Since TMV is political I thought a governmental Christmas wish would be fitting The wonderful show Yes Minister offered this brilliant comedy bit for us all. "I wonder if I might crave your momentary indulgence in order to discharge a by no means disagreeable obligation which has, over the years, become more or less established practice in government service as we … [Read more...] about Happy Christmas To All
A Columnist Comments On Those Who Comment Nom De Plume
In another venue in which I dabble, the subject of anonymous commenters -- those who cloak themselves behind fictitious names -- came up. One of my group called these people cowards. I wouldn't go quite that far. I am old newspaper school. No Letter to the Editor was ever published without someone verifying the author's name, address and telephone number. There were no … [Read more...] about A Columnist Comments On Those Who Comment Nom De Plume
The Right Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas all through a House Not a Speaker was stirring, not even the souse; The Census was hung by the chimney with care, In the hopes that 2012 would soon be there; The Repubs were nestled all smug in their beds. Visions of Tea Party plums danced in their heads; And DeMint in his 'kerchief and Coburn in his cap Tried to settle … [Read more...] about The Right Before Christmas
Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s “Comeback” and its Impact on GOP Power
Our political Quote of the Day comes from columnist Charles Kraiuthammer who looks at Barack Obama's stringo of victories in the lame duck Congress and writes: The great liberal ascendancy of 2008, destined to last 40 years (predicted James Carville), lasted less than two. Yet, the great Republican ascendancy of 2010 lasted less than two months. Republicans will enter the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s “Comeback” and its Impact on GOP Power
Give To The Troops
I posted earlier this month about donating to the USO and here is another group well worth your consideration. Hero Box.org helps to send custom boxes to our men and women in the field. Please consider helping out. They're fighting for you after all. … [Read more...] about Give To The Troops
Does “Pro-Life” Include a Mother’s Life?
Back in May, I wrote here at TMV about a Roman Catholic nun who was excommunicated for approving an abortion that was necessary to save the life of the mother. … [Read more...] about Does “Pro-Life” Include a Mother’s Life?
The US Should Give More Foreign Aid, Poll Suggest Americans Would Go For That
[What follows is only my personal opinion. I don't claim my authority as a pastor for it. It's just me and, as always, I could be completely wrong.] The daily headlines suggest that the United States and all western democracies are, in the days ahead, facing not fewer but more threats from terrorists--whether they're violent Islamists or, as in the case of those thought … [Read more...] about The US Should Give More Foreign Aid, Poll Suggest Americans Would Go For That
U.S. Cables Show Brazil Warned Chavez ‘Not to Play’ with U.S. ‘Fire’: El Pais, Spain
Christmas or no Christmas, the WikiLeaks juggernaut marches on. In this report from Juan Jesus Aznarez of Spain's El Pais, a U.S. diplomatic cable has emerged that shows America pressuring Brazil to get Hugo Chavez to 'show more restraint' when speaking of the U.S. and its president, George W. Bush, who Chavez referred to as 'El Diablo [Satan], a 'donkey', an 'alcoholic' and a … [Read more...] about U.S. Cables Show Brazil Warned Chavez ‘Not to Play’ with U.S. ‘Fire’: El Pais, Spain
Plea from OSU Alum: Don’t Appeal NCAA Suspensions
Earlier today, I watched the press conference with Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and head football coach Jim Tressel. Five Ohio State players have been suspended from playing the first five games of next season by the NCAA. Smith indicated that Ohio State will appeal the penalties. (Another player has been suspended for one game of the 2011 season.) As an Ohio … [Read more...] about Plea from OSU Alum: Don’t Appeal NCAA Suspensions
New Details on Bradley Manning’s Confinement
Recently, an MIT researcher named David House interviewed Army PFC Bradley Manning at the Quantico, Virginia, brig where he has been detained for five months, following two months of confinement in Kuwait. The interview (conducted under severely restrictive conditions, which House describes at the end of the article), contradicts in many important respects the account given by … [Read more...] about New Details on Bradley Manning’s Confinement
Catholic Church Shoots Self in Foot
They could have handled this worse. They could have waited until tomorrow, and turned the sick away on Christmas Eve. The Guardian: The head of the Catholic church in Phoenix has stripped Arizona's largest hospital of its Catholic affiliation after he ruled that a decision to save the life of a mother by terminating her 11-week pregnancy was morally wrong. Bishop Thomas … [Read more...] about Catholic Church Shoots Self in Foot
A New Hero for People Who Like Independent Politicians
There's a new hero for people who like independent politicians. Can you guess who it is? CLICK HERE. … [Read more...] about A New Hero for People Who Like Independent Politicians
Pat Robertson Urges Decriminalization of Marijuana
I never thought I'd see the day when Pat Robertson advocated a more libertarian position on marijuana than most of our politicians, but apparently that day has come. Or as Radley Balko of The Agitator puts it: Remember December 22, 2010 . . . it’s the day Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson took a more sensible, pro-personal freedom position on marijuana than 95 … [Read more...] about Pat Robertson Urges Decriminalization of Marijuana
Girl Talk’s Gregg Gillis on Getting Sued
Gregg Gllis, better known to fans by his stage name, Girl Talk, released his fifth album, All Day, last month. The album is composed of 373 overlapping samples of other artists' songs. Fair use? Or copyright infringement? In 2008 the NYTimes famously called Gillis, a 29-year-old Pittsburgh native and former Case Western Reserve University biomedical engineering student, … [Read more...] about Girl Talk’s Gregg Gillis on Getting Sued
Teacher Has 13 Year Old Arrested for Using Permanent Marker
We'll just post this one and let people comment in comments on THIS: A 13-year-old boy was arrested Friday for using a permanent marker while in class at his Oklahoma City middle school, a violation of an obscure city ordinance. According to an Oklahoma City Police Department report, the boy was spotted “in possession of a permanent marker” by Roosevelt Middle School … [Read more...] about Teacher Has 13 Year Old Arrested for Using Permanent Marker
NORAD Is Tracking Santa
One of the most interesting and exciting assignments during my U.S. Air Force career was my tour of duty at the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) complex some 1,400 feet beneath granite Cheyenne Mountain, south of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the height of the Cold War. I still remember walking or busing through the long tunnel, entering the “vault,” then waiting … [Read more...] about NORAD Is Tracking Santa
We Are Not Scrooges! (Guest Voice)
We Are Not Scrooges! by Tina Dupuy Ever been stuck in holiday traffic fighting to be stuck in a holiday cashier’s line so you can purchase low-price presents on your high-balance Visa listening to high-volume holiday music and think, “Why am I doing this to myself?! I don’t even really LIKE Christmas. It’s just a scheme to get me to gain more weight AND gain more … [Read more...] about We Are Not Scrooges! (Guest Voice)
Middle-of-the-Road GOP Revolt
Sanity has thrown a Hail-Mary pass to close out the year with a surprise upset in the lame-duck Congress, and the heroes are moderate Republicans who sat on the Washington bench all year during the Tea Party rout of all reason. From DADT repeal to the START treaty and a food-safety bill to medical care for 9/11 responders, barriers come down as traditional GOP lawmakers … [Read more...] about Middle-of-the-Road GOP Revolt
The Pride of “Obama’s Orphans”
WASHINGTON -- At the beginning of 2009, the choice before Democrats who controlled the 111th Congress was whether they would enact historic legislation, even at the risk of their majority, or whether they would play it safe. They gave the safe option a pass, with two results: This will go down as the most productive Congress since the 89th, which was even more … [Read more...] about The Pride of “Obama’s Orphans”
And Now a Little Vaudeville to Start Your Day
During the depression, the zippy vaudeville style acts and songs raised peoples' spirits. So what could be more fitting in this lousy economy than to offer TMV readers a little bit of vaudeville (filmed before my time). Stick with the whole song: … [Read more...] about And Now a Little Vaudeville to Start Your Day