After a year of Tea Party rage over taxpayer money, Republicans are struggling to keep social conservatives in the tent with Mike Huckabee as the poster boy for the effort while those still in office try to focus on deficits and government spending. Huckabee, recently laid off by Fox News, revisits his ministerial roots by chastizing pregnant Natalie Portman for flaunting … [Read more...] about Revisiting Sexual Politics
In Memory of Jerry Remmers, Veteran Reporter, Editor, TMV Columnist, 1937-2011
The sad day many of his loved ones, former colleagues on the San Diego Union Tribune and all of us here at The Moderate Voice and his many fans on the Internet knew would come has finally arrived: the day when we have learned that Jerry Remmers, a wonderful brimming-with-life person who had new and old media pizazz flowing through his veins and faced a long-term illness with … [Read more...] about In Memory of Jerry Remmers, Veteran Reporter, Editor, TMV Columnist, 1937-2011
War On Teachers Takes Ominous Turn
Across the Middle East people are rebelling. When these rebels are interviewed by foreign journalists one word comes up again and again. It's not wages. Not benefits. Not even freedom. It's dignity, an intangible something that goes beyond purely economic and political considerations, something that touches on one's sense of personal worth. Something akin to this is … [Read more...] about War On Teachers Takes Ominous Turn
Why I Think BYU Did The Right Thing
As some of you may have heard, Brigham Young University has suspended the star forward of their basketball team just a couple weeks before the start of March Madness. The reason for the suspension is that he had sex with his girlfriend, and the BYU honor code states that premarital sex is not allowed. With the money to be made off of success in March Madness there are … [Read more...] about Why I Think BYU Did The Right Thing
Quote of the Day: Barack Obama on Jeb Bush
Our political Quote of the Day comes from President Barack Obama, at an event at which he appeared with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush: "Aside from being a former governor of this great state, Jeb of course is best known as being the brother of Marvin Bush," he said, garnering a laugh from the audience. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Barack Obama on Jeb Bush
The World Of Auto-Correct
For your weekend fun... the world of iPhone autocorrect … [Read more...] about The World Of Auto-Correct
Scott Walker’s Approval Rating Now 43%: Winning the Battle and Losing the War?
There is yet another sign that Winconsin Gov. Scott Walker may be poised to win his political war to deep public union collective bargaining in Wisconsin -- but he (and his party) may be losing the wear. Even among some GOPers. A new Rasmussen poll shows Walker's approval rating is quickly shrinking and that Republicans may also be turning off young marrieds who have kids in … [Read more...] about Scott Walker’s Approval Rating Now 43%: Winning the Battle and Losing the War?
Abusive Treatment of Manning Continues; New Charges Filed
On Wednesday evening, Pfc. Bradley Manning was forced to take off all his clothes and spend the entire night naked in his cell: … [Read more...] about Abusive Treatment of Manning Continues; New Charges Filed
Texas Twang Could Become a Foreign Language
The weather forecast for Austin, Texas, reads, “Warm, some sun today [Friday], chance for rain, cooler temps this weekend.” We certainly hope for some cooler “temps” tomorrow, Saturday, and certainly for some cooler heads, as the Texas Nationalist Movement will be holding a rally tomorrow, “the 175th anniversary of William Barret Travis drawing the line in the sand at the … [Read more...] about Texas Twang Could Become a Foreign Language
Tragedy Strikes Michigan High School
It sounded like a Cinderella story come true. A high school basketball team with a 19-0 record going into the final game of the season. They were behind but manage to make it into overtime and at the last second of overtime their star player hits a winning shot. The gym erupts in celebration. But this celebration was cut short as the player, 16 year old Wes Leonard, suddenly … [Read more...] about Tragedy Strikes Michigan High School
A Capra Moment
Frank Capra would have appreciated the present moment. In two of his best films, Mr. Smith Goes the Washington and Meet John Doe, the political system is entirely beholden to big money. And in both films, those financial interests control media empires which can crucify inconvenient upstarts who rock the boat. In the end, the only thing which stands between those interests and … [Read more...] about A Capra Moment
Six Degrees of Separation: What Wisconsin, Egypt and Libya Mean to You (Guest Voice)
Six Degrees of Separation: What Wisconsin, Egypt and Libya Mean to You By Alex Hammer What is going on in the world? And why are we following it every day? It seems as if the world is waking up and moving from observer to participant (or at a minimum to participant observer). Is it because a critical mass of people are now using social media tools so as to feel … [Read more...] about Six Degrees of Separation: What Wisconsin, Egypt and Libya Mean to You (Guest Voice)
Charlie Sheen Children
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Charlie Sheen Children
Jobless Rate falls to 8.9 Percent
The start of a hopeful trend? Or a mere hiccup? Time will tell about this: U.S. employers added 192,000 jobs last month, the government reported Friday — the biggest monthly jump since May and the latest sign that the nation’s employment picture is set to brighten this year. The monthly payrolls gain was above market expectations for 185,000 jobs, with factories, … [Read more...] about Jobless Rate falls to 8.9 Percent
Gov. Chris Christie Loves Collective Bargaining
"In fact, I love collective bargaining," Christie told the crowd Wednesday, packed into a room in the municipal building. "I've said let's get rid of civil service and let everything be collectively bargained, as long as collective bargaining is fair, tough, adversarial and there's someone in that room representing you." - Chris Christie: Collective Bargaining Something 'I … [Read more...] about Gov. Chris Christie Loves Collective Bargaining
When the World Was Young
No political or social infamy today but, as my odometer turns to 87, a memory about the sweetness of youthful longing. Seventy-four years ago, on my Bar Mitzvah day, I went to the movies to see the elegantly beautiful British actress Madeleine Carroll and, on the day the Jewish religion declared me a man, I fell hopelessly in love with the most golden shiksa of them … [Read more...] about When the World Was Young
Lincoln Plus 150
One hundred and fifty years ago today Abraham Lincoln stood on the steps of the Capitol to take the oath as the 16th President of the United States. Certainly few, if any Presidents faced a greater crisis on taking office. A significant portion of the country had left the union and even many of those who remained were hardly enthusiastic supporters of the new leader. Over … [Read more...] about Lincoln Plus 150
‘The Only Way To Save The Principles That Make Our Country Great Will Be To Sacrifice Them’
Al Weisel, widely known in the blogosphere as Jon Swift, was the best satirist this side of . . . well, Jonathan Swift. Sadly and unexpectedly, Al left this mortal coil one year ago today. Only the good die young, as they say, and he was a mere 46. Al was a tireless supporter of small blogs like mine -- Kiko's House -- and I was honored innumerable times to have him link to … [Read more...] about ‘The Only Way To Save The Principles That Make Our Country Great Will Be To Sacrifice Them’
A Musical Number Dedicated to Corrupt Politicians Everywhere
A great rendition of "A Little Tin Box" from the musical "Fiorerllo," performed by a talented student group: … [Read more...] about A Musical Number Dedicated to Corrupt Politicians Everywhere
Oscar Turns its Back on American Film: Cinematorio, Brazil
Can this year's Academy Awards be interpreted as a slap in the face to American cinema? According to columnist Renato Silveira of Brazil's Cinematorio, the fact that True Grit went away empty handed and 'The Social Network' nearly so to the benefit of The King's Speech was nearly inexplicable. For Brazil's Cinematorio, Renato Silveira writes in part: The Academy sent … [Read more...] about Oscar Turns its Back on American Film: Cinematorio, Brazil