The draconian conditions under which Army PFC Bradley Manning has been held for seven months -- first in Kuwait and after that at Quantico, Virginia, where he has been kept in almost complete solitary confinement for five months, with no end in sight -- connect to any number of constitutional issues, from government secrecy to torture. Some of these issues have sparked more … [Read more...] about The Sixth Amendment and Pretrial Detention
A Problem for ABC
It appears as if This Week with Christiane Amanpour is tanking... … [Read more...] about A Problem for ABC
Californians Are Happy Schwarzenegger Won’t Be “Back”
It'll soon be time for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to leave office -- someone who came to the office supported by many independent voters, disgusted Democrats and exiled moderate Republicans who felt he could represent a new kind of politician and get results. In one sense he was: for some of his tenure his positions were all over the place (in other times he … [Read more...] about Californians Are Happy Schwarzenegger Won’t Be “Back”
“Enhanced Pat Down” Policy Unlikely to Change
There's GOOD NEWS for cartoonists, stand up comedians and bloggers: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday that controversial new airport security procedures are likely to remain in place since they have been effective. Some airline passengers and lawmakers have objected to the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policy, which includes … [Read more...] about “Enhanced Pat Down” Policy Unlikely to Change
Upcoming Obama Regulation Will Likely Revive “Death Panels” Rhetoric
Get ready to hear talk show hosts and others charge the Obama administration with ushering in "death panels." You betchya: When a proposal to encourage end-of-life planning touched off a political storm over “death panels,” Democrats dropped it from legislation to overhaul the health care system. But the Obama administration will achieve the same goal by regulation, … [Read more...] about Upcoming Obama Regulation Will Likely Revive “Death Panels” Rhetoric
Thoughts of a Loved One
This is something of a downer holiday season. My 89 year old mother, who always reminded me of Lucy Ricardo on "I Love Lucy," is having some major health issues. I call often to try to get her laughing but I carry sadness and wake up at night often. And a very old song recorded way before I was born says it all about those women who raise all of us from the time we're infants: … [Read more...] about Thoughts of a Loved One
A Christmas Disapppointment?
Christmas was a joy today to millions around the world -- but it once disappointed a famous man in Europe: … [Read more...] about A Christmas Disapppointment?
Journalist Sees Decline in Manning’s Health Over Last Several Months (UPDATED)
Glenn Greenwald Itemizes Wikileaks’ 2010 Accomplishments
Major points in Glenn's piece: … [Read more...] about Glenn Greenwald Itemizes Wikileaks’ 2010 Accomplishments
Santa Lives in Chelsea
I always like looking for good stories to post for Christmas and this one is perfect. A couple in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City started getting letters addressed to Santa. They had no real idea why they were getting the letters, they live on 22nd street and so there did not seem to be any logical reason for them to get the letters. Reporters have tried to … [Read more...] about Santa Lives in Chelsea
Happy Christmas Day, Everyone
Here's some news: … [Read more...] about Happy Christmas Day, Everyone
Some Post Christmas Dinner Music 4 U
Quite a few people have their Christmas dinner in the afternoon on Christmas Day (I have been invited to someone's home and will go there). Here's some music that fits in perfectly with that post-dinner feeling: … [Read more...] about Some Post Christmas Dinner Music 4 U
Singers’ Art (and Talent) Always Endures
It's always touching how many singers retain their pizzaz no matter how many years passed, their personal tragedies and time's physical toll. Here's Clarence "Frogman" Henry as a young man singing "Ain't Got No Home" Now a short clip of him in later years dog the same song on 2/11/09: … [Read more...] about Singers’ Art (and Talent) Always Endures
ALL IS BRIGHT!! Richmondites Strive To Be Seen From Space! Merry Christmas to All (Guest Voice) by Martha Randolph Carr
Merry Christmas to All! ... By Martha Randolph Carr... There is something about the Christmas season that makes everyone believe in the possibilities just a little bit more and they carry that good cheer with them everywhere. It doesn’t matter what part of the country, the magic happens everywhere. In New York City my old friends will be making plans to go and see the … [Read more...] about ALL IS BRIGHT!! Richmondites Strive To Be Seen From Space! Merry Christmas to All (Guest Voice) by Martha Randolph Carr
Sheperd
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sheperd
Some Christmas Music for You
Some music for Christmas morning: And also this (since we know people like different artists): … [Read more...] about Some Christmas Music for You
Just for This Time, Rest and Make Room at ‘The Little Inn of the Heart’ for Peace… In Us, With Us, Through Us… for Others
Peace: the best definition of Peace I know is Live and Let Live. For, as we say, in this time of year...the Child of Love is born on a silent night, a holy night... a Child of Love who is the Master of Peace, who ever teaches those who 'are as lonely as an owl on the ridgepole' with no one to speak to. We are learning too, via science, what the old women have always said is … [Read more...] about Just for This Time, Rest and Make Room at ‘The Little Inn of the Heart’ for Peace… In Us, With Us, Through Us… for Others
“Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
Christmas always recalls Eric Sevareid, one of the 20th century's best journalists and a writer with gifts far beyond reporting the news. I published an essay of his twice in different decades in different magazines. Herewith, excerpts: "Christmas offers us peace in one hand but in the other it carries a sword. The peace it offers is the love we felt in childhood and may … [Read more...] about “Take Heaven, Take Peace, Take Joy”
Merry Christmas
Yes, I may be a heathen but I'll wish you all a merry Christmas anyway - it's the modern solstice holiday. My Viking ancestors still call it Yule or the festival of lights but in reality it has become a shopping feeding frenzy and has little to do with the manufactured celebration of the birth Christ. Here is Ober Ammergau at Christmas circa 1970 that catches the real spirit … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas To Our Troops
Remember that as we celebrate with our families they are standing guard … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas To Our Troops