For those who believe that young war veterans, leaders in combat, make good legislators, the new Congress is just “the ticket.” According to the Stars and Stripes, the new Congress to be seated later this month “will boast the largest number of Iraq War veterans ever.” Six new House members who have served in Iraq (two of them in Iraq and Afghanistan)---all … [Read more...] about The New War Veterans in Congress: All Republicans, All Americans
Republicans Plan Two Front Battle to Short Circuit Health Care Reform Before Obama Gives State of the Union Address
The big news as America gets ready to zip it of the traditionally slow news weekend called New Year's Eve weekend to another full-fledged news cycle is that the Republicans have made it clear that they will vote to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare reform program before he delivers his State of the Union address. And GOPers are also sending out the word that they … [Read more...] about Republicans Plan Two Front Battle to Short Circuit Health Care Reform Before Obama Gives State of the Union Address
Issa Fine Tunes His Investigation Target Net
It sounds as if incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Rep. Darrell Issa is fine tuning his investigations targets net -- and some of his inquires could could touch on GOpers as well. The Hill reports: The incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said Sunday that he won't investigate the Obama … [Read more...] about Issa Fine Tunes His Investigation Target Net
A “Lost” Show Stopper: Liza Minelli and Cyril Ritchard Singing “”Ding-a-ling, I Feel SO ChRiStMaS-eY!”
No matter what you're age, if you're interested in show biz (as a consumer or as a wannabe) finding REAL, AUTHENTIC examples of show stoppers on video is not easy. For years I've remembered a special musical that ran on ABC in the mid-60s due to a show stopper that stayed with me all these years. The number was done by a young Liza Minnelli (showing why she became famous in her … [Read more...] about A “Lost” Show Stopper: Liza Minelli and Cyril Ritchard Singing “”Ding-a-ling, I Feel SO ChRiStMaS-eY!”
Iraq’s Women are in Trouble (Guest Voice)
Iraq's Women are in Trouble by Prairie Weather McClatchy has a grim report about the situation of women in Iraq. Remember: during the Saddam regime, Iraq had the reputation of being one of the most progressive, egalitarian regimes in the region when it came to women's rights. Today's report suggests a sharp turn backwards,towards a burqa culture. For decades, … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Women are in Trouble (Guest Voice)
American Aristocracy v. Soul Food
Weren't the founders equally concerned with government and aristocratic power? How is it that in America today we are all, Left and Right, still concerned about government but not so much the power of the American aristocratic class, our super rich? This thought comes in reaction to a Newsbusters critique (such as it is, where's the beef?) of Nicholas Kristof's New Years Day … [Read more...] about American Aristocracy v. Soul Food
Who Is World’s Oldest Jewish Woman? Not Fori Nehru?
My friend Vlasta Molak informs me that the world's oldest Jewish woman is Alice Herz-Sommer, who celebrated her 107th birthday recently on November 26, 2010. In my recent article I had mentioned that this honour goes to India's Fori Nehru, 102. Thank you Vlasta. I had given the heading based on the information in The Week magazine. The author had stated: "While researching … [Read more...] about Who Is World’s Oldest Jewish Woman? Not Fori Nehru?
A Song to Remember in Tough Times
As 2011 begins, I continue to be struck by the number of people I know who are undergoing financial crises, family crises and personal crises. Hopefully 2011 will prove a happier year for them than the end of 2010 or the first day of 2011. And it's fitting to think about the lyrics of this song -- a video from a TV show shot a long time ago, with Dean Martin singing a song to … [Read more...] about A Song to Remember in Tough Times
2011
What's a new year without predictions? Dave Cohen at Decline of the Empire plays it safe and predicts what we won't see. My favorite: Our elected representatives in Congress will not put themselves on trial, find themselves guilty of wanton corruption, gross negligence, meanness of spirit, mind-boggling stupidity, and all-around depravity, and then go on to amend all the … [Read more...] about 2011
New Year’s Palin Hangover
The party's over, and all those sober gurus are picking on my date. Conservative Charles Krauthammer says she's a half-term governor who "has no chance of winning a general election" next year. Next year? At the New York Times, statistical wonk Nate Silver revisits his "10 Reasons That Sarah Palin Could Win the Republican Nomination" and concludes with a wordy "maybe … [Read more...] about New Year’s Palin Hangover
Andrew Cuomo Sworn in as New York State Governor
Andrew Cuomo has been sworn in as New York State's Governor, fulfilling a dream of following in his Dad's footsteps: Look for Cuomo -- even if he has modest success in that position -- to become a major political and media player on the national stage. It's clear news organizations will be falling all over themselves to get his comments on politics as the 2012 Presidential … [Read more...] about Andrew Cuomo Sworn in as New York State Governor
Gov. Barbour and the Scott Sisters: Better Justice in the New Year?
Every New Year most of us make good faith resolutions---some of us keep them. Every New Year most of us have hopes for the coming year---some of us will realize some of those hopes. One of my hopes is that there will better justice in our nation, in our world. On this first day of the New Year, I have come across some indications---albeit “mixed” ones---that, at least … [Read more...] about Gov. Barbour and the Scott Sisters: Better Justice in the New Year?
The Push for TSA Privatization
Is there an ulterior motive. It sure LOOKS THAT WAY. … [Read more...] about The Push for TSA Privatization
Sri Lanka Formally Deep Sixes Old Colonial Name Ceylon
There were used cars which became "pre-used" cars. There were liberals which became "progressive." There were body searches which became "enhanced pat downs." And now...formally...finally....the South Asia country Sri Lanka has decided to officially definitively deep six the colonial name "Ceylon," in all but a few notable areas: Sri Lanka's government has decided to … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka Formally Deep Sixes Old Colonial Name Ceylon
Top 10 Things I Learned During My First Year in Elected Office
Pundits often say that they'd never run for office - invasion of privacy, they've done bad things, it's so dirty, bla bla bla. So it takes some quantity of fearlessness, among other things, to even run. Having now served one year on the council of a small Ohio city outside of Cleveland - seriously? Stop making excuses - it's the governing that most requires courage. I … [Read more...] about Top 10 Things I Learned During My First Year in Elected Office
India’s Fori Nehru: World’s Oldest Jewish Woman Alive
I am sure this remarkable 102-year-old woman would never approve of the heading I have given to this story. Not long ago, I took a British friend to meet her at her house in Kasauli, an old quaint Indian town in the lower Himalayas. Fori smiled when she was told by my friend that his mother was "old" and in her early eighties. "You know at that age I was quite frisky," she … [Read more...] about India’s Fori Nehru: World’s Oldest Jewish Woman Alive
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We Welcome 2011
Happy New Year from TMV and all its writers, Guest Voice columnists and Guest Voice writers. All us here who contribute to TMV value each of our regular and not-so-regular readers. 2010 was not a happy year for many in the country (I'm sure each reader either has his/her own story or knows some) but the good thing about starting a new year is that you can start anew. This … [Read more...] about HAPPY NEW YEAR! We Welcome 2011
Happy New Year SNOW
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Happy New Year SNOW
Always On Your Side
This is one of the most beautiful songs I know, and certainly one of my favorite Sheryl Crow songs (lyrics below video). … [Read more...] about Always On Your Side
World Cartoonists’ Look at the 2011 New Year
The world's cartoonist are weighing in on the New Year. Here's a cross section of their work: 2011 Sword of Damacles: Drowning New Year: … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists’ Look at the 2011 New Year