Dennis G. at Balloon Juice has a must read post, Making money the Confederate way. There are to ways to create wealth - you can create it or you can steal it. There are those who say the Civil War was not about slavery and in a sense they are right. 150 years ago the Confederacy launched the Civil War to protect an economic systems based on the theft. Slavery was the most … [Read more...] about The New Confederacy
Budget Talks: Reid and Boehner Semi-Hopeful
The budget talks at the White House just finished and there was a very (emphasize VERY) short statment by Senate Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner. President Obama also expressed hope for a settlement. Both were cautious, making it clear they are still in talks and that issues remain. However the fact the two were appearing together seems like a good sign. Talks will … [Read more...] about Budget Talks: Reid and Boehner Semi-Hopeful
Muslims Must Condemn Murder of U.N. Workers (Rzeczpospolita, Poland)
Who is more to blame for the murder of 10 U.N. workers killed after U.S. Pastor Terry Jones burned a Quran: The people who committed the murders or Terry Jones himself? For Poland's Rzeczpospolita, columnist Jerzy Haszczynski expresses the view that what the world needs most is for Muslims to condemn the criminal behavior of people who killed innocents for the misbehavior of … [Read more...] about Muslims Must Condemn Murder of U.N. Workers (Rzeczpospolita, Poland)
Government Shut Down (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Government Shut Down (Cartoon)
Gallup Poll: Americans Want Budget Shutdown Compromise 58-33 Percent But Not Republicans
A second poll today finds that most Americans want a budget shutdown compromise and -- like the NBC/Wall Street Journal polls written about here earlier -- many Republicans are against one. A new Gallup Poll shows the dilemma facing House Speaker John Boehner and other Republican bigwigs who don't want to see their party lose independent swing voters in 2012: With Congress … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Americans Want Budget Shutdown Compromise 58-33 Percent But Not Republicans
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll on Government Shutdown Warning to Parties: Independent Voters Want Compromise
The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll about the looming government shut down contains some numbers that are not all that surprising and one that should be on the minds of both Democratic Party and Republican Party bigwigs: it's clear independent voters -- those voters partisans in both parties belittle until they need their votes to win -- do not want to see a … [Read more...] about NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll on Government Shutdown Warning to Parties: Independent Voters Want Compromise
Glenn Beck to Be Gone from Fox: When Money Trumps Free Speech
It's an odd thing to watch those once popular in media shuffle off the television and radio coils, having amassed a truly king's ransom and 'be away' then, but almost never to surface again with the ferocity and followers they once did. It would appear what we say in publishing is true in other professional arenas also: it's not just talent; everyone has talent. It's luck as … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck to Be Gone from Fox: When Money Trumps Free Speech
PAUL RYAN AND REPUBLICANS ARE WIMPS
Is this all they are demanding? Shutting down the Federal government over less than $50 billion dollars when projected annual deficits are $1.5 trillion as far as the eye can see? The wimps haven't even completely axed Amtrak, mass transit and High Speed Rail. They’re still arguing about the current fiscal year from October 2010 thru September 2011. Just wait till they … [Read more...] about PAUL RYAN AND REPUBLICANS ARE WIMPS
Justice Breyer Rips Citizens United Decision In Little Rock Speech
United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer discussed his judicial philosophy in Little Rock Arkansas yesterday as part of a guest lecture series sponsored by the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. He was introduced by a student who had appeared earlier in the day on ”Jeopardy” where he finished second. His introduction included teasing … [Read more...] about Justice Breyer Rips Citizens United Decision In Little Rock Speech
Would a Government Shutdown Risk the GOP’s House Majority?
High drama continues in the looming government shut down. Wire and broadcast news reports say government workers are being told to prepare for a government shut down. Each side is blaming the other although even a Martian landing in Washington would have to conclude: the Republicans are steadily moving the goalposts when they have "won" their initial cut demands. An MSNBC … [Read more...] about Would a Government Shutdown Risk the GOP’s House Majority?
Senate Democratic Moderates Urging Boehner to Avert Government Shut Down
Some Senate moderates are urging House speakers John Boehner to avert a government shut down. But in the current hyperpartisan climate will this letter force him to dig in his heels even more? The Politico reports: A group of 16 moderate Democratic senators sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Wednesday urging him to “resolve” the current funding debate and … [Read more...] about Senate Democratic Moderates Urging Boehner to Avert Government Shut Down
What Obama Caving on KSM Trial Says About Us All
In reversing one of its last principled positions—that American courts are sufficiently nimble, fair, and transparent to try Mohammed and his confederates—the administration surrendered to the bullying, fear-mongering, and demagoguery of those seeking to create two separate kinds of American law. This isn't just about the administration allowing itself to be bullied out of its … [Read more...] about What Obama Caving on KSM Trial Says About Us All
Combating Evil: Understanding Islam and the Qur’an
Guest post by Hamid M. Khan Hamid M. Khan, an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Law at the University of Colorado Law School, is a Rule of Law Adviser with the U.S. Institute of Peace in Kabul, Afghanistan, and a fellow with the Truman National Security Project in Washington D.C. Last Friday's heinous attack on U.N. workers in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, which was prompted … [Read more...] about Combating Evil: Understanding Islam and the Qur’an
(UPDATED) GOP Plan: Humbug For Middle Class & Poor, Lollipops For Rich & Big Business
HE COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER The tendency to emotionalize the ongoing Battle of the Budgets, which has shifted into high gear in anticipation of a government shutdown and the roll out of a Republican scheme to slash several trillion big ones from the federal budget, certainly gets in the way of rational discourse, whatever that may be. But I, for one, get pretty worked … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) GOP Plan: Humbug For Middle Class & Poor, Lollipops For Rich & Big Business
(UPDATED) God, Sarah & The GOP Would Want It This Way
CHEZ BRISTOL You probably know that Bristol Palin, daughter of the former half-term governor of Alaska, made a mint speaking about teenage pregnancy prevention, an area in which she is of course utterly unqualified. Anyhow, Bristol raked in a cool $262,500 from jetting around the country for The Candies Foundation because she and Levi Johnston didn't bother to use … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) God, Sarah & The GOP Would Want It This Way
The New Age of Reason
Washington is acting out that old story of the farmer with a reluctant mule and the neighbor who offers to reason with the animal, then bashes its head with a plank. "I thought you were going to reason with him." "I am, but first I have to get his attention." Farmer Obama and Neighbor Boehner are standing over a dazed government with no sign that they can get it moving by … [Read more...] about The New Age of Reason
Barack Obama’s 2012 Election Chances
President Barack Obama in the biggest “Duh!” this side of Charlie Sheen announced he’s going to run for re-election. The conventional wisdom: he’s in better shape going into 2011 than the Republicans. Is the conventional wisdom correct? Is it wrong? If you consider where Barack Obama is politically, and where he could be given his overflowing plate of problems, the … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s 2012 Election Chances
Koran Burning Protests
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Koran Burning Protests
Now Charlie Sheen is Really Big B.O.: His Revamped Show is a Hit
Charlie Sheen truly is "Winning! Duh" in Cleveland. … [Read more...] about Now Charlie Sheen is Really Big B.O.: His Revamped Show is a Hit
Unicorns, Castles, and Endless Love for Everyone
Actually, Paul Ryan calls his plan "The Path to Prosperity," but I think my name for it is more accurate. Here he is in the Wall Street Journal, spinning madly: … [Read more...] about Unicorns, Castles, and Endless Love for Everyone