DESPITE popular requests, here it is: And in case you want more: … [Read more...] about Jingle Cats Silent Night
South Carolina’s Moment of Clarity
There will be many moments in the coming years to examine and discuss the issues that tore our nation apart 150 years ago. Tonight is the 150th anniversary of one of the most important precipitating events in the secession crisis, which led to the American Civil War: the secession of South Carolina from the Union. Over the years a debate has ensued over exactly why South … [Read more...] about South Carolina’s Moment of Clarity
Why Progessives Need CEOs — Really
WASHINGTON -- The central question in our politics is whether we can break out of formulaic discussions that always end up in the same place. Here's one major test: Can progressives change their way of thinking about business? We are already seeing a dreary replay of the old argument. Self-styled centrists say that President Obama has really ticked off business leaders … [Read more...] about Why Progessives Need CEOs — Really
DADT Has Been Repealed, But What Do the Troops Say?
Several of our TMV contributors (yours truly included) have said our two-cents worth on the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Judging from some of the comments---“enough already”---we have probably said more than dos centavos worth. But, hey, inflation and all that… But what do the troops have to say? Those men and women on the front lines, in combat around the … [Read more...] about DADT Has Been Repealed, But What Do the Troops Say?
Three Cartoonists’ Views of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal
Cartoonists are starting to weigh in on the Senate's repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Here are three examples: … [Read more...] about Three Cartoonists’ Views of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal
Love Is Forever
For most teenagers love means trips to the movies, stolen kisses behind the bleachers and the heartbreak of that first breakup. For Sabrina Parker and Matt Scozzari it means a whole lot more. The two began dating after Matt, in his own words, got up the nerve to ask her out. Over the next three months things seemed perfect to them, but Matt noticed that Sabrina seemed … [Read more...] about Love Is Forever
Merry Christmas
Out here in the warm, desert sun, it is quite possible to visualize the original setting of the birth of Jesus Christ. It can get uncomfortably cold at night in the desert but the days are replete with sun and relative warmth in comparison to much of the Northern Hemisphere. Considering the three great monotheistic global religions all originated in the desert, the modern-day … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas
Ugandan Homophobia and American Evangelicalism
Against a backdrop of intense and overt homophobia in Uganda -- a bill that would impose the death penalty for sexual activity between consenting same sex adults who are "serial offenders" will be considered early next year — a judge is expected to decide tomorrow whether a tabloid can continue to out gay men and lesbians. The publication ran a front page headline in … [Read more...] about Ugandan Homophobia and American Evangelicalism
Foursquare Goes For Flash Rather Than Functionality
Foursquare is going "social." Foursquare adds photos and comments, Techmeme tells me this morning. Color me unimpressed; I'd much prefer the developers focus on functionality. Here's why. … [Read more...] about Foursquare Goes For Flash Rather Than Functionality
DVD Movie Review: This Wretched Life (2010)
One of the glories of aspiring filmmakers is that if they can just get some good equipment, a solid script, first-class actors, and use their creativity plus what they've learned studying other films, they can make an independent film providing they can can raise the money and are willing to stick with the project. In the end is there a payoff? Many often point to the Blair … [Read more...] about DVD Movie Review: This Wretched Life (2010)
Domestic Spying On Americans: Your Privacy At Risk
Dana Priest and William Arkin have published a lengthy investigative report in the Washington Post. Their piece, “Monitoring America”, details the extensive network of federal, state and local information gathering on American citizens. Some excerpts: …the United States is assembling a vast domestic intelligence apparatus to collect information about Americans, using … [Read more...] about Domestic Spying On Americans: Your Privacy At Risk
Another Sign of Political Trouble for Sarah Palin?
An Alaska bookstore had 1,000 armbands ready and even portable toilets for those expected to camp outside to get a glimpse of the GOP's biggest political celebrity, as she'd sign her new book. But only a few hundred showed up. … [Read more...] about Another Sign of Political Trouble for Sarah Palin?
García Márquez’ “The Puppet”: Not His, but Nice Reading Nevertheless…
Colombiano, and neighbor, Gabriel García Márquez---long version, Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez---is by far my most favorite author (Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, a.k.a "Dr. E" comes in a close second). We have all read and enjoyed the works of this 1982 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature---works such as "Love in the Time of Cholera," "One Hundred Years of … [Read more...] about García Márquez’ “The Puppet”: Not His, but Nice Reading Nevertheless…
The Two Words That Killed the Prevention of Child Marriage Bill
"Health services." … [Read more...] about The Two Words That Killed the Prevention of Child Marriage Bill
Goodbye, Fourteenth Amendment
For the mainstream right, now, the Tenth Amendment trumps the Fourteenth Amendment: … [Read more...] about Goodbye, Fourteenth Amendment
The Year’s Biggest Lie
If truth is the first casualty of war, the GOP assault on Obama has produced what a Pulitzer-Prize-winning fact check site calls "The Lie of the Year"--that the President's reform law is "a government takeover" of health care. The Oscar goes to Frank Luntz, who deserves permanent possession of the truth-twisting trophy. Whenever John Boehner or Mitch McConnell says … [Read more...] about The Year’s Biggest Lie
Well, This Is a Surprise…. NOT
Andrew Kreig writes in The Huffington Post: … [Read more...] about Well, This Is a Surprise…. NOT
Rewards For Those Who Wait? BestBuy Holiday iPad Bundle
Over at 9-to-5 Mac, Mark Gurman reports that BestBuy is bundling the iPad with mobile hotspot hardware. The catch? A two-year contract with either Verizon, AT&T or Sprint. Clear and Virgin not part of the deal for obvious reasons when you look at their non-promo service plans. According to ThinkMobile, the MiFi is not locked to the iPad (reportedly it is with Verizon) … [Read more...] about Rewards For Those Who Wait? BestBuy Holiday iPad Bundle
Just for A Moment, Pause Here With Us in the Valley of the Rockies…
Blessed holidays... the daylight will soon stay longer... the pelts on the horses grow thicker now... the rabbits are wearing their white fur coats... the red tails can be more easily seen against the snow... the red foxes show themselves in daylight trotting across the open fields, the night sky is deep blue velvet, there are sheep in the shelter side of the wind, and … [Read more...] about Just for A Moment, Pause Here With Us in the Valley of the Rockies…
Inside The Mortgage Monster
I reviewed Michael W. Hudson's The Monster at Newshoggers and here at The Moderate Voice. Do you like a good crime novel – a corporate crime novel? If so The Monster: How a gang of predatory lenders and Wall Street bankers fleeced America – and spawned a global crisis by Michael W. Hudson is for you. Unfortunately it's not a fictional novel but the history of the mortgage … [Read more...] about Inside The Mortgage Monster