George W. Bush, who gave up binge drinking for piety and power, knew more about mornings-after than his successor now reeling from the aftermath of his first foreign-policy bender. Everywhere he looks, Barack Obama is surrounded by weird little men with hammers pounding away at his skull. John Boehner, yes. John McCain, of course. Liberal Democrats, why not? Michael Moore … [Read more...] about Libyan Hangovers
Josh Marshall (Properly) Explains the Constitution to Dennis Kucinich
Talking Points Memo's creator Josh Marshall properly explains the constitution to Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who said President Barack Obama should be impeached over Libya: A short while ago a couple of our reporters were asking questions on the history of the War Powers Act and the necessity for a declaration of war for the president to go to war. I explained that the … [Read more...] about Josh Marshall (Properly) Explains the Constitution to Dennis Kucinich
Poll: Ground Intervention in Libya Not Supported But No Fly Zone Is
A new CNN/Opinon Research Corporation poll finds support in the U.S. for a no fly zone over Libya but little for a ground intervention -- a warning sign to President Barack Obama that there will be indeed limits on U.S. support for what already is a highly controversial decision: Seven in ten Americans support military action by the U.S. and other countries to establish … [Read more...] about Poll: Ground Intervention in Libya Not Supported But No Fly Zone Is
Can Man Be Trusted With The Power Of The Sun?
This alone is reason enough to oppose nuclear power: TOKYO — The operator of Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant told safety regulators less than two weeks before disaster struck that it had failed to carry out some scheduled inspections at the facility. The equipment missed in scheduled inspections included a motor and a backup power generator for the No. 1 … [Read more...] about Can Man Be Trusted With The Power Of The Sun?
I Hate the Devil and Monopoly!
I hate Monopoly! I grew up in a home that did not condone excessive use of the word “hate”. Whenever I whined the word “hate” to show my displeasure, my mother would remind me that “Hate is a very strong word that is best used to describe such things as the devil.” With this in mind, I want you to know that I hate the devil and I hate Monopoly! Charles B. Darrow created … [Read more...] about I Hate the Devil and Monopoly!
Eugene H. Peterson’s New Message
I found this excerpt in the Read the Spirit blog. Eugene H. Peterson's new book may well express the lament of thousands upon thousands of religious leaders. This is worth reading to understand the current struggles many religious leaders face. EXCERPT OF “THE PASTOR: A MEMOIR” NEW FROM EUGENE H. PETERSON North American culture does not offer congenial conditions in … [Read more...] about Eugene H. Peterson’s New Message
Corporations Are Persons, But They Do Not Have Personal Rights
Work with me on this one as we wend our way down a road of legal hair splitting and semantic daring do. The case is FCC v. AT&T decided by the U. S. Supreme Court, 8-0. As Solicitor General, Elena Kagan’s office represented the FCC as the case was coming up, and she did not participate in the decision. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the opinion. Here’s the backdrop. The … [Read more...] about Corporations Are Persons, But They Do Not Have Personal Rights
A Bet On Japan
WASHINGTON -- Your initial impression of a country is often hard to shake. Late on my first night in Japan in the 1990s, I was staring out the window of my room on a high floor of a downtown Tokyo hotel. What I saw was a vast, sprawling, modern city of twinkling lights that radiated human and technological energy. And then I imagined the same scene in 1945. In … [Read more...] about A Bet On Japan
Quote of the Day: Obama’s Libya Decision is Consistent With Obama Doctrine
Our Quote of the Day comes from the indispensable First Read which says despite a barrage of criticism from the left and right, President Barack Obama's decisions on the Libya crisis are consistent with the Obama Doctrine: *** Keeping with the 'Obama Doctrine': But how Obama has dealt with Libya is consistent with the tenets of the "Obama Doctrine" on foreign policy that … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama’s Libya Decision is Consistent With Obama Doctrine
Gaddafi flummoxed
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Gaddafi flummoxed
Controversy Breaking Over U.S. “Kill Team” Photos Posing With Dead Afghan: Army Issues Apology
Deja vu all over again? First there was the scandal of Abu Ghraib in Iraq, which involved photos of U.S. military abusing prisoners and posing next to a dead man -- a shocking public relations fiasco for the United States all over the world. Now a controversy is breaking in Europe where the German magazine Der Spiegel has published three photos involving prosecuted "kill team" … [Read more...] about Controversy Breaking Over U.S. “Kill Team” Photos Posing With Dead Afghan: Army Issues Apology
TMV Bookapalooza: Korda’s ‘Hero: The Life And Legend Of Lawrence of Arabia,’ & Much More
T.E. Lawrence (to Prince Feisal's left) at 1919 Paris Peace Conference. The big dude in the back is Feisal's Sudanese slave and bodyguard. What that Thomas Edward "Ned" Lawrence were alive today to see the changes sweeping the Middle East. While the man known as Lawrence of Arabia seldom showed emotion, he probably would allow himself a smile although, as a teetotaller, not a … [Read more...] about TMV Bookapalooza: Korda’s ‘Hero: The Life And Legend Of Lawrence of Arabia,’ & Much More
Moderates are the Problem
As I headed for the auto parts store this morning I had some radio time to kill before “Car Talk.” I decided to tune C-Span. Ironically, C-Span was airing Wednesday’s House of Representatives debate on NPR funding. I listened to a few minutes of what has become the usual political demagoguery surrounding this and most any issue. It is a well worn argument by now. There is a … [Read more...] about Moderates are the Problem
The Times of Our Lives
Those who have spent a lifetime (75 years in my case) with the New York Times, from days of smudged fingers on, are moved to realize that "All the News That's Fit to Print" is passing another milestone. As the Times imposes subscription fees for more-than-casual readers, it's like the change in a long affair--with time out for 15 years of open digital co-habitation--after … [Read more...] about The Times of Our Lives
G7’s Yen Intervention a Step Toward Decisive Cooperation: Akita Sakigake Shimpo, Japan
Days ago, the countries of the G-7 stepped in to rescue the yen from its counter-intuitive appreciation since the great earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis struck. According to this editorial from Japan's Akita Sakigake Shimpo, such prompt action from American, British, Canadian and European central banks was a very positive sign not only for Japan, but for the entire global … [Read more...] about G7’s Yen Intervention a Step Toward Decisive Cooperation: Akita Sakigake Shimpo, Japan
“…If the government shuts down, it will do so because of a split within the GOP’s ranks”
"...If the government shuts down, it will do so because of a split within the GOP's ranks" by Prairie Weather Double trouble ahead for Republicans on the "continuing resolution." As one might expect, the tea partiers are clamoring for confrontation, while Speaker John Boehner and GOP leaders continue pressing ahead toward the campaign goal to cut $100 … [Read more...] about “…If the government shuts down, it will do so because of a split within the GOP’s ranks”
American Musical Theater Voice: The Great American Counterpoint Song
(This is the first in a series of video embeds showcasing America's musical theater). One of my favorite (and increasingly rare) musical numbers is the "counterpoint" song. For younger TMV readers, watch these examples of a classic song, "You're Just in Love" by Irving Berlin. The first singer sings one melody. Then the second sings a seemingly totally different one. And … [Read more...] about American Musical Theater Voice: The Great American Counterpoint Song
The Libya Disaster
Josh Marshall has a first-rate analysis of why Obama's decision to intervene in Libya, particularly now, is such a bad idea. Here's what I think is the money quote: … [Read more...] about The Libya Disaster
Teacher’s Honest Answer to Dinner Guest Who Asks, “What do you make?”
Here's an incredibly powerful statement of conviction about what goes on, still, in most classrooms and what educating is all about. I'd love to have him compose a similarly-toned response for me and other local electeds when we're getting abused for reminding people about the finite nature of resources and the short and long-term consequences of making decisions for a … [Read more...] about Teacher’s Honest Answer to Dinner Guest Who Asks, “What do you make?”
Women War Hawks Win
The Pentagon says 114 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been launched from U.S. and British ships in the Mediterranean, hitting more than 20 Libyan targets along the Mediterranean coastline. Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers … [Read more...] about Women War Hawks Win