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
¡Cristo Nacio! Christ is Risen! Christ is Born Again. The Password to New Life
This just in, a wounded Man with dusty feet was seen leaving the tomb near Golgatha, trailing remnants of His winding cloth behind him. Though injured around the head, hands, feet and ribs, He appears to be walking on His own. A pure white dove seems to be flying a little way ahead of Him toward the city. When interviewed He said, He was looking first for a tearful … [Read more...] about ¡Cristo Nacio! Christ is Risen! Christ is Born Again. The Password to New Life
Family Guy’s Seth MacFarland Sings
I'm a huge fan of the multi-talented Seth MacFarland, creator of "Family Guy" and also the voice of some of its key characters. Here is a gem via You Tube of him singing "Luck Be a Lady" -- using Frank Sinatra's classic arrangement...and also Sinatra's arrangement of "That's Why the Lady Is a Tramp": … [Read more...] about Family Guy’s Seth MacFarland Sings
Happy Easter !
To those who mark this day as I do, let us rejoice for Christ is Risen !! For those who do not celebrate it as I do, Happy Easter anyway. … [Read more...] about Happy Easter !
S&P’s Negative U.S. Credit Assessment Breaks ‘Global Taboo’ (Gazeta Wyborcza Business, Poland)
Has Standard & Poor's opened the floodgates for further criticism of America's credit worthiness? Writing for Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza Business, analyst Alfred Adamiec points out that while downgrading the outlook for U.S. debt is closer to reflecting reality, reticence to actually downgrade U.S. debt shows that the world has yet to emerge from the financial crisis. For … [Read more...] about S&P’s Negative U.S. Credit Assessment Breaks ‘Global Taboo’ (Gazeta Wyborcza Business, Poland)
Mixing Media: Social Movements and Popular Culture
"When pop music meets politics, the results are often thrilling, sometimes life-changing and never simple," writes Dorian Lynskey, a music writer for the Guardian. His book, 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, tracks "33 songs that span seven decades and four continents." Lynskey begins with Billy Holiday (Strange Fruit, 1939) and ends with Green Day … [Read more...] about Mixing Media: Social Movements and Popular Culture
Low Caliber Mind Makes Big Caliber Mistake
Terry Jones almost shoots himself in the foot. … [Read more...] about Low Caliber Mind Makes Big Caliber Mistake
Predator Drones (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Predator Drones (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: On Birthers’ Consistency
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Dick Polman who has a question about birther's consistency. He first sites polls that indicate bitherism is no longer a fringe element but a mainstream belief in today's Republican Party. He then writes: But I'm wondering: How come Republicans aren't upset about Mitt Romney? He's been running for president on and off since 2006, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Birthers’ Consistency
Congress: Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks (Guest Voice)
Congress: Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks by Michael Winship Remember that scene in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" when Jimmy Stewart arrives in the capital for the first time? The freshman senator shakes off his handlers in Union Station and jumps onto a sightseeing bus, eager to see all the statues and monuments honoring the greats of American history. "I don't think … [Read more...] about Congress: Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks (Guest Voice)