Is the demise of Osama bin Laden a moment that all of world religions should seize upon to begin building a world free of war and religious strife? After ten years of chaos that emerged from a perverse interpretation of Islam, columnist Víctor Corcoba Herrero of Diario Decuyo's writes that it's time for all religious leaders to end the terrorist strife by promoting the ideals … [Read more...] about Bin Laden’s Death is a ‘Call to Arms’ for the World’s Clergy (Diario Decuyo, Argentina)
My Own Non-Negotiable Deficit Reduction Plan
House Speaker Boehner, at the behest of Tea Partiers, has drawn a line in the sand. Two trillion dollars in budget cuts is the price Republicans want in return for voting to raise the debt limit. No new taxes will be part of this deficit reduction deal. These terms are non-negotiable. Well, I have my own plan to meet the deficit challenge. And it's also non-negotiable. It … [Read more...] about My Own Non-Negotiable Deficit Reduction Plan
FIXING RYAN’S MEDICARE PLAN
Loopy Wisconsin Republican and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan proposed last month a much-maligned Medicare Voucher Plan to replace the current system for people under 55 today. It would be phased in when they eventually retire during the next decade. Perhaps the original proposal could be modified to improve the entire U.S. healthcare system. This idea might also fit in with … [Read more...] about FIXING RYAN’S MEDICARE PLAN
After bin Laden: West Must Reflect on its Methods of Self-Defense (El Pais, Spain)
Now that al-Qaeda's prime mover has left the scene and we've had ten years to digest the neurotic episode that the West and the world experienced after 9-11, is it time to retool how the terrorist threat is addressed? This editorial from Spain's El Pais suggests that it's time for the world's democracies to restore the values they proclaim to hold dear, which were set aside to … [Read more...] about After bin Laden: West Must Reflect on its Methods of Self-Defense (El Pais, Spain)
Double Whammy: Expanding The War On Terror And Invading Your Privacy
Three days after 9/11 Congress passed the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). That authorization gave the president the authority to use all necessary and appropriate force against those involved in 9/11 and anyone who harbored the perpetrators. AUMF has served as the basis for the Afghan War and the retention of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay for the past … [Read more...] about Double Whammy: Expanding The War On Terror And Invading Your Privacy
Pakistan Pulls a Cheney, Outs CIA Chief
WASHINGTON - I cannot imagine what might unravel in Pakistan if the U.S. doesn't stay deeply engaged. Steve Clemons in a quick moment with ABC News talks about Pakistan becoming the most dangerous nation on earth if it becomes "untethered." Looks like to me like it already has, with the help of $20 billion of U.S. aid. But Pakistan's latest treachery is as ugly as it gets … [Read more...] about Pakistan Pulls a Cheney, Outs CIA Chief
Donald Trump’s Polling Numbers Collapse
Yes, it's one for the records: Donald Trump had an unprecedented political rise -- and now he is experiencing an unprecedented political collapse: Donald Trump has had one of the quickest rises and falls in the history of Presidential politics. Last month we found him leading the Republican field with 26%. In the space of just four weeks he's dropped all the way down to 8%, … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Polling Numbers Collapse
Always Bet On Black!
The title of this article comes from Wesley Snipes' somewhat famous quote in the movie Passenger 57. More on that quote later. One of my neighbors, an ultra-conservative member of the Georgia Tea Party sent me an e-mail last night in response to an earlier e-mail I sent. His message was funny and illuminating. I'm not going to say much more since the e-mail speaks for … [Read more...] about Always Bet On Black!
It’s Splitsville for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
If you wondered whether Arnold Schwarzenegger's political career is over here's your final proof: it has been announced that he and his wife Maria Shriver are separating. CNN has this report: … [Read more...] about It’s Splitsville for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
Gingrich To Throw His Ego Into Presidential Ring
Suggested campaign slogan:"Gingrich 2012: He will always love America. Unless it gets cancer" ~ ALEX KNAPP The Republican Party's field of presidential wannabes ranges from outright loons to mediocrities to perhaps two candidates who have the chops to run a smart campaign, although not beat President Obama. They would be Mitt Romney, who is likely to run, and Mitch … [Read more...] about Gingrich To Throw His Ego Into Presidential Ring
Most Americans Want A Third Party
With some ups and downs, the overall trend during the past eight years shows that a majority of Americans favor the addition of a third political party. In 2003 only 40% favored the addition of a third party. The most recent Gallup Poll shows that number currently stands at 52%. Since 2006, the number has been in the 50% range, sometimes slightly lower and sometimes as high … [Read more...] about Most Americans Want A Third Party
Probing Pakistan (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Probing Pakistan (Cartoon)
Microsoft Rumored To Be Buying Skype
According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft will announce an $8 billion purchase of Skype as soon as Tuesday. A deal could be announced as early as Tuesday, people familiar with the matter said, though they cautioned that negotiations aren't yet final and a deal could still fall apart. Including Skype's long-term debt, the total value of the deal is about $8.5 … [Read more...] about Microsoft Rumored To Be Buying Skype
Tortured History (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Tortured History (Cartoon)
Ultra Orthodox Paper Writes Women Out of OBL History **UPDATED**
WASHINGTON - Sexism, shmexism, this is as wrong as it is unethical. I don't care what religion is involved. Religious extremism really is a curse to women. Via Jezebel, Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic newspaper, Der Tzitung, photoshopped Sec. Hillary Clinton out of their cover story photo, as well as Audrey Tomason, who is identified in the photo on Flickr as Pres. Obama's Director … [Read more...] about Ultra Orthodox Paper Writes Women Out of OBL History **UPDATED**
The Mushy Middle?
Those who are hailing the new "clarity" reflected in Monday's Canadian election results should read Dan Gardner's column in the Ottawa Citizen. Looking back at the demise of the British Liberal Party, Gardner writes: Something similar is quite possible here. In a matchup between the Conservatives and NDP, particularly at a time when voter turnout is appallingly low, the … [Read more...] about The Mushy Middle?
The Pope and the Terrorist: Two Misguided Beatifications (News, Switzerland)
Is the Catholic Church - and specifically the revered deceased Pope John Paul II, as deadly as al-Qaeda and its now-dead leader, Osama bin Laden? Columnist Patrick Etschmayer of Switzerland's News writes that between outlawing condoms and covering up decades of child abuse, the former pope did at least as much damage as the terrorist mastermind now residing at the bottom of the … [Read more...] about The Pope and the Terrorist: Two Misguided Beatifications (News, Switzerland)
Hollywood Reporter: Trump’s Three Hour Celebrity Apprentice Ratings Down 23%
Once again it needs to be asked: has Donald Trump ruined his brand by his involvement in the 2012 Republican nomination, championing of the bogus birther issue and comments suggesting that America's first African-American President got into college and Harvard law school due to affirmative action? It looks that way. The Hollywood Reporter: A supersized edition of Donald … [Read more...] about Hollywood Reporter: Trump’s Three Hour Celebrity Apprentice Ratings Down 23%
Newton (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Newton (Cartoon)
Pew Report: Search Still Drives News Traffic But Sharing Is Important
If searching for the news was the most important development of the last decade, sharing the news may be among the most important of the next. - Navigating News Online, May 9, 2011 According to research released today by Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, in the first nine months of 2010, Facebook drove 8 percent of the traffic at the … [Read more...] about Pew Report: Search Still Drives News Traffic But Sharing Is Important