---insulting the lady. Trump's rambling letter broke just about every one of the Times' rules on … [Read more...] about Another Letter from Donald Trump?
Karl Rove answers Trump: Trump has “Losing Strategy” that’s “Beneath Him”
Karl Rove underscores what a lot of analysts have noted: Trump's campaign is "beneath him" given his accomplishes. And he still calls it a "losing strategy...I don't think he's a serious candidate...How many times have we heard Donald Trump pretend throw his hat in the ring?" Rove also correctly notes Trump's past positions -- which make Mitt Romney look totally … [Read more...] about Karl Rove answers Trump: Trump has “Losing Strategy” that’s “Beneath Him”
The Political Surge of Donald Trump
Donald Trump has jumped the barrier at the same time he has jumped the shark. He has gleefully embraced not just birtherism, but raised questions about Barack Obama’s education and whether or not Obama wrote his second book. The consequence? Trump is surging in Republican polls. He’s surging as Obama is seemingly tanking. Both the Gallup Poll and a new Washington Post/ABC … [Read more...] about The Political Surge of Donald Trump
Poll: Economy Political Threat to Obama Re-Election but Still Ahead of Republican Rivals
You can't beat somebody with nobody. But you can beat somebody. Somebody named Barack Obama. That seems to be the gist of a new ABC News/Washington Post poll that shows Obama is increasingly politically vulnerable due to the still-ailing economy -- but GOPers still way behind.. And another take on it by a crew of analysts suggests Obama's sagging numbers are due to him … [Read more...] about Poll: Economy Political Threat to Obama Re-Election but Still Ahead of Republican Rivals
Mexico: The Birthplace of U.S. Interventionism (La Jornada, Mexico)
For those seeking to understand the growing suspicion in Mexico that the "drug war" is being used as a pretext for U.S. intervention if not outright invasion, this article by Gilberto Lopez y Rivas of Mexico's La Jornada will undoubtedly prove illuminating. This is history from a Mexican point of view - and it is anything but flattering to the the United States. For La … [Read more...] about Mexico: The Birthplace of U.S. Interventionism (La Jornada, Mexico)
Budget Negotiations (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Budget Negotiations (Cartoon)
Republicans: Obama is a Big Meanie
WASHINGTON - Economic news is Pres. Obama's toughest challenger for 2012, because Republicans are proving that as disgruntled as some are with our President, the GOP's message machine is on life support. This Washington Examiner editorial made me laugh out loud. The headline is: Mean streak: Obama is not as nice as he looks. This is news? Evidently the Republicans never … [Read more...] about Republicans: Obama is a Big Meanie
Yo Global Warming Deniers: If The Galt Fits Then Wear It
There were two literary sensations during my college years -- J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings and Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I took to Tolkein like a fish to water, but even my work-in-progress intellect recoiled at Rand's belief system, which she called Objectivism and I called deeply flawed. Fast forward 40 years and Rand is back in fashion. Or perhaps never fell … [Read more...] about Yo Global Warming Deniers: If The Galt Fits Then Wear It
Crowdsourcing the U.S.
Today Google Map Maker becomes available in the U.S. With Map Maker, any Google user can add details to maps of university campuses, biking and walking trails or any other points of interest beyond roads. Along with the ability to see and edit all points of interest, new features allow Street View to be used from within the editor and an advanced search engine includes … [Read more...] about Crowdsourcing the U.S.
Sanity Behind the Debt Limit Din
The noise level, as always, is high but whispers of sanity can be heard. "What leaders don’t want to replicate," blogs New York Times' Richard Harwood, "is the brinksmanship that left the federal government within an hour of shutting down. On the debt limit, suspense itself could produce the falling confidence and rising interest rates that business and government both want … [Read more...] about Sanity Behind the Debt Limit Din
Musical Interlude: Sharon Angle Sings “God Bless the USA”
And now, a musical renditio: former Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharon Angle gives it her all singing the wonderful song "God Bless the USA" at a Tea Party rally: She is almost ready to serve in the Senate. She has the song down. Now all she needs the dance. … [Read more...] about Musical Interlude: Sharon Angle Sings “God Bless the USA”
Change
I have been missing in action the last couple of weeks. I have been occupied - I am the care giver for my 88 year old mother and she had some medical issues. About the time she was improving my computer died (hard drive), fortunately I had not done much of anything since I backed up last time so I didn't lose much but I did have to find the $ for a new one. I did but the new … [Read more...] about Change
US debt: World Trade Challenges May Worsen Peril
The Standard & Poor (S&P) cautious downgrade of US debt may cascade into real peril if world trade challenges add to the troubles policymakers already face in cutting the devastating budget deficit and national debt. In principle, US policymakers have up to 2013 to find credible bipartisan ways to reduce the deficit. But to get there they will also have to break the … [Read more...] about US debt: World Trade Challenges May Worsen Peril
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Vetoes Birther Bill
As I noted a few weeks ago talk show host Glenn Beck's announcement that he was leaving Fox News was a sign that there were some limits in the talk show world. Now we have the case of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer who has vetoed a high-profile birther bill -- a sign that there are limits in the political world as well: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill Monday that would have … [Read more...] about Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Vetoes Birther Bill
Are Some Republicans and Others Losing Their Taste for Tea?
It seems that way.. Yet in Congress and in top GOP circles Tea Party influence seems as strong as ever.. … [Read more...] about Are Some Republicans and Others Losing Their Taste for Tea?
10 Quotes that Could Sink Donald Trump’s Nomination
As I noted HERE Karl Rove and other GOPers including conservative talk show host Mark Levin are now either belittling Donald Trump's chances to be the GOP Presidential nominee or coming out square against him. And Trump's problem is: he does have a trackable record of quotes which show that in the past at least he has not been a conservative. Here are 10 quotes that could … [Read more...] about 10 Quotes that Could Sink Donald Trump’s Nomination
The Mega-Rich vs. The Rest Of Us
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 The Mega-Rich vs. The Rest Of Us
WikiLeaks Cables: U.S. Covertly Supported Syrian Opposition
Yet another revelation from WikiLeaks -- and one that could have an impact on how other nation's view the United States: the United States was helping fund some Syrian opposition groups at the same time it was seemingly trying to work with the Syrian government: Newly released WikiLeaks cables reveal that the US State Department has been secretly financing Syrian … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks Cables: U.S. Covertly Supported Syrian Opposition
GOP Hoof-and-Mouth Circus
Dr. Rand Paul, who months ago was checking out patients' eyes, is on TV proposing to cut off the Federal budget at the knees. Sarah Palin, who abandoned her own state for big bucks, is on the Wisconsin capitol steps, to praise a no-show Gov. Scott Walker for resisting "violent rent-a-mobs": "He's not trying to hurt union members. Hey folks, he’s trying to save your jobs and … [Read more...] about GOP Hoof-and-Mouth Circus