Could Donald Trump run as an independent if (as expected) he doesn't get the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination? Could you soon hear a sudden about face on the part of talk show hosts who have been complimenting him since he became a high profile media of Barack Obama, birtherism and all and now sounds like he could hurt the GOP vote? Could he find down the road that his … [Read more...] about Report: Trump Will ‘Probably’ Run as Independent If He Doesn’t Win GOP Nomination
Obama and Boehner: Finding Middle Ground (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama and Boehner: Finding Middle Ground (Cartoon)
God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut
(Portions originally published upon Vonnegut's death on April 12, 2008) The pang of sadness that I felt when I read that Kurt Vonnegut had left this mortal coil was a bit deeper than the mere fact that like a lot of folks of my generation I went head over heels over everything this counterculture idol wrote. As it is, I work in a rare book and manuscript library … [Read more...] about God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut
‘Happy Talk’ Conceals U.S. Drug War Encroachment on Mexico (La Jornada, Mexico)
Could it be that the escalating violence in Mexico is a sign of 'success' for that nation's ongoing war on drugs? According to this incredulous editorial from Mexico's La Jornada, the fact that U.S. officials have been making such a claim is yet more evidence that the U.S. is calling the shots in that war, and to admit how badly things are going would be to show the failure of … [Read more...] about ‘Happy Talk’ Conceals U.S. Drug War Encroachment on Mexico (La Jornada, Mexico)
Dodgers and Giants Come Together
I don't normally post sports related stuff but thought this was worth reporting. For those who may have missed the story this all stems from an incident at a Dodgers/Giants game in Los Angeles. A Giants fan was beaten into a coma by a couple of thugs who came to the game. Needless to say 99.99% of the LA fans are horrified over what happened and they are holding fundraisers … [Read more...] about Dodgers and Giants Come Together
But They Won’t!
Matt Yglesias correctly points out that the Obama administration and the Democrats don't have to be held hostage when the rise in the debt ceiling comes up and he has a plan. This isn’t a sudden “shutdown.” Nor is is true that we have to default on obligations to our bondholders. Rather, it means that government outlays are now limited by the quantity of inbound tax … [Read more...] about But They Won’t!
Chicago School Bans Homemade Lunches
Not much to say other than post the link and let you all sound off. … [Read more...] about Chicago School Bans Homemade Lunches
Tories On Cusp Of Majority ?
New polls suggest that the Canadian Conservative party could be on the verge of winning an absolute majority in the upcoming May 2nd elections. If this happens it would be ironic since the Tories had a minority government that was defeated in a no confidence vote by the other parties. On the other hand given the problems facing most Western economies these days I'm not sure … [Read more...] about Tories On Cusp Of Majority ?
Man In Space Plus 50
I know it's been a while since I posted regularly and I hope that once I get past tax season that I'll have more time to write (assuming of course anyone wants to read my ramblings, both right wing and left wing depending on who you ask). But I had to take some time to mark the 50th anniversary we celebrate this week, the conquest of space by human beings. On 12 April … [Read more...] about Man In Space Plus 50
Raymond Davis and the American ‘Indo-Zionists’ (Pak Tribune, Pakistan)
Make room in your lexicon for yet another way to refer to neoconservatives. If Pakistan had prosecuted Raymond Davis for murder, would that have given American 'Indo-Zionists', aka/neocons, just the excuse they needed to "devastate Pakistan" the way they did Iraq? For the Pak Tribune, columnist Usman Khalid writes that it was better to let Pakistani intelligence quietly … [Read more...] about Raymond Davis and the American ‘Indo-Zionists’ (Pak Tribune, Pakistan)
Supply and Demand in Paul Ryan’s District
It seems that Paul Ryan's proposal to cut the deficit by privatizing Medicare and eliminating Medicaid doesn't sit too well with his constituents. Obviously, Ryan isn't overly concerned by that. And why should he be? He's a monopoly in his district: … [Read more...] about Supply and Demand in Paul Ryan’s District
“Now the Whole World Watches America and Observes What It Does, Not What It Says”
Over 250 legal professionals have signed an open letter protesting the "degrading and inhumane" treatment to which Pfc. Bradley Manning has been subjected for the past year. Titled "Private Manning's Humiliation," the letter is published in the New York Review of Books. I think it's important enough to quote here in full: … [Read more...] about “Now the Whole World Watches America and Observes What It Does, Not What It Says”
BIRTHER THOUGHTS
I’ll probably regret wading into this morass but since my other post subjects are still being developed, I’ll put my useless two cents into this bizarre debate that still obsesses far too many Americans. Where was Barak H. Obama born? These musings were prompted by finding a copy of my birth certificate indicating that I born in New York City at Colombia Presbyterian … [Read more...] about BIRTHER THOUGHTS
THIS JUST IN! Favorite Emerges in Possible 2012 Republican Nomination Field
THIS JUST IN! A favorite has emerged in the existing 2012 Republican nomination field. It's none of the above. The GOP's problem right now is this: it can't run a candidate in 2012 who is a Donald Trump. And by "a Donald Trump" I don't mean THE Donald Trump. It needs to find a serious, credible candidate who doesn't have so much political baggage that TSA getting ready to … [Read more...] about THIS JUST IN! Favorite Emerges in Possible 2012 Republican Nomination Field
Quote of the Day on Barack Obama’s Political Tightrope Act
On a day when astute political observers seem to be coming to the consensus that in The Big Budget Showdown House Speaker John Boeher "won," the real political show to watch will be President Barack Obama's political rightrope act -- which leads to our political Quote of the Day. Make no mistake about it: Obama now enters his most political difficult phase ever: He is not … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day on Barack Obama’s Political Tightrope Act
Obama Goes Tactical on Taxes and Entitlements
WASHINGTON - Coming off a scene reminiscent of Oliver Stone's "Nixon" at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday (see video above), Pres. Obama has made some momentous decisions that will take us where we've never gone before. Inspired by the traditional media fanfare of Paul Ryan's "brave" budget proposal, Pres. Obama has accepted the challenge to step out on the coming economic … [Read more...] about Obama Goes Tactical on Taxes and Entitlements
Harry Reid John Boehner Budget Victory Tour Color (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Harry Reid John Boehner Budget Victory Tour Color (Cartoon)
The Republicans’ Political Coup — Taking Taxes Off The Table
We have huge federal budget deficits in this country. They have to be addressed. The natural, the sensible, the obvious way to do this is with a combination of spending cuts and increased tax revenues. The national debate should revolve around where and how much to cut, and where and how much to tax. Except that's not how the national debate over deficits is being carried … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Political Coup — Taking Taxes Off The Table
Musings On The Looming Deficit Reduction War
While I took a few swipes at President Obama and congressional Democrats last week as the grand game of Budgetary Chicken played itself out, it was the Republicans who came in for the most scorn for threatening to trigger a government shutdown over abortion, greenhouse gases and a new consumer protection bureau established in the wake of the financial collapse resulting in Bush … [Read more...] about Musings On The Looming Deficit Reduction War
Did Republicans Win The Battle But Lose The War?
That headline reflects the general thrust of Bill Schneider’s takeaway from the budget battle. As he wrote at Politico: “Here’s the bottom line of the Budget Showdown of 2011, Part I: Republicans got more. But they paid a heavier price.” Central to his thesis is that Republicans, in gaining more spending cuts than Democrats wanted to give, exposed the extent to … [Read more...] about Did Republicans Win The Battle But Lose The War?