The California Supreme Court has voted unanimously to decide the issue of who has the standing to defend Proposition 8. This move is in response to a request from the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on the subject. Without getting too deep into legal doubletalk, the issue stems from the fact that when Proposition 8 was challenged in the courts neither Governor … [Read more...] about California Supreme Court Takes Up Proposition 8 Standing Issue
Scott Brown Says He Was Molested As A Child (Video)
"Fortunately, nothing was ever fully consummated, so to speak," Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown tells 60 Minutes in an interview pegged to the release of his upcoming memoir, Against All Odds. Brown says this is the first time he's told anyone about it. In the book he says that the abuse took place when he was 10 years old at a religious camp in Cape Cod, which he … [Read more...] about Scott Brown Says He Was Molested As A Child (Video)
Nir Rosen Apologizes
This is a significant apology. I could have posted this as an update to my original post from yesterday, but I tend to prefer writing a new post over updating old ones because many people don't read updates, especially on high-traffic blogs like TMV, where fresh posts rapidly push older ones down the page. … [Read more...] about Nir Rosen Apologizes
Food Market Efficiencies Make Us More Vulnerable
So says Raj Patel in a NYTimes Room for Debate on the question of is the world producing enough food? Over the centuries, societies developed the tools of grain stores, crop diversification and "moral economies" to guarantee the poor access to food in times of crisis. Global economic liberalization discarded these buffers in favor of lean lines of trade. Safety nets and … [Read more...] about Food Market Efficiencies Make Us More Vulnerable
Authorities Put Child In Psych Ward
Imagine that you are a school administrator and it is brought to your attention that a young student (six or eight years old depending on the source) has drawn a disturbing violent picture and written a note indicating he wants to die. Obviously this is a disturbing situation and something you need to deal with. But what do you do ? Do you contact his parents ? Do you … [Read more...] about Authorities Put Child In Psych Ward
GOP Fast Shuffle on the Budget
Two years ago, they ran against Barack Obama, accusing him of "wealth redistribution." In two months, Republicans have been working to do just that--upward. After holding the President hostage in December to save $4 trillion in tax cuts for the richest Americans, the new House majority is now pushing for budget reductions out of the hides of the poor and middle class. The … [Read more...] about GOP Fast Shuffle on the Budget
Economics of Albert Pujols Applies to Each of Us
The Cardinals are considering whether to re-sign Albert Pujols. The deadline is nearing and at this writing I do not know which way that will go. I have heard and read all sorts of arguments why the Cards should and should not sign Mr. Pujols, and none of them have addressed the real issue - economics. It is NOT about whether he is the best player, his comparisons to a … [Read more...] about Economics of Albert Pujols Applies to Each of Us
Violence in Bahrain Is of Concern to the U.S.
As unrest spreads in the Middle East in the wake of the successful protests in Egypt that toppled the entrenced autocrat Hosni Mubarak, the U.S. is concerned over spreading violence in Bahrain: pp Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com … [Read more...] about Violence in Bahrain Is of Concern to the U.S.
Middle East Protests Unrest Spreads to Libya
The Middle East protests that have slammed into Tunisia, Yemen ,Iran, Bahrain and Egypt have now hit Libya -- and as in many of the other places the goal is to bring about change and pose a challenge to an entrenched autocratic establishment. A key tool again: Social networking. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Libya Wednesday in the first sign that the nding … [Read more...] about Middle East Protests Unrest Spreads to Libya
What is the Real Meaning of Egypt’s Revolution? (Guest Voice)
What is the Real Meaning of Egypt's Revolution? By Barry Rubin "The People Toppled the Government," is al-Ahram's headline, and the general interpretation of the Egyptian revolution around the world. That's true but only partly true. Mubarak's pedestal was shaken by the people but he was pushed off it by the army and the establishment. Let's remember something that … [Read more...] about What is the Real Meaning of Egypt’s Revolution? (Guest Voice)
Santorum Speaks About Being One Of The First “Google Bombs”
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is in the news today for commenting on his Google problem: Try it for yourself: Enter “Rick Santorum” into Google. In a fraction of a second you’ll have hundreds of thousands of results. But two of the top four cite a graphic definition for a sexual neologism. In this case, the neologism is a reference to anal sex. This, of course, … [Read more...] about Santorum Speaks About Being One Of The First “Google Bombs”
Walk Like An Egyptian
And lest you forget the original song..from 1986: … [Read more...] about Walk Like An Egyptian
Iraq: Food vs. F-16s
In “The Iraqi Phoenix Rises Again,” I described how the once proud and powerful Iraqi Air Force (IqAF)---at one time the sixth largest air force in the world---was decimated as a result of both the 1991 "Persian Gulf War" (Operation Desert Storm) and Saddam Hussein’s desperate concealing, disassembling and “stashing abroad” of its remaining aircraft before the 2003 U.S. … [Read more...] about Iraq: Food vs. F-16s
Sleeping In The Office An Ethics Violation?
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) says so: By CREW's estimation at least 32 members -- and as much as a fifth of the freshman class -- save on rent and sleep on cots, air mattresses or couches in their federal offices whilst in DC. Sure, most congressmen earn more than $100,000 a year, so you'd think they'd be able to afford at least a studio in … [Read more...] about Sleeping In The Office An Ethics Violation?
Jazz Legend George Shearing Dies (Guest Voice)
Jazz Legend George Shearing Dies by J. Thomas Duffy I heard this on the radio this morning, and it shadowed the beginning of the day in sadness; George Shearing dies aged 91 Announcing the death due to heart failure at Shearing's home in Manhattan, his agent, Dale Sheets, said: "He was a totally one of a kind performer. It was something wonderful to see, to watch him … [Read more...] about Jazz Legend George Shearing Dies (Guest Voice)
When They’re Right, They’re Right
Several bloggers on the right are criticizing Nir Rosen for engaging in an extended Twitter exchange trivializing and making fun of what happened to Lara Logan. I'm going to single out Jim Geraghty's comments for quoting, because I feel that he makes the point without engaging in partisan name-calling or ad hominem attacks: … [Read more...] about When They’re Right, They’re Right
Worker Dies On Job, Co-Workers Don’t Notice
This is unreal, a county employee died at her desk and it took as long as a day for her body to be discovered by a security guard. None of her co workers noticed or spoke to her it seems. … [Read more...] about Worker Dies On Job, Co-Workers Don’t Notice
The Heroes of Texas Tower No. 4 (Updated)
Last week, President Obama, in a letter to surviving relatives and friends of 28 patriots evoked a tragic accident that occurred 50 years ago in the Atlantic Ocean 85 miles off New York City. In the letter, the president recognized the 28 men who died when Texas Tower No. 4 (TT4) collapsed into the ocean during a violent storm the night of January 15, 1961: “Our … [Read more...] about The Heroes of Texas Tower No. 4 (Updated)
Iranian MP’s Call For Death Penalty For Protesters
Not exactly sprouting freedom and democracy yet in Tehran. … [Read more...] about Iranian MP’s Call For Death Penalty For Protesters
Clinton Demands Net Freedom Abroad, At Home, Not So Much
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a speech today at George Washington University urging governments abroad to embrace internet freedom: "The United States continues to help people in oppressive Internet environments get around filters, stay one step ahead of the censors, the hackers and the thugs who beat them up or imprison them for what they say online," she … [Read more...] about Clinton Demands Net Freedom Abroad, At Home, Not So Much