On Wednesday former Chicago Police Lieutenant John Burge was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison for his role in coercing confessions and lying about his involvement. Yesterday, the day after Burge’s sentencing, one of the men he had forced to confess was freed from an Illinois state penitentiary after 22 years of incarceration. Eric Caine and co-defendant … [Read more...] about Coerced Confessions, Justice And The Death Penalty
Political Quote of the Day: Michael Gerson on the James O’Keefe’s NPR Video
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Michael Gerson, President George W. Bush's chief speechwriter from 2001 until June 2006, as Bush senior policy advisor from 2000 through June 2006, and a former member of Bush's White House Iraq Group., on conservative activist James O’Keefe’s NPR Video that created a mass Schiller exodus (the resignation of NPR's fundraiser and its … [Read more...] about Political Quote of the Day: Michael Gerson on the James O’Keefe’s NPR Video
Re-humanizing ‘The Enemy:’ Some Actual Realities About Public and Government Employees
I'm a professional engineer. I love building roads and bridges. I tell people I never got past building them in the sandbox. I understand how blessed I am to be able to combine passion with a vocation. Truth is, I would probably do it for free. Being a pro engineer, however, I get paid to do it. I get paid a lot. People don’t have to tell me how lucky I am. Well, maybe … [Read more...] about Re-humanizing ‘The Enemy:’ Some Actual Realities About Public and Government Employees
Friday Food For Thought: Whither A Libyan No-Fly Zone?
While it appears that France and Britain are taking the lead in imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, this dramatic action -- growing out of a United Nations resolution -- has implications for the U.S. Some random thoughts to kick start a (hopefully civil) discussion: * If you believe that a no-fly zone is necessary, explain why. If you believe that a no-fly zone is not … [Read more...] about Friday Food For Thought: Whither A Libyan No-Fly Zone?
Electricity Restored to Nuclear Plant
Cable reaches Japan nuclear plant But is there anything to plug in? Why do I get the feeling this is just another PR stunt? Engineers at Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant have managed to lay a cable to reactor 2, the UN's nuclear watchdog reports. After at least three explosions, several fires and days of salt water baths do they really expect anything … [Read more...] about Electricity Restored to Nuclear Plant
After the Great Earthquake, Let Us All Do Our Utmost to Help! (Akita Sakigake Shimpo, Japan)
After three disasters of such monumental proportions, Japanese newspapers are urging people to bind together to help those most in need, and expressing thanks to people around the world for coming to their aid. This editorial from the Akita Sakigake Shimpo, from Japan's main island just south of the disaster zone, urges people to help others and take heart that they are not … [Read more...] about After the Great Earthquake, Let Us All Do Our Utmost to Help! (Akita Sakigake Shimpo, Japan)
U.N. Security Council Approves Libyan No-Flight Zone (UPDATED)
UPDATE, 6:30 AM ET March 19 The New York Times Reports: Forces led by Moammar Gaddafi entered the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi Saturday after airstrikes and fierce fighting as the United States and its allies prepared to launch military attacks on Libya. A warplane was shot down over Benghazi. Government troops — some reportedly in tanks -- entered … [Read more...] about U.N. Security Council Approves Libyan No-Flight Zone (UPDATED)
The House Cuts Federal Funding of NPR’s Socialistic Agenda!
For the record, I like NPR and I think it's worth funding. Even so, In light of the House passing a bill to strip NPR of federal funding, I thought I'd re-post this piece on the "dangers" of This American Life. Weekend Public Radio: The Marxist's Sabbath Weekend public radio is a warm cozy cup of liberal chamomile tea. Saturday is the progressive’s radio Sabbath. … [Read more...] about The House Cuts Federal Funding of NPR’s Socialistic Agenda!
Family Values on the Lips and in the Heart
On the occasion of his thirty-first wedding anniversary, P.Z. Myers gives us his views on how a secular atheist can be happily married to the same woman for over three decades while Newt "family values" Gingrich is twice divorced and on his third marriage: … [Read more...] about Family Values on the Lips and in the Heart
The Greatest Moral Danger
What is the greatest moral danger in the US? Hint; it's not the dirty f&@king hippies. A few days ago my friend Shaun Mullen explained why the Catholic Church has no moral authority. PZ Myers explains how that applies to the Republican Party in this must read post. Today is my wedding anniversary. I've been married to the same woman for 31 years, without ever straying. … [Read more...] about The Greatest Moral Danger
The Answer to Struggle is Struggle
I’ve lost 22 pounds since the first of January. Since I have a habit of finding the weight I’ve lost, I’m going to celebrate this achievement while the scale is still cooperating with my efforts. About 7 years ago I weighed 277 pounds. After a prolonged stretch of low-carbing and Taco Bell avoidance, I got my weight down to 237. Since that time, my weight has fluctuated … [Read more...] about The Answer to Struggle is Struggle
Poll: Independents Prefer Charlie Sheen Over Sarah Palin for President
If this new poll isn't the death knell to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin being a likely candidate on the 2012 Presidential ticket, then it certainly means GOP conservatives who are opposed to her are going have some great sound byte ammunition to use against her: a new poll finds independent voters would prefer to have Charlie Sheen as President over Palin: We've found a … [Read more...] about Poll: Independents Prefer Charlie Sheen Over Sarah Palin for President
Irish Saloon for the Ages
An image arrives, the cover of a new book in French showing American icon Marilyn Monroe 56 years ago in a legendary Irish saloon, a convergence of cultures for St. Patrick's Day. In that place, where my generation learned about life, Tim Costello was our teacher. One of us, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a budding sociologist and later U.S. Senator, would famously say when JFK … [Read more...] about Irish Saloon for the Ages
Obama’s Audacity Deficit On Guns
WASHINGTON -- "My administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners," the president boasted, "it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges." No, that wasn't George W. Bush. It was President Obama in an op-ed piece published Sunday in the Arizona Daily Star that practically begged the gun lobby to … [Read more...] about Obama’s Audacity Deficit On Guns
The N.Y. Times Free Lunch Comes To An End
The New York Times announced today that it will institute a dread paywall beginning on March 28, a decision greeted with apoplexy in some necks of the blogospheric woods, especially readers who apparently have nothing better to do with the time they spend away from their computers than suck face with smart phones. Being an old phart who grew up with the Sunday Times and went … [Read more...] about The N.Y. Times Free Lunch Comes To An End
Shortsighted Republicans Wage Fork Fight
So why am I surprised? Under the tutelage of Representative Nancy Pelosi during the years when Democrats ran the House, her party moved to “green” the Capitol with several initiatives, including obligating the food vendor for the three main House cafeterias to provide compostable cups and utensils. But the newly empowered House Republicans have ended the program, and plastic … [Read more...] about Shortsighted Republicans Wage Fork Fight
Irish Need Not Apply (Guest Voice)
Irish Need Not Apply by Tom Purcell Well, this takes the Irish cake. The Irish “need not apply” in America all over again. Ireland, you see, is not doing so well. Prior to the global economic meltdown, its service industry soared as global companies took advantage of its well-educated, English-speaking citizens. Emboldened by its good fortune, the Irish … [Read more...] about Irish Need Not Apply (Guest Voice)
Japan Nuclear Disaster in Iran
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Japan Nuclear Disaster in Iran
2012: Obama’s First Term Won’t ‘Fire Up’ His Base
President Obama boldly proclaimed Wednesday that he had fulfilled his most daring but abstract 2008 campaign pledge: “Change we can believe in.” Obama told a gathering of top donors and Democratic officials that, while his work is not finished, “we have made extraordinary progress over these last two years.” – Obama in campaign mode: ‘Delivered on change that we can believe … [Read more...] about 2012: Obama’s First Term Won’t ‘Fire Up’ His Base
Tacos And Texas Beauty Queens
She is five feet nine inches tall and weighs 129 pounds. Her name is Domonique Ramirez (pictured left) and she was Miss San Antonio (TX) until a local judge stripped her of her crown a few weeks back. Yesterday her case proceeded to a jury trial in her attempt to reclaim her title. The story has been around for a while, drawing mostly fluff and filler attention from the … [Read more...] about Tacos And Texas Beauty Queens