How 'true' are Hollywood films that are based on 'true stories?' From Switzerland's News, columnist Patrik Etschmayer rails against the Oscars for favoring films that spin 'truth' for the benefit of producers and studios, over movies that despite being fiction, tell us much more about reality and ourselves. For Switzerland's News, Patrik Etschmayer writes in … [Read more...] about Oscar’s Misguided Love for Films Based on ‘True Stories’: News, Switzerland
Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
This week the President marked the 150th anniversary of a predecessor's words as the nation was falling into civil war. What Abraham Lincoln said then could well be a model for Barack Obama at his own second inaugural if and when he is reelected in a time of turmoil and division. In praising the Great Emancipator for charting "a course to transcend our discord and bind the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
SNL Spoofs a Charlie Sheen Talk Show “Duh! Winning!”
SNL last night spoofed Charlie Sheen, showing what it would be like if he did a talk show: The problem here: Sheen did a live webcast that was reportedly unintentionally funnier than the SNL sketch -- and boring. … [Read more...] about SNL Spoofs a Charlie Sheen Talk Show “Duh! Winning!”
Charlie Sheen’s Live Webcast Suggested the Winner is a Loser
Charlie Sheen did a live webcast. And reports and Twitters suggest that many concluded the "winner" is a "loser" -- no matter how much money he has, how many porn stars are living with him or whether CBS ultimately kowtows to big bucks temptation and invites him back to resume filming on the mega hit show "Two and a Half Men" or not. Sheen has become a major cultural … [Read more...] about Charlie Sheen’s Live Webcast Suggested the Winner is a Loser
For Jer (Jerry Remmers) Resquiescant en Pace, Rest in Peace Good Brother
Jerry Remmers was like a brother to many of us at TMV. A rare thing amongst former strangers. It went something like this... As a woman in the 'biz' so to speak, having the protective wing of brothers and sisters is a blessing, and I mean it. It is a rare and beautiful thing. The tiny group who play wingman and wingwoman to my work at TMV before and after it sees the light of … [Read more...] about For Jer (Jerry Remmers) Resquiescant en Pace, Rest in Peace Good Brother
The Classic Song Satirist: The Timeless Lyrics and Melodies of Snarky Satirist Tom Lehrer
An email from a younger TMV reader about comedy and parody has inspired this post. One of the greatest song parody masters was Tom Lehrer whose melodies (which he wrote) and lyrics (which he wrote) still hold up, even though some incidental topical references are dated. Here are some You Tubes of a 1967 TV performance. First his hilarious take on National Brotherhood … [Read more...] about The Classic Song Satirist: The Timeless Lyrics and Melodies of Snarky Satirist Tom Lehrer
Once More: Snyder v. Phelps
[This post is dedicated to Jerry Remmers. I wonder how Jerry, as a journalist and a person with great empathy, would have come down on this issue. He may have already] Almost a year ago, just as the Snyder v. Phelps case was starting to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, I had strong opinions about this issue. On April 1, 2010, I wrote: Imagine your only son … [Read more...] about Once More: Snyder v. Phelps
A Collection of Charlie Sheen Songs
Charlie Sheen is inspiring songwriters. To wit: Lyrics (truly) by Charlie Sheen: And there's also this: And this: He even inspired this original song and original lyric: … [Read more...] about A Collection of Charlie Sheen Songs
There’s More Than One Way to Betray Your Country
Charlie Savage in yesterday's New York Times: … [Read more...] about There’s More Than One Way to Betray Your Country
Sarah Palin Admires…Herself
Sarah Palin was on Bill O'Reilly's show and got testy when he interrupted her (I mean, how can you be allowed to deliver your spin if someone interrupts you with questions or challenges you?). Most news reports have focused on that. But even more delicious was a tidbit from another Fox News interview. Who does Sarah Palin admire? Herself. Who is she less than impressed … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Admires…Herself
Quote of the Day II: As Wisconsin Goes So Does the Nation?
Our political Quote of the Day II is actually an extensive post by John Judis who makes the case that as Wisconsin goes, so does the nation. Here's the first part and you can go to the link to read the rest and make up your mind if he makes his case or not: Last December, I asked a prominent K Street Republican what he thought his party’s top priority would be following … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day II: As Wisconsin Goes So Does the Nation?
The Overthinker
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about The Overthinker
Quote of the Day: David Koch on David Koch (the fake)
Our political Quote of the Day comes from billionaire, Tea Party bankroller and Democratic party nemesis billionaire David Koch about the prank caller who pretended to be him, got right through to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and got Walker to say some things that will not help Walker's career. No one can say Koch does not have a sense of humor: “I was thinking to myself, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: David Koch on David Koch (the fake)
Revisiting Sexual Politics
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?