I see that the recent episode of “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” stirred up a bit of controversy, along the lines of what I wondered about last week (if not exactly what I was asking about). My colleague here at The Moderate Voice, Joe Windish, has rounded up some of the commentary. On a more productive and educational bent, though, is the episode of “Mythbusters” tonight, which … [Read more...] about Of politicians and television shows
Tax, Partisanship and Obama
From the vantage point of ‘coalition’ Britain, the past couple of months of American politics have been fascinating. As in the UK, two parties that traditionally loath each other and everything they stand for try to come together in the national interest, you almost have the direct opposite happening in America. What I have found most interesting is role the … [Read more...] about Tax, Partisanship and Obama
JUST VAMPING WHILE THE STATUS QUO FALLS APART
President Obama and Congressional Republicans worked out a tax deal that completely left out the Democrats in Congress even though they have a lame-duck majority in the House until early January 2011. After that time, Republicans will effectively control Washington for the next two years through their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Many Democrats have suddenly … [Read more...] about JUST VAMPING WHILE THE STATUS QUO FALLS APART
Political Holiday Songs for 2010
Politics now permeates all aspects of American life. So what could be more fitting than a collection of songs for the holidays – political songs sung to some of our favorite holiday tunes? Here are some political songs geared to December 2010 America: OLBERMANN NIGHT (A song for Keith Olbermann non-fans sung to the tune of “Silent Night”) Olbermann night Olbermann … [Read more...] about Political Holiday Songs for 2010
Messiah Palin
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Messiah Palin
Quote of the Day Two: Will Liberal Ire Against Obama Translate Into Center Success?
Our second political Quote of the Day comes from Andrew Sullivan (a TMV favorite) who has a different take on the bro-ha-ha over President Barack Obama's compromise over tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans in exchange for Republicans Senators dropping their opposition to extending unemployments to Americans (who unlike them don't have government health insurance, expense … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day Two: Will Liberal Ire Against Obama Translate Into Center Success?
Christine O’Donnell Strikes Again
Once again defeated Tea Party favorite and GOP Senate candidate for Delaware Christine O'Donnell strikes again -- this time comparing the "tragedy" of extending unemployment benefits to Pearl Harbor and the death of Elizabeth Edwards. And of course, she later insisted that isn't what she meant. O'Donnell is symptomatic of the 21st century's troubling politico who feels … [Read more...] about Christine O’Donnell Strikes Again
Aaron Sorkin on Sarah Palin, Moose Hunter
Sarah on Sunday's episode of Sarah Palin's Alaska: Unless you've never worn leather shoes, sat upon a leather chair or eaten meat, save your condemnation. A scathing Aaron Sorkin (this is the gentlest part): I eat meat, chicken and fish, have shoes and furniture made of leather, and PETA is not ever going to put me on the cover of their brochure and for these reasons Palin … [Read more...] about Aaron Sorkin on Sarah Palin, Moose Hunter
“Yes We Can” to “We Can’t Say No”
Barack Obama has spent two years playing tennis with nobody on the other side of the net. Now, after caving in on the Bush tax cuts, it's time to ask: What part of n-o don't you understand when you hear it and what part of it do you find impossible to pronounce? "The deal," reports the New York Times, "appeared to resolve the first major standoff since the midterm elections … [Read more...] about “Yes We Can” to “We Can’t Say No”
Dear All: Dr E here, in behalf of the following message from our coblogger, Jerry Remmer, who as you know is fighting a battle but whose humor and intense interest in the news is running strong. Dear Dr. E., I am too weak to file posts but hope to do so starting this weekend. This is no admonition nor criticism, but I was shocked NO ONE on TMV filed a story on Obama's … [Read more...] about
Quote of the Day: Barack Obama on Democrats Angry Over Tax Cut Compromise
There has been an undercurrent during President Barack Obama's tempestuous term -- one that was predicted by some analyists right after his election: his party's progressive wing would take Obama's election as a kind of ideological mandate and Obama would be at odds with it since his record showed he was a pragmatist and if not centrist center-leftist. A Dennis Kucinich he … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Barack Obama on Democrats Angry Over Tax Cut Compromise
Deal To Extend Bush Tax Cuts
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Deal To Extend Bush Tax Cuts
Compassion and Love Are Not Partisan, or Exclusive to Any One Religious View
Yesterday, I posted a commentary from Donald Douglas at American Power in which he said (among other things) that Elizabeth Edwards was a "nihilist" because she said in her last public remarks about her illness that she put her faith in "family, friends, and the power of resilience and hope," and did not explicitly mention God. … [Read more...] about Compassion and Love Are Not Partisan, or Exclusive to Any One Religious View
Polite Organic Soup Can
You can consider this post as a bit of comic relief from the stressful news of a very eventful news day. … [Read more...] about Polite Organic Soup Can
Remember Pearl Harbor
It's been 69 years which means those young brave soldiers and sailors are pushing 90. Won't be long before they are all gone, so let us remember and honor them now. If you see a veteran, shake his hand and thank him Better yet give him a hug. May we never forget what they did for us. … [Read more...] about Remember Pearl Harbor
BREAKING: Elizabeth Edwards Dies
One day after she publicly announced that her cancer had spread and that her doctor had advised against further medical treatment, Elizabeth Edwards died. … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Elizabeth Edwards Dies
The People Versus The Pols
That old saying that we have the best congress and president money can buy is wrong. With all the money that was spent buying these worthies in the last two election cycles we should have gotten a far better political product. We didn't end up with a president with liberal leanings as so many voters believed they would get in 2008. What we got instead is someone surrounded … [Read more...] about The People Versus The Pols
GO AHEAD, START GAMBLING
Our economy is based upon gambling – always has been, always will be. In the past, the gambles were based upon real economic, social, scientific, technological and political conditions and predictions of how things might change. Uncertainty was always present in widely varying degrees since no one is clairvoyant and hindsight is uselessly 20-20. All of life is a risk and … [Read more...] about GO AHEAD, START GAMBLING
Contingency, Counterfactuals and the Study of History
It's Pearl Harbor Day, which means it's as good a time as ever to reflect on what happened that fateful morning 69 years ago...and what didn't happen. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in the hopes of destroying the US Pacific Fleet, recently moved out there from San Diego. The Japanese wanted to buy time to secure the oil fields in Indonesia and they knew the US would never … [Read more...] about Contingency, Counterfactuals and the Study of History
A Most Sacred Christmas Tree
Ron’s nice “Yule Tree” post made me poignantly aware of a totally different tree that my family and I, along with possibly over one hundred other Austinites, will be gingerly---many with tears in our eyes---decorating tonight. You see, tonight marks the 20th "Tree of Angels" ceremony. A beautiful ceremony which we have been supporting and attending here in Austin, Tex. for … [Read more...] about A Most Sacred Christmas Tree