Tom Whipple of the Falls Church News is one of the best at discussing the social implications of peak oil. He makes the following observation: Buried in the millions of words that were written about the shootings in Arizona last week was a recent poll showing that only 13 percent of the American people think favorably of the U.S. Congress. The implication, of course, is … [Read more...] about Change is Never Easy
Who By Fire
I meant to post this yesterday, but it's certainly still relevant, sad to say: … [Read more...] about Who By Fire
Tea Party ‘Endangers Health’ of American Democracy: El Pais, Spain
Is the Tea Party inherently dangerous? According to this editorial from Spain's El Pais, if Republicans fail to squeeze them out of their ranks quickly, 'there will be more reason than before to fear its fanatical influence.' The El Pais editorial says in part: No one in America has dared draw a direct link between the massacre in Tucson and the political degradation that … [Read more...] about Tea Party ‘Endangers Health’ of American Democracy: El Pais, Spain
The Congressional Sausage Grinder
I spent over a decade working closely with elected officials -- the descriptive term preferred, over politician, among those I know -- and I wholeheartedly agree with Ezra Klein: I've met a lot of members of Congress, and I do think most of them are good, or at least are trying to be. Serving in Congress is actually a sort of crummy life: You live in a small apartment, you … [Read more...] about The Congressional Sausage Grinder
Sarah Palin Booked to Take Tough Questions From a Journalist
Whoops...sorry, wrong about that: She won't be talking to a journalist and wont be taking tough questions. she'll do a major p.r. piece interview with -- yes, you guessed it -- Fox News' Sean Hannity that will run through several commercial breaks. (It's not quite posting on Facebook with no real challenging questions, but it comes close). … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Booked to Take Tough Questions From a Journalist
In Memory of Little Christina
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about In Memory of Little Christina
So Much For A New Era
Who cares about the content of Barack Obama's speech last night? Why, the scramble is on to show that he was lying about Gabby Giffords opening her eyes. AHA! GOTCHA!!!! Wait! Maybe not. (SIGH) … [Read more...] about So Much For A New Era
The Massacre in Tucson: Will America Ever Learn? (Estadao, Brazil)
What is it about America and guns? It's a question people in other countries ask every time there is an outbreak of violence at a school, at a bowling alley or in this case, at a supermarket. This editorial from Brazil's Estadao tries to put two and two together for Brazilian readers, and ponders America's violent political history. The Estadao editorial says in … [Read more...] about The Massacre in Tucson: Will America Ever Learn? (Estadao, Brazil)
Corporatism And Libertarianism
Balloon Juice's resident libertarian points to a Cato series about corporatism from a couple years ago. It takes place as a dialogue between the Cato libertarians, mainstream liberal Matthew Yglesias and progressive economist Dean Baker. I have not read it all but what I have read is an excellent demonstration of the potential and pitfalls for left-libertarian alliances that I … [Read more...] about Corporatism And Libertarianism
How To Read A Legal Opinion
Recently on a TMV comment thread I was presented with this question: “Well, now that you have brought up the subject of reading legal opinions, Elijah, I have my opening to ask HOW, in your view as a legal professional, a layperson *should* read a legal opinion?" Because of the many discussions on legal topics, constitutional issues and political policy issues that touch on … [Read more...] about How To Read A Legal Opinion
Part Pastor, Part Professor, All President
Whatever Barack Obama tells us about the State of the Union on January 25th, he showed us its heart in Tucson last night. He came there to lead a nation in grieving, parse the meaning of a tragedy and, above all, give hope to a shocked and divided people. In doing so, he reminded those who truly listened of what they saw in him two years ago. Despite the crowd's … [Read more...] about Part Pastor, Part Professor, All President
Five Stars for Petraeus
This morning, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed arguing that General Petraeus deserves to be awarded a 5th Star. In July of last year, in “Five Stars for Petraeus?,” I made similar recommendations. I am honored to be joined by such an august publication in a call to recognize the General’s superb leadership, accomplishments and in support of our nation's … [Read more...] about Five Stars for Petraeus
Quote of the Day: New Jersey’s Gov. Christie Says Palin Must Go Unscripted to be 2012 Contender (UPDATED)
Many writers here at TMV and elsewhere have noted how former Gov. Sarah Palin -- now looking like she's gearing up to run for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination -- is sticking to a press strategy where she issues statements via Facebook, Twitter, does prepared videos and in all but a few instances avoids questions from the mainstream media or even the growing number of … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: New Jersey’s Gov. Christie Says Palin Must Go Unscripted to be 2012 Contender (UPDATED)
Obama’s Three Words … and What Happens Next
"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