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
Texas Republican Leader Opposes Jewish House Speaker because “Christians Do the Best Job”
A Texas GOP leader opposes a Jewish House speaker because he ways "Christians do the best job.'' And YES he does use that old line about "Some of my best friends are..." … [Read more...] about Texas Republican Leader Opposes Jewish House Speaker because “Christians Do the Best Job”
UPDATE: Assange Arrested in London: Judge Denies Bail
UPDATE Tues Dev 7, 2010 2:11 Mountain Time. London judge refuses bail to Assange, saying that he has frail ties to British residency, has much money accessible, and is thereby too easily able to not re-appear in court. Mr. Assange has thus been sent to an undisclosed jail location (as is usual in London) until further hearing in a week or so. His charges were defended by his … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Assange Arrested in London: Judge Denies Bail
Parents of Children in School Breakfast and Lunch Programs are “Criminally Negligent”
These parents are criminally negligent, according to Kate O'Beirne -- a National Review editor who made these remarks at a Republican strategy session last week -- because they don't know how to give their children a bowl of cereal and a banana: … [Read more...] about Parents of Children in School Breakfast and Lunch Programs are “Criminally Negligent”
MasterCard Pulls Plug On WikiLeaks Donations
MasterCard "is taking action to ensure that WikiLeaks can no longer accept MasterCard-branded products." Yet as Glenn Greenwald writes: WikiLeaks has never been charged with a crime, let alone indicted for one or convicted of one. A consensus of legal experts agree that prosecuting the organization or Julian Assange for any of its leaks would be difficult in the … [Read more...] about MasterCard Pulls Plug On WikiLeaks Donations
A House With No Frame
One would think that we could all agree, regardless of religious belief or political affiliation, how crushingly sad it is to read that Elizabeth Edwards' doctor has advised her that her cancer has spread, that she has only a short time to live, and that further medical treatment would not be productive. One would think that the only feelings and responses that come to mind … [Read more...] about A House With No Frame