Ezra Klein gives us two graphs. The first compares median household income to the wealthiest Americans' share of income over the last 60 years; the second shows us income gains since 1947 -- the gain for the top 1% compared with the median income gain. … [Read more...] about Further Thoughts on Income Inequality
Just Total Cynical, Hypocritical Business As Usual
I think it's hilarious that the government-funded Voice of America publishes an article about a Wikileaks-released cable that indicates Israel would have only 10 to 12 minutes warning before an Iranian rocket attack while this same government's State Department (among other government agencies) forbids its employees to read Wikileaks on government computers and the government's … [Read more...] about Just Total Cynical, Hypocritical Business As Usual
Will Surprises Never End?
A new poll conducted by 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair finds that fully two-thirds of Americans supporting bringing the deficit down by taxing the rich: … [Read more...] about Will Surprises Never End?
Did Christine O’Donnell Bring Down the Delaware GOP?
Former GOP Tea Party Sarah Palin favorite candidate for Senate Christine O'Donnell has responded to news that the FBI is investigating her by suggesting it's part of a plot by political thugs such as Vice President Joe Biden to bring her down. But the Frum Forum's Noah Kristula Green suggests that O'Donnell brought down the otherwise healthy Delaware GOP. Some … [Read more...] about Did Christine O’Donnell Bring Down the Delaware GOP?
Gallup Poll: Obama’s Presidential Approval Rating Now at 50%
And the see saw polls continue. Over the past few days there have been some blog posts and Tweets about how Barack Obama's poll numbers were going south. But according to Gallup's latest, his approval rating is now at 50 percent -- 3 points less than his 52 week high of 53 percent. Look for the see saw polls to continue. But what this means is: if his poll numbers are … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama’s Presidential Approval Rating Now at 50%
Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain: Not Even a ‘Rue Pétain’
Recounting our travels through France last September, I mentioned how touched we were by the numerous monuments and memorials the French people have dedicated to the World War II Allied heroes who gave their lives to help liberate France and by “the many other monuments, memorials and public and private expressions of pride and honor towards their hundreds of thousands of … [Read more...] about Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain: Not Even a ‘Rue Pétain’
D’s Trounced, Keep Leadership; R’s Romp, Steele On The Ropes
From the what-planet-are-you-on desk comes the illogic of politics in America. Democrats, who got their butts kicked in the most recent political season, will stay with the same team. No testing of the free agent market. No trades. Coaching staff remains in place. Granted, this is predictable. The Democrats have become the country’s most reactionary political party, … [Read more...] about D’s Trounced, Keep Leadership; R’s Romp, Steele On The Ropes
Quote of the Day: The Danger of Republican Overreach
Our political Quote of the Day comes from MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, a former Congressman and independent-minded Republican who warns GOPers of the danger of overreaching as they take over the House and have more numbers in the Senate: "If Republicans overreach in 2011, they will re-elect Barack Obama in 2012," he said. "They need to focus but make sure they don’t scare … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The Danger of Republican Overreach
Celebrating the New GOP Majority
WASHINGTON -- Welcome to the Republicans who take over the House of Representatives this week. Since it is a new year, let us be optimistic about what this development means for our nation. There is already a standard line of advice to Speaker-to-be John Boehner and his colleagues that goes like this: Democrats overreached in the last Congress by doing too much and … [Read more...] about Celebrating the New GOP Majority
So This Explains Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh
So this explains Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh: Today's human brain is 10% smaller than that of our Cro-Magnon ancestors, but scientists are divided on whether that means we are getting smarter or dumber. Some say it does represent a dumbing down, but that our increasingly complex society means individuals don't need as much intelligence to survive and reproduce. Others … [Read more...] about So This Explains Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh
Wall Street Terminator I — The Battle For Human Traders’ Survival
It's become a hackneyed theme of Hollywood sci-fi movies. A very high tech system developed to serve people's basic needs or defend a country against nuclear missile attack gains sentience and begins operating for its own benefit instead of the benefit of its human creators. Humanity then has to fight for its survival in very unfavorable circumstances. That hasn't happened … [Read more...] about Wall Street Terminator I — The Battle For Human Traders’ Survival
Godfather of the Baby Boomers
The New York Times notes a milestone: This year Baby Boomers start turning 65, and for the next 19 years, about 10,000 a day “will cross that threshold.” This is the story of the man who helped shape them. In 1945, millions of Americans came back from World War II and began to beget. The next year, a pediatrician named Benjamin Spock wrote the child-rearing bible for those … [Read more...] about Godfather of the Baby Boomers
Refurbished Animation Magic: Family Guy’s Stewie Dancing with Gene Kelly
Here's a bit of refurbished cinematic magic: Stewie of Family Guy (one of the most consistently funny animated programs) is seen here dancing with Gene Kelly in a scene where the Stewie takes the place of Kelly's original animated partner Jerry Mouse in a famous segment from Anchors Aweigh. This dance scene is very famous because when it was made it was state-of-the-art in the … [Read more...] about Refurbished Animation Magic: Family Guy’s Stewie Dancing with Gene Kelly
Issa Starts Off New Year With Talk Show Style Demonizing Rhetoric
You can tell what 2011 is going to be like already. The incoming House Oversight and Government Reform Rep. Darrell Issa on CNN tried to clarify remarks he made on mega-partisan talker Rush Limbaugh's show and the result was language typical of the demonizing talk radio political culture -- demonizing language that does not hold up under scrutiny: The incoming House … [Read more...] about Issa Starts Off New Year With Talk Show Style Demonizing Rhetoric
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Smoke
There are numerous social, political and economic events and accomplishments that will make 2010 go down in history as a very remarkable year. When it comes to equal rights in the military, of course the repeal of "Don’t ask, Don’t tell" will rank as one of the most significant achievements in that area in decades. But we shouldn’t forget that 2010 also marked the … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Smoke
History of Boomer Political Involvement
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about History of Boomer Political Involvement
Environmental News Update
Here's a great round up of environmental news that most likely hasn't been on your newspaper's front page, at the top of the news hour, or discussed by Sunday TV talking heads. Via Cookie Jill skippy (skippy invented the word "blogtopia" and writes in lower case). … [Read more...] about Environmental News Update
Law Enforcement, or Lawful Thuggery?
In the United States now, law "enforcement" authorities literally have a license to break the law. Put slightly differently, if you are a police officer, you can do exactly what a gang member or a bunch of thugs would do, and almost always you will suffer no consequences at all. And although it may be true that the vast majority of police officers are law-abiding professionals, … [Read more...] about Law Enforcement, or Lawful Thuggery?
Top 25 Most Overlooked News Stories of 2010
From Project Censored: … [Read more...] about Top 25 Most Overlooked News Stories of 2010
Dave Barry On 2010
Always good for a few laughs. Dave Barry on 2010 … [Read more...] about Dave Barry On 2010