"It did not." Ed Morrissey claims those three words in the President's Tucson speech last night were off script. The President spoke them in the moment; they were not in the pre-released text of the speech. In context ... And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let’s remember that it is not … [Read more...] about Obama’s Three Words … and What Happens Next
Making Poetry Relevant In America With A Glee-Like TV Series
Percy Shelley called poets “the unacknowledged legislators of the world," which at various times and in many places they truly were. Robert Frost said "poetry is a way of taking life by the throat," and also opined that "poetry is the best possible way of saying almost anything," Both these views are also certainly true. Which raises this question: In America today, why doesn't … [Read more...] about Making Poetry Relevant In America With A Glee-Like TV Series
Praise for The U.S. Postal Service. And Netflix.
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. Derived from a quote from Herodotus' Histories (8.98), that phrase is inscribed on the James A. Farley Post Office building, the main post office building in New York City. The building is a McKim, Mead & White masterpiece and a totem to another … [Read more...] about Praise for The U.S. Postal Service. And Netflix.
BOOK REVIEW: “The Evolution of God” by Robert Wright
For any and all interested, I have a review of this book up at LibraryThing. … [Read more...] about BOOK REVIEW: “The Evolution of God” by Robert Wright
How Violent Talk Blocks Sane Gun Laws
WASHINGTON -- The slaughter in Tucson hasn't shaken us out of bad political habits. Instead of promoting a sober conversation about the dangers of violent political talk, it has reinforced divisions between left and right. Even responsible conservatives have dismissed any suggestion that Saturday's attack is reason enough to condemn the threats of violence that have … [Read more...] about How Violent Talk Blocks Sane Gun Laws
Obama Visits Tucson
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama Visits Tucson
Words from President Obama’s Tucson Memorial Speech
The entire speech delivered tonight by the President at the Memorial service for the victims of Saturday’s tragedy was exactly what our country needed. I was struck the most by his concluding remarks. Words that, in my opinion, need no introduction, no commentary, no analysis. Here they are: But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized - at a time … [Read more...] about Words from President Obama’s Tucson Memorial Speech
Tucson Service Strikes Right Tone
Having just watched the memorial I have to say I think it struck just the right tone. I know some were put off by the applause and cheering since this was in part a memorial service. But it was more than that, it was a national coming together kind of moment and one that honored the bravery exhibited on Saturday. I liked the fact that all of the speakers avoided politics, … [Read more...] about Tucson Service Strikes Right Tone
Arrest in Threat to Kill Congressman
A 32 year-old California man was arrested today for making phone calls last month to Democratic Representative Jim McDermott’s office and leaving expletive-laden voice mails. In those messages he threatened to kill the congressman, his friends and family. The Caucus: The news came as law-enforcement officials briefed members of Congress on precautions they ought to take to … [Read more...] about Arrest in Threat to Kill Congressman
The Day Hope was Shot, in America and Europe: News, Switzerland
Does the reaction of U.S. lawmakers to the shooting in Tucson bode ill for some kind of healing process? Columnist Patrick Etschmayer of Switzerland's News worries that the political gamesmanship that has already begun offers little hope that the rhetoric in the United States - or in Europe for that matter - are likely to be tamped down anytime soon. For News, Patrick … [Read more...] about The Day Hope was Shot, in America and Europe: News, Switzerland
Sarah Palin’s Explosively Toxic Verbal Bombs: First “Death Panels,” Then “Reload,” And Now, “Blood Libel”
Readers: This is an article by Jerry Remmers, our respected Columnist at The Moderate voice who, as you know is fighting a courageous battle for his life at present. He asked that we post this for him. Dr. E/ ed. Sarah Palin's Explosively Toxic Verbal Bombs: First "Death Panels," Then "Reload," And Now, "Blood Libel" by Jerry Remmers, Columnist at The Moderate Voice As … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s Explosively Toxic Verbal Bombs: First “Death Panels,” Then “Reload,” And Now, “Blood Libel”
Sarah Palin and “Blood Libel”
What does Sarah Palin mean when she uses the religious phrase, blood libel, in her commentary on the shooting of Rep. Giffords? After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event. [...] Vigorous and spirited public debates … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin and “Blood Libel”
Quote of the Day: On Sarah Palin’s Technique of Answering Critics
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Steve Benen who touches on what many mainstream and other pundits have noted: Sarah Palin in answering her critics does not face them head on by answering media questions (which could produce a political "home run" if handled correctly) but gets the last word (via Facebook, You Tube, Tweets and new and old media coverage) by issuing … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Sarah Palin’s Technique of Answering Critics
Disturbed Gunman
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Consequences
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Consequences
America’s ‘Intellectual Instigators’ of Hatred: Rheinische Post, Germany
Continuing with our look at the German press reaction to the attack in Arizona, columnist Frank Herrmann of the Rheinische Post expresses relief that finally, Americans are looking inward and asking what it means when holding public office is synonymous with risking one's life. America is in a state of shock. The bloodbath in Arizona has shaken a nation which must … [Read more...] about America’s ‘Intellectual Instigators’ of Hatred: Rheinische Post, Germany
Will the Giffords Arizona Shootings Change Anything?
Isn’t it time to be blunt? When the news hit that Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been critically wounded and 6 people were dead, it was news that many Americans had expected. The wounded were collateral damage. It isn’t only supposedly wishy-washy moderates and independent voters who have long been alarmed that America’s poisonous political polemics had replaced … [Read more...] about Will the Giffords Arizona Shootings Change Anything?
Sarah Palin in the Crosshairs
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Sarah Palin, blood libel, and the Inigo Montoya problem
I have been planning on writing on this subject for a while, and the statement issued by Sarah Palin regarding the tempest swirling around the terrorist act in Tucson, Arizona, provides the last bit of incentive. Former Governor Palin used the phrase “blood libel” in her statement, making me wonder why, in something that was supposedly responding to the condemnation of the … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin, blood libel, and the Inigo Montoya problem
Let’s Have A Rational Conversation About Guns
In the wake of the Tucson carnage, there has been considerable discussion here and elsewhere about gun possession and carry laws. Some have speculated that private gun possession would have reduced the death and injury toll in Tucson. Others have speculated that the toll would have increased with the presence of additional guns. What both sides have in common is that they … [Read more...] about Let’s Have A Rational Conversation About Guns