This is President Bush's statement about President Obama's call to him tonight: "Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their … [Read more...] about Class Act: Obama Calls Bush re Osama bin Laden
Brief Communique from New York, saying New Yorkers are Up but Many Also Wary
this is from one of my friends in New York City near 2 am in the morning just now re news that Bin Laden is dead. It appears from the emails I'm receiving from the east coast in large numbers, many there have not yet gone to sleep. This news has been poignant for many many there. "....it is good - very - that finally he was found and dealt with in the right way ...it … [Read more...] about Brief Communique from New York, saying New Yorkers are Up but Many Also Wary
OBL Death Is Symbolic
The apparent euphoria erupting throughout the United States tonight -- a celebration of the death of Osama bin Laden -- seems strangely misplaced. His life had nothing to do with our invasion of Iraq and has nothing directly to do with our presence in Afghanistan. His death is not V-Day, it does not end our military operations there. In fact, as the State Department announced … [Read more...] about OBL Death Is Symbolic
Personal Reflection on Osama bin Laden being Gone From Earth: Coulda Been A Contender, But Instead Chose to be a Pretender
On the tv news tonight, a fire fighter from New York on the scene at 9-11 says somberly and without joy, that 'today is a good day. 'A New Yorker elder at Ground Zero says in his Irish-tinged voice, 'Thank the Lord this has happened though we still feel pity for the families'. Another New York firefighter who has joined the cheering crowds in New York, says, '9-11 was an act of … [Read more...] about Personal Reflection on Osama bin Laden being Gone From Earth: Coulda Been A Contender, But Instead Chose to be a Pretender
Justice Has Been Done…
President Barack Obama announced tonight from the White House, while hundreds of cheering Americans were gathering outside, waving flags and singing patriotic songs, that Osama bin Laden, the master terrorist and master brain behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that killed more than three thousand Americans was killed in a courageous U.S. CIA-military-led operation in … [Read more...] about Justice Has Been Done…
Can We Please Not Politicize Bin Laden Death ?
As several of my colleagues have already reported, Osama Bin Laden is finally dead. There will be plenty of ink (or around here I suppose electrons) will be spilled over the topic in the coming days I'd like to ask for what may be impossible. Don't turn this into a political thing. We don't need anyone on the left talking about how Obama did what Bush did not. We … [Read more...] about Can We Please Not Politicize Bin Laden Death ?
(UPDATED) Said to Have Been Shot in the Head: It has been confirmed: Osama’s Body Has Been Buried At Sea
UPDATE: Government officials say that following Muslim ritual, the body of Osama bin Laden has been given to the sea. In Muslim faith, as in many other faiths' rituals, burial is most often within 24 hours of death, after body is washed and ritually ministered to. Meanwhile on another front, apparently a small crew of Navy Seals had dropped from the sky and rappelled down … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Said to Have Been Shot in the Head: It has been confirmed: Osama’s Body Has Been Buried At Sea
BREAKING: Osama Bin Laden Is Dead
The networks interrupted regular programming about a half hour ago. Pres. Obama is soon to make an announcement that Osama bin Laden has been killed and is in U.S. hands. According to CBS News, this story has been confirmed, and they are just waiting for Pres. Obama to make his announcement. CBS also reported that bin Laden was shot in the head, which obviously would indicate … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Osama Bin Laden Is Dead
Birther Reality (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Birther Reality (Cartoon)
Trump Stung by “Inappropriate” White House Correspondents Dinner and Jokes
I've never started a post with a certain, expressive phrase used by some other bloggers, but everything does have its time so here goes. It turns out Donald Trump found the White House Correspondent's Dinner "inappropriate" and felt there were too many jokes aimed at him by President Barack Obama and Seth Meyers. So (here goes the phrase): BWWAAHHHHHHH! Who could ever … [Read more...] about Trump Stung by “Inappropriate” White House Correspondents Dinner and Jokes
Advertising Art From The Past
A little Sunday break from politics. Advertising has come a long way. Today it is mostly on television complete with special effects. It wasn't always that way. The above was taken in NW Portland in the mid 70s. This one in Winthrop, WA - 1983. Now this is art! Click on picture for larger image. Images © 2011, Ron Beasley … [Read more...] about Advertising Art From The Past
The Public Education Paradigm
The contrast between the way we approach national security and defense in the United States and the way we approach public education could not be more stark. This is not just a matter of budget allocations. It's about the paradigm we use to evaluate the effectiveness and success of our military missions, versus the paradigm we use to evaluate the effectiveness and success of … [Read more...] about The Public Education Paradigm
This Yom HaShoah: Vexing Questions for Relatives of Dutch Holocaust Victims
To the few remaining Dutch survivors of the Holocaust and to the descendants of the more than 100,000 Dutch Jews who were murdered by the Nazis during World War II, this Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day) could be a particularly poignant one. You see, het Nationaal Archief (The Netherlands' National Archive) announced a couple of weeks ago that it has compiled, from previously … [Read more...] about This Yom HaShoah: Vexing Questions for Relatives of Dutch Holocaust Victims
Memories of the Royal Wedding (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Memories of the Royal Wedding (Cartoon)
Full Video of Barack Obama’s Comedy Routine at the White House Correspondents Dinner (Trump in Audience Was a Target) UPDATED
Here's the full video of President Barack Obama's comedy routine at the 2011 White House Correspondent's dinner. The parts that are getting the most buzz is his satire video using The Lion King, his pointed references to the implosion of the birther issue in both jokes and graphics and his pointed barbs aimed at Donald Trump who was in the audience as a guest of the Washington … [Read more...] about Full Video of Barack Obama’s Comedy Routine at the White House Correspondents Dinner (Trump in Audience Was a Target) UPDATED
Michele Bachmann: Americans Are Losing Their “Economic Liberty” Just As Jews Lost Their Lives in the Holocaust
In the LaLa Land for Historical Ignoramuses in which Michele Bachmann resides, the loss of six million Jewish lives -- as well as millions of gypsies, homosexuals, Catholics, and many other disfavored groups -- is analogous to Americans' (supposed) loss of "economic liberty" (defined by Bachmann as eliminating Medicare and Social Security for the elderly and disabled, and … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann: Americans Are Losing Their “Economic Liberty” Just As Jews Lost Their Lives in the Holocaust
What’s at Stake in 2012
In most elections, politicians pump up small differences into "issues" to distinguish themselves from the other guys. That won't be a problem next year, as two contrasting visions of America emerge in a contest between President Obama and an unknown Republican who will embody theirs. In 1960, there was a big debate over what to do about two small islands, Matsu and Quemoy, … [Read more...] about What’s at Stake in 2012
Yes America DOES Have Talent
And, from 2008, here's someone loaded with talent: then 10 year old Kayla Starr: … [Read more...] about Yes America DOES Have Talent
Widow Says Last Farewell To Fallen Husband
A truly touching story and one which shows just how special those who serve us are and how much they deserve our respect. … [Read more...] about Widow Says Last Farewell To Fallen Husband
Obama Jokes About Birth Certificate Controversy at Correspondents’ Dinner (VIDEO)
Here's a video showing President Barack Obama joking about the controversy over his birth certificate at the White House Correspondents' dinner. Obama's comedic timing is getting better and better. This was delivered like a pro: … [Read more...] about Obama Jokes About Birth Certificate Controversy at Correspondents’ Dinner (VIDEO)