Triangulate: a word that has various meanings depending on the context. In the Wall Street Journal today, Floyd Abrams triangulates in the psychological sense: a three-person dynamic in which one person tries to drive a wedge between two people by allying with one against the other -- aka playing two people against each other; also aka divide and conquer. Abrams is doing it in … [Read more...] about If You Can’t Debate, Triangulate
What We Lost in the Aughts
At the turn of a millennium, the odometer of our lives clicked into years with more than one zero in them, setting off a decade of losses: Economy, in a meltdown with budget surpluses becoming record deficits. National security, two wars--one pointless, the other unending. Political life, in the dumpster. Social well-being, off the charts with fear, distrust, animus and … [Read more...] about What We Lost in the Aughts
Worse Than The Great Depression?
An antidote for those of us guilty of slipping into sunny optimism... George Washington at Naked Capitalism makes the case that where we are now is worse than the Great Depression. This is how the hefty, link-filled post begins: The following experts have – at some point during the last 2 years – said that the economic crisis could be worse than the Great … [Read more...] about Worse Than The Great Depression?
Obama’s Principles, His Skepticism, His pragmatism, and His Game Plan (REVISED)
NOTE: This was done originally as a Guest Voice but I'm switching this to a more traditional post where I can give my take on a few of the points raised. The points raised are in Obama's principles, his skepticism, his pragmatism, and his game plan cross-posted from the blog The Scribe. It is of special interest to many of TMV's moderate readers who are interested in the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Principles, His Skepticism, His pragmatism, and His Game Plan (REVISED)
Snowy New York
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Snowy New York
South Korean “Provocation?” Statements Says It’s Preparing for Unification With the North
Tensions are likely to rise even more in 2011 between North and South Korea with South Korea's declaration that is is preparing for unification with the North. The Christian Science Monitor reports: South Korea’s Unification Ministry said Wednesday it would shift focus next year from pursuing inter-Korean talks to preparing for unification with North Korea. That … [Read more...] about South Korean “Provocation?” Statements Says It’s Preparing for Unification With the North
The Republican Picking Up Steam for 2012
Who is the Republican most picking up steam in the still undeclared race for the 2012 Republican nomination for President? It's not Sarah Palin. Her Republican support is falling (dramatically from two years ago) in the polls. On the ascent: another Fox News star Mike Huckabee. … [Read more...] about The Republican Picking Up Steam for 2012
Mexican Drugs, U. S. Guns
While many citizens on the U. S. side of our southern border complain bitterly about the influx of illegal drugs through the Mexican corridor, most show little more than complacency when confronted with the arms trafficking in the opposite direction. The blood on the streets of Mexican cities is brought about almost entirely with the use of weapons from the United … [Read more...] about Mexican Drugs, U. S. Guns
Politics’ Worst Cliches
If you read a lot of political analysis and commentary in the mainstream media and online you can't escape one fact: a lot of it is peppered with political cliches that are tossed around and become grating and are often also inaccurate. GO HERE to read the always-superb Walter Shapiro's take on the worst cliches from "tax and spend" to maverick. On the other hand, at the end … [Read more...] about Politics’ Worst Cliches
New Development In Obama Birth Controversy
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: Birthers Challenge Hawaii to Produce Statehood Certificate President’s Birthplace Not Really American, Leaders Claim KAILUA, HAWAII (The Borowitz Report) – Leaders of the so-called Birther movement followed President Obama on his Hawaiian vacation today to demand that Hawaii prove it is actually a U.S. … [Read more...] about New Development In Obama Birth Controversy
Hollywood & Pentagon: “Power Of Celluloid Dreams”
I have been a great admirer of Hollywood's great war classics. Who can forget "All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)", "The Longest Day', "The Bridge on The River Kwai", "Lawrence of Arabia", and so on. But in the present times some see an unholy nexus between the war machine and the Hollywood. Al Jazeera has an interesting article and panel discussion on the subject. "War … [Read more...] about Hollywood & Pentagon: “Power Of Celluloid Dreams”
Scathing Words for GOP Dishonesty on Deficit
Stan Collender, who writes the economics blog "Capital Gains and Games," slams Republicans for abandoning their concern for the deficit as soon as the election was over: … [Read more...] about Scathing Words for GOP Dishonesty on Deficit
Satire is Very Serious (Guest Voice)
Satire is Very Serious By Tina Dupuy People understand comedy like they understand electricity. They utilize it, enjoy it, know it comes from somewhere – but fundamentally don’t know much about it. And judging by the reaction to The Daily Show host Jon Stewart’s championing the Zadroga 9/11 responders bill to a successful passage during the lame duck session – most of the … [Read more...] about Satire is Very Serious (Guest Voice)
Uncle Sam’s Travels
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Uncle Sam’s Travels
25 Years of Christmas
A truly amazing, touching You Tube video -- MUST VIEWING by all. A parent taped his kids coming down the stairs for Christmas..foe 25 years. Watch the progression: … [Read more...] about 25 Years of Christmas
What Do You Want To See At TMV ?
While I'm not going to try and speak for all of TMV I can certainly make this post on my own behalf. What would you like to see from my postings in 2011 ? Are there any topics you'd like to see covered in more detail ? Are there topics you'd like to see go away ? I'll even entertain suggestions on changing my viewpoint on some issues but I won't make promises there … [Read more...] about What Do You Want To See At TMV ?
WikiLeaks: A War, But What Kind of War?: Liberation, France
It seems as though the operations of WikiLeaks have set almost every source of power on the attack against a new enemy. But according to Liberation columnist Daniel Schneiderman, despite the focus on Julian Assange, pinpointing precisely what or who the enemy is - and how to stop it - is proving exceedingly difficult. For Liberation, after outlining the importance of making … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks: A War, But What Kind of War?: Liberation, France
Sarah Palin Is an Acquired Taste
Juan Williams says Sarah Palin is no intellectual match for Barack Obama. She’s no intellectual match for a match. That was a line I could not resist tweeting. Someone on Twitter got annoyed at my little joke: “So cheap and weak.” But I was actually emulating Palin’s style. Palin’s rhetoric is often cheap: she has a habit of calling reporters and even Republicans who diss … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Is an Acquired Taste
Nissan Leaf Crowdsources Fuel Economy
With the purchase of a 2010 Prius I quickly morphed from a speed demon to a hypermiler, complaining anytime the car's gas mileage dips below 50 MPG. Toyota's simple energy monitor with instant fuel consumption metering and fuel consumption history has changed the way I drive, gently incentivizing greater fuel efficiency. But that Toyota Multi-Information Display has been … [Read more...] about Nissan Leaf Crowdsources Fuel Economy
Monitor Family Computer Use – Go To Jail
This out of Michigan. Leon Walker (pictured above) of Rochester Hills is charged under a law meant to prevent identity theft, and could face up to five years in prison, for reading his wife’s email. Using a laptop in the couple’s home, Walker logged on to his wife’s Gmail account and learned she was having an affair. Walker believed the affair involved a man with an … [Read more...] about Monitor Family Computer Use – Go To Jail