Cross-posted to The Debate Link The blogosphere is abuzz over Judge Richard Goldstone's reconsideration of his commission's report on Operation Cast Lead. Judge Goldstone, more or less, states that he's satisfied with the results of Israel's investigation into the accusations, that he no longer believes Israel can fairly be accused of targeting civilians as a matter of … [Read more...] about Goldstone Reassesses
March Madness Cinderellas
In 1950, an underrated team won both the NCAA and NIT basketball tournaments, a feat never accomplished before or since. They played for tuition-free City College of New York, which had no scholarships or country-club campus to attract the best high-school talent. For those city kids, basketball was like life--threading through tight spaces under pressure, seeing openings … [Read more...] about March Madness Cinderellas
Republicans Poised to Lose Police, Firefighters’ Unions Support?
In forging a strong bond with the Tea Party movement and corporations and businesses that want to use the Republicans' 2010 mid-term election dominance to take care of the problem of unions once and for all, the Republicans have now been served notice: they could lose the support of police and firefighters' unions: Leaders from two unions known to support the Republican … [Read more...] about Republicans Poised to Lose Police, Firefighters’ Unions Support?
Birthers: Republican Presidential Candidates Were Just Kidding Us
I must apologize for accusing Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Donald Trump and “[e]very purported Republican candidate for president” in my March 31 (not April 1) article of being birthers' “winkers,” “demurers,” “coy players,” or “issue dodgers.” According to a Salon article yesterday, April 1, they were all “just kidding about all that stuff,” and “the entire thing was … [Read more...] about Birthers: Republican Presidential Candidates Were Just Kidding Us
Economic Breakthrough
A well-known social scientist, a kindly man no longer among us, used to spit nails when people used the word "breakthrough." There was something essentially dishonest in the use of that term -- at least, that's how I read his anger. "Breakthrough" means drama without substance. It's a term used by the messengers but it's not in the message. So no, the latest job numbers … [Read more...] about Economic Breakthrough
Labor Pains and the GOP (Guest Voice)
Labor Pains and the GOP by Michael Winship There’s a joke making the rounds and it goes like this: Big Business, a Tea Partier and Organized Labor are sitting around a table. A dozen cookies arrive on a plate. Big Business takes eleven of them and says to the Tea Partier, "Pssst! That union guy is trying to steal your cookie!" Radical Islam and global terrorism may … [Read more...] about Labor Pains and the GOP (Guest Voice)
Why a Libyan Cease-Fire is in the Interests of All Sides (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Is it possible that in this case at least, the Beijing government version of the middle way is best for Libya? This editorial from China's state-run Global Times lays out a convincing case for why it's time for laying down weapons and launching talks, leading to a safe exit for Qaddafi and a process that puts Libyans on a track toward genuine nationhood. The Global Times … [Read more...] about Why a Libyan Cease-Fire is in the Interests of All Sides (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Ten Most Segregated Cities In America
I'll let the Salon article speak for itself, but I'd suggest those who see the South as the center of racism and the North as enlightened take a few breaths before reading. … [Read more...] about Ten Most Segregated Cities In America
CNN Poll Reveals The Abysmal State Of American Innumeracy
So what's the explanation -- is it GOP demonization and media agenda-setting theory in action? How else to explain why so many Americans think that The Center for Public Broadcasting (NPR/PBS) gets a whopping 5 percent of the federal budget (CNN poll, pdf)? In actuality, it's 0.01 percent, which is less than a buck-fifty per person. The CNN poll was conducted mid-March … [Read more...] about CNN Poll Reveals The Abysmal State Of American Innumeracy
Tribal Warfare and the Budget Kabuki Dance
Nearly 60% of Americans are in favor of a government shutdown to reduce spending, but of course Americans are painfully ignorant of where the money in the budget goes. As I noted here the Tea Party wants to cut the budget but they really don't want to cut anything that really matters. What they do want to cut are some rather insignificant budget items they don't like. The … [Read more...] about Tribal Warfare and the Budget Kabuki Dance
Inside Baseball for Political Junkies
Says one Democratic operative of Messina: “I hope he’s better at political campaigns than at managing big, important pieces of legislation.” - Jim Messina, Obama's Enforcer, by Ari Berman WASHINGTON -- As Jim Messina begins his role in Obama's reelection campaign it's a perfect time for Berman to share this insider tale so familiar to many of us who watch this from the … [Read more...] about Inside Baseball for Political Junkies
The Huffington Post Will Start Paying All Contributors Tasty Sandwiches
In an April Fools’ Day surprise, Arianna Huffington, president and editor in chief of Huffington Post Media Group, announced today that her company will start paying non-staff contributors and bloggers for their content. In recent months, Arianna Huffington has faced pressure from freelance journalists who are frustrated with the Huffington Post’s unwillingness to pay for the … [Read more...] about The Huffington Post Will Start Paying All Contributors Tasty Sandwiches
Huffington Post’s New Digital Subscription Plan
As you may know, The Times is now charging for unlimited access to NYTimes.com and NYTimes apps. Arianna Huffington has decided to follow suit. In an announcement just published, she starts: Today marks a significant transition for The Huffington Post Media Group, as we introduce digital subscriptions for employees of The New York Times. It's an important step … [Read more...] about Huffington Post’s New Digital Subscription Plan
No Boots on the Ground, Only Sneakers
The whatever-it-is in Libya gets more convoluted daily as Defense Secretary Gates tells Congress there will be no U.S. boots on the ground "as long as I'm in this job," while non-uniformed C.I.A agents soft-shoe their way in to find out who the rebels are and what they need. In the Senate, John McCain proclaims that "Hope is not a strategy" as Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen … [Read more...] about No Boots on the Ground, Only Sneakers
The Tea Party Threatens John Boehner and the Future of the GOP
(This is the latest entry in the Elephant Dung Series over at my blog. For an explanation of this ongoing series, tracking the GOP civil war, see here. For previous entries, see here.) Jon Chait had a post the other day arguing that John Boehner has no choice, if he knows what's good for him, but to shut down the government. Basically, Boehner is in a tough spot. (No, … [Read more...] about The Tea Party Threatens John Boehner and the Future of the GOP
Employment (And The Overall Economy) Summed Up In Two Headlines
If you want to understand where the U.S. job market is headed these days, and by extension, the direction of the entire U.S. economy, you need only look at the two top headlines on today's New York Times website. The first reads "U.S. Economy Added 216,000 jobs in March: Rate at 8.8%"; the second reads "Many Low-Wage Jobs Seen as Failing to Meet Basic Needs. There it is. The … [Read more...] about Employment (And The Overall Economy) Summed Up In Two Headlines
Budget Crunch
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Budget Crunch
Tax Reform: Close the Bank of America-Size Loop Hole
Tax Reform: Close the Bank of America-Size Loop Hole by Tina Dupuy The ravages of the economic downturn have left a series of empty storefronts in my neighborhood. They exist as specters of a former up-and-coming enclave of local businesses. Now they’re home to hurried graffiti, the occasional panhandler and once a year to tax accountants. Yes, the hallows of what used to … [Read more...] about Tax Reform: Close the Bank of America-Size Loop Hole
April Fool
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about April Fool
The ‘Birthers’: Leonard Pitts Tells It Like It Is
One thing about Pulitzer Prize winner Leonard Pitts over at the Miami Herald, he doesn't mince words. In his most recent article about “birthers,” Pitts calls them “morons,’’ ‘‘jackasses,” “imbeciles,” “idiots,’’ “doofuses” and “pinheads.” After admitting that name calling “lowers the level of discourse… forestalls thoughtful response and…does not suggest an excess of … [Read more...] about The ‘Birthers’: Leonard Pitts Tells It Like It Is