Rand Paul on GMA this morning commenting on the USA Today poll finding that by a margin of nearly 2-to-1 Americans favor keeping union bargaining rights: I don't think the Tea Party started this, I think circumstances did. You know, the circumstances are that we're in a recession. There's less money coming in to state treasuries, less money coming in to Washington. So I don't … [Read more...] about Shock Doctrine Politics At Play In The USA
Fox News: Fair Balanced But Sloppy?
Fox News says it's fair and balanced but is it also sloppy -- or worse? It somehow totally reversed the results of a poll that were reported on HERE. (UPDATE: As Update link below notes, the Fox host later apologized for the error) GO HERE to see how Fox reported it. UPDATE: Also read this. … [Read more...] about Fox News: Fair Balanced But Sloppy?
Mass Exodus of Foreigners from Libya as Gaddafi Threatens Crackdown
You may as well click ON THIS and play this theme: according to reports, a mass exodus of foreigners from Libya has begun as beset dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi threatens a crackdown, vows he'll fight to the last drop of his (and his countrymens') blood and reports surface that he intends to sabotage his own country's oil fields: A mass exodus of foreigners from Libya … [Read more...] about Mass Exodus of Foreigners from Libya as Gaddafi Threatens Crackdown
Could Gaddafi Sabatoge Oil Pipelines?
Could Libya's beset dictator Muammar Gaddafi sabatoge his country's pipelines as he clings to power and lashes out at those at home and abroad who oppose him? There are serious fears he could: Here are excerpts from Gaddafi's speech yesterday. No this is NOT a SNL sketch but the real thing. Part of his message is "You ain't seen nothing in terms of repression yet.." … [Read more...] about Could Gaddafi Sabatoge Oil Pipelines?
A challenge to the US auto market? (Guest Voice)
A challenge to the US auto market? by Prairie Weather Considering how much more popular lately WalMart has been compared to GM, the new little Chinese hybrid sedan may just clean up in a bruised American economy. Here's some of what the New York Times reviewer has to say about his ride in the little 4-door BYD ("Build Your Dream"): ...If BYD clears the regulatory … [Read more...] about A challenge to the US auto market? (Guest Voice)
Gallup: Obama Approval Rating Drops in All 50 States
A new Gallup Poll finds President Barack Obama's approval rating has dropped in all 50 states, with his highest approval still in Hawaii and Washington, DC and his rock bottom rating in Wyoming: Residents of Hawaii gave native son President Barack Obama the highest average 2010 job approval rating (66%) of any of the 50 states, surpassed only by the 84% Obama received … [Read more...] about Gallup: Obama Approval Rating Drops in All 50 States
Limbaugh Blasts Michelle Obama
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Newt Gingrich Called Out On Affair
Last night in the question period after a speech at the University of Pennsylvania: "You adamantly oppose gay rights... but you've also been married three times and admitted to having an affair with your current wife while you were still married to your second," Isabel Friedman, president of the Penn Democrats, said to Gingrich. "As a successful politician who's considering … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Called Out On Affair
Wisconsin IT Department Treats Pro-Union Website Like A Porn Site
The website DefendWisconsin.org, which supports union protesters, could not be accessed on the Wisconsin Capitol wifi network on Monday and part of Tuesday, according to various news reports. According to CNN: The Capitol internet service, which restricts access to certain websites considered inappropriate for lawmakers, revealed a "blocked page" when users tried to access … [Read more...] about Wisconsin IT Department Treats Pro-Union Website Like A Porn Site
The Genesis of “Cuban Pete” (of “The Mask” Fame)
In an email with a young TMV reader, we discussed my favorite musical comedy bit in a movie: Jim Carey doing "Cuban Pete" in The Mask. This readers was unaware of the fascinating gensis of this number. It was first made famous in the early 1950s by Desi Arnaz singing it on "I Love Lucy." Here's the segment: In the mid-70s, Arnaz, now elderly and largely retired, … [Read more...] about The Genesis of “Cuban Pete” (of “The Mask” Fame)
This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like (Guest Voice)
This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like by Tina Dupuy Last week the Tea Party proved itself once and for all to be anti-populist. Now, I know their press says Tea Partiers are just regular Joe the Unlicensed Plumbers, angry about government fill-in-the-blank. That’s been the story ever since they first rallied against people who found themselves on the wrong end of … [Read more...] about This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like (Guest Voice)
Will 2011 Be The “Year of the Demonstration”?
Tunisia. Egypt. Yemen, Iran, Bahrain. Libya. Even Wisconsin. You look at the places pitch forked into the headlines and wonder if 2011 will be “Year of the Demonstration,” where angry protesters do political — or more violent battle — against their governments. And you have to conclude that political establishments will see what has happened so far and decide to crack down. … [Read more...] about Will 2011 Be The “Year of the Demonstration”?
Looking at Middle East, I’m Thankful for George Washington
Watching what's happening in the Middle East, where sick men have held onto power for decades, I'm thankful to live in the United States. Here, we take for granted the peaceful transition of executive power. The human instrument by which that incredible blessing has come to us was George Washington. As I've pointed out before, Washington turned down the offer of … [Read more...] about Looking at Middle East, I’m Thankful for George Washington
Chicago Election Night: Mayor Rahmbo
Today is primary day in Chicago and since the Republican voters of the city can meet in a small room it means that the next mayor will be a Democrat (correction from earlier post, I had forgotten they went to primary/runoff versus primary general). According to the official returns Rahm Emanuel leads Gery Chico (the closest thing we got to a reformer) by a commanding 55-25 … [Read more...] about Chicago Election Night: Mayor Rahmbo
This Is Why Americans Vote Against Economic Self-Interest
You'll see this question posed on talk shows and in blog post comments: why do Americans vote in a way that is contrary to economic self-interest? Why do Americans support policies that shift capital to the richest one percent of the population? Some think it's the myth of American individualism: that anyone can be a billionaire - just work hard and riches will be yours. … [Read more...] about This Is Why Americans Vote Against Economic Self-Interest
USA Today/Gallup Poll: 61% Oppose Limiting Union Bargaining Power
A warning flag? Amid the ongoing drama in Wisconsin where Gov. Scott Walker is digging in his heels to remove collective bargaining from public employees unions, and reports that other GOP Governers are poised to try the same thing, a new poll finds 61 percent of voters oppose limiting union bargaining power. Yet another poll shows Walker is now also taking a hit with his … [Read more...] about USA Today/Gallup Poll: 61% Oppose Limiting Union Bargaining Power
No More Fear
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is trying to keep up with the pace of events in the Middle East, marveling at the speed at which the dominoes of dictatorship are falling, and wondering why all this is happening NOW. Of course, answers to questions like that are never singular, but one that a number of commentators have been pointing to has to do with the way dictators hold on … [Read more...] about No More Fear
Amazon Prime Customers Get Free Movie Streaming
In a salvo directed at Netflix, with Apple and the cable networks, perhaps, as collateral damage, Amazon announced today that AmazonPrime customers now have free (bundled) access to thousands of movies and TV shows. When it launched in the United States in 2005, the Amazon Prime membership program touted unlimited fast shipping on all eligible purchases for an annual … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Customers Get Free Movie Streaming
Is Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker Out to Fix the Budget or Politically Bust a Union? Evidence Is Mounting:
Is Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker out to fix his state's budget or out to politically bust a union? Despite the usual spin (spin equaling comments that almost everyone knows are not really what's going on but if a R or a D says them people are somehow expected to believe it is so even though no one does..get it?) the more you read on the showdown in Wisconsin, the more it sounds … [Read more...] about Is Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker Out to Fix the Budget or Politically Bust a Union? Evidence Is Mounting:
Nanny State Nanny
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